TENNESSEE
The Memphis Dining Hit List: Restaurants That Prove It’s Much More Than BBQ
By Rebecca Thompson | Aug. 5, 2025
Amelia Gene’s
AUTHOR BIO: Rebecca Thompson has held many jobs over the years, from daily newspaper writer to middle-school math teacher. As a restaurant critic, she’s searched her home state of Texas for the best brisket and tacos and will gladly debate the merits of combining the two.
When people talk about the best restaurants in Memphis, they usually mean barbecue. Fair enough—this is the city that turned dry rub into a religion. But spend a little time here and you’ll see the Memphis food scene is a lot more than pork shoulder and slaw. It’s hot wings that melt your face off in the best way possible. It’s a French bistro in a converted gas station. It’s a fine-dining chef dry-aging whole fish behind a curtain of plastic chains in a strip mall sushi spot.
I came to Memphis expecting three things: ribs, blues, and maybe a tourist trap or two. Instead, I found myself mapping out where to eat in Memphis next, blown away by the depth, the talent, and the casual swagger of chefs who clearly know they’ve got something good going.
Below, you’ll find the 15 best places to eat in Memphis right now—some new, some iconic, all worth loosening your belt for.
Amelia Gene’s
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Downtown Memphis’ new fine‑dining destination, Amelia Gene’s occupies a beautifully repurposed 19th-century ironworks in One Beale. Executive chef Nate Henssler leads the kitchen with a philosophy of restraint—where each dish lets the ingredients shine. Think crisp duck with kumquat, house-made pastas like saffron bucatini, and an ever-changing lineup that rewards curiosity.
Best for: Southern fine dining that’s actually worth breaking out that seersucker and gingham dress.
BarWare
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Downtown’s BarWare is what happens when cocktails and small plates get equally kicked up. The Thai chili wings are sticky, spicy perfection, and the smoked Old Fashioned is theatrical without being overdone. Sit at the bar if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot.
Best for: Sticky Thai‑chili wings, smoked Old Fashioneds, and the kind of bar‑food chemistry that turns strangers into tablemates.
The Bar-B-Q Shop
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A Midtown institution, The Bar-B-Q Shop serves some of Memphis's finest barbecue. Their signature dish, the Dancing Pigs sauce-slathered ribs, offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The cozy, unpretentious atmosphere makes it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Best for: Dancing Rib sauce evangelists and rib lovers craving unpretentious, tangy‑sweet BBQ that locals know too well.
The Beauty Shop
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Once Priscilla Presley’s salon, The Beauty Shop in Cooper-Young has retained its vintage vibe, complete with retro dryer chairs as seating. Chef Karen Carrier’s globally inspired menu shines with dishes like watermelon and wings and grilled salmon with tahini yogurt.
Best for: Dining in a vintage salon chair with chef‑driven global dishes and cocktails as fierce as your perm game.
Bog & Barley
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A recent addition to East Memphis, Bog & Barley offers an authentic taste of Ireland. The family-owned spot features traditional Irish dishes and an extensive selection of whiskeys, wines, and cocktails. The cozy yet elegant décor complements the hearty fare.
Best for: Irish pub food with a whiskey chaser and deep style budget.
Catherine & Mary’s
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Part of the Andrew Michael family, Catherine & Mary’s brings Italian soul food to downtown Memphis. Handmade pastas like the tortellini with black truffle and the rabbit sugo are deeply satisfying, as is the scallops, pictured above, with romesco, braised leeks, fermented pepper, and salsa verde. The wine list is no slouch either, so pace yourself.
Best for: When your pasta wants a side of soul, with black‑truffle tortellini and rabbit sugo that whisper “fancy.”
Cozy Corner
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In the North Memphis neighborhood, Cozy Corner is renowned for its Cornish hens and saucy smoked ribs. This family-owned spot has been serving authentic Memphis barbecue since 1977, and there are few places more synonymous with Memphis-style barbecue.
Best for: Cornish hens, BBQ spaghetti, and no nonsense.
Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar
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If commitment issues plague your palate, Flight in downtown Memphis has your back. Their “flight” concept lets you sample three smaller portions of dishes, wines, and, as pictured here in all its glory, desserts. The lobster bisque, bison ribeye, and duck breast trio offer a culinary adventure without the need for a passport.
Best for: Commitment‑phobes who want to try everything—sample beef, duck, seafood, wine and dessert without guilt.
Hog & Hominy
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Memphis wouldn’t be the same without Hog & Hominy, a playful Italian-Southern hybrid. The red-eye gravy gnocchi and the wood-fired pizzas are fan favorites, but the dessert—olive oil cake with mascarpone—is the real dark horse. This is a city well-versed in modern takes on Southern ingredients, but the pizza pies and composed plates like shrimp and grits at Hog & Hominy are simply some of the best examples of what Memphis does best.
Best for: Pizza lovers who secretly also want shrimp & grits and red-eye gravy gnocchi.
SOB – South of Beale
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Gastropub meets foodie haven at SOB’s two locatoins. The duck fried rice is a standout, and the burger—crowned with brie and onion jam—is pure decadence. With its laid-back vibe and serious food, this downtown spot is a perennial favorite.
Best for: Gastropub fare with ambition—duck fried rice and a brie‑jam burger that hit harder than Beale Street blues.
Southern Social
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In Germantown, Southern Social brings polished Southern fare to the suburbs. The bourbon-glazed pork chop could convert a lifelong vegetarian, and the shrimp and grits have enough smoky heat to keep you reaching for that second cocktail.
Best for: Suburban swagger—bourbon‑glazed chops and shrimp & grits so good you’ll consider marrying a side dish.
Tamboli’s
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At Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza, fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas steal the show. This Midtown staple combines sustainable practices with Italian comfort food. The cacio e pepe pizza, dusted with black pepper and Pecorino Romano, is proof that simplicity wins.
