The Melting Pot Lexington, Lexington

When The Melting Pot originally opened in 1975 just outside Orlando, the location was cozy, but diners had only three options: swiss-cheese fondue, beef fondue, or chocolate fondue. However, as the restaurant grew, so did its menu selection and atmosphere. The restaurant first expanded four years later under the leadership of a Melting Pot waiter and college student named Mark Johnston, who teamed up with his brothers Mike and Bob to open a new restaurant in Tallahassee. This location grew to pave the way for the future. Today, the company—now owned by the trio of siblings—is the premier fondue, wine, and drink restaurant, stretching across North America with more than 140 restaurants. The restaurant's menu has also grown, and patrons can now expect six varieties of hot dipping cheese paired with salads, meats, and molten chocolate.

On a given night, groups of foodies gather around tables to nosh on signature four-course meals, from cheese-fondue appetizers and various salads to steaks and seafood cooked in a choice of healthy broth or oil. Birthday revelers and couples can share decadent evenings at private tables, capping off meals with chocolate desserts that have defined The Melting Pot for decades.