Refined, bi-level spot in the circa-1889 Northern Bank Building with inspired American fare & wines. Based on 573 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.6 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Curbside pickup ✔️ No delivery
Address:
259 W Short St #125, Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: (859) 252-1010
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Sunday | 5–10 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
5–10 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 5–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5–10 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–11 PM |
Menu
… View more
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Reviews
Bev Jayne
Dudley’s is a place we will return! Staying in Lexington a couple of days and trying new places to eat. This one did not disappoint! Everything about it was a five star. Check this restaurant out when in the area! We’ll be back to check out the rooftop eating area. It was a rainy day and it wasn’t opened but the waiter gave us a tour. Gorgeous!
… more
Kristopher Beckner
Our group of four friends enjoyed a night out in Lexington and visited Dudley’s on a Friday evening. We were seated and sat for 30 minutes without being greeted by any of the waitstaff. After speaking with management, the situation was immediately made up for by them generously comping our group’s drinks and appetizers. We started with calamari and their meat and cheese platter. The calamari was breaded and cooked perfectly. The meat and cheese platter was stellar as well. I ordered from their prix fixe menu for Lexington’s restaurant week, opting for the chilled sweet corn bisque, pork tenderloin, and blueberry tart. I don’t think I could possibly put how fantastic this meal was into words, but the best I can do is say that the corn bisque had a wonderfully spicy chili oil that set the entire dish off onto another planet. The tenderloin was cooked perfectly and was complemented by the blueberry jam in a way that I would not have thought possible. The blueberry tart was the perfect way to end the meal, not overly heavy, but with a cardamom merengue that sent this dessert to another planet (which is where I’m sure they pulled their executive chef from, because there’s nothing like them here on Earth). Overall, Dudley’s took what could have been a disastrous start and made the evening memorable for all of the right reasons. This restaurant has my vote for the best in Lexington, and I would gladly visit again the next time I’m in town.
… more
Graham Campbell
Dudley’s is great. Sure, on Google it says it’s fancy, and it is terrific, but I came in jeans and a henley and sat at the bar and was treated like a friend. The TG Salad was great. The deviled eggs were not. They were fine but super bland. The cocktails (Manhattan and Old Fashioned) were delicious and the German Chocolate Cake was the size of my head and I couldn’t finish it.
… more
Clinton Kaufman
Service and drinks were fantastic. Seasoning of the food was terrible. Tuna Poke had no flavor. Brussel salad was very salty. Bison flank was well done the first round. Second flank was cooked correctly but was totally under seasoned!! Manager was nice enough to take it off of my bill and offer dessert on the house. Unfortunately would not recommend!
… more
Dav Z
Very nice, upscale. Wine list was a little weak and had no flavor descriptions. After a pile of googling, we found a nice bottle. Service for fine dining was too fast but otherwise attentive. Food was absolutely delicious. Steak was a little under cooked. We will return. So- not perfect but very very good overall. A bit pricy, but that is expected at a fine dining establishment. Valet text was exceptionally awkward.
… more
Krista Tuta
Nice atmosphere. Food is pricey but drinks are good. I’m very well versed with fine dining and restaurants, so I’ll try to be as fair as I can be. First, I would like to say there were 5 of us at the table. We ordered the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. It was approximately $22 for 4 shrimp in a glass. 4…. we had 5 people. When asking the waiter if we could get 1 more he said we needed to order another appetizer. We refrained and went on to order the main courses. Waiter went over the specials and really talked up several. Myself and 1 other person in my party ordered the short rib special. The way he described the flavors I expected something amazing. When we got our plates I noticed first the inconsistency. I was sitting next to the other person with short ribs and noticed one plate had more meat, the other had more sauce. Ignoring it because well its hard to get everything uniform in the kitchen we began to indulge in our meals. Unfortunately it was bland. It tasted like no salt was used at all. I was very disappointed and did not finish my plate. My partner ordered the Dudleys Pasta dish and he said the same for his, very bland. We had another guest order the Halibut, he ended up getting sick right after and we had to cut the night short. The waiting service was nice despite the shrimp situation and the drinks were very good. Just thought the food was extremely disappointing for the price. I want to pay for a meal bursting with flavor.
… more
Elizabeth Christoff
Classically elegant In decor, ambiance, and service, but with a more relaxed and au courant vibe and menu, Dudley’s on Short is a true dining pleasure and not to be missed if you’re visiting Lexington! I sat at the bar and observed great camaraderie amongst the bar tenders, servers, and maître d’…who also interacted professionally but very welcoming to all the diners. My Keys to The Castle cocktail was expertly prepared with well balanced, fresh flavors. The Dudley’s Eggs with trout were scrumptious and not to be missed. While the menu was amazingly deep and diverse, I couldn’t help but choose my entree from the night’s special list, which offered no less than 6 options! The cobia with purple sticky rice, snap peas, and curry velouté was culinary perfection. One of my best dining experiences ever!
… more
Ben Schmidt
Classic spot– I always bring out-of-town guests here. Extremely competent staff with a good eye for discretion. Recently I enjoyed the grouper special, but the calamari and goat cheese dip are not to miss. Take a longer meal on the relaxing rooftop or sip in the charming bar room.
… more
Vicki Trujillo
If I could rate our dinner here with a 4.5, I would. We had some absolutely delectable things and others not quite as desirable. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice and we definitely enjoyed our linen covered tablecloth and the table setting as well. My husband LOVED his steak and would give it a five. He rarely gives a steak a five, but he said this one was cooked perfectly and the best one he’s had in a long time. I also loved my halibut and would give it a five, I thought it tasted delectable. We had a difference of opinion on the Wilted Brussel Sprout salad, but he loves Brussel sprouts and I don’t. Our waiter quickly brought me another salad , however, I’m not a vinaigrette lover and so their salads for me were between a 2 and 3. My husband, however, would give his Wilted Brussel Sprout Salad a five. We LOVED their Shrimp Cocktail and would order it again, it tasted wonderful to us. We both thought their yeast rolls and Creme Brûlée were about a three and weren’t too excited about them. We also both liked their tea, his unsweetened and mine served with a simple syrup and we’d give that a five also.
… more
Shambhavi Rai
One of those fancy restaurants in downtown lexington with a wide range of wines and bourbon!! Do try the baked goat cheese pairs well with bourbon!! We tried the Pasta Dudley (did not like it much, very bland in taste and too soupy), Steak Frites (well cooked steak) and Salmon (perfect balance of lemon sour and cheese)!! The tables were a little too small!! They have 3 seating areas – dining hall, lounge and outside!! Try making a prior reservation if you wish to dine in the dining hall. Lounge area has the street view but crammed and small tables!!
… more
… View more