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Memphis Dining, Bars and Pubs

Discover places to eat, local hot spots, bars and pubs in Memphis, TN.

All About Memphis

If you have not been to Memphis in the last ten years, you might be surprised by the changes in the range and type of dining available. A boom in immigration, especially from south of the border, combined with a surge in downtown development, has resulted in an exciting breadth in Memphis cuisine. No longer is Memphis home to only wet and dry barbecue ribs: it now boasts Asian, Mexican and other ethnic restaurants in virtually every area of the city. The nightlife, which has always centered around the high quality of musical talent developed in and attracted by the region, continues to be more suitable for those who want to sit and listen than those who want to dance and party.

Downtown

Downtown restaurants tend to fall into two categories: those catering to the business-lunch crowd, and those catering to tourists. In the former category visit restaurants like The Cupboard with its traditional Southern plate lunches or the Woman's Exchange of Memphis for the down-home food Memphis mothers made famous. In the second category, the standout is Chez Phillippe in the Peabody Hotel, with award-winning chef Gutierrez serving up innovative Continental cuisine to society folks and the out-of-town crowd. The Rendezvous, on the other hand, attracts tourists looking for good barbeque in a decidedly low-key environment. Next door, locally-owned Sekisui serves up authentic sushi and tempura for those looking for something lighter. Around the corner, Automatic Slim's makes powerful martinis and a wicked Voodoo Stew for the adventurous.

Beale Street

Beale Street is a place where people go for music, dancing and people watching. Excellent gumbo is served at the King's Palace Café and the Rum Boogie Café. The Blues City Café is notable mostly for appearing in the Tom Cruise movie "The Firm", and the food is just as exciting. After you've gotten your fill, stop by Gibson Lounge for an après meal cocktail and snack. The stylish lighting and plush couches will offer you all the atmosphere of a similar space in New York or San Francisco.

Harbor Town

The only restaurant currently open in Harbor Town is the River Terrace. The breathtaking views of the river from the floor-to-ceiling windows dare to steal the spotlight from the sparkling seafood dishes and lush desserts.

Midtown/Central

Midtown is where locals go when they're in the mood for innovative cooking or for the perfect place for a special celebration. A dinner here can be combined with an evening of theater or a visit to the Overton Square Entertainment District. Some nights you may be in the mood for Continental cuisine in the formal settings of La Tourelle or Paulette's (also a favorite spot for after-theater dessert and coffee). On the nights you may be feeling adventurous, see what Pacific Rim dishes Tsunami is serving or try a noodle dish at Saigon Le. For light appetites, there's Lilly's Dim Sum & Then Some with its small plates of steamed dumplings and other delicacies. When you're feeling ravenous, head for the all-you-can-eat buffet at India Palace. Whatever your mood, you'll definitely find a place to eat in Midtown.

University of Memphis

Students usually want cheap food and they want it fast. To fill that niche, there's no lack of places in the University of Memphis area. But for those who want something other than the standard hamburger and French fries there are a number of other options. At the corner of Poplar and Highland sits a cluster of restaurants including McAllister's Deli for thick, meaty sandwiches on excellent bread and A-Tan's for solid Chinese fare. Down Highland are a few more exotic choices. MoJo's, occupying a former fish-and-chips establishment, serves up Middle Eastern fare with outstanding onion rings on the side. Around the corner is the International Grocery Store, featuring Middle Eastern and Latin American fare along with plate lunches of kebab. Just down from the Park is La Montagne, where you can satisfy a craving for healthy food, fortified with bean sprouts and natural grains. These are places where locals stop for a meal when they're in the neighborhood, not necessarily destination spots. However, they do offer a good variety at reasonable prices for those who live, work and study nearby.

East

East Memphis is not the best place to go for cutting-edge cuisine or authentic ethnic dishes. The affluent local population tends to be a bit conservative in its eating preferences. Corky's Barbecue serves up a barbecue sandwich that is consistently voted "Best in Memphis" despite (or perhaps because of) the mildness of its sauce. Owen Brennan's is popular with those who like the elements of Creole cuisine from New Orleans, while the Cooker offers a slightly upgraded version of traditional Southern fare. Erling Jensen's has such a well-established reputation among long-time Memphis residents that it doesn't bother to advertise anymore, so only those visitors who ask their concierge for a recommendation are likely to know about it. Down Ridgeway is Shu's, where there are excellent options from their Chinese or Thai menus.

North

North Memphis is primarily residential, except for the Summer Avenue strip where fast foods abound. One notable exception is the Taqueria Guadalupana. This authentic eatery is the best place in town for over-stuffed burritos and enchiladas or more unusual dishes like barbequed goat and menudo (tripe) stew. A little further north, beyond the car dealerships on Covington Pike, is Asian Palace, widely acknowledged as the place to go for those who understand what Chinese cooks can do with squid, jellyfish and octopus. Be sure to ask for the "authentic menu."

Graceland/Airport Area

Visitors to Graceland have few choices for dining other than low-priced, family-oriented chains. However, many locals think some of the best barbecue in town (and locals are picky about their barbecue) comes from Interstate BBQ.

Germantown, Bartlett and Cordova

Yia Yia's Eurocafe in Saddlecreek, features huge appetizer plates which are more popular than the entrees. Bahama Breeze, is popular at least partly because of its location adjacent to the newest and largest shopping mall in the area, the Wolfchase Galleria. Perennial favorite, Cozymel's, is home to several fanciful varieties of margaritas.

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