Corto Lima is a latin american restaurant in Downtown, Lexington.
Editorially verified August 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: House-made corn tortillas, Margaritas
Tip: No reservations; seating is first come, first served. Closed Tuesdays, and Monday is dinner only from 17:00.
Address: 101 W Short St, Lexington, KY 40507
Joe Bologna's has baked pizza and garlic-butter breadsticks inside a stained-glass former synagogue since 1973, a Lexington institution near the UK campus.
Signature: Garlic breadsticks, Pan pizza
Tip: The garlic breadsticks are non-negotiable; go before 18:00 on UK game days or expect a long wait.
County Club smokes Kentucky-raised beef, hog, sheep and goat over hardwood on Jefferson Street, Lexington barbecue rebuilt around a monthly-changing menu.
Tip: Open Wednesday to Saturday evenings only; the smoked-meat board changes monthly, so ask what just came off.
Columbia Steak House has fed Lexington since 1948, still broiling the garlic-butter Nighthawk Special with a Diego salad and frying its famous lamb fries.
Signature: Nighthawk Special, Lamb fries, Diego salad
Tip: Order the Nighthawk Special with fried banana peppers; the Richmond Road room keeps the old-school feel.
Joe Bologna's has baked pizza and garlic-butter breadsticks inside a stained-glass former synagogue since 1973, a Lexington institution near the UK campus.
Signature: Garlic breadsticks, Pan pizza
Tip: The garlic breadsticks are non-negotiable; go before 18:00 on UK game days or expect a long wait.
Athenian Grill plates gyros, spanakopita and baklava on South Ashland Avenue in Chevy Chase, the sit-down home of Lexington's favourite Greek kitchen.
Signature: Gyro, Spanakopita
Tip: Open 10:30-21:00 daily; the gyro bowls travel well if the small dining room is full at lunch.
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.
Signature: Kentucky Hot Brown, Meat and three
Tip: The Zandale Drive room is the classic location. Save room for a slice of Missy's chess pie.
Winchell's covers Southland Drive breakfasts, beer cheese and UK game days in one room, the Lexington neighbourhood standby that opens at 08:00 every day.
Signature: Beer cheese, Country breakfast
Tip: Breakfast runs until 11:00 weekdays and past noon on weekends; expect a wait after Saturday UK kickoffs.
