Must-see restaurants in Memphis

  • Central BBQ

    Memphis

    The downtown location of this iconic Memphis barbecue joint is the perfect side dish to an afternoon at the National Civil Rights Museum. The transcendent…

  • Gray Canary

    Memphis

    Served in a simmering hug of chili-garlic butter, spinach and Parmesan, the grilled oysters are an oh-so-delicious introduction to this newcomer, where…

  • Payne's Bar-B-Q

    Memphis

    It may be a contentious statement, but here goes: this converted gas station has the best chopped-pork sandwich in town.

  • Crosstown Concourse

    Memphis

    It's not your typical food hall – you won't find rows of kiosks – but there's an international array of casual eateries in the city's newest hot spot…

  • Restaurant Iris

    Memphis

    In stylishly revamped digs, chef Kelly English crafts special, avant-garde Southern fusion dishes that delight foodies, hence the James Beard nominations…

  • Alchemy

    Memphis

    A flash spot in the Cooper-Young district, serving tasty Southern tapas like truffled deviled eggs with smoked salmon, shrimp and grits with smoked Gouda…

  • Hog & Hominy

    Memphis

    The chef-driven, Southern-rooted Italian at this Brookhaven Circle hot spot has grabbed the nation's attention, winning best new this and best new that…

  • Sunrise Memphis

    Memphis

    Breakfasts are as pretty as a country morning at Sunrise Memphis, where the delicious biscuits and breakfast plates are loaded with eggs, cheese and every…

  • Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

    Memphis

    Fried-chicken connoisseurs across the globe twitch in their sleep as they dream about the gossamer-light offerings at this downtown concrete bunker, with…

  • Sweet Grass

    Memphis

    Contemporary Lowcountry cuisine (the seafood-heavy cooking of the South Carolina and Georgia coasts) wins rave reviews at this casual Midtown restaurant,…

  • Beauty Shop

    Memphis

    All the many strands that make a contemporary restaurant appealing are here. There's sleek design, excellent lighting and music, and a creative menu. Try…

  • Alcenia's

    Memphis

    The only thing sweeter than Alcenia's famous 'Ghetto-Aid' (a diabetes-inducing fruit drink) at this delicious soul-food restaurant is owner Betty-Joyce …

  • Imagine Vegan Cafe

    Memphis

    Vegans and veggies face an uphill battle in Memphis (hell, all over the South…), but this inventive Cooper-Young cafe swims alone in a sea of pulled pork…

  • Bar DKDC

    Memphis

    Cheap and flavorful – and at times global – street food is the calling at this ever-evolving Cooper-Young staple, which serves up everything from…

  • Brother Juniper's

    Memphis

    This humble breakfast spot started as a chain out of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district to feed the homeless; today the Memphis location is the last…

  • Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous

    Memphis

    Tucked in its own namesake alleyway off Monroe Ave, this subterranean institution sells an astonishing 5 tons of its exquisite dry-rubbed ribs weekly. The…

  • Majestic Grille

    Memphis

    Set in an old silent-movie theater near Beale St, with pre-talkie black-and-whites strobing in the handsome dark-wood dining room, Majestic serves classic…

  • Cozy Corner

    Memphis

    Slouch in a torn vinyl booth and devour an entire barbecued Cornish game hen ($11.75), the house specialty at this recently renovated cult favorite. Ribs…

  • Soul Fish Cafe

    Memphis

    A cute cinderblock cafe in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, known for delectable po'boys, fried-fish plates and some rather indulgent cakes.

  • Arcade

    Memphis

    Step inside this ultra-retro diner, Memphis' oldest, and wander to the Elvis booth, strategically located near the rear exit. The King used to sit here…

  • Dyer's

    Memphis

    This is the purveyor of one of America's best burgers, according to both Esquire and Playboy. Spatula-flattened meat is submerged in bubbling grease that…

More destinations you need to see