The 30 best restaurants in Memphis in 2023: Soul food, seafood and so much more
It was a daunting task: Come up with a list of the 30 best restaurants in Memphis.
I've spent the past several months dining at restaurants across town as I attempted to narrow my list of favorite spots to 30, something extremely difficult to do in a city that has so many excellent restaurants.
My goal was to create a list that showcased the diversity of excellent dining experiences available in Memphis.
So, what makes a restaurant one of the best in Memphis? It's more than just what’s on the plate.
Talented chefs and restaurateurs from Downtown to the Memphis suburbs are creating unforgettable dishes and one-of-a-kind dining concepts that rival (and often surpass) offerings in larger cities.
In addition to serving great food, the criteria for being named one of the city’s top restaurants include being an original concept that illustrates the creativity and originality that make Memphis, well Memphis. A dash of hospitality and a side of passion for people and food are key ingredients — so is a spoonful of ambiance.
And just know, a restaurant doesn’t have to be “fancy” to be excellent. It's about meeting (and exceeding) expectations for the style of restaurant. There are spots on this list where you can get a meal for less than $15, while still enjoying some of the tastiest fare in town.
Here are The Commercial Appeal's 30 best Memphis restaurants for 2023, in alphabetical order.
Acre
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 690 S. Perkins Road; (901) 818-2273; acrememphis.com
Why We Love It: Acre is known for serving innovative, modern fare prepared by chefs Wally Joe and Andrew Adams. Dishes like a Piedmontese Short Rib Gnocchi, Duck Confit Fried Black Rice and Seared Skate with butternut squash, green beans and apple-brown butter wow as they are artfully plated and perfectly prepared. The restaurant is in an East Memphis home that has been converted into a restaurant. It’s both beautiful and comfortable.
Must-Order Item: I guarantee anyone who has ever tried The Whole Crispy Branzino at Acre will tell you it is one of the best fish dishes they have ever had. Acre’s executive chef Andrew Adams fries this firm, mild-tasting white fish to perfection, so that the skin is crispy with no hint of greasiness. The flavor of the fish itself is delicious, but dipping it into Acre's Chile Ponzu Sauce raises the bar on this already excellent tasting fish.
Regular’s Tip: This restaurant offers four different dining options: the intimate bar area where diners can enjoy a meal in a causal setting; the main dining area that features a cozy fireplace; a south side sunroom that has vaulted ceilings and large windows; and an outdoor patio with views of the terrace and green gardens.
Alcenia’s
The Neighborhood: The Pinch District in Downtown Memphis | 317 N. Main St.; (901) 523-0200; alcenias.com
Why We Love It: Crispy Fried Chicken, Smothered Pork Chops, Black-Eyed Peas, Yams and Hot Water Cornbread are just a handful of the Southern dishes you will find at Alcenia's. Owner BJ Chester-Tamayo runs her soul food restaurant with lots of love, and it shows in both her hospitality and food. She’ll be the first to tell you, “You may walk in a stranger, but you leave as a friend.” Chester-Tamayo makes everything from scratch, so come knowing that you may have to sit a spell depending on your order and how busy the place is. But, trust us, the wait is worth it. She serves some of the best fried chicken, fried catfish, meatloaf and Southern veggies in town.
Must-Order Item: Many people head to Alcenia’s for her crispy fried chicken, but her meatloaf is not to be missed. It’s flavorful, juicy and tastes just like a grandma made it.
Regular’s Tip: Don’t skimp on ordering extra sides. Chester-Tamayo’s veggies are some of the tastiest in town. She usually tells me it’s because they are made with love, but she once admitted that what makes her black-eyed peas so much tastier than any in town is a spoonful of her homemade chow-chow.
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 712 Brookhaven Circle; (901) 347-3569; andrewmichaelitaliankitchen.com
Why We Love It: Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen was the first restaurant for James Beard-nominated chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman. (The duo also own award-winning restaurants Hog & Hominy, Catherine & Mary's and Bishop.) Located in a converted home on Brookhaven Circle, this restaurant features the chefs' signature Southern-inspired Italian cuisine. Using local ingredients and Italian techniques, these two lifelong friends have won national (and hometown) acclaim for their one-of-a-kind dishes. Signature items include the A|M Breakfast (creamy polenta topped with a 63-degree egg, pork belly and pork rinds) and Maw Maw’s Ravioli (an elevated classic based on a recipe from Hudman's grandmother).
Must-Order Item: The handmade pastas are always a standout. When ordering, don’t overlook the more unique pasta offerings like Agnolotti stuffed with chicken and garnished with ramp sofrito and maitake mushroom conserva or Rigatoni with a Calabrian sugo, pork belly, pancetta and serrano chilies.
Regular’s Tip: If the weather is nice, request a table in the backyard garden. It’s one of the nicest patios in town.
Bala’s Bistro
The Neighborhood: Whitehaven | 4571 Elvis Presley Blvd.; (901) 509-3024; balasbistro.com
Why We Love It: Originally from Mali, Bala Tounkara is known for the authentic West African dishes he serves at his restaurant, Bala’s Bistro. Dishes like Jerked Chicken, Lamb Dibi and Beef Oxtail offer Memphians a taste of Tounkara’s homeland. Bala’s Bistro also offers many vegan dishes, as well as some American items like burgers and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
Must-Order Item: Bala Bistro’s offerings include a hot buffet case that allows customers to try as many dishes as they would like, with the plate being charged by the pound ($9 per pound). Be sure to try the Jollof Rice, Fried Sweet Plantains and Vegan Curry Stew.
The Bar-B-Q Shop
The Neighborhood: Midtown | 1782 Madison Ave.; (901) 272-1277; thebar-b-qshop.com
Why We Love It: The Bar-B-Q Shop has been a Midtown neighborhood favorite for more than 30 years. Back in 1987, Frank Vernon bought a restaurant called Brady and Lil’s and turned it into The Bar-B-Q Shop. Today, his son Eric Vernon runs the day-to-day operations of this bustling restaurant. The reason this barbecue restaurant makes this list is because we love everything — from the ribs to the pulled pork to the world-famous barbecue spaghetti (which was invented here). Most Memphians frequent a barbecue joint because one dish stands out more than others — but here we have a hard time deciding what to order.
Must-Order Item: The Bar-B-Q Shop is the inventor of barbecue spaghetti, so in my opinion this is “the” place to try it. Vernon said they still use the recipe for barbecue spaghetti that was invented by "Mr. Brady" (Vincent). To add a depth of flavor, spaghetti noodles are cooked in the juices left over over from slow-cooking the pork. The noodles are then tossed with a sauce made with the restaurant’s house-made Dancing Pigs barbecue sauce and tender pieces pork.
Regular’s Tip: When eating barbecue spaghetti at The Bar-B-Q Shop, regulars know to spoon the spaghetti on top of the restaurant’s Texas toast for the perfect bite.
Bari Ristorante e Enoteca
The Neighborhood: Midtown | 524 S. Cooper St.; (901) 722-2244; barimemphis.com
Why We Love It: Bari Ristorante e Enoteca is an Italian restaurant and wine bar in Midtown. Jason and Rebecca Severs opened the city’s only Southeastern Italian restaurant and wine bar 21 years ago. Jason’s family is from Capurso, Italy — a small town outside Bari, Italy, which is the capital of the Puglia region. The restaurant features the cuisine of this part of Italy — serving antipasto, salads, meats and seafood, plus homemade pasta, bread and desserts that give diners a true taste of this Italian region.
Must-Order Item: Bari’s famous Spaghetti alla Carbonara highlights not only the Puglia region, but is an example of a dish Jason’s grandmother made. It’s also a dish the couple know they can never take off the menu.
Regular’s Tip: With more than 50 Italian cheeses on the menu, Bari is one of the best places in town to enjoy a cheese plate and a glass of wine.
The Beauty Shop
The Neighborhood: Cooper-Young | 966 Cooper St.; (901) 272-7111; thebeautyshoprestaurant.com
Why We Love It: The Beauty Shop gets its name from the building’s former life as a 1950s-style beauty shop that was Priscilla Presley’s curl-and-dye spot. Chef and owner Karen Carrier obviously had fun when designing the restaurant, transforming the hooded Belvedere hair dryers into seats and using the original mint green wash basins as bar sinks. Carrier also added her own spin to the menu, creating an eclectic group of offerings that combines Southern ingredients with influences from around the globe.
Must-Order Dish: The Watermelon & Wings is one example of how Carrier’s unusual combinations make for an unforgettable dish. Chicken wings are dipped in white Szechwan pepper and sweet chile lime juice, brushed with sugar, then deep fried to incredible crispness and tenderness. Served with chunks of juicy sweet watermelon, sprinkled with toasted cashews, adds an elevated down-home touch.
Bog & Barley
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 6150 Poplar Ave., Suite 124; (901) 805-2262; bogandbarley.com
Why We Love It: Bog & Barley is the creation of DJ and Jamie Naylor, the couple who own Celtic Crossing Irish Pub in the Cooper-Young neighborhood of Midtown Memphis. The 7,100-square-foot restaurant and bar opened in 2023 in East Memphis’ Regalia Shopping Center. Bog & Barley offers an elevated Irish pub experience. Everything guests see — booths, tables, chairs, bars — was sourced from Ireland. All the materials were built in Ireland, shipped over in large crates and installed by a team of Irishmen. Expect both traditional and modern Irish fare, as well as an extensive bar menu with more than 200 whiskeys. And, of course, Guinness is on the menu.
Must-Order Item: The Beer-Battered Fish N’ Chips are about as authentic as you can get. Fresh Atlantic Cod is fried until crispy and served with buttered peas, chips (a.k.a. fries) and tartar sauce.
Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe
The Neighborhood: Downtown | 668 Union Ave.; (901) 207-2598; thecheftam.com
Why We Love It: Since opening Chef Tam's Underground Cafe in March 2017, Chef Tam (whose real name is Tamra Patterson) has made a name for herself for her creative Southern soul food dishes. Dishes like Patterson's Deep Fried Ribs and Peach Cobbler are often over the top, but delicious. Dishes like these have garnered national attention on shows like Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” (which she won in 2018) and A&E’s “Deliciously Twisted Classics.” Her eatery in a historic building in the Edge District of Downtown Memphis is filled with family memorabilia and includes a store that sells her signature seasoning blends and cookware.
Must-Order Item: Chef Tam’s Bayou Fries may just be the best loaded fries dish I have ever eaten. A plateful of seasoned fries is topped with a seafood cream sauce, blackened shrimp, pico de gallo and bacon.
Coastal Fish Company
The Neighborhood: Shelby Farms Park | 415 Great View Drive East; (901) 266-9000; coastalfishcompany.com
Why We Love It: Anyone who ever has eaten at Coastal Fish Company knows that hands-down it has one of the most scenic views of any restaurant in Memphis. When the park and the lake were renovated a few years ago, the designers not only wisely decided to put the park’s flagship restaurant on the banks of the lake, but also to give it an expansive covered patio. But in addition to the views, this restaurant also offers some of the best seafood in town. Coastal Fish Company is owned by the Memphis restaurant group that also has award-winning eateries Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar, Southern Social and Porch & Parlor Prime Steakhouse.
Must-Order Item: The Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes are packed full of jumbo lump crab meat that is perfectly seasoned and held together by the lightest of binders. Each crab cake is seared until it has a golden crust and served with a creamy stone-ground mustard sauce. Accompaniments include a sinfully sweet corn brulée (think Southern corn pudding with a caramelized topping) and green beans.
Regular’s Tip: Try to make your reservation so you are seated at sunset. The views of Memphis over Hyde Lake at this time of day are stunning.
Cocozza American Italian
The Neighborhood: Harbor Town | 110 Harbor Town Square; (901) 609-1111; eatcocozza.com
Why We Love It: A big bowl of pasta, cheesy garlic bread, meatballs simmering in marinara and a glass of Chianti. That is the quintessential meal at an American-Italian red sauce restaurant, and one you can now enjoy at Cocozza American Italian. The Majestic Grille owners Patrick and Deni Reilly opened their Harbor Town restaurant in 2022. They call it “the red sauce joint of your dreams.” The casual restaurant also offers a fun cocktail menu and a curated list of Italian wines.
Must-Order Item: Get the Eggplant Parmesan. Crispy eggplant is slathered in a rich homemade marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. One bite and you think you are in a New Jersey or New York Italian restaurant.
Dory
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 716 W. Brookhaven Circle; (901) 310-4290; dorymemphis.com
Why We Love It: Since opening in 2021, Dory restaurant has received national attention for its innovative dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant — a state-of-the-art open-concept kitchen fine-dining restaurant with touches that are equally modern and inviting — is run by couple David and Amanda Krog. The Krogs source ingredients from local farms, using what is in season, and are committed to being a “zero waste" kitchen. The Krogs' attention to detail is unparalleled; each creative dish is as delicious as it is artfully plated.
Must-Order Item: Be sure to try the Scallops & Mussels entrée. This dish is a perfect example of David Krog’s attentional to detail. Beautifully seared scallops are served over a bed of al dente herb risotto with tender and flavorful steamed mussels. A citrus beurre blanc is the finishing touch. Each component is perfectly executed, creating a flawless and delicious dish.
Ecco
The Neighborhood: Evergreen Historic District in Midtown | 1585 Overton Park; (901) 410-8200; eccoonovertonpark.com
Why We Love It: Ecco is tucked away on Overton Park in the sleepy historic Evergreen neighborhood in a line of shops and restaurants in this otherwise residential neighborhood. In the evening, the bright lights coming from its floor-to-ceiling windows shine like a beacon for passers-by to come in and join the fun in this neighborhood gathering spot. The food is inspired by the Italian roots of the owners, Sabine Bachmann and her two sons, Armando and John-Paul Gagliano.
Must-Try Item: The pasta course is not to be skipped. Armando makes all the pastas in-house, offering a daily selection of eight to 10 options. The Braised Leek Ravioli with ricotta, browned butter, toasted pine nuts and Parmesan is a current favorite.
Regular’s Tip: Most pastas are available as a half or full order — so you can enjoy them as an appetizer or an entrée.
Edge Alley
Neighborhood: Downtown | 600 Monroe Ave.; edge-alley.com
Why We Love It: Edge Alley is a popular lunch and brunch spot in the Edge District in Downtown Memphis run by chef Tim Barker and his wife, Lena. Known for his creative fare, Tim Barker has always done everything he could by scratch. His passion for his craft is evident from the first conversation you have with him. He roasts his own coffee beans, made oat milk from scratch when he wasn’t happy with what was available from purveyors, and even makes crackers from leftover grains from his neighbors at High Cotton Brewing Company. If he can make it, he does.
Must-Order Item: Edge Alley’s elevated version of Steak N’ Eggs is on both the lunch and brunch menus. Pan roasted beef medallions served with a pair of farm eggs, vegetable salad and a chimichurri butter come to the table looking like a fine dining dish.
Regular's Tip: If you haven’t had a dessert at Edge Alley, you may not know this secret — always save room for dessert. Barker’s pots de cremes make chocolate lovers swoon. The S’mores-inspired pots de crème I recently enjoyed is a velvety chocolate custard served with brûléed marshmallow fluff. A house-made graham cracker with dark chocolate provided the finishing touch.
Erling Jensen: The Restaurant
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 1044 S. Yates Road; (901) 763-3700; ejensen.com
Why We Love It: Thirty years ago, Erling Jensen arrived in Memphis to become the chef at La Tourelle. Since then, he has been renowned as one of the best chefs in Memphis. In 1996, he left La Tourelle to open his own restaurant, named Erling Jensen: The Restaurant. For its first 10 years, Erling Jensen was voted the best restaurant in Memphis by several readers polls. Today, it is still as beloved as the day it opened. Erling Jensen is known for its fine-dining, French-influenced fare. Dishes like Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with hollandaise and Beluga caviar and Pan-Fried Buttermilk Quail with stone ground grits are a perfect way to start your meal.
Must-Order Item: Jensen’s Rack of Lamb with a pecan, mustard and molasses crust is a must-order if you like lamb. It is tender and always perfectly cooked.
Regular’s Tip: The bar at Erling Jensen is the place to head to enjoy Jensen’s dishes in a more casual dining experience.
Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 551 S. Mendenhall Road; (901) 762-8200; folksfolly.com
Why We Love It: Folk’s Folly is Memphis’ original prime steakhouse. Since it opened in 1977, it has been a premier Memphis destination for steaks. The restaurant is known for perfectly cooked prime steaks that arrive to the table on a hot plate sizzling in butter. Sides like potatoes au gratin, spinach casserole and hand-battered onion rings are served family-style for all to share. Located in a former home, the restaurant is a mix of small dining rooms, each with their own character. For special occasions, regulars know to ask for one of the small private rooms that have only one table.
Must-Order Item: Ordering a steak at Folk’s Folly is obviously a must, but you should also plan to start the meal with an order of Fried Pickles for the table. These tempura-fried pickles that are crispy and salty have been on the menu for decades for a reason.
Regular’s Tip: Folk’s Folly has a Prime Cut Shoppe called Humphrey’s where you can pick up their hand-cut steaks as well as many of their side dishes to cook at home.
The Four Way
The Neighborhood: Soulsville | 998 Mississippi Blvd.; (901) 507-1519; fourway901.com
Why We Love It: Good food has a way of bringing people together. As one of the oldest restaurants in Memphis, The Four Way is a soul food institution, with regular patrons including civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and music icons such as Al Green and Isaac Hayes. Fried chicken (with your choice of light or dark meat), fried catfish, turkey and dressing, neck bones, fried green tomatoes, yams, turnip greens and macaroni and cheese are a few of the soul food dishes that have brought in devoted customers for more than 70 years.
Must-Order Item: The Four Way has one of our favorite Fried Chicken plates in town. Each order comes with a breast and a wing, and your choice of two of their homecooked Southern sides.
Golden City
Neighborhood: Cordova | 815 Exocet Drive; (901) 590-0063
Why We Love It: Golden City is tucked away in a nondescript strip mall one block off Germantown Parkway in Cordova. The restaurant interior is just as nondescript as the strip mall. The dining room is filled with large round tables, each with a big Lazy Susan turntable in the center, with simple wooden chairs. A wall of banquettes lines one side of the room. But the place instantly feels warmer and more comfortable when you sit down and are greeted with a smile and a pot of green tea to sip as you peruse the menu. For everything the interior design is lacking, the food makes up for it. It is Chinese food like no other I have had in town. Chef and owner Wei Ru Situ makes everything from scratch. He has help in the kitchen, but most of the time, he alone mans the woks.
Must-Try Item: Sizzling Salmon with Black Pepper is a must-order. Just like fajitas, this dish comes to the table sizzling. Tender pieces of salmon are tossed in a flavorful, but not overpowering, black pepper sauce with sliced carrots, onions and bell peppers.
Good Fortune Co.
The Neighborhood: South Main Arts District | 361 S. Main St.; goodfortuneco.com
Why We Love It: Good Fortune Co. is a bright and cheery noodle shop in the South Main Arts District. Chefs and owners Sarah Cai and Arturo Leighton created a hip Asian-inspired restaurant featuring dumpling and noodle dishes made-from scratch. A cocktail bar reflects their food menu vision, featuring Asian-inspired cocktails and a broad selection of Japanese whiskeys and sakes. Save room for dessert. I think this might be the only spot in Memphis to get Taiyaki — a Japanese fish-shaped cake cone stuffed with creative soft-serve ice cream flavors. Good Fortune Co. opened in 2021 and serves dinner only.
Must-Order Item: GFC Wings at Good Fortune Co. are not your ordinary wings. The jumbo wings are brined for 24 hours before being hand-dipped in a batter made from three different gluten-free flours. They are fried twice to make them super crispy and tossed in a house-made Sichuan Honey Butter Sauce. They are finger-licking good!
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana
The Neighborhood: Two locations (Germantown and East Memphis) | 6300 Poplar Ave. and 1215 S. Germantown Road, Germantown; delimexicana.com
Why We Love It: Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana offers some of the freshest and most authentic Mexican food this side of the border. With almost 20 different kinds of tacos and tortugas (Mexican sandwiches) served each day, along with other authentic menu items that are constantly changing, there is always something new to try at Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana. “This is the style of taco you would find in Mexico City,” said Jonathan Magallanes, who opened Las Tortugas in 2003 with his father, Pepe. Each filling can be ordered as either a taco or a tortuga.
Must-Order Item: The Fish Tacos are both light and flavorful. Freshly made corn tortillas are stuffed with flaky tilapia and topped with a sprinkling of diced sweet onion, fresh cilantro, green salsa and sliced avocado.
Regular’s Tip: Be sure to start with the guacamole and an order of Elote (Mexican street corn). You’ll thank us after one bite.
Limelight
The Neighborhood: Germantown | 7724 Poplar Pike, Germantown; (901) 791-2328; limelightgermantown.com
Why We Love It: Limelight is one of Germantown’s newest fine dining eateries. The restaurant is a venture by Kirk Cotham and Chad Foreman of Wolf River Hospitality Group (which owns such Memphis eateries as Pyro's Pizza, Abner's and Wolf River Brisket Co.) and opened in 2022. The picturesque and inviting restaurant features a craft-cocktail forward bar menu, a well-balanced wine list and creative Southern dishes inspired by local ingredients. When you walk into the restaurant, your eyes are immediately drawn to the whimsical uplit tree in the middle of the room. Each season, John Mark Enterprises will change out the tree to match the season. “This is how you will know the menu is changed for the new season,” Cotham said.
Must-Order Item: A handful of the starters are always on the menu, no matter the season. One of my favorites is the Crab & Artichoke Dip, which is served with house-made salt and vinegar chips.
The Lobbyist at Chisca
The Neighborhood: South Main Arts District | 272 S. Main St.; (901) 249-2170; lobbyistatchisca.com
Why We Love It: The Lobbyist at Chisca opened in early 2023 in the Chisca building, in the space that was once the lobby of the historic building. It’s the latest venture for chef Jimmy Gentry, who also owns Paradox Cuisine catering company. Gentry has a talent for taking common Southern ingredients and transforming them into memorable dishes through his creative use of technique and garnishes. With a focus on locally grown produce and locally raised meats, Gentry’s dishes often depend on the offerings that local farms can produce, sometimes changing weekly but always changing seasonally. Gentry sources as much as he can from farms in the region.
Must-Order Item: A “Produce” section is on the menu — making vegetables a focus, rather than an afterthought. Gentry’s Carrots are a dish I order every time. Carrots cooked sous vide with a kimchi vinaigrette are served al dente and chilled with a velvety house-made kewpie mayo. The flavor of the kimchi is subtle and perfectly balanced. Fried garlic, sesame seeds and furikake add the finishing touch to the dish.
Magnolia & May
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 718 Mt. Moriah Road; (901) 676-8100; magnoliamay.com
Why We Love It: Touted as a country brasserie, Magnolia & May opened in May 2020. Owners Chip and Amanda Dunham, who previously ran Grove Grill with Chip’s father, Jeff Dunham, transformed an East Memphis insurance office into a charming and quaint dining establishment, complete with a large bar and an inviting patio. Dishes like Tacos Con Mempho (pulled pork tacos), a Home Place Pastures Pork Chop (served with Coconut Rice Grits and Peach Salsa) and Collard Green and Fried Chicken Melt have made this restaurant an East Memphis favorite for a casual night out.
Must-Order Item: Start with the Buffalo Broccoli. This vegan spin on buffalo wings is a fun and tasty starter. Battered and fried broccoli florets are tossed in a buffalo sauce and served with your choice of blue cheese or buttermilk dipping sauce.
Napa Café
The Neighborhood: East Memphis | 5101 Sanderlin Ave.; (901) 683-0441; napacafe.com
Why We Love It: Open since 1998, Napa Café is tucked away in the corner of Sanderlin Centré. The neighborhood bistro is known for classic fare served in a comfortable and welcoming dining room. Owner Glenda Hastings is known for her hospitality, as well as her generosity to the community. Her Stax Music Academy fundraiser “Heart Full of Soul” is a wine dinner not to be missed. Marinated and grilled lamb tenderloin topped with a chimichurri sauce and hoisin glazed organic chicken with smoked Gouda risotto are just a couple of the entrees from which to choose.
Must-Try Item: The Potato-Encrusted Halibut with a shallot beurre blanc is a dish that has been on and off the menu at Napa Café for 22 years. “If I take that or dishes like the pork chops off, people complain,” Hastings said.
Regular’s Tip: Watch for Napa Café’s wine dinners and special events. Hastings pulls out all the stops for these special events, and they sell out quickly.
River Oaks
Neighborhood: East Memphis | 5871 Poplar Ave.; (901) 683-9305; riveroaksrestaurant.com
Why We Love It: Chef José Gutierrez is one of an elite few who have earned the title of Maître Cuisinier de France. (There are fewer than 100 chefs with that distinction in North America.) Originally from the Southeast of France, he was head chef of The Peabody dining institution Chez Philippe for his first 22 years in Memphis, winning accolades nationwide during his tenure there. In 2010, he decided to make the move out East and took over River Oaks. His neighborhood restaurant quickly became a favorite. With Gutierrez's signature modern French fare, the restaurant is also known for its attentive and friendly service.
Must-Order Item: The Caramelized Salmon with Cauliflower Risotto is a signature dish at River Oaks. Gutierrez has been making his creamy and cheesy cauliflower risotto since way before the current cauliflower rice craze. In fact, I wonder if this dish sparked Americans’ love of all this cauliflower?!
Regular’s Tip: At lunch, order the Chef’s TV Dinner. It’s a four-course prix-fixe meal that features lunch-size portions of some of Gutierrez’s best dishes.
Sakura Japanese Restaurant
The Neighborhood: Germantown | 2060 West St., Germantown; (901) 758-8181; sakuramemphis.com
Why We Love It: Sakura is known for its over-the-top sushi rolls. Sexy Lady, Volcano and Atomic. Pretty crazy names, right? They are just a few of the specialty sushi rolls at Sakura Japanese Restaurant. Order a signature sushi roll at Sakura and what comes to your table is more than just an everyday sushi roll — it’s a work of art that is just as tasty as it is beautiful. Each is as original as its outlandish name. Sakura has been a Germantown favorite for sushi for almost two decades, earning a reputation for fresh sushi and friendly service. The restaurant has two more locations in the Memphis area, but it’s the original in Germantown that we recommend.
Must-Order Item: The Omar Roll was named for a former sushi chef at Sakura. This roll has an interesting, almost creamy, texture. Shrimp tempura and cream cheese are inside the roll. It’s topped with snow crab mix (a creamy Japanese crab salad) and crab stick tempura. It’s one of the more mildly flavored specialty rolls, but is still full of flavor. I order it every visit.
Sunrise Memphis
The Neighborhood: Two locations (The Medical District and East Memphis) | 670 Jefferson Ave. and 5469 Poplar Ave.; sunrise901.com
Why We Love It: Customers stand in line to enjoy Sunrise Memphis’ biscuit sandwiches, breakfast bowls and boozy brunch cocktails. Signature dishes include items like the Dirty South (an egg and bacon biscuit topped with pimento cheese, fried green tomato and Sunrise sauce) and 3 Amigos Tacos (chorizo, scrambled eggs, pico de gallo and salsa verde). The breakfast menu also includes standards such as pancakes, breakfast tacos and omelets.
Must-Order Item: The King Biscuit is an over-the-top breakfast bowl. An open face biscuit is topped with fried chicken, country ham, an over-easy egg and country gravy. Plan to take a nap after eating this one.
Supper Club on 2nd
The Neighborhood: Downtown | 85 S. Second St.; (901) 453-6334; ilovesupperclub.com
Why We Love It: Rich deep green velvet chairs, exposed brick, brass accents, art-deco light fixtures and an art projection system marry the old and the new at Supper Club on 2nd, which opened in 2022. Owners AG Granderson, Joe Johnson, Devin Butler and Robert Higgins designed a restaurant they say is a modern-day twist on a traditional supper club from the 1960s and 1970s. Dishes like a champagne-tempura battered Deep Sea Lobster Dawg, Grand Marnier-glazed French-boned Lamb Chops and an edible 24-karat gold encrusted Golden Tomahawk Steak are much-talked-about dishes in town.
Must-Order Item: The Shawt Rib & Grits is a huge portion of coriander-braised short ribs paired with creamy polenta, red wine jus, and crispy onions atop creamy homemade cheese grits.
Tsunami
The Neighborhood: Cooper-Young | 928 S. Cooper St.; (901) 274-2556; tsunamimemphis.com
Why We Love It: For more than 25 years, Chef Ben Smith has delighted guests with his Pacific Rim cuisine at his Cooper-Young restaurant, Tsunami. Dishes like Roasted Seabass with black Thai rice and a soy beurre blanc and Spice Crusted Tuna on cucumber salad with wasabi vinaigrette are so popular that they have a permanent place on the menu. Tsunami also has a daily changing small plate menu designed to take advantage of the freshest seafood and seasonal offerings from local farms. Smith works with purveyors around the globe to procure amazing seafood that is often delivered within hours of being pulled from the water.
Must-Order Item: The Roasted Seabass dish is a perfectly roasted slice of sea bass with a golden and slightly crispy crust served on top of a mound of chewy, nutty black Thai rice and surrounded by a pool of soy beurre blanc. It has only three key ingredients, yet this dish is sublime. It’s a dish that exemplifies why Tsunami has flourished more than two decades.
Regular’s Tip: The ginger doughnuts with coconut sorbet are one of the best (and most unique) desserts in town.
Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken
The Neighborhood: Whitehaven | 3633 Millbranch Road; (901) 332-2367; unclelousfriedchicken.com
Why We Love It: Deep Fried Sweet Spicy Love. With a name like that, you know the chicken has to be good. Lou Martin, the “Uncle Lou” behind Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken, slathers his crispy fried chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce that was invented by his great-grandmother. Martin won’t share all his great-grandmother’s secrets, but he did say that some of the ingredients behind his sweet and spicy sauce are honey, hot sauce, red wine vinegar and their signature “Corruption” seasoning. His chicken — available in mild or hot — is crispy, spicy and sweet all at the same time.
Must-Order Item: The Sweet Spicy Love Chicken Tenderloins. These spicy chicken tenders won Uncle Lou’s the People’s Choice awards at Food Network’s South Beach Food & Wine Festival in 2023. The three-piece chicken tenderloins meal comes with your choice of a side, one of Uncle Lou’s sinfully good honey butter biscuits and a drink.
Regular’s Tip: Pick up a bottle of Uncle Lou’s “Corruption” seasoning blend to take home. It’s the perfect seasoning blend for everything from chicken to carrots.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Top Memphis restaurants in 2023: The 30 best places to eat
