Flea Style opened a Louisville store in 2023, but long before that, I had a front-row seat to the city’s best dining, drinking, shopping, and more. My best friend of 25 years lives in Lou, so it’s long felt like a place I know, not just a place I visit.
I make it a point to pop into our store a few times a year, and I’ve fallen for the city’s four true seasons. I also adore the vintage shopping and Kentucky culture tucked into every corner. And, of course, it thrills me that Louisville shows up hard for hats!
When I visit, homebase is Omni Louisville Hotel. That’s where our store is, and it’s truly the best spot. Right in the heart of the city, it’s close to so much goodness. Case in point: open-air urban food hall Falls City Market. It’s a wonderland of coffee, pastries, groceries, and more.
Image courtesy of: Louisville Tourism
My favorite morning stop is Con Huevos, where I order one of the gorgeous breakfast sandwiches. It fuels me up for a full day of decorating hats. But even before that, I get a latte from Heine Bros Coffee. This fall I became obsessed with the salted caramel option.
Omni Louisville is also home to Neighborhood Services. Dallas chef Nick Badovinous is behind this cozy haunt, and when I’m craving my favorite meatballs app or steak frites — when I’m really hungry, extra voodoo sauce please — I belly up to the bar and feel right at home.
Another Dallas institution, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, has set up camp here. The lemon drop martini is my fave. Right next door is Pin + Proof. Tucked behind a discreet mural entrance that gives it a speakeasy, IYKYK feel, it’s part swanky cocktail bar, part old-school bowling alley.
And, of course, you must visit our store inside the hotel, right by the lobby in the midst of all the action. It’s Flea Style with a Louisville twist — all the excitement of The Original Hat Bar but also fascinators for Derby fans, bourbon tees, and trucker hats.
There’s a lot to take in at the Omni, including a fab pool and spa, if time and season allow, but when you’re ready to venture out, you’ll find plenty to do. Here are a few spots to put on your list.
EAT + DRINK
Whether you’re hungry for a casual experience or want a memorable night out on the town, Louisville delivers.
Image courtesy of: Wiltshire Bakery + Cafe
Multiple locations in Louisville
Get your mind blown and your belly full at the Louisville minichain known for artisan coffee, pillowy croissants, handcrafted bagels, and mouthwatering soups, salads, and sandwiches you’ll look back on long after you leave. Locals flock here, especially on weekends, and sometimes a line stretches down the block.
Image courtesy of: The Grales
1001 Baxter Ave.
Louisville, KY 40204
Housed inside a Victorian-era home built in the early 1900s, Gralehaus is a beloved breakfast stop where mornings feel special but never fussy. The menu leans bright and seasonal, shaped by what local farmers and food artisans are bringing in, while the drinks go well beyond the standards: carefully crafted espresso, fresh juices, plus beer, wine, and breakfast-appropriate cocktails.
1001 Logan St.
Louisville, KY 40204
The bustling public market celebrates local businesses, from food and drink to artisan goods and quirky finds. I love La Maison aux Crêpes, where the ham-and-cheese crepe is pure comfort on a plate.
Image courtesy of: Jack Fry's
1007 Bardstown Rd.
Louisville, KY 40204
502-452-9244
The website calls it “the best night in town.” I call it my favorite restaurant in Lou, hands down. Think: old-school New York steakhouse meets preppy Southern lounge. I want to move to Lou every time I get to enjoy this local legend. The pianist makes the scene.
10500 W. Hwy. 42
Goshen, KY 40026
502-398-9289
I can honestly say my visit to Barn8 ranks among my top 10 life memories. It’s a bit out of town, on the grounds of historic Hermitage Farm, but the drive is as delish as the food. The seasonal, farm-to-table menu is epic and award winning, and you can get a table inside a horse stall. The bourbon bar is super sexy, and you’ll want to steal the art right off the walls. You’ll need a reservation — and you’ll want to book well in advance.
Canary Club image courtesy of: Louisville Jazz Society
1247 S. Shelby St.
Louisville, KY 40203
The cool kids hang at this divey, women-owned watering hole. The French 75? C'est parfait! My bestie Courtney lives for the Paper Plane — a bourbon cocktail, of course! There’s not much to eat at Canary Club, so don’t go hungry. Adjacent, though, Breeze Wine & Coffee is a little market for grab-and-go: from artisanal cheeses and chocolates to tins of fish (actually amazing!).
SHOP
You know I don’t go anywhere without hunting for handmade, vintage, and one-of-the-kind. Here’s where I find them in Lou.
Image courtesy of: Louisville Tourism
Fleur de Flea
947 E. Breckinridge St.
Louisville, KY 40204
I can’t leave town without a solid hour stroll through this vintage wonderland. I’ve brought home everything from faux fur coats to abstract oil paintings from the indoor warehouse market in historic Paristown. If you can shop only one place after Flea Style, this is the one.
Louisville, KY 40202
The wide streets are filled with charming shops, vintage finds, local makers, and craveable restaurants. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you can just walk, wander, and browse to your heart’s content.
Jordan Clines Jewelers
3640 Brownsboro Rd., Ste. A
Louisville, KY 40207
502-690-3100
If you’re lucky enough to be in the market for upscale estate jewelry, this is your place. When we opened the Louisville Flea Style store, I celebrated the milestone by buying what is now one of my favorite vintage pieces. I will treasure it forever and pass it down to my daughter.
DISCOVER
Image courtesy of: Historic Louisville
Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave.
Louisville, KY
502-636-4400
The famed Kentucky Derby may be one day in May, but racing isn’t just an annual spectacle here, it’s a way of life. With more than 70 live thoroughbred races each year, Churchill Downs offers a fast track — pun intended — into the state’s deep-rooted horse culture. Racing season unfolds in three distinct acts: the spring meet in May and June, followed by a fall return in September, and a final stretch through October and November. Pro tip: You can wear a fancy hat here anytime.
You really can’t visit Louisville without a stop — or five — along the Bourbon Trail. Even if you’re not much of a drinker (I’ve never considered myself a bourbon person), the scenery, history, and education about the painstaking process of making the spirit is fascinating. Maker’s Mark has a picturesque spot and incredible tour and tasting room. There are also distilleries downtown that are an easy hop, skip, and jump from the Omni, if you don’t want to drive.
SNOOZE
I always stay at the Omni — duh! — but if you’re looking for an alternative, I’ve got one.
Image courtesy of: Louisville Tourism
730 E. Market St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502-676-7199
Bunkhouse, the team behind Hotel San José in Austin and so many other effortlessly cool hideaways, originally opened the boutique hotel in NuLu. Hyatt runs it now, so you can get those points if you’re into that. For drinks, the rooftop bar has stunning golden-hour views. Dinner at Byrdie’s is outstanding, and the attached jazz club, Jimmy Can’t Dance, is not to be missed. It’s one of the few spots in town that stays open late, and the local musicians are always worth a late turn-in. Bonus: well-behaved doggies are welcome.
Want more travel recommendations? Read our guide to Nashville.
