favor
About This Spot
Favor is a quietly captivating spot tucked away just behind the bustling Arcadium bar — a hidden gem that unfolds like a whispered secret in the heart of Lexington. The moment you step inside, the atmosphere shifts to something more intimate and thoughtful, where a warm glow and attentive service make each visit feel personal, almost like dining in a friend’s carefully curated kitchen.
The pace here is unhurried, inviting you to lean into the experience and savor not only the food but also the setting and the shared moments around the table. It’s a place where the hum of conversation blends effortlessly with the soft clatter of plates, all under the watchful eye of Chef Wyatt Sarbacker, whose passion for craft is palpable. Falvor and creativity come through in every plate, turning simple ingredients into something quietly special — whether it’s a burger elevated beyond anything ordinary, or empanadas that feel like a small celebration of kitchen ingenuity.
You’ll find the menu rhythm changes often, reflecting the seasons and Chef Wyatt’s thoughtful approach, yet always grounded in familiar comforts with unexpected twists. The dishes are best enjoyed family-style, encouraging shared discovery and conversation that linger well past the last bite. Drinks tend to be subtle companions to the food, enhancing the harmony of flavors without ever overpowering the experience.
In a city bustling with options, Favor stands apart not with loud excitement but through gentle excellence and a sense of belonging. It’s a place to come back to, again and again, not just for what’s on the plate but for the thoughtful way it invites guests to slow down and appreciate the layers of care — from the kitchen to the table.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Great cocktails
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Organic dishes
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Small plates
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Vegan options
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
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Dinner
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Catering
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Counter service
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Gender-neutral toilets
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Trendy
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Groups
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LGBTQ+ friendly
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Locals
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Tourists
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Transgender safe space
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Reservations required
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Dogs allowed outside
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | Closed | |
| Thursday | Closed | |
| Friday | Closed | |
| Saturday | Closed | |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hunter Stidham 13 Dec 2025
I wasn't sure what to expect from this place. It's hidden almost like a speakeasy, tucked away behind Arcadium bar, and the reservation system is quirky, almost exclusive (this place does offer a monthly membership option, but it's limited availability). Favor is the passion project of chef Wyatt Sarbacker and features a small rotating menu. While the burgers and empanadas are always on the menu, other items change seasonally or according to availability. Wyatt prides himself and Favor on using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients and building an eco friendly, environmentally sustainable culinary experience. The space is intimate, mostly counter seating aside from one large community dining table in the adjoining room, but it's bright and welcoming. The kitchen is completely open and you can see everything Wyatt is doing as he prepares your meal. And this is an impressive one man show! It amazed us how Wyatt made it look easy (though I'm sure it's not). He was preparing multiple dishes from multiple orders simultaneously and delivered them promptly at a great pace that allowed us to enjoy each dish without feeling hurried. We ate almost every dish on the menu. Dish sizes vary, some small, some larger, but it worked out wonderfully that there were three of us, as we could eat in a tapas style, sharing all of the tasty foods. The empanadas were first, and come with a rotating sauce accompaniment. They were soft and hot, and the filling was delicious. I can't remember the filling, but I remember black beans were involved, and it was actually one of my favorite dishes. Such a compact, juicy, savory bite. We also had the lion's mane mushroom, made with pea shoots, lemon, and creole mustard. This is a mushroom served like a crab cake. You could really taste the earthy mushroom flavor and the creole mustard was the perfect addition. We also had the crispy Brussels, made with shishito peppers, onion, and maple miso dressing. Wyatt did Brussels sprouts incredibly well. Often you go to a place and they are burnt or charred and have that taste. These were cooked to perfection and had a smoky, yet sweet taste. And who could resist a giant plate of fries? These fries are fresh cut potatoes and my dinner companion compared them to the famous "Five Guys" fries that everyone raves about. The true star here is the curry ketchup. No ordinary ketchup, this thrills the tastebuds. We were excited to hear that Wyatt will hopefully be releasing some of his own sauces soon. We also had the cheeseburger, which is a smashburger. I have complained about the smashburger trend endlessly, as I tend to like a thick, medium burger. But this burger was VERY good. Melted with cheese, on his HOMEMADE buns, this one gets a pass as "one of the good ones." We finished up with chocolate chunk cookies, which were served hot with ooey gooey melted chocolate chips. Made with rye flower and bittersweet chocolate, as well as cranberries, poppyseeds, and sea salt, this cookie had such a unique savory flavor. The more we tasted them, the more we loved them. I'm not a "sweets" type of person, so this type of cookie is ideal for me. I wish I could have bought a dozen to take home to my husband. You can get cocktails from arcadium, right by the restaurant, which I've reviewed previously. They make light refreshing daiquiris and gin gimlets, which is what we ordered. My companion liked their old fashioned. Prices for Flavor are insanely well priced. Despite this experiencing being worth so much more, prices range from sub-ten dollars to 18 dollars. Wyatt was warm and welcoming and interesting. We had an amazing evening and have already discussed when we would come back, who we would bring, or whether we might have next year's birthday bash there as a private event. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening, Wyatt, I am glad I finally figured out the reservation system!
Megan Divers 23 Nov 2025
Spectacular meal from start to finish. Shared a bunch of plates with friends and everything was incredible, especially the mushroom rangoon, and the burger which definitely lives up to the hype in other reviews. Really enjoyed being there on a slower weeknight with just a few other people at the chef’s counter, it was a great dining experience.
Carmen Covert 19 Nov 2025
Wish I had known sone about this exquisite place! The intimate dining experience was unlike any in Lexington! Our food was expertly prepared with local vegetables and meat! The service was personal and over the top attentive! Wyatt and Paoulina (I hope I spelled her beautiful name correctly) were so accommodating and created a wonderful experience! Thank you!
Jason M 29 Oct 2025
This is the restaurant that everyone says, "we need to come back... tomorrow." Maybe the best food in Lexington. Consistently awesome on every dish offered. Wyatt is obviously amazing across the entire menu; in fact, the curry ketchup and the secret sauce are coming soon in bottles for us all to take home and enjoy! favor is a truly high-quality experience. Our only goal is to experience more dishes and more visits!
Lori Lipscomb 22 Oct 2025
The cheeseburger is amazing, and the fries were great, and I don't normally like shoestring fries. The portions were generous, and I look forrwsrd to trying some of the other menu items that sounded enticing. The service was faster than I thought it would be, since it's a one man show. Nice ambiance as well.
Jacob Vizek 27 Sep 2025
Highly recommend, best burger in Lexington (in my opinion)! We ordered the mushroom Rangoon, chicken wings, steak salad and the double cheeseburger. Every dish was really thoughtfully prepared and delicious. Simple bar seating inside a homey cute kitchen, I’ll be back to this spot!
Crystal Miller 25 Sep 2025
Chef is personable and a relaxed atmosphere. Small menu but delicious!!! A great place to go if you have two people willing to sit at the bar. A wonderful experience.