Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Lexington

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Lexington? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bella Cafe & Grille in Chevy Chase

4.9

4.9 (405)

$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

Christina

Dined 2 days ago

Other than being seated right next to the kitchen and bathrooms, the experience was great.

Bella Cafe & Grille (Fountains at Palomar)

4.9

4.9 (497)

$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

Mel

Dined 2 days ago

Our fav go-to place. Service/food always great!

Coles 735 Main

4.8

4.8 (3775)

$31 to $50

American

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

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

This was our first occasion of dining at Coles. We had heard very good things about it. Our experience topped our expectations. The ambiance, the food, the service -- all made for a very special evening. We will certainly be back.

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Bella Cafe & Grille - Hamburg

4.9

4.9 (92)

$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

Kevin

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

Rocky was a terrific server and mixologist. Good was superb and atmosphere was welcoming.

Carson's on Main

4.8

4.8 (7289)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

"Carson's on Main" is the original flagship restaurant for Carson's Restaurants (founded Dec. 5, 2016) and is located in historic downtown Lexington.
Carson's features exciting chef-driven recipes and hand-crafted cocktails that combine rustic refinement with classic Kentucky elegance in a casual, yet comfortable atmosphere- Making it the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, go on that first date, a meal before a show at Rupp Arena/Lexington Opera House, or just to stop in for a quick bite at the bar!

Carson's Restaurants are multi-year winners of OpenTable's "Diners' Choice" (2017,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25, & 26) and were included in RestaurantNews 'Top 100 Restaurants in America 2018'.

We can't wait to welcome you!

Top review

Carl

Dined 2 days ago

Very nice atmosphere. Server was very friendly and knowledgeable and food was delicious.

OBC Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (5224)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

OBC Kitchen is a local, chef-driven restaurant that houses an extremely rare bourbon collection, eclectic craft beer selection, and extensive wine list. Centuries-old local barn wood surrounds guests as they enjoy high-quality, distinctive dishes in a pub-like atmosphere. Indulge in chef-driven dishes and seasonal favorites. Enjoy brunch favorites, Bloody Marys, and mimosas on Saturday and Sunday.

The passionate staff fosters a spirit of hospitality and Kentucky heritage. OBC Kitchen was named after the counties that eventually became Kentucky; “Old Bourbon County” was stamped on bourbon barrels that floated down the Mississippi from Kentucky and became synonymous with the best bourbon in the U.S.

Top review

Dalton

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful food and wonder wait staff. My wife and I will definitely be back.

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Popular dish

Fried Green Tomatoes

Popular dish

Crispy Pork Belly Tacos

Popular dish

Shrimp & Grits

Carson's at Andover

4.8

4.8 (2199)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

"Carson's at Andover" is Carson's Restaurants second location, situated in the Hamburg area of Lexington. Featuring exciting chef-driven recipes and hand-crafted cocktails that combine rustic refinement with classic Kentucky elegance in a casual, yet comfortable atmosphere. Carson's Restaurants are multi-year winners of OpenTable's "Diners' Choice" (2017,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25, & 26) and were included in RestaurantNews 'Top 100 Restaurants in America 2018'. We can't wait to welcome you!

Top review

Martha

Dined 5 days ago

Always a wonderful experience at Carson’s. Food is always excellent and staff are great.

Carson's Back Porch

4.8

4.8 (330)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Step into Carson’s Back Porch—exposed brick walls, the soft glow of chandeliers, flickering copper lanterns, and plush tufted booths create the feeling of a Charleston porch brought indoors! Featuring a more refined "up-scale" dining experience featuring a new menu (with a few of Carson's Classics).
Sit back, take it easy, and remember... the weather is always perfect on the Back Porch!

"Carson's Back Porch" is the newest concept and location for Carson's Restaurants and is located in historic downtown Lexington (behind the original "Carson's on Main").

Carson's Restaurants are multi-year winners of OpenTable's "Diners' Choice" (2017,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25, & 26) and were included in RestaurantNews 'Top 100 Restaurants in America 2018'.

Top review

Kim

Dined 4 days ago

Great place to eat! Great service and food would highly recommend.

Millstone

4.8

4.8 (508)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Millstone is a casual upscale American restaurant that blends modern flavors with regional influence. We focus on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and warm, approachable hospitality — refined but comfortable.

Top review

Joe

Dined 3 days ago

Always enjoy my time and meals at Millstone. Food is always excellent with service to match. Griffin took good care of us. Can’t wait to get back

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bacon jam deviled eggs

Dudley's on Short

4.8

4.8 (2969)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Dudley's Restaurant has been a mainstay on the Lexington dining scene since 1981. Centered in the heart of downtown Lexington, Dudley's offers delicious modern American cuisine with an award-winning wine list to match. Food Network has featured Dudley's for the classic Tournedos Maxwell and has been awarded "Best of the South" twice by Southern Living Magazine. Dudley's was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement award from the KY Department of Agriculture for using KY Proud ingredients in Chef Hannah Coffey's globally inspired menus. Dudley's welcomes guests to enjoy dining in the more casual bar area, formal main dining room, or on the rooftop terrace.*

*Rooftop seating is per guest request, weather permitting, and availability is Wednesday-Sunday for Dinner Only

Top review

RonGold

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome food and the service was top notch! We loved the decor and feel of the restaurant

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