Downtown Lexington Greek restaurant is closing. What’s coming in its place?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Athenian Grill downtown Lexington location will close in July 2026.
- Coming in: Hellenic Kitchen by Ilias Pappas, a quick-service Greek concept.
- Hellenic Kitchen aims to open by the end of July 2026 with expanded hours Monday–Saturday.
One location of a local Greek restaurant will be closing.
The Athenian Grill in downtown Lexington, located off Main and North Limestone on Phoenix Park in the Park Plaza Apartments building, will be closing in July, according to owner Ilias Pappas.
The restaurant opened in July 2019 and focused on serving downtown workers.
Other locations of Athenian Grill on South Ashland and near Fayette Mall will remain open.
Now, Pappas said, he plans to bring in another restaurant concept: Hellenic Kitchen by Ilias Pappas will be a quick-service restaurant with a menu of Greek and Mediterranean options for bowls and sandwiches.
He said he hopes to open the new restaurant by the end of July. It will offer a variety of proteins, greens, dips and cold toppings, as well as vegetarian falafel in a build-your-own format, similar to Chipotle.
“People who have short period of time can do a quick lunch, to go or eat in,” he said.
The new restaurant will have expanded hours, open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., he said.
