During a quick trip or an extended stay to Bluegrass Extended Stay, visit these local restaurants in Lexington, KY for a truly unique and appetizing dining experience. With so much to choose from, such as southern BBQ and tasty breweries, to fine dining and country style kitchens, there is a wide variety, sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. So, come hungry and enjoy the best of what Lexington has to offer!
Jump on the farm-to-table movement and check out Stella’s Kentucky Deli. Found in the lively Jefferson St. dining district, this down to earth spot serves seasonal foods from the region’s best farms. They keep it simple with the menu, from burgers and sandwiches to pasta dishes and more. Pair your Kentucky burger with a brew from Country Boy Brewing and find a spot on their cozy patio for a relaxing meal. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner head out anytime of day to this refreshingly casual joint.
Experience southern hospitality at its best by spending an evening dining at Merrick Inn. This delightful establishment offers all the charm of the south sprinkled with an interesting past. The history of this gentile dining establishment dates back before the civil war and was even named after a winning horse at the Kentucky Derby. Sample their fried banana peppers, a Lexington tradition or pamper your taste buds with the Merrick Hot Brown, a house and Kentucky specialty. Come hungry and see southern food at its best!
Enjoy one of the best steaks in Kentucky at Malone’s. If you’re a steak lover, this is your spot with this locally owned restaurant serving up some of the finest USDA prime cuts of steak. Even if steak is not your thing, there are freshly made salads, fresh fish and varied seafood selections to choose from. Make sure when you are there to check out the walls that are decorated with photos of famous people who have dined here over the years.
Head a little further out of town and dine along the banks of the Kentucky River. Hall’s on the River offers local specialties, such as the Kentucky Hot Brown or tasty fried catfish. Enjoy your dinner outdoors on their screened in patio that overlooks the river, or on cooler nights head indoors to their roomy dining room. And if you didn’t know it already, beer cheese was invented right along the Kentucky shores and Hall’s on the River is known for putting this tasty food on the map. So, give your taste buds a treat and be sure to sample their legendary cheese spread.
Nestled in the countryside with picturesque bluegrass vistas and white picket fences, Windy Corner Market combines local flavors with tasty foods in the best way possible. This rustic hideaway, that was fashioned after an old country store, serves up some of the best southern fried dishes and Po Boy sandwiches, that you will need both hands to eat. Shop their shelves as well, with various local Kentucky foods offered.
For an upscale pub experience downtown, head to Saul Good. With several other locations in Lexington, this locally owned restaurant features many casual dishes such as sandwiches and pizzas, with their most famous one being the Kentucky Hot Brown Pizza. This twist on a traditional southern dish is sprinkled with ham, turkey, bacon, cheese, and creamy mornay sauce. And after a long day at work, unwind with a generous serving of one of their custom drinks.
Need to grab a quick sandwich on your lunch break? Stop in at Dad’s Favorites and discover tasty and unique sandwiches such as the asiago pot roast or smoky pimento BLT. But you can’t ignore their main attraction, the Dad’s Favorites cheese spreads. Their cheese spreads are made from scratch using only the finest ingredients and unique flavors. Sold at various retailers and farmer’s markets, their cheese spreads are a local favorite.
Get here early so you don’t miss out on the tastiest BBQ joint in town. If there is one thing southerns take pride in, it is their BBQ. And each southerner would argue their state has best BBQ, so be sure to stop into one of Lexington’s best BBQ joints in town and see for yourself what kind of BBQ they are whipping up! Blue Door smokes their meats daily, from pulled pork and chicken to ribs and smoked sausages, you are sure to find a meat you will like, and if you can’t decide on what meat, then order their Blue Door special, a plate of all the meats!
Looking to grab a quick coffee and donut first thing in the morning? Stop in at North Lime Coffee & Donuts. Serving up some of the best coffee and donuts in town, North Lime prides themselves on offering the freshest local coffee and preparing each donut by hand. And for something a little extra special, be sure to check their site for the donut of the day. Kick start your day with a visit to North Lime Coffee & Donuts.
With craft breweries on the rise it’s no wonder Lexington boats many different craft breweries but out of all those to choose from, there is one we highly suggest you visit during your stay, Country Boy Brewing. This highly respected brewery is dedicated to making minimally processed, high quality brews. It also well known for their experimentation of uniquely crafted beers such as the Ghost Gose, that is made with sea salt and coriander. While they do not serve food, you can often find local food trucks at the brewery.
