Must-see restaurants in Lexington

  • Carson's Food & Drink

    Lexington

    Prohibition-era cocktails ($8 to $10) and bloody Marys (garnished with bacon, shrimp, celery, olives, pepper jack cheese and pepperoncini) make for great…

  • Blue Door Smokehouse

    Lexington

    Follow your nose to this small smokehouse marked by a bright blue door where the buttery-tender brisket is the meat to beat. Arrive early to get a juicy…

  • Middle Fork

    Lexington

    From worshipped food truck to the culinary anchor of the hot Distillery District, Chef Mark Jensen calls on a custom-built Argentinean-styled wood-fire…

  • Stella's Kentucky Deli

    Lexington

    This don't-miss deli has more than 30 years under its apron, but the latest owners have upped the cool quotient and concentrated on delicious provisions…

  • Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge

    Lexington

    Blueberry lime cheesecake, blackberry and buttermilk, bourbon and honey – Crank & Boom invents flavors you didn’t even know you craved. Flights are…

  • Zim's Cafe

    Lexington

    Down-home dishes made with Kentucky ingredients is Zim’s way. Locals fill the sunny, folk art-adorned room, forking into gingerbread pancakes and biscuits…

  • Smithtown Seafood

    Lexington

    Order your cornmeal-crusted catfish, shrimp and grits or fish tacos with chili-lime-yogurt sauce at Smithtown’s counter, then head to a table in adjoining…

  • Martine’s Pastries

    Lexington

    Martine hails from France, and she doesn't mess around when it comes to her perfectly flaky croissants. Locals also pile in for her buttermilk chive…

  • County Club

    Lexington

    This smoked-meat sanctuary occupies the former storage garage of a Sunbeam bread factory. Though the service is best described as aloof, the dishes –…

  • Corto y Lima

    Lexington

    With its hip young staff, bright tile bar and slew of creative small plates, Corto y Lima draws date-night couples and groups of stylish friends. They…

  • Oscar Diggs

    Lexington

    The giant burgers and thick, crispy French fries are mainstays, while the rest of the menu changes based on what’s available from local farmers. Expect…

  • Doodles

    Lexington

    Breakfast fiends should head to this former gas station to fill up on scrumptious comfort food led by shrimp and grits (with green onion rémoulade and…

  • Village Idiot

    Lexington

    Hip young foodies descend for familiar dishes, but with a twist. Think duck confit and waffles, pulled pork mac 'n' cheese, or fried chicken eggs Benedict…