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 suggestions of my own — as much as I would love to share a comprehensive index of every great option in town, I’m curating what I believe to be the best in Memphis 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
Hustle & Dough Cafe
arrive hotel, downtown
bourbon latte, yogurt + granola
The Hub
east memphis
spanish latte
Comeback Coffee
pinch, downtown
cortado or coffee soda
City & State
broad avenue
seasonal latte
JoJo’s Espresso
thornwood, germantown
dirty chai, scone
BREAKFAST
Sunrise
east memphis or the edge
the kitchen sink, bi bim bap bowl
Hive Bagel & Deli
downtown
everything croissant, bagel sandwich
Kinfolk
harbor town
breakfast burrito, grits bowl with oyster mushrooms
WEEKEND BRUNCH
Hog & Hominy
brookhaven circle, east memphis
crab claws (save the butter), thunderbird 40 twice! pizza (dip the crust), chicken biscuit, gf pancakes, ricotta toast, basically everything
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
tacos, las tortugas deli mexicana
get in the chopper, city silo
LUNCH (CASUAL)
City Silo
east memphis or saddle creek
kale caesar salad as a wrap, happy daze smoothie add espresso, portobello tacos
Elwood’s Shack
summer, east memphis
brisket taco, bbq pizza, or cuban
Slider Inn
south main or midtown
vegan burnout wings, fries
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana
germantown or east memphis
tortilla soup, fish tacos, mexican street corn, guac
Hard Times Deli
the edge
eggplant parm, buffalo chicken caesar, spicy italian
Poke Bros
east memphis
marinated tuna poke bowl with crabstick, edamame, avocado, green onion, crispy onion, ponzu and sweet soy
LUNCH (FANCIER)
Libro at Laurelwood
east memphis (in novel bookstore)
bibb salad, add salmon
McEwen’s
downtown
jungle of greens salad add salmon, potato salad
Hog & Hominy
east memphis
artichokes, seasonal salad or sandwich (loving the honey gem, add chicken)
Iris
east memphis
Laurelwood Salad
Local Lime
germantown
Salsa flight, birria quesadilla
River Oaks
east memphis
petite salad, halibut, short rib grilled cheese
KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
Click here
wiseacre/little bettie
bain bbq
TAP ROOMS + DISTILLERIES
Wiseacre
downtown
memphis sands, Little Bettie pizza!
Crosstown Brewing Co.
crosstown concourse
siren blonde ale
Old Dominick Distillery
downtown
tour + tasting
Grind City Brewing Co.
uptown
the godhopper
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, smash burger
Central BBQ
downtown, central, or east
Pork nachos, banana pudding
SWEET TREAT
Sweet Magnolia Gelato
crosstown concourse
stracciatella, butter pecan
Mempops
crosstown concourse, midtown
nutella banana, coconut
Zio Matto Gelato
south main
gelato macaron sandwich
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
Ricki’s Cookie Corner
east memphis
chipsticks, challah, biscotti
HAPPY HOUR
Acre
east memphis
dirty martini, foie gras, crudo, kimchi fries
Grey’s Fine Cheeses
east memphis
three-cheese charcuterie
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
brookhaven circle, east memphis
seasonal cocktail, crudo, oysters, country ham + focaccia, fried mozz
Bar Hustle
arrive hotel, downtown
negroni, olives
Bog & Barley
east memphis
draft beer or irish whiskey
proper bites, amelia gene’s
pastas, catherine & mary’s
DINNER OUT
Amelia Gene’s
downtown
oyster proper bite, steak tartare, fish or file, cheese cart
Catherine & Mary's
south main, downtown
any pasta, meatballs, fried mozz
Ecco on Overton Park
overton park, midtown
crab claws, mushroom pasta, cacio y pepe cauliflower
Good Fortune Co.
south main, downtown
GFC wings, birria dumplings, any and all noods
The Lobbyist
south main, downtown
focaccia board, corn mash, carrots
River Oaks Restaurant
east memphis
tuna stack, halibut, burger + pommes frites
Bao Toan
crosstown concourse
ma’s ribs, bao bao shrimp, crab fried rice, pork belly, tony’s cocktails, , vietnamese coffee tiramisu
Limelight
germantown
crispy chickpeas + olives, pork belly skewers, seasonal fish
TAKE OUT
Brooklyn Bridge
east memphis
Veal piccata, pizza add spinach, gnocchi di regina
Petals of Peony
cordova
spicy crispy chicken, edamame beef, salt shrimp, dumplings, eggplant
Mosa
east memphis
chicken lettuce wraps, mr. eddie's noodles, three seasoned shrimp, spring roll
Zen
germantown
Tuna crispy rice, warm mushroom salad, saalmon lump crab roll
Ciao Bella
east memphis
Chopped salad, brisket gnocchi, chicken santorini
zen
petals of a peony
LATE NIGHT
Earnestine & Hazel’s
south main, downtown
miller high life, soul burger
Swamp Bar
overton square
joe’s old fashioned, bar chips
Mary’s BOTE
peco (midtown)
mezcal paloma
Bar Ware
downtown
seasonal cocktail, knoxville late night