Restaurants in Versailles, Lexington, and Midway you may enjoy

LOCAL DINING:

Versailles: Locally owned restaurants, from Southern comfort food, wood-fired pizza, authentic Mexican, barbecue, and a brewery that serves lunch and dinner. After a day of travel, many guests opt for close-by and casual, such as local favorite Riccardo’s for dinner and Black Squirrel for lunch. For more of a fine dining experience, we suggest Heirloom or Holly Hill Inn in Midway, Silks Steakhouse on Main Street or the choices on the Lexington sheets.

Silks Steakhouse: A TIMELESS STEAKHOUSE EXPERIENCE—featuring prime cuts, fresh seafood, and tableside service. Set within The Aldenberg Hotel in downtown Versailles. 101 N. Main Street, Versailles, Kentucky. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 5-10. Closed Sunday and Monday. silkssteakhouse@sbghosp.com (859) 400-0222 (Reservations)

Ricardo’s Grill and Pub: A sports bar housed in a restored railroad depot dating back to 1855. American food, salads, steak, burgers, chicken. www.ricardosgrillandpub.com. 110 Frankfort St., Versailles. (859) 873-3663. Open 7 days, 11-9, Saturday 11-10.

The Castle: Serving lunch and dinner. 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY 40383. Phone: 859 256 0322. For a fine dining experience in a castle. thekentuckycastle.com. Dinner Sunday-Thursday 5-8. Friday and Saturday 5-9 (R)

Black Squirrel: Local dining with warmth and welcome. Rooted in Woodford County’s heritage and inspired by Kentucky’s local bounty, Black Squirrel brings a fresh dining experience to the heart of historic Versailles. Led by award-winning Lexington chef Cole Arimes and business partner Richard Turnbull, the restaurant blends Southern tradition with modern craftsmanship — where every dish tells a story of place, season and community. Breakfast & Lunch 175 North Main Street, Versailles, KY. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. 8 am – 3 pm (Full Service) 859-682-5085 blacksquirrelky.com (Reservations suggested)

Rolling Oven Taproom: Delicious wood-fired pizza, sandwiches and salads. Court Street to the right of the courthouse. Recently opened in renovated building. rollingoven.com. 140 Court St., Versailles. Closed Monday. T, W, Th, 11:30-9: Saturday, 11:30-10.

Wallace Station: Between Versailles and Midway. Sandwiches, salads. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. wallacestation.com. 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles. (859) 846-5161. Lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. T-W-Th 8-4. Friday and Saturday 11-8.

Versailles Brewing Co.: Seasonal food and flavors of Central Kentucky, craft beer bar. Art by local artist on both sides of the restaurant. vbctaproom.com. 513 Marsailles Rd., Versailles. (859)-256-0169 Sunday-Thursday 11-9, Friday and Saturday 11-8.

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant: Authentic. Large menu. Good service. 504 Lexington Rd., Versailles. (859) 873-3090. Open 7 days, 10-10.

Woodford County Country Club: 3495 McCowans Ferry Road, Versailles, KY 40383, (859) 495-2582 Three different indoor dining options--The Porch w/golf club views, the Jack Jouett Tavern, and the Dining room. Delivery offered by Grub Hub. Open 7 days. M,T,W- 11-9, Th,F,S-11-10. Sunday Brunch from 10-2. Chef Tommy is a creative cook, offering weekly specials, including steak and seafood, and varied appetizers, salads ad sandwiches. (Reservations suggested for dinner) thewoodfordclub.com/restaurant. 

MIDWAY DINING:

Quaint, historic Midway, 12 minutes away, past world-class horse farms, has casual and fine dining, plus gift shops, galleries and boutiques. 

Holly Hill Inn: An evening at Holly Hill Inn is truly a memorable fine dining experience. Their farm-to-table menus change with the seasons. Reservations are strongly recommended. hollyhillinn.com, 426 N. Winter St., Midway. (859) 846-4732 (Outdoor seating and carryout). Award-winning fine dining. Closed M, T, W, and open Wed, Th, Fri, Sat 6-9 (Reservations)

Heirloom: Everything on the menu at Heirloom is delicious, and the service is great. They serve gourmet food with an emphasis on fresh and local. heirloommidway.com. 125 E. Main St., Midway. (859) 846-5565. Inside, outside, and carry out. Award-winning fine dining. Closed Sunday and Monday; Tuesday-Saturday 11-2 and 5-9. (Reservations)

Gibson’s Restaurant and Bar: 131 E. Main St., Midway. (859) 846-4077 (Large outdoor patio) New Restaurant in Midway with a variety of steaks, chicken, seafood. Large appetizer menu! gibsonsmidway.com (menus online) Open 7 days Wednesday-Sunday 11-10, Monday and Tuesday 4-10.

Goose and Gander Family Restaurant and Bar: Salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta and entrees for every taste. gooseandgandermidway.com, 133 E. Main St., Midway. (859) 846-9933. (Large patio) Casual. Open 7 days, 11-8, Friday and Saturday until 9.

Brown Barrel/Blind Harry’s: Restaurant, bar, and patio. Their varied menu has many regional favorites, such as a pork belly sandwich, mac and cheese, and of course bread pudding! thebrownbarrel.com, 224 N. Gratz St., Midway. (859) 403-2003. Unique, funky, fun place. Open 7 days, 11-9:30.

DINING IN LEXINGTON:

Below are just a few of the excellent dining choices Lexington has to offer. Lexington is a town of “foodies.” New choices all the time. Below are some local favorites. Most all on the list require reservations as noted by an (R)

Dudley’s on Short: Dudley’s is a 35-year-old popular mainstay of fine dining in downtown Lexington. Located in an historic Bank Building, it is a favorite for brunch, lunch or dinner. dudleysonshort.com. 259 W. Short St., Lexington. (859) 252-1010. Chosen Best Restaurant in the South by Southern Living. (Has rooftop dining but must ask for it when you arrive already with a reservation. Limited seating.) Open 7 days. M-Th 5-10, Friday and Saturday 11-11, Sunday 11-10. (R)

Carson’s Food & Drink: Winner of Diner’s Choice Award. Voted one of Lexington’s finest. Across from Thoroughbred Square, rustic setting with a Bluegrass atmosphere. Live jazz on weekends. carsonsfoodanddrink.com. 362 Main St., Lexington. (859) 309-3039. Fun. Upbeat. Great food and service. Open 7 days. M-Th 11:30-10, Friday and Saturday 10-11, Sunday 10-10. And a second newer, larger location with similar menu at 3450 Todd’s Road, Lexington. (R)

Tony’s of Lexington: Located on The Square in Lexington, Tony’s is a classic American Steakhouse. tonysoflexington.com. 401 W. Main St., Lexington. (859) 955-8669. Fine dining. Valet parking. White tablecloths. Romantic. Open 7 days S-Th 5-9, Friday and Saturday 5-10. (R)

Distilled on Jefferson Street: Chef Mark Womble describes their menu as “elevated Southern cuisine, removing all unnecessary ingredients from fine dining!” His other restaurant is Heirloom in Midway. (R) https://www.opentable.sg/r/distilled-on-jefferson-lexington Closed Monday. T-S 5:30-10, Saturday and Sunday Brunch 10:30-2.

Malone’s: Always a favorite of our guests for steaks, but has a full menu of varied selections. There are three locations in Lexington. Closest to the Inn is the Palomar Malone’s. Top Ten Steak House listed in SkyMiles Magazine. bluegrasshospitality.com. 3735 Palomar Centre Dr., Lexington. (859) 977-2620 Open 7 days 11-10. (R)

The Merrick Inn: A Lexington institution for over 40 years. By reservation only. 1074 Merrick Drive Lexington, Kentucky 40502. (859) 269-5417 (R) themerrickinn.com. Closed Sunday. M-Th 4-11, Friday and Saturday 4-12am.

Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano & Bar: giuseppeslexington.com. A fine Italian restaurant on the outskirts of Lexington, popular for decades. 4456 Nicholasville Rd. Lexington. (859) 272-4269 or (859) 272-4053. Open 7 days. S-Th 4-9, Friday and Saturday 4-10. (R)

Jeff Ruby's: jeffruby.com/lexington. 101 West Vine Street, Lexington. 859-554-7000. The Jeff Ruby Experience is about excellence. It is captured in the quality of the food, the energy and elegance of the atmosphere, the impeccability of service, and the overall dining experience. Open 7 days. M-Th 5-10, Friday and Saturday 4:30-11, Sunday 4:30-9. (R)

Coles 735 Main: Eclectic locally sourced American cuisine served in a circa-1938 restaurant space. 735 E. Main St, Lexington. 859-266-9000. coles735main.com. Closed Sunday and Monday. T-Th 5-9, Friday and Saturday 5-10. (R)

OBC Kitchen: (Old Bourbon County) Updated chef-driven Southern fare, craft beer and an extensive bourbon and wine list. High-quality distinctive dishes in a pub-like atmosphere. 3373 Tates Creek Rd., Lexington. obckitchen.com. 859-977-2600. Open 7 days. M-Th 3-10, Friday 3-11, Saturday 10-11, Sunday 10-9 ® Can perhaps get in without a reservation.

Crank and Boom Ice Cream: For a treat!! Craft ice cream with eclectic flavors, like bourbon honey and coffee stout. Boozy ice cream floats, homemade waffle cones. Travel & Leisure called it “the best ice cream in Kentucky.” Located in a historical brewery in an industrial-chic area, the Lexington Distillery District. 1210 Manchester St., Lexington. crankandboom.com. 859-288-2176. Open 7 days. Sunday-Thursday 12-9, Friday and Saturday 12-10.