Explore Best Restaurants Lexington: Delightful Eats
Lexington, USA, often heralds a tapestry of culinary delight, where the search for the best restaurants becomes a gastronomic adventure. From smoky barbecue joints that echo the South's hearty flavors to upscale eateries offering innovative cuisine, Lexington satisfies every palate. Whether you're craving the down-home comfort of a classic Southern meal or the refined sophistication of farm-to-table dining, this city's dining scene brims with establishments that boast unique character and local flair. Join us as we explore the crème de la crème of Lexington's vibrant restaurant landscape.
The sage rabbit
4.4
(293)
Relaxed eatery with a patio serving seasonal American fare including housemade pasta & roast pork.
Reviews:
I had the perfect experience here! I sat at the bar and enjoyed a mint julep, some goat cheese with bread, and a wonderful little chocolate & toasted marshmellow genache. The bartender took great care of me. Thank you for an exceptional service and food!
Jennilyn Brown
One of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Stopped here for dinner on a road trip, and I will be thinking about it probably forever. -Food, absolutely fantastic. You must get the panzanella. -Service, 5 stars. Personable, quick. -Atmosphere, ideal. Picked here to stop not just for the food/farm to table description, on their website they write “come as you are” so, me in my road trip uniform, I was looking for a casual but tasty spot. This place is cozy yet elevated. Would be an incredible date night, just eating out, or stopping through town. Seriously. Eat here.
Lara Hayes
Friendly service and quick. Shout-out to Andrew for being an amazing Host. We had the Paloma and Mocha Martini to start. Some herbed goat cheese and bread as a starter. Special with redfish creole and risotto, and Paris in Saigon noodle dish with Shrimp. Delicious food. Colorful a d bright. Not overwhelming too big so there's room for dessert. Reservation recommended but not necessary. There is outdoor patio dining and a small bar that seats four. Street parking. Depending what day, gotta pay for street parking.
Hermalyn M
My wife and I have been frequenting this restaurant since it opened. It is consistently amazing. Even when crowded or understaffed the food always arrives perfect. Always hot and always correct. This is the difference between a small chef-owned business. The staff here shows passion and genuinely engages with each table. The craft cocktails show ingenuity and the food specials show attention to detail and creative use of local products. Call ahead to grab a table.
David Palmer
Had date night here, and we absolutely loved it. The Ribeyes were perfection. The panzanella was so good it forced me into looking up a recipe and making some at home. I'm looking forward to coming back for brunch.
Angela “Angye” Canada
438 S Ashland Ave, Lexington, KY 40502, USA
Carson's food & drink
4.7
(2819)
Hip speakeasy with TVs & outdoor seating serving pub grub with a twist & creative cocktails.
Reviews:
We really enjoyed the food here. And the service was amazing! There were 2 ladies - twins, that really ensured our group was taken care of! I would totally come here again. The fried cinnamon dessert rolls were to die for!! The shrimp and grits were also delicious. I loved everything I ate here. I would totally return and recommend.
Todays Present
Carson's of Lexington is a hidden gem where culinary artistry meets traditional Kentucky flavors. Prepare your taste buds for the warmth of Creole cuisine with traditional local flavors, transporting diners back in time while adding a touch of elegant charm. The speakeasy-inspired ambiance sets the stage for a memorable night out. The food here is simply amazing, rivaling some of the best in Lexington and even comparable to New Orleans best Creole places. The chef's inspired dishes harmoniously blend rich flavors, creating a delightful symphony on your palate. A word of caution: some dishes do pack a bit of spice, enhancing the bold flavors without overpowering them, though it may be a lot for some people. 💡 What Stood Out: The real standout at Carson's is undoubtedly the extraordinary flavors that leave you craving for more. The restaurant's commitment to embracing and elevating version of local traditions adds a comforting and unforgettable touch to the entire experience.
Eric Wilson
We had dinner, I ordered the two filet medallions with the most perfectly cooked scallops on top of cheesy grits. The best ever. My husband ordered the Cajun filet and that was delicious as well. We returned for lunch to get those ribs because we were jealous watching people eat them for dinner the night before. We also ordered the Kentucky derby pie bites. I’ve never had anything like it. It was absolutely amazing. I WOULD RECOMMEND
Cindy L
Fantastic food and experience. Our server was so kind and efficient, and did a good job of helping me choose what kinds of drinks and dishes my wife and I should get (we were out of town visitors). We had pork belly truffle fries, a pesto chicken sandwich w/ Gouda mac n cheese, Oscar-style medallions, and peanut butter pie. It was all amazing! Anytime we visit Lexington, we’re definitely getting a reservation here.
David Poling
A one of a kind place with outstanding service from Matt and Jeremy. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Carson’s features their brunch menu. The Chicken and Waffles were very flavorful and rich. Currently there is only one Carson’s, however they have plans for a second location in Hamburg. 5 stars. Be sure to sit at the bar when Matt and Jeremy are working!
Kinny Landrum
362 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA
Merrick inn restaurant
4.6
(960)
Romantic spot serving fried chicken & other Southern fare in a manor house with a big covered patio.
Reviews:
My wife and we’re spending a few days in Kentucky and Ohio. We specifically planned a stop in Lexington so we could visit Merrick Inn. Had a small problem with the calamari that arrived a little on the cold side. When we mentioned it to the server he immediately replaced it and we were back in business…delicious! We then had the house salad and pecan crusted pork tenderloin (with extra sauce of course) which as always…fantastic. Service was a little slow but was probably our own fault as my wife ordered only a salad and we weren’t clear that that was to be her main course. Quickly corrected and we were back on track. Merrick Inn never disappoints and will travel miles to enjoy a visit.
Jim Elliott
I love the Merrick Inn! Such a beautiful, elegant restaurant inside. Wonderful bar! Beautiful and spacious patio with outside bar area as well. The service is always amazing, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere lends itself to a fabulous dining experience. ALL of the food is delicious. I had the salmon tonight and it was cooked perfectly. Will return again soon!
Emily Ellsworth
What a wonderful find. My husband and I were driving through Lexington on our home to Chicagoland from a vacation in Gatlinburg TN. I was looking for a nice sit down restaurant to celebrate my husband's birthday. Merrick Inn did not disappoint. The free valet parking was helpful as there is not much parking nearby. The building is a beautiful old farm house. It feels like you are having dinner at a big country manor. Each room is a small dining room with a different decor making it feel small and intimate even though it is a large building. Our waitress, Rachel, was very personable and accommodating with my gluten intolerance. The food was delicious. I ordered the pork chop, green beans and asparagus. My husband had the pork tenderloin, green beans and asparagus. The meat was tender, juicy and had amazing flavor. Highly recommend this restaurant.
Heather Elrod
Quality nice dinner out. The people were so really wonderful. They went out of their way to demonstrate great, truly excellent customer service for our large group. Several excellent apps and dishes were had, including prime rib, pork chop, Mediterranean chicken, and walleye! Yes, the walleye was very nice. Good drinks, wedge salad, skewers, and atmosphere.
Jason M
First time here and we will definitely be back. Thanks to the receptionist for letting us in without a reservation! (my bad). We loved everything we ate. The chicken and waffles were to die for and the biscuits and gravy were so good. We also had some delicious drinks with our brunch.
Jk Lemay
1074 Merrick Dr, Lexington, KY 40502, USA
Lockbox
4.4
(327)
Swanky, modern bar/restaurant featuring elevated Southern eats such as smoked grits & local carp.
Reviews:
Good was exquisite. The cocktail menu had too many amazing drinks to choose from. We decided to share our food amongst the table, and I would highly recommend doing this to ensure that we try all the delicious offerings. We loved our slow-paced dinner and plan to visit again soon.
Emily Ellsworth
Located in 21c Hotel. Loved the art on the walls! Atmosphere was great! I ordered an item on a new menu and somehow the ticket didn't make it to the kitchen. Management apologized several times and removed cost from our check. Mushrooms and Grits were okay. The mushrooms/broth had a sweetness that didn't seem to belong. My husband had Biscuits & Gravy & it was good. Fried potatoes were very crunchy & well seasoned.
Cynthia Campbell
Great Sunday brunch! Wonderful soothing music. Nick was a great waiter. Food was amazing. We had Eggs Benedict. The coffee was wonderful. The banana bread was outstanding! They were able to accommodate for gluten free.
Maria Dolan
Breakfast at 21c Museum Hotel Lexington's Lockbox included Warm Griddled Banana Bread with cream cheese frosting and toasted walnuts. Should have stopped here... But there were Overnight Oats with chia, coconut, almonds, fresh berries, and mint. And perfectly prepared Smoked Bacon. All complemented by Dakota's friendly, efficient service. Possibly my best-ever breakfast!
Ed Schwitzky
Beautiful location, staff is lovely. I've been here many times, but today had a shakshuka for lunch. It was delicious.
Brian L. Frye
167 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA
County club restaurant
4.5
(542)
BBQ made from Kentucky-raised meat & contemporary American comfort grub offered in rustic-chic digs.
Reviews:
Probably one of my favourite brunch overall as of now. Although limited selection on the food menu, they are delicious. Cozy relaxing ambience for a Sunday brunch and friendly staff. I ordered the salad of the month which was excellent flavour and my husband’s order chicken and waffle was different and was good as-well.
MEGHA BALETHOT
This is a great place to go for a casual dinner. They have both interior and exterior options available. The staff here are very efficient and helpful. We ordered a couple of things to share and were pleased with the outcome. The dry smoked chicken wings were perfect! The quesarito was quite filling, and the margaritas were refreshing.
Charlie Te
I am super late to this place, but if y'all haven't had the brunch - get there - it really feels like they enjoy making these dishes - hope they actually do, because they sure bring joy to my mouth.
meadow smith
We had poutine and sweet potatoes for starters, and delicious, quality burgers for mains. This went very well with a sup or two of bourbon. Wonderful atmosphere outside!
Michele Meyer
Hmmm...very mixed emotions. Brisket is absolutely steller, but that's about it. We order 3 of the cocktails and we're not even slightly impressed. In fact, the only reason we drank them was because they were $13 each. For what you get, the food was too expensive. To be completely honest, get the brisket sandwich, consider the poutine fries with brisket of course, and for a safe bet, go with a bottled beer. Take this from someone who has had brisket in both the Carolinas and Texas. This brisket is truly worth it, and the only thing that made the overpriced meal worth our time. Btw, they charge a 20% gratitude to every check automatically, which was WAY TO GENEROUS! Serove was decent, but wayyyy to slow. Also, when you go to pay, they also ask to add a tip, and in fact it defaults to another 20% tip. I clicked custom and add $0.00, I can't say it was worth the 1st 20%. If you decide to go, be warned is all I can say.
Lena Mazur
555 Jefferson St, Lexington, KY 40508, USA
J. alexander's restaurant
4.5
(1400)
Restaurant chain serving wood-fired American fare in a contemporary space with a bar.
Reviews:
The food was phenomenal. Ethan was our server and he was excellent. The cocktails were awesome. Lemon cheesecake was delicious. The salmon was cooked to perfection. The salmon dip was delicious. The rice that came with the salmon was delicious. The brussel sprouts were delicious. The Mac and cheese was delicious. I will definitely be coming back for more.
Chrissy Lyles
Excellent food, great service, extensive bourbon selection and reasonable prices. I had this prime rib with fresh creamed spinach and she had the fillet and Not Your Ordinary Macaroni and Cheese. We both loved it.
Aaron Blackham
Everything was absolutely perfect. From the food the atmosphere and service I have no complaints. I really enjoy eating at this restaurant, I highly recommend it.
derek g
A good friendly service. Portion sizes were good. Dishes were cooked to our requests. Went to dine in without much expectations. Was not disappointed .
Chitra Solomon
We are from out of town and family recommended this place. J. Alexander's Restaurant did not disappoint! Everything we ordered was delicious. I highly recommend the carrot cake. My 5 year old and 13 year old usually won't eat anything like this. After we left the restaurant, they were asking if we could go back for more!
Terran Benjamin
4081 Finn Wy, Lexington, KY 40517, USA
Italx
4.4
(274)
Elevated contemporary Italian cuisine & a robust wine list served in an elegant restaurant.
Reviews:
Absolutely incredible food. Likely some of the best Italian I've had in a long time. Add to the fact the pasta was freshly made! It was perfectly spicy with a wonderful amount of sauce. The cheesecake was gluten free so it had an odd texture but was still delicious. The whip cream on it though, THAT was beyond amazing. Soft, fluffy wonderful delight. Lastly, the fig old fashioned was refreshing and fun. The menu changed since last time but dinner was just as incredible. I promise you'll not be disappointed.
Nina G
This restaurant is so sexy! Another outing with my Mom. The doors open to extend the room to the outside. Right on the corner and you can look in all directions from the big floor to ceiling windows. The menu offers many authentic Italian food selections. The wine wall is gorgeous! We will be back to try other options on the menu. The bruschetta appetizer offered several toppings that were Umami! All food was exceptional!!!
Rachael Gaylord Cargill
This is an upscale Italian restaurant located in Lexington. They have great culinary creations with a menu inspired by traditional Italian flavors and modern techniques. Definitely offered a memorable dining experience for us for our Valentines dinner.
Srinivasa Rao Ippili
This restaurant is a cute space for cocktail drinks and dinner before starting the weekend night out. The service is alright, but the ambiance is nice. This place can be a date night spot or dinner with friends and families!
Nat Rose
Over rated! The food is flavorless and not worth wasting your time. The ambiance and location is fantastic but that's about it. If you want good food and service go around the block to Jeff Ruby's
Michael Cutali
160 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA