40 mid-range rooms in Memphis, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good rooms in Memphis, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Memphis food.
Cxffeeblack ★ 4.8
east-memphis · 3386 Bowen Ave, Memphis, TN 38122
Cxffeeblack in Memphis is Bartholomew Jones and Renata Henderson's Black-owned coffee roaster with Ethiopia-direct sourcing, pour-overs and an East Memphis.
Tip: The roastery cafe doubles as the retail counter; subscription coffee ships nationally.
Brother Juniper's ★ 4.8
east-memphis · 3519 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Brother Juniper's near the University of Memphis on Walker Avenue runs a tiny breakfast house with omelettes, biscuits and long-haul regulars queuing.
Tip: Tuesday to Sunday, closes 13:00 weekdays. Get there by 08:30.
Cozy Corner BBQ ★ 4.7
pinch-district · 735 N Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38105
Cozy Corner BBQ on North Parkway in the Pinch District in Memphis serves the city's most singular plate: hickory-smoked Cornish hens, idiosyncratic.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday only. The bologna sandwich is the second order.
Hog and Hominy ★ 4.7
east-memphis · 707 W Brookhaven Cir, Memphis, TN 38117
Hog and Hominy on Brookhaven Circle in East Memphis runs Saturday and Sunday brunch with bacon-fat doughnuts, biscuits with ricotta and wood-fired plates.
Tip: Reserve on Resy for the patio. Brunch runs Sat-Sun 10:30-14:00; arrive at 11:00 for the easier seat.
The Four Way ★ 4.6
south-memphis · 998 Mississippi Blvd, Memphis, TN 38126
The Four Way is Memphis's defining Black-owned soul food room on Mississippi Boulevard since 1946. Martin Luther King Jr. ate here; the walls show the guests.
Tip: Open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch only, 11:00-17:00. Cash and card both fine.
The Rendezvous ★ 4.6
downtown · 52 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103
Charlie Vergos's basement Memphis BBQ room off Second Street has served charcoal-broiled dry-rub ribs since 1948. The signature rub is sold by the bag.
Tip: Enter through the alley off Monroe; closed Sunday and Monday. They cook ribs over charcoal, not in a smoker; dry-rub purists call it grilled.
The Bar-B-Q Shop ★ 4.6
midtown · 1782 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Frank and Hazel Vernon's Madison Avenue Memphis BBQ room invented BBQ spaghetti and has run dry-rub and wet ribs from a wood-pit smoker since 1987.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. The Dancing Pigs sauce ships nationally if you want to keep the meal going.
French Truck Coffee ★ 4.6
crosstown · 1350 Concourse Ave Ste 167, Memphis, TN 38104
French Truck Coffee at Crosstown Concourse is the New Orleans roaster's Memphis flagship, with single-origin espresso, drip and bean retail on the atrium.
Tip: The Highland Row branch runs the same menu; both serve as cafe and retail roastery outpost.
Earnestine and Hazel's ★ 4.6
south-main · 531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Earnestine and Hazel's on South Main downtown Memphis runs Soul Burgers and a jukebox until 03:00 daily, the city's defining late-night dive bar.
Tip: Cash works fastest. Upstairs the rooms run quiet most nights.
The Four Way ★ 4.6
south-memphis · 998 Mississippi Blvd, Memphis, TN 38126
The Four Way on Mississippi Boulevard in South Memphis is the city's defining Black-owned soul food room since 1946, where MLK ate but most tourists never go.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday to Saturday. Save room for sweet potato pie.
Magnolia and May ★ 4.6
east-memphis · 718 Mt Moriah Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Magnolia and May on Mount Moriah in East Memphis runs the city's Thursday-to-Sunday brunch since 2020 with fried chicken, French toast and bottomless mimosas.
Tip: The Williamsburg Village patio is the Sunday seat. Brunch After Dark on Saturdays.
Hog and Hominy ★ 4.5
east-memphis · 707 W Brookhaven Cir, Memphis, TN 38117
Ticer and Hudman's wood-fired pizza and charcuterie room in East Memphis runs a Southern-Italian playbook on a covered Brookhaven Circle patio since 2012.
Tip: Brunch on Saturday and Sunday runs 10:30-14:00 with biscuits, ricotta and bacon-fat doughnuts. Patio first.
Alcenia's ★ 4.5
pinch-district · 317 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Betty Joyce Chester-Tamayo's Pinch District Memphis soul food room has run fried chicken, collards and a hug at the door since 1997. Priced at $$.
Tip: Counter service, cash preferred. B.J. greets every table; the experience is half the meal.
Central BBQ Downtown ★ 4.5
downtown · 147 E Butler Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Central BBQ Downtown in Memphis runs the city's most reliable dry-rub ribs and pulled pork from a casual counter across from the National Civil Rights Museum.
Tip: Lines from noon to 14:00; order online and pick up at the express counter to skip the queue.
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana ★ 4.5
germantown · 1215 S Germantown Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
Jose Magallanes's family Memphis-area taqueria in Germantown has run tortas, al pastor and braised meats from a strip-mall counter since 2002.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The Poplar Avenue East Memphis branch at 6300 Poplar runs the same menu if Germantown is full.
Wiseacre Brewing ★ 4.5
downtown · 398 S BB King Blvd, Memphis, TN 38126
Wiseacre Brewing's downtown Memphis flagship on BB King Boulevard is a 40,000-square-foot brewery with 30 beers on tap and the in-house Little Bettie pizza.
Tip: Cash-free taproom; card only. Take the Tiny Bomb pilsner to the patio first.
Alcenia's ★ 4.5
pinch-district · 317 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Alcenia's in the Pinch District north of downtown Memphis runs Betty Joyce Chester-Tamayo's soul food and her famous door-greeting hug since 2002.
Tip: Counter service, cash preferred. Closed Sundays and Mondays. B.J. greets every diner.
Brother Juniper's ★ 4.5
east-memphis · 3519 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Brother Juniper's near the University of Memphis runs the city's most-cherished breakfast from a tiny picket-fenced house on Walker, a locals' room.
Tip: Tuesday to Sunday breakfast only. Closes 13:00 weekdays, 12:30 Saturdays. Get there by 08:30.
The Beauty Shop ★ 4.5
cooper-young · 966 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
The Beauty Shop in Cooper-Young Memphis runs Saturday and Sunday brunch in a 1940s salon space where Priscilla Presley once had her hair done.
Tip: Reserve weekends on OpenTable. The dryer-hood seats are the photo seat.
The Beauty Shop ★ 4.4
cooper-young · 966 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
Karen Carrier's Cooper-Young Memphis room sits inside a 1940s beauty salon where Priscilla Presley once did her hair, open since 2002 with a globe-trotting.
Tip: Saturday brunch fills the booths fast. Sit at the bar for a faster meal under the dryer hoods.
Central BBQ Midtown ★ 4.4
midtown · 2249 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Central BBQ's Midtown Memphis room on Central Avenue is the chain's original, opened in 2002 with dry-rub ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and BBQ nachos.
Tip: The patio is the seat; the dining room fills fast at lunch. Online ordering skips the line.
J. Brooks Coffee Roasters ★ 4.4
raleigh · 2099 Thomas Rd #16, Memphis, TN 38134
J. Brooks Coffee Roasters is a family-run Memphis micro-roaster on Thomas Road in Raleigh, with small-batch single origins from Brazil, Colombia.
Tip: The warehouse runs same-day pickup for online orders; the Onyx and Gallant dark roasts are the house signatures.
Soul and Spirits Brewery ★ 4.4
pinch-district · 845 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38107
Soul and Spirits Brewery in the Pinch District of Memphis runs German, Czech and American lagers, British cask ales and nitro pours from a 25-tap house.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Walk over from Bass Pro Pyramid; small kitchen too.
Gibson's Donuts ★ 4.4
east-memphis · 760 Mt Moriah Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Gibson's Donuts on Mount Moriah in East Memphis runs hot doughnuts 24 hours a day since 1967, the city's late-night sugar fix with drive-thru open around.
Tip: Fresh batches at 04:00 and 16:00. Drive-thru open all night.
A&R Bar-B-Que ★ 4.4
south-memphis · 1802 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106
A&R Bar-B-Que on Elvis Presley Boulevard in South Memphis has run Black-owned hickory-smoke BBQ from a converted gas station since 1983, quiet on tourist.
Tip: The smoked bologna sandwich is the under-radar order; pair it with mustard slaw on the side.
Pete and Sam's ★ 4.3
east-memphis · 3886 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Pete and Sam's East Memphis Park Avenue room has run red-sauce Italian for the Bomarito family since 1948. Priced at $$. Booking recommended.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner; closed Mondays. Reservations advised on Friday and Saturday.
Sage Restaurant ★ 4.3
south-main · 94 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Sage Restaurant is a soul fusion room on South Main in Memphis from Chef Eli Townsend, with globally influenced Southern comfort food and a downtown rooftop.
Tip: Wednesday to Sunday dinner; the rooftop opens earlier than the dining room on weekends.
Germantown Commissary ★ 4.3
germantown · 2290 S Germantown Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
Germantown Commissary on South Germantown Road has slow-smoked Memphis BBQ from a converted general store east of the city since 1981. A long porch out front.
Tip: Open daily; the porch fills first. Drive from downtown takes 20 minutes via Poplar Avenue.
Central BBQ Poplar ★ 4.3
east-memphis · 6201 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119
Central BBQ's Poplar Avenue East Memphis room runs the same dry-rub ribs and pulled pork as the original Midtown branch in a larger dining room with easy.
Tip: Easier seat than Midtown or Downtown locations; Sunday lunches fill the room first.
Crosstown Brewing Co. ★ 4.3
crosstown · 1264 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Crosstown Brewing Co. on Concourse Avenue next to Crosstown Concourse in Memphis runs a hop-forward American craft program from a purpose-built brewery.
Tip: Beer flights run all week. The taproom is dog- and family-friendly with picnic tables outside.
Mosa Asian Bistro ★ 4.3
east-memphis · 850 S White Station Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Mosa Asian Bistro on White Station Road in East Memphis runs a Chinese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese menu favoured by Memphis chefs on their nights off.
Tip: Closed Mondays. The spicy Korean noodles are the standout; the room fills with regulars after 18:00.
The Cove ★ 4.3
broad-avenue · 2559 Broad Ave, Memphis, TN 38112
The Cove on Broad Avenue in Memphis is a pirate-themed oyster bar with a wood pirate-ship bar and live music in the back, a Broad Avenue Arts District.
Tip: Oyster happy hour 17:00. Live music most weekends in the back room.
Sunrise Memphis ★ 4.3
downtown · 670 Jefferson Ave, Memphis, TN 38105
Sunrise Memphis on Jefferson Avenue downtown is a quick-service breakfast diner with Southern plates and a full bar, the locals' weekday morning room.
Tip: The biscuit sammies are the dark-horse order; sit at the counter for the fastest service.
Sunrise Memphis ★ 4.3
downtown · 670 Jefferson Ave, Memphis, TN 38105
Sunrise Memphis on Jefferson Avenue downtown is a quick-serve diner running Southern breakfast and a full bar daily 07:00-14:00. Open daily 07:00-14:00.
Tip: Lines from 09:00 on weekends. The biscuit sammies and the Best Omelette are the regular orders.
Babalu ★ 4.2
overton-square · 2115 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Babalu in Overton Square Memphis runs Southern cooking with Latin flair from a Madison Avenue patio, with tableside guacamole, tacos and craft cocktails.
Tip: The patio is the seat in spring; Sunday brunch is the easier seat than weekend dinner.
Mosa Asian Bistro ★ 4.2
east-memphis · 850 S White Station Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Mosa Asian Bistro on White Station Road in East Memphis runs a Chinese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese menu from a strip-mall favoured by chefs on their nights.
Tip: Lunch is the easier seat; the room fills with regulars after 18:00. Closed Mondays.
Hen House ★ 4.2
east-memphis · 679 S Mendenhall Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Hen House on South Mendenhall in East Memphis runs an eclectic wine-bar-and-eatery menu with charcuterie, salads, pastas and the crispy chicken sandwich.
Tip: Open Sun-Thu evenings, with weekend lunch service Sat-Sun 11:00-14:00.
Owen Brennan's ★ 4.2
east-memphis · 6150 Poplar Ave Ste 150, Memphis, TN 38119
Owen Brennan's in Regalia on Poplar Avenue is a long-running East Memphis Creole-Cajun room with French Quarter styling, baked oysters and tableside bananas.
Tip: Reserve online; the Sunday jazz brunch and the tableside bananas Foster are the marquee orders.
City and State ★ 4.2
broad-avenue · 2625 Broad Ave, Memphis, TN 38112
City and State on Broad Avenue in Memphis is a hybrid retail and cafe pouring rotating local roasters, plus a small in-house bean selection on the retail.
Tip: Whole-bean retail rotates monthly; ask the barista what is on the bar for daily pour-overs.
Ghost River Brewing Co. ★ 4.2
south-main · 827 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Ghost River Brewing on South Main in Memphis runs a sustainable craft program named for the section of the Wolf River that vanishes underground.
Tip: Check the taproom calendar for hours; the South Main brewery now runs the full beer list and food.