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Where to get the best dinner for your mood in Lexington

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at WLU chapter.

If you’re up one hour and down the next, you’ve come to the right place. Lexington is tiny, but if you know where to go, it can cater to whatever you’re in the mood for. Whatever you’re feeling–excited, romantic, lonely, sociable or homesick, there’s a best dinner for your mood waiting for you somewhere close. 

Celebratory

best dinner for your mood
Rachel Hicks

If you’re in the mood for a celebration–maybe you aced a test you studied hard for or got an internship you really wanted–go to Taps. It’s the perfect place for a cocktail–French 75 anyone?–and a small plate, but they also have great burgers. Grab a seat with friends on the comfy chairs by the fireplace in the room by the bar, or have a more formal dinner in the adjacent room below. Cheers! 

Lonely

best dinner for your mood
Rachel Hicks

The last thing you need when you’re feeling lonely is unhealthy food to make you feel bad about yourself later–if unhealthy food doesn’t make you feel bad about yourself, all the power to you, I wish I were more like you. But if it does, try out Blue Phoenix. There are lots of good-for-you gluten free and kosher options, and wholesome salads, sandwiches and soups to fill you up and nourish your body. Plus, there’s no shame in eating alone here. Lots of kids study while they eat or just sit and stare out the window. It’ll be good to get out and have a change of scenery, even if you feel like staying crawled up in bed. This is the best dinner for your mood–your lonely mood–tonight. 

Romantic

best dinner for your mood
Rachel Hicks

Have a special someone in town? Or is it a first date? An anniversary? Just because? Dress up and hold hands on the way to Haywoods. You can request a high top table or regular. Enjoy the live piano music while snacking on some honey glazed Brussels sprouts, play footsie under the table, and watch other couples walk by outside hand in hand. 

Homesick

best dinner for your mood
Melinda Kauffman

Let Southern Inn comfort your soul with a dinner to match your homesick mood. With country cookin’ from famous Southern Fried Chicken (pictured above) to amazing mashed potatoes, you’ll leave this place feeling like you just took a trip to Mama’s. 

Sociable 

best dinner for your mood
Rachel Hicks

With amble outdoor and indoor seating with long tables, gather a large group of friends to get a dinner to match your mood at Salerno. Recently remodeled, Salerno is chick and has a beer wall (they also have a few wines and a killer Sangria) … plus their signature, mouth-watering pizzas. Laugh, drink, eat, and kid around the table. Have a wonderful social hour with all of your favorite people to match your dinner mood. 

Feelings come and go, and moods demand to be acknowledged. Let your mood guide your dinner decision tonight … but don’t let your mood rule your life. One of the best ways to shake a bad mood is to sit with it, but what better way to pass the time than eating? If your mood is good, take advantage of it. Restaurants are fantastic places that you can make into whatever you need for the night, these are just some suggestions of atmospheres that may suite what you’re feeling in the moment. 

I love the outdoors, and figuring out how to take food outside, literally and creatively.