Looking for something sweet near downtown Louisville? The Bourbon City has tons of tempting options for treats from chocolatiers, confectioners, ice cream makers and more.
Plan your tour of Louisville’s best candy shops with Bourbon City Cruisers! Our Ultimate City Sightseeing Tour swings by some of the best neighborhoods for sampling or take a private charter with a Shop & Sip theme to get an exclusive look at local sweets paired with cocktails.
Here’s our guide to the best places for chocolate, Louisville’s famous Modjeska, ice cream and more.
For almost a century, Muth’s Candies has been a Louisville’s tradition. Located in NuLu on Market St., this local candy maker is best known for its Modjeskas.
Named for Polish actress Helena Modjeska who appeared in Louisville in the 1880s, the Modjeska is a marshmallow covered in caramel. It’s become known as Louisville’s candy. Muth’s inherited the original recipe from its creator more than 60 years ago and has been making them ever since.
Small batch chocolate maker Cellar Door Chocolates opened in Louisville in 2007. It’s known for its handmade truffles, buttercreams, caramels and wide selection of chocolate treats. With a downtown bean-to-bar studio and sister location at Butchertown Market, you have plenty of places to pick up one of Cellar Door’s irresistible creations.
Try a Barnhart Bar, made from house roasted cacao beans from around the world and wrapped in an artful sleeve designed by local artists.
Kentucky flavor is injected into every treat at Art Eatables. It’s Main Street and Fourth Street storefronts offer a variety of signature bourbon truffles along with several other chocolate treats. The local confectioner utilizes Kentucky bourbon to add complex flavor to all kinds of chocolate offerings.
Be sure to sample a couple bourbon truffles to discover the distinct flavors of different Kentucky bourbons.
The Louisville Cream small batch scoop shop in NuLu offers homemade ice cream with local ingredients, mix-ins and baked goods. Expect outside-the-box flavors on its seasonal menu alongside staples like bourbon smoked pecan and royal chocolate.
Plus, fancy sundaes, concretes with high-end toppings, craft soda floats and milkshakes are also on the menu.
Traditional ice cream shop Ehrler’s revives a Louisville tradition with a more than 150-year legacy. Stop in for a taste of local history at the Main Street location near Whiskey Row downtown. Scoops are hand dipped to order.
Pick a classic ice cream like cookies n cream or butter pecan in a waffle cone or make it a sundae with hot fudge or caramel.
We can customize our private charter to your group to incorporate the best destinations for chocolate, candy and sweet treats in Louisville. Contact Bourbon City Cruisers today to get started!
Rachel Nix has been sharing stories about Louisville’s best food, drink and tourism destinations for nearly 10 years. She joined Bourbon City Cruisers’ sister company Mint Julep Experiences in 2017 as Director of Marketing.
Her extensive bourbon education includes becoming an Executive Bourbon Steward through the Stave & Thief Society and graduating from Woodford Reserve’s Bourbon Academy. She is a Certified Tourism Ambassador and enthusiastic advocate for her adopted hometown of Louisville. When she’s not promoting Bourbon City Cruisers and Mint Julep’s portfolios of southern experiences, she can be found walking her dog or enjoying a drink on a patio.