Best Historic Restaurants in Lexington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanSteakhouseSeafoodVegetarian / VeganBreakfastContemporary Southern

Regions

Lexington

Neighborhoods

Lexington

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

8 restaurants available nearby

1. Merrick Inn

4.7

Exceptional(4644)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Southern • Lexington

Booked 57 times today

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.

2. Coles 735 Main

4.9

Exceptional(3700)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Lexington

At Coles, we're dedicated to bringing the art of dining to every experience. Think local meats cured in-house. Crisp vegetables fresh off the vine, pickled onsite. Breads baked fresh each day. The best seasonal ingredients available, sourced from local farms and trusted purveyors. And our menus go beyond the plate, with handcrafted cocktails featuring unique, house-made ingredients, hundreds of bourbons available for tasting, and an award-winning carefully curated wine program. We believe in honoring history and chose to set our restaurant in a restored historic landmark in downtown Lexington.

A photo of Epping's on Eastside restaurant

3. Epping's on Eastside

4.8

Exceptional(2258)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Unspecified • Lexington

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.

4. Dudley's on Short

4.7

Exceptional(2702)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Lexington

Booked 26 times today

Dudley's Restaurant has been a mainstay on the Lexington dining scene since 1981. Centered in the heart of downtown Lexington, Dudley's offers delicious modern American cuisine with an award-winning wine list to match. Food Network has featured Dudley's for the classic Tournedos Maxwell and has been awarded "Best of the South" twice by Southern Living Magazine. Dudley's was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement award from the KY Department of Agriculture for using KY Proud ingredients in Chef Bradley Hoffman's globally inspired menus. Dudley's welcomes guests to enjoy dining in the more casual bar area, formal main dining room, or on the rooftop terrace.**Rooftop seating is per guest request, weather permitting, and availability is Wednesday-Sunday for Dinner Only

A photo of Blue Heron Steakhouse restaurant

5. Blue Heron Steakhouse

4.8

Exceptional(2161)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Lexington

Booked 16 times today

The Blue Heron Steakhouse is located in the thriving historic Jefferson Street corridor. We offer an excellent menu with steakhouse classics and modern Southern fare with specialties such as fresh oysters, the finest cuts of beef, shrimp and grits and more. Our restaurant started as a hand-crafted cocktail bar and consumer demand made it obvious that we needed to expand to a full-service kitchen. The Blue Heron is situated in a renovated home with exposed brick, a beautiful, locally crafted chandelier, a roaring two-sided fireplace in the colder months. Locally owned and loaded with character, The Blue Heron is a perfect setting for an intimate date, an evening with friends or simply a casual dinner while watching the game.

A photo of Lockbox at 21c Hotel restaurant

6. Lockbox at 21c Hotel

4.6

Exceptional(1282)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Lexington

Booked 13 times today

Located in Lexington’s 21c Museum Hotel, Lockbox showcases a commitment to sourcing local, high-quality ingredients. Lockbox uses thoughtful yet simple preparations and cooking techniques in a contemporary brasserie setting. Designed by Deborah Berke Partners, the Lockbox space highlights historic features like original marble floors, decorative plaster details, large arched windows and even a historic safe deposit vault that is used for private dining.

7. Zim's Cafe

4.6

Exceptional(500)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Lexington

Booked 7 times today

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. Order a cocktail, bourbon, or local beer from The Thirsty Fox, the bar component across the atrium with a cozy atmosphere!

8. Chez Lyndon

4.2

Awesome(29)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Lexington

Chez Lyndon is in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, in the Historic Lyndon House Bed & Breakfast. At Chez Lyndon, we treat our guests to an upscale experience in an intimate setting. Our courtesy staff is here to make you feel at home. Join us for an evening of fine dining.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
RonVIP
Central Kentucky •15 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
Debbie has done a wonderful job since moving to short street. Parking is an issue which makes for infrequent visits.
More info
Dudley's on ShortPrice: Expensive• American• Lexington
•
4.7
TP
TerriP
Central Kentucky •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
A very nice dining experience. Crab cakes are the absolute best you can get.
More info
Blue Heron SteakhousePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Lexington
•
4.8
L
LauraVIP
Tampa / Central Florida West •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Love Eppings HH. We had Michael as our server. He’s great! Very patient and helpful.
More info
Epping's on EastsidePrice: Moderate• Unspecified• Lexington
•
4.8
A
Ami
Central Kentucky •21 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
I love Cole’s it’s always such good food, service and atmosphere. People are always so kind and welcoming there. I love that they always have new wine and know about it. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in town.
More info
Coles 735 MainPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Lexington
•
4.9
R
rusty
Central Kentucky •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Wonderful as always. The seafood nachos were terrific!
More info
Merrick InnPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Southern• Lexington
•
4.7

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Historic

Lexington

Butchertown
Germantown
Jeffersontown
Prospect
Westport Rd - Lyndon
Downtown Louisville
Portland
Kentucky
St Matthews
Lexington
New Albany
Middletown
Jeffersonville
Anchorage
Floyds Knobs, IN
Starlight, IN
Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
Highlands - Bardstown Rd / Taylorsville Rd
South Louisville
West Louisville