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Restaurants in Memphis

With a reputation as the pork barbecue capital of the world, Memphis also boasts fare as diverse as Pacific Rim, 5-star French, prime steakhouses, wine bars, Mediterranean and distinctly Southern.

The restaurants below have been classed into three categories:
Expensive (over $100)
Moderate ($50 to $100)
Cheap (up to $50)
These prices include starter, main, dessert and a bottle of house wine or equivalent. Not included is the sales tax of 9.25%. Sometimes a gratuity (usually 15%) is added to the bill. If not, a tip of 15-20% for service is customary.

Tsunami

Price: Expensive

This is a local favourite, and consistently tops the polls when the city is asked about its favourite eating spots. Pacific Rim cuisine is the order of the day, with owner/chef Ben Smith bringing no small amount of creativity to his menus. Colourful décor complements the playful dishes that include shrimp satay and roasted sea bass.

Address: 928 South Cooper, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 274 2556.
http://www.tsunamimemphis.com

Peabody Sunday Brunch

Voted best Sunday brunch in Memphis, the Skyway atop the Peabody Hotel affords an elegant setting for this sumptuous feast. Artistic displays of salads, seafood, pasta, fresh-baked breads and pastries, exotic pâtés and smoked fish. Omelettes, waffles and Eggs Benedict are cooked to order, while chefs carve from roast beef, lamb and pork. Desserts are a decadent work of art. Musicians even play requests while servers pour unlimited mimosas and champagne.

Address: The Peabody Memphis Skyway, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 529 3668
http://www.peabodymemphis.com/

Dish

In the trendy Cooper-Young district, this Mediterranean tapas lounge, the only one of its kind in Memphis, offers a delectable selection of hot and cold tapas in a bohemian atmosphere. Dine in intimate corners or stretch out on comfortable lounge beds for a more low-key dining experience. After 2200, the dinner crowd dissolves into a late night party scene, complete with DJ and dance floor, till 2400 on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 0300 the rest of the week. Excellent food and service at affordable prices. Ideal for a short snack or romantic rendezvous.

Address: 948 South Cooper Street, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 276 0002
http://www.dishmemphis.com/

Neely's Bar-B-Que

Price: Cheap

Barbecue is a religion in Memphis - small wonder that it is known as the pork barbecue capital of the world. Patrick Neely and his brothers serve up some of the most delicious and tasty barbecue in Tennessee. Award-winning ribs and their signature BBQ nachos top the menu, though Pork, beef, chicken, turkey, wings and even BBQ spaghetti all get a look in. The only barbecue available seven days a week downtown.

Address: 670 Jefferson Street, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 521 9798.
http://www.neelysbbq.com

Java Cabana

Price: Cheap

Cooper-Young's first coffeehouse, now owned by former employee and welcoming barrista Mary Burns, is a wonderfully eccentric place to stop. A comfortable, odd collection of easy chairs blends with the 1950s décor, inviting patrons to sip on a gourmet cup of java or snack on tasty sandwiches or desserts while reading a good book. Local and regional art for sale adorns the walls.

Address: 2170 Young Avenue, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 272 7210.

The Arcade

Price: Cheap

Memphis' oldest restaurant sits opposite Central Station in the recently revitalised South Main Historic Arts District. Owner Harry Speros continues his grandfather's tradition begun in 1919, charming his customers with his friendly, personal attention. The restaurant features home-style breakfasts, plate lunch specials, Mediterranean-style fresh salads and hand-tossed pizzas. A daily special is the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, a favourite of Elvis, who was a regular customer.

Address: 540 South Main Street, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 526 5757.
www.arcaderestaurant.com

The Beauty Shop

A 1960s style beauty shop turned into a trendy restaurant in the Cooper-Young Historic District is the brainchild of artist and culinary entrepreneur Karen Blockman Carrier. Patrons can dine in refurbished hair-dryer chairs, enjoy the privacy of original booths enclosed by glass block walls, or sit on stools at the raw bar. Global cuisine with a Mediterranean touch offers mouth-watering selections such as the crispy duck and pomegranate vinaigrette and panzenella salad. Triple-layer cakes are homemade by a nearby bakery. Food is tasty and innovative, but service is very slow.

Address: 966 South Cooper, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 272 7111

Le Chardonnay Wine Bar & Bistro

Price: Moderate

Ideally located in historic Overton Square in the heart of Midtown Memphis, Le Chardonnay has the city's largest wine list and is a great spot for a pre-theatre glass of wine. This popular bistro-style restaurant is known for its scallops carbonara, smoked chicken with ravioli, scampi portofino, and gourmet pizza from the wood-fired stone oven. Perfect for an intimate lunch or dinner.

Address: 2105 Overton Square Lane, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 725 1375.
http://www.lechardonnay.com

Circa

Price: Moderate

One of the newer of the city’s restaurants, having opened in 2007. Circa is a relatively urbane spot, notable for its wall-to-ceiling wine racks. The expert sommeliers can help you navigate the wine list that nicely complements the New Southern-style menu. Dishes run the gamut from spice-encrusted tuna to a well-rendered surf and turf platter. Chef Johnny Bragg is one of the city’s rising stars.

Address: 119 S. Main, Suite 100, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 522 1488.
www.circamemphis.com

Sekisui Pacific Rim & Sushi Bistro

Price: Moderate

Sekisui has several locations around town. This is its newest pan-Asian dining venue, blending ingredients from Japanese, Chinese, Thai and other Asian cuisines. A wall of water fountain is a feature in this modern interior of neon, glass, steel and marble. The tantalising offerings at the sushi bar and robata grill go well with premium sakes, Japanese beers or fine wines. Exotic desserts complete this dining experience from the Far East.

Address: 4724 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 767 7770.
http://www.sekisuiusa.com

Paulette's

Price: Expensive

Modelled after a French country inn, complete with antiques, exposed beams, dim lighting and traditional European paintings. There’s live piano music at weekends and during the popular Sunday brunch. The menu of French and Continental dishes such as mouth-watering southern blue-crab soup, juicy angus filet mignon, or honey-curry marinated pork tenderloin, are accompanied with their famous popovers with strawberry butter.

Address: 2110 Madison Avenue, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 726 5128.
http://www.paulettes.net

Itta Bena

Price: Expensive

Designed like a Speakeasy above B B King's Blues Club, with access through a secret passage, Itta Bena is Memphis' best kept dining secret, mostly discovered by word of mouth. Exotic Mediterranean ambiance is created with carved wooden panels and wrought iron from Afghanistan, and archways and candlelight suffused with blue light reflected through tall windows from Beale Street. She-Crab soup and jumbo grilled scallops are not to be missed.

Address: B B King's Blues Club, Memphis, United States
Telephone: (901) 578 3031.
http://www.bbkingclubs.com
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