Restaurant Guide | UK Debate

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.

https://smithtownseafood.com/

Zim’s Café (NEW) – Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner. Causal Southern

https://www.zimscafe.com/

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 6^th 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

http://nickryans.com/

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)

http://www.etherealbrew.com/

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

https://www.northlime.net/

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

https://www.coles735main.com/

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

https://www.citybbq.com/

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/