Lexington outdoor dining guide: Best patio restaurants for social distancing

It’s no secret that Lexingtonians love to dine outdoors, whether it’s on patios, in picnic areas or rooftop terraces. The need to stay socially distant during the coronavirus pandemic has made outdoor dining even more desirable.

Here are some options if you want to have a dining experience other than your own kitchen or curbside pickup, but still aren’t quite ready to go back inside. And remember that most are continuing takeout, which has been a popular option during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

Note that hours of operation are not included as they are constantly changing. Please call the restaurant for most up-to-date hours.

Charlie Brown’s

816 Euclid Ave.; 859-269-5701; facebook.com/cblex. This long-time Chevy Chase favorite has both curbside seating in front and a shaded patio in back. Tables are spaced with at least six feet between them and can be re-arranged to accommodate larger parties.

Bear & the Butcher

815 Euclid Ave.; 859-469-9188; facebook.com/BearAndTheButcher/. Another Chevy Chase icon offers multiple outdoor options — patio seating on the sidewalk (two picnic benches, three tables and two high tops) and beginning June 5, second floor balcony seating (four tables). Accommodations are on a first come, first served basis.\

The Sage Rabbit

438 S. Ashland Ave.; 859-523-2095; facebook.com/thesagerabbitlexington/. It has a covered porch seating area at the front of the restaurant where you can enjoy your meal after picking it up curbside.

Carson’s Food & Drink

362 E. Main St.; 859-303-3039; https://www.facebook.com/CarsonsLexington. The large patio at Carson’s is the place to be seen and to see — all the traffic, foot and otherwise, on Main Street. This always-popular spot’s patio has downsized during the pandemic with eight tables spread six feet apart and another three tables on the sidewalk beyond the patio.

Portofino

249 E. Main St.; 859-253-9300; facebook.com/portofinolex/. The lovely enclosed patio, strung with lights, is reminiscent of an Italian courtyard. They have removed seven of their tables leaving a total of 10 – primarily tables for two to four people. They do have one table that can be reserved for a slightly larger group.

Zim’s Café

215 W. Main St.; 859-785-3690; facebook.com/zimscafe/ Located in the beautifully renovated Old Fayette County Courthouse, it doesn’t have a traditional patio, but rather 12 tables on the terrace that winds around the historic building. Orders are placed at the window and food delivered to the tables.

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse at City Center

101 W. Vine St.; 859-554-7000; facebook.com/JeffRubysLexington/. The 1,800-square-foot patio leaves plenty of room for social distancing as patrons dine and drink (the patio has its own bar) surrounded by elegant touches such as fountains featuring a bronze horse statue and a row of jockeys in their colorful silks.

Dudley’s on Short

259 W. Short St.; 859-252-1010; facebook.com/DudleysOnShort Dudley’s may have Lexington’s most romantic outdoor dining experience. The rooftop terrace, with its Jon Carloftis-designed garden and subdued lighting, is a favorite for those looking for an intimate dining experience. Even before the pandemic, tables were spread out for discreet dining. Several tables have been removed, leaving six of the original 10 tables.

Stella’s Kentucky Deli

143 Jefferson St.; 859-255-3354; facebook.com/stellaskentuckydeli/ Its small, shaded patio has always offered a secluded, intimate dining experience. And it has become even more intimate during the pandemic as they have removed all but five tables which are spread six feet apart. Tables are assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Blue Heron Steakhouse

185 Jefferson St.; 859-254-2491; facebook.com/TheBlueHeronlexington/ While many restaurants have had to reduce patio capacity, the Blue Heron has expanded. The restaurant has added 500 square feet to the patio which runs alongside the one-time historic home turned chic restaurant. The added square footage has allowed for 26 additional seats although a spokesman said that only 20 were being used at a time. They also expect to install two retractable awnings to replace individual umbrellas by mid-June.

Graze at the Woodland

111 Woodland Ave., 859-309-2490; facebook.com/grazeatthewoodlands/. The covered patio at the front of the restaurant has re-opened for dinner beginning at 4 p.m.

Cole’s 735 Main

735 East Main St.; 859-266-9000; facebook.com/Coles735Main/ Cole’s covered patio facing Richmond Road is open, with two tables reserved for larger parties and the rest set up for two to four people. According to a spokesperson, they haven’t yet decided whether they will be taking reservations for the tables or using a first come, first served approach.

Double Dogs

1916 Justice Drive; 859-963-4150; facebook.com/doubledogslexington/ Double Dogs has had to undouble the number of pooches and their humans that they can accommodate as they are now using only half of their patio space. With only four tables, you and Fido will be lucky to grab one. No reservations required, but you will have to check in at the greeter’s stand to get a table.

Middle Fork Kitchen Bar

1224 Manchester Street; 859-309-9854; facebook.com/pg/middleforkkb/ Middle Fork shares a large patio with other dining and drinking options in the Distillery District on the old James Pepper Distillery. It’s tree-shaded along the burbling Town Branch of Elkhorn Creek, making it a great spot to relax for dinner, a beer or even ice cream.

Goodfellas Pizzeria

1228 Manchester Street; 859-523-5280 facebook.com/GoodfellasPie/ Goodfellas has the far end of the Town Branch patio space, with tables set outside and a bocce ball pit too.

Azur Restaurant & Patio

3070 Lakecrest Circle #550; 859-296-1007; facebook.com/azurrestaurantandpatio/ Azur’s patio is large enough to hold a small farmer’s market, and they have made it even more roomy (and safe) by reducing the number of tables and separating them by at least six feet of space. Shaded by trees, the patio has an arboreal feel to it.

Palmer’s Fresh Grill

161 Lexington Green Circle; 859-2730103; facebook.com/palmersfreshgrill/ Located at Lexington Green adjacent to Joseph Beth Bookstore, it has a sprawling deck overlooking a small lake complete with jet fountain. The deck, primarily used for dining, has 12 tables. The smaller outdoor bar removed six tables, leaving a total of seven. Some tables can be reserved, while others are first come, first served.

Honeywood

110 Summit at Fritz Farm #140; 859-469-8234; facebook.com/HoneywoodKy/ The Summit at Fritz Farm may have lost some dining options with the closing of The Barn food stalls, but it has gained a new patio at Honeywood. Tables and chairs are scattered six feet apart where customers picking up an order curbside can enjoy eating it al fresco.

Wallace Station Deli and Bakery

3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles; 859-846-5161; facebook.com/WallaceStation/ At this sister restaurant of Honeywood, they have installed an outside counter for customer orders. They have also doubled the number of picnic tables spaced out at the rear of the restaurant and have upgraded the parking lot for tailgating.

Marikka’s

411 Southland Drive; 859-275-1925; facebook.com/MarikkasLex/. This German restaurant and bier stube in the Southland Shopping Center has ample seating on both of its patios.

Merrick Inn

1074 Merrick Drive; 859-269-5417; facebook.com/pg/MerrickInn/ This local favorite has one of Lexington’s best patios for dining. Completely covered, it has lush plantings, and overlooks the swimming pool of the Merrick Inn apartment complex, giving it a resort feel. The patio is open for dinner by reservation only.

Harry’s American Bar & Grill

3735 Palomar Center Dr.; 859-977-2620; facebook.com/HarrysAmericanBarGrill/ Harry’s patio is completely covered, allowing for a quasi-outdoor experience, while also protecting against Kentucky’s notoriously fickle weather. To further protect customers during the pandemic, they have placed plexiglass partitions between the tables.

This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 10:48 AM.