Guidebook for Lexington
Food Scene
Secret hideaway in beautiful horse country. Great food for cheap. Traditional surroundings with horses running in the fields right outside.
55 locals recommend
Windy Corner Market
4595 Bryan Station RdSecret hideaway in beautiful horse country. Great food for cheap. Traditional surroundings with horses running in the fields right outside.
Great food joint, started by Gastro Gnomes food cart. The owners are passionate about their cooking and change the entire menu on a weekly basis. Walking distance through the beautiful Transylvania University.
9 locals recommend
Oscar Diggs
155 N LimestoneGreat food joint, started by Gastro Gnomes food cart. The owners are passionate about their cooking and change the entire menu on a weekly basis. Walking distance through the beautiful Transylvania University.
Traditional Lexington restaurant. Very good dishes and classics. Medium range price and slightly more upscale but still approachable with cheaper dishes as well.
23 locals recommend
Nick Ryan's
157 Jefferson StTraditional Lexington restaurant. Very good dishes and classics. Medium range price and slightly more upscale but still approachable with cheaper dishes as well.
Great brunch and very cheap. Has pick 2 or pick 3 menu where you get all you can eat of particular side dishes. My favorite place for an easy going brunch.
76 locals recommend
Stella's Kentucky Deli
143 Jefferson StGreat brunch and very cheap. Has pick 2 or pick 3 menu where you get all you can eat of particular side dishes. My favorite place for an easy going brunch.
Great bbq and also daily niche dishes, good for brunch as well with mimosa options. Medium priced, great for foodies. Right next to West 6th Brewery.
75 locals recommend
County Club Restaurant
555 Jefferson StGreat bbq and also daily niche dishes, good for brunch as well with mimosa options. Medium priced, great for foodies. Right next to West 6th Brewery.
Great restaurant and bar combo. Very nice atmosphere with "jungle in the back." Cheaper food options (not has high quality as others around) but good for their value.
44 locals recommend
Grey Goose
170 Jefferson StGreat restaurant and bar combo. Very nice atmosphere with "jungle in the back." Cheaper food options (not has high quality as others around) but good for their value.
Great restaurant and bar. Huge whiskey and bourbon selection, excellent dishes with large potions. Slightly more pricey but worth it.
106 locals recommend
Carson's Food & Drink
362 E Main StGreat restaurant and bar. Huge whiskey and bourbon selection, excellent dishes with large potions. Slightly more pricey but worth it.
Very traditional, higher scale restaurant but reasonably priced. Great dishes and right on the town square. Makes for a good start to a night out.
74 locals recommend
Dudley's On Short
259 W Short StVery traditional, higher scale restaurant but reasonably priced. Great dishes and right on the town square. Makes for a good start to a night out.
Good, cheap, straightforward breakfast diner right on town square.
21 locals recommend
Lexington Diner
841 Lane Allen RdGood, cheap, straightforward breakfast diner right on town square.
In the "Ethereal Complex" great pizza place with 2 other smaller locations including the one downtown. Ethereal is a great place to check out with a range of restaurants, bars, ice cream, and others. Good for a daytime hangout on the stream.
80 locals recommend
Goodfellas Distillery
1228 Manchester StreetIn the "Ethereal Complex" great pizza place with 2 other smaller locations including the one downtown. Ethereal is a great place to check out with a range of restaurants, bars, ice cream, and others. Good for a daytime hangout on the stream.
The best icecream in Lexington. Awesome mixtures and sundaes. Inside the Ethereal Complex.
59 locals recommend
Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge
1210 Manchester StThe best icecream in Lexington. Awesome mixtures and sundaes. Inside the Ethereal Complex.
Famous for their donuts and rightly so, salivating just thinking bout them :). Pretty famous around town, again, their donuts are amazing.
71 locals recommend
North Lime Coffee & Donuts
101 W Loudon AveFamous for their donuts and rightly so, salivating just thinking bout them :). Pretty famous around town, again, their donuts are amazing.
Great brunch location, best gourmet stacks of delicious pancakes. Healthy options as well.
39 locals recommend
Josie's Restaurant
1973 Lexington RdGreat brunch location, best gourmet stacks of delicious pancakes. Healthy options as well.
Great, quick, and delish New Orleans style dishes. Great value for what you get and neat environment.
47 locals recommend
Bourbon n' Toulouse
829 Euclid AveGreat, quick, and delish New Orleans style dishes. Great value for what you get and neat environment.
Cook Out
855 S BroadwayThe Cook Out chain, great for late night meals and milkshakes
Late night pizza by the slice. A Lexington Staple. There other location on N. Limestone delivers.
27 locals recommend
Goodfellas Mill St
110 N Mill StLate night pizza by the slice. A Lexington Staple. There other location on N. Limestone delivers.
Great eclectic coffee shop. Neighborhood favorite and very funky. Good for people watching and sitting inside or outside in the shade. Last time I went there was a guy was playing the banjo and a Great Dane dog relaxing outside. It's across from Doodle's which is a popular brunch spot.
41 locals recommend
Third Street Stuff
257 N LimestoneGreat eclectic coffee shop. Neighborhood favorite and very funky. Good for people watching and sitting inside or outside in the shade. Last time I went there was a guy was playing the banjo and a Great Dane dog relaxing outside. It's across from Doodle's which is a popular brunch spot.
Great place for brunch, they specialize in "chicken." Very popular place, sometimes has a line to get in but service is pretty fast. Worth swinging by. Also 3rd street n stuff is a very popular coffee shop across the way.
38 locals recommend
doodles breakfast and lunch
262 N LimestoneGreat place for brunch, they specialize in "chicken." Very popular place, sometimes has a line to get in but service is pretty fast. Worth swinging by. Also 3rd street n stuff is a very popular coffee shop across the way.
Neat French restaurant with great wine selection and outdoor seating. Pretty lively place with low key music at times. The locals really enjoy it.
29 locals recommend
Le Deauville
199 N LimestoneNeat French restaurant with great wine selection and outdoor seating. Pretty lively place with low key music at times. The locals really enjoy it.
Local guys started their own BBQ joint. Popular neighborhood spot for a quick meal. They're passionate about their meals and serve until they run out. Good for lunch but tend to close a bit early.
36 locals recommend
Blue Door Smokehouse
226 Walton AveLocal guys started their own BBQ joint. Popular neighborhood spot for a quick meal. They're passionate about their meals and serve until they run out. Good for lunch but tend to close a bit early.
A bit away but excellent Mediterranean/Iranian food. Hummus, falafel, shwarma, etc. Very popular and great lunch/dinner specials for cheap.
13 locals recommend
Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine
3061 Fieldstone WayA bit away but excellent Mediterranean/Iranian food. Hummus, falafel, shwarma, etc. Very popular and great lunch/dinner specials for cheap.
Drinks & Nightlife
The iconic and locally famous West 6th Brewery is only three blocks away! Great neighborhood and community handout with fresh taps and new batches each day. Try the West 6th IPA. Also a great burger and seafood restaurant inside called Smithtown seafood.
Kentucky Guild Of Brewers
The iconic and locally famous West 6th Brewery is only three blocks away! Great neighborhood and community handout with fresh taps and new batches each day. Try the West 6th IPA. Also a great burger and seafood restaurant inside called Smithtown seafood.
My favorite hide out in all of Lexington. The owners are the bartenders. Great environment, everyone is typically smiling. Cheap daily drink special and great mixes. Try the boat drink. Also, please keep this place a secret ;)
14 locals recommend
Ona
108 Church StreetMy favorite hide out in all of Lexington. The owners are the bartenders. Great environment, everyone is typically smiling. Cheap daily drink special and great mixes. Try the boat drink. Also, please keep this place a secret ;)
My "New Orleans" neighborhood bar. Great mix of locals and culture. Music shows most nights that range greatly, can find them on facebook to see who's playing. Other half of the place is a Tiki bar with great islander drinks. Tiki Tuesdays are a fun time.
20 locals recommend
The Green Lantern
497 W 3rd StMy "New Orleans" neighborhood bar. Great mix of locals and culture. Music shows most nights that range greatly, can find them on facebook to see who's playing. Other half of the place is a Tiki bar with great islander drinks. Tiki Tuesdays are a fun time.
Neat Micro brewery. Great for just hanging out and relaxing. Usually open air during the Spring-Fall. Is across the street for Green Lantern.
6 locals recommend
The Chase Tap Room & Brewing Co.
Neat Micro brewery. Great for just hanging out and relaxing. Usually open air during the Spring-Fall. Is across the street for Green Lantern.
My favorite brewery in town for taste. Great German style brews with new batches every week. Good pub trivia nights on Thursday as well as a great handout. Plenty of people bring their dogs to come play.
68 locals recommend
Blue Stallion Brewing Co.
610 W 3rd StMy favorite brewery in town for taste. Great German style brews with new batches every week. Good pub trivia nights on Thursday as well as a great handout. Plenty of people bring their dogs to come play.
Old and traditional bourbon house. Relaxed vibe and typically has a small one person performer.
23 locals recommend
Bluegrass Tavern
115 CheapsideOld and traditional bourbon house. Relaxed vibe and typically has a small one person performer.
Higher energy bar with good drink selection. If want to meet a classy Lexington girl, this is the place to go ;).
12 locals recommend
Centro
113 Cheapside ParkHigher energy bar with good drink selection. If want to meet a classy Lexington girl, this is the place to go ;).
My favorite mid range bar. Free popcorn and live music with your beers. Lodge style and good vibes with a good crowd.
20 locals recommend
Henry Clay's Public House
112 North Upper StreetMy favorite mid range bar. Free popcorn and live music with your beers. Lodge style and good vibes with a good crowd.
Great neighborhood bar with awesome live music. Beer garden out back with pick-nick tables and a separate outdoor venue space. Good to just hangout, hipster at times.
33 locals recommend
Al's Bar
601 N LimestoneGreat neighborhood bar with awesome live music. Beer garden out back with pick-nick tables and a separate outdoor venue space. Good to just hangout, hipster at times.
One of my favorite music venues. Get great sample of the bluegrass. Large wooden cabin set up with deck and good energy.
73 locals recommend
The Burl
375 Thompson RdOne of my favorite music venues. Get great sample of the bluegrass. Large wooden cabin set up with deck and good energy.
UK's local dive bar/Christmas lounge. Easy going with late night grill that serves scrumptious cuisine like dishes. Typically has a good local show on weekends.
Best Friend Bar
500 Euclid AveUK's local dive bar/Christmas lounge. Easy going with late night grill that serves scrumptious cuisine like dishes. Typically has a good local show on weekends.
Great music venue with wide range of exciting performances. They have pretty good taste for the selection of acts, can have ALOT of fun here. Great space as well but can sometimes close a bit early.
8 locals recommend
Cosmic Charlie's
105 W Loudon AveGreat music venue with wide range of exciting performances. They have pretty good taste for the selection of acts, can have ALOT of fun here. Great space as well but can sometimes close a bit early.
Entertainment & Activities
The "Ethereal Complex," great brewery and complex of different small restaurants and pubs. Right on the stream, this is a local's favorite to hang out during the day. Has great pizza place Goodfella's, also Crank and Boone icecream which is AMAZING. Ethereal is a great place to check out, good for a daytime hangout on the stream.
53 locals recommend
Ethereal Brewing
1224 Manchester StThe "Ethereal Complex," great brewery and complex of different small restaurants and pubs. Right on the stream, this is a local's favorite to hang out during the day. Has great pizza place Goodfella's, also Crank and Boone icecream which is AMAZING. Ethereal is a great place to check out, good for a daytime hangout on the stream.
The best traditional horse racing stadium ever. Incredible grounds with rolling green fields. Great for tailgating during horse season.
246 locals recommend
Keeneland Race Track station
The best traditional horse racing stadium ever. Incredible grounds with rolling green fields. Great for tailgating during horse season.
Fully reclining lazy boy chairs!!!! Also can freely bring in any food and drinks from the outside! Country living's finest freedom and comfort when watching a movie in theaters.
17 locals recommend
Regal Hamburg Pavilion IMAX & RPX
1949 Star Shoot PkwyFully reclining lazy boy chairs!!!! Also can freely bring in any food and drinks from the outside! Country living's finest freedom and comfort when watching a movie in theaters.
Everything Else
Christ the King School
412 Cochran RdVery nice cathedral for Catholic mass
Parks & Nature
Beautiful park in heart of Transylvania University and just blocks from downtown. Good to park here before walking downtown. Walkable from the condo.
29 locals recommend
Gratz Park
250 W 3rd StBeautiful park in heart of Transylvania University and just blocks from downtown. Good to park here before walking downtown. Walkable from the condo.
Large sprawling park with forests to explore. Very popular among UK grad students and alumni.
97 locals recommend
The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of KY
500 Alumni DrLarge sprawling park with forests to explore. Very popular among UK grad students and alumni.
Tons of activities, history, and culture related to the Horse Capital of the World.
329 locals recommend
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works PkwyTons of activities, history, and culture related to the Horse Capital of the World.
Great neighborhood park with free tennis courts, basketball courts, lovely baseball diamond and skate park. Total mix of people and a lovely shaded area with massive trees throughout. Can go swimming during Spring, Summer (through September) for $5, pretty nice swimming pools and community.
23 locals recommend
Woodland Park
601 E High StGreat neighborhood park with free tennis courts, basketball courts, lovely baseball diamond and skate park. Total mix of people and a lovely shaded area with massive trees throughout. Can go swimming during Spring, Summer (through September) for $5, pretty nice swimming pools and community.
Sightseeing
The country estate of President Henry Clay. Beautiful park and greenery around it. Awesome for a picnic or nice sunny say.
86 locals recommend
Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate
120 Sycamore RdThe country estate of President Henry Clay. Beautiful park and greenery around it. Awesome for a picnic or nice sunny say.
Arts & Culture
Hidden gem. There is a secret cafe with beer and wine in the back, also small dishes for a great daytime drink. Just walk through the green house to the back, you won't be disappointed.
Michler's Florist, Greenhouses & Garden Design
417 E Maxwell StHidden gem. There is a secret cafe with beer and wine in the back, also small dishes for a great daytime drink. Just walk through the green house to the back, you won't be disappointed.