I started this series last year and they were always super fun to put together, so I’m continuing it this year!
Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Lexington, hence why my blog is named “Fabulous In Fayette” and is entirely dedicated to it! Fabulous in Fayette is your one-stop place to find out what’s happening in Lexington on a weekly basis, where to eat, and amazing events that you can’t miss! Lexington is such a great place to live in – with all the culture, the amazing local restaurants, the bourbon scene, or all of the events happening throughout the city to keep you entertained.
With these guides, I hope that you’ll discover a place you haven’t been to, or it will encourage you to get out and explore Lexington more! If you are a visitor from other city or state, then you’ll be able to know the places that an actual Lexingtonian loves!
Each month, there will be a different focus. Starting off with the first “A Local’s Guide to Lexington…” of 2019, I’m featuring ten local restaurants that you must eat brunch at!
Ten Local Brunch Spots in Lexington, Kentucky:
Josie’s
Josie’s is located in the Chevy Chase neighborhood (and there is also another location off of Lexington Road in Georgetown). This delicious local restaurant is brought to you by the same owners as the Merrick Inn (which is also an amazing restaurant that is located in the Tates Creek area!). Josie’s is known for it’s breakfast (but they also serve lunch and dinner too!) Their breakfast includes omelets, hearty dishes, eggs benedict, pancakes, waffles, and all of the classics. There is also something on the healthier side such as organic granola, egg white omelets, and a selection for low-carb lovers. TIP: Be sure to get their early, because there most likely will be a wait!
Address:
- 821 Chevy Chase Place, Lexington, Kentucky 40502
- 1973 Lexington Rd US Hwy 25, Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
Hours of Operation for the Lexington location:
- Sunday: 8am to 2pm
- Monday through Saturday: 8am to 9pm
Hours of Operation for the Georgetown location:
- Sunday through Saturday: 8am to 3pm
OBC Kitchen
OBC Kitchen (Old Bourbon County) is one of my favorite restaurants in Lexington. OBC is part of the Bluegrass Hospitality Group (They own Malone’s, along with Harry’s, Drake’s, and Aqua Sushi. Malone’s is one of the top steakhouses in North America). OBC Kitchen is a local, chef-driven restaurant that houses an extremely rare bourbon collection, eclectic craft beer selection and extensive wine list. They have over 300 bourbons to choose from. OBC’s brunch menu features traditional items such as shrimp and grits, chicken and biscuits, and crab cake Benedict, as well as OBC signature items such as the Bacon in a Glass.
Address:
3373 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40502 (Located in the Landsdowne Shoppes)
Hours of Operation:
- Sunday through Thursday: 11am to 11pm
- Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 12am
Local Spotlight: Carson’s Food and Drink
Carson’s
Carson’s is also one my favorite places for brunch (and one of my favorite restaurants in general) and it’s located in the heart of downtown! It’s a hip speakeasy with indoor and outdoor seating, and inside the decor is industrial with over-sized chandeliers. Carson’s is located in the former Coach Craft building, which was an automotive customization shop. The food is absolutely delicious, and so are their craft cocktails. Seriously, everything is amazing – from their breakfast to their dinner. The portions are pretty large, so I usually have enough for a second meal (hey, I’m not complaining!) It’s a pretty popular place, so I definitely recommend making reservations!
Carson’s Sweet Chicken and Waffles is out of this world! It’s Carson’s fried chicken placed on their Belgian waffle, topped with candied pecans, maple syrup, powdered sugar and fresh strawberries. They also have a savory version as well! The Savory Chicken and Waffles is Carson’s fried chicken placed on our Belgian waffle, topped with pork belly sage gravy, pork belly and shaved scallions.
Address:
362 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Hours of Operation:
- Monday through Thursday: 11:30am to 10pm
- Friday: 11:30am to 11pm
- Saturday: 10am to 11pm*
- Sunday: 10am to 10pm*
*Brunch hours are 10am to 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Winchells Restaurant
Winchells Restaurant has been another Lexington icon that has been around for decades. Lexington has been around on Southland Drive for over 25 years. Winchells is family owned and operated, and they serve, fresh, local, homemade food.
Winchells serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, along with a huge variety of specials. It’s the perfect place for any meal and a great place to watch the UK game.
Don’t their breakfast dishes sound delicious? I mean… check these out:
- Sausage Pepper Jack Omelet: A four egg omelet stuffed with country sausage and pepper jack cheese. Served with your choice of two sides.
- Blue & White Pancakes: A stack of three buttermilk pancakes filled with blueberries and white chocolate chips. Served with your choice of two sides.
- Bacon & Cheddar Omelet: A four egg omelet stuffed with bacon crumbles and shredded cheddar cheese. Served with your choice of two sides.
Address:
348 Southland Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503
Hours of Operation:
- Sunday through Saturday: 8am to 1am
Local Spotlight: Ramsey’s Diner
Ramsey’s Diner
Ramsey’s has been a gem to Lexington for almost 30 years. It’s an iconic Lexington restaurant for Southern fare. Year after year, they’ve been named “Best Restaurant Under $10!” by the Lexington Herald-Leader’s People’s Choice Awards.
The Traditional Ramsey’s Breakfast is super popular and is served up to five eggs all cooked the same way, along with your choice of any or all the following, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, and toast. You can get ALL of this for $9.95. You can’t beat that amount of food for that price! Not to mention, Ramsey’s hot browns are out of this world!
Address:
- 151 West Zandale Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503
- 4391 Old Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40513
- 4053 Tates Creek Centre Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40517
- 3090 Helmsdale Place, Suite 270, Lexington, Kentucky 40509
Hours of Operation:
All locations have the same hours of operation.
- Sunday: 9am to 11pm
- Monday – Friday: 11am to 11pm
- Saturday: 9am to 11pm
Dudley’s On Short
Dudley’s On Short is another restaurant that has been a Lexington icon for decades. Dudley’s has been a Lexington staple since 1981. They are located in The Northern Bank Building which was built in 1889. This is a fine-dining restaurant in the heart of downtown Lexington.
In 2017, Southern Living’s readers voted Dudley’s “The Best Restaurant In Every Southern State – Kentucky.”
Doesn’t their frittata sound so delicious? It has garlic roasted tomatoes, spinach, chicken apple sausage, mushrooms, gruyere, and arugula. Or what about their hot brown? It is made with country ham, turkey, bacon, mornay, tomato, and white cheddar. Be sure that you make reservations!
Address:
259 West Short Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Hours of Operation:
- Sunday through Thursday: 11am to 10pm
- Friday and Saturday: 11am to 11pm
When do they serve brunch, lunch, or dinner?:
- Monday through Friday: 11am to 2:30pm (lunch)
- Sunday through Thursday: 5:30pm to 10pm (dinner)
- Friday and Saturday: 5:30pm to 11pm (dinner)
- Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 2:30pm (brunch)
*Midday Menu: 2:30pm to 4pm
Doodles Breakfast and Lunch
Doodles is a locally owned restaurant in the NoLi District. Doodles has been a locally owned, locally sourced breakfast and lunch restaurant since 2008. Their motto is ‘comfort food with a conscience.’
Address:
- 262 North Limestone, Lexington, Kentucky 40507 (corner of Limestone & Third)
Hours of Operation:
- Sunday: 8am to 2pm
- Monday: CLOSED
- Tuesday through Saturday: 8am to 2pm
When do they serve brunch, lunch, or dinner?:
- Breakfast all day (Tuesday through Friday)
- Lunch 11am to 2pm (Tuesday through Friday)
- Brunch all day (Saturday and Sunday)
Oscar Diggs
Oscar Diggs is a restaurant that on Restaurant Row that opened in January 2018 in downtown Lexington. Oscar Diggs is the brainchild of Ralph Quillin’s Rooster Brewing (which is located in Paris, Kentucky) and the Gastro Gnomes food truck guys, Andrew Suthers and Kyle Klatka. They’ve since parked the food truck and now are operating as a brick and mortar.
If you want a farm to table meals meet craft beer type of restaurant, then this is the place for you!
Everything is delicious and you have the opportunity to try something new. If you see something on their menu, be sure to go get it ASAP! They have several lunch and dinner options, as well as specials! Be sure to look at their facebook page for their menu. It changes pretty frequently!
Address:
155 North Limestone, Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Hours of Operation:
- Sunday: 11am to 5am
- Monday: CLOSED
- Tuesday through Thursday: 11am to 11pm
- Friday and Saturday: 11am to 12am
*brunch is on Sundays
Lockbox
Lockbox is a restaurant located in the 21c Museum Hotel Lexington, and is led by executive chef Jonathan Searle, who has worked at other Lexington staples, such as Dudley’s on Short, Bourbon n’ Toulouse, and Bellini’s. Lockbox is a restaurant that is committed to sourcing local, high-quality ingredients around the Bluegrass region.
They have some mouth-watering dishes on their menu, such as the Fried Apple Donuts, the Not-Hot Chicken n’ Biscuit, the Cast-Iron Buttermilk Waffle, or the Brown Sugar Paw Paw Pudding.
Before or after you eat, be sure to check out the art exhibit inside of 21c Museum Hotel. There is more than 7,000 square feet of exhibition space! It’s free!
Address:
- 167 West Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Hours of Operation:
Breakfast:
- Monday through Friday: 7am to 10am
- Saturday to Sunday: 7am to 9:30am
Brunch:
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:30am to 2pm
Lunch:
- Monday through Friday: 11am to 2pm
Dinner:
- Sunday: 5:30pm to 9pm
- Monday through Thursday: 5:30pm to 10pm
- Friday and Saturday: 5:30pm to 11pm
Bar:
- Sunday to Thursday: 4pm to 12am
- Friday and Saturday: 4pm to 1am
Bear & the Butcher
Bear & the Butcher is a restaurant that is in the renovated former movie theater on Euclid Avenue that housed a series of bars. This is a casual contemporary restaurant located in the heart of Chevy Chase neighborhood. Bear & the Butcher features farm to table meats, gastropub inspired shareables, house-made sausages and innovative entrees.
With dishes like the Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles, Porchetta Hash, Smoked Brisket Biscuit, and Portland State Deluxe, you’ll be counting down the hours until your next brunch! They also serve lunch and dinner!
Address:
- 815 Euclid Avenue, Lexington, Kentucky 40502
Hours of Operation:
- Sun: 10am to 12am
- Mon-Thurs: 4pm to 12:00am
- Fri: 11am to 2am
- Sat: 10am to 2am
If you live in Lexington, what is your favorite place for brunch??
