Last updated: 2025-05-06
Lexington’s culinary scene boasts refined dining experiences that blend bluegrass hospitality with sophisticated cuisine. From historic downtown venues to modern gastronomic destinations, the city offers an exceptional array of upscale restaurants that celebrate Kentucky’s rich culinary traditions.
Discerning diners can explore world-class steakhouses, innovative Italian restaurants, and elegant dining rooms that showcase locally sourced ingredients and masterful culinary techniques unique to the Bluegrass region’s vibrant food culture.
Discover Lexington’s finest dining destinations below!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Lexington
- Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
- Carson's on Main
- Tony's of Lexington
- Coles 735 Main
- Dudley's on Short
- Frank and Dino's
- ItalX
- Granddam
- The Blue Heron Steakhouse
Carson's on Main
What to Expect
Multi-year award-winning restaurant with comprehensive bourbon bar
Description
Carson's offers an upscale dining experience in Lexington with award-winning cuisine and sophisticated ambiance. Their elegant Main Street restaurant features chef-driven menus, extensive bourbon selections, and multiple dining spaces including a new event venue called 'The Hudson'. Multi-year winner of OpenTable's Diner's Choice Award, the restaurant delivers refined Kentucky hospitality with seasonally inspired dishes.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Carson's on Main
Coles 735 Main
What to Expect
Restored historic downtown Lexington restaurant with original art murals
Description
Housed in a restored 1938 historic landmark, Coles 735 Main offers an intimate dining experience featuring locally sourced ingredients, house-cured meats, and handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant showcases three restored English hunt scene murals and boasts an award-winning wine program with hundreds of bourbon selections.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Coles 735 Main
Dudley's on Short
What to Expect
Tableside culinary presentations of Southern-inspired dishes
Description
Dudley's on Short offers an elegant dining experience in a refined downtown Lexington setting. The restaurant features contemporary Southern cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, served in an intimate, art-filled dining room. Signature tableside preparations and a curated wine list elevate the sophisticated menu, highlighting Kentucky's culinary traditions with modern techniques.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Dudley's on Short
Frank and Dino's
What to Expect
Signature veal chop with marinara, prosciutto, and melted mozzarella
Description
Nestled inside the Security Trust Building, this elegant Italian restaurant offers an intimate dining experience with sophisticated regional Italian cuisine. Candlelit tables and a carefully curated menu showcase signature dishes like lobster ravioli in vodka sauce, osso bucco with mushroom risotto, and Mediterranean sea bass prepared with white wine and lemon butter.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Frank and Dino's
Granddam
What to Expect
Downtown Lexington dining hall with extensive meal and beverage offerings
Description
Granddam offers an expansive Bluegrass dining experience in downtown Lexington, featuring a versatile restaurant with brunch, lunch, and dinner services. The space includes a lobby bar and lounge, providing a casual yet sophisticated dining atmosphere with multiple menu options and daily service.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Granddam
ItalX
What to Expect
Scratch-made pastas with contemporary Italian culinary interpretations
Description
An innovative Italian restaurant nestled in downtown Lexington, ItalX reimagines traditional cuisine through scratch-made pastas, elegant small plates, and contemporary Mediterranean-inspired design. The restaurant features an extensive Italian wine selection and inventive cocktail program, with a warm interior that blends textural design elements and sculptural lighting in a sophisticated bistro setting.
Where: Lexington | More Info: ItalX
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
What to Expect
Art Deco-inspired luxury steakhouse with rare Wagyu beef selection
Description
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse transforms downtown Lexington's dining scene with an Art Deco-inspired glamorous setting featuring perfectly dry-aged U.S.D.A. Prime steaks and rare Wagyu beef. The restaurant delivers sophisticated dining through impeccable service, an expansive raw bar, and a warm hospitality that blends Kentucky's culinary heritage with luxurious steakhouse traditions.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
The Blue Heron Steakhouse
What to Expect
Locally sourced Kentucky steaks with extensive bourbon selection
Description
The Blue Heron Steakhouse offers an intimate, locally owned dining experience in downtown Lexington featuring premium aged steaks, craft cocktails, and an extensive bourbon selection. The chic, comfortable space provides an elegant atmosphere with carefully curated menus highlighting Kentucky's culinary traditions and high-end cuts of meat.
Where: Lexington | More Info: The Blue Heron Steakhouse
Tony's of Lexington
What to Expect
Prime aged steaks from renowned Kentucky steakhouse
Description
Tony's of Lexington offers an elegant steakhouse experience in the heart of downtown, featuring prime cuts of beef like the 14-oz Sir Barton and 24-oz Porterhouse. The restaurant provides a sophisticated dining atmosphere with meticulously prepared steaks, located on historic Main Street in a refined setting.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Tony's of Lexington
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