Moving to a new city can be overwhelming, especially when you realize you can’t eat at your favorite hometown restaurant as often! Well, the good news is that Lexington is full of local restaurants that will fill your bellies with goodness! We at The K Book know that you have probably been to your fair share of campus favorites like Tolly Ho and Cane’s, so we want to introduce you to some of Lexington’s restaurants that you may have never heard of.
Eating in Lexington can be overwhelming because there are so many good places to go! Even when trying to compile this list I was having trouble narrowing my favorites down. So, I decided to make 3 lists: Cheap, Moderate, and Pricey.
Eating in Lexington can be overwhelming because there are so many good places to go! Even when trying to compile this list I was having trouble narrowing my favorites down. So, I decided to make 3 lists: Cheap, Moderate, and Pricey.
CHEAP
I tend to eat at these places most often because they are cheap. You can usually get by eating here for anywhere from $5-$10. It will be more if you get a drink, but we are poor college students, so water it is!
Bourbon n’ Toulouse
Do you love Cajun food? Do the words red beans and sausage make your heart skip a beat? Then this is the place for you. If you order a “half order” you can eat for under $5 and still have plenty of food.
Website/Menu: http://ilovecajun.com/
Ellos
So, confession. I’ve never been here, but I’ve heard it’s amazing. Supposedly home to some of the best tacos in Lexington, you can eat at Ellos for around $7-10. The popular things to get here are tacos and burritos, but check out their menu to see what else they have in store for you!
Website/Menu: http://ellos406.com/
I tend to eat at these places most often because they are cheap. You can usually get by eating here for anywhere from $5-$10. It will be more if you get a drink, but we are poor college students, so water it is!
Bourbon n’ Toulouse
Do you love Cajun food? Do the words red beans and sausage make your heart skip a beat? Then this is the place for you. If you order a “half order” you can eat for under $5 and still have plenty of food.
Website/Menu: http://ilovecajun.com/
Ellos
So, confession. I’ve never been here, but I’ve heard it’s amazing. Supposedly home to some of the best tacos in Lexington, you can eat at Ellos for around $7-10. The popular things to get here are tacos and burritos, but check out their menu to see what else they have in store for you!
Website/Menu: http://ellos406.com/
Athenian Grill
This restaurant is kind of hidden away on a side street in Chevy Chase. It’s the not the easiest place to spot, but boy does it deliver a scrumptious meal. Serving authentic Greek food, you won’t find a better gyro or tzatziki anywhere else in Lexington.
Website/Menu: http://atheniangrilllex.com/
Sabor Latino Pupuseria
You may be asking yourself, “what in the world is a pupuseria?” Well, my friends, it’s the best gift you’ve ever received. A pupusa is a Latin dish, and a pupuseria is a place that serves them. The food here is all traditional dishes from El Salvador and Mexico. To top it all they serve an amazing chimichanga, my favorite Mexican dish.
Website/Menu: https://facebook.com/saborlatinollc
Limestone Blue
Do you love mac and cheese?? Limestone Blue is the place for you! Offering sandwiches and a daily mac and cheese special (can you say loaded potato mac and cheese??), this place is sure to make your taste buds tingle. They also have beer cheese fries (my personal favorite) and avocado fries.
Webiste/Menu: facebook.com/LimestoneBlue
This restaurant is kind of hidden away on a side street in Chevy Chase. It’s the not the easiest place to spot, but boy does it deliver a scrumptious meal. Serving authentic Greek food, you won’t find a better gyro or tzatziki anywhere else in Lexington.
Website/Menu: http://atheniangrilllex.com/
Sabor Latino Pupuseria
You may be asking yourself, “what in the world is a pupuseria?” Well, my friends, it’s the best gift you’ve ever received. A pupusa is a Latin dish, and a pupuseria is a place that serves them. The food here is all traditional dishes from El Salvador and Mexico. To top it all they serve an amazing chimichanga, my favorite Mexican dish.
Website/Menu: https://facebook.com/saborlatinollc
Limestone Blue
Do you love mac and cheese?? Limestone Blue is the place for you! Offering sandwiches and a daily mac and cheese special (can you say loaded potato mac and cheese??), this place is sure to make your taste buds tingle. They also have beer cheese fries (my personal favorite) and avocado fries.
Webiste/Menu: facebook.com/LimestoneBlue
MODERATE
If you want to eat amazing food but still get your bang for your buck these places are where you are destined to eat. These are some of my favorite Lexington restaurants and narrowing it down to these few choices was super hard for me. Visit these and they’ll have you hooked. Price range is $10-$20 (most are around $15)
Charlie Brown’s
If you like a great atmosphere, Charlie Brown’s is the place for you. The restaurant is what I describe as a “Harvard Pub” with bookcases lining the walls, couches to sit on, quirky wall decorations and dim lighting. Make sure you get the hot pepper cheese as an appetizer and a burger for your meal.
Website/Menu: charliebrownslex.com
Ramsey’s
When people ask me what Ramsey’s is I usually describe it as a local Cracker Barrel, but let’s be honest, it’s 100 times better! The fried chicken is to die for, the vegetables are all amazing and they serve Missy’s Pies, which are quite literally the most heavenly dessert you will ever put in your mouth.
Website/Menu: ramseysdiners.com
If you want to eat amazing food but still get your bang for your buck these places are where you are destined to eat. These are some of my favorite Lexington restaurants and narrowing it down to these few choices was super hard for me. Visit these and they’ll have you hooked. Price range is $10-$20 (most are around $15)
Charlie Brown’s
If you like a great atmosphere, Charlie Brown’s is the place for you. The restaurant is what I describe as a “Harvard Pub” with bookcases lining the walls, couches to sit on, quirky wall decorations and dim lighting. Make sure you get the hot pepper cheese as an appetizer and a burger for your meal.
Website/Menu: charliebrownslex.com
Ramsey’s
When people ask me what Ramsey’s is I usually describe it as a local Cracker Barrel, but let’s be honest, it’s 100 times better! The fried chicken is to die for, the vegetables are all amazing and they serve Missy’s Pies, which are quite literally the most heavenly dessert you will ever put in your mouth.
Website/Menu: ramseysdiners.com
The Village Idiot
This is a gastro pub located downtown in the heart of Lexington. I usually get the burger when I eat here, but the duck and waffles is also great. Unfortunately, this place is on the pricier side of the medium price range, but it’s definitely worth it.
Website/Menu: lexingtonvillageidiot.com
County Club
When I visited this restaurant last week for the first time, it immediately won my heart. During fall they have an open-air cafe, with all the windows open and a nice breeze coming in. When you’re here make sure you get the poutine, a famous Canadian dish involving French fries (I mean, what couldn’t be good if it involves fries?).
Website/Menu: http://countyclubrestaurant.com/
Stella’s Kentucky Deli
Almost every Sunday my friends and I head to Stella’s for brunch. Honestly, I’ve never been to a different meal there, but I’m sure it’s just as good. The quaint atmosphere and the amazing food have this place ranking as one of my favorite brunch spots. And it’s Kentucky Proud, so you can’t go wrong here!
Website/Menu: http:/stellaskentuckydeli
This is a gastro pub located downtown in the heart of Lexington. I usually get the burger when I eat here, but the duck and waffles is also great. Unfortunately, this place is on the pricier side of the medium price range, but it’s definitely worth it.
Website/Menu: lexingtonvillageidiot.com
County Club
When I visited this restaurant last week for the first time, it immediately won my heart. During fall they have an open-air cafe, with all the windows open and a nice breeze coming in. When you’re here make sure you get the poutine, a famous Canadian dish involving French fries (I mean, what couldn’t be good if it involves fries?).
Website/Menu: http://countyclubrestaurant.com/
Stella’s Kentucky Deli
Almost every Sunday my friends and I head to Stella’s for brunch. Honestly, I’ve never been to a different meal there, but I’m sure it’s just as good. The quaint atmosphere and the amazing food have this place ranking as one of my favorite brunch spots. And it’s Kentucky Proud, so you can’t go wrong here!
Website/Menu: http:/stellaskentuckydeli
PRICEY
Sometimes we all need a really fancy meal, or maybe we have a super special date planned. This price range is $20 and above.
a la lucie
This quirky, fun environment is for those of you who are feeling a bit fancy. You can’t go wrong ordering the filet mignon or the lobster corndogs (I mean, LOBSTER CORNDOGS). This is definitely on the pricier side, but perfect for a date night!
Website/Menu: http:/alalucie.com/
Giuseppe’s
If you want a big, fancy Italian dinner, head to Giuseppe’s. It’s out past the mall off Nicholasville Road, but it is so worth the extra drive! This restaurant is home to some of the best Italian food in Kentucky, with nightly specials and live jazz on the weekend. It’s another great date night destination.
Website/Menu: giuseppeslexington.com
Sometimes we all need a really fancy meal, or maybe we have a super special date planned. This price range is $20 and above.
a la lucie
This quirky, fun environment is for those of you who are feeling a bit fancy. You can’t go wrong ordering the filet mignon or the lobster corndogs (I mean, LOBSTER CORNDOGS). This is definitely on the pricier side, but perfect for a date night!
Website/Menu: http:/alalucie.com/
Giuseppe’s
If you want a big, fancy Italian dinner, head to Giuseppe’s. It’s out past the mall off Nicholasville Road, but it is so worth the extra drive! This restaurant is home to some of the best Italian food in Kentucky, with nightly specials and live jazz on the weekend. It’s another great date night destination.
Website/Menu: giuseppeslexington.com