Went with my mom and sister for a Mother's Day outing on Saturday 16th. The space is BEAUTIFUL! We ordered from the Cafe and got their Reisling, lemonade, and rhubarb prosecco to drink. We also got the soft pretzels with beer cheese, the potato salad, the strawberries with creme, and lox on toast to eat. Prices were reasonable. We shared the plates between the three of us, for a Lunch date it was perfect. Service was okay, they are not Overly friendly(which is something I enjoy as a service worker, over the top friendly comes across as ingenuine) They did seem to be a bit distracted, I think they were training someone new, but it was not a bad service experience. The service is not why you come to a place like this, its the food/drink and atmosphere that really seal the deal here! Overall we really enjoyed our Mothers Day outing and we plan to come back! I only wish we would have thought to take pictures but the vibe really sucks you in. read more

This is a unique gem. Just outside of downtown Lexington, well within the bustle of the city is this beautiful little oasis. You'll wander through a greenery and florist to the back of the building where you'll find the charming outdoor seating area and small cafe/beer bar. The tables are casual and are scattered amongst the woods. There are paths meandering amongst the foliage. The food and drinks rotate so you have to call ahead if you want the details. The website indicates rotating cocktails which we didn't see on the menu--we also didn't ask them. There are a handful of wines and plenty of beer. The food appears to be vegetarian and was delicious. It is more like a tapas so order more than you might otherwise. Highly recommend!! Just realized that we came in through the back. So there's a front entry directly into the cafe. Take the time to wander through the florist and nursery! read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Seating - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Very awesome idea. A cafe connected to a greenhouse. Have a drink and a snack amongst the trees and garden. When you leave stop and pick up a plant or two at the adjoining greenhouse. The service was good. read more

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Lucked into this place during Octoberfest, complete with German Oompah band. Place was packed to capacity. Long lines for food and drinks but probably due to the special event. The atmosphere is so relaxing - Outdoors under the stars with lots of string lighting. Literally so many nooks and crannies to find seating. Picnic sized tables all the way down to tables for two. There is a sandpit for children to play in but the fact that many children were running around unsupervised was a turn off for us. Food menu is scant or at least it was the night we were there. They were serving giant pretzels as big as your face. We were disappointed to find out that they were out of them after waiting for a very long time in the food line. Apparently, the mixer broke down but an announcement would have been appreciated. Beer & wine choices were excellent. Menu consists of kale, quinoa, Brussel sprouts, etc. We tried the buffalo mozzarella appetizer with pears and honey. The garlic toast baguettes kind of took over the mild flavors of the cheese and pears. A plain or herbed toast would be a better pairing, IMO. Would love to go back on a normal night to experience this unusual and lovely spot in downtown Lexington. read more

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Wow !!! I could lick my plate, the food and atmosphere is amazing!!! We will b back with friends

We've visited Kentucky Native Café several times before and always enjoyed it, so when my in-laws were in town we brought them here. Unfortunately, this visit was very different. While we were there, my 7-year-old son asked to use the restroom, and after a few minutes hadn't come back. When I went to check, both of my kids ran up to me looking scared. At that moment, a man (I assume worker or owner) approached me and asked if they were my children. I said yes, and he told me that I needed to keep them in the play area or accompany them. Apparently, he had been following them around the café asking where their parents were. My kids were clearly upset by the interaction. It felt intrusive and inappropriate for an adult to behave that way toward children. This place used to feel like a great family spot, but after this experience I can't say I feel comfortable bringing my kids back. There are better spots nearby without creeps. read more

This is an outside eatery and some inside too. I say outside cuz you sit out under the trees. Nice concept and loved the atmosphere. Limited food . There is a large sand pit for the kids... so stop at McDonald s for them first then come by here for a lite bit and a beer. Located behind Michlers green house. Small parking on site otherwise patrons on street. read more

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Absolutely loved this place. Restaurant is hidden well behind a 109 year old greenhouse (Michler's). It is outdoors under a beautiful canopy of trees, and as a result all the conversation, noise of plates just disappeared. The food was delightful, and the menu is seasonal and changes with what is available, but the peanut noodles are a winner. Plates are tapas style, so order appropriately if you're hungry. The peanut noodles and roasted cauliflower salad shown as part of the pick 2 at $11.00. read more

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Such a wonderful spot to go on a spring/summer evening! I went for the first time with colleagues and professors from my grad department at UK and it was lovely! They have fresh and delicious platters that highlight seasonal and local produce, all of which pair nicely with their alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages! The outdoor area is lush, cozy, lively, and there is plenty of seating. The servers are friendly and efficient as well. Also they have gelato that is delicious! read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Udon noodle dish, golden beet salad, and roasted cauliflower (three tapas for $15!) - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

What a unique and beautiful place to relax and have a drink. I've take a friend for the first time on two separate occasions and they are so blown away at the atmosphere. They can't believe something so quaint exists in downtown Lexington. Pictures don't do it justice. You have to go to experience the outdoor cafe for yourself. read more

I've been following this place for years and jumped at the chance to go when we decided to take a day trip out to Lexington. My only complaint is that I wish we were hungrier when we arrived. We stopped but for drinks and a snack before heading to the Burl. Anyway the garden is lovely with tables and seating scattered about. The cafe offered various beverage options as well as a selection of snacks and entrees. We opted for beer, a house made soda, and beer cheese and pretzels. Everyone was super friendly in both the cafe and at the nursery which unfortunately was closing by the time we arrived. Would love to return and shop next time we are in the area. read more

One of my favorite places! The pretzel is where it's at. Absolutely love the ambiance and I feel calm when here.

Visited Lexington and friends brought us to Native Cafe. It's winter so the backyard beer garden wasn't open but the greenhouse was roomy enough and plenty warm. It was snowing outside. Setting is divine among all the plants. Good choice of beers (most local I think) and food offerings were fabulous. It was raclette night - order at the counter and they scrape the broiled cheese over your potatoes or baguette right in front of you. It was delicious. Many more veggie (mostly) options: soups, quiches and mezze choices. Just a wonderful atmosphere to share with friends. read more

I visited the KNC this Sunday, which luckily was the last day before they closed the greenhouse for the season. It was such a wonderful experience, sitting in the midst of lush greenery... made my heart happy! They change their menu literally every day... and as I experienced first hand, items can be wiped off their menu board in minutes when they run short .. while you're still standing in line. Took us about 30 minutes to get to the counter but the food came out fast! We were a group of 4 and ordered the following: Crepes with raspberries: 2/5 Crepes with strawberries and cream: 4/5 Crepe with egg and salad: 3/5 (came out cold and a bit rubbery) Crepe with eggplant and cheese: 5/5 (winner!) Mezzo platter with strawberries, bean salad and hummus: 5/5 (bean salad for the win!!) Orange juice: 5/5 .. freshly squeezed and not at all bitter! Pomegranate spritzer: 1/5zzz totally bland n tasteless Overall, the ingredients were super fresh right off their plants. I just wished the crepes were slightly less raw-ish and a bit more warm. Ambiance is 5/5!!! I didn't want to leave read more

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I really wanted to like KY Native Cafe, but the service completely ruined it for me. The staff was noticeably rude from the start. I asked if they could add caramel to my latte (a super basic request at any coffee shop), and the barista looked at me like I was crazy and acted super annoyed -- like I was asking for something ridiculous. She even made a snarky comment under her breath, and honestly, it was just unprofessional and unnecessary. Then, when they set our drinks out, we asked if the drinks were ours, and the same barista responded with, "Well, it looks like what you ordered," in the most dismissive tone. No care or customer service at all -- just bad vibes all around. The menu was really limited, too, and nothing stood out enough to make up for the attitude. It felt like they didn't want us there, and based on how they were whispering and laughing after we walked away, they were probably making fun of us for the caramel request. Super disappointing. There are plenty of local spots in Lexington that are friendlier and more accommodating. I won't be back. read more

The atmosphere of this place is unmatched in the city of Lexington. It's nestled in this little area that somehow is hidden from the public eye and it just makes the experience so much better! The food is delicious and the nature surrounding you always makes for an enjoyable experience! One of my favorite places/spots to eat. read more

all I can say is just wow. The scenery, the food, the live music, the garden. I'm in awe. Hidden gem for sure

We just happened upon this little hidden gem. It's a beautiful little secluded garden...Very pretty, cute casual spot to grab a healthy bite of food and sip on wine. We were there in April, and it started to get a bit chilly as the sun went down. It's all outdoors so dress appropriately for the weather. read more

Just for the cool...secret garden/forest feel this place is soooo cool. I felt a sense of nostalgia entering through the entrance. Really like how the tables are spread out. Seems to have a good vibe. Most were there to drink. We wanted some salads...we liked the options but there are limited. Two of our dishes looked the same...Farro & couscous. Flavors were good. Average portions. My husband was somewhat satisfied but said he was still a little hungry. We did enjoy using their playing cards for a quick game while we ate. Would come again to try their adult beverages. It really is beautiful here. Not sure if more lights are turned on later at night but it did get quite dark. read more

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The elusive 5 stars!! My second time here, and it's SUCH. A special place! A greenhouse that decided it wanted to be a cafe. Order and pick up your small plates and take them to tables set amongst the gardens. The food is exceptional and the setting unique. A great concept. My almond gelato with a shot of espresso poured over was excellent, as was the lox devilries eggs and side salad. Lovely day with wine and a book. read more

What you need to know is that this restaurant is all outside seating so you better check the forecast before going. We arrived on the perfect night to sit outdoors. Their location is just beautiful. It's like eating in a magical garden. I wanted to try as much as possible so we loaded up with pretzel and cheese, burrata, hummus, tuna salad and golden beat salad. Everything was freshly prepared and looked delectable! It came out quicker then expected. My favorite was definitely the burrata. I also enjoyed their radler, yum! Bonus points for the huge sand box and toys for my son to play in so we could have a pleasant meal next to him. We didn't try any of their desserts because we were so full from our meal. Next time! read more

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This place is crazy. You park and see nothing and then you enter the trees and a beautiful peaceful place is in front of you. The tables are nestled in the trees and ahead you can order amazing food and drinks. They also have an gelato bar. The food is fresh and has so much flavor. They make an incredible shandy that is refreshing. If you are in Lexington go to this oasis and just be zen. read more

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So this is an outdoor cafe in a garden behind a greenhouse, which looks exactly as idyllic as it sounds. It's actually probably better to drive around to the other side on High Street (particularly if plant sales are closed and the cafe is still open). There is not much in the way of shelter, so I guess it's good this business is diversified because during bad weather you'll be wanting takeout. On a nice day, it is likely to be packed. Honestly, you could probably sell just about anything in this setting and make money, but the cafe fare lives up to the premise, with diverse small plates of mostly vegetable cuisine and a wide selection of niche beverages. The beans and couscous I tried hit the spot, but I had to restrain myself from trying a waffle. A soda was prepared freshly in front of me by mixing the carbonated water with the flavor base. I might come back for some plants for my garden, but I'll definitely come back for some food. read more

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The food here is always good. A bit pricey, but always solid. The ambiance is amazing, being outside with all the plants it is a unique atmosphere in comparison to a lot of places. I love hanging out here with friends and having a drink (and a pretzel ) read more

Absolutely stunning atmosphere fresh food prepared quickly. Fantastic service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

PROS: Whoever considered repurposing part of a great, long-standing Lexington florist into a botanical eatery is a genius. Most of the tables are under a leaf/floral canopy, & the entire area is cool in temperature even when it is 90 degrees & muggy. They even repurposed a huge sand pile with big Tonka toys for the kids. CONS: 1) Unless you are a "fru-fru/pretty" 20-something social influencer, this is not a place for you. 2) I was not expecting "Golden Coral" by any means, but when my younger son ordered, the counter-help was very attentive. When my 50-something-year-old person got to the counter, I was met with passive-aggressive rudeness, eye rolls, & verbal "tsks"--all for asking what seasoning was on the tuna salad [while not having a Karen or a trumper attitude either]. And it wasn't just me. I also noticed that other older customers received the same treatment. 3) Reference the picture of the tuna salad on their Yelp cover page. I ordered that. What I got was MAYBE a tablespoon of tuna salad, four arugula leaves, one olive, & two pieces of bread. All for $8. read more

Enchanting, romantic and full of wonder. Highly recommended, lovely date night spot. read more

Love Kentucky Native! A great place to visit during the summer and spring. Their menu continuously changes since all of the menu items are fresh and include local ingredients. Would strongly recommend getting their large pretzel and a burrata dish! Delicious! I also am obsessed with their radler drink - lemonade with beer. Extremely dog friendly business as well! Although I would bring bug spray due to all of the mosquitos! read more

If you're patient and mainly here for the music and atmosphere, it's a pretty spot for outdoor seating. But if you're hoping for attentive table service, quick drinks, or a more streamlined dining experience, you may leave wishing they'd hire more staff to match the crowds they're drawing in. This is order at the window from chalkboard menu, pick up your order, bus your table eating. Bringing your own beverage is discouraged. Not really a BYO picnic place. Recommended order is beer and bread, but for refills you have to stand in line all over again. Frame of mind: here for the atmosphere not the restaurant. read more

This is a magical hide away. Amazing fresh and delicious food. Friendly service among trees and flowers garden. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Peanut noodles and roasted curry cauliflower. - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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The location is this cute little hidden patch of woods tucked into an urban setting...a great atmosphere; however, poorly staffed, long waits and nearly nothing to choose from on the menu. We tried to choose a dish with protein on it but the "up scale" amount of food made us pay TOO MUCH FOR TOO LITTLE... Then we went out to eat.. read more

Definitely a Cool date spot. Food is good but small menu. Service is always kind and attentive!

I love this place. It has such a beautiful location, you are under large trees and surrounded by several plants. From my experience, the food is always fresh and relatively nutritious. The plates are light - so if you are hungry I recommend ordering multiple plates. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

This is an amazing place. When we looked at their website ahead of time it didn't do the food offerings justice at all. The tuna sandwich was amazing, as was the eggplant, and cauliflower. Food is interesting and healthy. We had ice tea and sparkling lemonade at 11am but it would be a great place to sit with a glass of wine. I liked that my dog was welcome. Service was quick. You order at the counter and they'll call your name. read more

Hidden gem. What a cool concept to create a restaurant with seating within the trees. Not a large selection of options but, the food was high quality and delish. Will visit again when we are in the area. Highly recommend. read more

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This is a bit of a niche place, so keep that in mind. They mainly do small plates, which is not typically my thing. That said, the food was alright but nothing special. However, my wife loved the place. I did really like the outdoor seating in the garden. Parking is a bit confusing--you need to park on the other side of a wooden fence that is on a totally separate street parallel to the greenhouse. read more

The ambience of KY Native is incredible, one of the neatest spots in Lexington. With that said, the food is not exactly worth the price. I was a bit taken aback by the prices but still have been a few times, it seems that the portions just do not match the price at all. That said, I can definitely see the appeal for some people who do not necessarily care as much about the price, but as a UK student I'd say this place definitely doesn't consider just how many students are in the area whose business they could absolutely take advantage of with lower prices. I love to stop in and walk around and grab a soda, but that's about it. I've had no issues with the service, it is pretty standard and comparable to most places in the area on that read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Pretzels - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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How it took me over a year of living here to come to KY native cafe is beyond me. A gorgeous scene. Tons of picnic tables with lights strewn everywhere. A million different plants, vegetable garden areas, trees. And a full greenhouse as part of Michlers where you can get pretty much anything for your gardening needs. It was a BEAUTIFUL setting. The food. I tried a lot. We had burrata- fresh and delicious, chickpea salad with this amazing feta, yellow beets and giant white beans which are perfection in this season, the pretzel where you can't go wrong, tuna salad that was flavorful, and an Affogato with coffee and burnt sugar gelato courtesy of Sorellas. Everything was SOOO good and so fresh. I love that the menu changes based on season so you can constantly try new things. Despite the line being long to order food and drinks, it moved so quickly and we got all our food within about ten minutes. I will definitely be back!! read more

I am truly amazed of how wonderful this hidden gem is, the food is incredible and healthy they have options for meals or appetizers. The employees were very kind and welcoming. And the ambiance is incredible! It feels as if you escape into another world! read more

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This was my first visit to Kentucky Native cafe and I was throughly impressed. The location is a hidden gem of Lexington. I had a difficult time finding the restaurant, but when I found it, I was throughly surprised. Visually, the space looks amazing. The menu is limited, but they have something for all taste. I had a salad topped with trout and asparagus on the side. Overall great service experience. I will definitely be back. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Outdoor seating. - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky