Zim's Cafe

4.2

479 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a booking

2 people

2 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 4 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Great for brunch
Healthy

Ouita Michel’s newest restaurant - located in downtown Lexington, Ky. is a cornerstone of the Historic Courthouse Square. Zim’s Cafe features delicious sandwiches, Kentucky classics, fresh salads & innovative bites from executive chef Ethan Bowling. Order a cocktail, bourbon, or local beer from The Thirsty Fox, the bar component across the atrium with a cozy atmosphere!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Café, Southern
Hours of Operation
Sun 9:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(859) 785-3690
Website
http://www.zimscafe.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Paul Hieb
Private party facilities
Looking for a private event space? We rent out The Thirsty Fox. Email zimscafeky@gmail.com for more information.

Location
215 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507
Area
Lexington
Cross Street
Located between Short and Main Streets at Upper Street.
Parking details
There are paid lots on Short Street as well as paid parking garages on Main and Short. Street parking is free after 5:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends and federal holidays.
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining

Popular dishes

What 479 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on recent ratings

4.2Food
4.2Service
4.2Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Central Kentucky
Great for brunch
Lexington
Great for brunch
Lexington
Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Nestled in downtown, Zim's Cafe offers a vibrant dining experience with a menu featuring standout dishes like "shrimp and grits" and "artichoke fritters." While service can be slow during busy times, the "food is quality" and worth the wait. Ideal for brunch or pre-show meals, Zim's maintains an inviting atmosphere with attentive staff.

479 Reviews

B
Bonnie
Louisville
8 reviews
vip
3.0
8 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Let me say that I’ve been there before and enjoyed it very much. But this time….It was just not good. The restaurant was half empty. Service was very slow. Not good. The waitress was pleasant. Food was sub par at best. Catfish was not golden brown and was lukewarm. Slaw was half cabbage and half red onions. Yuk. Hushpuppies were soggy with oil. Fries were over salted. Sweet potato fries were spicy. Why do that? $50 for food that left me hungry and disappointed. Ugh
Is this helpful?
K
Kim
Louisville
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Really good experience and food was good. Love the decor
Is this helpful?
P
Philip
Louisville
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Outstanding food and service, but a little noisy.I will eat there again.
Is this helpful?
M
Mike
Houston
42 reviews
vip
5.0
42 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Good brunch menu. The food was well prepared and portion sizes were perfect. Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled quickly and the food came out quickly.
Is this helpful?
Y
Yolanda
Western NC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 8 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great food for the price! A great place for a casual meal. Zim's never disappoints.
Is this helpful?
B
Bonnie
Louisville
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on 2 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious. Music was relaxing. Service was a bit slow.
Is this helpful?
S
Simone
Orlando
9 reviews
vip
1.0
9 reviews
Dined on 20 October 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Of all the restaurants I have visited owned by Chef Michel, this is by far a disappointment. The food was not what I hoped for. Quite sad since Wallace Station and some of the others are so great. Service was also sub par.
Is this helpful?
C
Cas
Louisville
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 18 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I love Zim’s! Every time my friends and I come we always have a great time. The food is top quality and the service is very friendly and attentive.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
San Francisco
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on 5 October 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
We arrived at 5:00. We did not get our food until after6:20, and this required talking to the manager or it would have been later. It was so loud we could not hear each other at the table. Our friends who joined us had a concert at 7 pm m. They had to hurriedly eat the food and run to the concert. They seemed unprepared for a Saturday night crowd.
Is this helpful?
C
Chris
San Francisco
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on 27 September 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
The restaurant was closed even though it accepted my reservation.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Zim's Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (859) 785-3690.

Zim's Cafe is rated 4.2 stars by 479 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

2 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

215 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507

Additional information

Cross Street
Located between Short and Main Streets at Upper Street.
Area
Lexington
Hours of Operation
Sun 9:00 am–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Café, Southern
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
There are paid lots on Short Street as well as paid parking garages on Main and Short. Street parking is free after 5:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends and federal holidays.
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Paul Hieb
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining

Website
http://www.zimscafe.com/
Phone number
(859) 785-3690
Private party facilities
Looking for a private event space? We rent out The Thirsty Fox. Email zimscafeky@gmail.com for more information.

Zim's Cafe

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Popular dishes

Blackened Catfish

Artichoke Fritters

Shrimp and Grits

Menu

What 479 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Zim's Cafe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Zim's Cafe restaurant rated?

Is Zim's Cafe currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information