New Memphis restaurants: From fine dining to coffee shops, 15 spots you need to check out
October was filled with new Memphis restaurant openings.
The list of new eateries that opened last month includes a new Downtown fine dining restaurant, a casual American bistro in Cooper-Young and a new (and bigger) location for a popular Collierville Italian restaurant. From Downtown to Arlington, several Memphis restaurants expanded their businesses by opening additional locations.
Here are 15 new eateries in the Memphis area that opened in October.
Guthrie’s
8277 McGregor Crossing, Olive Branch; guthrieschicken.com
Guthrie’s opened a location in Olive Branch on Oct. 3. Located at 8277 McGregor Crossing in The Bridges of Camp Creek development, it’s the second Guthrie’s in Mississippi and the fifth Guthrie’s location for the Memphis-based Burroughs Restaurant Group. The group’s other restaurants are in Oxford, Mississippi, Collierville, Germantown and Cordova. The Burroughs Restaurant Group is also preparing to break ground on a new location in Whitehaven. Since its inception in 1965, Guthrie’s has become famous for its unique take on chicken fingers and down-home food.
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Clean Juice
9379 Poplar Ave., Germantown; cleanjuice.com
Clean Juice is a new organic juice bar that opened Oct. 7. The menu at this new locally owned juice bar includes freshly made juices, cold-press cleanses, açaí bowls, smoothies, wraps, sandwiches and salads. It's part of a North Carolina-based franchise that opened in 2015 and currently has more than 100 franchise locations.
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
The Cats Cottage
4000 Summer Ave., Suite 112; instagram.com/thecatscottageshop
The Cats Cottage is a new coffee shop at the corner of Summer Avenue and Graham Street. This new cat-themed coffee shop is located on the back side of the shopping center, tucked behind Lily’s Bakery & Catering. Owner Sahra Hernandez, a Christian Brothers University student, said she hopes the new coffee shop will be a community gathering spot. Expect a full espresso bar menu, boba teas, freshly baked pastries (including cat cookies) and fish shaped mini-waffles. Hours fluctuate based on Hernandez’s class schedule. And wondering about the name and theme? Hernandez loves cats.
Hours: 8-11 a.m. Monday; 1:30-6 p.m. Tuesday; 8-11 a.m. Wednesday; 1:30-6 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Crave Sweets
1730 S. Germantown Road, Suite 123, Germantown; cravesweetshop.com
Crave Sweets opened a location on Oct. 9 in Germantown at 1730 S. Germantown Road, Suite 123. It’s the second location for the locally owned bakeshop that started in Arlington. Crave Sweets specializes in custom cakes, cupcakes and desserts of all kinds. It also specializes in specific dietary needs such as gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and vegan.
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday
Blue Honey Bistro
9155 Poplar Ave., Suite 17, Germantown; bluehoneybistro.com
After being closed for most of 2023 for renovations, Blue Honey Bistro has fully reopened. Dinner service began on Oct. 3, with lunch service launching Oct. 10. The new menu includes dishes like Brown Butter Flounder and Pan-Roasted Black Angus Beef Tenderloin with a Truffle Demi-Glace. Reservations are recommended and can be made by phone only at (901) 552-3041.
Hours: Open for lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and open for dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
SOB
1329 W. Poplar Ave., Collierville; southofbeale.com
SOB has moved East. The Memphis restaurant opened a new location in Collierville in the Schilling Farms development on Oct. 10 at 1329 W. Poplar Ave. It is the third location for the restaurant that started as "South of Beale" in Downtown Memphis. The new restaurant boasts an updated look, SOB’s new menu that launched in September and a patio. SOB’s Collierville location is open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as Sunday brunch.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
David Grisanti’s on Main
148 N. Main St., Collierville; davidgrisanti.com
David Grisanti’s reopened on Oct. 10 in a new spot with a new name. David Grisanti’s on Main is located just off the historic Collierville Town Square at 148 N. Main St. Grisanti said moving to a larger, free-standing building from his most recent location in Sheffield’s Antique Mall was the next step for his business. Expect all the Grisanti family classics (David is the son of famed Memphis chef John Grisanti), as well as weekly specials like Prime Rib and Chicken Piccata. The new restaurant is open for dinner only.
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
NEW MEMPHIS RESTAURANTS: The 20 best new Memphis restaurants that have opened since 2020, from fine dining to BBQ
Guac Fresh Mex
782 Washington Ave.; (901) 587-4100; guacfreshmex.com
Located at 782 Washington Ave., Guac Fresh Mex is a new fast causal restaurant in the Medical District. It opened Oct. 13.
“It’s quality food made fresh to order, but with the speed of on the go,” co-owner Wayne Glisson said. Glisson and his partners Erik and Jesse Gonzalez also own Frida’s Restaurante Mexicano. This is their newest dining concept, and one they hope to expand.
For lunch and dinner, expect authentic Mexican dishes like tacos, chimichangas, burritos and tortas. Glisson thinks their “Guac Bowl” (choose from a bed of lettuce or rice, topped with your favorite meat, sautéed vegetables and covered with cheese dip) will be a popular item. Breakfast specialties include churro pancakes and breakfast tacos, with breakfast items served all day.
“All of the items are customizable for the customer,” said Glisson, explaining you can choose your favorite protein and toppings.
The 2,000-square-foot restaurant has 12 tables indoors and six tables on an outdoor patio.
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Lily’s Bakery & Catering
4000 Summer Ave., Suite 106; instagram.com/lilysbakerymemphis
Lily’s Bakery & Catering is a new local bakery that is Latin-, Middle Eastern- and woman-owned. Owner Liliana Chaker has been baking for years and decided to take the leap to open a storefront. Expect cookies, custom-decorated cakes and assorted baked goods. Located at the corner of Summer Avenue and Graham Street, the bakery opened Oct. 14.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
The Public Bistro
937 S. Cooper St.; (901) 509-2113; thepublicbistro.com
"Think if Huey's and Houston's had a baby" is probably the best description for a Memphis restaurant we have ever heard. That is how Knifebird Wine Bar owner Kate Ashby describes her new Cooper-Young dining concept, The Public Bistro. The Public Bistro officially opened at 937 S. Cooper St. on Oct. 16 in the building that was most recently home to Sweet Grass / Next Door. Ashby has transformed the restaurant into a bright and modern bistro that she hopes will be a place that her customers will feel welcome dining often both for casual nights out and for special occasions.
Hours: 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Los Comales Bar & Grill
322 Madison Ave.; (901) 440-8393; loscomalesmemphis.com
Los Comales Bar & Grill opened a second location in the Edge District on Oct. 18. Located at 322 Madison Ave., the new Mexican restaurant is in the spot that was formerly Stop 345. With seating for up to 300, it’s double the size of its first location and has rooftop seating. The restaurant is known for its authentic Mexican fare, including fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, tamales, tostadas, flautas and margaritas.
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 :30 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday
The Blue Room
1245 N. Germantown Parkway, Cordova; (901) 249-7512; blueroomrestaurant.com
Located inside the University of Memphis Kemmons Wilson Culinary Institute, The Blue Room is a new 80-seat restaurant that offers an upscale dining experience. While located within the school, the restaurant is independently owned and operated by Memphis restaurant group Blue Cheese LLC. Co-owner Mahesh Nandikanti said culinary school students have the opportunity to learn and train at the restaurant with the culinary professionals on staff. Chef Martavious McGee, who is a Kemmons Wilson graduate and has worked for Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen and Chez Philippe, has created a menu that he describes as modern American fine dining with international influences. Expect dishes like Pan-Seared Halibut with a Lemon Butter Sauce and Bayou Shrimp & Grits. The restaurant opened Oct. 19.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
Amelia Gene’s
255 S. Front St.; (901) 686-5051; ameliagenes.com
Downtown Memphis has a new fine dining restaurant. Amelia Gene’s opened Oct. 22 at 255 S. Front St. Memphis-based Carlisle Restaurant Group has transformed the historic 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.
Hours: 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
MEMPHIS DINING: The 30 best restaurants in Memphis in 2023: Soul food, seafood and so much more
Esco Restaurant and Tapas
156 Lt. George W. Lee Ave.; (901) 808-3726; escorestaurant.com
It’s all about having an “experience” at Esco Restaurant & Tapas. The Memphis location of this restaurant owned by rapper Tauheed "2 Chainz" Epps and entrepreneur Mychel "Snoop" Dillard opened Oct. 25 at 156 Lt. George W. Lee Ave. It’s the fifth Esco to open in the restaurant group, and the first in Tennessee.
The 5,600-square-foot space that was formerly a juke joint owned by Morgan Freeman has been totally renovated. Sunken lounges, a private V-VIP room, an outdoor patio and a 37-foot bar are just a sampling of the new dining room experience. The menu is an eclectic blend of sharable tapas plates, as well as salads, sandwiches and entrees. Signatures tapas include dishes like Smoked Salmon Chips (Blackened Salmon over Crispy Wonton Chips with Tomatoes, Red Onion, Remoulade Sauce and Sour Cream) and Escobar Rolls (which are crispy spring rolls filled with your choice of Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, or Mixed Veggies, served with Sweet Chili Sauce dipping sauce). Signature dinner entrees include options like Seafood Mac-n-Cheese, Lamb Chops with Chimichurri Sauce and Turkey Ribs.
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday; 11-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Belltower Coffee
11615 U.S. 70, #108A, Arlington; belltowercoffee.com
Belltower Coffee now has a location in Arlington. The coffee shop that originated on the Highland Strip purchased Crave Coffee & Bistro for its third Belltower location. (Belltower opened a second location in Shelby Farms Park in September.) “We’re honored to be taking over from Lana and Ben Hickey, and excited to carry on everything they’ve built in Arlington,” read the announcement on Belltower’s social media. “For the time being, very little will change other than the name. We want to make sure that everyone who has come to love Crave will still see the same friendly faces, and enjoy the same experiences you’re used to.” Belltower officially took over the coffee shop Oct. 30.
Hours: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday
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.
If you want to keep up with the tastiest news in the Bluff City — like the story above, sign up for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter for a hearty serving of stories on everything from restaurants to recipes. You can sign up here.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New Memphis restaurants you should try: 15 spots that opened in Oct.
