UK dining guide: The best Lexington restaurants near campus for hungry students

Each fall, the University of Kentucky welcomes thousands of new college students on campus and into the fold and one common characteristic most students share is that they like to eat.

You can rest assured that one of their first curiosities after arriving in Lexington is “What’s good to eat around here?”

Thankfully, the dining scene found just off the UK campus offers a wide variety of great mealtime options for students to enjoy.

The general UK campus is surrounded by dozens of affordable restaurants within walking, biking, or inexpensive ride-sharing distance of campus and most of those restaurants are independent, locally owned operations. Many are longtime dining favorites or up-and-comers well known for their food and atmosphere. Many are generally moderate in price, dishing up delicious value-priced options.

For students seeking to grab a sandwich or enjoy unique sit-down dining and eat like a local, here is a restaurant round-up, a list and a guide. Great places to meet up with friends, or perhaps gather to cheer on the Wildcats, or simply decompress and eat-well near campus.

While by no means exhaustive, this handy alphabetical list includes a range of the best dining options, from fast food to ethnic cuisine to small local restaurants. Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Thai, Cajun, sports bars, burger joints, artisanal pizza places, breakfast and brunch spots, and popular watering holes within a comfortable 15-20-minute walk from campus.

Due to COVID-19 conditions and staffing challenges, restaurant open hours and service may differ and change. Contact any restaurant directly for current hours of operation.

Bad Wolf Burgers

▪ 350 Foreman Ave.; 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. facebook.com/badwolfburgers

Their mission is to build better burgers. From ‘The Spalding’ to the Cajun Burger, to the namesake ‘The Bad Wolf,’ to the ridiculously large ‘Quadruple Bypass Burger’, to the absurdly larger ‘Adipose Beast Burger,’ when you are hankering for a delicious award-winning burger, this spot is for you.

Bandido Taqueria Mexicana

▪ 535 South Upper St.; 10:00 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. bandidotm.com

Generous portions of Cal-Mex cuisine and Lexington’s only Southern California-style taqueria. Offering assorted tacos, quesadillas, and “signature burritos” the size of your forearm. Breakfast burritos also available all day. The California burrito is the most popular menu option. On the not-to-miss list are the Elotes — Mexican street corn. Outdoor seating under umbrellas is also available.

Bangkok House

▪ 275 Avenue of Champions; 11:00 a.m.-8:30 on Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

In the mood for Thai food? Here you will find assorted appetizers including Chicken Satay, egg rolls, spring rolls, pot stickers, and fried squid. Entrees include Pad Thai. Pad Lad Nar, Drunken Noodles, Pineapple Curry, Tom Ka Kai Chicken, Pad Preaw Wan, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Eggplant Stir-Fried, and General Tao’s Chicken. A variety of beer is also available.

Bear & The Butcher

▪ 815 Euclid Ave.; 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. on Sunday. bearandthebutcher.com

Known for its farm-to-table meats, gastropub-inspired shareables, house-made sausages and innovative entrees, you will also find two full bars here featuring craft beers, creative cocktails, and wine. Brunch available on weekends.

Bourbon N’ Toulouse

▪ 829 Euclid Ave.; 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday. ilovecajun.com

Since 2004, Will Pieratt and Kevin Heathcoat have been serving up delicious made from scratch Cajun and Creole meals from Chicken Etouffee to Jambalaya to Gumbo to Chicken Sauce Piquant, and more, at incredibly reasonable prices. There will most likely be a line at the counter to order and it is worth the wait.

Buffalo Wild Wings

▪ 1080 South Broadway; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. on Monday, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday. buffalowildwings.com

This restaurant chain is known for its award-winning Buffalo, New York-style wings in choice of 24 sauces or seasonings. The menu also includes burgers, tenders, and wraps. A favorite hang-out for local sports fans.

Charlie Brown’s Restaurant

▪ 816 Euclid Ave.; 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. Monday-Thursday. 11:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. on Sunday. facebook.com/cblex

For more than three decades, this rustic neighborhood spot in Chevy Chase has been a favorite gathering place for tasty burgers and sandwiches, appetizers, including a favorite, the Hot Pepper Cheese, and their daily drink specials. All served in a laid-back cozy setting that includes low lighting, a wall of old books, a fireplace, and a popular patio.

Cinco de Mayo

▪ 122 West Maxwell St., 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. cincodemayolexington.com

Traditional Mexican fare including chimichangas, tamales, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, combination plates, and several dishes for veggie lovers. Daily lunch specials and “$1 Taco Tuesdays.”

Cook Out

▪ 855 South Broadway; 10:30 a.m.-4:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday. 10:30 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. cookout.com

Popular for its fast drive-thru service featuring char-grilled burgers, barbecue, chicken, chili dogs and more — with virtually every milkshake flavor you can imagine. Cheap eats that are extremely popular with students and fast-food fans, especially after the bars close.

DV8 Kitchen

▪ 867 South Broadway; 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. dv8kitchen.com

DV8 Kitchen is a remarkable success story and was developed and operates as a second chance employment opportunity for people who are trying to redirect their lives. Serving breakfast, lunch and brunch. Standout items include the hand-crafted cinnamon rolls and other freshly baked goods, grilled PB&J sandwich, orange marmalade chicken sandwich, and a fantastic burger that rivals any other in town. You cannot go wrong with any choice on the menu. Billed as “food that will change your life.” Go once and you will go back often.

El-Cid of Lexington

▪ 304 South Limestone; 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday. 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. elcidlexington.com

Featuring birria and ramon noodles (“a college staple to the extreme”), Quesa-Tacos, Quesa-Burritos, and Quesa-Pizza, “All you can eat American tacos” on Tuesdays and daily drink specials, El Cid sells through an estimated 800-lbs. of birria, sometimes known as barbacoa, each week. Beyond birria, they offer a variety of other delicious and unique Mexican dishes including the humongous “Mucho Grande” — a hard shell foot-long taco. You won’t leave hungry.

First Watch

▪ 1080 South Broadway, 7:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. seven days a week. firstwatch.com

Popular breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot. Specializing in healthier, made-to-order dishes using fresh ingredients. Featuring traditional favorites such as pancakes, omelets, sandwiches and salads, house-made granola alongside specialty items like Quinoa Power Bowls, Avocado Toast and the Chickichanga.

girlsgirlsgirls Burritos

▪ 395 South Limestone; 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, closed on Sunday. girlsgirlsgirlsburritos.com

A vegan/vegetarian dining option close to campus featuring burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and “crunchraps.” Standout items include the el Producto with smoked Kentucky pork or crispy tofu, the BFF made with smoked organic chicken or crispy tofu, the BabyBull with tofu and the Moosewood with black beans with pink cabbage slaw.

Great Bagel & Bakery

▪ 396 Woodland Ave.; 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. eatgreatbagel.com

Bagel, deli, and coffee restaurant featuring hand-crafted bagels, seasonally inspired pastries and scratch-made soups. You will find an assortment of popular breakfast and lunch sandwiches here including the Benedict and the Kentucky Brown, and gluten-free veggie bagels.

Gumbo Ya-Ya

▪ 1080 South Broadway; 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday. http://www.gumboyayaky.com/

A “fast casual Cajun Creole joint” serving up gumbo, maque choux, jambalaya, chicken etouffee, red beans with smoked sausage and the ‘Yatwich’ — a spicy, flavorful unusual sandwich consisting of pulled chicken sauteed and blended with garlic, onions, green onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and beer. One of the best sandwiches in all of Lexington.

Han Woo Ri

▪ 371 South Limestone; 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed on Sunday. facebook.com/LexHanWooRi

Authentic, traditional Korean dishes served in a small, cozy setting. Appetizers include soft shell crab, potato korokke and gyoza. Entrees include Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab, Bulgogi, Soon Doo Boo, Pa June and Kimchi Dumplings.

Hibachi Express

▪ 563 South Limestone; 10:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Choose from chicken, shrimp, or steak in teriyaki sauce, or chicken, shrimp, steak, or fish in hibachi sauce, or various combinations of both — at wallet-pleasing prices. Who doesn’t love yum yum sauce? Limited seating and always busy at lunch.

Jalapeños Mexican Restaurant

▪ 1030 South Broadway; 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. facebook.com/JalepenosBroadway

Traditional Mexican fare since 1992 from the various regions of Mexico, including carne Asada, a large variety of tacos, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas and nachos, as well as steak, shrimp, fish and more. Daily lunch specials and a full bar with all major brands of domestic and Mexican beer. They also serve Jarritos Mexican soft drinks.

Joe Bologna’s Restaurant

▪ 120 West Maxwell St.; 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday. 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on Sunday. joebolognas.com

Located in a Victorian Gothic building that was the former home of the Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church built in 1891. Later rededicated as a Jewish synagogue before eventually becoming home to Joe B’s in 1989, this popular iconic Italian pizzeria, established in 1973, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Famous for its homemade soups, pasta, phenomenal pizza and legendary garlic breadsticks that come swimming in garlic butter.

KSBar and Grille

▪ 1030 South Broadway; 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. seven days a week. ksbarandgrille.com

Developed by the folks behind Kentucky Sports Radio, a popular sports bar and casual restaurant hang-out for Kentucky Wildcats’ fans. On game day, “Big Blue Nation” hangs out here. TVs everywhere you look. A fun atmosphere and standard sports bar fare including burgers, barbecue, chicken wings, chicken and waffles, chili, soups and salads. Large covered patio.

Lynagh’s Irish Pub

▪ 384 Woodland Ave.; 3:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 3:00 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. on Sunday. lynaghs.com

A staple of Lexington dining, nightlife, and entertainment for more than 40 years. Famous for a variety of O’Round burgers. The original O’Round is considered by many to be the best burger in town. Food is available Wednesday–Saturday 3:00-8:00 p.m.

Mad Mushroom Pizza

▪ 561 South Broadway; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. on Sunday. madmushroom.com

Premium pizzas from 10-inches up to 20-inches, grinders, calzones, pasta, salads and home of the original “cheesestix” since 1993. Specialty pizzas include the Kentucky Hot Brown, the Mad Maui, the Tripleroni, and the Works. You can also build your own pie.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza

▪ 503 South Upper St.; 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. on Sunday. mellowmushroom.com

Featuring fresh, stone-baked pizzas made to order in a lively, eclectic, art-filled, family-friendly environment. The originators of hand-tossed, stone-baked classic southern pizza. Hoagies, calzones, burgers, vegan options, “liquid karma cocktails” and other libations complete the offering.

Sir Pizza

▪ 1076 South Broadway; 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m. Friday-Saturday. sirpizzaky.com

A Lexington favorite since 1963. Featuring a Hawaiian pizza, chicken pizza, meat amore pizza and their famous house pizza — the royal feast. Sandwiches include a Stromboli, meatball sub, and BBQ beef boat. Lasagna and spaghetti are also available.

Sumo Hibachi & Sushi

▪ 1030 South Broadway; 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on Sunday. lexingtonjapaneserestaurant.com

Choose from cooked regular or hand-rolled sushi rolls, raw regular rolled or hand-rolled sushi rolls, vegetable regular or hand-rolled sushi rolls, tempura, cooked, raw, or vegetable maki, sumo special rolls, hibachi or teriyaki dishes and an assortment of wines, sake, and domestic or imported beers. All-you-can-eat dine-in special for $22.95 per person.

The Local Taco

▪ 315 South Limestone; 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. on Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. on Sunday. localtacolex.com

Tex-Mex meets made from scratch Southern food. Here you will find a wide array of delicious dips, exotic tacos (ten choices in all — and it is difficult to pick a favorite), enchiladas, quesadillas and salads. Great atmosphere. Don’t miss their delectable brunch tacos, especially the chicken bacon waffle taco.

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery

▪ 1030 South Broadway; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. seven days a week. tiltedkilt.com

“Food, fun, spirits, and sports.” A sports pub featuring sports grub. Appetizers including Irish nachos and “totchos,” chicken wings, soups, salads, fish and chips, assorted sandwiches, and more. Served by kilt-clad waitresses in a “UK-inspired” atmosphere. Fifty beers on tap, fifty-five televisions, three video walls and Lexington’s largest year-round covered patio.

Tin Roof

▪ 303 South Limestone; 11:00 a.m.-2:30 a.m. seven days a week. tinrooflexington.com

A favorite campus and sometimes raucous hang-out since 2009. No-frills, laid-back atmosphere. Billed as an “unpretentious shotgun shack bar and live music venue” with “creative takes on American pub food.” Tacos, quesadillas, tenders and wings, burgers, and sandwiches. Daily drink specials. Don’t sleep on their brunch items on Saturday and Sunday including the Chicken & Donuts.

Tolly-Ho

▪ 606 South Broadway; Open 24/7 beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesdays through 5:00 a.m. on Mondays. Closed Mondays. tollyho.com

A Lexington tradition since 1971. The “Ho” is one of Lexington’s most iconic and unique dining spots. Best known for its burgers including the quarter-pound Tolly-Ho , the Super-Ho, the Mega-Ho and the Big Tolly, there is also sandwiches, milkshakes, breakfast served all day — and the portions will not disappoint. Frequented by students, local devotees and late-night revelers, you owe it to yourself to stop in for a Ho burger and order of cheese fries or cheddar tots. Expect the place to be packed late at night. Tolly-Ho is delightfully one-of-a-kind.

Waffle House

▪ 859 South Broadway; open 24 hours a day, year-round. wafflehouse.com

Legendary for it world-famous waffles, T-bone steaks, hash browns, cheese ‘n eggs, country ham, pork chops and grits — for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Who can pass up the All-Star breakfast special or a heaping plate of those tasty hash browns, “scattered, smothered and covered”?

This story was originally published August 23, 2021 at 6:00 AM.