Restaurants News & Trends

Lexington dining location has been home to many restaurants. A new one is about to open

Something new is coming to a downtown Lexington spot that has had popular restaurants for decades.

A new Mexican restaurant will be opening in the former Old Vine Bistro spot on Old Vine. The location also had been Ranada’s Bistro and Wines on Vine. It’s been empty since January, when longtime Lexington restaurateur Larry Dean decided to retire and closed his Old Vine Bistro.

Now, restaurant owner Jorge Gomez plans to open a second location of their Viva Mexico at 400 Old Vine St. Suite 106.

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A new location of Viva Mexico is coming to 400 Vine St.
A new location of Viva Mexico is coming to 400 Vine St. Matthew Mueller mmueller@herald-leader.com
A second location of Viva Mexico, at 400 Vine St., is going in where Old Vine Bistro, Ranada’s Bistro and Wines on Vine were.
A second location of Viva Mexico, at 400 Vine St., is going in where Old Vine Bistro, Ranada’s Bistro and Wines on Vine were. Matthew Mueller mmueller@herald-leader.com

Gomez said the timing of the opening will depend on plumbing work but they could open as early as August.

They had not originally been planning to expand, he said. But “the opportunity was there,” and they decided to go forward, he said.

The new location of Viva Mexico will feature the same Mexican and Tex-Mex menu as the first restaurant off Richmond Road.
The new location of Viva Mexico will feature the same Mexican and Tex-Mex menu as the first restaurant off Richmond Road. Matthew Mueller mmueller@herald-leader.com

The original location of Viva Mexico opened in 2023 just outside of New Circle Road at 2573 Richmond Rd. Suite 170 in the French Quarter Square in January 2023. That location will remain open.

The second location will have the same menu of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites as well as a full bar. Gomez said he expects the hours will be the same, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The first location of Mexican restaurant Viva Mexico opened off Richmond Road in the French Quarter Square in the former Crust, Bella Forno location.
The first location of Mexican restaurant Viva Mexico opened off Richmond Road in the French Quarter Square in the former Crust, Bella Forno location. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
New location of Viva Mexico will be located on 400 Vine St.
New location of Viva Mexico will be located on 400 Vine St. Matthew Mueller mmueller@herald-leader.com
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This story was originally published July 19, 2024 at 6:10 AM.

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Janet Patton
Lexington Herald-Leader
Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp. Support my work with a digital subscription
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