Best Restaurants & Places in Memphis

29 Best Restaurants & Places in Memphis, TN | 2024 (Top Eats!)

ByKashish Jamal Hashmi

Memphis is known all over the world for its outstanding culinary scene, especially with its unique barbeque techniques and its juicy fried chicken, which has garnered a lot of love from locals and foreigners alike. The city not only exhibits an excellent outtake for curious explorers but can also be named as a paradise for food enthusiasts who want to satisfy their every craving with flavourful restaurants Memphis food.

Being in such a new city might pose a lot of questions about finding a decent place to eat, because of which, below we have listed some of the few best restaurants in Memphis that you can try visiting to satisfy your inner foodie.

Table of Contents

Best restaurants in Memphis

1. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

Why it’s a must visit?

The Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar is a famous diner known for its great food pairings, which are done by experts by choosing the best wine options to go along with their particular meals.

The restaurant has a prominent location by being situated in the soul of downtown Memphis as a central location and features a bar along with an indoor setting with a beautiful balcony.

The restaurant has been named one of the top restaurants in Memphis primarily due to its sophisticated ambiance with an upscale aura that is great if you wanna hold formal business meetings or want to celebrate special occasions.

Along with its extravagant hospitality, the restaurant also has a professional staff who are experts when it comes to suggesting dishes with the best pairings.

Chef’s Choice

One of the most incredible aspects about this diner is that even though it is a luxurious restaurant, it provides people the option of ordering small plates or wine pairings. The small plates option is excellent if you want to share your dish with other people.

Even though every option on the menu is fancy and deserves to be tried, some of their crowd favorites are The Bison Ribeye and Boursin Stuffed File which have won quite a colossal approval.

Another impressive dish that surely deserves mention in this list is their Chicken and Waffles, created with buttermilk waffle Vermont maple syrup and regional mushroom cream gravy, which has an absolutely delightful taste.

Location and Contact

2. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – In Downtown Memphis

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken – In Downtown Memphis

Why it’s a must visit?

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken restaurant has quite a fascinating history of getting popular from serving their fried chicken in 1953, which was made from traditional family recipes and became a hit in all of Memphis for its overflowing taste.

The restaurant became so popular all over the world that it opened its branches in various corners of the world by globally supplying its secret recipes and giving people, especially fried chicken lovers, an absolute haven.

Along with its famous Fried chicken, the restaurant also has several impressive side dishes which should definitely be given a try if you want to get a wholesome dining experience.

Chef’s Choice

So, get ready to get your hands on their globally famous and loved fried chicken along with its delicious sides that will overpower your senses with their luscious taste.

When it comes to suggesting options from their complimentary dish, then our recommendation would go for their Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Baked Beans whose melting texture and soft taste will dissolve in your mouth like cotton candy.

To get a satisfying end treat, we would suggest that you go for their coconut pie, whose sweet aftertaste will delight you for hours.

Location and Contact

3. Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos

Maciel's Tortas & Tacos

Why it’s a must visit?

The Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos restaurant not only provides people with authentic generational Mexican recipes but also gives people the freshest taste of Mexican street food with their crispy tacos to relish your tastebuds.

Therefore, if you’re yearning for superb Mexican food, then this place should be on the top of your list as it features almost every Mexican dish that you crave.

It’s considered to be one of the top Memphis restaurants in Memphis primarily for its delicious Mexican cuisine along with its laid-back and relaxed atmosphere which provides people the most comfortable dining experience ever.

Chef’s Choice

If you are with your family and would like to try their wide varieties of tacos, then we would suggest that you choose among these tacos – A couple of street tacos, some seafood tacos, comprising the spicy ones, or fried tacos, as they are the most popular choices here.

Other unique pairings which are often ordered here that have also delighted its visitors are their guacamole and chips, which somehow give people a tasty finish.

In order to add more touch to your Mexican feast, their spicy pork quesadillas would surely fulfill that gap and will also please your palate.

Also, it would be a wise choice to pair your dishes with their refreshing drinks like cola or draft beers, which will prove to be an excellent combination.

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4. Terrace at The River Inn

Terrace at The River Inn

Why it’s a must visit?

The Terrace at The River Inn restaurant has become one of the most trendy places to visit in Memphis primarily due to its location over the breathtaking Mississippi river, which provides people not only a good feasting experience but also a scenic view of the river.

It’s an incredible place to visit with your partner as a dinner date because the restaurant oozes an upscale ambiance and also gives people dishes that not only have the traditional taste of Memphis but also blend it with the taste of modern as well.

Its delicate dinner options and its gorgeous view already establish it as one of the best places to visit in Memphis without making any reservations.

Chef’s Choice

Before heading to the main course, we would suggest that you open your feast with soothing appetizers like their popular Pimento Cheese Balls.

Don’t fill yourself up with their heavier meal before trying their small plate dishes like their Mojo Shrimps and Lamb Sliders to get the most out of your dining experience.

After that, you can proceed to order their heavy meals which can act as a main course like their Herb Roasted Chicken and Grilled Salmon which are delightful options to consider.

Also, make sure that you check out their drinks menu which has the finest wines and cocktails that you can pair to accentuate your date thrill a lot more.

Location and Contact

5. Folk’s Folly Prime Steakhouse

Folk's Folly Prime Steakhouse

Why it’s a must visit?

The Folk’s Folly Prime Steakhouse restaurant has quite a legacy of getting established in the year 1977 and becoming one of the best steakhouses in Memphis, primarily due to its juicy meat and remarkable wine pairings.

The restaurant has proven its excellence by growing from a small diner into a fully established upscale restaurant through its consistent effort and high-quality steaks.

The restaurant can easily be named a top restaurant for its romantic interior with deep dark wood furnishings, along with an air of elegance and comfortable seating, which gives people the most sophisticated experience ever.

Chef’s Choice

One of the first things that you should order here to get your belly ready for much heavier meals is their Fried Dill Pickles which have proven to be quite impressive due to their light and flavorsome taste.

After eating their starters, you can go for their 14 ounces Filet Mignon as your main entry as its satisfying and fulfilling taste will surely fill your belly to the brain.

As for the end, you can go for their special and most highlighted desert, which is Folk’s Folly Signature Hot Chocolate Fudge Brownie filled up with pecans and seasoned with Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream and then adorned with yummy chocolate syrup.

Location and Contact

6. Brother Juniper’s

Brother Juniper's

Why it’s a must visit?

Brother Juniper’s restaurant has a captivating history of rising from the religious community and becoming one of the best breakfast spots to eat in Memphis for a rejuvenating day ahead.

If you’re confused about where to have the best brunch in Memphis, then heading to this place will prove to be worthy due to its many delicious brunch options.

The restaurant not only has a comfortable ambiance that eases anyone who visits it but also uses ingredients that are sourced locally and fresh.

Other than that, it has also won several accolades for serving the best nutritious brunch options in the city, which adds another reason why you must visit this place.

Chef’s Choice

One of the most highly praised and ordered dishes is their Garden and Lamb omelet which not only has a flavourful taste but also fills up your appetite with its generous servings.

It would be a great option to consider pairing the above dish with their Loaded Cheese Grits with a stuffing of sour cream, diced green onions, and crispy bacon to get a full, satisfying breakfast.

If you still feel that you can handle more food, then you must give their biscuit sandwiches a try, which is heavenly in taste, especially their classic biscuit and gravy.

Also, make sure that you also give their beverages a try to get a wholesome breakfast experience by ordering their espresso and getting an energy kick for the entire day.

Location and Contact

7. Itta Bena

Itta Bena

Why it’s a must visit?

The Itta Bena restaurant is known for its unique fusion of Southern cuisine with a Delta twist and presenting people with fabulous food choices through sophisticated air and service.

This restaurant can be considered one of the fanciest dinners to eat due to its dim lighting interior, along with Darkwood furnishings, crystal chandeliers, and a rose on each wooden table to add to its overall aesthetic vibe.

The experience at this restaurant is quite unforgettable due to its charm and luxurious beauty that sways every visitor.

Chef’s Choice

If one visits this restaurant and they should follow the order of getting starters first, then the main course, and then a finishing treat. So, for appetizers, we would suggest that you go for their She-Crab Soup, which is made out of lump crab meat, soft cream, dry sherry, chives, and hot red pepper flakes.

Whereas for the main course, you won’t go wrong with their Cajun Pasta as an attractive choice.

Also, it would be a shame not to list their Decadent dessert, which is White Chocolate Bread Pudding with caramel sauce which has a heavenly taste beyond measure.

Location and Contact

8. Paulette’s

Paulette's

Why it’s a must visit?

Paulette’s restaurant has it all from its 45 years of experience in delivering the most exquisite Memphis food by blending the taste of distinct regions from Italian, American, and southern flavors into its dishes.

Its outtakes service for catering food near me for outside special Events also has given rise to its popularity as a fusion blend restaurant.

Paulette’s restaurant has gained its reputation for being the perfect place to celebrate various events, be it holding special business meetings, to celebrating special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and promotions, along with managing wedding food as well.

The impeccable food options here, along with the sophisticated and upscale ambiance with an air of welcoming aura and courteous staff have given it its 5-star rating in being one of the must eat places to dine in the city.

Unlike any other rival restaurant, which only serves dinner options, this restaurant specializes in providing food to eat for lunch, breakfast, or dinner, and therefore, its vast menu offers people a lot of choices to choose from according to their own preferences.

Chef’s Choice

If you are stopping here for breakfast, then there is no better option other than their popovers with strawberry butter which will soothe your stomach with its melting taste.

The above breakfast dish and other options come under the category of pastry basket options which also includes tasty choices like croissants and orchard preserves to savor for brunch.

Their one dish, which would be great as both lunch and dinner options, is their Gulf Redfish with Crabmeat, the whose melting taste will take you to a whole other world.

As for your finishing meal, there is no better choice other than their Strawberry Crepes that give you a sweet aftertaste.

Location and Contact

9. McEwen’s on Monroe

McEwen's on Monroe

Why it’s a must visit?

The McEwen’s on Monroe restaurant is another remarkable fusion diner that blends the taste of America, Mexico, and Southern countryside food to add a rich flavor to its dishes while also giving people the taste of many lands.

The restaurant, despite having an upscale location inside Monroe Avenue, has earned its reputation not for its diverse and colorful cuisine but due to its extravagant ambiance that has won accolades for years.

The entire vibe of the restaurant is soothing, as the staff is very courteous and professional, and the service is also hospitable making people feel at ease as soon as they enter this place.

The restaurant also has a local themed interior, which makes people reminiscent of the countryside, and its dishes are also given in a timely fashion so that you can enjoy your feast without being in the hassle of eating your meals fast or waiting for hours.

Chef’s Choice

Even though the restaurants near me have quite a lot of lauded dishes here, one of the best things that you can try here, which is also quite simple, are their salads which deserve high mention in the list.

When it comes to salads, their Warm Hazelnut-Crusted Goat Cheese Salad takes the crown as it has generous ingredients with balanced seasoning and a fresh aromatic scent.

As for your main dish, you won’t be disappointed with their delicious and juicy Grilled Beef Tenderloin, which is cooked to quintessence and has a flavorful gravy of Ruby Port Demi-Glace on it, which adds a lot of flavor to your entire feast.

Location and Contact

10. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – In East Memphis

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken – In East Memphis

Why it’s a must visit?

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken diner has quite an intriguing past of getting famous for providing their tasty fried chicken in 1953, which was made from classic family recipes and became a hit in all of Memphis for its flooding fondness.

The diner became so famous all over the globe that it extended its units in several junctions of the world by internationally providing its secret recipes and giving people, mainly fried chicken fanatics, a paradise sanctuary.

Along with its well-known Fried chicken, the diner also has numerous exceptional side dishes, which should undoubtedly be given a try if you want to get a fabulous dining in Memphis venture.

Chef’s Choice

Almost every dish here is the same as the downtown one as it’s the same branch, but we would continue to list some of our best recommendations below.

So, get prepared to get your hands on their world famous and adored fried chicken along with its delectable complimentary dishes that will overwhelm your feelings with their sensual flavor.

When it comes to recommending your choices from their flattering dishes, then our suggestion would go for their Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Baked Beans, whose soft texture and delicate flavor will dissolve in your mouth like butter.

To get a good end delicacy, we would recommend that you go for their lovely coconut pie, whose sweet aftertaste will charm you for hours.

Location and Contact

11. The Soul Fish Cafe Inc

The Soul Fish Cafe Inc

Why it’s a must visit?

The Soul Fish Cafe Inc restaurant is a fascinating Southern Cafe that specializes in providing comfort food along with an extensive option for wine pairing with beer options as well.

The family restaurants memphis serves some simple dishes with a lot of fabulous seasoning in them and therefore has gained acclaim for adding excellent techniques into its cuisine with a lot of fervor.

It’s among the many great restaurants to get a quick bite out of some simple, delicious snacks while also enjoying the comfortable aura of the area and getting hospitable service.

Chef’s Choice

One of the best things that you can try here or there is delicious Hush Puppies, which are deep-fried balls made out of cornmeal batter and will delight your tastebuds to no extent.

Another unique and flavourful dish that will please your palate is their Blackened Catfish, whose unforgettable taste will linger on you for hours.

Also, it would be great if you consider pairing either their hush puppies or your Catfish with their savory cornbread to create the best sample dish you could ever taste.

Location and Contact

Also See – Restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner in Memphis, TN

12. Majestic Grille

Majestic Grille

Why it’s a must visit?

The Majestic Grille restaurant was previously a well-known and prominent theatre in Memphis TN whose legacy was kept afloat by renovating it into a full-fledged upscale restaurant establishment.

Besides featuring an airy ambiance, the restaurant also serves delicious gourmet cuisine, along with a professional staff who is ready to clear your every query and assist you with anything that comes your way.

The restaurant gives people the most luxurious experience of dining behind a movie being streamed in your background while also immersing yourself in the string lights that hang above your table, along with the spaciousness of the diner to sway you with its aesthetic beauty.

It’s the best place to visit if you want to get a reminiscent venture into the chronological age of America by appreciating the golden beauty of the film industry in this diner.

Chef’s Choice

Even though this restaurant gets appreciated a lot for its beauty, its cuisine is one of the main reasons why it’s so popular across the state, especially with its snack options like their flatbread.

The flatbread, as you may know, is a pizza-styled large chunk of flatbread seasoned with mixed juicy meat and fresh vegetable.

Another terrific recommendations here that surely deserve a lot of praise are their Smoked Salmon dish with a stuffing of spinach, capers, and soft mozzarella, which comes off as a fantastic enjoyable meal.

But if you are sticking with vegetarian options, then their Plum Tomato adorned with fresh basil, tomato gravy, and mozzarella cheese would act as an impressive alternative.

Location and Contact

13. Café Eclectic

Café Eclectic

Why it’s a must visit?

The Café Eclectic restaurant was opened in the year of 2008 and is a family owned Cafe that serves the best beverages in town along with various decadent breakfast options.

It also offers people sustainable food choices as the restaurant uses the freshest of ingredients which are sourced locally and therefore gives them a healthy touch to the dishes that they order.

The restaurant has a very calming ambiance with light coloured walls and soothing music, which makes it great if you want to have a refreshing start to your morning along with a fast paced service.

Chef’s Choice

One of the best beverages that you can try here is their Italian coffee which is made with the freshest coffee beans and is created with lots of love and efficacy.

It would be a superb choice to consider pairing your Italian coffee with their tasty Cheese & Bacon scone to give a soothing flavor to your tastebuds.

Another equally flavourful dish that you can give a try here if you want something sweet and decadent is their Chicken and Waffles, which would probably fill all the parameters you want from an outstanding sweet dish.

Location and Contact

14. Felicia Suzanne’s

Felicia Suzanne's

Why it’s a must visit?

Felicia Suzanne’s restaurant, as the name implies, is run by a famous chef named Felicia Suzanne, who provides people with his genius take on delivering the most delicate American dishes with a southern twist.

If you are searching for a local restaurant that not only caters to your food fantasies but also gives you a calming atmosphere, then this restaurant should be your top choice to consider If you want to eat some beautifully presented meals.

The restaurant is also known for its down-to-earth chef, who sometimes takes her time out to greet her guests and ask their opinions on the dish themselves.

Chef’s Choice

If you are confused between the many options which are listed on the menu, then you can always go for the chef’s recommendation, which is their famous and delectable Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant plate.

The Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant plate contains several very meals on one plate, which offers people a taste of different cuisines in one dish and also expels the fear of missing out on any great meal.

But if you want to try some decadent appetizers, then their Deviled Eggs would make for an excellent choice to consider as it also allows a shareable feature which is really incredible if you want to visit this place with your friends or your partner.

Whereas if you are craving seafood, and would like to try some delectable dishes, then their Cornbread-crusted Gulf Fish, which has a crispy covering and soft meat, can be your best bet.

15. The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant

The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant

Why it’s a must visit?

The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant restaurant excels in providing a captivating take on American and African cuisine by providing specialized soul food.

The restaurant is a Hidden gem as it serves not only classic dishes with a lot of fervor but also has generously stuffed complimentary dishes along with decadent desserts that will sway you with their mouth-melting and flavourful taste.

Not only are its meat options outstanding choices here, but its vegetarian options deserve a lot of praise as well.

Chef’s Choice

The restaurant has several American dishes, but our recommendation would go for their southern food menu, from which almost every single choice deserves to be tried due to its yummy flavor.

Another equally remarkable and impressive dish that you can try here is their baked Catfish which can act as a safe bet for you.

Their baked Catfish Ghost pretty well, along with their green beans and buttered corn and makes for an excellent sample dish to consider ordering.

Whereas if you want to experiment with other fabulous dishes as well, then our suggestion would go for their Fried Chicken which goes pretty well with macaroni and cheese along with some boiled okra, as they can be your nicest choice here.

As for your finishing dessert, their Peach Cobbler would probably fill your fancies with an outstanding treat.

Location and Contact

16. Cozy Corner Restaurant

Cozy Corner Restaurant

Why it’s a must visit?

The Cozy Corner Restaurant is the only diner in Memphis that prides itself in serving the native food of Memphis with incredible sophistication and also gives people a glimpse into the Memphis Tennessee culture by making a thematic interior inspired by it.

One of the most outstanding aspects of this restaurant is that it specializes in delivering people not only authentic Memphis cuisine but also extending its specialization in barbeque techniques of Memphis, too, by slowly cooking its dishes and providing them in a presentable form.

The remark “Memphis makes the best barbeque” unquestionably lives up to its ideals, as this restaurant serves one of the best barbeque options in the city made with authentic Memphis techniques.

The cozy corner collaboration in delivering people grilled and barbeque options also renders it quite amazing due to its fascinating cooking methods.

Chef’s Choice

As we said above, this restaurant specializes in barbeque and Grill options, because of which we would highly recommend that you give those dishes of theirs a try.

Even though almost every barbeque option here is incredibly mouthwatering, their BBQ Sliced Pork Sandwich Plate takes the crown due to its soft meat and luscious taste that dissolves in your mouth as soon as you take a bite.

If you want to try out more of their fascinating barbeque options, then their 4 Bone Ribs paired with BBQ beans will truly cater to your every craving with their irresistible flavor.

Another equally delicious dish that you can give a try here is their BBQ spaghetti which has an absolutely delightful taste and a very slippy texture.

Location and Contact

17. The Rendezvous (Also recognized as Charles’ Vergos’ Rendezvous)

The Rendezvous (Also recognized as Charles' Vergos' Rendezvous)

Why it’s a must visit?

The Rendezvous restaurant has a very captivating history; getting opened in the year of 1948 as a small snack bar with beer options but soon extended its branches and pervaded its existence by opening into one the many full-fledged barbeque famous restaurants.

If you are an inquisitive traveler in Memphis, then visiting this restaurant will prove to be one of your best decisions ever because of its unique atmosphere and marvelous cuisine.

This restaurant not only provides people with an exquisite number of authentic Memphis dishes but also gives them a scenic experience and a travel worthy adventure through its sophisticated service and stunning location.

The Southern inspired interior of the restaurant takes one back to the ages by featuring a farm to table seating along with a rustic vibe that makes people nostalgic and reminiscent of their old gone days.

Chef’s Choice

Before recommending you any other dishes in this restaurant, we would suggest that you give any of their barbeque options a try because they all are equally flavourful in taste and deserves to be praised.

But if you are tired of having barbeque food all the time, then we would suggest that you go for their delicious and tasty Pork Shoulder Plate provided with beans & vinegar-based slaw, which has an absolute Divine taste that would take you to a whole other world.

In the end, we would recommend that you finish your meal and satisfy yourself with their pie tart, which makes for a great dessert option to give you a lasting sweet aftertaste.

Location and Contact

18. South of Beale

South of Beale

Why it’s a must visit?

The South of Beale restaurant is known to be a celebrated bar that serves one of the most refreshing and intoxicating drinks in Memphis, along with its ingenious take on producing American cuisine with great intricacy.

The restaurant, just like many other big diners, started as a small branch in a different location and, through its success, transformed into a much more prominent and well-known restaurant giving people a full-fledged cuisine service along with several drink options.

It’s considered by youngsters to be one of the cool places to eat in Memphis because it’s the only Gastropub in Memphis providing a range of drinks along with a specialized cuisine based on the western menu as well.

Its interior is genuinely intriguing with a contemporary atmosphere along with a beautiful drinks menu which makes it an ideal place having formal meetings or for celebrating reunions as well.

The restaurant offers its options not only for dinners but also for brunch choices as well, which makes it a pretty casual place to visit if you wanna have a full-fledged meal.

Chef’s Choice

One of the best combos that you can try here is their appetizers and drink pairings, which have an incredibly delicious taste, especially with their General Tso Cauliflower which acts as a great appetizer that can be conjoined with any drink from the menu.

The General Tso Cauliflower is made with efficacy and is served alongside handmade sweet and sour glaze, roasted sesame, and scallions.

The restaurant also features special brunch events, which are held on Sundays, among which their Duck Fried Rice has become a local food favorite for its enticing taste and fulfilling texture.

The Duck Fried Rice is made from a blend of confit duck, sunny side egg, scallions, and five spice which acts in an assortment to create the most luscious flavor one could have ever tasted in their lifetime and has become one of their most popular dishes in this diner.

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19. By The Brewery

By The Brewery

Why it’s a must visit?

This By The Brewery restaurant has become a favorite among several local people who like to relax and have a great breakfast or lunch in Memphis without compromising on comfort or food.

The restaurant serves hearty dishes, which are brunch specialties like soups, salads, and biscuits, along with various beverage options to help you get a rejuvenating day ahead.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a good restaurant that will fulfill all your breakfast and lunch fantasies, then you must visit this place as any morsel from their dishes would give you pleasure in every bite you take as it has bursting flavors in its ingredients.

Besides its fabulous breakfast and lunch options, the restaurant also exhibits a friendly ambiance that makes one relax as soon as they step into this place.

Chef’s Choice

One of the best things that you can try here as simple snacks for lunch is their Brewery’s signature Biscuits which have a pretty unique fusion of several ingredients that pops up in your tastebuds with thrilling tastes.

Another unique set of biscuits that you can try here is their Brisket Biscuit, which is made from chili-spiced sprinkles and beer-braised beef brisket seasoned with generous pepper bacon jelly.

But if you want to try the best combo platter here that will relish your tastebuds in the most exquisite manner, then we would suggest that you try their New Yorker with a pumpernickel sandwich which comes with the stuffing kg pastrami, spicy mustard, and homemade pickles.

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20. Earnestine & Hazel’s

Earnestine & Hazel's

Why it’s a must visit?

The Earnestine and Hazel’s is a restaurant in downtown Memphis that provides people a drive in bar experience, which is excellent if you want to have a relaxing and chill hang out at night with your friends by enjoying their fascinating drink options, along with a thrilling live music performance and a comfortable ambiance.

The entire vibe of the restaurant has gained its loyal patrons because it not only provides people with great drink options and entertaining features as well, but also has a beautifully dark lit atmosphere, along with a jute box that plays several nostalgic songs, a horror story narrator, and a vintage ambiance that swoons anyone with its rustic aura.

It almost feels like you’re in a movie at this restaurant, and besides that feeling, the restaurant has been featured several times in various films due to its immersing atmosphere.

It’s considered to be one of the top rated restaurants in the city not only because it features a soulful ambiance but also due to its several entertaining features like live Jazz music and a relaxed hangout spot for having conversations with your friends.

Chef’s Choice

One of the most famous dishes is quite simple, which is Soul Burger served with plain chips and has gained its reputation as one of the best burgers in Memphis with a juicy and flavourful taste along with its generous size.

The burger gets served with chips which add to its crispy taste and goes pretty great, along with the several alcoholic drinks that are served here to accentuate one’s dining in experience.

Other than that, you can also just solely try their drinks, as it’s one of their most highlighted menus here, and you can still have a great night feasting without any heavier snacks.

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21. Beauty Shop

Beauty Shop

Why it’s a must visit?

The Beauty Shop restaurant, as the name implies, was renovated from a cute working Salon into a fully refurbished restaurant that has a thematic interior with hair dyer seats and also contains the ghost of previous guests as well to enthrall its visitors.

Despite its quirky interior, the restaurant is not famous only for that but is renowned mainly for its innovative cuisine, especially with outstanding breakfast specialties whose flavourful taste has consistently swayed its visitors.

It is only through the genius of their special chef named Karen Blockman Carrier, whose innovative take on various specialties has given this restaurant its funky and unique vibe.

Chef’s Choice

As we mentioned above, this restaurant excels pretty well in providing the most delicate breakfast specialties, especially with its exceptional Sunday brunch options like French toast made with challah, giant mimosas, and a medley of egg dishes which will give you a rejuvenating day ahead.

Another equally delicious dish that you can give a try here is their beef tenderloin sandwich which comes with a slice of juicy meat and various veggies stuffings with a generous layer of creams that gives you the most flavourful brunch of a lifetime.

After that, you can choose to pair your dishes with the great beverages that are available here, made with the freshest coffee beans or tea leaves to give yourself an entire wholesome breakfast experience.

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22. Mosa Asian Bistro

Mosa Asian Bistro

Why it’s a must visit?

There is no better place to hop if you are craving Asian cuisine other than their Mosa Asian Bistro, which delivers some of the most exquisite Asian dishes in Memphis with a flavourful taste.

The restaurant is impeccable when it comes to covering several Asian regions and providing cuisine from various lands like China, Japan, and Thailand to give people the most flavorsome dishes with a unique spice to them.

One of the most pleasing things about this diner is that it serves the most sweet Asian dishes in Memphis and provides lunch and dinner specialties, in which, for lunch, people can visit either alone or with a small friend group, and for dinner, they can visit it with their family to try various options from the menu.

The restaurant has one of the most impeccable Asian dishes, and their service is also rapid but sometimes depends on the crowd.

They also follow the policy of providing appetizers first and then main entries afterward.

Also, the staff is very professional and courteous when it comes to answering your queries and the owners of the restaurant also greet you themselves. Therefore due to its overall quality and atmosphere, the restaurant simply keeps gaining loyal visitors.

Chef’s Choice

If you want to try some simple and authentic dishes that would add a lot of taste to your palate, then go for their famous and delicious noodle and rice bowls, curries, and other small plate meals.

After that, you can go for their appetizers, especially the different forms of soups which will warm up your stomach to prepare for more incoming heavier meals.

As for your main course, you can try their various non-veg options here that are pretty amazing and follow it up with a delectable dessert to give you a satisfying treat in the end.

Location and Contact

23. Restaurant Iris

Restaurant Iris

Why it’s a must visit?

The Restaurant Iris is owned by a famous chef named Chef Kelly English, who always makes sure that she has her presence in the restaurant; therefore, the dishes here are made in the most exquisite sense and have a perfect consistency to them.

The restaurant is great if you are feeling homesick as the relaxing interior of the restaurant makes anyone at ease with its soft lighting effects and hearty dishes.

Another remarkable fact about this place is that it uses the freshest of ingredients by locally fetching them and adding authentic southern flavor to the dishes.

It also has outdoor seating with a spacious patio that is great to dine on during sweet weather conditions.

Chef’s Choice

One of the best things about this restaurant is that it uses the Cajun flair in order to create its dishes in the most homely fashion.

Among the many lovely dishes here, their surf and turf which combines a strip steak and fried oysters, remain the most beloved dish due to its flavorsome taste and generous stuffing.

Apparently, the restaurant excels exceptionally well in providing the most decadent sweets in town with its special sweet corn griddle cakes seasoned with Gulf crabmeat.

Location and Contact

24. Erling Jensen – The Restaurant

Erling Jensen - The Restaurant

Why it’s a must visit?

The Erling Jensen restaurant is a hidden gem among several locals in Memphis and is located on the East side of Memphis, and has earned its loyal patrons through its magical take on French cuisine with the most authentic flavor.

It also is run by a renowned chef named Erling Jensen, who not only spreads his creativity in the kitchen but also brings it to the dining room by greeting its people with a warm smile.

The menu here is highly colorful with vast options from various areas, be it providing simple snacks to main courses and luxurious seafood as well.

Chef’s Choice

Among the many incredible menu options here, their Wild game is a with several side dishes comprising pheasant breast with luscious risotto takes the crown because of its enticing aroma and rich texture that dissolves in your mouth with a single bite.

Another reason why the menu of this restaurant is highly appreciated is that it blends its food by masterfully using lamb chops, game, beef, and seafood options with raw veggies and rich, flavorful gravies.

When it comes to personal recommendations, their New England red deer chops and elk indeed exceed expectations with their bursting flavor and smooth texture.

Other than that, the menu hosts enormous varieties of food ranging from the most exquisite salads to freshly caught seafood, to wine options and delightful desserts like homemade sorbets as well.

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25. Chez Philippe

Chez Philippe

Why it’s a must visit?

The Chez Philippe restaurant is one of the fanciest diners in Memphis due to its location inside a historic building and its posh neighbors, which add to its entire elegance and sophistication.

The menu here is quite expensive but worth it due to its use of locally sourced ingredients and freshly caught seafood, which adds to the full richness that this restaurant exhibits in the perfect sense to give anyone a pleasant time.

Other than that, one gets to customize or mix their own wines by trying out different varieties and making solid and refreshing wines according to their own preferences.

Chef’s Choice

The restaurant follows a pretty unusual policy of providing different seven courses, or even smaller prix fixe menus of three or five simple courses.

As the restaurant follows a French courtesy, wine pairing is a must here and is done by professionals, while the visitors are also given the option of customization as well.

It also appreciates if one follows the conventional method of eating appetizers first, then following it up with main courses, and then ending on a satisfying treat by trying delicious desserts.

So, when it comes to trying out their starters, their crawfish consomme and a lobster and taste salad are the highlights here due to their warm test, which is also light and appetizing in flavor.

As for the main course, nothing beats their dry-aged beef, Filet Oscar, with their range of seafood options that are luscious in taste and take you to the whole other world of France without leaving your country.

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26. Catherine & Mary’s

Catherine & Mary's

Why it’s a must visit?

The Catherine & Mary’s restaurant is run by two renowned chefs who changed the culinary scene of Memphis and gained international prominence through their enticing dishes and ingenious creations that have taken Memphis by storm.

This restaurant contains the creations of Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman, who have also opened their other branches in several other cities in America and have given people the taste of their grandma’s cooking by blending the innate fusion of Tuscan and Sicilian into the Memphis culinary scene.

The menu of the restaurant is spellbinding with a variety of dishes that changes every month, and it also uses a sustainable mindset by only using local ingredients with an organic sensibility to give people the most everlasting luscious experience of a lifetime.

Chef’s Choice

The restaurant employs the policy of a multi pate course with shareable vessels, and the meat here is obtained from the famous Ticer and Hudman’s craft butchery and therefore is very juicy in flavor and soft in texture.

Another dish that could be shared and is exceptionally delicious to devour is their pasta which has become a local favorite here.

But the restaurant pays special attention to their drinks and dessert options as the cocktails here are incredibly colorful and are made by a genius mixologist who serves people the most rejuvenating drinks ever!

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27. Acre

Acre

Why it’s a must visit?

The Acre restaurant has exceeded expectations with its delightful dinner options that are highly appreciated all over Memphis due to its fusion of several flavors from various lands be Asian to Italian and French as well.

The restaurant is excellent for chilling with your friends because of its relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff who are ready to assist you with any problems and give you the most relaxing experience ever.

Other than that, the location of the restaurant in the heart of Memphis also brings its overall appreciation of being surrounded by beautiful botanical scenery and long walks of the landscape while also getting a pleasant dinner night.

Chef’s Choice

Before you try any of their main course dishes, we would suggest that you go for something light and tasty like their small plate appetizers which will prepare you for your following incoming meals.

The one dish which has become beloved by many people here is their Port Wine Poached Pears which gets served with buttered green lettuce, soft blue cheese, prosciutto, and a delicious spiced red wine vinaigrette that has a delightful flavor to it.

As for your main entry, nothing could beat their special Grilled Swordfish, which is served with sunchokes, hearty grilled radicchio, and a white gazpacho whose taste is beyond amazing with a rich flavor.

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28. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ

Corky's Ribs & BBQ

Why it’s a must visit?

If you are craving some great and delicious barbeque options in Memphis, then there is no better option other than their famous Corky’s Ribs and BBQ restaurant, which has exceeded expectations with its smoky flavor and rapid service.

This BBQ restaurant is so well received that it has maintained its position as the number 1 barbeque diner in Memphis and has never taken down its place more than 22 times; therefore is highly famous not only in Memphis but also all over America.

Besides only delivering exquisite barbeque dishes, the restaurant also gives people other varied options to consider too, with cuisines like Southern food as well to add variety to their palate.

Chef’s Choice

Any local will recommend that you try their famous Chocolate-Covered Bacon appetizer which has a pretty unique taste drifting from what this restaurant actually offers.

If you want to get a traditional barbeque taste with a twist of contemporary then their Memphis BBQ Nachos will probably exceed your expectations with their thrilling taste.

Also, the complimentary dishes here come in generous portions, with every meal coming with the same baked beans, coleslaw, and a freshly baked roll as side dishes.

Another delightful pairing that you can try here is their BBQ Pork and Spaghetti, which combines the juicy meat of pork with the smooth flavor of the pasta.

Whereas as your special treat, don’t forget to please your palate with their decadent Josh’s Peach Cobbler as your finishing dessert.

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29. Hueys

Hueys

Why it’s a must visit?

The Hueys restaurant has become one of the most staple locations to visit in Memphis if you are craving burgers and was established since the year 1970 and has achieved a lot of acclaim for its juicy and stuffed burgers.

The reason why its burgers are so famous is due to the variety that they offer in diverse forms and which are adorned with different seasonings as well, which gives people not only an option to feast on other fast-food options but also enjoy it in the absolute sense.

Other than only featuring meat varieties and vegetable ones as well, the restaurant also delivers seafood burgers as well to expand its choices.

Chef’s Choice

One of the best burgers that you can try here is their World Famous Huey Burger, whose title itself gives away how famous it is globally.

The World Famous Huey Burger combines the taste of mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, chopped onions, and cheddar or Swiss cheese all in one with an exceptional Hueys sauce.

Another equally flavourful burger that you can try here which has also achieved a lot of fame is their Old Type A1 Burger which is the World Famous Huey Burger adorned with fresh bacon, cheddar, Swiss or jack cheese, sautéed mushrooms, diced onion straws, and a sprinkle of A1 seasoning.

Besides featuring non-veg meat burgers, the restaurant also employs seafood like Shrimp Po-Boy, a Catfish Basket, and the classic Fish and Chips in its burgers to give people an exquisite seafood fast food venture.

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Famous foods to try in the city

Fast food – Be it Southern-based or Italian, Memphis is known for its incredible fusion in creating the best fast food options with a sustainable mindset in using local ingredients to make the crispiest chips, delicious cheese nachos, cheese pulled pizzas and even juicy burgers that have established it as a place which just doesn’t focus on one specialized cuisine but also take into consideration simple fast food options as well.

Cocktails – The cocktails of Memphis are hyped globally due to the various mixes that are employed in the colorful drinks giving them a refreshing and unique texture that is powerful enough to overwhelm one’s senses with their rejuvenating taste.

Barbeque food – Memphis has tons of barbeque options with specialized restaurants that provide people not only fascinating Smokey flavored meat choices but also extend to grilled and roasted food as well. It not only uses meat to create its dishes but also extends its welcome to seafood as well by employing various different forms of sauces and seasonings with various sprinkled spices to create its overall unique flavor.

Breakfast Specialities – Memphis is known internationally for being one of the best brunch providers due to the many restaurants which are made in a cafe sense and offer people the best of pies and pancakes along with various refreshing beverages that awakens one’s mind with their luscious taste and decadent choices.

Final Thoughts

Almost every restaurants in Memphis that we mentioned above has been written down by keeping the parameters of good hospitality, atmosphere, and food sustainability in mind and has a lot of proven authenticity to them. So we hope the above catalog could help you find some of the best restaurants in Memphis without any hassle and could help you decide where to eat while also clearing your query regarding a good place to eat. So keep exploring and have fun while feasting on Memphis most flavorsome dishes.

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