Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Central Kentucky
  4. Lexington
  5. Lexington
Zim's Cafe, Lexington, KY

Zim's Cafe

4.2
4.2
479 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for brunch
  • Healthy
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!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Café, Southern
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 9:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (859) 785-3690
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Paul Hieb
  • Private party facilities
    Looking for a private event space? We rent out The Thirsty Fox. Email zimscafeky@gmail.com for more information.
  • Neighborhood
    Lexington
  • Cross street
    Located between Short and Main Streets at Upper Street.
  • Parking details
    There are paid lots on Short Street as well as paid parking garages on Main and Short. Street parking is free after 5:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends and federal holidays.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 479 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Central Kentucky

    Great for brunch

  • Lexington

    Great for brunch

  • Lexington

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Nestled in downtown, Zim's Cafe offers a vibrant dining experience with a menu featuring standout dishes like "shrimp and grits" and "artichoke fritters." While service can be slow during busy times, the "food is quality" and worth the wait. Ideal for brunch or pre-show meals, Zim's maintains an inviting atmosphere with attentive staff.

479 Reviews
  1. Bonnie

    Louisville

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Let me say that I’ve been there before and enjoyed it very much. But this time….It was just not good. The restaurant was half empty. Service was very slow. Not good. The waitress was pleasant. Food was sub par at best. Catfish was not golden brown and was lukewarm. Slaw was half cabbage and half red onions. Yuk. Hushpuppies were soggy with oil. Fries were over salted. Sweet potato fries were spicy. Why do that? $50 for food that left me hungry and disappointed. Ugh

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kim

    Louisville

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Really good experience and food was good. Love the decor

    Is this helpful?

  3. Philip

    Louisville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Outstanding food and service, but a little noisy.I will eat there again.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Mike

    Houston

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Good brunch menu. The food was well prepared and portion sizes were perfect. Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled quickly and the food came out quickly.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Yolanda

    Western NC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food for the price! A great place for a casual meal. Zim's never disappoints.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Bonnie

    Louisville

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious. Music was relaxing. Service was a bit slow.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Simone

    Orlando

    8 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Of all the restaurants I have visited owned by Chef Michel, this is by far a disappointment. The food was not what I hoped for. Quite sad since Wallace Station and some of the others are so great. Service was also sub par.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Cas

    Louisville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I love Zim’s! Every time my friends and I come we always have a great time. The food is top quality and the service is very friendly and attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Mark

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We arrived at 5:00. We did not get our food until after6:20, and this required talking to the manager or it would have been later. It was so loud we could not hear each other at the table. Our friends who joined us had a concert at 7 pm m. They had to hurriedly eat the food and run to the concert. They seemed unprepared for a Saturday night crowd.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Chris

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    The restaurant was closed even though it accepted my reservation.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Zim's Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (859) 785-3690.

Zim's Cafe is rated 4.2 stars by 479 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Zim's Cafe

215 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Located between Short and Main Streets at Upper Street.
  • Neighborhood
    Lexington
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 9:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Café, Southern
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    There are paid lots on Short Street as well as paid parking garages on Main and Short. Street parking is free after 5:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends and federal holidays.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Paul Hieb
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (859) 785-3690
  • Private party facilities
    Looking for a private event space? We rent out The Thirsty Fox. Email zimscafeky@gmail.com for more information.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo