Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Lexington

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Lexington? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Holly Hill Inn

4.8

4.8 (1131)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Midway

About the restaurant

At Holly Hill Inn, we offer a unique dining experience which showcases our seasonal and innovative use of local ingredients and heritage Kentucky foods. Our reservations for each service are limited so that our guests may enjoy their time with us to the fullest.

Relax in an art-filled dining room and savor a leisurely dinner or brunch, enhanced by our award-winning wine list, craft cocktail menu, and curated bourbon collection. Our culinary team is led by founder and chef Ouita Michel and Culinary Director Tyler McNabb.

Holly Hill Inn has been featured in Garden and Gun, Southern Living and the N.Y. Times.

For more information, visit www.hollyhillinn.com. To receive our newsletter and explore recipes and stories, visit www.hollyhillandco.com.

Top review

Phillip

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent meal with great service in a quiet setting. Highly recommended.

Bella Cafe & Grille (Fountains at Palomar)

4.8

4.8 (244)

$30 and under

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

At Bella Cafe & Grille, we’d like you to enjoy our menu prepared with attention to detail and the quality you deserve.

Top review

PatS

Dined 7 days ago

Wonderful lunch for my granddaughters 19th birthday. Food good and staff friendly and attentive.

Merrick Inn

4.7

4.7 (4579)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

Lexington

About the restaurant

If you are attempting to make a reservation with a party size larger than 8, please call the restaurant directly as parties larger than 8 cannot be booked online.
The restaurant is mostly all reservations at this time with the exception of some bar seating. Spacing between reservations is two hours so please be on time, there will likely be another reservation scheduled for two hours after your scheduled time. Reservations will be released 15 minutes past the reservation time if you have not arrived. Thank you for your understanding.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The food is wonderful, you have to try the seafood nachos appetizer. Our waitress was fantastic. We had a group of eight and everything was perfect.

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Popular dish

New York Strip

Popular dish

Southern Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin

BRU Burger Bar - Lexington

4.7

4.7 (456)

$30 and under

Burgers

Lexington

About the restaurant

The hamburger is over 100 years old. It’s a classic, purely American, and an icon. The hamburger is the people’s sandwich, everyman’s food. BRU is an ode to our love….the Burger. Paired with a beer, we can’t imagine what could be much better. Join us at BRU Burger Bar. We look forward to serving you! BRU Burger Bar is proudly operated by Cunningham Restaurant Group.

Welcome to BRU Burger Bar.

Top review

GayleVIP

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Good variety of burgers and salads with very pleasant staff.

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Popular dish

Bru Burger

Palmers Fresh Grill

4.6

4.6 (1767)

$30 and under

Seafood

Lexington

About the restaurant

As the name implies, fresh is the focus at Palmers.

More than just fresh ingredients, Palmers is a fresh twist on what an enjoyable dining experience should provide. A fresh way to please your palate, featuring savory dishes and an evolving menu that spotlights many local ingredients. Palmers also offers weekly specials truly capturing the essence of seasonal flavors.

With a casually sophisticated ambiance, complemented with knowledgeable and friendly service staff, Palmers provides one of Lexington's favorite dining experiences. Enjoy lakeside seating and live music on the spacious patio during warm weather months.

Looking for another reason to raise your glass? With over 100 Bourbons and whiskeys to choose from, paired with our award-winning wine, and cocktail list you are sure to find a lively libation!

Top review

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

Entire dining experience was FANTASTIC! Paula, our server was attentive and very helpful. Food was GREAT!

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4.6

4.6 (103)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Lexington

About the restaurant

Shun Lee
Chinese Restaurant

111 Woodland Avenue
Lexington, Kentucky 40502

Top review

CarlVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Food was excellent, and service was as well. Will return !!!

Jean Farris Winery & Bistro

4.5

4.5 (2398)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Lexington

About the restaurant

Situated on an historic Old Richmond Road Farm, we at Jean Farris strive to bring you the best experience Horse Country has to offer. Whether you’re looking to escape or gather, Jean Farris can provide your rustic, picturesque backdrop.
Established in 2003, this family run farm has consistently provided a deep sense of connection amongst wine lovers, horse lovers, and of course bourbon lovers alike. Rooted and deeply inspired in and by southern comfort cuisine, this truly farm to fork restaurant will give you the perfect canvas to explore your culinary palette. Please come as you are and don’t mind the lack of white tablecloth, we want you to relax when you dine with us.

Top review

MarionVIP

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Sunday dinner with friends is always a pleasure at Jean Farris. It’s a delight to see the beef Bourguignon back on the menu as it is a perfect winter meal. All of our meals and drinks were very good. Thank you.

Zim's Cafe

4.4

4.4 (485)

$30 and under

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Ouita Michel’s newest restaurant - located in downtown Lexington, Ky. is a cornerstone of the Historic Courthouse Square. Zim’s Cafe features delicious sandwiches, Kentucky classics, fresh salads & innovative bites from executive chef Ethan Bowling. Order a cocktail, bourbon, or local beer from The Thirsty Fox, the bar component across the atrium with a cozy atmosphere!

Top review

Wendy

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

It was great! We sat across from the restaurant in a bar area...

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Trackside Restaurant and Bourbon Bar

4.4

4.4 (79)

$30 and under

American

Paris

About the restaurant

Trackside Restaurant and Bourbon Bar, LLC, is located in the fully-restored historic 1882 Paris, Kentucky Train Depot. Trackside celebrates everything that makes Paris and Bourbon County great, Horses, History and Hospitality offering seasonal Kentucky fare. Trackside NEW hours are Monday - Saturday - Open at 11 a.m. Closed Sundays (as the year progresses we will try to expand our hours to include Sundays). Reservations not required, although helpful. When making an online reservation please add your seating preferences, so we can best accommodate your request! Feel free to call us at 859-340-3010. We offer a comfortable home style Kentucky kitchen fare with reasonable prices and fresh local produce whenever possible.

Top review

Christopher

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Great food and atmosphere. Our server Wendy was excellent.

Lost Palm

4.3

4.3 (121)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Lexington

About the restaurant

Seven stories up and an oasis above Lexington, a rooftop nod to sultry South Florida. Embrace an experience filled with small bites, big hats, and inspired tropical drinks. Lost Palm welcomes you!

Reservations are highly encouraged, however we accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis. Find us at The Manchester Hotel in the Distillery District, with valet services at your convenience. Street and paid parking options are available. All visitors must be 21 or older, with ID verification upon entry. For those with underage guests, please contact our restaurant Granddam.

Reservations are available indoors or outdoors. We'll try our best to accommodate, but we cannot guarantee swapping indoor/outdoor reservations. For groups over 6, please call (859)-785-3906. Our kitchen welcomes you from 4-10PM daily. For cabana rentals, email twetzel@themanchesterky.com.

Enjoy an unforgettable visit to Lost Palm, where leisure and luxury blend seamlessly.

Top review

Madeleine

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

Lovely drinks (spicy marg🔥) + food + vibes + service!

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