Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Lexington’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Lexington — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
August openings
Bread and Roses Bakery, 446 E. High St. | Bakery
Kneading more sourdough in your life? This offshoot of Kentucky Native Cafe from the owners of Michler’s Florist offers fresh breads and pastries. It opened to a warm welcome from the community and began with limited opening hours.
Athenian Grill, 3801 Mall Rd. | Greek
Already winning Lexington over, Athenian Grill’s third location serves up its classic gyros and gyro bowls. Want to branch out? Try the “CrossFit special,” a bowl with two proteins and two sides, which can include Greek sausage, Santorini chicken, and more.
Jaggers, 2350 Norman Ln. | American, comfort
Lexington’s first Jaggers burger chain location is open. Operated by Texas Roadhouse, patrons can expect juicy burgers, crispy tenders, milkshakes, and all the sides you know and love.
July openings
Son of a Burger, 101 W. Loudoun Ave. | Burgers
Nostalgic, yet delicious, flavors await at this new burger joint. We recommend an onion ring-topped sando — although you can’t really go wrong with anything here.
Char on Ashland, 316 S. Ashland Ave. | Craft coffee + cocktails
Have you stopped by Chevy Chase’s newest eatery and coffee spot? Char roasts its own coffee and plans to add lunch and dinner to the menu in a staggered approach this summer and fall. Stop by for a $4.50 latte daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in July? Let us know.
June openings
The Ketch, 2012 Regency Rd. | Seafood
After two years and some major renovations, The Ketch is open again. Take a look at the new space and prepare your belly because the classic flavors are returning, along with new additions like a sushi bar.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in June? Let us know.
May openings
Publix, 3855 Fountainblue Ln. | Groceries + cafe
The Fountains at Palomar store is the grocery chain’s second Lexington location. Head inside to hit up Pours cafe, where customers can enjoy acai bowls, smoothies, and caffeine power-ups perfect for grocery gurus at work.
RD1 Spirits, 113 Turner Commons Way | Distillery
Our bourbon scene is going up yet another gear. The $5 million combination tasting room + distillery spans 10,200-sqft and comes with financial backing from UK’s own Mark Stoops.
Azur Restaurant and Patio, 3070 Lakecrest Cir. | European
First opened in 2004, the Euro-inspired eatery closed for five months to renovate. It’s open again and ready to offer modern takes on classic flavors, with seafood aplenty on its brunch + dinner menus.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in May? Let us know.
Get a pizza the action. | Photo by Black Type Brewing
April openings
Chocolate Holler, 400 Old Vine Street, Ste. #104 | Chocolatier
Specialty chocolates, coffee + espresso, and sipping chocolates. That’s what awaits at the sweet Aylseford Place neighborhood’s chocolate spot befitting of Willy Wonka’s wildest dreams.
Black-Type Brewing, 373 Virginia Ave. | Brewery
The taproom awaits with over a dozen original craft beers. Across the street from Dairy Queen on Virgina Avenue, Black-Type Brewing also offers pizza + calzones straight from its wood-fired oven.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in April? Let us know.
March openings
Purple Yum Bakery, 1555 E. New Circle Rd. | Bakery
If you’ve been looking for fun flavored treats, like a pineapple bun or mochi donut, look no further than Lexington’s newest Asian bakery, Purple Yum Bakery. Located in the Woodhill Circle Plaza, on the opposite end from Home Goods, it’s open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, but closed on Wednesdays.
Crust, 3195 Beaumont Center Cir., #100 | Italian | Reservation
Bella Notte Restaurant Group has revived the brand — its wood-fired pizza restaurant that shuttered in 2020. The concept has also operated as Smashing Tomato in 2011 + Bella Forno in 2019. It’ll be open daily at 11 a.m., and the menu is packed with leveled up pizzas and more, including meatballs, garlic knots, five pasta options, and sandwiches.
Tapster, 401 W. Main St., #101 | Beer
We have some really cool brews. Tapster, the self-pour tasting room, opened a location in The Square, across from Triangle Park. The space offers bourbon, craft beer, wine, and cocktails, as well as hosts social events like trivia and karaoke.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in March? Let us know.
Sweet treat, anyone? | Photo via Purple Yum Bakery
February openings
AJ’s Wings & Things, 1873 Alexandria Dr. | Wings + soul food
The menu features wings that can be fried or baked, and are available in five different sauces including lemon pepper + Carolina barbecue. You can also get soul food favorites like pork chops, chicken and waffles, and fried fish.
Better Blend, 2358 Nicholasville Rd. | Smoothies + bowls
Get your fill of fruit with 33 different smoothie options and eight smoothie bowls varieties with flavors like, green goddess and peanut butter Oreo.
Big Kahuna Hawaiian BBQ, Clays Mills Road | Hawaiin BBQ
This new southside location will feature a large patio space for outdoor dining and exclusive menu items.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in February? Let us know.
January openings
Jeff’s Donuts, 1080 S. Broadway | Breakfast
The Louisville-based 24/7 donut and coffee shop is expected to open at the end of this month and features a menu with 22 flavors of Long Johns and a variety of fancy fritters, honeymooners, and glazed donuts.
Sassy Bleu Fine Southern Dining, 496 E. High St.
The menu at this 76-seat restaurant is filled with Southern soul food dishes, like catfish + buffalo chicken dip, and is available all day with beer, wine, and cocktails.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in January? Let us know.
Indulge yourself. | Photo via 3TEN
December openings
Tijuana Flats, 2344 Elkhorn Rd. | Mexican
The Florida-based quick service Tex Mex spot has its own line of 14 hot sauces from sweet to hot. The menu features burritos, quesadillas, nachos + tacos served Tijuana style with jalapenos, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.
Dunkin Donuts, 2890 Richmond Rd. | Coffee
Lexington just got a new drive-thru coffee shop. Dunkin Donuts opened in the former LaRosa’s spot on Richmond Road. This is the fifth location of the coffee chain in town.
Thai House, 911 Winchester Rd. | Thai
A new Thai spot has officially taken over the former Jasmine Rice location on Winchester Road. The restaurant is open seven days a week — serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 + dinner from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Stop in for Thai favorites like drunken noodles, pad Thai, curries, and noodle soups.
3Ten, 310 West Short St. | Global | Call 859.407.2305 for same-day reservations
From the culinary minds behind Corto Lima, 3Ten has moved into the former Creaux spot + features a creative cocktail list and international tapas-style menu. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday, 4-11 p.m.
Naz’s Halal Food, The Hub | Mediterranean
A fast-growing, Mediterranean-style chain is now open at The Hub complex near UK’s campus. The restaurant is known for its late-night hours and entrees like rice bowls, falafel, and kababs.
Bourbon n’ Toulouse, 1781 Sharkey Way | Cajun
This Lexington staple has expanded and brought its fan-favorite chicken etouffee + jambalaya to the Leestown Road area.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in December? Let us know.
November openings
JJ burgers and fries, 6421 Athens Boonesbore Rd. | Burgers
This recently opened dining destination lets you customize your perfect patty with available toppings like crisp lettuce, a fried egg, or sauerkraut.
Mileta, 3565 Nicholasville Rd. #932 | Italian | Reservations
This “Italian-ish” restaurant serves a variety of menu items including seafood, steak, and pasta dishes — which features pastas made in-house.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in November? Let us know.
October opening
BK’s Cookies & More, 356 Longview Plaza, #160B | Cookies
Calling all cookie monsters. Leon Buford-Kelly, known as “the cookie man” by his Leestown Middle School students, opened BK’s Cookies & More behind Critchfield’s on Southland Drive. Satisfy your sweet tooth with flavors like classic chocolate chip, snickerdoodle + peach cobbler, Friday-Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Dingbats Pizzeria, 471 Jefferson St. | Pizza
This fun and friendly place took over the former Jefferson Street Coffee spot, down the street from County Club.
Parlour Pizza, 2099 Harrodsburg Rd. | Casual pizzeria
Three new locations of the Indiana-based pizza chain are coming to Lexington in the coming years, where you can choose from pies, grinders, salads, and craft cocktails.
Thea’s Bass & Biddy Kitchen, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Ste. 162
If you want that home-cooked vibe without making a mess at your own kitchen, look no further. Think: scratch-made fried fish and chicken, loaded fries, mac and cheese, and a Sunday brunch buffet with all the fixings.
Cibon, 211 Rosemont Garden | Charcuterie | Reservations
While not a full restaurant, delight your palate with cheese plates and wine pours. Plus, you can buy all charcuterie ingredients and wine by the bottle for an at-home tasting experience.
Playa Bowls, 3900 Fountain Blue Ln., Ste. 120 | Smoothies + bowls
Get a taste of the tropics with customizable bowls featuring bases including acai, coconut, and pitaya, piled high with toppings like fruit, granola, peanut butter + more.
Rosati’s, 148 Malabu Dr., Ste. 160 | Pizza
Get your fix of Chicago-style pizza — deep dish, thin crust, or double dough — as well as calzones, pasta, salads, and wings.
Viva Mexico, 400 Old Vine St., Ste. 108 | Mexican
All your favorite Mexican eats can be found in this new restaurant in the former Old Vine Bistro spot. We recommend the Quesadillas Supremas.
Carson’s, 3450 Todds Rd. | Elevated Southern | Reservations
Another East Main Street staple, Carson’s will open a second location in the Hamburg area next year within the former Andover Country Club.
Osaka, 112 Lucille Ave., Ste. 130 | Japanese
The extensive menu at this Japanese restaurant boasts 70+ sushi rolls and sashimi, as well as chef specialties like teriyaki plates, tempura, noodles, hibachi, and more. There are two other locations off Boston Road + a newer one in Hamburg.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in October? Let us know.
Coming soon
Bert’s SpeakCheesy, 2985 Liberty Rd., Hamburg | Opening: TBD
Famous food truck Bert’s SpeakCheesy plans to put down roots near Hamburg. Until then, cheese enthusiasts can satisfy their cravings at the newly reopened Twisted Cork where it will serve lunch + dinner, Thursday-Monday.
First Watch, 124 Towne Center Dr. | Brunch | Opening: Summer 2025
The Townley Center just keeps on growing with the introduction of its first brunch-focused spot. This location will join the other four in Lexington offering a variety of sweet and savory breakfast + lunch options.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar, 4085 Harrodsburg Rd. | Elevated Southern | Projected opening: 2026
The Asheville-based staple will come to The Fountains at Palomar, serving up scratch-made Southern dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Jaggers, 2350 Norman Ln. | Fast-casual | ETA: Mid-2025
Something good is cooking off of Nicholasville Road. This restaurant created by Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor will open its first Lexington location in front of the Regency Road Kroger. The restaurant is anticipated to open in mid-2025 with a drive-thru.
Le Gourmet, 115 N Locust Hill Dr. | Haitian | ETA: May 2025
Say bonjour to a new Haitian restaurant set to open in May in the Man o’ War Place Shopping Center. Dishes on the menu, like Boulette + boeuf bourguignon, will feature a blend of flavors: French, African, and Caribbean.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Various locations | Elevated Southern | ETA: 2025 + 2026
The Charlotte-based restaurant announced plans to open two locations in town — in Hamburg (late 2025) + Palomar (2026). The extensive menu features main courses like seafood, steaks, and burgers cooked on an open flame.
Smalls Sliders, Various locations | QSR | ETA: TBD
Cheeseburger chasers rejoice, this quick service restaurant chain is coming to Lexington. The award-winning burger brand’s simple menu focuses on made-to-order sliders, fries, and shakes.
Athenian Grill, 3801 Mall Rd. #120 | Greek | ETA: April 2025
A third location of the popular local Greek restaurant will open near Fayette Mall featuring a an expanded menu and a larger dining space with a more dine-in friendly feel.
Ford’s Garage, 140 Rojay Dr. | American | ETA: Late 2025
After years of vacancy, there are signs of life at the former Logan’s Roadhouse near Fayette Mall. Ford’s Garage plans to open its first LEX location later this year, bringing burgers, beer + a vintage atmosphere.
Bella Cafe & Grille, Hamburg Shopping Center | American | ETA: September
The minds behind Bella Notte, Smashing Tomato, and Crust are bringing another eatery to Lexington. The third Bella Cafe & Grille, featuring crispy chicken salad and the cafe burger, is slated to open in the Hamburg shopping center by the end of September.
Still hungry for more? Dig deeper through our food news.
