20 Best Restaurants in Memphis

Located in a former 1940s beauty parlor, dining at The Beauty Shop is a completely unique experience. The chairs still have the retro hair dryers and the decor is slightly funky and eclectic.

Brunch here is a fan favorite with all the classic brunch offerings, with a southern flair. Top picks include the Beneduck and BBQ shrimp. The dinner menu features everything from fresh whole fish to the mouthwatering Grilled Pork and Peaches.

Barbecue is a Memphis staple and Central BBQ is just one restaurant serving up top-notch grilled fare.

Their raison d’etre is their slow-cooked fall-off-the-bone Memphis-style barbecue. Order a full slab of ribs for yourself or share a plate of their crispy and fresh Nachos. Sit and stay for a while or place an order to go – you can’t go wrong.

Chef Kelly English is shaking up the Memphis dining scene with restaurants that are beloved by locals and tourists alike. The Second Line takes diners down to New Orleans with a menu packed with Cajun-Creole classics.

From Crawfish Cornbread to Catfish po’boys, this is southern comfort food with an elevated twist. Stop by for Steak night on Sunday or come for brunch and get a taste of the Crabcake Benedict or a classic shrimp and grits.

We weren’t kidding when we said Chef Kelly English is a Memphis staple. With another outstanding southern-inspired restaurant, Restaurant Iris’s French-Creole menu is the perfect ‘treat yourself’ meal.

While a bit on the pricier end, this restaurant is worth every penny. From the raw seafood towers to the seared foie gras, Restaurant Iris should be on every diner’s bucket list. The menu is constantly changing to take advantage of the latest catch and produce, but everything served up here is a hit.

Sunday Jazz Brunch is a treat with live jazz music and special menu items every week!

Sliders are the name of the game at The Slider Inn – as the name would suggest. From shrimp po’boys to jerk chicken, there are sliders for every palette. For a starter, we recommend trying the Reuben & Cuban Egg Rolls. They have such a unique twist and are oh-so-delicious.

Sliders aren’t just for dinner anymore! On weekends, the brunch menu has breakfast and brunch-inspired sliders.

Don’t let the name fool you – The Liquor Store isn’t actually a store at all. Rather it’s a diner serving all-day breakfast and lunch staples.

Although you can definitely get liquor and delicious cocktails here! For those of age, try the Lucky Charms or Cinnamon Toast Crunch shots – not quite breakfast but just as delicious.

Nestled in a quaint white brick building with neon signs, The Liquor Store is just steps away from Overton Park. The perfect stop between, before, or after a day of exploring the area.

The food here has soul – literally. Four Way Restaurant has been serving up Southern Soul Food staples since 1946. As one of the first restaurants where Black and white folks could eat together, the restaurant holds so much of Memphis' history. Notable diners include Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Jesse Jackson.

From fried catfish to fried green tomatoes, diners rave about everything on Four Way’s menu. It can get busy here at times (for good reason), so come early!

This casual Mexican joint serves up – you guessed it – tortas and tacos (among other Mexican street food favorites!). Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are perfectly spiced and filled to the brim with your protein of choice.

Everything here is made-to-order at fantastic prices. Reviewers love the complimentary house-made chips and salsa. Whether you go for the classics like Pollo (chicken) and Asada (steak) or the tamales on the weekends, everything here is a slam dunk.

Maciel’s has two locations in Memphis, Downtown and Midtown. In a rush? Place your order online ahead of time for pickup!

Memphis has a long history, which means so do many of the restaurants. Brother Juniper’s is no exception. With a religious and spiritual history, this casual restaurant serves a nationally acclaimed breakfast.

They’re known for unique offerings like the Garden and Lamb Omelet or the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Varieties of Potatoes and Open Faced Omelets are the stars of the menu. But of course, you’ll also find your breakfast classics. For vegans, Brother Juniper’s also serves up a fantastic tofu scramble.

While you’re here, make sure to grab a cup of freshly ground coffee and some homemade bread.

Southern food and Italian might not sound like a perfect pair, but Hog & Hominy is ready to prove you wrong. This popular eatery in East Memphis is known for its pizzas fired in a wood-burning stove.

The menu changes with the seasons, so you’ll find classics like Margherita or the slightly-spicy Red Eye next to a selection of rotating selections.

You’ll find most of the Southern influence in the Snacks section on the dinner menu, with delicacies like pig ears and collards. 

By the same chefs as Hog & Hominy, Catherine & Mary’s brings a Tuscan flair to the Memphis Downtown core. Inspired by the cozy and homey flavors of grandma’s cooking, the menu includes classic Italian antipasti, as well as mouthwatering fresh pasta plates.

Their extensive wine list means there’s a perfect glass for every dish on the menu. And the elegant, yet industrial-esque space is the perfect way to end a day in Memphis.

Paulette’s Restaurant at the River Inn has been a Memphis favorite for almost 50 years. Serving breakfast to dinner and everything in between, Paulette’s menu is comforting yet unique. The family-friendly atmosphere is perfect for a night out with the entire family.

If you’re stopping by for weekend brunch, make sure to try Paulette’s signature strawberry butter with the mouthwatering fresh-baked popovers.

As you stroll down Beale Street, you can’t miss the neon signs and retro vibes of the Blues City Cafe. As you look over the menu at this casual joint, you’ll be greeted by classic Memphis barbecue and Southern eats.

The self-proclaimed “World’s Best Tamales” make for a perfect snack or appetizer. But the ribs are the showstoppers here. Featured on the Travel Channel and The Food Network, these fall-off-the-bone ribs are slow-cooked to perfection.

And we all know Memphis is famous for its tunes, so stay after dinner and enjoy live music in the evenings in the Band Box right next door.

Sometimes you just need a quick bite or something to cool you down from the Memphis heat. In all its hot pink glory, Jerry’s has got it all.

A Memphis classic, Jerry’s extensive (and slightly eclectic) menu has everything from burgers and hot dogs to corn nuggets and egg rolls. And of course, you’ll find a whopping dessert menu with well over 30 snow cone flavors.

Find the original Jerry’s on Wells Station Road in Memphis. But you’ll also find a second location now in Cordova.

There’s no shortage of barbecue spots in Memphis. But Rendezvous stands out with its celebrity, often attracting A-list visitors, including President Obama and Anthony Bourdain.

Rendezvous has been serving dry rub ribs cooked over charcoal since 1948 out of an alley in downtown Memphis. The menu is simple – barbecue and all the fixings. And a pretty impressive Greek Salad.

Just steps away from the Peabody Hotel, pop by for your barbecue fix after watching the famous Peabody ducks march through the lobby.

Serving up soul food for over 25 years, Alcenia’s is synonymous with Memphis eats. Southern-style classics are homey and made to order from scratch – just like grandmas. Alcenia’s has been featured in some of the biggest publications in the country, including The Food Network and Good Morning America.

Come by for one of the daily lunch specials or enjoy Alcenia's famous Saturday brunch, including fried chicken, salmon croquettes, and of course classic biscuits and gravy.

And if you still have room for dessert Alcenia’s homemade pies and cakes are to die for. In fact, we’re hungry just thinking about it.

If there was a splurge-worthy dining experience in Memphis, it would be Itta Benna.

Tucked away above BB King’s Blues Club, Itta Benna is a contemporary, southern twist on seafood and steakhouse classics. Indulge in appetizers like the lump crab stuffed avocado or treat yourself to a filet mignon topped with lump crab.

Itta Benna is a true Memphis dining experience, starting from the first steps up the unmarked staircase on Beale Street. Itta Benna is one of the pricier picks on this list. But if you’re celebrating a special occasion, we recommend taking the opportunity to bask in the glow of Beale Street lights in Itta Benna’s cozy dining room.

Blink and you might just drive right past Payne’s unassuming white and red facade. The dining room and building have no frills but this hidden gem does barbecue right.

In a city packed with barbecue joints, Payne’s has made a name for itself. Your order is cooked fresh and the pork sandwich is a must-try. Payne’s is a bit out of the way of most of Memphis’s top attractions, but the food here is certainly worth the trip.

If you can think of a sandwich, Elwood’s probably has it. Elwood’s Shack is known for delicious, yet affordable eats that will accommodate any taste palette.

From classic Memphis barbecue to tacos and pizza, the menu at Elwood’s is simply massive.

The space on the other hand is a bit on the smaller side. Let’s just say Elwood’s Shack is aptly named. But there are many picnic tables outside for you to enjoy your meal under the Tennessee sun.

One of the oldest cafes in Memphis, the Arcade Restaurant has been around since the early 1900s.

Today, dining at the Arcade Restaurant is like stepping into a time machine back to the 50s. The beautifully designed restaurant looks like it came straight out of a movie. Arcade serves up classic southern-style diner fare for breakfast and lunch. Make lunch extra fun with one of their delicious spiked shakes.

Located in the historic South Main Arts District, the Arcade Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy coffee and breakfast before exploring the area.

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