Guidebook for Memphis
Food Scene
Our recommendation – DO NOT GO TO RENDEZVOUS! If your heart is set on it, fine – but our favorite is Central. They have multiple locations, try the BBQ Nachos! Incredible! closest location: 147 E Butler (0.6 miles), original location: 2249 Central
88 locals recommend
Central BBQ - Downtown
147 E Butler AveOur recommendation – DO NOT GO TO RENDEZVOUS! If your heart is set on it, fine – but our favorite is Central. They have multiple locations, try the BBQ Nachos! Incredible! closest location: 147 E Butler (0.6 miles), original location: 2249 Central
Old school diner great for breakfast and lunch. This was one of Elvis’ favorite spots – in fact they have his favorite booth decorated with Elvis pictures. Everything is delicious, but they are known for the sweet potato pancakes. 540 S Main Street (0.4 miles)
111 locals recommend
The Arcade Restaurant
540 S Main StOld school diner great for breakfast and lunch. This was one of Elvis’ favorite spots – in fact they have his favorite booth decorated with Elvis pictures. Everything is delicious, but they are known for the sweet potato pancakes. 540 S Main Street (0.4 miles)
Yum! There is a line out the door most days, but this is worth the wait. Just as the name suggests, you will find the best fried chicken and southern sides. A great lunch spot – go early or late to avoid the lines. 310 S Front Street (0.7 miles)
159 locals recommend
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
310 S Front StYum! There is a line out the door most days, but this is worth the wait. Just as the name suggests, you will find the best fried chicken and southern sides. A great lunch spot – go early or late to avoid the lines. 310 S Front Street (0.7 miles)
Lunch and dinner. Although they have a full menu, this is our favorite spot for a chargrilled oyster afternoon snack. 299 S Main Street (0.8 miles)
40 locals recommend
Pearl's Oyster House
299 S Main StLunch and dinner. Although they have a full menu, this is our favorite spot for a chargrilled oyster afternoon snack. 299 S Main Street (0.8 miles)
As seen on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’ for Duck Fried Rice. As soon as you sit down you are greeted with a bowl of popcorn and friendly waiter/bartender. This is great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Also – there is a bocce ball court right across the street. 361 S Main Street (0.6 miles)
61 locals recommend
SOB Downtown
345 S Main StAs seen on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’ for Duck Fried Rice. As soon as you sit down you are greeted with a bowl of popcorn and friendly waiter/bartender. This is great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Also – there is a bocce ball court right across the street. 361 S Main Street (0.6 miles)
Our favorite Italian date night. This is located over in midtown. There are tons of fun spots for music and drinks in walking distance after dinner. 22 S Cooper Street (5 miles)
21 locals recommend
Bari Ristorante e Enoteca
524 Cooper StOur favorite Italian date night. This is located over in midtown. There are tons of fun spots for music and drinks in walking distance after dinner. 22 S Cooper Street (5 miles)
Felicia Suzanne's
383 Madison AveGreat food with a Southern flair. 80 Monroe Avenue (1.3 miles)
This is a ‘secret’ restaurant upstairs from BB Kings on Beal Street. Upscale Southern food and puts you right in the heart of Beale Street after dinner. Insider Tip: If you enter through the restaurant, Itta Bena, you avoid the cover charge at BB Kings for music after dinner. 145 Beale Street (1 mile)
31 locals recommend
Itta Bena
145 Beale StThis is a ‘secret’ restaurant upstairs from BB Kings on Beal Street. Upscale Southern food and puts you right in the heart of Beale Street after dinner. Insider Tip: If you enter through the restaurant, Itta Bena, you avoid the cover charge at BB Kings for music after dinner. 145 Beale Street (1 mile)
Buttermilk fried oysters, yum! Great southern food and a fun crowd. 120 Monroe Avenue (1.3 miles)
26 locals recommend
McEwens
120 Monroe AveButtermilk fried oysters, yum! Great southern food and a fun crowd. 120 Monroe Avenue (1.3 miles)
Open April thru November. This is one of our favorite things to do on a Saturday morning. You will find local meats and produce if you want to cook. There are also fun local crafts if you are looking for a souvenir and food trucks if you need a snack. Central Station, S. Front Street at GE Patterson (0.3 miles)
41 locals recommend
Memphis Farmers Market
566 S Front StOpen April thru November. This is one of our favorite things to do on a Saturday morning. You will find local meats and produce if you want to cook. There are also fun local crafts if you are looking for a souvenir and food trucks if you need a snack. Central Station, S. Front Street at GE Patterson (0.3 miles)
Drinks & Nightlife
Traditional bar/bar with good bar food and close to the house. It is a little smoky which is good or bad depending on your preferences. 513 S Front Street (0.3 miles)
42 locals recommend
The Blue Monkey
2012 Madison AveTraditional bar/bar with good bar food and close to the house. It is a little smoky which is good or bad depending on your preferences. 513 S Front Street (0.3 miles)
Infamous, classic dive bar. Former brothel, the story goes that the Rolling Stones were inspired to write “Brown Sugar” here. Check out the upstairs – you’ll find the old brothel rooms, a second bar and sometimes a piano player. They don’t have an extended menu, but the Soul Burger is a Memphis Classic. The burger is a small snack or late night bite. 351 S Main Street (0.7 miles)
89 locals recommend
Earnestine & Hazel's
531 S Main StInfamous, classic dive bar. Former brothel, the story goes that the Rolling Stones were inspired to write “Brown Sugar” here. Check out the upstairs – you’ll find the old brothel rooms, a second bar and sometimes a piano player. They don’t have an extended menu, but the Soul Burger is a Memphis Classic. The burger is a small snack or late night bite. 351 S Main Street (0.7 miles)
Fun outdoor bar with fire pits, trees and a creek running through it. They serve craft beer, cocktails and wine. There is also a great grill serving up salads and sandwiches (like brisket & pork tenderloin po’ boys). Live music on the weekends and occasional beer dinners, so check out their calendar. 7 W Carolina Ave (0.2 miles)
77 locals recommend
Loflin Yard
7 W Carolina AveFun outdoor bar with fire pits, trees and a creek running through it. They serve craft beer, cocktails and wine. There is also a great grill serving up salads and sandwiches (like brisket & pork tenderloin po’ boys). Live music on the weekends and occasional beer dinners, so check out their calendar. 7 W Carolina Ave (0.2 miles)
Cocktail lounge in an old haunted house. On the weekends they will have live music. We’ve seen opera singers, folk singers and DJs – you never know. Lots of fun if you want a nice cocktail in the old Memphis neighborhoods. 679 Adams Ave (3 miles)
55 locals recommend
Mollie Fontaine Lounge
679 Adams AveCocktail lounge in an old haunted house. On the weekends they will have live music. We’ve seen opera singers, folk singers and DJs – you never know. Lots of fun if you want a nice cocktail in the old Memphis neighborhoods. 679 Adams Ave (3 miles)
The best way to find music on Beale is just to walk down the street until something catches your ear, but this is one of our favorites
52 locals recommend
Blues City Cafe
138 Beale StThe best way to find music on Beale is just to walk down the street until something catches your ear, but this is one of our favorites
If you are looking for something off Beale Street, this might be your place. The music starts late and is cash only, but you will see lots of locals and great music. 1580 Vollintine Avenue (6 miles)
23 locals recommend
Wild Bills Memphis
1580 Vollintine AveIf you are looking for something off Beale Street, this might be your place. The music starts late and is cash only, but you will see lots of locals and great music. 1580 Vollintine Avenue (6 miles)
This is a small concert venue over in midtown. Big names and small names alike come through here. Definitely check out the calendar to see who is in town. 1555 Madison Avenue (4 miles)
26 locals recommend
Minglewood Hall
1555 Madison AveThis is a small concert venue over in midtown. Big names and small names alike come through here. Definitely check out the calendar to see who is in town. 1555 Madison Avenue (4 miles)
Arts & Culture
Beautifully restored 1920’s theatre. There is always something going on including plays, concerts, dinner on stage. Check out the calendar. 203 S Main Street (1 mile)
102 locals recommend
Orpheum Theatre
203 S Main StBeautifully restored 1920’s theatre. There is always something going on including plays, concerts, dinner on stage. Check out the calendar. 203 S Main Street (1 mile)
Blues Hall of Fame Museum
421 S Main StNational Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
450 Mulberry StMemphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
191 Beale StSun Studio
706 Union AveParks & Nature
Right out your front door is Tom Lee Park. There is a walking/running path that goes right along the river. There is a series of circuit training equipment if you want an intense workout. You will also find plenty of open grass if you want to read a book or have a picnic. This is our favorite place to watch a sunset! 357 Riverside Drive (0.3 miles)
67 locals recommend
Tom Lee Park
Riverside DriveRight out your front door is Tom Lee Park. There is a walking/running path that goes right along the river. There is a series of circuit training equipment if you want an intense workout. You will also find plenty of open grass if you want to read a book or have a picnic. This is our favorite place to watch a sunset! 357 Riverside Drive (0.3 miles)
You can cross the Mississippi River by foot or bike via the Big River Crossing. From the house to the end of the bridge and back is about 3 miles. This is one of our favorite routes for a morning run. 3 Drive Virginia Avenue (0.8 miles)
39 locals recommend
Big River Crossing
Big River CrossingYou can cross the Mississippi River by foot or bike via the Big River Crossing. From the house to the end of the bridge and back is about 3 miles. This is one of our favorite routes for a morning run. 3 Drive Virginia Avenue (0.8 miles)
This one is a car ride away, but worth the trip. Here you will find 4,500 acres of park space. There are running/walking trails, zip lines, horseback riding, laser tag & paintball, etc. 6903 Great View Drive North (20 miles), (901) 222-7275
223 locals recommend
Shelby Farms Park
6903 Great View Dr NThis one is a car ride away, but worth the trip. Here you will find 4,500 acres of park space. There are running/walking trails, zip lines, horseback riding, laser tag & paintball, etc. 6903 Great View Drive North (20 miles), (901) 222-7275
Sightseeing
This is a great place stop for many reasons. Architecturally magnificent, the ducks enter at 11 and leave at 5, the lobby bar is one of our favorite places to have an after dinner drink and they have a formal afternoon tea. 149 Union Avenue (1.5 miles)
126 locals recommend
The Peabody Memphis
149 Union AveThis is a great place stop for many reasons. Architecturally magnificent, the ducks enter at 11 and leave at 5, the lobby bar is one of our favorite places to have an after dinner drink and they have a formal afternoon tea. 149 Union Avenue (1.5 miles)
Essentials
This is located over on Mud Island with some fun shops, walking trails and restaurants. The market has a meat counter, fresh veggies and the basics. If you are looking for anything special, you might want to try a bigger store, but this will have all your basics and some fun locally sourced food. 737 Harbor Bend Road (3 miles)
32 locals recommend
Cordelia's Market
737 Harbor Bend RdThis is located over on Mud Island with some fun shops, walking trails and restaurants. The market has a meat counter, fresh veggies and the basics. If you are looking for anything special, you might want to try a bigger store, but this will have all your basics and some fun locally sourced food. 737 Harbor Bend Road (3 miles)
This Kroger was just redone with a coffee bar, wine shop, meat counter etc. Very nice and good prices. 1366 Poplar Avenue (5 miles)
107 locals recommend
Kroger
1366 Poplar AveThis Kroger was just redone with a coffee bar, wine shop, meat counter etc. Very nice and good prices. 1366 Poplar Avenue (5 miles)
This is one of our favorites. Larger than Miss Cordelias and easier to navigate than the huge Kroger. They have an excellent seafood and meat counter. A little pricier than Kroger, but great fresh food. 2145 Union Avenue (5 miles)
81 locals recommend
The Fresh Market
2145 Union AveThis is one of our favorites. Larger than Miss Cordelias and easier to navigate than the huge Kroger. They have an excellent seafood and meat counter. A little pricier than Kroger, but great fresh food. 2145 Union Avenue (5 miles)
This store is further out in the ‘suburbs’, but this is a good one. There is a BBQ & Beer counter in the middle of the store where you can get a pint and a snack before you shop. 5014 Poplar Avenue (18 miles)
42 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
5014 Poplar AveThis store is further out in the ‘suburbs’, but this is a good one. There is a BBQ & Beer counter in the middle of the store where you can get a pint and a snack before you shop. 5014 Poplar Avenue (18 miles)
This is the closest liquor store. They have beer, wine, liquor and good prices. 511 S Front Street (0.3 miles)
Memphis is part of the south and we have those special laws. Below are the highlights if you are looking to stock the bar for your stay:
•Beer and wine can be found in any of the local grocery stores. Beer and wine sales prohibited before noon on Sunday.
•Liquor is sold only at liquor stores – liquor stores are closed on Sunday.
6 locals recommend
The Corkscrew
511 S Front StThis is the closest liquor store. They have beer, wine, liquor and good prices. 511 S Front Street (0.3 miles)
Memphis is part of the south and we have those special laws. Below are the highlights if you are looking to stock the bar for your stay:
•Beer and wine can be found in any of the local grocery stores. Beer and wine sales prohibited before noon on Sunday.
•Liquor is sold only at liquor stores – liquor stores are closed on Sunday.