Best Restaurants in Lexington

The Bluegrass State lies just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and Lexington's food has a decidedly Southern-influence, specializing in such simple yet classic dishes as fried chicken, country ham and pecan pie. Barbecue reigns supreme as well, with Lexington's best restaurants doling out tender, hickory-smoked meats. Sample the rich taste of the region’s beloved bourbons, infused in everything from cakes to barbecue sauces as you taste your way through some of the best restaurants in Lexington.

Beer and Barbecue

Tucked away inside an 1824 building, The Village Idiot is a chic downtown Lexington gastropub. Select one of the pub’s 20 drafts on tap and pair it with a hearty dish, such as one of their monstrous burgers of the week. Escape to the quaint upstairs bar for cocktails and quiet conversation. Squeeze inside the cramped quarters of Blue Door Smokehouse (226 Walton Ave., Lexington) as you wait patiently in line to place your order. Adding to the restaurant's casual feel, all menu items, including their famous slow-smoked meats, are served on silver trays lined with parchment paper.

Cajun Cuisine

No you’re not in New Orleans—it just feels that way at Bourbon n’ Toulouse Lexington’s authentic Cajun eatery. Partake in such rich cuisine as chicken étouffée, red beans with smoked sausage, and Cajun red chili in this easygoing, quick-service restaurant. Increase the heat of your meal by adding a splash or two from their enormous collection of locally made hot sauces. Gulp down Cajun dishes, such as traditional gumbo and jambalaya, at Gumbo Ya Ya, a modest counter-service establishment. The non-carnivores in your party will have plenty to cheer about, because the restaurant also prepares a variety of vegetarian items, including succotash and tofu étouffée.

Breakfast and Brunch

Order breakfast all day at Wild Eggs, a playful diner that serves mouthwatering concoctions that incorporate eggs cooked in a variety of ways. Goofy egg motifs dot the main dining area of the two Lexington-based locations, including egg-shaped cutouts in the walls and a clear wall stuffed with colorful eggs. Doodles also specializes in breakfast and brunch meals. The socially conscious restaurant aims to use as many ingredients from local farms as possible. Feast in the large brick patio with plenty of umbrella seating with shade from the surrounding trees.

Dining at Delis

Based inside a charming Victorian home, Stella’s Kentucky Deli has a quaint main dining hall adorned with tin-pressed ceilings, creaky wooden floors and old-fashioned ceiling fans. Dine on an assortment of Southern-inspired deli sandwiches, such as the pimento cheese and fried green tomato BLT. Spoil yourself with dessert, choosing from such classic Southern treats as lemon icebox pie and chocolate bourbon brownie.

Dad’s Favorite Deli, a beloved Lexington institution, was born out of a successful cheese-spread business. Dad’s Favorite Cheese Spreads include such flavors as chipotle cheddar, smoky pimento and asiago sun dried tomato. Most of the tasty spreads serve as the centerpiece for the sandwiches that are piled high at deli.

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