Amidst the many daily "hats" I wear, I like to call myself a natural concierge for the restaurant scenes of which I live and frequently travel. I often find myself conjuring up lists of my favorite new spots to share via Instagram message or text or in conversation with relatives, acquaintances, and everyday followers.
When it comes to Memphis, I believe it’s critical that newcomers and natives see and experience exceptional food in my hometown. Let me be clear that the following are opinions/suggestions of my own — as much as I would love to share a comprehensive index of every dining option in town, I’m curating what I believe to be the best in Memphis food & beverage right now.
Whether you're a local who's challenging the usual restaurant routine or an out-of-towner seeking the non-barbecue gems of the Memphis dining scene, take this list and run with it. My recommended orders are listed, but feel free to follow your cravings and branch out on menus as you wish!
bourbon mocha + pastries, arrive hotel
COFFEE + BREAKFAST
Vice & Virtue / Hustle & Dough Cafe
arrive hotel, downtown
bourbon mocha, avocado toast + pastries of the day
Comeback Coffee
pinch, downtown
cortado or coffee soda
City & State
broad avenue
seasonal latte
JoJo’s Espresso
thornwood, germantown
dirty chai, blueberry lemon scone
tacos, las tortugas deli mexicana
get in the chopper, city silo
LUNCH
Elwood’s Shack
summer, east memphis
brisket taco, bbq pizza, or cuban
Slider Inn
south main, downtown
lobster roll, vegan burnout wings
City Silo
east memphis or saddle creek
get in the chopper salad, happy daze smoothie add espresso, portobello tacos
Libro at Laurelwood
east memphis (in novel bookstore)
loaded italian chopped salad, turkey panini, pastas
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana
germantown or east memphis
tortilla soup, fish tacos, mexican street corn, guac
Local Lime
germantown
Salsa flight, guac, birria quesadilla
WEEKEND BRUNCH
Hog & Hominy
brookhaven circle, east memphis
crab claws (save the butter), thunderbird 40 twice! pizza (dip the crust), chicken biscuit, gf pancakes
Bishop
south main, downtown
salty dog spritz, omelette or chicken biscuit
The Beauty Shop (sunday only)
cooper young, midtown
israeli breakfast, lemon ricotta pancakes, or migas
The Liquor Store
broad avenue or east memphis
all day breakfast, cuban
TAP ROOMS + DISTILLERIES
Wiseacre
downtown
memphis sands, Little Bettie pizza!
High Cotton
the edge, downtown
belgian whit
Crosstown Brewing Co.
crosstown concourse
siren blonde ale
Old Dominick Distillery
downtown
tour + tasting
Grind City Brewing Co.
uptown
the godhopper
bain bbq
BARBECUE
Charlie Vergos Rendezvous
downtown
Sausage + cheese plate, Greek salad, brisket Lamb ribs
Bain BBQ
midtown
texas trinity, jalapeño cheddar sausage, queso, 5 cheese mac
Central BBQ
downtown, central, or east
Pork nachos, banana pudding
HAPPY HOUR
Acre
east memphis
dirty martini, foie gras, crudo, kimchi fries
Dory
east memphis
fontina sliders, salted cod brandade
Bar Hustle
arrive hotel, downtown
negroni
SWEET TREAT
Sweet Magnolia Gelato
crosstown concourse
stracciatella, butter pecan
Mempops
crosstown concourse, midtown
nutella banana, coconut
17 Berkshire
overton square, midtown
afternoon tea
Muddy's
broad avenue (weekend bake sales)
banana puddin', vegan peanut butter bar
SmallCakes Collierville
collierville
any special on instagram!
Jerry’s Sno Cones
east memphis or cordova
orchid supreme
proper bites, amelia gene’s
pastas, catherine & mary’s
DINNER
Catherine & Mary's
south main, downtown
any pasta, meatballs, fried mozz
Ecco on Overton Park
overton park, midtown
crab claws, mushroom pasta, weekend fish special
Amelia Gene’s
downtown
oyster and foie gras macaron proper bites, octopus, duck, cheese cart
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
brookhaven circle, east memphis
you can’t go wrong with anything you order
Good Fortune Co.
south main, downtown
GFC wings, birria dumplings, any and all noods
The Lobbyist
south main, downtown
focaccia board, corn mash, carrots, beef
River Oaks Restaurant
east memphis
tuna stack, halibut, burger + pommes frites
TAKE OUT
Poke Bros
east memphis
marinated tuna poke bowl with crabstick, edamame, avocado, green onion, crispy onion, ponzu and sweet soy
Brooklyn Bridge
Veal piccata, pizza add spinach, gnocchi di regina
Little Italy
south main or midtown
white pizza add eggplant, meatballs
Petals of Peony
cordova
cumin lamb, salt shrimp, dumplings
Mosa
east memphis
chicken lettuce wraps, mr. eddie's noodles, three seasoned shrimp, spring roll
LATE NIGHT
Eight & Sand
central station hotel, downtown
manhattan, “the birdie” chicken sandwich
Earnestine & Hazel’s
south main, downtown
ghost river, soul burger
Bar Ware
downtown
seasonal cocktail, knoxville late night