Memphis is a city on the Mississippi River in Tennessee. Famous as a music city, Memphis is the place where blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll started. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and BB King recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studio. Speaking of the best places to eat in Memphis, you have to know one thing.
And that is the official cuisine of the city is barbecue. It is the quintessential meal in Memphis. The city has many delicious culinary offerings, mostly flavorsome comfort food, and soul food.
In some of the best places to eat in Memphis, you can try the signature Memphis BBQ and some world-famous fried chicken.
What is Memphis known for?
The city is known worldwide as the Home of the Blues and Birthplace of Rock N Roll. But there are also other music genres that originated in Memphis Tennessee like gospel, jazz, rap, soul, and R&B. Almost 20% of the earliest inductees in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame have come from within a 100–mile radius of Memphis.
In Memphis TN, you need more than one day of sightseeing. There are landmarks like the River Garden at Mississippi River Park, Mighty Lights, the Big River Crossing, the historic Peabody Memphis hotel in downtown Memphis, the historic music and entertainment district Beale Street, National Civil Rights Museum, and more.
The Legendary Dr Martin Luther King was actually assassinated at the Lorraine Motel, which now houses the National Civil Rights Museum. The city is also home to the up-and-coming NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies.
After a long day of exploring the city, you definitely need to visit some of the best places to eat in Memphis to fuel your energy. Memphis tourism has so much to offer.
Best Restaurants in Memphis
The Arcade Restaurant
We just have to start with the iconic Memphis restaurant. It was Elvis’s favorite restaurant in Memphis. It is also the oldest diner in the city and a local favorite.
When in town, Elvis regularly ordered their fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. Speros Zepatos founded The Arcade in 1919 after immigrating from Cephalonia, Greece.
Here, you can have breakfast or lunch, and we also recommend trying their spicy bacon jalapeno sandwich.
Fun fact: Movies like 21 Grams, Mystery Train, Walk the Line, Elizabethtown, The Client, the Firm, and more have been filmed in this iconic restaurant. The Arcade restaurant is probably one of the most famous Memphis tourism landmarks.
Cozy Corner BBQ
We said in the beginning that barbecue is the official cuisine of Memphis. So it is only fitting that we have quite a few BBQ restaurants
This joint might be confused with an old grocery store on the outside. But inside, it is a neat eatery offering smoked meats like ribs, pork, Cornish hen, chicken wings, and beef smoked sausage.
They also have one of the famous Memphis specialties, barbecue spaghetti.
Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar
Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar is an upscale restaurant putting emphasis on entrees and wine pairings. Located in downtown Memphis, it has a complete bar, indoor seating, and balcony seating.
They take comfort food to a whole new level. If you want to spend a romantic evening with your loved one, this is the best place to go. The dining establishment is also a popular choice for birthday parties and other group events.
You can order entrees in groups of small plates and partnered with the best wine for tasting. The whole menu is amazing, but you have to try the Bison RIbeye and Boursin Stuffed Filet. These are two of the most popular dishes. Order both with your partner and share if you like.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Located in downtown Memphis Gus’s is a popular fried chicken restaurant. It rose to fame because of its signature hot and spicy fried chicken.
The East Memphis restaurant opened in 1953. Since then, the owners have shared the family recipe with generations. It is now an international sensation.
The restaurant is a prime example of how chicken can make you a global sensation. Here are some sides you can try with your chicken: mac n cheese and baked beans.
And in the end, leave room for dessert and try their coconut pie.
Erling Jensen Restaurant
Many consider Erling Jensen a founding father of the fine dining scene in Memphis. His restaurant located in East Memphis is one of the top dining restaurants. Globally inspired and classically executed, the restaurant has a selection of classic entrees, small bites, and more.
Cafe Eclectic
The family-owned coffee shop has been in business since 2008. They proudly say they serve the 901, a localism inspired by the 901 area code of Memphis TN.
They serve a famous Italian brand of coffee and offer an all-day breakfast menu. Some of the best dishes include homemade waffles, vegan pancakes, stuffed French toast, and more.
As for the coffees, they have some classics like French press, Americano, and more. But you can sample specialty drinks as well. Star and Micey is named after a local music group, and it is two shots of espresso, Monin white and dark chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.
There are two locations of Cafe Eclectic in the city, one in Midtown Memphis and one in Harbor Town.
Felicia Suzanne’s
Felicia Willet is a Memphis chef that has operated her eponymous fine dining establishment for more than 20 years. The menu is made is full of her creative riffs on classics from across the south. There are also dishes inspired by her childhood.
The result is a mashup of Gulf Coast seafood cooking, Creole cuisine, and Charleston low county traditions.
She insists on farm-to-fork tradition, which is why you can often see her at the Memphis Farmers Market. As for the great food you should try? We recommend crispy gulf Oysters with New Orleans BBQ sauce.
Interstate BBQ
This establishment was once a grocery store. But now the oversized dining rooms lure thousands of tourists and locals for big fat plates of rib tips and elephantine beef ribs.
Your dish of sauced meat comes with your choice of sides. You can choose from potato salad, coleslaw, and barbecue beans.
There are so many meat and Memphis BBQ options. But you can also try many of the Southern-inspired desserts like peach cobbler or sweet potato pie.
Garibaldi’s
Garibaldi’s is a local hotspot drawing people from the University of Memphis. Even after they graduate, people come back to this old-school pizza joint.
There are three locations, with the original being on Walker Avenue. Garibaldi’s is a place where you can go to experience a 1980s vibe. You can even bust a score on Ps. Pac-Man.
Terrace at the River Inn
Located in Harbor Town, Terrace at the River Inn is a trendy restaurant. Go there to enjoy your meal while overlooking the Mississippi River.
The breathtaking views and classic dishes with a modern twist are all you can ask for. We suggest bringing your loved one here for an intimate and romantic dinner.
Now, what to eat? Well, we recommend mojo shrimps and lamb sliders if you want small plates. If you are really hungry and want a heavy meal, try the herb-roasted chicken or the grilled salmon.
The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant
The Four Way Soul Food restaurant is the best place for a cozy dinner. It is a South Memphis institution serving staples like vegetable plates, hamburgers, and turkey to the community of Walker and Mississippi boulevard for more than 70 years.
During the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, people flocked to this Memphis restaurant. Even Martin Luther King Jr was a frequent guest.
Celebrities like Al Green, Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, and more, have also visited the cozy diner. So, make sure to visit it as well on your stop at Bluff City.
Cozy Corner Restaurant
In 2020, owner Desiree Robinson was inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame. That tells you a lot about this family-run eatery that opened in 1977.
Their menu is standard Memphis barbecue with a lot of sandwich plates, meat-only plates, dinner plates with bread and two sides, and more.
Folk’s Folly Prime Steakhouse
If you are looking for the best restaurant for a steak in Memphis, this might be it. Folk’s Folly Prime Steakhouse opened in 1977 as a small eatery but grew into an upscale restaurant.
The classic décor with modern touches will make it a cozy and elegant place to dine. If you want a multiple-course meal, start with the Fried Dill Pickles and then follow it up with the Filet Mignon.
For dessert, try their Hot Chocolate Fudge Brownie loaded with pecans and topped with vanilla ice cream.
Brother Juniper’s
This best breakfast restaurant was born out of a religious community in the 1960s. No matter if you are a breakfast person or not, this place will make you fall in love.
The breakfast and brunch establishment has a familiar atmosphere and nutritious meals.
We recommend trying their Garden and Lamb omelet for lunch. It is their signature dish. You can pair it with loaded cheese grits for a delicious meal.
And if you still have space in your stomach, try any of their biscuit sandwiches.
Gibson’s Donuts
We have to have some sweet places for dining, right? Gibson’s Donuts is a friendly doughnut shop that opened in 1968. They have raised and cake pastries that you will fall in love with.
We highly recommend that you try their blueberry fills with whipped cream and blueberry coulis. It is a local favorite.
Itta Bena
Itta Bena is a contemporary Memphis restaurant offering fine dining in Bluff City. Their menu is all about Southern cuisine with Delta influences.
They can offer you seating for any occasion, be it a family gathering or romantic evening. Their charming interior and delicious dishes will make your experience memorable.
Now, for the great food. We recommend starting the day with she-crab soup and then trying the Cajun Pasta if you want something spicy.
Finish off your evening with the white chocolate bread pudding with caramel sauce. It is a fan favorite of visitors.
McEwen’s
McEwen’s is a popular dining establishment on Monroe Avenue serving American cuisine with Mexican and Southern influence.
They are one of the best restaurants in downtown Memphis. The atmosphere in the eatery has helped McEwen’s gather a large following.
As for the food, they have some interesting dishes. For example, even their salads are amazing. We recommend trying the warm hazelnut-crusted goat cheese salad. The name is delicious, and the salad is even better.
And for a meaty dish, try the grilled beef tenderloin. Cooked to perfection, it comes with a tasty sauce of Ruby Port Demi-Glace.
Hi, I’m a clinical psychologist and inclined towards best buying practices for home and kitchen things. Critical towards choosing the best product and honest with my feedback. I’m a seasoned writer having more than 4 years of experience in multiple niches as well.
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