Loving Lexington
Food scene
Apollo Pizza has been a Kentucky staple since 1981. My family have co-owned it since 2012. We've been featured on Alton Brown's Road Eats twice. The Lexington location is adorned by a mural of Kentucky favorite and our favorite John Prine that was blessed by his wife. We have 16 taps of draft beer including local craft and a huge patio.
Apollo Pizza
1451 Leestown RoadApollo Pizza has been a Kentucky staple since 1981. My family have co-owned it since 2012. We've been featured on Alton Brown's Road Eats twice. The Lexington location is adorned by a mural of Kentucky favorite and our favorite John Prine that was blessed by his wife. We have 16 taps of draft beer including local craft and a huge patio.
One of James Beard Award-nominated chef Ouita Michel's amazing restaurants located within walking distance in the historic old courthouse.
24 locals recommend
Zim's Cafe
215 W Main StOne of James Beard Award-nominated chef Ouita Michel's amazing restaurants located within walking distance in the historic old courthouse.
West African cuisine AND housemade ice cream. A Lexington icon.
10 locals recommend
Sav's Grill & West African Cuisine
630 East Main StreetWest African cuisine AND housemade ice cream. A Lexington icon.
Sushi, hibachi, and other Asian favorites in a stylish, modern atmosphere within easy walking distance.
8 locals recommend
Buddha Lounge
109 N Mill StSushi, hibachi, and other Asian favorites in a stylish, modern atmosphere within easy walking distance.
Hip Hawaiian BBQ, burgers, fish sandwiches and more. The Hawaiian-style fries are a must try.
6 locals recommend
Big Kahuna Hawaiian BBQ
904 Liberty RoadHip Hawaiian BBQ, burgers, fish sandwiches and more. The Hawaiian-style fries are a must try.
Downtown Lexington's most loved BBQ stop. Get there before they sell out.
36 locals recommend
Blue Door Smokehouse
226 Walton AveDowntown Lexington's most loved BBQ stop. Get there before they sell out.
Get a reservation because it's hard to get in to this higher-end hot spot.
106 locals recommend
Carson's Food & Drink
362 E Main StGet a reservation because it's hard to get in to this higher-end hot spot.
Jeff Ruby's Lexington outpost brings Cincinnati's famed upscale steakhouse within a walk of all of Downtown Lexington.
54 locals recommend
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - Lexington
101 W Vine StJeff Ruby's Lexington outpost brings Cincinnati's famed upscale steakhouse within a walk of all of Downtown Lexington.
Located inside West Sixth Brewing, this is another Ouita Michel venture. Unfussy, unfancy seafood that'll make you lick your lips. Goes great with a pint of West Sixth beer.
48 locals recommend
Smithtown Seafood
501 W 6th StLocated inside West Sixth Brewing, this is another Ouita Michel venture. Unfussy, unfancy seafood that'll make you lick your lips. Goes great with a pint of West Sixth beer.
As old school as it comes. Just down the block. A Lexington staple for over 70 years. This steakhouse is a taste of Lexington history.
Columbia Steak House
201 N LimestoneAs old school as it comes. Just down the block. A Lexington staple for over 70 years. This steakhouse is a taste of Lexington history.
Celebrity chef Ed Lee calls Indi's Kentucky's best fried chicken. Get it through the drive-thru.
7 locals recommend
Indi's Fast Food Restaurant
670 N BroadwayCelebrity chef Ed Lee calls Indi's Kentucky's best fried chicken. Get it through the drive-thru.
doodles breakfast and lunch
262 N LimestoneFantastic breakfast just a block away.
Outstanding breakfast and lunch and baked goods from a restaurant that emphasizes career development for second chance employees.
6 locals recommend
DV8 Kitchen - East End
594 E Third StOutstanding breakfast and lunch and baked goods from a restaurant that emphasizes career development for second chance employees.
Minton's
760 N LimestoneAnother breakfast and lunch gem not far away.
Lexington is blessed with great local donut shops and this one might be the best. Not fancy, just tasty.
Frank's Donuts
549 E Third StLexington is blessed with great local donut shops and this one might be the best. Not fancy, just tasty.
Famous for their delicious dense donuts, Spalding's is a Lexington institution.
27 locals recommend
Spalding's Bakery
760 Winchester RdFamous for their delicious dense donuts, Spalding's is a Lexington institution.
North Lime Coffee & Donuts
101 W Loudon AveTrendy new-style donut shop in Greyline Station.
Third Street Stuff
257 N LimestoneA great neighborhood coffee shop with tons of character.
Bourbon n' Toulouse
829 Euclid AveLexington's local home for tasty Cajun cuisine.
Sidebar Grill
147 N LimestoneQuintessential local bar food.
The food is good. The setting is great. Seasonal outdoor dining in a garden.
36 locals recommend
Kentucky Native Café
417 E Maxwell StThe food is good. The setting is great. Seasonal outdoor dining in a garden.
24 hour campus adjacent greasy spoon is a favorite for folks who've spent a long night out. Lively atmosphere and not at all fancy. A UK staple for decades.
17 locals recommend
Tolly-Ho
606 S Broadway24 hour campus adjacent greasy spoon is a favorite for folks who've spent a long night out. Lively atmosphere and not at all fancy. A UK staple for decades.
Corto Lima
101 W Short StPopular up-scale Mexican just down the way.
Martine's Pastries
400 E Third StLocal bakery and lunch and breakfast restaurant.
Magee's Bakery
726 E Main StClassic local Lexington Bakery.
School Sushi
163 W Short StLocal sushi shop that adheres closely to Japanese tradition.
Breweries
Friendly favorite brewery that has grown and grown since its founding over 10 years ago due to the exceptional beer they produce. This is the original taproom where it all started. The Kitchen restaurant is located on site and serves great bar food.
68 locals recommend
Country Boy Brewing
436 Chair AveFriendly favorite brewery that has grown and grown since its founding over 10 years ago due to the exceptional beer they produce. This is the original taproom where it all started. The Kitchen restaurant is located on site and serves great bar food.
Located in the old Rainbow Bread bakery, West Sixth brews some of the best beer in Kentucky.
152 locals recommend
West Sixth Brewing
501 W 6th StLocated in the old Rainbow Bread bakery, West Sixth brews some of the best beer in Kentucky.
Brews traditional European recipes as well as modern American styles.
68 locals recommend
Blue Stallion Brewing Co.
610 W 3rd StBrews traditional European recipes as well as modern American styles.
Mirror Twin Brewing
725 National AveGreat atmosphere. Eclectic beer.
Ethereal Brewing Public House
102 West Vine StreetDowntown taproom of Manchester Street's Ethereal Brewing.
Rock House Brewing
119 Luigart CtAnother staple in Lexington's downtown brewery scene.
Pivot Brewing
1400 Delaware AveLocal cidery and brewhouse.
Wise Bird Cider Co.
1170 Manchester StCidery in the Manchester Street Distillery District.
The Void Sake Company
819 National AvenueKentucky's first sake brewery.
Fusion Brewing
1170 Manchester StLocal brewery located in the Manchester Street Distillery District.
Literary landmarks
Carnegie Center For Literacy
251 W 2nd StHome to writing classes and readings. Lexington's literary heartbeat.
Huge independent bookstore with an attached restaurant: Bronte Bistro.
25 locals recommend
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
161 Lexington Green CirHuge independent bookstore with an attached restaurant: Bronte Bistro.
Black Market
516 E High StStalwart antiquarian bookseller.
Offbeat and awesome
THE local resale store specializing in vinyl records, record players, vintage clothing, retro gaming supplies, and much much more.
POPS Resale
1423 Leestown RdTHE local resale store specializing in vinyl records, record players, vintage clothing, retro gaming supplies, and much much more.
sQecial Media
371 S LimestoneBooks, gifts, oddities. A local treasure.
CD Central
377 S LimestoneStill selling a wide selection of CDs as well as a large selection of vinyl.
See a show
Local arthouse theatre featuring movies and occasional concerts and events.
67 locals recommend
Kentucky Theatre
214 E Main StLocal arthouse theatre featuring movies and occasional concerts and events.
Lexington Opera House
401 W Short StHistoric venue for plays and concerts.
The Burl
375 Thompson RdConcert venue with an Americana lean.
Manchester Music Hall
899 Manchester StConcert venue that runs the gamut.
UK Campus theater hosts concerts, plays, and events.
11 locals recommend
Otis A. Singletary Center for the Arts
405 Rose StUK Campus theater hosts concerts, plays, and events.
Lyric Theatre
300 E Third StConcerts, shows, and events in Downtown Lexington.
Red Barn Radio
161 North Mill StreetLocal roots music venue in Downtown.
The Green Lantern
497 W 3rd StSmall and funky concert venue.
Distilleries
Bluegrass Distillers
501 W 6th StArtisanal Kentucky bourbon distillery in Downtown.
Barrel House Distilling Co
1200 Manchester StManchester street distillery.
James E. Pepper Distillery
1228 Manchester StManchester Street distillery.
The Horses
America's most picturesque thoroughbred track races in April and October of each year. Horses that run at Keeneland have run or go on to run in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, The Belmont, and Breeders' Cup--which Keeneland also hosts on occasion. Keeneland is roughly seven miles from our home and is a 10-15 minute drive depending on traffic.
246 locals recommend
Keeneland Race Track station
America's most picturesque thoroughbred track races in April and October of each year. Horses that run at Keeneland have run or go on to run in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, The Belmont, and Breeders' Cup--which Keeneland also hosts on occasion. Keeneland is roughly seven miles from our home and is a 10-15 minute drive depending on traffic.
The only park of its kind in the world, The Kentucky Horse Park is visited by over 1/2 million people each year. A working 1,200 acres horse farm, it's home to championship thoroughbreds, world-renowned competitions, horse shows, exhibits, horse and pony riding opportunities for young and old, four museums, concerts, rodeos, and more. It's located eight miles from our home and takes roughly 15 minutes by car.
329 locals recommend
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works PkwyThe only park of its kind in the world, The Kentucky Horse Park is visited by over 1/2 million people each year. A working 1,200 acres horse farm, it's home to championship thoroughbreds, world-renowned competitions, horse shows, exhibits, horse and pony riding opportunities for young and old, four museums, concerts, rodeos, and more. It's located eight miles from our home and takes roughly 15 minutes by car.
Old Friends Farm is a retirement home for thoroughbred horses including some of the most well known racehorses in the world. Tours are available by reservation Thursday-Sunday. Located in Georgetown it 14 miles from our home and takes 15-20 minutes by car.
48 locals recommend
Old Friends Farm
1841 Paynes Depot RdOld Friends Farm is a retirement home for thoroughbred horses including some of the most well known racehorses in the world. Tours are available by reservation Thursday-Sunday. Located in Georgetown it 14 miles from our home and takes 15-20 minutes by car.
Red Mile Racetrack is the second oldest harness racing track in the world. It's home to the Kentucky Futurity, one of the three jewels in Trotting's Triple Crown. Red Mile also features simulcasting and Pari-mutuel Gaming terminals which are available even when the horses aren't running. It's located two miles from our home and takes 5-8 minutes by car.
51 locals recommend
The Red Mile
1200 Red Mile RdRed Mile Racetrack is the second oldest harness racing track in the world. It's home to the Kentucky Futurity, one of the three jewels in Trotting's Triple Crown. Red Mile also features simulcasting and Pari-mutuel Gaming terminals which are available even when the horses aren't running. It's located two miles from our home and takes 5-8 minutes by car.