Restaurants by Ouita Michel
Ouita Michel is a six time James Beard semi-finalist and a local culinary legend. She is a Kentucky debate alum and our hero. In 1986 she won the National Debate Tournament. We strongly encourage you to try one of her many offerings in the Bluegrass.
Holly Hill – Ouita’s flagship and a pillar of the fine dining scene. About 25 minutes from Lexington. Reservations required
http://www.hollyhillinn.com/
Honey Wood – Upscale casual featuring new southern cuisine
http://www.honeywoodrestaurant.com/
Wallace Station – Southern Style Deli in a country setting. Friday is fish fry night and Monday is Fried Chicken.
http://www.wallacestation.com/
Windy Corner – New Southern Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the heart of horse country.
https://www.windycornermarket.com/dinner-specials-1/
Smithtown – Casual seafood. Two locations. One of our favorites.
Zim’s Café (NEW) – Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner. Causal Southern
Grocery Stores
Good Foods Coop – Support local here. Close to Campbell House.
http://goodfoods.coop/
Whole Foods
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lexington
Kroger – multiple locations including Euclid Ave close to campus
Close to Campus
Tolly Ho – Best greasy spoon in Lexington since 1971
https://tollyho.com/
Pazzos – Pizza and sandwiches
http://pazzospizzapub.com/
Jimmy Johns on limestone
https://www.jimmyjohns.com/
Han Woo Ri – decent Korean spot on limestone
https://www.facebook.com/LexHanWooRi/
Sav’s grill – good West African spot near campus
https://savsgrill.weebly.com/
Mellow Mushroom – near campus
https://mellowmushroom.com/location/ky-lexington-503-s-upper-st-40508/
Graze – cozy dinner spot serving affordable farm to table. Can be tough for large groups
https://www.yelp.com/biz/graze-on-limestone-lexington
Qdoba on Euclid
https://locations.qdoba.com/us/ky/lexington/265-e-euclid-ave.html
Bangkok House – casual spot near campus
https://www.doordash.com/store/bangkok-house-lexington-233256/?utm_campa...
Bourbon n' Toulouse– casual. Great for lunch or cheap dinner
http://www.ilovecajun.com/
Bear and the Butcher – still figuring itself out. Beautiful spot near campus
https://www.bearandthebutcher.com/
Louie’s Wine Dive – acceptable regional chain near campus
http://louieswinedive.com/
Athenian Grill – near Campus
http://atheniangrill.com/
Local Taco
https://localtacolex.com/
Raising Canes
544 S Upper St, Lexington, KY 40508
Close to Campbell House
Ramen Ya – good ramen spot near campus and Campbell House
https://m.facebook.com/Ramenya-177702856016388/
Jalapenos – classic Mexican spot
https://www.links2thebluegrass.com/listing/jalapenos-broadway-lexington-ky/
Tolly Ho – Best greasy spoon in Lexington since 1971
https://tollyho.com/
Mai Tai – basic thai fare near Campbell House and delivers
https://www.doordash.com/store/mai-thai-restaurant-lexington-241588/?utm_campaign=gpa
Winchell’s – close to Campbell House – sneaky good food in a sports bar atmosphere
https://www.winchellsrestaurant.com/
City BBQ – Acceptable chain
https://www.citybbq.com/
Ramirez – best taqueria in town
http://tortilleria-y-taqueria-ramirez.business.site/
Other Areas:
The Barn/Summit at Fritz Farm
Excellent new spot to take the team. Includes upscale food court with lots of good options, a whole foods, shake shack, Honeywood, among others
https://thesummitatfritzfarm.com/eat/
https://thesummitatfritzfarm.com/the-barn/
Jefferson Street
West 6th Brewery/Smithtown Seafood
https://www.westsixth.com/
County Club – Modern take on BBQ. Think Brisket Poutine. One of our favorites. Small and no reservations
https://countyclubrestaurant.com/
Nick Ryans – upscale casual serving regional and American fare
Distillery District
Middle Fork – Food truck turned brick and mortar. High end new American and eclectic. Reservations highly recommended.
http://www.middleforkkb.com/
Goodfellas – multiple locations
http://www.goodfellaspizzeria.com/
Crank and Boom – craft ice cream
http://www.crankandboom.com/
Ethereal (next to Godfathers pizza)
By Cuisine
Breakfast/Brunch
Breakfast:
Tolly Ho – Best greasy spoon in Lexington since 1971
https://tollyho.com/
Great Bagel – the only place in town to get a reasonable bagel
http://www.eatgreatbagel.com/
Doodles – popular breakfast spot. Can get crowded
https://www.doodleslex.com/
Magees – longtime bakery that has upgraded their breakfast game. Recommended.
http://mageesbakery.com/wp/
Josies – expect a wait. Close to campus
http://josiesky.com/
North lime Coffee and Donuts – very good donuts
Brunch Spots:
Carsons – pro tip – share the entrees
https://www.carsonsfoodanddrink.com/our-menu/
Holly Hill – worth the drive – make a reservation
http://www.hollyhillinn.com/
Panda Cuisine Dim Sum on Sunday – highly recommended
https://www.yelp.com/biz/panda-cuisine-lexington
Dudleys – classic fine dining spot
http://dudleysonshort.com/
Winchell’s – close to Campbell House – sneaky good food in a sports bar atmosphere
https://www.winchellsrestaurant.com/
County Club – hipster BBQ does brunch – limited seating
https://countyclubrestaurant.com/
Fine Dining
Holly Hill – Ouita’s flagship and a pillar of the fine dining scene
http://www.hollyhillinn.com/
Middle Fork – Food truck turned brick and mortar. High end new American and eclectic. Reservations highly recommended.
http://www.middleforkkb.com/
Coles on Main – Classic fine dining near downtown
Eppings on Eastside – (NEW) more casual version of Coles
https://www.eppingsoneastside.com/
Lock Box – Upscale new southern
https://www.lockboxlex.com/menus/
Merrick Inn – Old school Lexington
https://www.themerrickinn.com/
Portofino – high end Italian fare
https://portofinolexington.com/
Southern
Honeywood – the latest in the Ouita Michel Empire. Upscale casual
http://www.honeywoodrestaurant.com/
Ramseys – local casual chain of southern comfort food. Catfish, vege plates, and pie are among the favorites
http://ramseysdiners.com/
Winchell’s – casual sports bar setting with great southern and bar food. Close to Campbell house and good for large groups.
https://www.winchellsrestaurant.com/
BBQ
Blue Door – Get there early. When they run out they run out. Challenging for large groups.
http://www.bluedoorsmokehouse.com/
County Club – Modern take on BBQ. Think Brisket Poutine. One of our favorites. Small and no reservations
https://countyclubrestaurant.com/
City BBQ – Acceptable chain
Pub Grub
Village Idiot – upscale pub grub worth a try. Reservations recommended. Pay parking lot next door
http://www.lexingtonvillageidiot.com/
Bear and the Butcher – still figuring itself out. Beautiful spot near campus
https://www.bearandthebutcher.com/
Winchell’s – above average sports bar food with southern spin
https://www.winchellsrestaurant.com/
Charlie Browns – timeless. Nothing special bar food in dark spot with couches and juke box. Love it or hate it.
https://www.facebook.com/cblex/
Steak
Tonys – Pricey steak joint
Jeff Rubys Steak – (NEW)
Malones – Lexington staple
https://bluegrasshospitality.com/malones/
Latin
Ramirez – best taqueria in town
http://tortilleria-y-taqueria-ramirez.business.site/
Corto Lima – upscale Latin fare. Highly recommended. Limited seating
https://www.cortolima.com/
El Rancho Tapatio – good for groups
https://www.elranchotapatio.com/
Chinese
Panda Cuisine – the only Chinese we recommend. Dim Sum on Sundays, they deliver.
https://pandacuisine.eat24hour.com/
Japanese
Osaka – favorite casual sushi spot. Can get crowded
http://www.osakajapaneselexington.com/
Ramen Ya – good ramen spot near campus and Campbell House
https://m.facebook.com/Ramenya-177702856016388/
School – upscale sushi and small plate spot
http://www.schoolsushilex.com/
Tomo – acceptable spot near campus
http://www.tomolex.com/
Yamaguchies food truck – if you can find them you should
https://www.facebook.com/chefYamaguchi/
Asuka – dinner and a show
http://www.japaneserestaurantnicholasville.com/
Thai
Archa Nine – upscale thai
https://www.archaninethai.com/
Mai Tai – basic thai fare near Campbell House and delivers
https://www.doordash.com/store/mai-thai-restaurant-lexington-241588/?utm_campaign=gpa
Bangkok House – casual spot near campus
https://www.doordash.com/store/bangkok-house-lexington-233256/?utm_campa...
Vietnamese
Pho BC – decent pho and other Vietnamese staples
https://www.zmenu.com/pho-bc-lexington-online-menu/
Poke
Miyako poke – great lunch or cheap dinner spot
Indian
Tandoor fine Indian cuisine
https://tandoorinlex.com/
Mumbai Masala – near campus
https://www.yelp.com/biz/mumbai-masala-indian-restaurant-and-bar-lexington
Cajun
Bourbon n' Toulouse– casual. Great for lunch or cheap dinner
Mediterranean
Athenian Grill – near Campus
http://atheniangrill.com/
Gyroz – near Campbell House
http://www.gyrozmediterraneaneatery.com/
Sahara
http://places.singleplatform.com/sahara-mediterranean-cuisine/menu?ref=g...
Pizza
Mellow Mushroom – near campus
https://mellowmushroom.com/location/ky-lexington-503-s-upper-st-40508/
Goodfellas – multiple locations
http://www.goodfellaspizzeria.com/
Crust
Pearls – (NEW) Hip Pizza spot – not good for large groups
https://www.pearlspizzapie.com/
Coffee
Coffea
http://coffealexington.wixsite.com/coffea
Common Grounds
https://www.commongroundsoflexington.com/
Starbucks
https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator/store/16603/ashland-high-808-east-high-street-lexington-ky-405022107-us
North lime Coffee and Donuts
21 and Over
Wine Bar
Louie’s Wine Dive – acceptable regional chain near campus
http://louieswinedive.com/
Cork and Barrel
Craft Beer
There are some great craft beer spots in Lexington. All of them have nightly food truck options and several have built in food options
Country Boy (near campus and Campbell House)
http://countryboybrewing.com/
Blue Stallion (Dad’s Deli)
http://bluestallionbrewing.com/
Pivot (Cider)
http://www.pivotbrewingcompany.com/
West Sixth (Smithtown seafood)
https://www.westsixth.com/
Ethereal (next to Godfathers pizza)
http://www.etherealbrew.com/
Mirror Twin (pizza)
https://www.mirrortwinbrewing.com/
Craft Cocktail
Ona is a bar – great craft cocktails at Lexington prices
https://www.onababona.com/
West Main Craft Cocktail – great craft cocktails at Chicago prices. Impressive food options
https://www.westmain.com/
Lock Box Bar – upscale bar and food options
https://www.lockboxlex.com/
Middle Fork – Outside bar area/patio with separate bar menu
http://www.middleforkkb.com/bar-menus/
Impressive Bourbon
OBC
https://obckitchen.com/
Bluegrass Tavern
https://www.thebluegrasstavern.com/
Arcadium – video games, great beer list, craft cocktails, and bourbon. Highly recommended
Where to watch the game
Pazzos – near campus
http://pazzospizzapub.com/
Winchell’s – above average sports bar food with southern spin
https://www.winchellsrestaurant.com/
Campus Pub (near Campbell House)
http://www.campuspub.net/
Hop Cat
Where to see music
Willies Locally Unknown
https://willieslocallyknown.com/
The Burl
https://www.theburlky.com/
Cosmic Charlies
https://www.cosmic-charlies.com/
Al’s Bar
http://www.alsbarlexington.com/
Green Lantern (dive bar with punk and other music)
https://www.facebook.com/The-Green-Lantern-Bar-183595498351037/