Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Lexington

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

OBC Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (4400)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

OBC Kitchen is a local, chef-driven restaurant that houses an extremely rare bourbon collection, eclectic craft beer selection and extensive wine list. Centuries-old local barn wood surrounds guests as they enjoy high quality, distinctive dishes in a pub like atmosphere. Indulge in chef-driven dishes and seasonal favorites. Celebrate the weekend with $5 Happy Hour features each Friday. Enjoy brunch favorites, bloody marys and mimosas on Saturday and Sunday.

The passionate staff fosters a spirit of hospitality and Kentucky heritage. OBC Kitchen was named after the counties that eventually became Kentucky; “Old Bourbon County” was stamped on bourbon barrels that floated down the Mississippi from Kentucky and became synonymous with the best bourbon in the U.S.

Top review

Brett

Dined 3 days ago

Food and service were amazing. Can’t beat the whiskey selection and the cocktails were very well crafted 10/10 would recommend

Carson's on Main

4.8

4.8 (6219)

$30 and under

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Carson's Food & Drink features new and exciting chef-driven recipes and cocktails that combine rustic refinement with classic Kentucky elegance in a casual, yet comfortable atmosphere.

One of Lexington Kentucky's finest restaurants; Multi Year Winner of OpenTable's "Diners' Choice" (2017,18,19,20,21,22) and included in RestaurantNews 'Top 100 Restaurants in America 2018'.

We can't wait to welcome you!

Top review

William

Dined 2 days ago

We were just passing through and started sifting through dinner options. Carson’s did not disappoint!!! Easy to locate, large parking area, great ambiance and great food. With a one and a half year old, we requested a booth when we made our reservation. Its privacy, the kindness and attentiveness of our waitress Sarah (she put in the kids meal early for us which was super helpful), the dim lighting/ambiance was great for allowing us to have a nice meal and not worry about bringing a child who may be noisy. The food is delicious and the portions are very generous ! Highly recommend if passing through, for families, or even for drinks and apps would be such a fun time here.

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Ice Cream Sundae Martini

Epping's on Eastside

4.8

4.8 (2216)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Lexington

About the restaurant

We're a bit like our hometown: sophisticated, well-traveled, but grounded in our roots. We believe there's nothing more important than taking time to dine well with family and friends in a beautiful space. And we have a passion for all things Bluegrass - curing our meats in-house, supporting the region's diverse farming and food community, and keeping a local-first mindset in everything we do. Epping's is located in a renovated historic building that once held Epping Bottling Works, home to the hustle and spirit of local entrepreneur John G. Epping. Today, we are proud to honor that history and be part of the energy of downtown Lexington's Warehouse Block.

Top review

JoshVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Reallly great food selection and quality. Their drink menu is very short and not that great.

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Popular dish

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Popular dish

Lamb Kabobs

Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House

4.8

4.8 (213)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Berea

About the restaurant

Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House is the fusion of all things Southern with hints of modern and world influences. Come visit us and share in the experience.

Our specialty is delicious cuisine created with ingenuity and passion. We take great pride in improving upon your favorite dishes and using the best ingredients available. Select our Bourbon House for a unique and memorable Kentucky experience.

Top review

MarthaVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

This is a wonderful jewel of a restaurant. The food is outstanding and it is unique. The location may be hindering its popularity. Maybe better advertising. It’s definitely a great place.

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Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Lexington

4.7

4.7 (192)

$30 and under

Sushi

Lexington

About the restaurant

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

Top review

Sarah

Dined 3 days ago

Enjoyed lunch here on Sunday during Happy Hour. Great menu and service was excellent! And food was delicious!! Will def be eating here again.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Lexington

4.6

4.6 (202)

$30 and under

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

KellyVIP

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Angel was our sever for the second time and she makes our experience 10x better.

The Still at Blue Rook Distillery

4.4

4.4 (465)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Danville

About the restaurant

We welcome you to The Still at Blue Rook Distillery, the most unique spirits experience in the state of Kentucky. Situated inside Blue Rook's U.S. distillery - the home of award winning Brazilian sugar cane based spirits, cachaça, gin and vodka. The Still restaurant provides its guests with a multifaceted experience full of farm fresh food, with all menu items made from scratch and cocktails made from our unique spirits. We hope to see you soon for a delightful dinner!

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

The revised menu has several new dishes and some favorites from before, so there are a lot of great choices. We had the sweet potato wedges and smoked chicken wings for appetizers, and then had potato pierogies and the grilled pork chop as entrees. Everything was delicious and prepared perfectly. Service was attentive but not intrusive to our conversation. Everyone enjoyed their cachaca drinks as well. Excellent all the way around.

The Rackhouse Tavern

4.4

4.4 (331)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Our restaurant is ideally situated along the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, inviting patrons to embark on a journey through the world of bourbon. The restaurant becomes a hub for bourbon enthusiasts, offering guided tastings, flights, and an extensive bourbon selection to satisfy the cravings of connoisseurs and beginners alike.

We take immense pride in crafting a menu that pays homage to southern culinary traditions. Dishes such as fried chicken, grits, biscuits and the famous Hot Brown transport diners to the heart of the South. Our chef, TJ Harville, blend flavors, spices, and ingredients, ensuring an authentic taste experience.

The restaurant offers various dining environments to cater to different moods and occasions. From a cozy bourbon lounge with a roaring fireplace to a lively outdoor patio for those warm Kentucky evenings, our venue adapts to your needs.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Excellent location with great food, Bourbon flight options fantastic!

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Experience

Paying Homage to Bourbon

Experience

Monthly Bourbon Experience

Experience

A Valentine's Dinner Experience

Nic & Norman's - Lexington

4.4

4.4 (756)

$30 and under

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

As artists, we are passionate about creating special moments. Beyond the screen, we recognize that this often happens while enjoying a great meal in the company of family and friends. We are thrilled to have Lexington, Kentucky as our third location for Nic & Norman's.

Top review

Leah

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Definitely a must do! The food was excellent, the menu is varied and the names of items are hysterical. The ambiance is also fantastic.

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Popular dish

Fried Chicken Pot Pie

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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