The barbecue at Central BBQ is probably the best Memphis style pork you will have in your life. Everything they serve, be it their brisket, potato chips, sandwiches or starters will be beyond your expectations, great quality with spicy flavors and delightfully low prices. Naturally, the place is crowded at all hours of the day and one almost always has to wait for a while for a table. Luckily, they also take online orders.
Occupying a lovely Victorian house built around 1900, Restaurant Iris has a romantic atmosphere where you can enjoy fine dining. Specialists in French-Creole cuisine there isn't much at served here that won't light your eyes up in excitement. Tease your palate with their choice of signature dishes like the Seared Moulard Breast, Grilled Lamb Loin and Halibut, and complement it with a succinct glass of wine. Restaurant Iris is also known for their seafood, with scintillation options such as Gulf oysters and scallops that send your taste-buds into a tingling frenzy.
B.B. King's Blues Club as the name would suggest is owned by legendary blues musician B.B. King and features some of the best blues music in Memphis. From the regular appearances of Ruby Wilson - who can belt out a tune and entertain a crowd as well as anyone - to the special concerts by groups such as Booker T, this club consistently delights visitors and locals alike. There is a menu of ribs, barbecue and other entrees, as well as snack items, but most people come here for the music, not the food. The dance floor rocks every night of the week. Reservations are required for special concerts.
This bar has wrap-around windows that let you see the dancers bopping and jiving from the outside, or watch the street scene on Beale from the inside. Autographed guitars hang from the ceiling, offering proof that musicians such as Carl Perkins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Walsh and others have hung out here. The house act, James Govan and the Boogie Blues Band, performs at Rum Boogie Café when there isn't a visiting artist. The kitchen serves several dinner and snack items, but the Rum Boogie is famous for its red beans and rice.
The menu at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken offers tasty sides, such as fried green tomatoes and fried dill pickle spears along with crispy, juicy fried chicken. Travelers who desire a hearty, home-cooked type meal can grab a snack pack or family meal to go. The snack packs include eight to 20 pieces of the fried chicken and white bread. The meals include baked beans, slaw and bread. You can choose spicy or mild fried chicken or even fried catfish. Homemade biscuits, country-style sides, such as onion rings and fried okra, and a variety of desserts ensure that you won't leave hungry from this family-friendly restaurant.
An Eastern Orthodox Priest runs this unassuming restaurant. It is often difficult to find a table, but worth the wait. Try the huge, fluffy homemade rolls, both wheat and white. The omelets can be ordered with a variety of toppings including spinach, mushrooms and feta cheese. On the side, try the sauteed potatoes, which can be topped with black beans, Swiss cheese, green onions or salsa. The decor is simple with red and white checkered tablecloths and few pictures. There are two dining rooms or you may eat at the bar. Classical music makes this a pleasant place to start the day.
Try this fun and interesting restaurant for a taste of local cuisine. The atmosphere, the friendly owner and the food combine for a down-home experience. Try the fried chicken, catfish, or fried green tomatoes. You will also find an array of salads and vegetables including turnip greens, mashed potatoes and green beans. Desserts include a rich bread pudding and German chocolate cake. A jungle motif provides an interesting and entertaining atmosphere, especially for the kids. The service is friendly and the owner is usually around to greet customers as they come in the door.
Dig into delicious Southern fare prepared from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients at Felicia Suzanne’s in Brinkley Plaza. Set in a classy space with brick-exposed walls, dim, comforting lights and lovely outdoor patio, it’s easy to like this place the moment you step in through the door. The Caramelized Onion Tarts, Chicken Crepes and Short Rib Grilled Cheese Sandwich are particularly popular with the locals.They also have plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options allowing everyone to feast on the sumptuous delicacies served here. Keep a look out for their theme nights which can be quite a lot of fun. The warm atmosphere, charming Southern hospitality and delicious meals will have you raving about this place for a long time to come.
Bistro-like atmosphere and service make McEwen's one of downtown's most comfortable restaurants. Its two chefs make lunch and dinner quite different experiences. Lunch offers excellent sandwiches, such as the Grilled Ahi tuna with Creole aioli and the roasted chicken salad. Salads include the savory grilled apple salad, and there is also a good selection of soups. Dinners are more elaborate and inventive. Standout dishes include smoked trout and potato pancakes, and an unusual lamb carpaccio. Portions are large!
Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar is perfect for those who want to try a little bit of everything. Sample soups, salads, entrees, desserts, and of course, wine, in flights. The seafood flight features small portions of Maine lobster and crab pie, a sea scallop Benedict, and shrimp and grits. The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic evening out or an intimate dinner with friends.
A favorite in Memphis, this restaurant is where locals take visitors for fun atmosphere and food. Technically, the ribs served at the Rendezvous are not barbecue - they are char-grilled with a dry rub of spices. But the slabs of ribs are huge, tender and reasonably priced. Barbecue sandwiches - filled with rich and juicy shreds of pork - as well as portions of both pork and beef ribs is a specialty here. Antique implements, signs and artifacts of the old South fill the warehouse-like space. The tables are close together, but the noise and crowds are part of the fun.
Memphians who work downtown have been lunching here since 1918. This is the best of Southern home cooking. Plate lunches offer standards such as fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, catfish, greens with hot sauce, black-eyed peas and wonderful cobblers for dessert. Sweet tea (iced) is the authentic drink with Southern food and your best bet here. No beer or wine is served. The decor, like the food, is designed to be homey and comforting in the middle of a stressful day. Works by local artists hang on the walls, adding to the feeling of being in someone's cozy home.