Lloyd & Leah's Downtown Guidebook
Walkable
This category contains a lot of different recommendations, but all within a 10 minute walk of our downtown shotgun bungalow property. There are many more places, but these are our favorites (we live downtown close by the property you'll be staying at) places we frequent.
Breakfast/Brunch - You can see this breakfast/brunch spot from the front door of our Shotgun property. Using mainly KY Proud ingredients and usually hosting students from a local culinary school, the menu and tastes never fail to delight.
76 locals recommend
Stella's Kentucky Deli
143 Jefferson StBreakfast/Brunch - You can see this breakfast/brunch spot from the front door of our Shotgun property. Using mainly KY Proud ingredients and usually hosting students from a local culinary school, the menu and tastes never fail to delight.
Casual Dining - American and Pizza dining experience just a moments walk from our shotgun bungalow. The burgers are good, and the patio is nice in the warmer months.
44 locals recommend
Grey Goose
170 Jefferson StCasual Dining - American and Pizza dining experience just a moments walk from our shotgun bungalow. The burgers are good, and the patio is nice in the warmer months.
Upscale Dining - Just a moments walk from our shotgun bungalow property, a bit more formal dining with amazing cuts.
34 locals recommend
The Blue Heron Steakhouse
185 Jefferson StreetUpscale Dining - Just a moments walk from our shotgun bungalow property, a bit more formal dining with amazing cuts.
Casual Dining - You can also see this great casual eatery while standing on the front porch of our shotgun bungalow property. Great drinks and American food dishes with an amazing street side patio.
23 locals recommend
Nick Ryan's
157 Jefferson StCasual Dining - You can also see this great casual eatery while standing on the front porch of our shotgun bungalow property. Great drinks and American food dishes with an amazing street side patio.
Casual Dining - Just a 2 minute walk from our shotgun bungalow property on the corner of Short and Broadway. Their chicken and waffles have been featured on the food network, but lunch and dinner will not disappoint at this casual dining experience either.
25 locals recommend
Saul Good Restaurant & Pub
123 N BroadwayCasual Dining - Just a 2 minute walk from our shotgun bungalow property on the corner of Short and Broadway. Their chicken and waffles have been featured on the food network, but lunch and dinner will not disappoint at this casual dining experience either.
Martini bar & Casual Dining - A 3/4 minute walk, this martini bar is located in the Hilton. While being under the Hilton umbrella, their food is surprisingly good, at a decent price point, but their location with a streetside patio, or large glass windows (if seated inside) facing Broadway is the main draw. Service can be hit or miss though as they always seem to be understaffed.
Bigg Blue Martini
369 W Vine StMartini bar & Casual Dining - A 3/4 minute walk, this martini bar is located in the Hilton. While being under the Hilton umbrella, their food is surprisingly good, at a decent price point, but their location with a streetside patio, or large glass windows (if seated inside) facing Broadway is the main draw. Service can be hit or miss though as they always seem to be understaffed.
New York Style Pizza - take out only, open late. Just a 4/5 minute walk from our shotgun bungalow property. If you like New York style slices, this is your place. The lines can get long at night, but it is open late. This location is walkable, but they have a large bar/lounge space on Manchester St as well.
27 locals recommend
Goodfellas Mill St
110 N Mill StNew York Style Pizza - take out only, open late. Just a 4/5 minute walk from our shotgun bungalow property. If you like New York style slices, this is your place. The lines can get long at night, but it is open late. This location is walkable, but they have a large bar/lounge space on Manchester St as well.
Upscale steakhouse with reasonable prices, only a 3/4 minute walk from our shotgun bungalow property. It might be hard to get a table on short notice, but is worth the work to get one. You'll be very happy with the service and the food. I've heard several comments that Tony's could have better steak finishes than Ruth's Chris.
95 locals recommend
Tony's of Lexington
401 W Main StUpscale steakhouse with reasonable prices, only a 3/4 minute walk from our shotgun bungalow property. It might be hard to get a table on short notice, but is worth the work to get one. You'll be very happy with the service and the food. I've heard several comments that Tony's could have better steak finishes than Ruth's Chris.
The Village Idiot
307 W Short StCasual Dining
Wine/Liquor/Beer - A very large and curated (but affordable) selection of wines, liquors & beers as well as meats & cheeses. This is just up the street from our property.
37 locals recommend
Wine + Market
486 W 2nd StWine/Liquor/Beer - A very large and curated (but affordable) selection of wines, liquors & beers as well as meats & cheeses. This is just up the street from our property.
Shakespeare and Co.
367 W Short StParlay Social
249 W Short StCasual Dining & Pub
Large Selection of Bourbons & rooftop bar. Can be crowded late on the weekends.
37 locals recommend
Belles Cocktail House
156 Market StLarge Selection of Bourbons & rooftop bar. Can be crowded late on the weekends.
Casual to Upscale dining - a well regarded local chefs concept of Mexican, this place has never disappointed us, but the wait for a table also usually reflects that as it's a small space.
62 locals recommend
Corto Lima
101 W Short StCasual to Upscale dining - a well regarded local chefs concept of Mexican, this place has never disappointed us, but the wait for a table also usually reflects that as it's a small space.
Pub & Pub Food - this is a hole in the wall bar, but their food is amazing. The menu is always different but intriguing and is prepared right behind the bar as you watch.
16 locals recommend
Sidebar Grill
147 N LimestonePub & Pub Food - this is a hole in the wall bar, but their food is amazing. The menu is always different but intriguing and is prepared right behind the bar as you watch.
Brewery & Casual Dining - This began as a collaboration between a brewery in Paris, KY and a food truck called the Gastrognomes in Lexington. There's no table service, you order food at a kiosk and it's dropped at your table, but you won't be disappointed with their regularly rotating menu of chef driven creations.
9 locals recommend
Oscar Diggs
155 N LimestoneBrewery & Casual Dining - This began as a collaboration between a brewery in Paris, KY and a food truck called the Gastrognomes in Lexington. There's no table service, you order food at a kiosk and it's dropped at your table, but you won't be disappointed with their regularly rotating menu of chef driven creations.
Casual Pizza Dining - started as a chain in WV, their Pizza never disappoints, and their dry rub wings are amazing (seriously, don't eat here and not try them) and the salads are great too. Our friends have said that their Gluten Free pizza is the best they've ever had. Well over 100 varieties of beer and cider to choose from, but no wine or cocktails are available.
57 locals recommend
Pies & Pints - Lexington, KY
401 W Main StCasual Pizza Dining - started as a chain in WV, their Pizza never disappoints, and their dry rub wings are amazing (seriously, don't eat here and not try them) and the salads are great too. Our friends have said that their Gluten Free pizza is the best they've ever had. Well over 100 varieties of beer and cider to choose from, but no wine or cocktails are available.
Le Deauville
199 N LimestoneA nice little park in the middle of downtown next to the Transylvania University campus. The park is lined by beautiful historic homes.
29 locals recommend
Gratz Park
250 W 3rd StA nice little park in the middle of downtown next to the Transylvania University campus. The park is lined by beautiful historic homes.
Coffee Shop - A great locally owned coffee shop just around the corner from our shotgun bungalow.
6 locals recommend
Daily Offerings Coffee Roastery
529 W Main StCoffee Shop - A great locally owned coffee shop just around the corner from our shotgun bungalow.
Starbucks
325 W Main StJustins' House of Bourbon
601 W Main StBourbon tastings
Distillery District
1.5 Miles from our shotgun bungalow property, the Distillery District was an old industrial complex that now houses all the great entertainment, food, and bar/brewery options listed below. A must to check out while you are in town as there are lots of options condensed into this small walkable space.
Goodfellas Distillery
1228 Manchester StreetJames E. Pepper Distillery
1228 Manchester StThe Elkhorn Tavern
1200 Manchester StBarrel House Distilling Co
1200 Manchester Stmiddle fork kitchen bar
1224 Manchester StFusion Brewing
1170 Manchester StWise Bird Cider Co.
1170 Manchester StThe Burl
375 Thompson RdThe Burl
375 Thompson RdCrank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge
1210 Manchester St