East Louisville

A destination for shopping, dining, and family fun.

Louisville’s eastern suburbs, mostly located between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265), are home to thriving communities like St. Matthews, Jeffersontown, Middletown, and Norton Commons. Each East Louisville community features some of the city’s top restaurants, plenty of shopping and indoor recreation, and countless outdoor activities.

St. Matthews
Middletown
Jeffersontown
Norton Commons

In the Neighborhood

East Louisville Restaurants

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St. Matthews

Eat & Drink

Breakfast lovers will delight in several options, including neighborhood favorites Cheddar Box Too and Highland Morning. Or get your Biscuit Belly on with the St. Matthews location of this growing local business. All three spots have breakfast versions of Louisville’s famous sandwich—the Hot Brown. New to the neighborhood, Nepalese coffee shop Phalcha is known for its stunning and delicious coffee flights.

For over 100 years, Plehn’s Bakery has been making donuts, cakes, bread, and more. You can even grab a pimento cheese or Benedictine sandwich at their old-fashioned lunch counter for a taste of nostalgia. For lunch or dinner, Elderberry Provisions offers casual, gourmet grab-and-go.

World flavors abound from ToGo Sushi in Lyndon; Cuban staples like ropa vieja at Mojito in Havana; a modern twist on Asian classics at District 6; Vietnamese quick service at NamNam Café; and the best of Thailand, including all spice levels of satay and pad thai, at Simply Thai.

Keeping it stateside and Southern are Lou Lou Food + Drink, with their twist on Louisville meets Louisiana, and Black Rabbit, a speakeasy where you can enjoy cocktails and dishes like fried chicken with sawmill gravy. Bourbon & Burgers has all its name implies, along with delectable boozy shakes.

The center of St. Matthews is known for its nightlife and concentration of walkable bars and pubs. Listen to live music at Tin Roof or Gerstle’s, one of the city’s oldest bars. Rack ‘em up at The Fox Den, or take in the local pub feel of Drake’s and Saints Pizza Pub & SkyBar.

At Westport Village, you’ll find many locally owned, independent restaurants. For breakfast, there’s Wild Eggs and North Lime Coffee & Donuts. Boombozz Pizza & Watch Bar is perfect for game day or casual dining; Hikoa-Mon serves sushi and hibachi dishes; Jade Palace specializes in dim sum and Chinese classics; Los Aztecas for Mexican favorites; Steak & Bourbon for hand-cut steaks and an extensive Bourbon list; and Osteria Italian Seafood brings coastal flavors to the heart of Louisville. Comfy Cow serves handcrafted ice creams, and Westport Whiskey & Wine is a go-to destination for Bourbon lovers. Heading farther east toward Middletown, find authentic French fare at Brasserie Provence.

Discover

St. Matthews is filled with scenic parks, including Seneca Park, part of the city-wide park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, 17-acre Robsion Park, 28-acre Brown Park, and 45-acre St. Matthews Community Park. For indoor fun, there’s Dave & Buster’s, an arcade, bar, and restaurant; Ten Pin Strike & Spare Family Fun Center; Kentucky’s first Topgolf, a three-story golf-entertainment complex; and Puttshack, a tech-infused minigolf experience, at Oxmoor Center.

Shops

At Chenoweth Square, you’ll find several local boutiques. Pick up fashions and accessories at Mamili, Merci, and Lemon Tree. For home décor, there’s Fleur de Lis. Find unique gifts at Cartwheels Paper & Gifts.

Nearby is Colonial Designs, a local favorite for flowers, fashions, and home décor; The Rocking Horse children’s boutique; Trace Mayer Antiques; and The Hat Girls, where you can pick out a Derby fascinator or hat. Westport Village is home to more than a dozen independent boutiques and specialty stores. For women’s fashion, there’s Apricot Lane Boutique, Collections, Darling State of Mind, and Tunie’s. For home décor, there’s Bliss Home and Summer Classics. For children and the young at heart, there’s Golden Keep Game Company, Milk & Honey, and Playthings. Specialty shops include Sea Love, a make-your-own candle bar and boutique, and Zi Olive, a premium oil-and-vinegar shop. For your furry friends, there’s Three Dog Bakery.

Head farther east for larger shopping centers and malls (Mall St. Matthews, Oxmoor Center, and The Paddock Shops, an outdoor shopping center) featuring national names.

Middletown

Eat & Drink

Whether you are looking for a quaint lunch spot with good food or a unique local barbecue joint, you can satisfy your appetite at one of many Middletown restaurants. Popular lunch spots with Southern flavor are Cheddar Box Café or Cottage Café along historic Main Street. Foodies will enjoy the adventurous small plates and wine pairings at LouVino. Rumors has been attracting locals for over 30 years with their fresh seafood and wings. Enjoy live music at Barrel 33 and The Blind Squirrel, which also has a dance floor and three sand volleyball courts. Hyderabad House serves casual Indian, and VinBun Vietnamese Bistro serves banh mi, pho, and more. Several local favorites have brought their popular cuisine to Middletown, like Simply Thai and Havana Rumba.

Looking for a pizza to share? Head to local pizzerias Bearno’s, Coal’s Artisan Pizza, or
Impellizzeri’s (order the breadsticks—trust us). Barbecue fans need to plan a visit to Mark’s Feed Store, where they have been serving famous barbecue and sauces since 1988. New American restaurant The House of Marigold serves breakfast and lunch, offering an ever-changing menu of locally sourced cuisine.

Discover

Middletown is a vibrant suburb that offers small-town charm. Find restored cottages that are home to friendly, locally owned shops and restaurants. Explore the town’s centuries-old history at Middletown Historical Museum, or get outdoors at Beckley Creek Park (part of The Parklands of Floyds Fork), which features a community garden, walking trails, picnic areas, and a fishing lake, as well as agricultural fields at the site of a former distillery.

Shop

Don’t forget to browse the boutiques along Middletown’s historic Main Street. Chick
A D’s sells a wide variety of gifts, Gather, featuring women’s accessories and home décor. Unique fashions, jewelry, home décor, and gifts can be found at Two Chicks & Company Boutique. Find all things Kentucky at A Taste of Kentucky, or discover treasures at Red Barn Antique & Art Emporium.

Jeffersontown

Eat & Drink

Come dinnertime, plan a night of “games, grains (beer and Bourbon) and grub” at Recbar or line up for the popular burgers at Mussel & Burger Bar. Try 3rd Turn Brewing for a pub-style gathering spot with 20 taps. Barcelona Bistro offers tapas, paella, sangria and more Spanish treats.

Discover

Year-round, visitors can explore Kentucky’s natural legacy and early settlement history at Blackacre, Kentucky’s first State Nature Preserve. The 170-acre farm and 1785 homestead includes an 18th-century cottage, spring house, barn and pre-Civil War farmhouse. Indoor family fun is found at Malibu Jack’s, Activate Games and Kingpin Lanes. Ride go-karts and throw axes at Full Throttle Adrenaline Park.

Norton Commons

Eat & Drink

A walkable urbanist community, Norton Commons is a lively shopping and dining
destination. Start your day with a pastry from Crust and Crumb, a
fresh blend from I Love Juice Bar, coffee from Quills, or a hearty Mexican breakfast
at Con Huevos. The options for lunch and dinner are extensive, with many options within walking distance of one another. There’s Alchemy Restaurant for Venezuelan fusion; The Chef’s Table for an intimate, interactive dinner with local guest chefs; Karem’s Grill & Pub for classic American fare; Sushi Master; Gustavo’s Mexican Grill; Fiesta Time Amigos; Waldo’s Chicken & Beer; and Old School New York Pizza. Commonwealth Tap is a cozy neighborhood bar, Atrium Brewing has 20+ beers on tap, and Watch Hill Proper offers more than 1,500 American whiskeys. For ice cream, there’s How Sweet It Is and Gelato Gilberto.

Shop

For fashion and accessories, there’s LuluBelles, Nicole & B, and SPARK; Motion for luxury and vintage clothing and shoes; Liz and Roo for luxury baby bedding; and Underpinnings Lingerie. For metaphysical gifts, step into the magical Bodhi Tree.

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