A rapidly expanding dessert concept from Lexington is formally moving to Louisville, and it will do so in one of the busiest food corridors in the city.
According to Louisville Business First, Shake n Crave is getting ready to open its first location in Louisville at 650 Baxter Ave. The new location will be right across from Eastern Cemetery in the Phoenix Hill neighborhood, close to the intersection of East Broadway.
Situated between Carali’s Rotisserie Chicken and Goodfellas Pizzeria, the new café is sliding into a busy section of Baxter Avenue, indicating a strong belief in Louisville’s desire for decadent bites and late-night sweets.
Shake n Crave’s reputation has been established by its visually extravagant desserts and customizable comfort foods. The menu features a variety of milkshakes, smoothies, and coffee drinks that are meant to be more decadent than subtle, as well as crepes and waffles piled high with toppings like Oreo, Biscoff, Kinder Bueno, and pistachio.
The idea was first introduced in Lexington, close to the University of Kentucky campus, and it quickly gained popularity among younger people who were drawn to its dessert-heavy menu and Instagram-friendly presentation.
The arrival is part of a larger trend in Louisville, where more specialty dessert restaurants are placing bets on areas like Phoenix Hill and the Highlands to maintain heavy, late-night traffic.
There is currently no announcement as to when the shop will open at its Baxter Avenue location.
This article appears in March 1-24, 2026.