Southern$$chevy-chaseMon-Thu 11:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00
A.P. Suggins Bar & Grill keeps Romany Road in burgers, catfish fingers and chicken livers, the Chevy Chase corner tavern where Lexington generations meet.
Signature: Catfish fingers, Burgers
Tip: Kitchen runs 11:00-21:30 most nights; the house salad and a burger is the local default order.
Japanese$$$Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30-13:30; dinner Mon-Sat 17:30-21:00; closed Sun
Tachibana has served Lexington sushi, yakitori and teppanyaki since 1987 on Newtown Court, the city's longest-running Japanese dining room by some distance.
Tip: Lunch is weekdays only, 11:30-13:30; book a tatami room for groups and order from the sushi bar.
Korean$$downtownMon-Sat 11:00-14:00, 17:00-20:00
Han Woo Ri simmers soon doo boo and grills bulgogi on South Limestone by the UK campus, the Korean kitchen that keeps Lexington students and expats fed.
Signature: Soon doo boo, Bulgogi
Tip: The kitchen breaks between lunch and dinner; arrive before 14:00 or after 17:00 and start with kimchi dumplings.
Haitian$$Mon-Sat 11:00-23:00; Sun 14:00-23:00
Le Gourmet cooks Haitian family recipes on South Broadway, bringing poulet pane, grilled fish and slow beef stews to Lexington seven days a week until late.
Signature: Poulet pane, Grilled fish
Tip: Open until 23:00 nightly, Sunday from 14:00; portions are generous, so order the soup only if sharing.
Pizzeria$$distillery-districtSun-Wed 11:00-24:00; Thu-Sat 11:00-02:30
Goodfellas Pizzeria slings New York slices in Lexington's Distillery District until 02:30 on weekends, with the Wiseguy Lounge bourbon speakeasy upstairs.
Tip: Head upstairs to the Wiseguy Lounge while you wait for a slice; Thursday to Saturday it runs to 02:30.
Japanese$$chevy-chaseMon-Thu 11:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-21:00
Umami Ramen & Grill ladles tonkotsu-style bowls, katsu curry and teriyaki plates on Euclid Avenue, Lexington's budget-friendly ramen stop near the UK campus.
Tip: Ramen, fried rice and bubble tea cover most tables; Sunday opens at noon, every other day at 11:00.