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.
American$$$warehouse-blockTue-Thu 16:00-21:00; Fri 16:00-22:00; Sat 10:00-14:00, 16:00-22:00; Sun 10:00-14:00, 16:00-21:00; closed Mon
Epping's on Eastside fills the old Epping Bottling Works in Lexington's Warehouse Block with house-cured meats, crab cakes and Cole Arimes' seasonal cooking.
Signature: Jumbo lump crab cake, Pork belly
Tip: Weekend brunch runs 10:00-14:00, and the kid-friendly Poppy & Olive room takes the pressure off family tables.
New American$$fritz-farmMon-Sun 11:00-21:00
Honeywood is Ouita Michel's Kentucky bistro at The Summit at Fritz Farm, feeding Lexington sweet potato beignets and farm-driven plates seven days a week.
Signature: Sweet potato beignets
Tip: Open all day 11:00-21:00, so it covers the awkward late-lunch hour most Lexington kitchens skip.
Italian$$$downtownLunch Wed-Sun 11:00-15:30; dinner Tue-Sun from 16:00
ItalX rolls scratch-made pastas in Lexington's City Center, chef Jonathan Lundy's Italian room with reimagined small plates and a sommelier-built wine list.
Tip: Lunch runs Wednesday to Sunday, a rarity downtown; dinner from 16:00 suits pre-show Rupp Arena tables.
Contemporary American$$$downtownIn-room breakfast Wed-Sun 07:00-11:00; lobby lounge Sun-Thu 16:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-23:00
Lockbox occupies the vault floor of the 21c Museum Hotel's 1914 bank building in Lexington, with Stephen Holden cooking a contemporary Southern-leaning menu.
Tip: Renovation-mode service: in-room breakfast for hotel guests Wed-Sun and evening drinks in the lobby lounge. Call before a special trip.