BY KRISTINA ROSEN
Warmer weather approaching and restaurants allowed to reopen with dine-in guidelines has us thinking, what restaurants in Lexington offer outdoor patio dining?
We’ve compiled a sampling of restaurants that provide adequate patio seating so that social distancing doesn’t have to be too much of a worry if you’re wanting to eat out in Lexington, Kentucky.
Disclaimer: This is an ongoing, developing sampling and will be updated frequently. For more details, contact specific businesses.
For a full list of restaurants reopening, those continuing to provide carry out only and a few that plan to never reopen, click here.
First they brought us epic tacos, now they’re bringing us an epic patio. The restaurant, which is located at Fayette Mall, features 14 patio tables spaced appropriately apart all covered with umbrellas to seat 64 people.
Tucked away behind a John Prine mural is an expansive patio with 60 outdoors seats: 44 covered and 16 under umbrellas. Enjoying local pizza while social distancing doesn’t get much easier. Enter directly onto the patio to be seated by Apollo staff before placing your order at a central ordering location and eating from disposable containers.
Azur Restaurant & Patio
Eating takeout from Azur in your pajamas is unmatched, but for those who are ready to enjoy one of Chef Jeremy’s dishes from the restaurant’s patio instead of their couch, the time has come. Azur is reopening their dining room and patio service, and taking reservations to keep the flow safe.
The Blue Heron Steakhouse
Talk about adapting to the current circumstances, Blue Heron has added new deck seating in addition to their current patio space to provide more outside seating for guests. The restaurant reopens on Friday, May 22.
Bru Burger
Located in the heart of Beaumont Centre Circle, Bru Burger’s spacious outside patio features ample seating and shade sail canopies covered in hanging outdoor lights. The restaurant will reopen to offer inside & outside seating as well as continued carry out and curbside pickup service.
Campestre Mexican Bar & Grill
We’re only five restaurants into our list and the majority of restaurants so far are located in Beaumont Centre. Notice a trend? Campestre took over the former vacant Applebee’s location to give the Beaumont area what it desperately needed: a decent Mexican restaurant. It saved the day again by adding a small, but appealing patio to cater to more guests while social distancing.
Carson’s Food & Drink
We’re onboard with restaurants reopening if it means weekend brunch at Carson’s can commence. The restaurant will reopen their patio, which seats 40, on Friday, May 22. The patio is first come first seated. Sidewalk tables will be set up as well.
The Cellar Bar and Grill
This isn’t the first patio that comes to mind in Lexington, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a crowd favorite. The Cellar’s massive patio features lots of tables spaced far enough apart that social distancing is the least of your worries. The restaurant is open for patio and indoor dining.
Charlie Brown’s
Located in Chevy Chase, the restaurant offers open air seating in their wooden patio, in addition to indoor seating on sofas.
Coles 375 Main
Not feeling a patio? Try a gazebo. Situated on the corner of Ashland and Main, the restaurant reopened to offer outdoor covered seating along with indoor seating to enjoy some of your favorite Coles dishes.
Doodles Breakfast & Lunch
The well known brunch spot has remained closed for the majority of quarantine, but now guests can order takeout and feel free to enjoy their meal outside on the the restaurant’s patio.
Drake’s and Harry’s
Drake’s and Harry’s had the art of curbside takeout nailed down way before the temporary shutdowns began, but with restaurants reopening its time to enjoy some mini juicy lucys in the outdoor patios at all their Lexington and Nicholasville locations.
Dudley’s
Rooftop. Patio. Need we say more? Dudley’s has remained closed for the majority of quarantine, but plans to reopen on Friday, May 22 with rooftop and sidewalk seating.
The Garage
The former gas station repair shop turned neighborhood bar features an extensive patio you really can’t miss when driving down Leestown Road. The Garage is reopening on Friday, May 22 for outside consumption only with deli sandwiches & hot dogs, great drinks, and food truck events for those 21 & up only, no children.
Goodfella’s Pizzeria
Social distancing can be done right in the Distillery District thanks to Goodfella’s large patio. The prominent pizzeria is excited to reopen their dining room and outdoor seating.
Graze Woodlands
Relocating from Limestone to Woodland allowed the revamped Graze to add outdoor dining. The restaurant features a covered patio overlooking Main Street with tables situated appropriately apart. Call the restaurant or go on OpenTable to make reservations.
The Grey Goose
Maybe the best little known treasure of an outdoor patio tucked away in the Jefferson Street corridor. The Grey Goose is back in action on Friday, May 22. Grab a reservation on OpenTable or call to reserve a table.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
With a new seasonal menu launching in June and a covered outdoor patio, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is an easy choice for dining al fresco in The Summit. The coal-fired, brick-oven pizzeria is open for dine-in or outdoor seating with tables spread 6-feet apart and no parties over ten guests.
Holly Hill Inn
Ouita Michel and her team have mastered the art of curbside pickup, especially at Holly Hill Inn. Although indoor dining will have to wait, guests can take their curbside order to the Holly Hill front porch or out in the yard as space is available.
J. Render’s Restaurant & Bar
Don’t wait too long to start booking reservations because J. Render’s has already filled their patio for the first day of reopenings on Friday, May 22. Their extensive patio sits alongside the restaurant and features live music events weekly.
Marikka’s
Lexington’s favorite German restaurant, bar and brewery conveniently located on Southland Drive will reopen at 33% capacity, but both of their patios provide ample seating.
Merrick Inn Restaurant
Merrick’s patio exceeds all expectations. That’s all we can say until you experience it for yourself. The restaurant relaunched their carryout service in the beginning of May only to later answer our wishes of reopening their patio later in the month.
Minglewood
Minglewood’s cozy patio sits along North Limestone, which is arguably the best street of local spots. The restaurant will be reopening with walk in seating throughout the week and reservation seating on the weekends.
Palmers Fresh Grill
Their patio along the water makes you forget you’re only a quick turn off of a hectic Nicholasville Road. After temporarily shutting down in March, the restaurant reopens on Friday, May 22 for patio and indoor seating.
PieTana
Southland’s hidden gem for wood-fired pizza will fully reopen their patio and yard, but will hold off on opening their dining room until they’re able to let more than seven people in at a time.
Portofino
Portofino’s patio is pretty popular when al fresco dining is possible. The downtown Italian restaurant is opening with patio seating. Reservations are strongly suggested due to limited seating.
Proud Mary BBQ
Three large patios, an outside bar and live music on weekends along the Kentucky River. The restaurant is located off Old Richmond Road, making it the last property in Fayette Co. A safe bet for social distancing while enjoying a large menu from BBQ to boiled crawfish and fried catfish.
Sedona Taphouse
Overlooking Man O’ War, Sedona’s patio features ample seating options, an outdoor bar and two fire pits. The restaurant is reopening with both dining room and patio service.
The Stave
No inside dining yet, but the modern Southern restaurant along Kentucky’s bourbon trail is opening their porch, front patio, and Creekside Treehouse to guests. Take out operations will continue from the window at the patio.
Sutton’s
Two patios are better than one. Sutton’s Restaurant off Richmond Road has two patios, one is covered and the other one is uncovered. They will reopen for dine-in and patio service on Friday, May 22. Curbside carry out and delivery too.
The Sage Rabbit
A dog friendly patio is a patio we can support. Even though table service and indoor dining is unavailable, Sage Rabbit will continue their patio take outs. Open seating on the patio will be available for guests who wish to stay and eat.
World of Beer
Enjoying 500+ global beers on a socially distant patio in The Summit sounds like exactly what we need after over two months of shutdowns. The craft drafts & tavern food pub has reopened to offer dine-in and patio seating.
Zim‘s Café
If you took all of Ouita Michel’s best menu items and stuck them under the roof of the renovated old historic courthouse in downtown Lexington then you’d have Zim’s Cafe. The restaurant features a large patio with a walk up window that is dog friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Did we miss someone? Want to be added to this list? Let us know! Email kristina@firstmedialex.com.
A sampling of restaurants offering dine in or carry out in Lexington, KY since the reopenings.
Need a sampling of takeout and delivery options in Lexington, KY? Here are restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries still open amid COVID-19.
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