East Louisville

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 End community features some of the city’s top restaurants, plenty of shopping and indoor recreation and countless outdoor activities.

ST. MATTHEWS

EAT & DRINK

Breakfast lovers will delight in several options, including neighborhood favorites, Cheddar Box Too and Highland Morning. Both have breakfast versions of Louisville’s famous sandwich – the Hot Brown. Or get your Biscuit Belly on with the St. Matthews location of this growing local business.

For 100 years, Plehn’s Bakery has been making donuts, cakes, bread and more for generations of Louisville families. You can even grab a pimento cheese or Benedictine sandwich at their old-fashioned lunch counter for a taste of nostalgia.

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, fast-casual Venezuelan at Señora Arepa, 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. You can enjoy cocktails and dishes like fried chicken with sawmill gravy in this speakeasy.

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. Play some pinball, enjoy a cocktail and admire the art at Never Say Die. Rack ‘em up at The Fox Den or take in the local pub feel of Drake’s or Saints Pizza Pub & SkyBar.
where soccer fans gather for Premier League games and bluegrass pickers have weekly jam sessions on Wednesdays.

DISCOVER

St. Matthews is filled with scenic parks, including Seneca Park, part of the city-wide park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a 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 and Kentucky’s first Topgolf, a three-story golf entertainment complex at Oxmoor Center.

SHOPS

At Chenoweth Square, you’ll find several local boutiques. Pick up fashions and accessories at Merci and Lemon Tree. For home décor, there’s Fleur de Lis. Find unique gifts at Cartwheels Paper & Gifts. If you’re traveling with your four-legged friends, pop by the pet-friendly Three Dog Bakery. 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. Head further east for larger shopping centers and malls (Mall St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center, and outdoor shopping center, The Paddock Shops) featuring national names. Nearby is Westport Village, home to more than a dozen walkable local shops and restaurants. A new Ballard Design & Frontgate outlet is luring furniture lovers from around the region.

MIDDLETOWN

EAT & DRINK

Whether you are looking for a quaint lunch spot with good food or a unique local barbeque 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 the Blind Squirrel and Barrel 33. Recent openings continue to reflect Louisville’s diverse community with casual Indian at Hyderabad House and Vin Bun Vietnamese Bistro serving up banh mi, pho and more. Pair good food with craft beer at Great Flood Middletown. 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). BBQ fans need to plan a visit to Mark’s Feed Store, where they have been serving famous BBQ 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. Restored cottages are home to friendly, locally-owned shops and restaurants. Middletown is also home to the legendary Valhalla Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus. This course has hosted multiple PGA events and a Ryder Cup. Explore the centuries-old history of the community at Middletown Historical Museum or get outdoors at Beckley Creek Park. Part of the Parklands of Floyds Fork, this park features a community garden, walking trails, picnic areas, a fishing lake, and agricultural fields at the site of a former distillery.

SHOP

Don’t forget to browse the boutiques along Middletown’s historic Main Street, including Chick A D’s, Gather and Prickly Pear Boutique, featuring women’s accessories and home décor. Magnolia & Fig offers stylish attire for ladies. Unique fashions, jewelry, home décor and gifts can be found at Two Chicks & Company. 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 quickly building a reputation as a shopping and dining destination. Start your day with morning tea and a pastry at Fleur de Tea or with coffee at Quills or Cafe Commons. The options for lunch and dinner are extensive, with many options within walking distance from one another. There’s Karem’s Grill & Pub for classic American fare, Sushi Master, Tea Station Asian Bistro, Gusatvo’s Mexican Grill, Fiesta Time Amigos, Waldo’s Chicken and 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 artisan-made Italian ice cream, there’s Gelato Gilberto or the unicorn cake ice cream at Sugar Tree Sweet Shop. Stay at family-operated bed-&-breakfast.

SHOP

The neighborhood is packed with locally-owned boutiques. For fashion and accessories, there are many boutiques: LuluBelles, Nicole & B, and SPARK; Motion for luxury and vintage clothing and shoes; Liz and Roo for luxury baby bedding; Something Blue, specializing in bridal; and Underpinnings Lingerie. The latest home decor can be found at Set The Stage. For metaphysical gifts, step into the magical Bodhi Tree.

Featured Attractions & Things to Do