Memphis' best new restaurants of 2023: Here are our 3 favorite picks
As 2023 comes to a close, I looked back at all the restaurants that opened over the past 12 months. We have so many new eateries that have opened this year, serving delicious eats ranging from Southern fare to cuisines from across the globe.
Each December I am faced with the challenge of narrowing my list of favorites to the top three new restaurants of the year. It's a daunting task as our city's vibrant culinary scene is not just thriving, but growing as dozens of new restaurants open annually.
Each of the restaurants on this year's best new Memphis restaurant list is locally owned, offers unique and stellar fare as well as great customer service — and each is a spot I think you will enjoy as well.
Here are my top three picks for Best New Restaurant in 2023.
Bog & Barley
6150 Poplar Ave., Suite 124; bogandbarley.com
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 April 7 in East Memphis’ Regalia Shopping Center.
The restaurant and bar 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.
Chef Reny Alfonso designed the menu that he describes as "modern Irish fare." Notable dishes created for Bog & Barley include grilled oysters, beef mince tartare, a Berkshire bone-In pork chop and slow-baked cauliflower steak.
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.
The Lobbyist at Chisca
272 S. Main St.; (901) 249-2170; lobbyistatchisca.com
The Lobbyist at Chisca opened Jan. 20 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 are often dependent 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.
“Classic, but elegant” is how Gentry describes the design of the restaurant that pays homage to the historic building. The restaurant boasts an open kitchen, a bar designed to be a gathering spot and a beautiful outdoor patio.
Must-Order Item: A “Produce” section is on the menu — making vegetables a focus, rather than an afterthought. Corn Mash is a dish I order every time. A bowl of decadently creamy stone-ground grits is topped with roasted squash that is almost caramelized and drizzled with a bacon jus and topped with toasted pepitas. It’s a dish made with humble ingredients, that is a standout of textures and flavors.
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Amelia Gene’s
255 S. Front St.; (901) 686-5051; ameliagenes.com
Amelia Gene’s opened Oct. 22 in Downtown Memphis. Memphis-based Carlisle Restaurant Group transformed the historic William C. Ellis & Sons Machine Shop into an elegant dining room and bar.
Expect contemporary, globally inspired dishes that are artfully prepared. Chef Nate Henssler said he is offering a dining experience and menu unlike any other in town, and more like a fine dining experience you might have in larger cities like New York or Chicago. The menu includes unique offerings such “Proper Bites” — one-bite appetizers, a bread course and a cheese cart.
Original historic details of the building — such as steel beams and a large crane — were incorporated into the design that balances the original use of the space with warm and rich accents such as velvet curtains and leather banquettes to create an intimate and elegant dining experience. The centerpiece of the stunning restaurant is a crystal art installation that sparkles and glows like the embers of the metal workers who once worked in the historic building.
Must-Order Item: Start with a small plate from the “Proper Bites” section of the menu. Offerings include a divine Foie Gras Macaron (a pink peppercorn macaron with a foie gras filling) and a Golden Potato Fondue with Tete De Moine cheese and Black Truffle (a sinfully rich spin on mashed potatoes).
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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 X and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Best new Memphis restaurants in 2023: Our three top favorites
