2022 Best Restaurants in Memphis
Our team has assembled the best eateries in Memphis, Tennessee. You can see our methodology here.
Find a digital badge to celebrate your awesome accomplishment here, or contact us here if you’d like to request one as a sticker for your restaurant!
1. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Try the: Mac n’ Cheese Noodles
Also honored in:
“Maggie and Na continued to serve their community until their deaths, in 1982 and 1983 respectively. The restaurant, however, remained a family affair. Na’s only son, Vernon “Gus” Bonner, inherited Maggie and Na’s priceless recipe and the restaurant they worked so hard to build, literally from the ground up. In 1984, Gus and his wife, Gertrude, reopened under the now well-known name, “Gus’s World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken”. Though the name may have changed, the Bonner family continued to honor Na and Ms. Maggie’s legacy by following and even perfecting their beloved fried chicken.
You can’t keep good fried chicken a secret, and before long Gus’s World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken had a following that stretched far beyond the quiet streets of Mason, Tennessee. Regional publications, including the Memphis Commercial Appeal, began featuring the restaurant in the late 1980s, and national publications, such as Saveur and GQ magazine, soon followed. In fact, in January 2001, GQ named Gus’s Fried Chicken one of the top ten meals in the United States worth flying for.”
2. Central BBQ
Try the: Ribs
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“Memphians know great BBQ. And since it opened in 2002, Central BBQ has been ranked as the number one spot for BBQ in Memphis. The secrets to Central’s success?
You might have heard us say, “Smoke is Our Sauce”. That’s because we live in the hardwood capital of the world and use hickory and pecan woods, along with our intricate dry rub and a whole lot of patience, to craft the most tender, delicious piece of meat you’ve ever eaten— with or without the sauce.”
3. Blues City Cafe
Try the: Ribs
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“Blues City Cafe opened in March of 1991 under the name of “Doe’s Eat Place”. Doe’s was originated in Greenville Mississippi by owners Charles and Dominic (Doe) Signa. George Eldridge was brought in as the owner in Memphis and ran Doe’s for 2 years during a push for business in downtown Memphis, particularly Beale Street. In the early 90’s, Blues City Cafe developed a menu and consistent items that would work for the Memphis and Beale Street locals, tourists, etc. Ribs became the focal point, as they are today, and other items were added over the years, such as our steaks, catfish and tamales. In October of 1993, investors bought Doe’s and changed the name to Blues City Cafe. Many of the same faces that were with Doe’s in the early 90’s remain at Blues City Cafe today. Ty Agee and Bud Chitton for example, their consistency and constant drive to better our food quality and speed of service have made Blues City Cafe what it is today, The #1 business at the #1 tourist attraction in Tennessee.”
4. B.B. King’s Blues Club
Try the: Shrimp and Grits
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“This is the original iconic B.B. King’s Blues Club, located at the top of Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. B. B. King’s is the best restaurant, bar, and live music club on the Street. We’re more than the Blues. We’re classic soul, rock and roll, great barbeque, and signature drinks that will fill you to the brim. You just have to experience it because words can’t describe the vibe of this place. So make your way to downtown Memphis for all that BB King’s Blues Club has to offer and don’t forget your blue suede shoes!”
5. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Try the: BBQ Pulled Pork
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“Corky’s BBQ is Memphis BBQ. We helped put this city on the map as a culinary capital and BBQ haven. Locals don’t lie, and we’ve been voted the #1 BBQ joint in Memphis 22 times since Don Pelts fired up Corky’s first hickory and charcoal BBQ pit (more than 30 years ago) with one goal in mind: serve the absolute best BBQ possible.”
6. Elwood’s Shack
Try the: Fish Tacos
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“No-frills BBQ & comfort food joint offering smoked meats, burgers, tacos, hot dogs & sandwiches.”
7. The Majestic Grille
Try the: Crab Cake Benedict
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“Celebrating 15 years in business, The Majestic Grille is thrilled to re-open the doors of their popular Downtown restaurant. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, The Majestic owners and staff cultivate a welcoming community gathering place full of hospitality and good food. The Majestic No. 1 Theatre opened on Main Street in 1913 and entertained Memphians for more than 30 years. Today, The Majestic Grille honors the legacy of its building by recreating the cinematic splendor of the dawn of the silver screen, all within the comforts of a local, neighborhood restaurant.”
8. The Bar-B-Q Shop
Try the: Rib Tips
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“The Bar-B-Q Shop was originally Brady & Lil’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant. Brady Vincent had a love for barbecue and pasta. Mr. Brady trained Frank & Hazelteen Vernon about the fundamentals of cooking and preparing barbecue before he retired in 1981.
The Vernon family changed its name to The Bar-B-Q Shop six years later. Since The Bar-B-Q Shop’s humble beginning, it has gained a very loyal following which did everything in their power to not only make us a Midtown favorite but a Local town favorite. With word of mouth, loyalty, and the following of our customers, we were able to expand the restaurant into twice the size of the original restaurant.
The Bar-B-Q Shop has always valued its longtime customers. They are often considered family and motivation for us to keep doing such a good job.”
9. Babalu
Try the: Baba Burger
Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Memphis
“Combine our delicious dishes and handcrafted cocktails with a friendly, comfortable, light-hearted atmosphere, and you’ve just discovered the secret ingredient that makes every BABALU® worth coming back to. Share a bowl of our signature guacamole made table-side, enjoy fresh Latin-inspired cuisine, or sip on a unique cocktail from the bar. Prepare to kick back, relax, and enjoy what BABALU® is all about – food, fun, and hospitality.”
10. Sunrise Memphis
Try the: The Kitchen Sink
“Colorful quick-serve diner offering eclectic Southern breakfast & lunch fare, plus a full bar.”