What new restaurants, food stores are coming to Lexington in 2024? Publix, pizza & more

Janet Patton

Lexington’s restaurant scene is expanding with new restaurants, new stores and new locations moving into Central Kentucky.

While the Bluegrass has had its share of losses in the last year, there have been many restaurants and bars opening successfully.

And more are on the way.

Several locally owned restaurants have announced plans to open in the new year. And new and interesting chains are coming to the area as well.

Here is a list of 16 food-related stories to watch for in 2024.

New restaurant chains coming to the Lexington area

Jack in the Box

In April, California burger chain Jack in the Box announced it was looking for locations in Lexington and across Kentucky. The first Louisville store opened this fall with six additional locations planned there.

Jack in the Box is expanding into Kentucky, with locations planned for Lexington and Louisville. Provided
Jack in the Box is expanding into Kentucky, with locations planned for Lexington and Louisville. Provided
The Loaded Tiny Tacos from the Jack in the Box menu. Provided
The Loaded Tiny Tacos from the Jack in the Box menu. Provided

So how much longer will Central Kentucky have to wait to sample sirloin beef burgers? Not to mention sandwiches such as the Chick-N-Tater Melt, popcorn chicken, all-day breakfast, tiny tacos, curly fries, egg rolls, shakes and other desserts.

Hard to say. But the company has big plans: They want to put four or five new restaurant locations inside New Circle Road, plus 10 to 15 more outside, including in ring cities like Richmond, Winchester, Georgetown, London, Frankfort and Morehead.

On The Border

Texas-based chain On The Border is looking to move into Kentucky too and they are scouting locations in Lexington.

On the Border wants to find a partner to open at least three restaurants in Kentucky, including a location in Lexington. Provided
On the Border wants to find a partner to open at least three restaurants in Kentucky, including a location in Lexington. Provided
Tacos and salsa from On The Border, which wants to open a Lexington location. Provided
Tacos and salsa from On The Border, which wants to open a Lexington location. Provided

It’s known for its fun atmosphere as well as its Tex-Mex menu, such as the mesquite-wood fired fajitas, the queso and table-side guacamole, the ice-cold margaritas and much more.

The restaurant probably won’t be here in 2024 but if they can find a location sometime this year, look for On the Border to open in about a year.

Dunkin’

Two new Dunkin’ locations could open in 2024 in Lexington. Photo by Dunkin'
Two new Dunkin’ locations could open in 2024 in Lexington. Photo by Dunkin'

Lexington is getting more Dunkin’. There will be two new locations opening in 2024: One at 2890 Richmond Rd. where the LaRosa’s Pizzeria closed in 2023 and a second location the corner of Nicholasville and Lowry in the Regency Shopping Center, although that one might take more time to remodel a former bank building.

So get ready for more coffee and doughnuts, because they are coming.

Shipley Do-Nuts

Shipley Do-Nuts has more than 60 varieties, including iced, cake and filled versions. Provided
Shipley Do-Nuts has more than 60 varieties, including iced, cake and filled versions. Provided



Speaking of doughnuts, Shipley Do-Nuts is coming too. The Texas-based chain has more than 341 locations, not far behind Krispy Kreme and catching up fast. Shipley serves “do-nuts,” kolaches and coffee, either hot or iced.

Some Shipley Do-Nuts locations have drive-thrus while others do not. The stores sell doughnuts and kolaches made fresh daily at each store. Tarick Foteh
Some Shipley Do-Nuts locations have drive-thrus while others do not. The stores sell doughnuts and kolaches made fresh daily at each store. Tarick Foteh

The company wants to expand into Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri and Kansas. They are offering incentives to potential franchisees and hope to open stores in the next year to 18 months.

PARLOUR Pizza

PARLOUR Pizza, an Indiana pizza chain known for craft pies and beer, is coming to the old O’Charley’s building location on Harrodsburg Road. The location is expected to open in April, and a second in the Hamburg area could be coming in August.

PARLOUR, an Indiana-based pizza chain, has a menu of craft pizza options including “The Dr,” with an olive oil base, sliced provolone, shredded mozzarella, sliced green peppers, sliced red onions, smoked chicken bacon, jalapenos, sliced roma tomatoes and house-made peppercorn ranch drizzle. Provided
PARLOUR, an Indiana-based pizza chain, has a menu of craft pizza options including “The Dr,” with an olive oil base, sliced provolone, shredded mozzarella, sliced green peppers, sliced red onions, smoked chicken bacon, jalapenos, sliced roma tomatoes and house-made peppercorn ranch drizzle. Provided
PARLOUR, which plans to open three locations in Lexington, serves pizza, grinders and smoked chicken wings. Provided
PARLOUR, which plans to open three locations in Lexington, serves pizza, grinders and smoked chicken wings. Provided

Don Robinson, CEO of PARLOUR, said they plan to open three new locations here. Sites for two restaurants have been selected on Harrodsburg Road and in the Hamburg area.

The restaurant’s slogan is “People-Pizza-Pints” and the menu includes smoked wings, grinder sandwiches and calzones as well as 10-inch and 14-inch pizzas. Signature dishes also include the Sriracha Bourbon BBQ nachos.

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar is coming to Fountains at Palomar, the new shopping center under construction at the corner of Harrodsburg and Man o’ War. But it’s going into an older building: The former Masonic lodge, a red brick mansion with a white pillared porch at 4085 Harrodsburg Rd.

Tupelo Honey has three versions of chicken and waffles: Country Style, from left, Sriracha Honey and Mac-n-Cheese with Asheville Hot Fried Chicken. Provided
Tupelo Honey has three versions of chicken and waffles: Country Style, from left, Sriracha Honey and Mac-n-Cheese with Asheville Hot Fried Chicken. Provided
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar is known for its Southern and Appalachian food with a modern twist, including cathead buttermilk biscuits served with blueberry jam. Provided
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar is known for its Southern and Appalachian food with a modern twist, including cathead buttermilk biscuits served with blueberry jam. Provided

Tupelo Honey started in Asheville, N.C. and focuses on scratch-made items sourced from local farmers, brewers and distillers. The menu features authentic Southern cuisine, but often with a twist.

While there are some vegetarian options, the restaurant leans heavily into fried chicken, with three versions of chicken and waffles, including one with mac-n-cheese waffles topped with spicy Ashville hot fried chicken and house-made garlic buttermilk ranch dressing.

It’s expected to open in late 2024.

New local restaurants opening in Lexington

Osaka Japanese Restaurant

A second Osaka location is expected to open in mid-2024 in Great Acres, the shopping center being built on Leestown Road. It’s going in next to the new Ramsey’s Diner and the recently opened Biscuit Belly. Owner Su Chen, who leased the space through Alexa Kelley of Tru Life Real Estate, said the restaurant should open in summer.

Ketch Seafood Grill

In July, longtime Lexington seafood restaurant The Ketch Seafood Grill sold and closed. The new owners are renovating the building just off Southland at 2012 Regency Rd.

The Ketch Seafood Grill at 2012 Regency Road in Lexington sold in 2023. It’s expected to reopen early in 2024. Alex Slitz/2021 staff file photo
The Ketch Seafood Grill at 2012 Regency Road in Lexington sold in 2023. It’s expected to reopen early in 2024. Alex Slitz/2021 staff file photo

New owners including Lexington residents Ryan Foster, Johnny Bruce, Christopher Fitzwater, James Crowe, Todd White, Ted Mims, Matthew Helgerson and others hope to bring it back in 2024, with a tweaked menu and a new name.

Omakase Sushi & Grill

The omakase sushi/sashimi set at Omakase, which is opening a second location in the Fountains of Palomar. Provided
The omakase sushi/sashimi set at Omakase, which is opening a second location in the Fountains of Palomar. Provided

Omakase Sushi & Grill announced in September that the premier sushi restaurant is expanding to Fountains of Palomar off Harrodsburg Road. It’s known for its chef-chosen sushi menu and will add appetizers and entrees featuring grilled seafood and steak using Japanese ingredients, according to restaurant owner Guang Ni, who said he hopes to open the new restaurant in May 2024.

Mazunte Bodega

Cincinnati-based Mazunte announced in May that they would be opening a location in the Distillery District on Manchester to serve traditional Mexican flavors.

Mazunte, a popular Cincinnati Mexican restaurant and bodega, will open a location in Lexington’s Distillery District next to the new Manchester Hotel. Rendering provided
Mazunte, a popular Cincinnati Mexican restaurant and bodega, will open a location in Lexington’s Distillery District next to the new Manchester Hotel. Rendering provided
The Mazunte location will have two event spaces for wedding receptions and parties. It’s next to the new Manchester Hotel in Lexington’s Distillery District. Provided
The Mazunte location will have two event spaces for wedding receptions and parties. It’s next to the new Manchester Hotel in Lexington’s Distillery District. Provided

Mazunte plans to have a restaurant, bar and grab-and-go market as well as two full-service event venues.

Mazunte specializes in authentic regional Mexican food specialties including tortas, tlayudas, al pastor, barbacoa and birria.

Mazunte’s menu features a variety of tacos. Provided
Mazunte’s menu features a variety of tacos. Provided

New food stores coming to Lexington and Kentucky

Cibon

Cibon is the creation of West Sixth co-founder Brady Barlow and his wife, Megan Winfield, who are opening a small wine and cheese shop, with bourbon, beer and specialty foods on Rosemont Garden across from Rosemont Station and PieTana and near Olive’s Apron.

They hope to launch by early February, ahead of Valentine’s Day.

The shop will be 211 Rosemont Garden and will have a wine bar in the front room with cafe seating and things to nibble. A back room will be devoted to rare bourbon, with a space for bourbon tastings and events.

Cibon will be “for people who like good food and good drink,” Barlow said. “We’ll try to be somewhere everyone can come and find something they want. Gifts will be a big part of it. I follow my stomach.”

Publix

Will Lexington finally be getting its first Publix in 2024? If everything stays on track, yes.

The first Lexington location of Publix could open in late 2024. ARCHIVO DEL MIAMI HERALD
The first Lexington location of Publix could open in late 2024. ARCHIVO DEL MIAMI HERALD

The Florida-based grocer has said it plans to open late in the year at Fountains of Palomar. And then look for more new locations including one at Citation Pointe, in the southeast corner of Georgetown Road and Citation Boulevard. And possibly one in Nicholasville, and then what?

The company is opening its first Kentucky Publix Super Market in Louisville: A grand opening has been scheduled for Jan. 10.

And on Dec. 21 the company announced plans to build a new small-scale Publix with underground parking in Chevy Chase on the site of the former Romany Road Kroger, which will be demolished. No timeline was set for the plan, which will still need city approvals.

Kroger

Speaking of groceries, Kroger recently filed plans to build a new Kroger Marketplace just off Newtown Pike ... and not far from the coming Publix on Citation.

The Cincinnati-based grocery chain isn’t talking about the plans for a store, gas station and liquor store yet. Stay tuned.

Buc-ee’s

Kentucky, we know how excited you are about Buc-ee’s. Any Buc-ee’s, as long as it is in Kentucky.

Beaver toys celebrate the Buc-ee’s mascot and are among the huge variety of merchandise sold at the travel store in Richmond before it opened in 2021. Courtesy of Buc-ee's
Beaver toys celebrate the Buc-ee’s mascot and are among the huge variety of merchandise sold at the travel store in Richmond before it opened in 2021. Courtesy of Buc-ee's

In 2024, the Texas-based chain of travel centers that boast more gas pumps and cleaner bathrooms than any other will open in Smiths Grove on I-65 between Mammoth Cave National Park and Bowling Green.

The location is on track to open in the summer. Like the one in Richmond, this Buc-ee’s will have Beaver Nuggets, jerky, fudge and kolaches in more flavors than you can imagine.

Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based chain, known for Beaver Nuggets as well as the house jerky and other items, is opening two more Kentucky locations. Provided
Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based chain, known for Beaver Nuggets as well as the house jerky and other items, is opening two more Kentucky locations. Provided

And a third location is expected to open in Western Kentucky in Oak Grove, also reportedly in 2024.

Wawa

OK but what about that other gas station chain with a cult following: Wawa?

For Wawa, you might have to wait. The first locations in Central Kentucky are expected to be in Nicholasville and in Lexington at 4075 Old Richmond Rd., across from Jacobson Park.

Wawa is planning to open at least 40 stores in Kentucky over the next decade, including multiple locations in Lexington and the Bluegrass region. Fred Morton/Provided
Wawa is planning to open at least 40 stores in Kentucky over the next decade, including multiple locations in Lexington and the Bluegrass region. Fred Morton/Provided

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2024 but they probably won’t be open until 2025.

But then the boom will be big: More than 15 sites are already under contract in Fayette, Boone, Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Oldham, Scott, Shelby and Warren counties, according to the company.

Wilson’s

Wilson’s, the neighborhood grocery on Cramer, is slowly coming back to life and new owner Matt Bastin has said the store could reopen in January with limited offerings. Over the last few months he’s been renovating the store and has been sharing the transformation online to eager residents of Kenwick and beyond.

In a post on Facebook in late December, Bastin said the store is likely to be open Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. The breakfast/lunch/deli counter isn’t quite ready yet, he said.

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