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Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Lexington

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

A photo of Zen Sushi & Sake restaurant

Zen Sushi & Sake

4.9

4.9 (459)

$30 and under

Sushi

Lexington

About the restaurant

At Zen Sushi & Sake, we only use the freshest ingredients – the essence of Japanese cuisine. we strive to use only sustainable seafood. Our goal is to offer high quality ingredients in an innovative and sustainable way.
We fly in fish from Japan every Monday and Thursday.

Top review

D

David

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Zen Sushi has outstanding sushi! We enjoy sushi every we go and Zen is at the top of the list. My wife and I had a wonderful dinner experience. Adam did a great job providing excellent service. Zen Sushi has our highest recommendation. We will be back the next time we visit Lexington.

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A photo of Dumpling Soup of a restaurant

A photo of Nigiri Teishoku of a restaurant

Nigiri Teishoku

A photo of Mango Tango of a restaurant

A photo of Bella Cafe & Grille in Chevy Chase restaurant

Bella Cafe & Grille in Chevy Chase

4.9

4.9 (111)

$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

L

Leslie

Dined 4 days ago

This was my third time visiting Bella Cafe & Grille in Chevy Chase - it’s a wonderful place for lunch. We were seated promptly (unfortunately just opposite the bathrooms, which is weird when eating) in a very comfortable banquette. It was relatively quiet, especially once a loud talker left, and conversation was possible. Service by Jonathan was excellent. I had the cafe burger with fries, both delicious (in spite of the burger being a touch undercooked for my tastes and request). My companion had the fried chicken sandwich and the butternut squash soup - the soup was very good, though she thought it needed a pinch of salt, and the sandwich was huge and very tasty. We split the orange caramel tart, which was superb. A lovely dining experience, with terrific service, and wonderful food. Ask to sit in the bright, airy, and well-appointed main dining area; it’s not as private as the banquettes along the wall, but it’s not across from the bathrooms either.

A photo of Heirloom - Midway restaurant

Heirloom - Midway

4.8

4.8 (2194)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Midway

About the restaurant

"Voted Best New Restaurant in the State of KY 2007"- The Lane Report.

"Voted Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Lexington Area"- KY Monthly Magazine.

Located in the heart of horse country and just 20 minutes from downtown Lexington and 20 minutes from Keeneland. Offering an extensive boutique wine list and specializing in eclectic contemporary cuisine.

Top review

L

Lloyd

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous food and service. Noise level can get a little intense but not unbearable. Cute little bar area if you ever want to stop in for just a drink.

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A photo of Chicken Livers of a restaurant

A photo of Beet Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Kale Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Coles 735 Main restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3613)

$31 to $50

Unspecified

Lexington

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

OT

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Always a delicious meal at Cole’s. The service, despite being a keeneland Friday, was great!

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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of Truffle Infused Lobster Bisque of a restaurant

Truffle Infused Lobster Bisque

A photo of Duck Confit of a restaurant

A photo of Distilled on Jefferson restaurant

Distilled on Jefferson

4.8

4.8 (1702)

$30 and under

Southern

Lexington

About the restaurant

From award-winning Heirloom Restaurant in Midway, Ky stems Distilled Restaurant and Bourbon Bar. Chef Mark Wombles and team specialize in farm-to-table fare, incorporating an artful and elevated approach to southern cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. The establishment removes all unnecessary ingredients from fine dining, leaving only the artistic expression food.

Top review

J

Jennifer

Dined 1 day ago

Service was attentive but not invasive. Tuna tartare was delicious. I don't normally love frisee but the use in this dish was spot on. Also enjoy the pork belly and crispy brussels. I'll be back on my next visit to Lexington.

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A photo of Fried Chicken of a restaurant

A photo of Porcini Dry Rub Filet of a restaurant

Porcini Dry Rub Filet

A photo of Bella Cafe & Grille (Fountains at Palomar) restaurant

Bella Cafe & Grille (Fountains at Palomar)

4.8

4.8 (196)

$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

R

Rogervip

Dined 4 days ago

“Found” this gem while visiting Lexington after a day at Keeneland Race Course. Although located in a relatively new mini mall it enjoys a somewhat quiet and relaxing setting. We started our dining experience by sharing a burrara, fig, and prosciutto salad that was a great start. The menu selections were varied and my wife finally settled on the salmon dish which was done perfectly, and I ordered the delicious pork chop entree. The chop was cooked perfectly and was seasoned very well. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without “hovering”. All in all, a delightful dining experience. We highly recommend Bella Cafe when looking for a causal yet refined dining experience

A photo of Epping's on Eastside restaurant

Epping's on Eastside

4.7

4.7 (2131)

$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

L

Lauren

Dined 1 day ago

The server made excellent suggestions and was very knowledgeable about the menu. Best service we’ve had in a while!

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A photo of Crispy Brussels Sprouts of a restaurant

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

A photo of Lamb Kabobs of a restaurant

A photo of AZUR Restaurant & Patio restaurant

AZUR Restaurant & Patio

4.6

4.6 (2054)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Lexington

About the restaurant

AZUR restaurant & patio was designed after European establishments providing the feel of being in a different place without leaving Lexington. The food is described as new American and Heirloom Contemporary. The chefs react to what comes at them from the local markets making our cuisine locally influenced, but worldly inspired. The walls are bold blues and greens with curves throughout. The interior space flows outside through three sets of French doors onto the elegant stone bordered brick patio. Weather permitting, the patio is opened and the patio sides could be lowered for inclement weather.

Top review

V

Vickyvip

Dined 6 days ago

Gluten free options - wonderful food and great service with a smile!

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A photo of Seafood Risotto of a restaurant

Seafood Risotto

A photo of Prime Frenched Pork Chop of a restaurant

Prime Frenched Pork Chop

A photo of Top Chop of a restaurant

A photo of Shun Lee restaurant

4.6

4.6 (76)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Lexington

About the restaurant

Shun Lee
Chinese Restaurant

111 Woodland Avenue
Lexington, Kentucky 40502

Top review

R

ROBERT

Dined 4 days ago

Great food. Great Service. The staff is exceptionally friendly!

A photo of La Cosa Nostra restaurant

4.3

4.3 (30)

$30 and under

Italian

Danville

About the restaurant

Welcome to "Our thing" La Cosa Nostra! Come enjoy an evening in Danville, KY with phenomenal dishes, cocktails if you wish, a fun and upbeat atmosphere, and leave happy. Everything from your classics like Spaghetti & Meatballs to our signature Chicken Saltimbocca. Your experience will be one to remember that's full of flavor start to finish. You can also request to dine in our refinished bank vault!

Top review

OT

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Dakota was our server. She was great. The food was great.

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