12 editor picks in Lexington.
12 soul food places in Lexington we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Lexington | Soul Food across every city.
Distilled on Jefferson pairs farm-to-table Southern cooking with a deep bourbon bar on Lexington's Jefferson Street restaurant row, in business since 2014.
TipDinner only. The bourbon list rewards asking the bar for a Kentucky-only pour before you order food.
The Merrick Inn serves Southern dinners and weekend brunch from a former horse-farm manor off Tates Creek Road, a Lexington occasion room of long standing.
TipBrunch runs Friday to Sunday 10:00-15:00; the walled patio is the seat to request from May to September.
Ramsey's Diner has plated Lexington's meat-and-three since 1989, with an excellent Kentucky Hot Brown and pies from its Missy's Pies sister bakery.
OrderKentucky Hot Brown, Meat and three
TipThe Zandale Drive room is the classic location. Save room for a slice of Missy's chess pie.
Stella's Kentucky Deli ladles farm-sourced burgoo and builds sandwiches in a Jefferson Street cottage, the daytime stop on Lexington's restaurant row.
OrderKentucky burgoo
TipDaytime only, 09:00-15:00. The weekend brunch menu is small; arrive before 10:30 to dodge the queue.
A.P. Suggins Bar & Grill keeps Romany Road in burgers, catfish fingers and chicken livers, the Chevy Chase corner tavern where Lexington generations meet.
OrderCatfish fingers, Burgers
TipKitchen runs 11:00-21:30 most nights; the house salad and a burger is the local default order.
Southern Cookhouse & Bar opened in late 2025 on Hays Boulevard with scratch comfort food, Kentucky Proud burgers and live music for east Lexington's suburbs.
TipKitchen and bar run past 23:00 most nights, rare for this side of Lexington; Sunday opens at 11:00.
Ramsey's Diner has plated Lexington's meat-and-three since 1989, with an excellent Kentucky Hot Brown and pies from its Missy's Pies sister bakery.
OrderKentucky Hot Brown, Meat and three
TipThe Zandale Drive room is the classic location. Save room for a slice of Missy's chess pie.
Stella's Kentucky Deli ladles farm-sourced burgoo and builds sandwiches in a Jefferson Street cottage, the daytime stop on Lexington's restaurant row.
OrderKentucky burgoo
TipDaytime only, 09:00-15:00. The weekend brunch menu is small; arrive before 10:30 to dodge the queue.
The Merrick Inn serves Southern dinners and weekend brunch from a former horse-farm manor off Tates Creek Road, a Lexington occasion room of long standing.
TipBrunch runs Friday to Sunday 10:00-15:00; the walled patio is the seat to request from May to September.
Distilled on Jefferson pairs farm-to-table Southern cooking with a deep bourbon bar on Lexington's Jefferson Street restaurant row, in business since 2014.
TipDinner only. The bourbon list rewards asking the bar for a Kentucky-only pour before you order food.
The Merrick Inn serves Southern dinners and weekend brunch from a former horse-farm manor off Tates Creek Road, a Lexington occasion room of long standing.
TipBrunch runs Friday to Sunday 10:00-15:00; the walled patio is the seat to request from May to September.
Stella's Kentucky Deli builds farm-sourced sandwiches in a Jefferson Street cottage, a daytime Lexington habit for fried green tomato BLTs and weekend brunch.
TipDaytime only, 09:00-15:00. The weekend brunch menu is small; arrive before 10:30 to dodge the queue.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Embark on a journey through the heart of Downtown Lexington, where history and farm-to-table flavors intertwine for an afternoon of fun exploration.
Guided tour · 4 hours
Join us in the Distillery District for Kentucky farm-to-table cuisine, limestone-filtered bourbons, and an exploration into the history behind this revitalized piece o...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Sink into your seat and sip unique craft cocktails and locally prepared plates while listening to captivating tales from Lexington's East End.
