Southern$$jefferson-streetMon-Sun 09:00-15:00
Stella's Kentucky Deli ladles farm-sourced burgoo and builds sandwiches in a Jefferson Street cottage, the daytime stop on Lexington's restaurant row.
Signature: Kentucky burgoo
Tip: Daytime only, 09:00-15:00. The weekend brunch menu is small; arrive before 10:30 to dodge the queue.
Contemporary American$$$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.
American$$$downtownMon-Thu 11:30-22:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-23:00; Sun 10:00-22:00
Carson's Food & Drink runs steaks, seafood and cocktails on East Main Street in Lexington, an old Kentucky supper-club room that stays loud into the evening.
Signature: Seared ahi tuna salad, Banana bread pudding
Tip: Brunch runs Friday to Sunday 10:00-14:00; the banana bread pudding closes most tables here.
New American$$$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.
American$$$beaumontMon-Thu 16:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-22:00; Sun 10:30-21:00
Azur Restaurant & Patio reworks American classics near Keeneland in Beaumont, a Lexington fixture since 2005 known for Tim Perkins' bourbon fried chicken.
Signature: Bourbon fried chicken, Woven shrimp
Tip: Sunday brunch runs 10:30-14:00. Ask for the patio in racing season; it books out on Keeneland weekends.
Southern$$$jefferson-streetMon-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00
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.
Tip: Dinner only. The bourbon list rewards asking the bar for a Kentucky-only pour before you order food.