News Summary
Lexington’s culinary scene is thriving with several exciting new restaurant openings and expansions. Notable eateries such as Athenian Grill, Teriyaki Madness, and Biscuit Daddies are enhancing the diverse dining landscape. Athenian Grill has opened its third location, offering a menu with Greek specialties and options for various diets. Teriyaki Madness and others are also establishing new branches, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere for food enthusiasts. With more restaurants on the horizon, Lexington is set to become a true food destination.
New Dining Options Flourish in Lexington with Multiple Restaurant Openings and Expansions
Lexington is experiencing a culinary surge as several new restaurants and expansions enhance the city’s dining scene. Notable openings include Athenian Grill, Teriyaki Madness, and Biscuit Daddies, all of which are contributing to a rich variety of dining choices for residents and visitors.
Athenian Grill opened its third location on July 28 at 3801 Mall Road, Suite 120. Originally envisioned as an upscale Greek restaurant called Santorini, it was rebranded by owner Illias Pappas to align with its current concept. The menu offers a broad selection, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options akin to its other locations on Ashland Avenue and downtown Park Plaza. Customers can enjoy popular items such as gyros, gyro bowls, lamb burgers, grilled souvlaki skewers, and traditional dishes like moussaka and spanakopita. Special desserts, including homemade baklava and portokalopita, are also available. The restaurant operates Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In June, Teriyaki Madness debuted its first Lexington location at 1925 Justice Dr. in Hamburg, with plans for a second restaurant to open at 3165 Beaumont Centre Circle. The Las Vegas-based chain aims to establish five locations in Lexington and expand to 30 across Kentucky. The menu focuses on Seattle-style teriyaki, offering customizable options that feature grilled meats, tofu, and salmon served with rice or yaka soba noodles. Customers can take advantage of a curbside service dubbed “Mad Dash,” which alerts the restaurant when patrons are nearby. Regular-sized bowls range from $10 to $12, with both junior and large bowls available at differing prices.
The dining scene will further expand with the anticipated opening of a new Panera Bread in 2026 at 1425 Newtown Center Way, conveniently located near the new Kroger Marketplace opening August 14. Meanwhile, Wingstop is adding a new location at 1988 Stockton Way in the Citation Point shopping center, complementing the three existing Wingstop restaurants in Lexington.
Biscuit Daddies opened its Lexington location at 373 Virginia Ave. Suite 130 in June, specializing in hearty biscuits, omelets, and various lunch entrees. Additionally, Umami Ramen & Grill began serving Japanese cuisine at 836 Euclid Ave. Suite 105 in June, offering options suitable for vegan diets. Pollo Azul debuted at 503 S. Upper St. in late May and focuses on rotisserie chicken infused with Latin American flavors. Wing Zone recently relocated to 3094 Richmond Rd #180, where it offers a selection of bone-in and boneless wings accompanied by a variety of sauces.
Old Kentucky Chocolates is also expanding, opening another store in the Citation Point shopping center. Java Jukebox Cafe & Eatery will have a second location at 731 Lane Allen Road. Furthermore, Southern Cookhouse & Bar is set to open soon at 844 Hays Blvd., while Wild Eggs, known for its breakfast offerings, will be opening its third location at 4228 Saron Drive. In addition, Chick-fil-A is in the process of rebuilding its location at 1863 Plaudit Place following the demolition of its Hamburg site.
Long John Silver’s opened a new branch on July 21 at 140 Hope Court in Nicholasville, just over a mile from the Fayette County line, and aims to reestablish its presence in Lexington soon. With these diverse dining options, Lexington is poised to become an even more vibrant hub for food enthusiasts.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: New Dining Options in Lexington
- Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
- Kentucky.com: Recent Restaurant Openings
- Google Search: Restaurants in Lexington, Kentucky
- The State: Lexington’s Culinary Scene
- Google Scholar: Dining Options in Kentucky
- Lex18: Long John Silver’s in Lexington
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dining in Lexington
- MSN: Best Restaurants in Lexington 2025
- Google News: Lexington Food News
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
