Check out this list of new places to eat and drink — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark this page.

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, 1030 S. Broadway | Cajun-infused sports grub
ESPN's No. 1 sports bar in America, this spot is now open and will partner with KSR's Matt Jones to use next door's KSBar & Grille on game days and as an event space.

Mulberry Street Bar + Kitchen, 574 N. Limestone | Mediterranean + cocktails
In the former Arcadium and Favor building, this is a new favorite neighborhood spot. The menu will change seasonally, but if the falafel sandwich is offered our advice is: Get it.

Lexington Baking Collective, 468 Southland Dr. | Various
This collective of bakers is fostering a community space for both cooking and retail. They're open now with hours posted on their Insta as they complete work on the space.

51st Deli | 1344 S. Broadway | Casual American
51st Deli has expanded from Nashville to Lexington serving up deli favorites and original recipes, including sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more.

No Forkz | Greyline Station | Louisiana-style
In the Market Kitchen, order up a Bayou Bowl designed — as the cheeky restaurant name suggests — to be eaten with a spoon.

Sweet Cottage Asian Bakery Cafe, 3801 Dylan Place, off Man o' War
A plethora of pastries, Asian buns and Korean shaved ice, plus coffee drinks + more.

V at the Vine, 106 W. Vine St. | Globally-influenced small plates
While not entirely new, the room with a view revamped its entire menu recently to focus on small plates and a more welcoming vibe. We recommended several of its cocktails and a mocktail.

Shibam Coffee, 535 S. Upper St. | Yemeni | June 2026
This Yemeni-style coffeehouse opened near the University of Kentucky campus, offering unique coffee drinks, late-night hours, and a luxurious decor aimed at creating a community space. Pro tip: We have some.

Two baristas making coffee at Shibam. — Shibam offers a new caffeinated experience for the city, with late hours coming. | LEXtoday

Carson's Back Porch, 321 E. Vine St. | Upscale dining
With Charleston-inspired decor, fans of Carson's (located a short stroll away) will find some old favorites alongside seafood and steaks in this new destination.

Chilean Taste, 192 Lexington Green Circle | Chilean
Located in Lexington Green, this authentic spot is offering fast casual-style Chilean favorites like empanadas and churrascos, along with house-made bread and desserts.

Seven Elms Café, 240 E. Seventh St. | Lunch staples
Focusing on offering a limited but high quality menu, the lunch spot allows customers to pay for meals for food insecure members of the neighborhood.

Nothing But Noodles, 4257 Harrodsburg Rd. | Noodles of all kinds
First Kentucky outpost of a small regional chain, those who love, well, noodles will definitely want to check this spot out.

Grounded All Day Cafe, 125 Cheapside | Bagel sandwiches + coffee
The community-focused team have added to their Leestown vibe with a petite downtown location. Despite the difference in size, the menu is the same (a liquor license is in the works) and pop-ups like chess games during the Farmer's Market are the beginning of more events at the space.

Doc Crow's Social, 200 Lexington Green Circle | Burgers + wings
In the former Goodwood spot, this spin-off of a larger Southern comfort food concept focuses on casual pub food and also offers bourbon pours.

Birdie's Chicken, 112 Mill St. | Chicken
This spot offers late-night hours like its neighbor Goodfellas, but offers up chicken tenders and chicken tender sandwiches. With Ruby's up the way, we call it the Midnight Munchies Corridor.

Halal Munchies, 395 S. Limestone | Halal street food
As Lexington’s newest halal bites, the spot serves up classic chicken or lamb platters and gyros alongside indulgent options like the “Heart Attack” burger or a crispy chicken sandwich.

This must-have trio is the ricotta scrambles eggs (front), avocado Patawich, and cinnamon toast. | Photo by Alexis Baker | LEXtoday

Muggles Traveling Cafe, 109 W. Sixth St. | Dirty soda
Specializing in magically-themed coffee and dirty soda offerings, they have partnered with Backroads Bakery to set up inside and, when the weather permits, in the courtyard outside.

Rise Up Pizza, 471 Jefferson St. | Detroit-style pizza
This local fave that has migrated from a pop-up tent to several other locations is finally at home in what used to be the Dingbats space, dishing up pies.

Smashing Tomato, 112 Lucille Dr. | Neapolitan-style pizza + pasta
Taking over the former Biscuit Belly location, this local favorite for pizza and pasta has opened its third wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta eatery.

Firebirds, 2400 Polo Club Blvd. | Grilled steak + seafood
A North Carolina-based chain, this Hamburg area location focuses on its wood-fired grill technique to give its food a unique punch.

Charming Magnolia Eatery, Greyline Station | Southern
In the space vacated by Chocolate Holler, this is an outgrowth of the owners' catering business and is serving up Southern-style all-day breakfast, closing before dinner.

Coming Soon

Charis, 167 W. Main St. | Upscale Mediterranean
Expected to open this fall in the former Lockbox space, the Mileta team's newest eatery menu will be "influenced by Greek, Turkish, Serbian, and Croatian cuisines." Because your editor is a book nerd, we can also tell you that Charis is an intriguing name. It can represent Charis from the "The Iliad," a Greek goddess who is one of the Charities or Graces. Sometimes the name is used to mean the collective of those goddesses. TLDR: We are being promised grace, beauty, charm, and craftmanship.

Hello Darling Bar and Bottle, 128 DeWeese, Suite 120 | Snacks
One of our favorite watering holes, Greyline's Darling Wine Bar, is opening a sister biz at the corner of Short St. and Elm Tree. The spot will have bottle sales + offer soft seating and snacks.

Never Say Die name TBA, 249 W. Short St. | English pub, micro distillery + tasting room
The unique bourbon brand distilled in Kentucky and matured in England is opening an English-inspired pub, along with an upstairs micro distillery and tasting room. It's projected to open in September or October. (We would bet it will be open for the fall meet at Keeneland.)

DeLuca's Pizza, 3957 Fountainblue Lane Suite 130 | Pizza
The brick-oven style pizzeria is a fave of horse racing folks visiting Oaklawn in Arkansas, and is expected to open before October's Keeneland Fall Meet in the Palomar Springs shopping center (beside the new Graeter's).

Magee's Bakery, 726. E. Main St. | It's Magee's
The beloved bakery returns in its original location with owner Greg Higgins later this year. We are excited.

Hellenic Kitchen by Ilias Papas | 120 E. Main St. | Greek bowls
This new concept from the owner of Athenian Grill replaces the restaurant of that name in late July or August with a faster, lighter style of Greek food aimed at busy downtown foot traffic.

Joe Brett’s Ice Cream, The Square downtown | Boozy ice cream
In the former Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen spot on Broadway, downtown gets a new ice cream shop that is known for great flavors, both boozy and non.

DaRae & Friends, 1305 W. Main St. | The Commons | Southern food
Restaurant offering of a renowned local caterer, this breakfast and lunch spot will offer faves honed ove the years and some grab-and-go healthier items. It's projected to open in August or September.

Jeni's Ice Creams, TBA | Super-premium ice cream
Coming to Fritz Farms and we'll see you in line.

Con Huevos, TBA | Breakfast and brunch
Louisville-based breakfast, brunch + lunch chain Con Huevos is planning its first Lexington location in the Hamburg Area this fall. Churro waffles have us intrigued.

Country Boy Brewing, The Commons | Barbecue
The popular brewery's fourth taproom includes a restaurant at The Commons on Midland Avenue, in the strip anchored by RD1 Distillery and OBC Kitchen. The location will seat 150, feature 24 taps and a full barbecue menu, and is targeting a September open.

Goodfellas, 122-124 N. Upper St.
The downtown Goodfellas is moving. But not far + it'll be a glow up. At the corner of Short and N. Upper, the new spot will add a basement Wiseguy Lounge and more. The restaurant hopes to move by the fall Keeneland meet

Did we miss a restaurant that opened recently? Let us know.