After months of hearing about how awesome Kentucky Native Cafe was, I finally visited on a recent Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere definitely lived up to the hype - it reminded me of a secret garden you might stumble upon in the woods (check out my pictures). Only 4 stars because the food selection definitely caters to a specific audience (granola) with which I do not identify, nor was their drink selection great. I didn't expect either set of options to reflect those of a restaurant by any means, but I did expect them to be slightly more broad. This spot is perfect for exactly what we did: stop for a breath of fresh air and a drink between activities. read more

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Such a beautiful place to have brunch, drinks, and relax! The cafe is in the back of the greenhouse. It is opened later than the actual greenhouse- do not be fooled! There is parking on the opposite side of the greenhouse as well. I highly recommend this place to bring friends! read more

What a luscious garden in which to have Happy Hour! Not a large selection of beer and food, but great place to have a snack in a beautiful, quiet setting. The Kentucky Native Cafe is a unique, lovely oasis from the usual. We enjoyed the crispy pretzel with beer cheese and asked for a side mustard, which they happily provided. Our pale ales were cold and enjoyable. read more

A great cafe in Lexington! They have a few draft beers, wine, and some mixed drinks. The food menu is small, but unique and healthy. The atmosphere is awesome. It's located inside a nursery, which keeps it a little hidden. Outside eating only, but there are plenty of tables and umbrellas and a sun/leaf shade. It looked to be dog friendly as well. Very peaceful! I'll definitely be back. read more

I loved this place, but will NOT be returning after the owner harassed two women and their three children tonight because one of the kids was dancing only a few feet away from the women. He ended up calling the police on them, potentially traumatizing the kids! I am appalled. The owner should be embarrassed and ashamed. He escalated things for no reason at all. read more

Perfect place to relax in the middle of a busy corridor. You can have food or a beer and sit for a while in the garden.

what a gem of a find! on our way to the airport, we had a delayed flight so we sought a spot to have a little snack and stumbled onto the highlight of our derby weekend! i had the egg salad and cauliflower it was divine. there was a nice selection of beers and wines and teas. pretzels were also tasty. this place was so beautiful it made me want to move to lexington read more

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Great place for plant based bites!! My friends and I really enjoyed the service, ambiance, and drinks!

Kentucky Native is a magical place for me. A coworker and I frequently come here after work to have a drink and unwind. I love their Bellinis. I've tried both the blood orange and apple cider flavors and they are well worth the 9 dollar price tag. They also have a menu full of fresh ingredients. My favorite food item I've tried was a caprese sandwich. The pesto was top notch and cheese and tomato were very good quality as well. Can't wait for it to return to the menu again! If you are looking for a hidden gem to enjoy a high quality drink, Kentucky Native is for you. read more

Total hippy spot! Awesome environment and vibe for a laid back afternoon. Great, German beers and terrific pretzels. BEWARE: this appears to be a meatless menu. Come ready to carb load! Super nice people and the live music was a terrific touch. The food was great and the beer was cold; what else could I ask for!?! I'd recommend this spot t a friend, but not a stuffy friend who couldn't enjoy the laid back vibe of this space. read more

Loved the garden and greenhouse. The water table was a hit for the kids. The environment was fantastic and the food delicious with the blackberry soda, lox deviled eggs, and pretzels a hit with the kids. Thoroughly enjoyed the soba noddles, caprese pretzel sandwich, and cheese plate!! Yum!! read more

This is one cool place! Love the atmosphere, the food is great and the had live music today. I'd high recommend it for visiting with friends or just a great place to have a chill day read more

This place is very cool and I would recommend for everyone to try it out at least once. The atmosphere is definitely the best aspect of this place because it is so relaxing and unique. The reason for the 4 stars is because I feel like the food and drinks are pricey for what they are; there aren't a lot of food options but the food is good. This is definitely a place to go for a light lunch. I would eventually like to return because I love the atmosphere so much, it's a beautiful place to be. read more

For a gardener and beer lover this place was heaven! We popped in after a college tour of UK and after a few confusing but pleasant minutes wandering around the greenhouse we found the beer garden. There must be 2 entrances and we used the less popular one. We sat under a canopy of trees and enjoyed a beer and a rhubarb soda. Next time I'd love to try to food! read more

Tonight was my second time and I can't wait to go back again. It goes without saying of course that the atmosphere is one in a million. They have this secluded, secret garden thing happening that is so rare and completely badass- especially for the area of town. I went with the pick two salad deal and chose the Tuna and the quinoa. Both had a delicious, unique flavor and were incredibly fresh. You can really tell that they grow a lot of their herbs/ingredients right there. I only wish they were open for lunch (I heard through the grapevine that it was in the works possibly soon- fingers crossed!) read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Secret garden! - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I really loved the atmosphere, it had just rained but they wiped the seats and tables for us! The menu isn't extensive but it really was a very unique place and I will be back! read more

Love, love, love this place! What a cool little oasis in the middle of town! I want to keep it a secret, but I also want everyone to know how neat this place is. Also, this is a great place for vegetarians and vegans. I also love that we can bring our dog here (which lots of people do). My only complaint is that if you want to buy just one salad item, you can't - you have to buy two at a minimum (or a double order of the one you want). That seems stupid to me. Otherwise, I am a huge fan of this place! read more

Kentucky Native is a treasure in Lexington! What an incredible spot to meetup with friends for drinks or simply just hangout in a garden oasis in the middle of the city. Pretzel and beer cheese are very good and they usually have a mix of unique options. read more

This place is an oasis. I'm a big nature lover so when I walked in and saw the pathways and the greenery and outdoor seating, I fell in love. I ordered the couscous salad and watermelon salad with sparkling lemonade. Both salads were delicious, fresh and came out quickly. I did get some mosquito bites, next time I'll be prepared. But, I would come here every day if I could. It's like eating in some magical fairy world. read more

This is probably one of my favorite spots in town. It reminds me of my trips to Uganda and Nicaragua where they have outdoor cafes and restaurants everywhere. The menu offerings are simple yet delicious. The grilled cheese, although bit size, are quite good and actually do very well as bite size. High quality cheese, bread and a perfect pickle in the middle. They've got great drink offerings, free wifi, and the best atmosphere in Lexington! read more

Great for hipsters and the nutty professors on a nice night for a beer at the beer garden.... except they are running low on beer. High Points: - setting is nice. - bathrooms are new and clean - Kitchen is new and clean - Big Parking and a nice walk path if you enter from High Street. Improvement suggestions: - Kitchen is small so the Menu limited and simple. Don't expect epicurean delights. A food truck concept work well with a rotating menu. - Four beer taps. No wide variety for a beer garden. Get more - Two beer taps dry. Keep inventory on hand in a separate cooler for change-outs. - Uses china and silverware dishwasher makes hot beer steins and no chiller. Slows service too. Disposables aren't very green. Maybe a good bussing flow. - Most of all SERVICE - ordered 1 cold sandwich, one pretzel, waited 30 minutes, and no food. Found out the order was lost. Refund was tendered and we left. I have been buying plants at Michler's for years and I hope for their sake that they work to improve their formula. The potential for the location is tremendous. It needs just a little more focus on getting the bugs worked out. Look forward to seeing the improvements on a future visit. read more

This is a great little spot for happy hour with friends after work, or a light weekend lunch with friends. As others have mentioned, the quality of food is thoughtful, but the quantity is lacking for the price charged. The atmosphere is incredible though; so special and dreamy. For food and atmosphere, I'd give it a 4.5 overall. However, the reason I'm giving it a 3 instead is because of an unpleasant employee. I've only been twice (spring of 2017), but both times the same girl took my order and had a very I'm-better-than-this-job-and-I-really-don't- want-to-be-here kind of attitude. No smile, eye rolling, curtly correcting how people pronounce "burrata," weird inconvenienced demeanor, only one word answers... It's a pity that such a lovely garden has to have such a thorn for an employee. read more

This place is such a hidden gem and I so adore it. This place is ideal for a quick drink or if you want to sit outside for a little while and have that backyard atmosphere. It reminds me of being at home and on the back patio having a cocktail and or beer with the light fare. This place offers a mixture of unique drinks and beers and Y selection as well as food. And sometimes they had ice cream or sorbet. This place is kid friendly as there is a little area for those little folks to play with community-style toys and trucks and all the good things. Fenston so it's very private but at the same time very accessible. Be prepared the price point on some items are a little more pricey but you're paying for the quality so be prepared. But it makes for easy sharing as well the staff is also quite friendly. The only thing I would wish they would have would be some umbrellas for those really really high Sundays where it's a little warm and you just want the Sun out of your eyes so bring sunglasses! They have long picnic tables as well as short to Tops as well as tables to accommodate all parties sizes just about. We've celebrated several things they are from promotion, two birth announcements, to even taking photos there for engagements and other special events because the atmosphere is so unique and fun. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Radler ! Half lemonade half beer !! - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Had a really yummy lunch today. Some tasty Lox & a Blood orange Bellini they were both delicous!! Such a beautiful place, a hidden oasis that is cooled by all the wonderful trees! read more

This spot is truly a gem. I love their combos and salad options. You can pick either two or three items. I had the peanut noodle salad, a sweet potato sandwich with goat cheese and a chickpea salad. All were fantastic! Their patio is so relaxing and fun. Beautiful views of the garden! I highly recommend and will most definitely be going back. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I love this place! I wish it was open year round! It's a work in progress, but they serve beer, wine, and some decent sandwiches and salads. It's a lovely relaxing place to enjoy a drink. read more

What a wonderful find! Beautiful garden in a secluded area. Parking is a challenge, but worth the walk. Food was unusual, and I mean that as a compliment. These people love growing plants and eating them! read more

Tropical oasis in the middle of the city! If you love roaming through a slightly wooded area with lots of plants, shrubs, trees & flowers - all in the middle of town - this is your place. Oh and did I mention it was a beer garden? They feature rotating local craft beers, wine, cheese and olive plates (I think this item is a little pricey for what you receive), Bavarian pretzels (yummy!) and International salads with local herbs (which I definitely recommend). The quinoa is my favorite. A couple of my other favorites are the roasted cauliflower with maple sherry vinaigrette & roasted butternut squash with tahini. They also feature nonalcoholic beverages including seasonal fruit spritzers, Coffee, and tea from Mon Tea (another local business). Saturday and Sunday they offer brunch with rotating items. Sunday afternoons feature live, local entertainment. There is also a ping pong table if you are so inclined. This is behind Michler's florist and there is a parking lot in the back off high Street. Of course this is locally owned & tenderly cared for. Drop in and spend an hour, or the afternoon... you'll be back for more! read more

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A wonderful little beer garden tucked within the heart of Lexington, this is a fantastic spot for all sorts of groups to meet up at for an appetizer before hitting the town or a beer or two before headed home for more fun. There is abundant seating, everything they serve is fresh, and the environment is even fresher. Rarely do you find a space where hipsters, families with children, and eclectic groups of friends can coexist happily, but this is one of those gems. read more

I love this place! The food is healthy and fresh and you cannot beat the atmosphere. I feel like I'm in a secret garden, right in the middle of Lexington. Perfect place for a relaxing dinner with friends or for a low key date night. They have beer and wine, which is always appreciated. I enjoyed the rosé all summer until most recently when I've had the cab last few visits. I've never left here disappointed. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Very nice atmosphere inside the greenhouse with all the plants and flowers. Food was very good and unique. Greenhouse was heated, definitely would like to check it out during spring time. read more

Such a fun place to grab a drink, especially if you're a plant lover. Browse the greenhouses and then grab a beer or drink in the garden. They have yummy small plates and usually have a band on certain days of the weekend. The pretzel and beer cheese is also good. read more

Love this place!! It's a local cafe at the back of a floral shop that backs up to a forest looking area. There are massive trees & greenery near where seating. I've never been dissatisfied with food I've gotten here. My only complainant with this place is that they don't serve soda. read more

Fun place for a beer and some food. Reminds me of a biergarten. Great place for young kids as well. There's an area in the back where there is a dirt pile with trucks and different toys where they kids can play. Great in the fall when it is a bit cooler. read more

A wonderful place to enjoy a drink on a beautiful day in Lexington. Definitely recommended!! read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

5 stars for the atmosphere alone. Love the cafe in the woods and it's even better bc the greenhouse next door is full of treasures. A great place to hang with friends on a lazy afternoon. read more

great vegetarian foods! everything is fresh. the gelato is amazing and local too. the drinks are also amazing. the best part about this place is the location and decor. you're in the middle of nature and see a huge garden of plants, flowers, and herbs. A great spot to come with family, friends, or on a date read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - blood orange bellini - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Magical scenery with healthy and yummy food. The lines can get long at peak times so I'd get there early. read more

Dinning at the Park. Peaceful. We were there on a weekend when two ladies were singing their duos. It was heavenly.

It's a nice hidden gem ,really cool spot to hangout for brunch or drinks. Great atmosphere,food and service. Will definitely be going back .