This little Dessert Bar restaurant is a little discussed gem in the Frankfort Avenue area. I cannot recomment flexing your palate here. While you listen to great music, sip a cocktail or savor an eclectic scoop of house made ice cream... Retta's won't disappoint. We chose this location because it is open a shade later than other area shops and it is my new favorite. I can't wait to try more. read more

Retta’s - The honey and bee pollen was so savory and sweet. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Looking for mint chocolate chip? Retta's won't be for you. But if you're into unique flavors of ice cream, you've found nirvana. Everything is made in house with organic ingredients. There's even a few non-dairy options for the lactose intolerant. But if a "regular" flavor speaks to you, they offer free enzyme supplements. But Retta's is more than an ice cream counter. They specialize in custom, house made desserts. Evidently, the neighborhood hosts a "progressive" dinner and the last stop, dessert, of course, is at Retta's. Desserts are featured after 4pm, so we didn't get to sample. But, we did watch the owner, Ben, handcraft the evenings' dessert. While his sous chef was busy in the back making other sweet specialties. Make no mistake, the menu is diverse, expensive, and made with care. The vibe is coffee house, with a huge record collection to provide the right ambiance. Oh, hours later and my wife is still raving about her Matcha, Black Sesame, chocolate ice cream! read more

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Happy to see an ice cream shop like this in town! Who doesn't love elevated dessert and unique flavors? The owner was there. Didn't rush us when we wanted to try multiple samples of the ice cream. I was impressed with the variety. I settled on bay leaf ice cream, while my friends got coffee and donuts, vanilla, and hay. The ice cream is smooth and creamy. Not quite like soft serve but very close to it. It wasn't busy so we sat at one of the tables. My friend ordered a drink, dealers choice. Our server took the time to ask which liquors and flavor profiles she likes, noting any allergies too and concocted something based on her preferences. Pretty cool! That's the selling point to this place. Service is definitely top notch! They want you to have a good experience and enjoy the flavors you get. It's a small shop so I can see it getting busy during the hotter months. Parking is easy. Parallel. read more

Retta’s - Bay leaf flavored ice cream - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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We found this place one evening when looking for a place to grab a drink after dinner nearby. While the entrance was trickier to find than expected (to be fair, it was dark and icy), was not at all sorry to come across it! Small space, and while we were able to get in (party of two), I'd recommend reservations from the look of it. Drinks were excellent. Thoughtfully crafted, good variety. The dessert aspects of menu were strong, and I really look forward to trying some more! Both the host and our server were fantastic. Helpful in explaining the concept and making recommendations. read more

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We walked in in the middle of the afternoon just for a scoop of ice cream and the staff was so kind and welcoming. We were able to taste a lot of the unique and expertly crafted flavors and I ended up getting the chocolate and sunflower praline ice cream. It was so rich and dark of a chocolate flavor, and the rest of the ingredients were so high-quality and unique that it was an unforgettable scoop of ice cream. The ambience was very moody and warm and I can't wait to return in the evening for a cocktail as well. I truly appreciate the craftsmanship of the staff and I'm excited to go back to try the rest of the menu. read more

Omg....... We had strawberry chocolate and vanilla ice cream for a birthday party and it was the best ice cream our partygoers head ever had thank you so much for coming through for our party...........Lo thank you so much....... Dr. Shenita Gasper PHD read more

I really enjoyed the fig leaf and brown butter sage ice cream! The flavors were adventurous, and the atmosphere was incredibly cozy and inviting. Minus one star due to the flavors being hit or miss (wasn't a fan of the carrot cake, pumpkin spice, or bay leaf). Minus one more star due to the person scooping not wearing gloves. Overall, I did enjoy the flavors I decided on. read more

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When you make reservations, it can be a little confusing when you enter because there is two different entrance. But they are so nice and welcome. I was greeted by Chef at the bar. I told him that it was my first time to visit. He was nicely explain how it works and other. I did ordered two plates because the others look so good. I had Peanuts which contain chocolate, chilies, and Lemongrass. It was so delicious. Then the other one is Bourbon, No Bourbon. It is one of my favorite because Chef did the smoked part. It is so delicious. The atmosphere was good and I enjoyed the music as well. I would definitely love to come back and have a scoop of ice cream. read more

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You've never had Ice Cream like this. If you want a one of a kind experience that lets your sweet tooth do some exploring then this is your place. The ambience is wonderful. The kind of place you can get extremely comfortable. Perfect lighting and decor. I personally had the Caviar Sunday (Wow) and the Bourbon, No Bourbon - (divine) - another reason Louisville is one of the best cities for food. The servers were also extremely attentive. Never had to wonder where they were and very pleasant. read more

Retta’s - Bourbon,No Bourbon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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This place was awesome! We will definitely be back. The raspberry plate was delicious and you MUST get the affogato. The only reason it's not 5 stars is because the menu is slightly confusing. read more

Retta’s - Raspberry plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Walked in after 2pm and they were serving ice cream. Very friendly service with great recommendations and offers to taste some of the many interesting flavor combos. I opted for the cornbread and spicy berry - which was salty and creamy with a little punch of fruit. I tasted the coconut + green pea swirl and the toasted hay + burnt honey + canele which were intriguing. I appreciate their vegan options. Nice inside and outside seating. You can make reservations on Tock for dinner plated dessert service and those seem incredible - definitely a reason to return! read more

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Great concept, passionate staff, unique ice cream flavors with vegan options worth trying, delicious cocktails and interesting wine selection. Hoping for more savory options on future visits. read more

Incredible experience! Chef's passion and talent are on display at this creative spot. The ice cream flavors run the gamut from traditional to envelope-pushing ones like toasted hay or paw paw sorbet, but all executed wonderfully. The chef is patient with questions as well. We also had one of the plated desserts, bruleed corn with caramel, spicy peanuts, and popcorn. The restaurant is comfortable with a full bar and an incredible record selection as well. Highly recommended! read more

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Went here for a late night icecream run with my family. Service was excellent and everyone was so kind. Ice cream flavors were unique and not too heavy. I got raspberry with chocolate. There was also a chef serving gourmet food and a bar area. It all looked really good! Music was a bit louder than we were expecting but still had a great time. Street parking is close and easy but it's kind of hard to see from the road driving by. read more

Retta’s - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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This place definitely has a sophisticated take on everything they're doing. The service was nice and friendly but it seems like they're still adjusting since they opened not too long ago. The chanterelle dish was really yummy. Definitely the highlight. I didn't end up finishing my mai thai, the flavor profile was a bit off but the jungle bird was pretty good. The vibe inside though is very cool and I liked that they play vinyls. read more

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Hot afternoon delight to find this place. Definitely adult dessert with some alcohol forward options. Really cool setting with darker classy settings. Ice Cream connoisseur creations ! read more

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We brought my ice cream-loving mom out to Retta's last night for her birthday. She wanted to try one scoop of each flavor instead of the traditional tasting menu. The staff was super accommodating to this request and we had so much fun trying all the things! Our server and the chef were so friendly and helpful; they took extra care to keep my sister with a mushroom allergy safe. I am excited to return and taste some of the plates; it was fun watching the chef work and everything served was so beautiful. The space is inviting, cozy, and makes for a great adult evening. I would not bring my kids. My only feedback is that it is slightly too loud. The music didn't feel too loud until someone tried to speak.. it was very hard to hear conversation for some reason. We also didn't particularly enjoy any of the cocktails we ordered. Overall Retta's is such a fun and unique concept, the people are friendly, and the food is beautiful. Definitely recommend! read more

Retta’s - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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If I could give this 10+ stars I would..... I had the best day at Retta's Scoops off Frankfort Avenue in Louisville today. It was a beautiful sunny day here. To top it all off I had the honor and privilege of meeting Chef Ben Deutch and taste his one of a kind masterpiece. I had read about Chef Deutch's culinary journey to Kentucky and made a reservation at the chef's counter for one. When I tell you it was amazing to watch his skills and you can see the passion he has. It truly was a gift to see. He was very nice and talked with me about the menu. I did get to watch him make Bourbon, No Bourbon with ups a beautiful plate that is actually smoked. The environment is so many different things: homey, organized, busy, modern and rustic all at the same time. Every space is utilized and it's a little all over the place; but, actually quite genius. There isn't a ton of seating which makes it quite intimate in my book. Reservations are highly recommended. There were people that came in that got their stuff to go because reservations were full. The staff were amazing. I was well taken care of. Now let's get to what I savored. Chef Deautch explained a couple plates to me. So let's back that up you can order scoops. There is a plethora of cocktails or you can order plates, which are literally works of art. After hearing that the Olive Oil plate was soon to be off the menu I went with that. Watching Chef create this beautiful plate for me was very special & when I tell you I was grinning from ear to ear I'm not even exaggerating. There are no words to give it justice. I closed my eyes, savored every bite and scrapped every drop I could off the plate. (I work nights so this "technically" was my breakfast & lunch...lol. I know I closed my eyes a time or two, it was truly magical. I've had gelato in Germany that has always been a key culinary memory for me and Chef Deutch's sheep milk ice cream with a golden drizzle of olive oil has surpassed it. If you haven't experienced Retta's yet, please go. It's life changing. Thank you Chef Deutch for sharing your beautiful mind with us. You are a genius. read more

This spot is a treasure. As someone who travels extensively for food, I can say I haven't come across a similar concept, this degree of quality and artistry at this approachable, in the U.S. ever. I fear that Louisville is undeserving of a place at such creativity and caliber. It is my hope that locals can adequately appreciate and give patronage to the artistry that is Retta's. The value for the art, experience, and flavors here are incredibly accessible. Chef Ben was a delight to converse with when business was dying down before closing, despite I'm sure being tired. If possible, book the chef's table. His passion for flavor, balance, texture, contrast, and commitment to excellence is evident from watching his work and tasting the plates. Every element is scrutinized for quality and addition made with intention. He really honors the ingredient highlighted on the plates and does a superb job executing these dishes as a cohesive story with, of course, an evident protagonist. Uncommon ingredients are not name dropped on the menu to be performative unlike the common trend with higher end, "New American" concepts. Chanterelle: This is probably the most complex and delicate item on the menu. Avant-garde in nature with the unorthodox focus on chanterelles within dessert, this was a beautiful journey. Each individual component was made with immaculate technique and great precision in placement. The presentation was stunning and textural contrast was thoroughly enjoyed. From the sourcing of the ingredients to format presented, no part felt like filler fluff. Trying this was a great novelty. Honey: The canelé is beautiful but the tart crust is superb. Everything was incredibly well executed and is very easy to savor. It's a safe choice and truly a great one. I urge others to keep an eye on Retta's and its regularly changing offering of ice cream flavors and plates. What is happening here is truly culinary art. read more

Retta’s - Chanterelle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Stopped in Retta's after a dinner date and it did not disappoint! We shared a scoop of the bay leaf chip and it was so interesting, in a really good way! They had a great selection of flavors and some very cool options to enjoy the space and concept. The workers and chef/owner were very kind as well. We will definitely be back, hopefully to experience the tasting menu! read more

Super cool new spot in town. Delicious dessert, great vibes and wonderful service. It was cool being able to see them making the desserts and drinks. Will absolutely be returning!! read more

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Such an upbeat vibe, welcomed warmly by the owner/chef. So they just opened today! Yea! Great cocktails (not shown) but very flavorful! We started with the Black Walnut Cake! Oh so decadent, and oh so yummy! Then we got a couple of scoops of ice cream. We chose the Cajeta Carmel and Bay Leaf Raspberry Crisp. All I can say is gotta try everything Sommer rather than later! read more

We went there for icecream and it was amazing. The owner is so nice and helpful. He makes the icecream himself and has such good natural flavors. Elderberry , a few matcha flavors and toasted hay that had a bunch of allergy supporting ingredients! the chocolate is absolutely wonderful. i also love that they serve the ice cream in vintage glass. 100/10 can't wait to go back! read more

Retta’s - Chocolate and caramel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

A really cool and unique experience in Louisville. I highly recommend each person getting something different and sharing them. It's a little pricier than your typical dessert, but an experience that everyone needs to try once. Go in with an open mind! Our waiter was great, and was very patient explaining each of the dishes to us. read more

Love this place and the flavor adventures I got to go on -- the delicate crunch and the creamy, the salty butteryness, the fresh, the tangy, the sweet. The wait staff and chef are very congenial. The music was great, eclectic. I wish they were down the street from me in SF. read more

What a special experience and how fortunate Louisville is to have such a gem in our city! The staff was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and went out of their way at every opportunity to create a welcoming and unforgettable evening. The environment was elevated, with an approachable, fun and modern edge. It's evident that so much thought, consideration, and love went into the space. From the music, the table settings, the food and wine books lining the shelves - all of it together resulted in a lovingly curated environment. The food and drinks were innovative, creative, and of course delicious. The Peanuts dish was a fascinating sensory experience especially. By combining several flavors, ingredients, and textures I never would have dreamed of, Retta's created a brilliant moment of where I could feel my brain processing something so new, so different and so good! I imagine that's what it feels like to experience true discovery of something completely original - a sensation that's increasingly difficult to come by anymore, and so special when you do. Thank you, Retta's, for making such a memorable experience and welcome to Louisville. We're so glad you're here! read more

Retta’s - Coffee & Donuts scoop Peanuts plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I am truly impressed with this lovely establishment. We accidently came by when they weren't open yet. They were gracious enough to not send us away. We were treated to some eclectic and wonderfully delicious flavors. Our taste palette rejoices from the wide range of flavors. The owner Ben was enjoyable to chat with. He taught us much in the short period of time we were there. If you are looking for a wonderful dessert and cocktail experience, look no further than this place. You will be amazed at what Ben transforms into your dessert and cocktails. read more

Cool experience and beautiful plating of the food but unsure if I'd come back. Kept getting forgotten about from our server and had to go through the ice cream line to get our check. Worth going to at least once. read more

Retta’s - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Came here for ice cream and the they we on point with what's on menu. Love the place, love the ambience. love the chef. Loved everything about Retta's. Must visit. read more

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Super cute and quaint inside. The guy who got our ice cream was so knowledgeable of all of the flavors and so so so kind!!! Tried the coffee donut ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and the strawberry vanilla one and they were all delicious! read more

Great date night. They rotate menu so lots of reason to return often. The coolest vibe. Team was great. Drinks are insane. Dessert tastes like nothing you've ever had. And non-dessert lovers will like it too. It's more of a culinary experience than I expected. Everything is top tier delicious. LOVED IT. Thanks Ben! read more

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Stopped by for a treat after being sick all this weekend, don't worry I was well recovered when I visited. I ordered a scoop of the coconut & green pea swirl ice cream and it was delicious! I have never tried anything like it, it was flavorful and creamy without being too sweet. There is a slight hint of pea but in a tasteful way, similar to how matcha can taste bitter sometimes and offset sweetness. The chef was social and asked me what I thought of it, which was nice. I ordered to go, but the atmosphere is trendy and intimate. read more

Retta’s - Coconut & green pea swirl - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Really delicious Cardamom bun. Good ice cream. Friendly staff and nice decor. A great date spot.

I hosted an event at Retta's recently, and it was wonderful! The staff was very attentive and kind. The food was unbelievable rich in flavor. The paw paw sherbet was so pleasant, and the bayleaf chip ice cream was an explosion of flavor. I love eating it out of the wooden spoon too. I hope to come again when I have time to try the tasting menu. Highly, highly recommend that you up drop in as soon as you can! read more

Such a fun place! We each tried the chocolate and coffee + donuts ice cream. Both were delicious. The atmosphere is awesome and they had great music playing. Friendly and quick service. Definitely recommend and we'll be back! read more

The simple review: This place has amazing small batch ice cream that you can order by the scoop at the counter that meets you when you walk in. OR... (and this is a Big OR) Do what we did last night & sit at the bar, where you are likely to have an experience not available anywhere else in Louisville. Think of building a relationship with the Chef at an intimate little sushi bar, but the creations are unique desert plates with local ingredients, one off flavor combos and presentations that will make it all worth it. Ben (owner) is clearly passionate about his craft, and it shows with the precision and detail he crafted each dish with. We let him take us on a tour of his choice after ordering his take on an Affogato and cocktail for my wife. It was an awesome date night experience. We ordered 2 drinks, the "Potato* and 3 chefs-choice ice cream creations. By the time we were done we had "nice dinner for 2" tab and it was worth every penny. read more

Stopped in just for an espresso and was greeted with very inviting staff. They were extremely nice, the space was absolutely spotless, and they answered our questions with enthusiasm (I had never been there and didn't know what kind of establishment it was). I will certainly go back. read more

I loved the blueberry vegan ice cream with fig on top. The server was really nice and helpful with recommendations too! Will be back!

Wish the ice cream was clearly labeled on the glass to help picking out choices. Definitely geared to adults who want something different wouldn't recommend bringing kids for ice cream as they only have two "safe" options for picky eaters. Was slightly confused with the menu. A little on the pricier side so expect to pay up. Felt like the bar is the main attraction. Unique flavors for people who like something different. Felt a little out of place just walking in from a walk. The worker did try and help us find flavors but I think a menu with more descriptions would help them and the customer from any confusion. The plates section just had few word descriptions and I couldn't tell if it was a dessert or meal until I asked. read more

vibe was definitely there and the tasting menu was so much fun. definitely recommend using the suggested drink pairings!