Contemporary American$$$downtownLunch Wed-Fri 11:00-14:00; dinner Sun-Thu 17:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00
Millstone cooks contemporary American food with Kentucky leanings in an 1880s Dudley Square schoolhouse, one of Lexington's most-watched newer dining rooms.
Signature: Shrimp and grits, Chicken and gnocchi
Tip: Lunch runs Wednesday to Friday only. The shrimp and grits use Weisenberger white cheddar grits from Midway.
Contemporary AmericanChef Hannah Coffey$$$downtownMon-Thu 17:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-14:30, 17:00-23:00; Sun 11:00-14:30, 17:00-22:00
Dudley's on Short cooks seasonal contemporary American food on West Short Street, the downtown room Lexington books for anniversaries and Keeneland nights.
Tip: Reserve by phone for parties over six; OpenTable covers smaller tables. The bar seats walk-ins.
New AmericanChef Cole Arimes$$$east-endMon-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun
Coles 735 Main serves Cole Arimes' locally sourced New American cooking in a circa-1938 room on East Main, with meats cured in-house for Lexington regulars.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The bar and gazebo open at 16:00, an hour before the dining room seats.
ItalianChef Jonathan Lundy$$$downtownLunch Wed-Sun 11:00-15:30; dinner Tue-Sun from 16:00
ItalX rolls scratch-made pastas in Lexington's City Center, chef Jonathan Lundy's Italian room with reimagined small plates and a sommelier-built wine list.
Tip: Lunch runs Wednesday to Sunday, a rarity downtown; dinner from 16:00 suits pre-show Rupp Arena tables.
Steakhouse$$$$downtownSun-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00
Tony's of Lexington runs a Tony Ricci steakhouse on West Main Street, plating prime cuts and seafood a short walk from Rupp Arena's event-night crowds.
Tip: Kitchen closes at 21:00 Sunday to Thursday; book the later Friday and Saturday seatings for a quieter room.
Steakhouse$$$$downtownMon-Thu 17:00-22:00; Fri 16:00-23:00; Sat 16:30-23:00; Sun 16:30-21:00
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse brings the Cincinnati group's USDA Prime programme and live entertainment to West Vine Street, Lexington's flashiest big-night room.
Tip: The macaroni and cheese Food Network singled out is worth the add-on; Friday service starts at 16:00.