Downtown Memphis Guide
Downtown Memphis was somewhere you would never visit about 10-15 years ago. Similar to South Main, there were a few staples but mostly empty buildings and you didn’t feel particularly safe.
However, there has been a LOT of development to downtown recently and there are some really great spots! This is not a comprehensive list, but a guide of where I personally go and love and recommend.
Stank face dancing at Silky O’Sullivan’s
Where to Eat
Majestic Grille has been my favorite restaurant in Downtown Memphis for the longest. Everything is great here. The bread they start with is so fluffy, so salty, so yummy. I recommend their pork chop or their grilled cheese. To die for!
Bardog Tavern is a local haunt for a specific group. Law students, young professionals, etc. The sliders are great, the pasta and chilli are delicious, and they make some great drinks. It is dark inside and great for a cozy date night or late night hang out with friends!
If you come to Memphis, you have to try barbecue. If you speak to a native Memphian, you’ll get a different answer from everyone about where the best barbecue is from. While I wouldn’t say Rendezvous has the best pulled pork barbecue, for which Memphis is known, they do have great dry rub ribs and sausage and cheese plates.
MaggieMoo’s is my favorite little ice cream shop. Located right next to Majestic Grille, they are so good. I love grabbing a scoop of cookies n cream and wandering downtown.
Aldo’s Pizza Pies is on my Cooper-Young guide, but they also have a downtown location! Their barbecue pizza and garlic knots are my favorite.
Flight is one of the nicest restaurants in Memphis and is such a cool concept. I’ve been once and Ginobli (player for San Antonio Spurs) bought me a flight of wine lol. I got the chicken & waffle, pork tenderloin, and boursin-stuffed filet.
Itta Bena is also a fine-dining restaurant in Downtown Memphis. Right above B.B. King’s Blues Club (entrance is in the back alley). I love their shrimp & grits and their short ribs.
Comeback Coffee is technically in the Pinch District, but is close enough! Locally owned and super fresh coffee, pastries, and small plates.
Where to Drink
Neal at the Grind City Bluegrass Festival
Grind City Brewery is also located in the Pinch District, so I recommend driving here, but they are a super hot brewery in Memphis now. Newer to the scene, but has great views of Downtown Memphis, great beers (I recommend their Poppy Pilsner), and a great atmosphere. They also offer weekly trivia on Wednesday nights and they’re always a blast!
soul & spirits brewery is also new and is underrated! I love getting their beer flights and playing their basketball games. Their coffee & cigarettes beer is so good, and they have another beer (I currently cannot remember the name of it) but we added a strawberry syrup to it and it was so good!
Hu Rooftop is my favorite rooftop in Memphis. Great cocktails, great view, just pretty small :)
Hu Rooftop
Peabody Afternoon Tea
Peabody Hotel has plenty of options for drinks. Their lobby bar is great and high class, their corner bar is cozy, their afternoon tea is spectacular, and their summer rooftop parties are always so much fun. Definitely check out the Peabody bars.
Flying Saucer has an entire wall full of draft beers. Neal and I love to bring board games here and grab beers and their bacon cheese fries (my favorite in the city) and/or watch sports here. If you love beer and German-influenced food, definitely come here.
Beale Street beale street beale street…. I hate to love you and love to hate you lol. If you come to Memphis and drink, you have to check out Beale Street at least once. I recommend going before night time though. Silky O’Sullivan’s is a great warring piano bar with a massive outdoor space. There is a ton of live music at almost every bar on Beale.
An accurate representation of Beale Street shenanigans
Things to Do
Beale Street during the day is also fun! They have a ton of kitschy shops with Elvis paraphernalia and old-timey gifts. Be sure to stop by A. Schwabs and get some ice cream.
Harbor Town is my little slice of heaven. We have a small market, casual dining, fine dining, rooftop bar, nail salon, and speakeasy on this tiny piece of paradise. I recommend grabbing some grab-and-go items from Cordelia’s Market and having a picnic by the river. There are lots of walking trails through the neighborhood or along the river, along with the Mud Island River Park. I’m hopeful we get some funding for the River Park at some point, but it is still cool to see.
Memphis Grizzlies games are always a blast. My family has had season tickets since their first year in 2001 at the Memphis pyramid (which I will not recommend on this post lol). Ja Morant is killing it and the vibes are always immaculate in the FedEx Forum.
Neal and I have recently started going to the 901FC game and they are my favorite pastime now!!! Tickets start at $10 to sit in the fan section, which is the most fun section. I don’t even love soccer, but these games are a blast.
Slave Haven Museum is located near Grind City Brewery and is a must-see museum. It is very heavy, but necessary. You learn about the slave trade, the underground railroad system, and the message systems between runaway slaves. You even get to see a part of the underground railroad.
Paula Raiford’s Disco is an iconic establishment in Memphis. You can only buy 40s of beer, NO DRINKS ON THE DANCE FLOOR, beat on some drums, or even dance on a stripper pole. It is a go-to spot for post-wedding parties and thoroughly drunk folks. I joke that you never plan to go to Raiford’s, you just decide in the moment. It is best to go as late as possible and as drunk as possible.
