Local’s Guide to Lexington, KY’s
Best Quick Breakfasts
Okay, I love brunch as much as (maybe even more) than the next person, but sometimes you need a quick, grab & go breakfast to kick off the day the right way. Whether you’re late to work, prepping for a big road trip, or picking up a little treat for a friend, Lexington has plenty of delicious options available to fulfill your quick breakfast needs!
And, don’t worry…I’ve got ALL the details on parking so that you’re prepared for exactly how long this experience will take you! While a few of these spots are downtown & require city parking, there are plenty of options with dedicated parking lots & even one drive-thru to carry you through. Just make sure you have our guide to the best coffee shops in town handy so you can make a caffeine pit stop while you’re out grabbing your breakfast!
While you’re in Lexington, check out our travel guide with all of our other recommendations for the city to make sure you hit all of the top activities (& lunch options!) while in town.
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Best Bagel Sandwiches: Pearl’s
I know, I know. I love Pearl’s for their wood-fired pizza dinner menu AND I love them for breakfast for their bagel menu. I just can’t help myself. They use top quality ingredients with perfectly curated sandwich options and their bagels are perfectly soft while just slightly chewy. Pearl’s is often our top pick for a Saturday morning breakfast treat, but it can also be a great option for a weekday breakfast (W-F), particularly if you’re already downtown.
Parking Situation: Unfortunately, street parking is the best option for Pearl’s and can be somewhat challenging in the mornings. This is a great option if you have a bit more time on your hands.
What to Order: Their loaded lox bagel is exquisite, but if you’re looking for something a little funky (hear me out), you should try their charred jalapeño, swiss cheese, egg, blackberry jam, and potato stix bagel. It’s sweet, salty, creamy, and spicy…weird, but I love it.
Best Patisserie: La Petite Delicat
La Petite Delicat is Lexington’s primary French-style patisserie and it lives up to all expectations. It’s bright, airy, and (most importantly) filled with divine pastries. It also offers incredible dessert options, as well, so you should probably grab a little treat for later while you’re at it! Might I suggest one of their signature macarons?
Parking Situation: The small shopping center has its own small parking lot, so you should be able to easily get a spot!
What to Order: Bacon Swiss Quiche OR Almond Croissant, though every single thing I’ve ever had here is delightful.
Best Donuts: North Lime Coffee & Donuts
Here’s the deal: I’m not a huge donut person. But, all that flies directly out the window when it comes to North Lime Coffee & Donuts. I can honestly say these are my favorite donuts I’ve had. Their yeast donuts are not overly sweet, perfectly glazed, and…for some reason they’re square? I’m not sure what that’s about, but I am sure I love them. Guess I know what I’m doing tomorrow morning.
Parking Situation: Greyline Station has its own large parking lot.
What to Order: I LOVE their regular yeast donuts. They’re slightly tangy, perfectly pillowy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Best Small Batch Bagels: Wild Lab Bakery
Wild Lab is known for their incredible sourdough boules, but my personal favorite on their menu is their bagels with a housemade pickled pepper cream cheese. I can’t describe to you how delicious this schmear is. I guess you’ll kjust have to go and try it for yourself! It’s a small menu and operation, but it’s the perfect neighborhood spot for a quick Lex breakfast.
Parking Situation: Street parking, but there are typically plenty of options available.
What to Order: Sesame Bagel with Pickled Pepper Cream Cheese.
Best Bakery: Futile Bakery
If you’re a cinnamon roll fan, look NO further than Futile Bakery. They’re well-known for being one of the (if not THE) stop for cinnamon rolls in all of Lex! As a savory breakfast eater, however, I’m a huge fan of their delicious, creamy bacon pimento cheese scones that have been a fan favorite since they opened in their original location. Now located in the north end’s Greyline Station, you can pop in for some pastries, then head over to Chocolate Holler for a caffeine pick-me-up!
Parking Situation: Greyline Station has its own large parking lot!
What to Order: A cinnamon roll…of any flavor.
Best Overall Menu: Martine’s
Martine’s is most assuredly the place I would take others for a quick brunch if there were plenty of opinions of what exactly a brunch menu entails. With a wide selection of delectable pastries, a robust breakfast & lunch sandwich menu, as well as regulas specials and coffee options, Martine’s is sure to please nearly everyone. It’s our favorite casual lunch spot during the work week & one of our favorites for a grab & go breakfast, too.
Parking Situation: Small parking lot with overflow parking to the side of the building.
What to Order: If they have a biscuit sandwich special, that will always be my order, though their Croque Madam with bechamel cheese, gruyere, and an egg is also divine.
Best Coffee Shop Breakfast: Leestown Coffee House
While LCH’s iced coffee game is already a 10/10, their selection of local bakery items makes the shop a key contender for best place to grab a quick breakfast in Lex. In fact, they carry beloved items from several spots on this list (La Petite Delicat, Futile Bakery, North Lime Coffee & Donuts) AND they have industrial toaster ovens to heat the pastries up to crispy perfection. And, they have a drive-thru (which can get backed up during rush hour!). LCH is by far the best spot to go if you’re indecisive and want to try several beloved Lex institutions while being treated to a delicious coffee.
Parking Situation: Small parking lot, which can get crowded during peak times, but they also have a drive-thru!
What to Order: La Petite Delicat’s Bacon Swiss Quiche is my go-to pastry order at LCH, paired with a delicious iced baklava latte (half sweet, because that’s how I like it!)
Best Mission: DV8 Kitchen
Few places are as beloved to the local community as DV8 Kitchen, a second-chance employer known for their delicious breakfast & lunch menus. Their food is just as good as their service, trained through their Kitchen Vocational program that seeks to provide employment & life skill education to folks in active recovery. Though there is plenty of sit-down seating, orders are placed at the counter (or online!), making this a quick option for a grab & go breakfast, too!
Parking Situation: Both DV8 locations come with free parking in a dedicated shopping center parking lot!
What to Order: I’m a personal fan of their seasonal cinnamon rolls or their southern benedict!
Best Donut Institution: Spalding’s
I’ve been upfront about my (incredibly positive) feelings about North Lime, but the honest truth is that Spalding’s is also delicious AND it is very beloved in the city of Lexington.
Parking Situation: Spalding’s has its own gravel parking lot.
What to Order: At the risk of sounding basic for a second time on this list. I love Spalding’s plain glazed donuts! That’s how you know it’s good…they already perfected the base recipe.
We hope you enjoy your trip to the Bluegrass state! While you’re in town, check out our Top 10 Places to Visit in Kentucky to make the most of your time here!
