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Tours in Memphis |
As the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and home of the blues, Memphis has become an entertainment destination that has brought with it a cosmopolitan array of dining choices. 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 five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations.
Dollar symbols can be interpreted as follows:
$$$$ (over US$70)
$$$ (US$35 to US$70)
$$ (US$20 to US$35)
$ (under US$20)
These prices include starter, main, dessert and a bottle of house wine or equivalent. Not included is the sales tax of 9.25%. Sometimes a gratuity (usually 15%) is added to the bill. If not, a tip of 15-20% for service is customary.
Dollar symbols can be interpreted as follows:
$$$$ (over US$70)
$$$ (US$35 to US$70)
$$ (US$20 to US$35)
$ (under US$20)
These prices include starter, main, dessert and a bottle of house wine or equivalent. Not included is the sales tax of 9.25%. Sometimes a gratuity (usually 15%) is added to the bill. If not, a tip of 15-20% for service is customary.
Gastronomic
Chez Philippe
The Peabody Hotel's signature restaurant has a menu featuring French and Asian dishes. The hot lobster bisque with vichyssoise martini and shaved truffles is the most incredible martini you will ever taste. The restaurant is the city's most opulent and romantic. Classical music adds to the quiet elegance of impressive, travertine marble columns, chandeliers and mirrors, and larger-than-life murals. Main courses range from melt-in-the-mouth roasted marinated lamb loin to Ahi tuna in a spicy, crisp coating. No meal is complete without the Grand Marnier soufflé and a glass of cognac or port. The wine list is extensive, with an expensive range of French wines. Reservations recommended.
The Peabody Memphis, 149 Union Avenue
Tel: (901) 529 4188.
Website: www.peabodymemphis.com
Price: $$$$
The Peabody Hotel's signature restaurant has a menu featuring French and Asian dishes. The hot lobster bisque with vichyssoise martini and shaved truffles is the most incredible martini you will ever taste. The restaurant is the city's most opulent and romantic. Classical music adds to the quiet elegance of impressive, travertine marble columns, chandeliers and mirrors, and larger-than-life murals. Main courses range from melt-in-the-mouth roasted marinated lamb loin to Ahi tuna in a spicy, crisp coating. No meal is complete without the Grand Marnier soufflé and a glass of cognac or port. The wine list is extensive, with an expensive range of French wines. Reservations recommended.
The Peabody Memphis, 149 Union Avenue
Tel: (901) 529 4188.
Website: www.peabodymemphis.com
Price: $$$$
Itta Bena
Designed like a Speakeasy above B B King's Blues Club, with access through a secret passage, Itta Bena is Memphis' best kept dining secret, mostly discovered by word of mouth. Exotic Mediterranean ambiance is created with carved wooden panels and wrought iron from Afghanistan, and archways and candlelight suffused with blue light reflected through tall windows from Beale Street. The evolving menu of Beale Street's newest and only fine dining restaurant is worthy of the most discerning palate. She-Crab soup and jumbo grilled scallops are not to be missed. The white chocolate cheesecake is quite possibly the best in town.
B B King's Blues Club, 143 Beale Street
Tel: (901) 578 3031.
Website: www.bbkingclubs.com
Price: $$$
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. The evolving menu of Beale Street's newest and only fine dining restaurant is worthy of the most discerning palate. She-Crab soup and jumbo grilled scallops are not to be missed. The white chocolate cheesecake is quite possibly the best in town.
B B King's Blues Club, 143 Beale Street
Tel: (901) 578 3031.
Website: www.bbkingclubs.com
Price: $$$
Paulette's
The perfect place for a pampered romantic evening out, Paulette's is modelled after a French country inn, complete with antiques, exposed beams, dim lighting and traditional European paintings. Enjoy live piano music at weekends and during the popular Sunday brunch. Indulge in fresh lobster at special rates every Friday night. The delectable menu of French and Continental dishes such as mouth-watering southern blue-crab soup, juicy angus filet mignon with julienne vegetables, or honey-curry marinated pork tenderloin, are accompanied with their famous popovers with strawberry butter. Save room for the kahlua-mocha pie, made with a pecan-coconut crust. A popular spot for the theatre crowd.
2110 Madison Avenue
Tel: (901) 726 5128.
Website: www.paulettes.net
Price: $$$-$$$$
The perfect place for a pampered romantic evening out, Paulette's is modelled after a French country inn, complete with antiques, exposed beams, dim lighting and traditional European paintings. Enjoy live piano music at weekends and during the popular Sunday brunch. Indulge in fresh lobster at special rates every Friday night. The delectable menu of French and Continental dishes such as mouth-watering southern blue-crab soup, juicy angus filet mignon with julienne vegetables, or honey-curry marinated pork tenderloin, are accompanied with their famous popovers with strawberry butter. Save room for the kahlua-mocha pie, made with a pecan-coconut crust. A popular spot for the theatre crowd.
2110 Madison Avenue
Tel: (901) 726 5128.
Website: www.paulettes.net
Price: $$$-$$$$
Business
Brushmark Restaurant
Popular for business lunches or the cultural crowd visiting the impressive Brooks Museum of Art, the restaurant overlooks the greens and trees of Overton Park, with outdoor seating available during warm weather. Produce is fresh and dishes artfully presented. Arugula and shaved fennel salad, with grilled shrimp, avocado, radishes and pomegranate vinaigrette is a favourite, complimented by a good wine selection. Open daily for lunch (except Mondays), and every Thursday and the first Wednesday of each month for dinner to coincide with museum activities.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar Aevnue
Tel: (901) 544 6225.
Website: www.brooksmuseum.org
Price: $$-$$$
Popular for business lunches or the cultural crowd visiting the impressive Brooks Museum of Art, the restaurant overlooks the greens and trees of Overton Park, with outdoor seating available during warm weather. Produce is fresh and dishes artfully presented. Arugula and shaved fennel salad, with grilled shrimp, avocado, radishes and pomegranate vinaigrette is a favourite, complimented by a good wine selection. Open daily for lunch (except Mondays), and every Thursday and the first Wednesday of each month for dinner to coincide with museum activities.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar Aevnue
Tel: (901) 544 6225.
Website: www.brooksmuseum.org
Price: $$-$$$
Trendy
Automatic Slim's Tonga Club
Eclectic and artsy décor sets the mood for this vibrant downtown restaurant. Cuisine is Southwestern and Caribbean with a touch of Memphis and Manhattan. Perfect ambiance for business lunches, with Ray Charles-style background music. Sit at one of the zebra-covered bar stools for one of the many flavoured martinis at the bar before dinner, when the hip night crowd rocks to upbeat 1980s and 90s music. Dishes range from the wicked voodoo stew for the adventurous, to whole fish served Caribbean style with mango and hot pepper salsa. Keep your eyes open for Hollywood celebs who occasionally stop by when in town.
83 South Second Street
Tel: (901) 525 7948.
Price: $$-$$$
Eclectic and artsy décor sets the mood for this vibrant downtown restaurant. Cuisine is Southwestern and Caribbean with a touch of Memphis and Manhattan. Perfect ambiance for business lunches, with Ray Charles-style background music. Sit at one of the zebra-covered bar stools for one of the many flavoured martinis at the bar before dinner, when the hip night crowd rocks to upbeat 1980s and 90s music. Dishes range from the wicked voodoo stew for the adventurous, to whole fish served Caribbean style with mango and hot pepper salsa. Keep your eyes open for Hollywood celebs who occasionally stop by when in town.
83 South Second Street
Tel: (901) 525 7948.
Price: $$-$$$
The Beauty Shop
A 1960s style beauty shop turned into a trendy restaurant in the Cooper-Young Historic District is the brainchild of artist and culinary entrepreneur Karen Blockman Carrier. Patrons can dine in refurbished hair-dryer chairs, enjoy the privacy of original booths enclosed by glass block walls, or sit on stools at the raw bar. Global cuisine with a Mediterranean touch offers mouth-watering selections such as the crispy duck and pomegranate vinaigrette and panzenella salad. Triple-layer cakes are homemade by a nearby bakery. Food is tasty and innovative, but service is very slow.
966 South Cooper
Tel: (901) 272 7111.
Price: $$-$$$
A 1960s style beauty shop turned into a trendy restaurant in the Cooper-Young Historic District is the brainchild of artist and culinary entrepreneur Karen Blockman Carrier. Patrons can dine in refurbished hair-dryer chairs, enjoy the privacy of original booths enclosed by glass block walls, or sit on stools at the raw bar. Global cuisine with a Mediterranean touch offers mouth-watering selections such as the crispy duck and pomegranate vinaigrette and panzenella salad. Triple-layer cakes are homemade by a nearby bakery. Food is tasty and innovative, but service is very slow.
966 South Cooper
Tel: (901) 272 7111.
Price: $$-$$$
Le Chardonnay Wine Bar & Bistro
Ideally located in historic Overton Square in the heart of Midtown Memphis, Le Chardonnay has the city's largest wine list and is a great spot for a pre-theatre glass of wine for those visiting the Playhouse on the Square or taking in a movie. This popular bistro-style restaurant is known for its scallops carbonara, smoked chicken with ravioli, scampi portofino, and gourmet pizza from the wood-fired stone oven. Perfect for an intimate lunch or dinner.
2105 Overton Square Lane
Tel: (901) 725 1375.
Website: www.lechardonnay.com
Price: $-$$
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 for those visiting the Playhouse on the Square or taking in a movie. 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.
2105 Overton Square Lane
Tel: (901) 725 1375.
Website: www.lechardonnay.com
Price: $-$$
Budget
The Arcade
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. The signature Mystery Train Sandwich was named after the movie, one of many which have used The Arcade in location shoots. Don't miss the hand-dipped chocolate sundaes with three generous scoops of ice cream. Breakfast and lunch daily.
540 South Main Street
Tel: (901) 526 5757.
Price: $
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. The signature Mystery Train Sandwich was named after the movie, one of many which have used The Arcade in location shoots. Don't miss the hand-dipped chocolate sundaes with three generous scoops of ice cream. Breakfast and lunch daily.
540 South Main Street
Tel: (901) 526 5757.
Price: $
Java Cabana
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. Poetry readings are held every Thursday night, and there's live music and jazz on weekends.
2170 Young Avenue
Tel: (901) 272 7210.
Price: $
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. Poetry readings are held every Thursday night, and there's live music and jazz on weekends.
2170 Young Avenue
Tel: (901) 272 7210.
Price: $
Neely's Bar-B-Que
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.
670 Jefferson Street
Tel: (901) 521 9798.
Website: www.neelysbbq.com
Price: $
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.
670 Jefferson Street
Tel: (901) 521 9798.
Website: www.neelysbbq.com
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
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.
948 South Cooper Street
Tel: (901) 276 0002.
Website: www.dishmemphis.com
Price: $$
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.
948 South Cooper Street
Tel: (901) 276 0002.
Website: www.dishmemphis.com
Price: $$
Peabody Sunday Brunch
Voted best Sunday brunch in Memphis, the Skyway atop the Peabody Hotel affords an elegant setting for this sumptuous feast. Artistic displays of salads, seafood, pasta, fresh-baked breads and pastries, exotic pâtés and smoked fish. Omelettes, waffles and Eggs Benedict are cooked to order, while chefs carve from roast beef, lamb and pork. Desserts are a decadent work of art. Musicians even play requests while servers pour unlimited mimosas and champagne.
The Peabody Memphis Skyway, 149 Union Avenue
Tel: (901) 529 3668.
Website: www.peabodymemphis.com
Price: $$$
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.
The Peabody Memphis Skyway, 149 Union Avenue
Tel: (901) 529 3668.
Website: www.peabodymemphis.com
Price: $$$
Tsunami
Located in the growing enclave of restaurants clustered around the intersection of Cooper and Young. Owner and chef Ben Smith's Pacific Rim cuisine transports diners to exotic locales. Small plates are a welcome menu option - half-size portions of regular mains. Patrons are encouraged to order several dishes to enjoy a variety of tastes. Speciality desserts baked to order. Extensive wine list from the Pacific West Coast, Australia and New Zealand. Reservations highly recommended. Dinner only.
928 South Cooper
Tel: (901) 274 2556.
Website: www.tsunamimemphis.com
Price: $$$
Located in the growing enclave of restaurants clustered around the intersection of Cooper and Young. Owner and chef Ben Smith's Pacific Rim cuisine transports diners to exotic locales. Small plates are a welcome menu option - half-size portions of regular mains. Patrons are encouraged to order several dishes to enjoy a variety of tastes. Speciality desserts baked to order. Extensive wine list from the Pacific West Coast, Australia and New Zealand. Reservations highly recommended. Dinner only.
928 South Cooper
Tel: (901) 274 2556.
Website: www.tsunamimemphis.com
Price: $$$
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