Take it outside: Great places to dine and drink al fresco in, around Lexington

Dahlia Ghabour
·11 min read

Summer is sliding into fall and as the heat begins to ease, there’s nothing that can beat dining al fresco.

Over the last few years, many Lexington and Central Kentucky restaurants added or expanded their outdoor seating options as guests sought safer dining options during the coronavirus.

Let’s face it, Lexington’s always been big on patio dining. But these days competition is fierce for those shady seats. No need for food fights; here’s a list of some of the best places that will have your outdoor table ready and waiting.

These are by no means the only restaurants in and around Lexington with outdoor options, just some of our favorites. Many popular local chains like Malone’s and Drake’s, for instance, also have great outside seating or semi-outside (rooms with garage doors that open) seating.

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Neighborhood favorites

The outdoor dining area at Azur Restaurant and Patio in the Beaumont neighborhood often has live music, making it popular with local foodies.
The outdoor dining area at Azur Restaurant and Patio in the Beaumont neighborhood often has live music, making it popular with local foodies.

Azur

3070 Lakecrest Circle #550; 859-296-1007; azurrestaurant.com. Any restaurant that has a patio large enough to hold a farmer’s market must be in demand, and when you add the shade trees that protect from the hot sun, it’s no wonder Azur’s patio is so popular.

Coles 735 Main

735 E. Main St., 859-266-9000; Coles735main.com. This popular spot has always had a compact patio with a few tables, but with the pandemic came the need for more. A covered tent with 25 tables now complements six tables on the gazebo patio, so there should be plenty of room for everyone.

J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar

3191 Beaumont Center Circle; 859-533-9777; jrendersbbq.com. Look for the bright red umbrellas and you’ve found this spot offering the South’s favorite dishes. Some 22 tables wrap around the restaurant’s exterior seating 65 people. In addition, there are two fire pits with Adirondack chairs and side tables for those who just want to drink.

Sutton’s Restaurant

110 N. Locust Hill Rd.; 859-268-2068; suttonsrestaurant.com. This Italian favorite has 65 outdoor seats – 35 under umbrellas and 30 under a lighted awning.

Pietana

210 Rosemont Garden; 859-687-0333; pietana.com. This dog-friendly neighborhood pizza place has two options for outdoor dining – a tent with picnic tables and a patio. There’s also vegetarian dishes and a kids’ menu.

Katy Stroess served diners on the Sage Rabbit’s porch on South Ashland.
Katy Stroess served diners on the Sage Rabbit’s porch on South Ashland.

Sage Rabbit

438 S. Ashland Ave.; 859-523-2095; thesagerabbit.com. This small Chevy Chase restaurant has an equally small covered patio open to patrons and their muzzled dogs. Sage Rabbit’s farm-to-table menu and craft cocktails are the draw.

Bear & The Butcher

815 Euclid Ave.; 859-469-9188; bearandthebutcher.com. This pub-style restaurant on Chevy Chase’s main drag has two patios – an upper and lower level – which seat a combined total of 40. It’s strictly first come-first served, so don’t complain if you have to wait.

Charlie Brown’s on Euclid Avenue, a staple of Chevy Chase, has a large covered patio in the back.
Charlie Brown’s on Euclid Avenue, a staple of Chevy Chase, has a large covered patio in the back.

Charlie Brown’s

816 Euclid Ave.; 859-269-5701; facebook.com/cblex. This Chevy Chase staple was doing patio dining before it was cool. They have added curbside seating in front to go with the patio in the back.

Marikka’s

411 Southland Dr.; 859-275-1925; marikkaslex.com. You get double the patio pleasure at this Southland Drive German restaurant/bier stube with two patio options for dining.

Mi Pequena Hacienda

3501 Lansdowne Dr.; 859-245-4679; mipequenahacienda.com. This Mexican favorite has added a tent for additional seating.

The Cellar Bar & Grille

3256 Lansdowne Dr.; 859-317-8301; cellargrille.com. This suburban restaurant has 19 patio tables all with umbrella shade.

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Hidden gems of patio dining in Lexington

Kentucky Native Cafe is a hidden restaurant tucked into an old greenhouse behind Michler’s. You can get craft beer and food there while you enjoy a quiet oasis in Lexington.
Kentucky Native Cafe is a hidden restaurant tucked into an old greenhouse behind Michler’s. You can get craft beer and food there while you enjoy a quiet oasis in Lexington.

Kentucky Native Cafe

417 East Maxwell; 859-281-1718; michlers.com. Michler’s, better known for its floral arrangements and plants, turned the space behind their greenhouse into a beer garden which also has a limited menu. At night, lights strung throughout the trees turn it into an urban woodland garden.

Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano

4456 Old Nicholasville Rd.; 859-272-4053; giuseppeslexington.com. This Italian restaurant has been serving great food and live music for 25 years. They have expanded the small patio to seven tables with umbrellas. Especially popular on weekends when they have live music.

Gingko Tree Cafe

120 Sycamore Road; 859-971-2763; facebook.com/gingkotreecafe/ At this charming café on the grounds of the Henry Clay estate, al fresco dining is the only option. Lots of shade trees and umbrellas keep it cool. And the food is from Selma’s Catering, so you get great sandwich options. Open May-October generally.

Jean Farris Winery & Bistro

6825 Old Richmond Rd.; 859-2639463; jeanfarris.com. Book a table on the patio overlooking the winery’s sprawling vineyards.

High on Art & Coffee

523 E. High St.; 859-576-3981 or 859-396-4366; highonartandcoffee.com. The coffee shop nestled in the Woodland Triangle shopping area has a tiny shaded patio area tucked off of busy High Street. Besides coffee drinks, the cafe has great sandwiches, salads, breakfast until 3:30 p.m. and desserts as well as rooms full of items produced by local artists for sale.

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Shop and patio dine

The waterfront bar at Palmer’s Fresh Grill.
The waterfront bar at Palmer’s Fresh Grill.

Palmer’s Fresh Grill

161 Lexington Green Circle; 859-273-0103; palmersfreshgrill.com. Located at Lexington Green adjacent to Joseph Beth Book Store, Palmer’s provides a picturesque setting on a deck overlooking a small lake. The deck has 12 tables, and the outdoor bar, which also serves food, has seven.

Bronte Bistro

161 Lexington Green Circle; 859-422-1429; brontebistro.com. Palmer’s next-door neighbor is located inside Joseph Beth Bookstore. It also has a large patio with tables overlooking the lake.

Honeywood

110 Summit at Fritz Farm; 859-469-8234; honeywoodrestaurant.com. Ouita Michel’s largest restaurant is a stylish dining option. Customers can pick up their orders curbside and enjoy them al fresco at the scattering of outdoor tables and chairs at The Summit shopping center.

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Downtown Lexington patio dining restaurants

Zim’s Cafe has tables on the terrace outside the renovated Old Fayette County Courthouse.
Zim’s Cafe has tables on the terrace outside the renovated Old Fayette County Courthouse.

Zim’s Cafe

215 W. Main St.; 859-785-3690; zimscafe.com. One of Lexington’s more unusual patios, this restaurant’s outdoor seating wraps around the beautifully renovated historic Old Fayette County Courthouse with umbrellas and live music on Saturday morning during the farmers’ market.

Horse & Jockey Pub

131 Cheapside; 859-554-5585; horseandjockeypub.com. You get a three-for-one here. This gastropub has both a large umbrella-filled patio and a rooftop outdoor bar where food is served, as well as outdoor picnic tables.

AP Suggins Bar & Grill

345 Romany Road; 859-268-0709; suggins.com. The front patio has seven tables, some with umbrellas.

Minglewood

159 N. Limestone; 859-523-1236; m.facebook.com. Happy Hour comes every day (except Tuesday). Enjoy those Bloodys and bourbons — along with small plates — on their compact patio.

Patio seating featured shade trees and umbrellas at Doodles restaurant.
Patio seating featured shade trees and umbrellas at Doodles restaurant.

Doodles

262 N. Limestone; 859-317-8507; doodleslex.com. This small Creole breakfast and lunch spot in what was once a filling station has a devoted local clientele. To keep them satisfied, it has added a tent for extra seating.

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

101 W. Vine St.; 859-554-7000; jeffruby.com/Lexington. Look for the bronze horse statue and row of jockeys in their colorful silks and you have arrived at Jeff Ruby’s 1,800-square-foot patio, larger than many restaurants.

Carson’s Food & Drink

362 E. Main St.; 859-303-3039; carsonsfoodanddrink.com. Carson’s large patio facing Main Street is one of the city’s most popular. Make a reservation on Open Table to be sure you get a patio spot.

Patio space at La Taquiza Mexican street food on East Main Street.
Patio space at La Taquiza Mexican street food on East Main Street.

La Taquiza

630 E. Main St.; 859-523-8314; taquizatacosky.com. This authentic taqueria opened in the former Sav’s spot and has an outdoor covered dining area.

Favor

574 N. Limestone; 859-687-0100; eatfavor.com. Go for weekend brunch at this spot with a big outdoor seating area behind Arcadium.

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Romantic patio dining in Lexington

Guests enjoy al fresco dining on the patio at Merrick Inn in Lexington.
Guests enjoy al fresco dining on the patio at Merrick Inn in Lexington.

Merrick Inn

1074 Merrick Drive; 859-269-5417; themerrickinn.com. Located on the grounds of what was once the manor house of a Thoroughbred horse farm, this restaurant is equally loved for its famous fried chicken and its spacious pool-side covered patio.

Shun Lee Chinese Cuisine

111 Woodland Ave.; 859-309-0305; shunleelex.com. This Chinese restaurant’s front patio is small, so be sure to arrive early if you want an outdoor spot.

Dudley’s on Short

259 W. Short St.; 859-252-1010; dudleysonshort.com. Sidewalk tables are in great demand here, but it’s the rooftop patio and garden that is the main draw for Lexington’s most romantic dining spot.

The rooftop patio at the Lost Palm, an an indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant located on the seventh floor of the Manchester Hotel.
The rooftop patio at the Lost Palm, an an indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant located on the seventh floor of the Manchester Hotel.

Lost Palm at The Manchester

941 Manchester St.; 859-785-3906; lostpalmky.com. Atop the boutique hotel The Manchester, Lost Palm is a rooftop bar with an upscale retro tiki vibe open in the evenings for drinks and small bites. You can sit at the bar or make a reservation for a private cabana.

Carson’s at Andover

3450 Todds Rd.; carsonsfoodanddrink.com. The second location has even more patio seating, including a climate-controlled year-round patio room as well as outdoor seating facing the former golf course, now a greenspace.

Jefferson St. & Distillery District patio dining

Distilled at 157 Jefferson St. has outdoor dining space.
Distilled at 157 Jefferson St. has outdoor dining space.

Distilled on Jefferson

157 Jefferson St.; 859-255-0002; distilledonjefferson.com. When Mark Wombles moved his restaurant Distilled to what was Nick Ryan’s, he inherited two patios (one covered) for lovers of outdoor dining.

Blue Heron Steakhouse

185 Jefferson St.; 859-254-2491; blueheronsteakhouse.com. This restaurant added even more square footage to their side patio deck with coverings to accommodate all kinds of weather.

Stella’s Kentucky Deli

143 Jefferson St.; 859-255-3354; stellaskentuckydeli.com. The shaded patio that runs alongside the restaurant is the very definition of intimate.

Drew Mendenhall of Lexington plays bocce with friends outside of Goodfellas Pizzeria at the Historic Pepper Distillery Campus in Lexington.
Drew Mendenhall of Lexington plays bocce with friends outside of Goodfellas Pizzeria at the Historic Pepper Distillery Campus in Lexington.

Goodfella’s Pizzeria

1228 Manchester St.; 859-523-5280; goodfellaspizzeria.com. This Distillery District stalwart has a patio overlooking Town Branch Creek and if that isn’t enough, the pizza slices are huge. And you can step next door to Ethereal Brewing and grab a pint to sip in the shade too.

Desperados Cantina

1224 Manchester St Suite 110. desperadoscantina.com. This tacos and tequila concept has a patio room with garage-style doors all around as well as outdoor seating with a covered porch area with a fireplace over looking the tree-shaded creek.

Guests can enjoy views of Town Branch Creek from the patio at The Break Room at the Pepper Distillery.
Guests can enjoy views of Town Branch Creek from the patio at The Break Room at the Pepper Distillery.

Break Room at Pepper

1178 Manchester St.; Facebook.com/Break-Room-At-Pepper. This dive bar has a terrific creekside deck over Town Branch as well as picnic tables around a firepit. There are often food trucks around to grab a bite.

In fact, the whole Lexington Distillery District’s Pepper Campus, which sits along Town Branch, has fantastic outside seating from Wise Bird Cider to Crank & Boom Ice Cream and Elkhorn Tavern. Check out the creekside seating at Wise Bird Cider, which has a dedicated food truck on site, and the breezy seating tucked in the passageway at District 7 Social.

On the other side of Manchester, The Burl Brewery, 375 Thompson Rd., has a 3,500-square-foot patio with surround sound and TVs just off the taproom.

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Off the beaten track patio dining



Boonedogs

5902 Old Richmond Td.; 859-554-6000; boonedogslex.com. This eatery has one of Lexington’s largest outdoor areas with an acre of green space. There are six tables on the patio and an additional 25 picnic tables on the lawn.

Double Dogs

1916 Justice Dr.; 859-963-4150; facebook.com/doubledogslexington/ A great place to take your (well behaved) dog for an outing as both of you are welcome on the large patio.

Apollo Pizza

1451 Leestown Rd.; 859-523-2992; apollopizzamenu.com. The restaurant’s rear patio is deceptively roomy, with more than 60 seats, mostly covered and all on a first come, first served basis.

Papi’s Rapido

1214 South Broadway; 859-523-2181; Facebook.com/PapisRapidoLex/ You won’t find anything but outdoor seating at this popular taco stand. Pick a taco (vegans and vegetarians included) and find a picnic table under one of their red umbrellas.

DV8 Kitchen

867 S. Broadway #140; 859-955-0388; and 594 E. Third St. #100; 859-832-0388; dv8kitchen.com. Both locations have covered outdoor seating.

BRU Burger Bar

3010 Lakecrest Circle; 859-303-0082; bruburgerbar.com/Locations/Bru-Lexington. Lots of tables provide nothing but shade as some are covered seating and the rest have umbrellas.

Rolling Oven

725 National Ave.; 859-447-8146; rollingoven.com. Located inside Mirror Twin Brewing, they have set up a large beer garden – complete with picnic tables and cabanas – in the parking lot.

Campestre Mexican Bar & Grill

910 Beaumont Centre Parkway; 850-368-7779; campestre.com. This Southside Mexican restaurant has covered seating at the front and is a great place for watching sports.

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Patio dining worth a drive

Customers enjoy food and drinks at the outdoor seating of Proud Mary BBQ.
Customers enjoy food and drinks at the outdoor seating of Proud Mary BBQ.

Proud Mary BBQ

9079 Old Richmond Road; 859-913-5611; proudmarybbq.com. It always seems like party time here on the huge deck overlooking the Kentucky River.

The Stave

5711 McCracken Pike, Frankfort; 859-879-0101; thestavekentucky.com. Go ahead and make the drive for this gorgeous treehouse patio where all the seating is covered.

Wallace Station Deli & Bakery

3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Frankfort; 859-846-5161; wallacestation.com. Pick up your order from an outside counter, and then eat in the expanded tree-shaded picnic area at the rear of the restaurant.

Holly Hill Inn

426 N. Winter St., Midway; 859- 846-4732; hollyhillinn.com. Another spot to have a picnic, albeit an upscale one. You can dine at tables on the lawn or the spacious front porch.

Vallozzi’s

108 Court St., Versailles; 859-682-5120; vallozzis.com/versailles. This elegant Italian restaurant has a family-friendly, more casual patio area out back.

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