Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Lexington

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Lexington? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. 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 (4600)

$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

Yolonda

Dined today

It was a wonderful experience! And the food was amazing!

Carson's at Andover

4.8

4.8 (1274)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

"Carson's at Andover" is "Carson's Food & Drink's" second location. Featuring new and exciting chef-driven recipes and cocktails that combine rustic refinement with classic Kentucky elegance in a casual, yet comfortable atmosphere. "Carson's on Main" is a 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

StephenVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Blake was great! Perfect timing for drinks and food. Very friendly. Thanks!

Carson's on Main

4.8

4.8 (6498)

$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

Tyson

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful experience! Steaks were cooked to perfection, service was excellent creating a great evening.

Bella Cafe & Grille (Fountains at Palomar)

4.8

4.8 (310)

$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

Gary

Dined on May 30, 2025

Bella Cafe is a great place to enjoy high quality food at very reasonable prices. Great service too!

Discover more

Bella Cafe & Grille in Chevy Chase

4.8

4.8 (219)

$30 and under

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Everyday Dining Elevated
We have taken your everyday favorites and elevated them a smidge!
At Bella Cafe & Grille, we’d like you to enjoy our menu prepared with attention to detail and the quality you deserve.

Bella Notte Restaurant Group’s newest concept keeps with the same tradition of using fresh local ingredients and letting the natural ingredients speak for themselves with a focus on convenient carryout and delivery.

Top review

Kellie

Dined 4 days ago

Perfectly perfect as always. I love the steak salad.

Granddam

4.7

4.7 (430)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Granddam, nestled within The Manchester Hotel, is a captivating Bluegrass dining hall that pays homage to its eponymous matriarchal racehorse. While Granddam may be past her prime, she continues to live the dream through the restaurant's unique ambiance and offerings.

Step into the world of Granddam and let her spirit envelop you. The menu features reimagined Bluegrass fare, sourced from local purveyors, ensuring a fresh and authentic dining experience.

Conveniently located just off the hotel's lobby, Granddam invites you to savor the flavors of the Bluegrass region and relish in the legacy of a spirited racehorse. It's a place where traditions are celebrated and memories are made, all under the watchful gaze of Granddam herself.

Top review

Erin Sandy

Dined 3 days ago

Very good experience for the most part. Excellent food and service. A bit expensive for everyday dining. Parking is expensive at best and problematic.

Caproni's on the River

4.9

4.9 (177)

$31 to $50

American

Maysville

About the restaurant

Traditional Italian, Kentucky Classics and the best of American Cuisine.. Our approach is to utilize the freshest ingredients and support our community of local growers and producers while providing a memorable dining experience.

Starting back in 1930's as a sandwich shop for railroad workers and travelers, Caps quickly became a favorite in the region! Today diners from across the country seek Caproni's and our river town out for the best dining, art, shopping and history.

Top review

Nate

Dined 7 days ago

Caproni’s was well worth the drive from Lexington. We dined there for our anniversary. The food, drinks and view did not disappoint. We are planning a future visit to Caproni’s with our whole family.

Dudley's on Short

4.8

4.8 (2732)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

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 Hoffmann'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

Top review

Jenna

Dined today

Great experience at Dudley’s on a Friday night. Food, service, atmosphere were all perfect.

Discover more

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Lexington

4.6

4.6 (223)

$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

StephenVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Tammy our server was great. Our food was fresh and every was good. The Committed Craft was excellent. Will be back soon.

Zim's Cafe

4.5

4.5 (511)

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

Top review

CassandraVIP

Dined on May 11, 2025

The waitress was slow and very lackadasical. Waited several minutes to order and then had to ask for them to come to the table so we could order. It was not busy when we were there. 3/4 of our food was good but my sausage was cold and my bacon was barely cooked. Also, on Mother’s Day wknd, you should have a bigger order of big cinnamon rolls. Very bummed that you were out at opening. :( we understood it was a busy weekend but looked forward to that started!

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Lexington