Best dang meal I've had in a while. The owner recommended the Mac & cheese and churros w/ ice cream. Fantastic!

O.M.G. This place is simply divine. Owned/run by a local husband/wife who are both super cool people. No reservations (like most places in town) so there might be a bit of a wait on busy nights -- but soooo worth the wait! The house specialty cocktails are all great (LOVE "Leaving Lex Vegas") -- especially if you are lucky enough to get the husband as your bartender! The tuna tostada app with matcha salsa was insanely good - the blend of flavors and textures was mind-blowingly good. Wedge salad with fried chicken and homemade ranch rocked! Lamb with pistachios was superb. This place is a true local gem!! read more

Hardens - Wedge with fried chicken - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

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I visited Hardens with a group of people who all ordered several different things from the menu. Luckily, these people also didn't mind sharing food, so I got to taste a lot of things. The ahi tuna tostada blew everything out of the water. I am not even a big ahi fan, but this dish converted me. The fish was tender and was like biting into a marinated gum drop, if that makes sense. Your teeth just sink into it. Then there's the crunch from the fried tortilla tostada, and crunch from the radish slices and daikon strips. It's a textural experience, for sure. The next best bite was the fried Brussels sprouts, which were crispy on the edges and dressed with a dijon-rum glaze and studded with sweet rum cherries and candied pecans. Lots of rum happening in this dish, but you can't taste the alcohol -- mostly just the sweetness from the fruit and syrup. One order is a big enough appetizer for four people. Other notable appetizers were the Thai wings (covered in sweet chili sauce, chili oil, shallot, green onion and cilantro) and the mac and cheese, which is served in a small cast iron pan. Circling back to the ahi: Hardens has an ahi sandwich on the menu, and in my opinion, it's not as good as the ahi tostada. The tenderness of the ahi gets lost within the big roll they use for the sandwich. If you love ahi and really want to taste it, get the ahi on a tostada. The restaurant itself is nice, dark and open. It got really loud when we were there and every table was occupied. Everyone is basically sitting all in one room, so the sound carries easily here. read more

This place is a 5-star find! Highly recommend coming early to beat the rush, which lasted well into the evening. Gluten free guest, here - thrilled with the offerings. Best fried brussels and steak nachos we have ever had. The queso was smooth and flavorful, the steak perfectly cooked. The brussels were a wonderful mix of lovely crunch and a creamy bacon and cherry finish. Skip the Korean rice bowl in favor of literally everything else. For dessert we had a seasonal pumpkin spice cheesecake crème fraise. Chef's kiss! The Lex Lux Vegas cocktail was tart and balanced. The Blue Mountain Dark Hollow stout was malty, creamy, and strong. Go here. You'll be glad. read more

Hardens - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

Great food, drinks, service and ambiance. We had the ahi tostada and nachos. We will definitely be back! read more

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This place is a must visit when in the Lexington, VA area. Very cool vibe, friendly service and amazing food and drinks. We tired Thai chicken wings, smash burger and Mac and cheese (I requested our server to put Serrano peppers on top!) Everything tasted delicious. They have nice cocktails, wine and beer options. read more

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Amazing food, wonderful service, and gluten free options. 8 had the Thai wing which were delicious. My wife had the smash burger on gluten free bun. Also recommend the Viva Lux Vegas cocktail. read more

Hardens - Smash burger on Gluten Free bun - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

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We decided to make a quick visit to Lexington to celebrate Schweety's birthday. Our "usual" is closed so after a bit of research, we came upon Hardens. This may me our new usual!! What a gem! The cocktail list is wonderful. We ordered several :). But needing a bit a food, the tuna tostada was phenomenal! Our first course. The menu here is small but mighty. Several at the bar were enjoying the steak sandwich, so that's the choice Schweety made, too. I've been trying to stay on the lighter side so initially was going to get the Wedge salad, but based on someone down the bar, I choose the Harvest Salad and added the tuna because it was so awesome in the appetizer. WOW! One of the best salads, EVER! A restaurant which would receive accolades wherever it was located.. Lucky Lexington! read more

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We had our whole family there before Thanksgiving and we had a ball! The food and service was excellent!! It may be small but it stays packed!!!! Let be this place! read more

INSANELY delicious! 10/10 recommend a trip to Lexington with this restaurant as the main attraction. The dining room is one open room so it did get a bit lively, but the food and drinks were well worth the steady buzz of fellow excited patrons. Our server was an absolute sweetheart, said it was just the 3 front of house servers working- including the bartender- and they have only been open for a year and a half. Compliments all around the house, we will definitely be returning and hopefully sooner rather than later. read more

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Stopped by on way to Lime Kiln Theater for a show. Service was quick and drinks were excellent. Food was also great. The fries, smash burger, wedge salad all were what we were looking for before a show. read more

Hardens - Wedge salad smash burger - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

Lexington is lucky to have Hardens! It is a solid part of my go to dinner rotation in downtown. The staff is exceptionally kind & attentive, everyone on staff seems to have a great flow with each other. The drinks & food are both top notch. The menu is small but solid & I prefer that. I have been a customer since they first opened and consistency is key with this place. It is evident they care about the business & want everyone to enjoy it. The only cons for me are ones that cannot be helped; small space that can get loud on busy night & sometimes a bit of a wait. But oh so worth it! read more

Still thinking about my dinner here last night and am so sad I don't live closer. I had one of their seasonal cocktails and the steak frites. So many yummy things on their menu! Can't wait to come back! read more

Hardens - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

The service here was impeccable! All the tables were full when we walked in, but all three employees checked on us and communicated the wait time shouldn't be long. And it wasn't! The food was delicious and so were the drinks! read more

This is our go to spot in Lexington! We've been countless times and every single time has been incredible! The wings and smash burger are two of our favorites but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Bill & Jess have created a real gem! 15/10 HIGHLY recommend! read more

Amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambiance. Open fairly late which is very nice. Get the tuna tostada

So yummy!! We had an amazing server ( I believe he was the owner). Steak sandwiches were spot on. General Lee drink was sooo good. There are gluten free-even with a couple desserts! Check them out!! read more

The lively vibe on a Saturday night was great. We sat at the bar where we had fun conversations with the bartenders and other patrons. The food was delicious, we especially enjoyed the steak sandwich and fried Brussels sprouts. Even when busy, the service was attentive and our glasses never sat empty. Would absolutely return! read more

over the top bar tender and presentation; top-shelf old-fashioned whiskey cocktail prepared and served by owner/bartender Bob--the drink was worthy of the show. hanger steak sandwich rare [as I ordered] great house-made aioli, paid up for the Brussels--worth it: candied [?] cherries and balsamic made for a delicious side, mine disappeared quickly. highly tasteful, easily reached in the old town district of Lexington, VA. would definitely recommend--food and drink were excellent, exceeded only by the high-end service and proper attention! read more

Hardens is a very welcome addition to the Lexington restaurant scene. Their menu is unique and all of the dishes are crave worthy delicious. Their drink menu is the best in town. Bill and Jessica have created a great space where everyone feels welcome and no one leaves hungry read more

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Delicious tuna tostada appetizer. Small But lovely restaurant. We had the smash burger and Korean rice bowl. read more

Excellent food, service, location and atmosphere. Very accommodating and careful with celiacs; same with my wife's tomato allergy.

My wife and I stopped in Lexington staying at the local Hampton Inn. One of the things we do on our road trips is to dine at a local establishment. I usually consult YELP but this time I asked the desk clerk for a recommendation. He gave me three, but said we should try the Hardens as it was the current rage and everyone said it was good. Off we went to arrive when they opened at 4:00 pm. The maximum occupancy is 49 so if you arrive later or on the weekends you may need a reservation (if they take them). We were looking to have a dinner, but most of their fare is lighter, apps, salads, sandwiches, etc. I guess that's why YELP classifies Hardens as a gastropub. Give me a break, I'm a senior citizen. Anyway, everything, from the service to the food was great. We were greeted by our waitress (senior remember) promptly, gave us menus and both ordered the Viva Lex Vegas cocktail (2 each) nice!, Mac & Cheese, delicious (creamy /toasted. Onions on top) and Smashburgers. I had mine with bacon and a fried egg, yum. Two minor disappointments, the fries were too salty for my taste and after I ordered the This Sh+t is Bananas cocktail I was told they don't have brûlée banana so , but see above. read more

Hardens - Mac N Cheese, Las Lex Vegas Cocktail - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

Food was great. I had the Korean Rice Bowl and added grilled chicken to it. The waitress said next time I ought to try it with Tuna (they were out). It was delicious. Not spicy at all-could have benefited from more heat, but that's me. Waitress also cautioned me against Breakfast at Tiffany's cocktail since I don't like sweet drinks. I ended up with The Absent Minded Professor which was refreshing. It was really hopping on a Saturday night and I ended up sitting outside, which was fine, but I really wanted the A/C read more

When the new restaurant in town is owned by Lexington's best bartender, and the front of house boasts the city's longtime favorite waiter, it comes with some "dream team" expectations that are decidedly lived up to: the drinks are as fantastic and the service as friendly and welcoming as expected. Order The Firm cocktail, and try the mac and cheese and the brussels sprouts. read more

Hardens - a drink in a coupe glass on a wooden table - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

Really good bar food and cocktails . Probably the best burger in town . Highly recommended read more

Hardens - Menu - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

We come to Lexington frequently for horse shows and were delighted to see a new venue open right near our go-to happy hour destination. EVERYTHING was amazing...from the cool, open space to a super bar and savvy bartender that whipped up some wonderful cocktails! But...the best thing ( and, seriously, we have eaten at about every restaurant in Lex) was the amazing STEAK sandwich that I still am dreaming about! GO! Put on your running shoes and GO! read more

Charming spot for craft cocktails and gastro pub fare. Small & cozy, but lively and modern at the same time. Always a crowd as it's a new and already a local favorite, you'll likely wait for a seat, giving you an opportunity to relax on the front porch. Food and drinks are very good. Locally owned and operated, the staff cares and wants you to enjoy your experience. read more

Best night out in a long time. The atmosphere is amazing. The food is delicious. The staff is friendly. Cannot recommend this place enough!

We stopped in to Lexington wile traveling. The Tru Hilton was less than five miles away. Great vibe, good selection of craft beer on tap. We both ordered the smash burger and the fries were amazing. We sat at the bar and had great service and conversation with the chef and the bartender. Highly recommend! read more

Best food and service in Lexington. The Mac and cheese was perfection, the other food was also fantastic and the bartender was a lot of fun. Highly recommend! read more

Food was fantastic, service was great. They ironed out any minor issues they had when they initially opened. The drinks here 10/10 as well.

Hardens has only been open less than a month but it's already my favorite new spot in Lexington! Everything is fantastic, the food, the cocktails, the vibes. It's hard to pick my favorite dish, but the lobster mac & cheese is a guilty pleasure and the brussels sprout appetizer is so tasty it could be dessert. This a must visit restaurant! read more

Great vibe, excellent bourbon/beer selection, and very nice burger. Will be back to try the bowl and ahi sandwich. Hard to believe it was a dry cleaner's. read more

Our new favorite bar in town! Great food and cocktails, the wings and fries are so good and we can't wait to go back! read more

Hardens - Gastropubs Near Me - Lexington, Virginia

This was the best food we have had in a very long time, which is saying a lot since we just returned from 2 weeks in Italy. The menu is abbreviated but is well-rounded with opportunities to customize add-on proteins to certain dishes. The dishes are thoughtful and well-crafted with a detail to presentation that is appreciated. The cocktails are amazing with a good wine selection as well. We enjoyed the brussel sprouts, one of the house favorites. Other dishes that we tried and loved: ahi tuna sandwich, Asian bowl, the harvest salad and the cheesecake. The owner was welcoming and accommodating, even checking to see how we liked our meal. I only wish this was closer to home and not 4 hours away. But I may make the trip just to eat here!! read more

Have visited twice. Usually pretty busy. Great food and drinks. Smash burger and tuna tostada are great choices.

Hit this place on a road trip with family. Great atmosphere. Beautiful decor. Great food. Delicious classics that are unique enough to be different. Great staff. Waitress was super friendly. read more

Do not miss the best restaurant, staff and atmosphere in Lexington! Everything we tried was delicious! Burger, tuna tostados, fries, and of course the cocktails! Cant recommend enough! read more

Highly recommended. Great atmosphere, food, and drinks. Bill and the staff are doing it right - the place is always busy which is indicative of the good food, service, and drinks. read more