50 Best Cafes in Louisville

“i follow a blogger on youtube that travels the world. he is visiting Ethiopia and through watching it learned that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. So i googled Ethiopian coffee shops in Louisville and found Abol cafe. visited today and had some pour over coffee, it was the best coffe i've ever had, and i have tried coffee everywhere!!!! believe me when I say this place has the best Coffee around. This place more than exceeded my expectations of Ethiooian Coffee!!!! I will be visiting this place alot more.“

“Great customer Service Always! Their mocha shake is still standing as the best coffee I’ve experienced.“

“Love the vibe! The banh-mi & boba are delish.“

“am glad to drink. happy is good“

“Incredible flavors, we got four: Spicy Shrimp Pork, Pear Gorgonzola, Jamaican Beef, and Chimichurri. We couldn’t decide our favorites in the best way possible. Also refreshing drink selections (San Pellegrino Limonatta, espresso). A dozen different flavors, we’re from out of town and are already hoping to hit it on the way back!“

“Well this little place used to be a bar then became a restaurant slash church on Sundays Now the church moved found new place of worship but the tiny little coffe shop still serving everyday ran by wonderful people coffee out of this world food even better“

“So much easier on our emotions than visiting a shelter, so you can interact with the fur babies and relax until you reach a decision. Great coffee from Quill's Coffee and yummy snacks! Amazing volunteers who help to make the entire experience very relaxed and chill.“

“We visited J Grahams Cafe for breakfast. Very welcoming staff and atmosphere, in a historic building. Classic furnishings but not stuffy. Our server was quick, friendly, and helpful. The Hot Brown was worth the visit alone, but our other selections were also really great. Stop by if you get a chance! You wont be disappointed.“

“amazing staff that make you feel so welcome the moment you walk in there. the coffee is amazing and 💩 on anywhere else in or around louisville.“

“It's almost the end of 2024 and I've been having Clean Eatz this entire year. I'd say 90% of everything I've eaten this year has been CE. To say it's been a huge game changer for me is an understatement. I had a stubborn 10lb that wouldn't go away from the Covid years. That was gone in the first couple months. I was also able to set PRs in all distances-5k, 10k, 15k, half marathon and marathon. Having healthy food from Ce definitely played a huge part in that. Prior to this year I'd never ran more than 1200 miles in a year and I'm coming up on 1800 for the year! Also I haven't been sick this entire year where I'm normally sick at least one or two times. It all starts with your diet and I'm so incredibly blessed that I discovered CE.“

“The location is very cool and feels cozy. The atmosphere is chill and the staff were extremely friendly!
This breakfast is some of the freshest breakfast I’ve had and enjoyed everything! First off I ordered the Honey Bee Latte and it was really good. It had a nice flavor and I really enjoyed the honey and cinnamon notes in the coffee. I also ordered the Eggs & Grains. I really enjoyed the dish, it felt mediterranean style, and it was really tasty/refreshing. I ordered a biscuit with strawberry jam on the side and it was absolutely delicious. The butter was definitely made fresh, the jam was delicious, and the biscuit was extremely fresh and tasted amazing. The other dishes pictured were ordered in my group and every one of them was amazing as well! I would highly recommend checking this out if you want a fresh breakfast with great coffee!“

“Beautiful restaurant! So chic and comfy. Quick service. Everything in here is so tasty! I had something from the bakery, a Korean sandwich and black coffee, and everything was extremely delicious. We were having the time of our life and accidentally broke a cup, I was so ashamed, but someone from the staff was so kind and comprehensive. If I could, I'd be in here every day and try out all the menu.“

“Delicious Bagels 🥯 Recommend 💯“

“I was in Louisville visiting a client when I found this place on his Street. the menu is absolutely amazing. I have to say they probably have the best burger I've had yet in Louisville.“

“This place has everything you need!! I just moved to the area, and have been to a few shops, trying to find where I can make my regular place, and everywhere I looked didn't have even one thing that I was looking for.. until I found Smoke Buddy and they had it all!! They just became my one stop shop!!
Update: 07/06/26: they are still my one stop shop!!“

“Awesome experience! The quality of their tea’s are amazing! Natural flavors and spices are so good you will not even need sweetener. Our group really enjoyed this place!“

“Best sandwiches! Customer service is amazing! I absolutely love this place!“

“Thank you so much for the Payne Street team, especially their owner Anne, she came in on her off day to make sure we received fresh bagels for our team breakfast. It was DELICIOUS!“

“The food here is always amazing. If you are ever in the area, try it. The Roma sandwich with a Cesar salad are the best!“

“The zebra coffee, cheesecake, and pineapple upside down cake were phenomenal! Camille is so kind and down to earth. The environment makes you feel right at home.“

“Stopped in this morning by chance for coffee and pastries. Got the Cubano with a chocolate croissant and an almond croissant.🔥🔥“

“The surfer girl omelet was excellent. Had a thin layer of sour cream in the middle. Everything muffin was unique and good. The mad platter was plentiful… even my husband with a big appetite couldn’t finish it all!
Service was friendly, quick and attentive!“

“The Highland Not Brown was fabulous!! Perfect for breakfast or lunch.“

“This is the BEST sandwich shop hands down. I’ve been eating the same go-go Sandwich since I worked at LGE and it was delivered! (It’s been a while) I crave this sandwich with the honey mustard. Not to mention the staff is always knowledgeable and the soups are always on point and different! Thank you for being around. Also my Uber Eats order today was still hot when I got it! Thanks!!“

“Great food, tasty coffee, and amazing baristas! They also have a great selection of non coffee drinks and cute stuff from local artists.“

“The staff & owners are friendly and accommodating. We have never had a bad experience at Blue Dog & we have been customers since 2008. They have the best bread & pastries in Louisville. When my son had an allergic reaction they were so caring and kind to my family. I can’t say enough kind things about this place!“

“How do you tell a great barista ? They make your drinks come true !“

“Great cake slice and chai latte. Nice atmosphere and friendly barista.“

“Amazing food and drinks. Exceptional service and atmosphere!!! Our Waiter Tyler was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! Hats off to the Chef. Highly recommend checking this place out.“

“My Cafe is one of my favorite places to grab lunch and/or breakfast during the week! Everything I have ever ordered has been delicious and ready within just a few minutes. I definitely plan to be back for more! The tuna, roast beef, turkey chili, and black bean burger are just a few of my faves!“

“Where to even begin?! This is more than an amazing play space and cafe; it’s a place where caregivers can actually get a much needed breather while kids are able to be kids in a safe space. Plus it’s a hub of activity. They are always offering new classes, camps and childcare options. My kiddo took an art class here that was 10/10. They also are very community-minded. They’ve hosted a pantry on-site and offer play days at significantly reduced cost. Amazing people. Amazing atmosphere. Highly recommended GlowWorm!“

“delightful coffee and food options“

“yes Indeed love it like the prices“

“I had a break in on my residence, they stole my moped with wire cutters in my backyard. I combed the Internet and found it being listed on Facebook marketplace and this business is listed for pickups on all stolen goods, I contacted them , and I will let the labor board and immigration authorities determine if they're using under the table tactics and criminals of fugitive status“

“Amazing place! Excellent customer service, delicious food, delightful drinks, and festive atmosphere! I love their menu, and am so grateful for their vegan options and creativity. I love the variety of drinks, the fries were well seasoned and crisp yet fluffy, and the burger was so good! The sauces were so flavorful! love love love. Already can't wait to come back next time I drive through town!“

“My Dr office is there at Jewish. I will go over to the cafe after an appointment sometimes. Their food is not bad for a hospital. They were in between lunch and dinner when I was in there today. So everything but the grill was closed. The employees are friendly and they keep it clean. Their prices aren't bad.“

“I was in the downtown area on a Saturday morning. While waiting for an office to open, I did a Yelp search for a breakfast hot spot nearby and came across Founders Cafe. I walked in with my family and was immediately impressed with the trendy ambiance. This place has a surprisingly nice menu to choose from considering it is a cafe. There are a number of breakfast sandwiches and paninis to choose from and they all seem so tasty! I decided to order a breakfast burrito and was pleased. It had fresh roasted peppers and onions, which gave it a nice kick. Next time I'm in the downtown area, I'll be sure to try their coffee options.“

“Absolutely top notch service and excellent food! Crystal was wonderful and I saw so many other positive staff interactions with patrons and with other staff. I was in town for something less than fun and having First Watch there made things that much better.“

“Had an interesting spiced coffee with cloves, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom.
The barista was very sweet and hospitable.
Would love to go back and try spiced cappuccinos and the snacks they had
Paid $3.50 for a spiced black coffee“

“They have a lot of stuff!!!“

“Megan at First Watch St Mathew’s was amazing!!! We had an awesome experience!!!“

“First class breakfast of corn beef hash. Requested chef to "crisp it up a bit" and it was spot on. Friends staff and great service. I'll be back again. And again.“

“Lovely coffee shop! I ordered a seasonal drink which was delightful. The rosemary scone was warmed up by the barista and was delicious. The atmosphere is welcoming and homey, very relaxed. I love the outdoor patio and landscaping, I would love to sit outside next time I come back on a sunny day. Baristas were also very friendly and helpful. I will certainly return and am excited to try other menu items!“

“Clean place, great food, but I notice the outstanding service the most. Great job today, Panera crew at this location! Way to be a good example for other restaurants. Shout out to Wes for really going the extra mile when they ran out of something I ordered right after I ordered it. The guy came in quickly to assist and I was able to change my order to my next choice getting it in the same timeframe I would normally have gotten my original order, which I was honestly happier to have eaten in the end. Great work!“

“🔥This place has all the bells and whistles for a bakery! The staff is friendly, the space is spotless, and the food is delicious.“

“Student or not, this small university adjunct is perfect for your favorite coffee and pastry. After experiencing incredible service and manners from very kind baristas, I had the best lemon poppy seed muffin of my life with my delicious, creamy latte. There is plenty of seating available with comfortable booths and chaises as well as tables and chairs, with outlet chargers accessible from just about every spot and free open wifi available. Soft jazz plays in the background of a productive and calm atmosphere. Prices are also reasonable, especially in today's economy. Just outdoors, the campus lawn with beautiful brick buildings creates a pleasant scenery - outdoor seating is also available. Highly recommend!“

“Excellent selection of breakfast offerings including for those with dietary concerns. Fair prices for quality food. Friendly, professional, accomodating staff. Clean and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere... First time at a First Watch... definitely won't be the last!!!“