I've been wanting to try Cottage Cafe because I'd heard good things about their desserts. So imagine the smile on my face when I walked in and immediately heard "Would you like to sample one of our cakes before you find a seat?" Butter my butt and call me a biscuit, yes I would! There were several options but I went with the orange creamsicle cake and am now wishing I had ordered a whole piece at the end of my meal. For my lunch, I had the chicken salad sandwich and the tomato dill soup. I'm obsessed with the tomato dill soup at The Cafe and the soup here just wasn't up to snuff. However, the chicken salad sandwich was fantastic and I'd highly recommend! I wasn't able to finish all of the sandwich and soup, so the half sandwich and a cup of soup is probably a better choice. The vibe of the restaurant feels like you're transported to a very homey place in a small town, and the wait staff was so friendly. I would definitely come back, but next time I need to leave room for dessert! read more

Cottage Cafe - Chicken salad sandwich. Delicious! - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Met at the door as two ladies were leaving and a dessert tasting party ensued. So yummy! What a way to be greeted! I had the chicken salad sandwich for lunch with three dessert selections to go. The restaurant is in a charming old home on Main Street. I parked on the street, but there is parking in the rear next to the entrance. read more

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We love this cute place! The cakes are beyond amazing! You will eat the whole slice when you don't think you could possibly read more

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The food was pretty good, I got a gourmet grilled cheese and tomato dill soup. The price was incredibly reasonable. The staff were all very nice. My only complaint is that I was seated in a hall way near the bussing station so there was a lot of clanging of plates and silver ware, so much so that I almost asked to be reseated but it quieted down eventually. I would go back for sure. read more

Cottage Cafe - Gourmet grilled cheese - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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The Cottage Cafe has the sweetest staff and sweeter Boston Cream cake!! Thanks for everything you do!!

First I'd like to say the food here is phenomenal! Lunch was delicious and the desert selection is fantastic! Come hungry because you'll want to try everything. The atmosphere is welcoming and the service is great! Everyone that waited on my daughter and I were wonderful and the owner is one of the kindest people I've ever met! read more

I just had lunch here & must preface this by stating that I am a food snob. We only have so many meals in our life so whatever goes into my body must be of high quality and it has to taste wonderful. Egg salad sandwich was straightforward and uncomplicated. Egg salad MUST be fresh and it was. No hint of celery, no overbearing mustard, nothing extra. It was splendid. The sausage, kale, potato soup was amazing - hearty, full of rich brothy flavor. Would have been a fine meal by itself. Not typically a sweets eater, but... the cakes looked good so I had a slice of the orange dreamsicle cake. It was not too sweet, the flavors were subtle and well balanced, and the whipped cream frosting was like a cross between cotton candy and a cloud. I am amazed by this experience! Final note: the owner runs this place with heart. She hires people with special needs to work the floor and wait tables and do other tasks. During my visit everyone was friendly, upbeat, witty and wonderful. The sense of community inside the restaurant was moving. I can only imagine what these jobs must mean to these individuals. read more

Cottage Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I have been stopping by the Cottage Cafe for lunch ever since I was a merchant services rep in 1999. The restaurant is in a 100+ yr old house and all the charm you'd expect to go with it. The food is delicious. I usually go with the country club chicken sandwich or the cafe classic salad. Now that I think of it, this is the only place where I order tomato soup. It is seasoned well and is nice and thick! The service is fast and polite. Make sure you save room for dessert. The cakes that you see at the register on your way in are all made there. Try a sample and you will be unable to resist the temptation of at least taking a piece with you. I have tried and failed many times to leave without a giant piece of cake. Thanks! -Julio read more

Staff was super nice. Prices were good. Food was okay. Seems like a place that would cater to a picky eater. The space was clean but could use some cosmetic updates. read more

A classic! Sandwiches are MASSIVE! I had a half sandwich NDA cup of soup (MUST TRY THE TOMATO DILL) and everything was wonderful. Had the strawberry cake for dessert and it was light and fluffy and positively divine! read more

I was born and raised in Louisville and never knew this hidden gem existed. I moved away and came back in town for a visit and just happened upon it one afternoon. It's a quaint place with southern charm. It felt like walking into someone's home for a home cooked meal. And the best part is, the food was great. I had a grilled chicken breast sandwich with a honey mustard sauce. The chicken was marinated, moist and flavorful. And the service was quick and friendly. Unfortunately I was trying to watch my weight so I didn't order what may be their best feature, desserts. They make unbelievably decadent homemade cakes and pies. And the best part is they will let you taste a piece of their desserts, which I did and I was very impressed. I'm looking forward to going back and plan to exercise more to make room for dessert next time. read more

Cottage Cafe - Cottage Cafe, parking and entrance in the rear. - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Tacky. Straight up! Flamingos? Really? The place was dirty and the main lady at the cash register was gruff. My friend I was with raved about the place. I am all for equality and stuff, but I don't want to hug my server because he hugged my friend. It creeped me out. The owner is doing a very gregarious and difficult thing by hiring mentally and physically challenged people. Not my thing. Nope. But admirable in a great way. I had a tuna salad. It was delicious. It had perfect amount of mayonnaise and had chunks of celery in it. It was served with riffles chips in the same basket. I got a good lunch with a good price. I'm not that interested in going back. Due to the service and people. read more

The food was amazing!!!! Fresh ingredients combined with the home atmosphere makes this place a must visit! And the desserts are out of this world!!! For the price of the food, this place can't be beat!!!!! read more

I have a great friend in Barboursville WV. When he found out that my wife has to travel to Louisville a couple times a year, he told us about this place. His aunt is Sue, and he dearly loves her. He said before he had a permanent job, he would drive out to help her occasionally. I wanted to stop by just because he brought it up, and it was the right thing to do. Uhhhhh, I found out it was the right thing to do because of the food. We will definitely try to make the time to come back. read more

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This was perfectly average lunch experience. Nothing terrible, nothing extraordinary. I had a $9 salad (grilled chicken, bbq pecans, bleu cheese) and my friend had the cottage club sandwich with the tomato dill soup. We sat outside. The setting is quaint and the service is polite and friendly. I'd eat here again if I were in the area but wouldn't make a special trip. (That said, the desserts look DELECTABLE, and we did not partake so that might have added some points!) read more

I almost don't want 2write this review for fear of it being swamped with people!! Quaint little house on Main St. NOTHING quaint about it's food....IT WAS STUPENDOUS. Service was friendly & fast. Made u feel like u were a regular. Husband had some kind of sandwich LOADED with meat & potatoe salad that he ACTUALLY liked. I had a triple dip salad....chicken, Benedictine, & egg. Each were the best I've ever had. THEN there was dessert. Husband had coconut cream & I had some sort of dreamy English toffee cake & fluff. Brought 2/3's of mine home. I know this review sounds OVER THE TOP but this place was REALLY good. Will b 1 of our weekly lunch places!!! Thank u so much, Cottage Cafe read more

Cute place in the heart of old Middletown. Charming and simple. Staff is friendly. This place had been on my list for a long time and I finally got to try it out. Tip- parking available in the back. I tried the lunch daily special of chicken salad sandwich and tomato dill soup. Around $8.00 and served with chips and drink. It was good, I wouldn't call it one of my favorites but it wasn't bad. My husband got the meatloaf sandwich and it was amazing! Would get it again. Desserts look wonderful! read more

Deviled eggs, meatloaf sandwich, Cobb salad. Nothing too fancy. Humble but well done. Think about going to grandma's house for lunch. Just like grandma would say- SAVE YOUR FORK for a delicious dessert. You can't go wrong with any of the house-made choices. read more

Fantastic food!! It looks like a "hole in the wall" but looks are deceiving!! Had to wait to get seated because they were packed, but it was definitely worth the wait. The chicken salad was fantastic, but make sure you save room for dessert!! It was hard to choose, but we all had the coconut cream pie and it was unbelievable!! Everyone was very nice and pleasant and the service was great! Don't pass this one up!! You won't be disappointed!!! read more

Dear Cottage Cafe, I so badly wanted to give you 4 stars. You are so darling with your friendlier-than-family staff and yummy homemade food. And you pretty much have to turn down free cake samples upon entering. What's not to love? My one request - please give this place a good spring cleaning. I sat at a table next to a window in the larger/main dining room. I still shudder at the sight of the turquoise shutter, covered in grease and dust just two inches from my face. The chair rails also suffer from a lack of attention as does the bathroom. I don't think there are any major health concerns with eating here, but the devil is in the details and some Mrs. Meyers and a little elbow grease would take your fine establishment from good to great. read more

Everyone has a slightly different take on what's charming and what's...not. For me, the Cottage Cafe didn't make the cut. I don't mind paper menus, paper napkins stacked on the tables, or even eating my sandwich out of a basket, but I don't care for plastic tablecloth covers, posters stuck to the wall with packing tape, or flamingo menageries. So the ambiance wasn't for me, what about the food? My confidence shaken by the decor, and the staff trying to force me to eat a bite of dessert before I even sat down, I went with a classic and ordered the BLT. It was quite good. Thick cuts of bacon done crispy, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and lightly toasted bread. I wasn't hungry for dessert, but seeing as they pride themselves on it and I do love a good fruit pie I decided to ask about something to go on my way out. Talk about guilding the lily! The six options were all stuffed with cream and topped with some glossy, spun sugar frosting or glaze. I was forced to take a bite before I was allowed to pay and it was definitely a choice among evils. You really can have too much of a good thing, especially when it's sugar. It would have been nice to see one or two toned down options, but clearly that is not what they are about. You may enjoy stopping here for lunch if you value pretty good sandwiches, overwrought desserts, pushy salesmanship, and flamingos, but the next time I'm in Middletown I think I'll try the Plump Peacock. read more

Simplicity refined. This place resonates with kindness, and is run with heart. I've been slow to review this place, although I eat lunch there almost once a week. My grandmother is 90 now and revealing her favorite place feels like treachery. Part of me likes that it feels like a family secret, too. We are greeted at the door and almost everyone who works there stops by to talk to us, as well as other regular patrons. They are infinitely patient with us, and with their employees. The restaurant is in a historic cottage and so the amenities are not up to date, although it is wheelchair accessible. There is absolutely no pretension, and most photographs in evidence are of family. The space is light and feminine, and well-loved to the point of being shabby. Honestly, the meals are similar to what your grandmother might have served after a morning spent together. Think benedictine or grilled cheese. Fairly basic, inexpensive meals that are consistently good. Sandwiches served with ridged potato chips and a pickle, or fruit if you prefer. Good salads. Chicken salad is one of their specialties and available by the pound. (All salads and sandwich spreads are actually available that way.) The egg salad has a dash of dill and is quite tasty. The homemade soups are irresistible in cold weather. There are vegetarian options. I've been there dozens of times and have never had any problem or complaint with my meal. They are known for their desserts, although I rarely eat them as they are absolutely hedonistic. The desserts never fail to remind me that baking is an art, rooted in patience, trial and error, with an eye for appearances. I never leave Cottage Cafe without being offered a bite - no patron does, and if you are shy and don't pick what you want, they will hand over a plastic fork with a taste from the rotation. Today it was a bite of a fresh cream roll (like a huge jelly roll) made with enormous fresh blackberries from their garden. Divine. Some restaurants are money making ventures, while others remind you that cooking is an active form of self expression AND love. Cottage Cafe is definitely in the second category, those desserts are proof, which is why it rates 5 stars. ***You can also buy desserts and dessert trays. read more

I took an elderly friend for lunch. We are always looking for places to try for lunch. I saw good reviews on this and decided to try it. Perfect place to take her to! The food was fantastic, greeted with smiles offering a taste of desserts. It's eclectic but super cute. I will definitely go back. It was very busy so clearly a liked place to go but service was good so everyone was well tended to and not long waits. The food was so fresh and delicious. This was a nice surprise to find. I can't wait to take friends there again for lunch! read more

Cottage Cafe - The chicken salad plate. - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Open for lunch from 11a-3pm, I saw this place on Facebook. The place is among the tiny shoppers on Main St. in Middletown. These are THE nicest people you'd ever meet. There is a daily special--today meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gr. beans, roll like 8$. It was my first time there, so the sweet owner gave me a free dessert. The food was great, the cake was PHENOMINAL!!! Do eat here...as often as you can. I am definitely going to. read more

Awesome food! I love the moms and pops feel. I used to live here and even now when I visit my family there are the same people working. The atmosphere is eclectic and the pies are so yummy. I recommend the tomato dill soup (with or without the bread bowl) and the egg sandwich. I get those every time I go there! read more

Try the deviled eggs. I love the variation of a classic. Bacon is added in the delicious creation. I also enjoy the peanut butter bars with smooth chocolate on top. read more

OMG....found this place just by searching for local restaurants. First the food was DELICIOUS....the homemade tomato/dill soup and the broccoli cheese soup. The main course meatloaf sandwich and Super Sub....both accompanied with the homemade potato salad....all were perfect. But the highlight was as we were paying the bill we met the owner and her daughter. Such wonderful people. And the daughter insisted on us trying 4 different deserts. Absolutely HEAVEN. The orange cream cake and the strawberry roll were out of this world. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone trying this place out. We will definitely be going back. read more

Had lunch here recently, good little place to go in the old Middletown area. Lots and lots of antique stores and such in the area. Service was very friendly and quick. Food was good and simple, mostly sandwiches and soup. Has lots of tasty looking deserts in a case when you walk in. A nice alternative to all the commerical crap just a few blocks away on Shelbyville Rd. read more

What a great find! Delicious food. Friendly staff. Highly recommend for a tasty lunch and dessert you can't pass up! read more

The place is really nice and the food is delicious we had the chicken salad sandwich and the egg salad sandwich and they were great , fresh bread nice flavors. Thay have desserts to that looked very good but we didn't try them , but definitely going to next time. . The staff was really nice and welcoming, , all with a smile. . (: Hope to come back soon. . read more

This place is cozy and yummy. You walk in and see the counter filled with colorful cakes and pies. So many! They offer you a sample of cake. You choose which is most appealing to you and the give you a heaping forkful of cake! I got an orange sherbet sample and fell in love. Better than sherbet ice cream. I ended up purchasing an entire slice. The place is old time-ish and flamingos are everywhere. My coworker got a chef salad that could feel a small village. They have a pretty standard menu, sandwiches, salads, homemade soups. Their prices are unbeatable. A large number of their employees life with some sort of disability. The owner came out and you could hear the pride in her voice as she conversed with us about her business. Their specialty is definitely desserts. Upon leaving, there was half of a pie left on the counter. That's it. read more

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The best homemade cakes and pies. Deviled eggs and the tomato dill soup are a must try.

Excellent fresh food! Service was awesome... Mr. Matt so helpful and Donna was so attentive!! The cakes are unbelievably fantastic!! Great local place! read more

Best little restaurant in the heart of Middletown KY!! The food is delicious and the desserts are homemade and FABULOUS!!! The service is always friendly, and they do a great job keeping your coffee cup full!! They serve the original Hot Brown (if you've never had this it's a must try). I highly recommend this little gem of a restaurant!! read more

I'm writing this review based on multiple visits to the Cottage Cafe over several years -- and frankly, I'm doing this to counter a recent review that I found to be very unfair. My co-workers and I have frequented The Cottage Cafe for many years and have found their food to be top-notch. As a vegetarian, I appreciate that there are several options for me that include sandwiches, salads, and soups. Susan, the owner and chief cook, is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She employs numerous special needs adults as dining room assistants who help with drinks, delivering food, and cleaning tables. I LOVE interacting with these employees. At every turn, Susan encourages them and instructs them. I grew up with a special needs sister, so I deeply appreciate that Susan has created a safe place for these very capable adults to earn money, interact with the public, and boost their self esteem. This is a family-owned and -run business that has reasonable prices and offers its clientele the opportunity to not only enjoy a good meal but to be a good person by supporting this establishment. I HIGHLY recommend The Cottage Cafe for its food and its mission. read more

The Benedictine sandwich with bacon was amazing! The Benedictine was creamy and full of that wonderful cool cucumber flavor. The bacon was a perfectly crisp complement! I highly recommend it! read more

Cottage Cafe - Cool and creamy! - Sandwiches Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I want to start off by saying that my friends and I were rather excited to try this place at first. However, right when we walked in I noticed the place was filthy and very crowded but we decided to give it a chance. For starters, the waitress that served us wasn't wearing her mask over her nose. My friend asked if they had Diet Coke and the waitress said "yes" and proceeded to bring her a Pepsi instead without telling her anything of it. We were still hoprful and eager to give it a chance until she returned with our unwrapped silverware and set it on the bare table. At this point we decided this place was a health hazard and we paid for the drinks and left for somewhere much cleaner. Not to mention the very confusing/contradicting signs in the window saying "Black Lives Matter & All Lives Matter" which were giving very mixed signals. Playing both sides of the fence, perhaps? read more

I do recommend them. Food: You'll swear you are back at your grandmom's. Fantastic food. But save room for Dessert!!! That's the hall mark for this spot of heaven. Facility: Down home and clean. Staff: Warm and caring service. Manager The manager : Great lady. Overall: 5 stars out of 5 Good food at a reasonable price. It's refreshing to find a eatery with a profound and noble mission read more

CRAP HOLE. The epitome of crap hole. The entire place was filthy from greasy "clean tables" and nasty windows. The service is a nightmare. A few servers I had the misfortune of encountering were rude, pushy and lacked basic manners. The food is poor quality, lacked flavor and the kitchen doesn't know how to plate a meal. The only saving grace was the coconut cream pie. That's the only thing I can recommend. read more

Cute place, although parking is a little tricky at lunch time. Two friends and I met up, and each had a yummy lunch -- fall salad, chef salad, and chicken salad. Very tasty and relaxing meal on the front porch. I didn't try any of the desserts but they sure looked yummy!! read more