Any recommendations? Would love to find a great Mexican/Margarita place as well as some all around good restaurants. TIA
I recently sent this list to a friend visiting from out of town, so if some of the comments seem oddly personal or make no sense that’s why. I tried to do some editing, but I’m feeling lazy today…
Breakfast/Brunch:
Common Grounds: my favorite local Coffee Shop. They have a yummy breakfast and lunch menu with plenty of healthy options. Located on High Street.
Cup of Commonwealth:another good locally owned coffee shop located downtown.They were featured in the Huffington Post back in 2013. They’re very community oriented and it’s a fun place to go for coffee. Located downtown.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/a-cup-of-common-wealth_n_4427060.html
Magee’s Bakery: great little spot for breakfast. Fantastic pasteries and doughnuts, plus an extended menu for breakfast. Located on the outer edge of Chevy Chase on Richmond Road.
http://mageesbakery.com/
Stella’s: Really excellent farm to table type brunch place. They serve southern classics and house creations. I’d recommend getting here by 11am; they use fresh ingredients and they serve until they run out. They also have a lunch menu, but I have only eaten brunch there. I am sure lunch is equally fabulous. Located on Jefferson Street.
http://www.stellaskentuckydeli.com/
Wild Eggs: Wild Eggs is a Kentucky chain with a huge brunch menu. They have two locations, one in Hamburg and one in Palomar.
http://wildeggs.com/
Josie’s: Another outstanding brunch/lunch spot, but they also serve a great dinner. Located in Chevy Chase Plaza in Chevy Chase, around the corner from Charlie Brown’s, CCI, Beer Trappe, etc.
http://www.josieslex.com/
Doodle’s: Doodle’s might be my #1 most favorite brunch spot. Doodle’s puts a cajun twist on brunch favorites. My personal favorite is the shrimp & grits with a side of beignets. This is another place where I would try to arrive before 11am. Located on North Limestone.
http://www.doodlesrestaurant.com/weekend.html
Third Street Stuff: cool little coffee house, directly across from Doodle’s on North Limestone.
Keeneland Track Kitchen: The track kitchen at Keeneland has great greasy spoon breakfast food. It’s a cool atmosphere because you can see anyone and everyone working at the race track. Early April is a great time to go because lots of barns will have moved in for the spring meet the begins the following weekend. You can literally see anyone there from the most famous jockeys (they do eat occasionally) to legendary trainers. Located in Keeneland
https://www.keeneland.com/discover/track-kitchen
the Julep Cup: I think the Julep Cup has the best bloody Mary in Lexington, and I have tried close to all of them. My favorite dish is the breakfast hot brown. They also serve dinner and it is probably also fabulous, but I have only been to brunch. Located on Woodland Ave, between Chevy Chase and Downtown.
http://www.thejulepcup.com/
North Lime Coffee & Donuts: craft donuts that are heavenly. They have crazy specials every day and get pretty creative with their flavors and pairings. Located on N Limestone in the NoLi neighborhood.
http://www.northlimelex.com/
Lunch/Dinner:
Bourbon & Toulose: locally owned Cajun joint. Highly recommend the southwest crawfish etoufee. Lots of options for all tastes, including vegetarian. Located in Chevy Chase, next door to CCI.
http://www.bntlex.com/
Dudley’s: upscale dining with a Southern twist. Great atmosphere, cool roof-top bar. Located downtown on Short Street.
http://dudleysrestaurant.com/
Village Idiot: they bill themselves as Lexington’s first gastro pub. Their Idiot Burger was voted the best burger in Lexington last year. Everything I have had there has been amazing. They have an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail menu.
http://www.lexingtonvillageidiot.com/
Parlay Social: Parlay is more of a bar than a restaurant in that their beer and cocktail menus are longer than their food menu, however, they have a nice selection of “gourmet” grilled cheeses and they are amazing. This is a fun place for a late dinner and drinks, and they also have good live bands. Located Downtown on Short Street.
http://parlaysocial.com/
Wallace Station: Wallace Station is one of my very, very, very favorite places for lunch in Lexington, although it is technically located about 20 minutes out of town in Versailles. Wallace Station has been featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives and has a great selection of burgers and sandwiches for lunch, most famous of them being the Big Brown Burger, named for Kentucky Derby winner and local stallion Big Brown. Although it is 20 mins out of town the drive absolutely cannot beat, especially in the spring time. Cannot recommend this one enough!
http://www.wallacestation.com/
Windy Corner: Windy Corner is a sister restaurant to Wallace Station. The menu is completely different, but the food is equally delicious (I’m a big fan of their po boys). Windy Corner is located 20 minutes out of town in a different direction. While I think Wallace Station wins the best drive award, the drive to Windy Corner shouldn’t be taken for granted.
http://www.windycornermarket.com/
Local Taco: Ok, in the interest of full disclosure Local Taco is technically a chain, but it is a small chain and is limited to southern cities, so I am going to let it sneak in here. Local Taco is sort of TexMex fusion. They have a wide range of tacos (my personal favorites are the fish tacos and bang bang shrimp tacos) that aren’t the typical Mexican fare. They also make a mean beergarita if you’re into that sort of thing. They have a nice open air atmosphere. They have a yummy brunch menu (I could eat chicken and waffle tacos for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy). They are located on S Limestone in the same block as Tin Roof and Pazzo’s.*
http://www.localtaco.com/menu/
Pazzo’s: Pazzo’s is a locally owned beer and pizza joint. Huge beer menu and lots of pizza options, as well as hoagies, salads, wings, etc. Pazzo’s is my favorite sit down pizza place in Lex. They have two nice patio areas and can accomodate big groups easily. Located on S Limestone in the same block as Tin Roof and Pazzo’s.*
http://pazzospizzapub.com/
Smithtown Seafood: Smithtown Seafood is in the same family of restaurants as Wallace Station and Windy Corner, owned by renowned chef Ouita Michel. Smithtown has great fish and chips (it has received the seal of approval from my girl friend that hails from London) and fish sandwiches, but also run specials for things like shrimp and grits, crawfish, lobster, crab cakes, etc. They share a building with West 6th Brewing, and all of the seating is technically in West 6th, Located on W 6th Street.
http://www.smithtownseafood.com/
Lockbox: I haven’t been to Lockbox yet as it opened within the last week, but it is a fine dining restaurant in our brand new 21c hotel. The chef is a local favorite and has received numerous national accolades. The restaurant itself is in a former bank vault, which has been restored.
http://www.lockboxlex.com/
http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/lexington/
Malone’s/Harry’s/Aqua/Drake’s: The BHG family of restaraunts is a local chain that combines three restaurants into one, which gives you three menus from which to order. Malone’s a is a nice steak house, while Harry’s is technically a sportsbar, but I would classify it as more high end bar food…reasonably priced, but fresh ingredients, interesting combinations, overall just really good food. Aqua is a sushi bar. This is the type of place where you can show up in nice jeans and shirt and be totally fine- no need to dress up. The patio area is one of the best patios in Lexington. This is one of our favorite places to go have some sushi and a glass of wine and sit at the bar. One location has Drake’s instead of Harry’s, so that menu is slightly different, but still the same idea and really good. Locations in Hamburg, Harrodsburg Road, and Tates Creek Road.
http://bluegrasshospitality.com/malones/
Ramsey’s: One of my favorite casual spots in Lexington. They just have good old Southern cooking and is a local favorite. Their brownie pie from Missy’s pies is amazing, but for a visitor I would recommend the Kentucky classic, May Day Pie. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is a good place to try Kentucky’s signature entree, the Kentucky Hot Brown, but there is ONE place in Lexington that I think does it better. I’ll get to that momentarily. Ramsey’s food is so good that when we had a family emergency this Thanksgiving, we ended up having Ramsey’s cater Thanksgiving dinner and everyone loved it so much it might become a tradition in a family full of amazing cooks and food snobs. Locations in Hamburg, Harrodsburg Road, Tate’s Creek, and Nicholasville Road.
http://ramseysdiners.com/
Gastro Gnomes: This is my very favorite food truck. They have super creative dishes and the menu changes daily. I have never had a bad meal from these guys. Location varies.
https://www.facebook.com/eatwelldiehappy/?fref=ts
National Provisions: National Provisions was opened a few years ago by a French couple who wanted to bring a little France to the Bluegrass. It has a bakery/cafe, a market, a beer hall, and a restaurant. I am a big fan of the cafe and bakery, but I haven’t visited the beer hall or restaurant yet, though I have heard they are fab. Located on National Ave, across the street from Local’s.
https://www.facebook.com/National-Provisions-1394021167509918/
Merrick Inn: Merrick is probably my very favorite upscale restaurant in Lexington. They specialize in Southern classics, such as fried chicken. I have tried many things on the menu and haven’t ever had anything I don’t love. I love their grouper fingers and fried banana pepper apps. They also have a beautiful bar/patio area. Located on Tate’s Creek Road
http://www.themerrickinn.com/
Cole’s 735 Main: Cole’s describes themselves as upscale casual. The food is always delicious and the owner/chef couldn’t be nicer. Located between Chevy Chase and National Ave.
http://coles735main.com/menu
Red State BBQ: My favorite BBQ place in Lexington, they serve classic BBQ fare. Super casual; it is literally a little shack on the side of the road. Located on Georgetown Road, very close to the Kentucky Horse Park. They also have a food truck.
http://www.redstatebbq.com/
Locals’: Casual, neighborhood bar/restaurant with amazing food. They just opened this winter and I’ve been a few times and ordered something different each time and I love it all. Great craft cocktails. Highly recommend the roasted cauliflower with bourbon maple glaze, the blue/white nachos, and the Locals’ Mule. Located on National Avenue across from National Provisions.
http://localslex.com/food/
Joe Bologna’s: Lexington’s classic casual Italian restaurant in a former church. Great pizza, pasta, and pitchers of beer, very casual. Located on Maxwell Street near the corner of S. Limestone.*
http://joebolognas.com/
Athenian Grill: the best Greek food in town. Super casual restaurant and they also have a food truck (the food truck actually came first). I haven’t met a dish there that I haven’t loved. Located in Chevy Chase on S Ashland Ave.
http://atheniangrill.com/
Saul Good: a Lexington chain that specializes in fancy burgers. Highly recommend the Hawaiian burger. You can sub in chicken for all the burgers. Their menu also features items such as the hot brown pizza (delicious) and breakfast for dinner (can’t miss). Locations downtown, at Fayette Mall, and in Hamburg.
http://saulgoodpub.com/
Goodfella’s: the best pizza in Lexington hands down. New York style pizza opened until 4:00am. There’s no seating inside, so it’s grab and go. Most convenient location is downtown on N Mill St. There’s also a S Limestone location, but it is located in Two Keys, a college bar revered by Kentucky students since the 80s.
https://www.facebook.com/Goodfellas-Pizzeria-45567522631/
OBC Kitchen: OBC is another member of the BHG family, but I am setting it apart for one reason, and that is bourbon. It is the place to go for an excellent bourbon menu and tastings. If you want to sip 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle, this place has you covered. Their food is also great, but if you’re going just to eat and not for the bourbon, then there are better places for the money (I think).
Winchell’s: another local casual dining spot. They’re kind of sports bar, we love their food for a casual meal. We love their burgers, but this is another place where you can’t really miss with anything on the menu. Also love them for a classic breakfast. They stop serving breakfast at noon. They are also Lexington’s number one spot for watching English Premier League soccer, if you’re into that kind of thing. Located on Southland Drive.*
http://winchellsrestaurant.com/
Nick Ryan’s: another great upscale Southern dining experience. Slightly more casual that Merrick or Dudley’s, but same quality of food. Located on Jefferson St.
http://winchellsrestaurant.com/
Grey Goose: another spot for pizza, but their pizza has thin crust and overall it’s a little more upscale than Joe B’s or Pazzo’s, but still casual. They have an awesome patio and yummy cocktails. Their menu does also feature some sandwiches and a few entrees, as well as nice variety of appetizers. This is a favorite summertime spot when we want pizza, but don’t want something super heavy. My favorite pizzas are classic pepperoni, chicken & bacon, and the pesto. Same owner as the Blue Heron. Two locations: Jefferson St across from Nick Ryan’s in Lexington and Main Street in Midway.
http://greygooserestaurants.com/menu/
Vinaigrette: my favorite lunch place. They feature fancy salads using Kentucky Proud ingredients. These are the type of salads that are a meal and really fill you up. Plenty of options for all tastes. Located downtown and outside of town on Leestown Pike.
http://vinaigrettesaladkitchen.com/
Giuseppe’s: our favorite upscale Italian restaurant. Weekend nights they have live jazz. Great Italian food and nice atmosphere.
http://giuseppeslexington.com/
Sav’s: authentic Ethiopian cuisine. I am not a huge fan, but it has a huge following. The owner/chef uses his family recipes to create authentic Ethiopian dishes. Located on S Limestone
http://savsgrill.com/
Alfalfa: great casual spot that offers lots of dishes for vegetarians. They have a great breakfast and lunch menu. Located downtown on Main St.
http://www.alfalfarestaurant.com/
Limestone Blue: great spot to grab a sandwich and a beer. Creative combinations. Love their avocado fries. They also have a fun brunch menu- the French toasted croissants are my favorite. Located downtown on N Limestone.
https://www.facebook.com/LimestoneBlue/
County Club: County Club specializes in smoked meats. They do a great cheese board and their poutine fries are the bomb.com. Located on Jefferson St across from W 6th Brewing Co.
http://countyclubrestaurant.com/
A.P. Suggins: Our neighborhood staple. Don’t be fooled by the senior citizen-esque decor on the non-bar side of the restaurant, Suggins is a Chevy Chase favorite. Their food is wonderful and reasonably priced. Suggins also has the very best Kentucky Hot Brown in Lexington. You cannot beat it. My other favorite guilty pleasure is the fried banana peppers. This is the type of place where you go in and if you’re from the area you see no less than 5 people you know…every single time. Located in Chevy Chase on Romany Road; the Tulip is next door.
http://www.suggins.com/
Middle Fork: Middle Fork is a new restaurant that started life as a food truck. I haven’t eaten at the brick & mortar restaurant yet, but the food truck is always A++. Located in the distellery district, in the same little shopping area as Etheral Brewing and Crank & Boom.
http://www.middleforkkb.com/#eat-together
Sugano: Sugano is a super sketchy looking little whole in the wall in a strip club next door to a Mexican discotheque. If you saw it without knowing any better you wouldn’t even consider going in. That said, it is the best sushi in Lexington. These sushi chefs were brought in from Japan by the higher ups at the Toyota Plant. Located on Eastland Parkway.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sugano-japanese-restaurant-lexington
Sidebar: Sidebar is a cool little hole in the wall downtown and a favorite of the hipster crowd for drinks. They have great burgers and sweet potato fries in a fun, funky atmosphere. Located downtown on N Limestone.
https://www.facebook.com/sidebar.grill
Lynagh’s: Lynagh’s has been around forever and their burgers are consistently voted in the top 5 best burgers in Lexington. It was recently taken over by a new owner who has kept much of the Lynagh’s old charm, while incorporating Kentucky Proud products into the new and improved menu. Located on Woodland Ave near campus.
http://www.lynaghs.com/
Nat’s: Nat’s is a tiny little hole in the wall situated between McCarthy’s and Failte Irish Store. Nat is the owner and cook, and uses his mother’s recipes to create the most amazing Thai food of all time. There’s no seating, and it’s so small there is really only room for a few people to come in and order at a time, but the food is worth it. Most people take their food to go, or head next door to McCarthy’s and grab a table and a drink there. Located on S Upper St. http://natslexington.com/
Dessert
Crank & Boom: craft ice cream located in the distillery district near Middle Fork and Etheral Brewing.
Graeter’s Ice Cream: you may be familiar with Graeter’s from Cincinnati. Really yummy small batch ice cream. Located in Chevy Chase on Euclid Ave, just down from Charlie Brown’s and across the street from CCI and Bourbon and Toulouse.
Missy’s Pies: pie galore! Also served at all Ramsey’s locations. Located at the corner of Woodland & High between Chevy Chase and Downtown.
http://missyspieshop.com/
Wow! That was very comprehensive.
I will second Red State BBQ. They had their food truck at the KHP last year. The prices were higher, than going to their restaurant. They let you pick from several different styles of sauce ie. mustard based, Memphis sweet, North Carolina vinegar based.)
Maybe its because I’ve never had it sober, but Goodfellas is just ok to me. I like Brooklyn. Tastes like home.
For mexican El Rancho Tapitio has a great, semi-authentic menu. Everyone always goes on and on about Jalapenos but its just meh to me.
Red State is worth the trip. Coles is great for a nicer meal. Winchells is a personal favorite for a casual bar type meal as is Saul Good. Sidebar has the best burgers, and be sure to follow it with a BFF 
I just don’t understand the cult following behind Crank and Boom, NL donuts and West 6th/Smithfield. I think all are just ok and extremely expensive for what they are.
1 Like
Is Sam"s closed? Great breakfast and very close to the Horse Park.
Jalepeno’s is actually quite good, like we were surprised at how good it was. It’s in Lexington.
Shush you’all now you’ll never get a table!
[QUOTE=vineyridge;8638986]
Is Sam"s closed? Great breakfast and very close to the Horse Park.[/QUOTE]
Yes, Sam’s is closed. I would also recommend a very short trip to Midway. Good restaurants there as well!
We’re here!!! Can’t wait to try the suggestions. Ginandtonic, that was amazingly detailed. Thanks !!!
I love Jalapeños and I grew up and lived in southwestern border states. Reasonable too…parking can be tricky at peak hours.
Red State is not much of a trip from KHP. One right turn, one left turn and it’s on your left a mile or two down, easy to drive by unless you are looking for it, rather…unassuming…as all the great BBQ places are.
Always liked Malones too, the one right off 75 and Man O War at Hamburg Place, EZ on and off the interstate, tons of parking, like 10 minutes down 75 from the KHP. Breeches are considered “dressed up” and it’s got a great patio bar with all three menus available. Bit pricey but not out of line for what you get and the usually very good and competent service.
If you like Thai in a very basic setting, Thai Garden in Georgetown has been good to me in the past. And I really have liked the Pak/Indian restaurant off Man O’War near Hamburg Place, called (IIRC) Tandoor.
Gumbo Ya Ya? Was that the little place I had some amazing casual Cajun food a few years back?
Thanks everyone.
Short reviews of where we ate (so far) for future generations… lol
El Ranch Tapito - Food’s ok, not great, not terrible…relatively inexpensive. We also tried Jalapeno’s for a second round of Margaritas. I was not impressed with them at either restaurant, but I am a Margarita snob.
Track Kitchen at Keeneland - it’s breakfast, at Keeneland! What’s not to like?!
Sauls Good - Food was really good, hubby had a burger and a few different beer types, the Rosemary Chicken pizza was amazing. I ordered two mixed drinks and both were a big disappointment, pomegranate margarita was super sweet and heavy on the sour mix, ordered a Cosmo for a second try and also heavy on the sour mix (which is news to me that a Cosmo comes that way). I would definitely go again because the food was pretty good, prices good… but I would stay with something really simple to drink. Also…go early… the college crowd comes in heavy after 900,
These are 3 good Mexican restaurants close by.
- [B]Taco Tico[/B] Mexican cuisine 1483 Boardwalk
- [B]The Local Taco[/B] Texan-Mexican cuisine 315 S Limestone
- [B]Cinco De Mayo[/B] Mexican cuisine 122 W Maxwell St
For more restaurants around this area you might wanna check out https://places-to-eat-near-me.com/
