The Lemon Tree
101 Graham Ave, Lexington KY 40508
$
American
The Lemon Tree is a student-run restaurant that is open for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1, during the semester, reservations are required. The Lemon Tree provides real world, science-based experiences to students in the Quantity Food Production class, a capstone course for dietetics and hospitality, management and tourism undergraduate students. During the semester, students rotate through a series of work stations, gaining hands-on experience as they learn the various roles involved in operating a restaurant.
Come enjoy a 3-course meal prepared for you by exceptional students that are team-taught and directed by Chef Bob Perry, Coordinator of the Food Systems Initiative in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Emily DeWitt, a lecturer in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. Mr. Perry is a professional chef with over 40 years of experience in the US and abroad and Ms. DeWitt is a Registered Dietitian.
Make a reservation below. Our days of service this semester are: January 19, January 24, January 26, January 31, February 2, February 7, February 9, February 14, February 16, February 21, February 23, February 28.
Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 101 Graham Ave, Lexington KY 40508
- Cross Street: Gladstone Avenue
- Cuisine: American |
- Cost: | Very Inexpensive
- Category: Casual Dining
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Required
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch |
- Parking: Street | Public Lot | Car Park |
- Payment Options: VISA | MasterCard | Discover |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: https://dhn.ca.uky.edu/lemon-tree
- Phone: 8592575135
- Features: Famous Chef, Farm-to-table,
- Occasion: Business Dining, Trendy / Hip,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Lunch | Dine-in noon - 1 p.m.
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Lunch | Dine-in noon - 1 p.m.
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.85 out of 5 stars based on 307 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 24, 2023
Oliver S.
Honestly I really enjoyed the experience. Chef came out often, food was excellent both in taste and appearance. Staff was attentive and friendly.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 24, 2023
Amanda B.
The food was excellent, everyone had a smile on their faces. The only improvements were that the space was very hot-but I dont think anyone had control on the unusually warm February weather day. The other suggestion is that I don't think our student server introduced herself by name at all, and seemed very nervous to be serving tables. She did great, though.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 20, 2023
Ruth C.
The food was delicious and the service was exemplary. Molly was knowledgeable and courteous.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 20, 2023
Elizabeth F.
Eating at the Lemon Tree was something I have wanted to do for years. I live out of town and have never been able to eat at the Lemon Tree due to my schedule. I am so glad that it worked out and I was able make a reservation. Everything was so good and the carrot cake was very delicious! I don't even like carrot cake! Thank you- everything was very nice
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 09, 2023
Alicia B.
Making reservations was user friendly.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 03, 2023
Amy C.
Loved it!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 02, 2023
Jeanne B.
Delicious food! Creative presentation on the plate. Great value for a good cause! I love The Love Tree!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 21, 2023
Mark S.
I think you've done well with the space available, but the lighting is a bit harsh. We look forward to returning.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 20, 2023
Julie J.
Everything is always fantastic at the Lemon Tree! The only hiccup i had this time was waiting a while to be seated. I think the representative had stepped away from the front desk. I did arrive a minute or two after noon, which may have been the reason. Thanks for everything; the food is always fantastic!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 17, 2022
Logan S.
Helaina was amazing. She always ensured that I was having a pleasurable experience and was such a bright person.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 10, 2022
Tami S.
Eating at the Lemontree is such a treat.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 04, 2022
Linda B.
Fantastic as always!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 22, 2022
Sherrie F.
Lemon Tree is never disappointing. Always a treat. The food is always delicious and the students are so gracious.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 16, 2022
Xana P.
I had a 4-top table, and we all enjoyed it very much. The food was delicious and the service was excellent!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 16, 2022
Joann L.
Wait staff was very polite and professional. The food was awesome as always. The atmosphere was wonderful. We noticed that the ceiling tiles had been repaired, which was very nice. The fresh flowers on the tables were delightful. We love dining at the Lemon Tree.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 12, 2022
Connie L.
Food excellent service excellent
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 31, 2022
Carol S.
Hello! It was my first time at The Lemon Tree. Madeline was my server. Everything about it was amazing and you deserve top marks. Thank you for this opportunity for campus employees to have such a delicious meal.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 06, 2021
Kelly M.
Service was excellent and the food was outstanding. The gremolata on the pasta shells took it to the next level. Delicious!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 30, 2021
Patricia G.
I've loved the Lemon Tree for decades, and have introduced many of my colleagues to the place. The food is always high-end restaurant quality, and the servers are always gracious and willing to fulfill any of our requests. No changes necessary, just keep doing what you do!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 29, 2021
Deborah C.
The only improvement is to have iced tea available.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 23, 2021
Kay B.
The food overall experience was great! I think the payment method, where you take the payment almost upon arrival is wonderful so that we can leave immediately after dessert in order to try and get back to work on time. The food was fantastic. I would have liked butter with my bread but didn't ask, so that was my issue. Overall great experience.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 23, 2023
Kelly M.
Wonderful meal! They do a good job working with what they have for a setting, but the conversational noise and cramped setting could definitely use improvement.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 23, 2023
William L.
Loved it. Will definately be back
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 09, 2023
Melinda B.
I was not the only one who had difficulty locating Erikson Hall due to the construction and closed streets on campus. A detailed map would be helpful in navigating where Google maps are not up to date on campus road closures.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jan 27, 2023
Miguel P.
A great balance between comfort and elegance with superb service and always fabulous food. The Mexican wedding cookies and carnitas tacos were the highlights, though the rice was a little bland.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 26, 2022
Kelly M.
Meal was delicious as usual! This was the first day of service for the semester, so we expected some issues, but the service was very good. Our server forgot our dessert spoon, but that was remedied very quickly by another server. I love the combination of haricot verts served with the pasta, what a great way to lighten the dish and add additional healthy vegetables to the meal!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 09, 2021
Miguel P.
Creative, tasty menu. Corn tortillas were a little undercooked and the Mexican cocoa had way too many marshmallows - no one at my table tried them - but the presentation was well done.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 5/10
Oct 28, 2022
Emma S.
Lighting in dining room could use work; lights out or flickering. Flowers were nice.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 07, 2022
Julie P.
I love the Lemon Tree, but this was not my favorite meal. Large piece of cartilage/grizzle in the small amount of pork on one of the tacos. Overall tacos were not a hit with anyone in my party. Would have loved tortilla chips in a basket on the table to share or individually. The 1 wedding cookie was delicious.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 22, 2021
Christine G.
Courteous staff, food was excellent. I like the small atmosphere and preset menu. It was really hot and I was very uncomfortable. Very humid. The windows were open, which I assume was for COVID purposes but it made my experience a bit disappointing. I don't enjoy being hot at all.