TH E M E M P H I S D I N I N G G U I D E M
A Curated Guide to Eating Out
emphis magazine offers this curated restaurant listing as a service to our readers. Broken down alphabetically by neighborhoods, this directory does not list every restaurant in town. It does, however, include the magazine’s “Top 50” choices of must-try restaurants in Memphis, a group that is updated every August. Establishments open less than a year are not eligible for “Top 50” but are noted as “New.” This guide also includes a representative sampling of other Bluff City eating establishments. No fast-food facilities or cafeterias are listed. Restaurants are included regardless of whether they advertise in Memphis magazine; those that operate in multiple locations are listed under the neighborhood of their original location. This guide is updated regularly, but we recommend that you call ahead to check on hours, prices, or other details. Suggestions from readers are welcome; please contact Samuel X. Cicci at scicci@contemporary-media.com
DOWNTOWN 117 PRIME—Restaurateurs Craig Blondis and Roger Sapp team up with Chef Ryan Trimm to recreate the traditional American steakhouse. Serving oysters on the half shell and a variety of surf and turf options. 117 Union. 433-9851. L, D, WB, X, $-$$$ ALDO’S PIZZA PIES—Serving gourmet pizzas — including Mr. T Rex — salads, and more. Also 30 beers, bottled or on tap. 100 S. Main. 577-7743; 752 S. Cooper. 725-7437. L, D, X, $-$$ THE ARCADE—Possibly Memphis’ oldest cafe. Specialties include sweet potato pancakes, a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, and breakfast served all day. 540 S. Main. 526-5757. B, L, D (Thurs.-Sat.), X, MRA, $ AUTOMATIC SLIM’S—Longtime Downtown favorite specializes in contemporary American cuisine emphasizing local ingredients; also extensive martini list. 83 S. Second. 525-7948. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ BACKLOT SANDWICH SHOP—Big sandwiches, breakfast bowls, and build-your-own-biscuits for breakfast, lunch, and an early supper. 265 S. Front St. 509-8612. B, L, D, $ BARDOG TAVERN—Classic American grill with Italian influence, Bardog offers pasta specialties such as Grandma’s NJ Meatballs, as well as salads, sliders, sandwiches, and daily specials. 73 Monroe. 275-8752. B (Mon.-Fri.), L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ BEDROCK EATS & SWEETS—Memphis’ only Paleocentric restaurant, offering such dishes as pot roast, waffles, enchiladas, chicken salad, omelets, and more. Closed for dinner Sun. 327 S. Main. 409-6433. B, L, D, X, $-$$ BELLE TAVERN—Serving elevated bar food, including a butcher board with a variety of meats and cheeses, as well as daily specials. 117 Barboro Alley. 249-6580. L (Sun.), D, MRA, $ BEN YAY’S GUMBO SHOP—Spiritual successor to DejaVu, offering fresh and authentic Creole staples. 51 S. Main St., 779-4125. L, D, X, $-$$ BISHOP—Ticer and Hudman’s newest venture at the Central Station Hotel features upscale dishes in a French brasserie style. 545 S. Main St., 524-5247. L, D, X, $$-$$$ BLEU—This eclectic restaurant features American food with global influences and local ingredients. Among the specialties are a 14-oz. bone-in rib-eye and several seafood dishes. 221 S. Third, in the Westin Memphis Beale St. Hotel. 334-5950. B, L, D, WB, X, MRA, $$-$$$ BLUEFIN RESTAURANT & SUSHI LOUNGE— Serves Japanese fusion cuisine featuring seafood and steak, with seasonally changing menu; also a sushi bar. 135 S. Main. 528-1010. L, D, X, $-$$ BRASS DOOR IRISH PUB—Irish and New-American cuisine includes such entrees as fish and chips, burgers, shepherd’s pie, all-day Irish breakfast, and more. 152 Madison. 572-1813. L, D, SB, $-$$ BY THE BREWERY—Breakfast and lunch café, with a focus on Southern-style biscuits, salads, and soups. 496 Tennessee St. 310-4341. B, L, $ CAFE KEOUGH—European-style cafe serving quiche, paninis, salads, and more. 12 S. Main. 509-2469. B, L, D, X, $
FISHBOWL AT THE PYRAMID—Burgers, fish dishes, sandwiches, and more served in a unique “underwater” setting. Bass Pro, 1 Bass Pro Drive, 2918000. B, L, D, X, $-$$ FLIGHT RESTAURANT & WINE BAR— Serves steaks and seafood, along with such specialties as bison ribeye and Muscovy duck, all matched with appropriate wines. 39 S. Main. 521-8005. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ FLYING FISH—Serves up fried and grilled versions of shrimp, crab, oysters, fish tacos, and catfish; also chicken and burgers. 105 S. Second. 522-8228. L, D, X, $-$$ GOOD FORTUNE CO.—Authentic handcrafted noodles, ramen, and dumplings. Opening in July. 361 S. Main. 561-306-4711. L, D, $-$$ THE GRAY CANARY—The sixth restaurant from chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, offering small plates and entrees cooked on an open flame. Oysters, octopus, and hearty steaks are among the menu options at this CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE— eatery in Old Dominick Distillery. Closed Mon. 301 S. Front. 466Offers prime steaks, fresh seafood (lobster tails, grouper, mahi 6324. D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ mahi), pasta, and several Northern Italian specialties. 149 GRECIAN GOURMET TAVERNA—Serves traditional Union, The Peabody. 529-4199. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$$ favorites like spanakopita, pastitso, moussaka, and hand-rolled CAROLINA WATERSHED—This indoor/outdoor dolmathes, as well as lamb sliders and pita nachos. Closed Mon. eatery, set around silos, features reimagined down-home 412 S. Main. 249-6626. L, D, X, $ classics, including fried green tomatoes with smoked catfish, a GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, burgers, and more. Closed CHICKEN—Serves chicken with signature spicy batter, Mon.-Thurs. 141 E. Carolina. 321-5553. L, D, WB, $-$$ along with homemade beans, slaw, and pies. 310 S. CATHERINE & MARY’S—A variety of pastas, Front. 527-4877; 215 S. Center St. (Collierville). 853-6005; 2965 N. grilled quail, pâté, razor clams, and monkfish are Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 373-9111; 730 S. Mendenhall. 767among the dishes served at this Italian restaurant in 2323; 505 Highway 70 W., Mason, TN. 901-294-2028. L, D, X, MRA, $ the Chisca. 272 S. Main. 254-8600. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ HAPPY MEXICAN—Serves quesadillas, burritos, chimiCHEF TAM’S UNDERGROUND CAFE—Serves changas, vegetable and seafood dishes, and more. 385 S. Second. Southern staples with a Cajun twist. Menu items include 529-9991; 6080 Primacy Pkwy. 683-0000; 7935 Winchester. totchoes, jerk wings, fried chicken, and “muddy” mac and 751-5353. L, D, X, $ cheese. Closed Sun. and Mon. 668 Union Ave. 207-6182. L, D, $ HU. DINER—An extension of Hu. Hotel, diner serves such CHEZ PHILIPPE—Classical/contemporary French dishes as country-fried cauliflower, cornflake-fried chicken, and cuisine presented in a luxurious atmosphere with a octopus and grits. 3 S. Main. 333-1224. L, D, X, $-$$ seasonal menu focused on local/regional cuisine. The HU. ROOF—Rooftop cocktail bar with superb city views serves crown jewel of The Peabody for 35 years. Afternoon tea served toasts with a variety of toppings including beef tartare with cured Wed.-Sat., 1-3:30 p.m. (reservations required). Closed Sun.egg, cognac, and capers or riced cauliflower with yellow curry, Tues. The Peabody, 149 Union. 529-4188. D, X, MRA, $$$$ currants, and almonds. Also salads, fish tacos, and boiled peanut CIMAS—It’s breakfast tacos, shrimp and grits, chihummus. 79 Madison. 333-1229. D, $ laquiles verdes, and plenty of other Southern and HUEY’S—This family-friendly restaurant offers 13 Latin-American twists at the Hyatt Centric. 33 Beale St. different burgers, a variety of sandwiches, and delicious 444-3232. B, L, D, $-$$$ soups and salads. 1927 Madison. 726-4372; 1771 N. COZY CORNER—Serving Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-3885; up ribs, pork sandwiches, DINING SYMBOLS 77 S. Second. 527-2700; 2130 W. Poplar chicken, spaghetti, and more; (Collierville). 854-4455; 7090 Malco Blvd. also homemade banana pudding. B — breakfast (Southaven). 662-349-7097; 7825 Closed Mon. 745 N. Parkway and L — lunch Winchester. 624-8911; 4872 Poplar. 682Manassas. 527-9158. L, D, $ D — dinner 7729; 7677 Farmington Blvd. CURFEW—An elevated SB — Sunday brunch (Germantown). 318-3030; 8570 Highway sports bar/American tavern 51 N. (Millington). 873-5025. L, D, WB — weekend brunch concept by Top Chef contestant X, MRA, $ Fabio Viviani at the Canopy Memphis X— wheelchair accessible HUSTLE & DOUGH BAKERY & Downtown hotel. 164 Union Ave. B, L, D, MRA — member, Memphis CAFE—Flaky, baked breakfast goodness X, $-$$ Restaurant Association every day with fresh pastries, sandwiches, EVELYN & OLIVE—Jamaican/ $ — under $15 per person without and more at Arrive Hotel. 477 S. Main St., Southern fusion cuisine includes such drinks or desserts 701-7577. B, L, X, $ dishes as Kingston stew fish, Rasta $$ — under $25 ITTA BENA—Southern and CajunPasta, and jerk rib-eye. Closed for American cuisine served here; specialties $$$ — $26-$50 lunch Sat. and all day Sun.-Mon. 630 are duck and waffles and shrimp and Madison. 748-5422. L, D, X, $ $$$$ — over $50 grits, along with steaks, chops, seafood, FAM—Casual Asian restaurant serves and pasta. 145 Beale St. 578-3031. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ sushi rice bowls, noodle bowls, sushi rolls, and spring rolls. Closed Sun. 149 Madison; 521 S. Highland. 701-6666. L, D, X, $ KING & UNION BAR GROCERY—Classic FELICIA SUZANNE’S—Southern cuisine with Southern favorites including catfish plate, pimento low-country, Creole, and Delta influences, using cheese, po-boys, chicken & waffles. Open for breakfast, regional fresh seafood, local beef, and locally grown lunch, and dinner with cocktails served with flair and favorite foods. Entrees include shrimp and grits. Closed Sun. and Mon. A Memphis beers. Locally made confections available in the grocery. Downtown staple at Brinkley Plaza, 80 Monroe, Suite L1. 523185 Union Ave. 523-8500. B, L, D, $-$$ 0877. L (Fri. only), D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ KOOKY CANUCK—Offers prime rib, catfish, and burgers, FERRARO’S PIZZERIA & PUB—Rigatoni and including the 4-lb. “Kookamonga”; also late-night menu. 87 S. tortellini are among the pasta entrees here, along with pizzas Second. 578-9800; 1250 N. Germantown Pkwy. 1-800-2453 L, D, (whole or by the slice) with a variety of toppings. 111 Jackson. X, MRA, $-$$$ 522-2033. L, D, X, $
We celebrate our city’s community table and the people who grow, cook, and eat the best Memphis food at M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M / F O O D 88 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 1
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(This guide, compiled by our editors, includes editorial picks and advertisers.)
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