The restaurant scene is continuing to boom with tons of new restaurants opening in the past couple of months and the many restaurants that are scheduled to open before the end of the year. There’s a reason why Lexington has received such accolades as one of the “30 Most Exciting Food Cities in America” and one being named one of the “Five Underrated Foodie Cities in the South.’
New Restaurants That Recently Opened in Lexington, Kentucky:
1. Old School Coffee: 380 South Mill Street, Suite 110, Lexington, Kentucky 40508
Old School Coffee is located on the first floor of Dudley Square. It opened the last week of July. Something that you may or may not know is that Dudley Square was a school! The building was originally constructed in 1881 where it served as Public School #3. It operated as a school from 1881-1925. Old School Coffee is located in one of the former classrooms.
2. 33 Staves – Origin Hotel at The Summit at Fritz Farm: 4174 Rowan, Lexington, Kentucky 40517
33 Staves is located inside the Origin Hotel at The Summit at Fritz Farm. It opened in July and they have a seasonal menu and Southern inspired breakfast, lunch, supper, and brunch.
Be sure to check out the “Local Spotlight” for 33 Staves – Origin Hotel at The Summit at Fritz Farm to get a sneak peek inside of some of the dishes!!
3. Apollo Pizza: 1451 Leestown Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40511
If you have driven down Leestown Road, you probably have seen Apollo Pizza. Apollo Pizza is located in Meadowthorpe Shopping Center and outside of the building is a mural of John Prine. Apollo Pizza has been a Central Kentucky since 1981. Apollo now has several locations in Richmond, Berea, and Northern Madison Country. The Lexington location opened in August. Apollo Pizza was voted Best Pizza in Madison County in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 by readers of the Richmond Register.
4. Spotz Gelato: 128 North Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Spotz Gelato opened up locations in both Versailles and Georgetown, but they opened a location in mid-September in Lexington, Kentucky. This award-winning dessert shop opened a location in downtown Lexington across from Saul Good. Spotz Gelato features offerings such as floats, milkshakes, gelato, Italian sodas, sandwich cookies, and much more.
5. The Garage: 3092 Leestown Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40511
The Garage is located off of Leestown Road right across from Masterson Station Park. This location was a former Texaco service station that was built in the 1920s. The Garage will serve beer, bourbon, and bar snacks. They’ll have hot dogs, popcorn, and a few other selections. They plan to have a schedule of food trucks on site.
6. The Painted Taco: 222 Rosemont Garden, Lexington, Kentucky 40503
The Painted Taco opened in July 2019 on the site of a former 1940s auto body garage. This building is easily recognizable due to the colorful mural of Mexican sugar skulls on the outside of the building. The Painted Taco will serve gourmet tacos with organic, fresh ingredients.
7. Storming Crab Seafood Restaurant: 4009 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40503
Storming Crab Seafood is located in the former Applebee’s on Nicholasville Road and opened its doors in May. If you love seafood, then you may want to try this restaurant. Storming Crab offers country boils on its menu!
8. A Cup of Commonwealth: 100 East Main Street, Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
A Cup of Commonwealth is a Lexington coffee shop, but they opened up a second location in late July in Georgetown, Kentucky. It is located inside the former Subway and on the corner of Main and Broadway in downtown Georgetown. The location in Lexington is located at 105 Eastern Avenue, Lexington, Kentucky 40508.
9. Southland Bagel: 428 Southland Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503
Southland Bagel have made a name for themselves at the Lexington Farmers’ Market, but they now have a brick and mortar location off of Southland Drive. Their bagels are New York style. Instead of being made with malt, the bagels are made with sorghum to stick true to Kentucky’s roots. Their menu will of course include bagels, but in addition, they will include sandwiches, soups, salads, and other baked goods.
10. McLeod’s Coffee House: 376 Southland Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503
McLeod’s Coffee House is a new Lexington coffee house that employs people with special needs. McLeod is a retired pastor who served at Southland Christian Church for over 40 years. His hope is not only to serve people with special needs, but also to help others see that they are not any different from the rest of us. The grand opening is slated to be around October 15-20, 2019.
11. Al’s Bar: 601 North Limestone, Lexington, Kentucky 40508
Be on the lookout – Al’s Bar is opening up under new ownership. There are some changes such as a newly installed bar top and floors, as well as the booths being removed. They plan on keeping the vibe the same.
12. La Reference Restaurant: 2396 Woodhill Restaurant, Lexington, Kentucky 40509
La Reference Restaurant is a restaurant featuring African cuisine and it opened in the end of July. Their slogan is “Feel the African Taste.”
13. Taza Mediterranean Grill: 547 South Limestone, Lexington, Kentucky 40508
Taza Mediterranean Grill opened in mid-July and is located next to NiceNpan. They are serving up affordable and freshly made falafel, shawarma, hummus, tahini, lamb, beef kebabs, and much more!
14. Great Bagel – 3650 Boston Road, Suite 108, Lexington, Kentucky 40508
Great Bagel has been a fixture in Lexington, Kentucky for the past couple of years. They have been in the bagel making business since 2011. Great Bagel is located in the Woodland Shopping Plaza at the corner of Woodland and Euclid, but they opened a location back in June off of Boston Road. This local bagel place is open everyday for breakfast and lunch. They have many different items on their different menus.
Be sure to check out the “Local Spotlight” for the newest Great Bagel location in Lexington, Kentucky to get a sneak peek inside of some of the dishes!!
15. Graze at The Woodlands: 111 Woodland Avenue, Lexington, Kentucky 40502
Graze reopened back in May. Graze is now located in The Woodlands Building off of East Main Street in the former location of The Julep Cup. The space has been completely renovated. Graze is opened for lunch and dinner daily and for brunch on the weekends.
16. Southern Deli & Tavern: 207 South Limestone, Lexington, Kentucky 40508
The Southern Deli & Tavern opened up on August 22, 2019, and they offer deli sandwiches with a southern spin with a full bar and outdoor patio!
COMING SOON TO LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY:
Taco Tico: Various locations!
Taco Tico is opening a second location in Lexington! In fact, there is also a third location opening in Lexington. One of the locations will be at the former Arby’s restaurant on Southland Drive and the other will be in the Park Hills Shopping Center on Pimlico Parkway. These locations should be opened by the end of 2019!
ItalX – City Center in Downtown Lexington, Kentucky
ItalX is a new restaurant from Chef Johnathan Lundy of Corto Lima. ItalX will be located at the corner of West Main Street and South Upper Street. The ‘X’ in the restaurant’s name represents the twist that is going to be put on the Italian food. The restaurant will feature house-made pastas and small plates and is slated to open sometime in November or December.
LaRosa’s Pizza: Southland Drive in Lexington, Kentucky and Brannon Crossing in Nicholasville, Kentucky
LaRosa’s is well known in the greater Cincinnati area, but Lexington got its own location in May of this year. Lexington is now going to be home to two locations – the newest being on Southland Drive. LaRosa’s will also have a location in Brannon Crossing, which will be located at 350 East Brannon Road, which is near Drake’s and Asuka. Both locations should open up later this month or before the end of the year.
Roulay Restaurant and Bar: 107 West Short Street 40507
Roulay Restaurant and Bar is a new and exciting Cajun and Creole restaurant and bar located in historic downtown Lexington. They are slated to open sometime in October of 2019!
If you are reading this and your restaurant opened up in the past couple of months and it isn’t listed, please let me know and I can add it!
Now, go out and celebrate these local businesses!
*pictures taken by: Visit Lex
