We’ve gathered the very best spots to chow down in Lexington, Kentucky. You can see our methodology here.

Find a digital badge to celebrate your awesome accomplishment here, or contact us here if you’d like to request one as a sticker for your restaurant!

1. Carson’s Food And Drink

Try the: Pork Belly Mac and Cheese

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“Carson’s Food & Drink brings Lexington to life by combining Kentucky Proud products and local craft breweries with new and exciting recipes and a décor that feels like “old Kentucky elegance”.

Kentucky is an amazing place filled with history, thoroughbreds, bourbon, great food and the big blue nation; and Carson’s brings you ALL the Bluegrass has to offer, under one roof.”

2. DV8 Kitchen

Try the: Orange Marmalade Chicken Sandwich on a Biscuit

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“DV8 Kitchen is a fast-casual restaurant and bakery designed to deliver fresh, all natural, delicious food, while building relationships with our employees. Our hand-crafted cinnamon rolls, grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich and orange marmalade chicken sandwich is truly “food that will change your life.””

3. Bourbon n’ Toulouse

Try the: Cajun Red Chili Dog

“In July 2004 Kevin Heathcoat and Will Pieratt took a huge leap of faith and opened Bourbon n’ Toulouse by maxing out seven credit cards and simply hoping things worked out for the best. The business plan was simple: cook some damn good food, give back to the community that would help keep their lights on and have as much fun as the law allows! Seventeen years later these guys are still extremely passionate about what they do and they haven’t grown up a bit, just ask their wives! Always cooking and laughing, they’re serious about having fun. Stop in and sample the wide array of tasty Cajun and Creole dishes, grab a beer from the ever changing selection and drift away to Kevin & Will’s own little version of The French Quarter.”

4. Pies & Pints

Try the: Pulled Pork Nachos

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“Our pies are hand-stretched and baked directly on a stone hearth. We prepare our own tomato sauce from scratch!”

5. OBC Kitchen

Try the: Short Rib Tacos

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“OBC Kitchen is a local, chef-driven restaurant that houses an extremely rare bourbon collection, eclectic craft beer selection and extensive wine list. Centuries-old, local barn wood surround guests as they enjoy high quality, distinctive dishes in a pub like atmosphere. The passionate staff fosters a spirit of hospitality and Kentucky heritage. OBC Kitchen was named after the counties that eventually became Kentucky; “Old Bourbon County” was stamped on bourbon barrels that floated down the Mississippi from Kentucky and became synonymous with the best bourbon in the U.S.”

6. Bella Notte

Try the: Spicy Tomato Basil Soup

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“Welcome to Bella Notte, a locally-owned original. We founded Bella Notte over two decades ago with a focus on quality, fresh ingredients, and preparation that enhances natural flavor, allowing ingredients to speak for themselves.”

7. Tony’s of Lexington

Try the: Calamari

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“A Tony Ricci restaurant combining the classic American steakhouse with fresh modern fare, an expansive and diverse wine list, matched with award winning service.”

8. Joella’s Hot Chicken

Try the: Chicken Tenders with Spiked Honey Sauce

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“The place where hearts are always warm and the chicken is spiced just right. At Joella’s, we’ll spice our 100% antibiotic-free, hormone-free, all-natural chicken just the way you like – from just enough heat to bring out the flavors and warm your heart, to Fire-In Da-Hole, bless your heart.”

9. Corto Lima

Try the: Smoked Pork Tacos

“Corto Lima is a mid-scale Latin inspired restaurant specializing in a new brand of Latin cuisine with a modern interpretation. The dining room accommodates up to 45 guests for table service and a further 16 seats at the bar.

​Corto Lima, under the direction of Chef Jonathan Lundy, introduces downtown Lexington diners to the cuisine of Mexico, The Caribbean, Central and South America as well as the American Southwest.

​The restaurant offers the very best in mid-scale Latin inspired cuisine focusing on affordability, quality ingredients and a creative menu. Vegetarian, gluten free and vegan friendly items showcase the versatility of Chef Lundy’s creations featuring homemade artisanal corn tortillas, utilizing the ancient process of nixtamalization.”

10. The Local Taco

Try the: Korean BBQ Tacos

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Lexington

“Welcome to The Local Taco Lexington

Where the simple pleasures of Tex-Mex meet the traditions of Southern cuisine.

Once affiliated with a grass-root start-up, we are proud to now be 100% independently owned and operated by Lexingtonians—better able to care for the community we serve.

Our food contains NO preservatives or MSGs, and we strive to source as many organic and locally grown ingredients as possible; we believe clean food is good food and by creating local we are creating better!”