Carson's Food & Drink

My wife and I decided to eat lunch here for our anniversary since it was recommended to us by so many people. We made a reservation online and when we arrived were promptly seated. Smiley was our waiter and he did a fantastic job. Our drinks were never empty and he was very knowledgeable about the menu. I ended up ordering the BBQ Shrimp and Ribs entree with a side of the smoked gouda mac and cheese. My wife ordered the Filet Medallions and both of our meals came with your choice of soup or salad. All of our food arrived quickly and tasted great. The highlights of the meal were the ribs, mac and cheese and the Filet. The shrimp was our least favorite item that we ordered, were not a fan of the spicy barbecue sauce they used on the shrimp. Since it was our anniversary we were offered a free dessert. I decided to go with the banana bourbon bread pudding and my wife ordered the cheesecake. In reality we should have only ordered one dessert since they were both huge! Each dessert tasted fresh and they both were very good with the banana bread pudding being our favorite. Overall, our experience with Carson's was fantastic and we already plan on coming back!

Absolutely great food at reasonable prices! Recipes are cleverly unique. The atmosphere is fun and a bit noisy. Great place to try some new bourbons. Service is top-notch. We'll be planning dinner here again soon.

This is a fun restaurant to go to for a date night. The atmosphere is inviting and moody. The food presentation was fantastic, and each dish tasted great. It was all around a fun place to go for a slightly nicer date night

It is a restaurant that offers delicious and high-quality food, attentive and friendly service, a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere and has a diverse menu to satisfy different tastes and dietary preferences, it also emphasizes cleanliness and hygiene. Thank you for striving to create a memorable experience for your guests.

We really enjoyed the food here. And the service was amazing! There were 2 ladies - twins, that really ensured our group was taken care of! I would totally come here again. The fried cinnamon dessert rolls were to die for!! The shrimp and grits were also delicious. I loved everything I ate here. I would totally return and recommend.

Went for the first time today. Meal was absolutely incredible. Best buffalo chicken sandwich I've ever had. Gouda macaroni cheese with bbq pork belly was a great side. Atmosphere was very nice. Our waitress, Lauren was fantastic. Very accommodating and went out of her way to make sure we had a great visit. Will be back for more!

Fantastic food and experience. Our server was so kind and efficient, and did a good job of helping me choose what kinds of drinks and dishes my wife and I should get (we were out of town visitors). We had pork belly truffle fries, a pesto chicken sandwich w/ Gouda mac n cheese, Oscar-style medallions, and peanut butter pie. It was all amazing! Anytime we visit Lexington, we’re definitely getting a reservation here.

We had dinner, I ordered the two filet medallions with the most perfectly cooked scallops on top of cheesy grits. The best ever. My husband ordered the Cajun filet and that was delicious as well.
We returned for lunch to get those ribs because we were jealous watching people eat them for dinner the night before. We also ordered the Kentucky derby pie bites. I’ve never had anything like it. It was absolutely amazing.
I WOULD RECOMMEND

What a perfect place to enjoy my last meal while visiting Kentucky! I found Carson's after an early morning tour of Buffalo Trace, followed by some hiking along the Indian Creek in Red River Gorge. I was starving and ready for a delicious meal. The place was packed, reservations appear to likely be required here. They allowed me to patiently wait for a spot at the bar to open up.
Once seated at the bar, I was blown away by their bourbon selection. Their vast collection of bourbons ran from floor to ceiling, with a rolling library ladder system set up to get to the good stuff up on the top shelf. I opted for a flight which came with my choice of 3 bourbons, some ice on the side to enjoy your bourbon to your own liking, and some amazing candied bacon! That bacon, wow... Makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Nice touch, Carson's. What's really nice about the bourbon flights here, is you're able to pick from their offerings and create your own flight. The price is adjusted accordingly. I really appreciated having that freedom.
I also enjoyed one of the best Old Fashioned's I've had. Their Carson's Old Fashioned is made with Woodford Reserve and is delicious and reasonably priced. If bourbon isn't your thing, they have a great selection of craft beers, other creative and unique cocktails, spirits and wines to choose from.
I started off my meal with their side Caesar salad, which came with my entrée. It was fresh, crisp and enjoyable. I then went on to the main course. Again, my mouth waters re-living it! I ordered the Filet Medallions & Scallops. This picturesque plate came with two 4 oz. filet medallions and two seared scallops on a bed of smoked gouda Wiesenberger grits and asparagus; topped with truffle buttered crab and lobster; finished with our white wine béarnaise. I savored every bite. The steak was cooked exactly how I ordered it, the scallops also cooked perfectly. The grits had the consistency of the creamiest mashed potatoes and the truffle buttered crab and lobster along with the béarnaise just knocked it out of the park. A true party for the taste buds.
Incredible dish, incredible service, incredible dinning experience. Thank you Carson's, I can't wait to visit again!

Just got into town from Jacksonville FL and the front desk lady at the Marriott Griffen gate recommend I go to Carson’s for my 1st meal in Lexington!! The Food (Plentiful), Atmosphere (warm and pleasant) and Service (precise and informative) were top notch! Jeremy and Conner behind the bar were excellent! I wanted to try local bourbon and Jeremy recommended 1776 (Super Smooth)! The baked goat cheese and pesto chicken was delicious! highly recommend! Cheers!

I was in town for a show and when I am in a new city I search out places with great reviews and "best of..." and Carson's came up several times. And for good reason! Ever get the vibe at a restaurant that no matter what you order, you're going to be happy? That's what Carson's offers and they back it up. I was lucky to get the last seat at the impressive bar, grabbed a few drinks and had the ribs appetizer and a bacon cheeseburger (cooked medium rare as requested). Very tasty and biggest challenge was to head to the show when I was full and inclined for a food coma. Given that the restaurant was packed on a Wednesday night, if you plan for a non-bar seats you'll want to make reservations. Staff were friendly and on their game and I did not have to wait long for food. Would definitely be a place I'd return if I'm ever back in Lexington.

Carson's of Lexington is a hidden gem where culinary artistry meets traditional Kentucky flavors. Prepare your taste buds for the warmth of Creole cuisine with traditional local flavors, transporting diners back in time while adding a touch of elegant charm. The speakeasy-inspired ambiance sets the stage for a memorable night out. The food here is simply amazing, rivaling some of the best in Lexington and even comparable to New Orleans best Creole places. The chef's inspired dishes harmoniously blend rich flavors, creating a delightful symphony on your palate. A word of caution: some dishes do pack a bit of spice, enhancing the bold flavors without overpowering them, though it may be a lot for some people.

💡 What Stood Out: The real standout at Carson's is undoubtedly the extraordinary flavors that leave you craving for more. The restaurant's commitment to embracing and elevating version of local traditions adds a comforting and unforgettable touch to the entire experience.

Came for Sunday brunch- as a reminder they can’t sell alcohol until 11am on Sundays, dang Kentucky. Food was delicious, mine arrived a little cold. Service was great. Would go back!

Stopped in for dinner and drinks after hearing from many in the local foodie community how fantastic they are. From the moment I sat down at the bar to the moment I left the entire staff, especially Connor and Branan were amazing. The drinks are innovative and fun and the food rich and delicious! Certainly go hungry so you fully enjoy their menu. My drink is an apple pie and food the ham sandwich! Their whole menu looks incredible so I see a few trips in my future to check it out!!

A one of a kind place with outstanding service from Matt and Jeremy. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Carson’s features their brunch menu. The Chicken and Waffles were very flavorful and rich.

Currently there is only one Carson’s, however they have plans for a second location in Hamburg.

5 stars. Be sure to sit at the bar when Matt and Jeremy are working!

Delicious as always. I had the Buffalo Chicken Soup and a Caesar Salad with the filet. The filet was the best I have ever had. The soup was flavorful. And the bread pudding! Yum!!!

Wonderful experience here at Carson's. Great interior design with the entire space lends to an attractive atmosphere. All the staff were happy and kind. Wonderful cocktail with the Blood Orange Paloma, one of the few I've actually liked here in Lexington, not stingy with the tequila and beautiful citrus fruit notes. The item I got was delicious, but it was way too much for a brunch item for me. If you're going to try the smothered chicken and biscuits share it with a partner because it's an overload. It's fried chicken topped with an egg resting on a bed of ham and biscuits covered in gravy and a small pool of syrup at the bottom. Next time I'm getting something lighter, and I'm absolutely sure there will be many more visits to this restaurant.

My dining experience at Carson’s was truly exceptional. The food was fresh and delicious, and the best part was the appetizer spicy shrimp and ahi tuna salad. Also the service provided by our waiter was outstanding!!! Definitely will visit again.

Big establishment with a great ambience. Outside area available and with heaters. The bar is full of bourbon, and one can drink other cocktails too. The food was tasty and plentiful. I went with a pastrami sandwich just because why not. The salads and cheese were delicious. Overall great spot to visit.

If you choose one restaurant to have dinner at in Lexington, this should be it.
We arrived in town after a very long 10 hour drive, starving and ready for great food. There were no reservations available, but we chose to stop in and hope there were seats at the bar - and there were!
I ordered a Lemon Mojito, which was delicious, while deciding what to order. We settled on the Chicken Parmesan sandwich and Honey Garlic Nachos (which have short rib). Both items were huge and delicious. The Nachos, while technically an appetizer, were big enough to be considered an entree. And the chicken sandwich, sooo good!
Loved the atmosphere; a very nice bar to spend the evening at, with a Bartender who managed all of the customers easily and spared some time to chat with each of us too.
Definitely recommend making reservations in advance or being willing to take your chances on a seat at the bar.