Food and dining updates in Lexington, Kentucky

These curated articles focus on the food and dining scene in Lexington and Central Kentucky. They showcase both emerging culinary ventures and enduring local favorites. New restaurants continue to emerge, such as Jagger's, a fast-casual burger chain advancing with its second Lexington spot. Simultaneously, Poppy's Flower Bar offers a unique experience with cocktails and custom bouquets under one roof. Meanwhile, Samantha Fore's Tuk Tuk Snack Shop announces its closure due to challenging market dynamics. In Nicholasville, the soon-to-open Taste of Ukraine will introduce traditional Ukrainian cuisine, providing both a business and a cultural gathering spot for refugees.

Bartender Jake Terry serves clients alcoholic beverages, cocktails, and colorful moctails at Poppy’s Flower Bar during private events and while building bouquets on Oct. 4, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 1: DIFFERENT KIND OF BAR BLOOMING IN LEXINGTON WITH COCKTAIL, MOCKTAIL, WINE OPTIONS

Even the drinks lean into locally sourced botanicals. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story

The Elkhorn burgoo is made with elk, rabbit, beef and vegetables and is served with a corn mash muffin made from spent barrel house grains at Elkhorn Tavern in the Distillery District in Lexington, Ky. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 2: THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL STOP WHERE PEOPLE COME FOR WHISKEY, STAY FOR BURGOO

Walking through its doors may feel like stepping into the lounge depicted on the cover of Tyler Childers’ new album “Snipe Hunter,” but the cozy speakeasy adorned with mounted animal mountheads, leather furnishings and green, brassy accents instead belongs to one of the Distillery District’s first tenants. | Published October 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt Wickstrom

Biscuit Belly, which is based in Louisville, plans to open three restaurants in Lexington.

NO. 3: ONE OF LEXINGTON’S BISCUIT BELLY LOCATIONS HAS CLOSED

Lexington’s north side has lost one of its brunch spots, less than two years after it opened. | Published October 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Karla Ward

Demolition crews tear down the building at 3029 Richmond Rd., Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 in Lexington, Ky. The former site of The Saucy Crab and Texas Roadhouse is being brought down for a new Jagger’s location. By Brian Simms

NO. 4: NEW LEXINGTON RESTAURANTS: WHAT’S OPEN AND WHAT’S COMING SOON

The Lexington dining scene is always evolving. | Published October 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms, Janet Patton

Taste of Ukraine, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Nicholasville, Ky. The new authentic Ukrainian restaurant plans to open in a couple of months. The owners are refugees from Ukraine, having left the worn-torn country three years ago. By Brian Simms

NO. 5: BORSCHT, DERUNY AND MORE: CENTRAL KY IS GETTING ITS FIRST UKRAINIAN RESTAURANT

A Ukrainian refugee couple will soon be serving authentic meals to Kentucky diners. | Published October 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

Tuk Tuk Snack Shop’s lunch menu features sandwiches including The Webster made with fried chicken or jackfruit, shredded coconut, coco sauch, housemade Hawaiian roll and fries. By Janet Patton

NO. 6: ACCLAIMED LEXINGTON CHEF ANNOUNCES HER FIRST RESTAURANT IS CLOSING. HERE’S WHY

A high-profile Lexington restaurant that opened with a splash in 2023 is closing. | Published October 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

The Asiago pot roast sandwich ($8.95) at Dad’s Favorites Deli, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. is served on a French roll with roasted red pepper sauce. By Brian Simms

NO. 7: LEXINGTON IS HOME TO 3 OF YELP’S BEST KY RESTAURANTS RIGHT NOW. WHERE TO FIND THEM

Lexington is known for its locally owned and often family-run restaurants that can’t be compared to generic, corporate chains. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Puccini’s Pizza & Pasta announced that the Boston Road location is closing on Oct. 17. The last location in Chevy Chase Place remains open.

NO. 8: LONGTIME PIZZA CHAIN CLOSING A LEXINGTON LOCATION. THERE’S ONLY ONE LEFT IN TOWN

One location of a family-friendly pizza and pasta chain that’s been part of Lexington’s dining scene for decades is closing. | Published October 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

A clawfoot tub in the Bridal King Suite at The Aldenberg Hotel, left, and a steak at Silk’s Steakhouse, the in-house restaurant for the Versailles, Ky. hotel.

NO. 9: SEE INSIDE NEW VERSAILLES LUXURY HOTEL WITH UPSCALE STEAKHOUSE

A new luxury boutique hotel with a white-tablecloth steakhouse has opened in a historic building in downtown Versailles. | Published October 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

MOD Pizza offers made-to-order pizzas, salads and more. By Photo provided

NO. 10: MADE-TO-ORDER PIZZA CHAIN CLOSES ONE OF ITS LEXINGTON LOCATIONS

MOD Pizza is closing its Tates Creek Road location in Lexington. | Published October 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Piper Hansen

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.