At Maximo's On Board you will be spellbound by the delicious tapas served and prepared with love. The ambiance is the perfect setting to have dinner with friends. They offer a dinner menu on weekdays while a brunch menu on Sunday. Guests can order dishes like Peruvian Ceviche, Seafood Paella or Pescado Maximo which are listed on the dinner menu. You could also stop in for a sumptuous Sunday brunch where items like Farmer's Frittata, Pulled Pork Empanadas and Belgian Waffles are artistically served. You can ask your server for a selection of beverage to complement your meal.
The atmosphere at this diner-style café is so authentic that the place was used virtually unchanged in "The Firm", the Tom Cruise movie about a Memphis law firm. Bill Clinton is also fond of the Blues City Cafe. The décor is intentionally weathered, with corrugated iron and glass blocks. Diner-style seating offers a great view of the crowds on Beale. The best bet on the menu is that Memphis staple—barbeque. You can watch big slabs of ribs being turned on the grill while you drink a cold beer. The prices are slightly elevated because of the restaurant's historic location, but you can still eat for a reasonable price.
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!
Before you go inside Java Cabana, stop and look at the window for a few minutes. Drop a few coins in the Elvis Impersonator's shrine to see what happens. After you have soaked in the memorabilia and hodge-podge collections, go inside for an experience right out of the beatnik era of the '50s and ‘60s. If you are lucky, you will be there for one of the frequent poetry readings by local writers, or some retro music played on acoustic guitar. Oh, yes—the coffee's pretty good,too. No alcoholic beverages served.
Alchemy Memphis lives up to its name by crafting amazing cocktails. Sip on a Hound Dog, made with bourbon, peach, ginger, lemon, and mint, or opt for a Gincident, made with gin, vanilla, lemon juice, and mango. The atmosphere is trendy, featuring a sleek decor. The food here is worth the visit in itself. Dishes like the beef sliders and roasted asparagus with Parmesan are made for sharing, while larger plates like the seared diver scallops and espresso-rubbed pork chop make for a filling meal for one.
Rum Boogie Cafe's Blues Hall features live music every night of the week. The venue itself isn't the most glamorous, but the talent is undeniable. The resident performers, Dr. Feelgood Potts and his band play Friday through Monday. It's located next to the Rum Boogie Cafe, which is known for its delicious Cajun and barbecue dishes. Make a night of it and visit this venue for some great blues.