Two well-known and deeply rooted restaurants in Lexington have announced they will close by the end of the year, marking a significant moment for the city’s dining and cultural landscape. One is housed inside a landmark downtown building dating back more than a century, while the other has been a late-night staple for generations of college students and longtime residents.
Together, the closures reflect the changing realities facing independent restaurants across the city.
Downtown courthouse restaurant closed on New Year’s Eve
Zim’s Café and The Thirsty Fox, a restaurant and bar operating inside the historic Old Fayette County Courthouse, served its final meals on December 31. Located in one of Lexington’s most recognizable buildings, the dining space has been a popular stop for lunches, dinners, and after-work drinks since the courthouse was redeveloped and reopened to the public in 2018.
Chris and Ouita Michel, the owners of the restaurant and bar, announced the decision in a public message, thanking customers for their years of support and the memories they shared. “We gave it our all – until we had no more to give, and realized that now was the right time to say goodbye,” the Michels said in a statement. They also emphasized gratitude for the community over the past seven years.
The courthouse, originally built in 1900, has become a symbol of downtown revitalization, making the closure especially notable for those who have watched the area evolve over the past decade. (A restaurant inside a restored firehouse closed in Louisville in November as well.)
Beloved burger spot ends a half-century run
Tolly-Ho, a legendary burger restaurant near the University of Kentucky campus, confirmed it would also close at the end of the year. The eatery has been serving customers since 1971 and is widely known for its late-night hours, classic burgers, and all-day breakfast options.
For decades, it has been a gathering place for students, alumni, and night-shift workers, earning a reputation as a Lexington rite of passage. News of its closure prompted an outpouring of nostalgia on social media.
A changing restaurant landscape
Both closures highlight the financial pressures and shifting dining habits affecting local restaurants. While new concepts continue to open, the loss of these longtime establishments signals the end of two eras in Lexington’s food scene.
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