Must see restaurants in Memphis

The downtown location of this iconic Memphis barbecue joint is the perfect side dish to an afternoon at the National Civil Rights Museum. The transcendent…

Served in a simmering hug of chili-garlic butter, spinach and Parmesan, the grilled oysters are an oh-so-delicious introduction to this newcomer, where…

It may be a contentious statement, but here goes: this converted gas station has the best chopped-pork sandwich in town.

It's not your typical food hall – you won't find rows of kiosks – but there's an international array of casual eateries in the city's newest hot spot…

In stylishly revamped digs, chef Kelly English crafts special, avant-garde Southern fusion dishes that delight foodies, hence the James Beard nominations…

A flash spot in the Cooper-Young district, serving tasty Southern tapas like truffled deviled eggs with smoked salmon, shrimp and grits with smoked Gouda…

The chef-driven, Southern-rooted Italian at this Brookhaven Circle hot spot has grabbed the nation's attention, winning best new this and best new that…

Breakfasts are as pretty as a country morning at Sunrise Memphis, where the delicious biscuits and breakfast plates are loaded with eggs, cheese and every…

Fried-chicken connoisseurs across the globe twitch in their sleep as they dream about the gossamer-light offerings at this downtown concrete bunker, with…

Contemporary Lowcountry cuisine (the seafood-heavy cooking of the South Carolina and Georgia coasts) wins rave reviews at this casual Midtown restaurant,…

All the many strands that make a contemporary restaurant appealing are here. There's sleek design, excellent lighting and music, and a creative menu. Try…

The only thing sweeter than Alcenia's famous 'Ghetto-Aid' (a diabetes-inducing fruit drink) at this delicious soul-food restaurant is owner Betty-Joyce …

Vegans and veggies face an uphill battle in Memphis (hell, all over the South…), but this inventive Cooper-Young cafe swims alone in a sea of pulled pork…

Cheap and flavorful – and at times global – street food is the calling at this ever-evolving Cooper-Young staple, which serves up everything from…

This humble breakfast spot started as a chain out of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district to feed the homeless; today the Memphis location is the last…

Tucked in its own namesake alleyway off Monroe Ave, this subterranean institution sells an astonishing 5 tons of its exquisite dry-rubbed ribs weekly. The…

Set in an old silent-movie theater near Beale St, with pre-talkie black-and-whites strobing in the handsome dark-wood dining room, Majestic serves classic…

Slouch in a torn vinyl booth and devour an entire barbecued Cornish game hen ($11.75), the house specialty at this recently renovated cult favorite. Ribs…

A cute cinderblock cafe in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, known for delectable po'boys, fried-fish plates and some rather indulgent cakes.

Step inside this ultra-retro diner, Memphis' oldest, and wander to the Elvis booth, strategically located near the rear exit. The King used to sit here…