Guidebook for Memphis
Food Scene
Go before 3:30/4p or call it in to go, or plan to wait a LONG time. This place is literally world-famous and has started franchising as far as Los Angeles. Locals don't really think much of their sides, so order those accordingly, but whatever chicken you get will be a good choice. It's a little spicy!
159 recommandé par les habitants
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
310 S Front StGo before 3:30/4p or call it in to go, or plan to wait a LONG time. This place is literally world-famous and has started franchising as far as Los Angeles. Locals don't really think much of their sides, so order those accordingly, but whatever chicken you get will be a good choice. It's a little spicy!
I keep it simple here: egg biscuit with sausage (or veggie sausage), and a cup of granola with yogurt. They have a lot on the menu, but sometimes the quality varies. That said, for a breakfast/lunch option down the street, this can't be beat.
65 recommandé par les habitants
Café Eclectic
603 N McLean BlvdI keep it simple here: egg biscuit with sausage (or veggie sausage), and a cup of granola with yogurt. They have a lot on the menu, but sometimes the quality varies. That said, for a breakfast/lunch option down the street, this can't be beat.
Classic Italian that's been there for a long time. Not Little Italy, but worth it if you feel like Italian within walking distance.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Dino's Grill
645 N McLean BlvdClassic Italian that's been there for a long time. Not Little Italy, but worth it if you feel like Italian within walking distance.
Upscale eclectic American; highly recommended for a "nice" night out.
102 recommandé par les habitants
The Beauty Shop
966 Cooper StUpscale eclectic American; highly recommended for a "nice" night out.
There are a large handful of bars and restaurants in this area. If you have time, you can get there and walk around before you decide. It's pretty touristy now, but it was a ghost town a few years ago. Babalu Tacos is okay (ask them to make the guac in the kitchen--trust me), and the Memphis Pizza Cafe is an old favorite.
177 recommandé par les habitants
Overton Square
2101 Madison AveThere are a large handful of bars and restaurants in this area. If you have time, you can get there and walk around before you decide. It's pretty touristy now, but it was a ghost town a few years ago. Babalu Tacos is okay (ask them to make the guac in the kitchen--trust me), and the Memphis Pizza Cafe is an old favorite.
Burgers done well, includes black bean, Beyond, and turkey options. Many other non-burger options as well.
50 recommandé par les habitants
Huey's Midtown
1927 Madison AveBurgers done well, includes black bean, Beyond, and turkey options. Many other non-burger options as well.
Located inside Crosstown Concourse which was recently an abandoned 1,000,000 sq ft Sears distribution warehouse. I always have their Beyond burger with sweet potato fries and a kale salad.
Farm Burger Memphis
1350 Concourse AveLocated inside Crosstown Concourse which was recently an abandoned 1,000,000 sq ft Sears distribution warehouse. I always have their Beyond burger with sweet potato fries and a kale salad.
Juice and granola bowls. Great for a light breakfast or snack. Inside Crosstown Concourse which was an abandoned 1,000,000 sq ft Sears distribution warehouse not long ago.
Juice Bar - Crosstown
1350 Concourse AveJuice and granola bowls. Great for a light breakfast or snack. Inside Crosstown Concourse which was an abandoned 1,000,000 sq ft Sears distribution warehouse not long ago.
Coffee and beer. Inside Crosstown Concourse which was an abandoned 1,000,000 sq ft Sears distribution warehouse not long ago. Worth the trip just to visit the concourse. Check out the gallery at Crosstown Arts while you're there. Past the coffee shop and up the red spiral stairs.
10 recommandé par les habitants
French Truck Coffee
1350 Concourse AveCoffee and beer. Inside Crosstown Concourse which was an abandoned 1,000,000 sq ft Sears distribution warehouse not long ago. Worth the trip just to visit the concourse. Check out the gallery at Crosstown Arts while you're there. Past the coffee shop and up the red spiral stairs.
Our newest brewery. We have a lot. They all try, bless their hearts. But if you're from a beer town, like Portland or Denver, we're still trying to catch up.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Crosstown Brewing Company
1264 Concourse AveOur newest brewery. We have a lot. They all try, bless their hearts. But if you're from a beer town, like Portland or Denver, we're still trying to catch up.
New location for a brewery that’s also located close to the apartment (look up: Wiseacre on Broad Ave.). I haven’t been to this one, but the photos look cool.
13 recommandé par les habitants
WISEACRE Brewing Company HQ
398 South B.B. King BoulevardNew location for a brewery that’s also located close to the apartment (look up: Wiseacre on Broad Ave.). I haven’t been to this one, but the photos look cool.
Drinks & Nightlife
A mix between a dive and something more unique. Great if you've been to The Beauty Shop or walking around the Cooper-Young neighborhood. You'll rub elbows with Memphis's most current and original artists and musicians here--even if you can't tell who's who.
44 recommandé par les habitants
Bar DKDC
964 Cooper StA mix between a dive and something more unique. Great if you've been to The Beauty Shop or walking around the Cooper-Young neighborhood. You'll rub elbows with Memphis's most current and original artists and musicians here--even if you can't tell who's who.
Decades-old dive bar that's seen many changes over the years. Highly recommended for the local dive experience. Beer-only, but you may BYO bottles of wine and the hard stuff.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Lamplighter Lounge
1702 Madison AveDecades-old dive bar that's seen many changes over the years. Highly recommended for the local dive experience. Beer-only, but you may BYO bottles of wine and the hard stuff.
I hear their wings are incredible. But Alex's is most known for staying open--and serving--until the sun comes up!
Last I checked, smoking was allowed inside.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Alex's Tavern
1445 Jackson AveI hear their wings are incredible. But Alex's is most known for staying open--and serving--until the sun comes up!
Last I checked, smoking was allowed inside.
Younger crowd, lots of beers on tap, late night food. I haven't been in years but lots of people love it.
73 recommandé par les habitants
Young Avenue Deli
2119 Young AveYounger crowd, lots of beers on tap, late night food. I haven't been in years but lots of people love it.
Parks & Nature
Sunsets on the Mississippi can be quite stunning. East of Tom Lee are the bluffs. Climb the stairs for a birds eye view.
67 recommandé par les habitants
Tom Lee Park
Riverside DriveSunsets on the Mississippi can be quite stunning. East of Tom Lee are the bluffs. Climb the stairs for a birds eye view.
In the 70s the state tried to run the highway through the park. A group of old ladies in tennis shoes stopped it. The largest old-growth urban forest in TN. You can play frisbee in the open area, or walk through the trails--or play golf!
160 recommandé par les habitants
Overton Park
1914 Poplar AveIn the 70s the state tried to run the highway through the park. A group of old ladies in tennis shoes stopped it. The largest old-growth urban forest in TN. You can play frisbee in the open area, or walk through the trails--or play golf!
Recently renovated, there's a large lake and lots of trails. A huge park!
223 recommandé par les habitants
Shelby Farms Park
6903 Great View Dr NRecently renovated, there's a large lake and lots of trails. A huge park!
Arts & Culture
This is an obvious one. Dense, with a lot of reading, but a huge favorite.
174 recommandé par les habitants
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
926 E McLemore AveThis is an obvious one. Dense, with a lot of reading, but a huge favorite.
Brooks Museum
1934 Poplar AveCheck out their listings. Wednesdays are FREE!
I don't know if it's a museum, shops, or what. It's really all of those. Locals don't think much of it--but if you're an Elvis fan, it's obviously a must.
260 recommandé par les habitants
Graceland
I don't know if it's a museum, shops, or what. It's really all of those. Locals don't think much of it--but if you're an Elvis fan, it's obviously a must.
Heavy. Powerful. Essential.
319 recommandé par les habitants
National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
450 Mulberry StHeavy. Powerful. Essential.
A new and contemporary gallery located inside Crosstown Concourse. I find myself at events and openings there about twice a month.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Crosstown Arts
1350 Concourse AveA new and contemporary gallery located inside Crosstown Concourse. I find myself at events and openings there about twice a month.
Shopping
Goner is run by locals. If you're in town for Memphis music, it's a must.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Goner Records
2152 Young AveGoner is run by locals. If you're in town for Memphis music, it's a must.
Shangri La is run by locals. If you're in town for Memphis music, it's a must.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Shangri-La Records
1916 Madison AveShangri La is run by locals. If you're in town for Memphis music, it's a must.
Well-curated vintage. Not my style and I hear a lot of it is small, but also highly recommended.
FOX+CAT VINTAGE
2153 Central AveWell-curated vintage. Not my style and I hear a lot of it is small, but also highly recommended.
Sightseeing
I can't make a list and not include Beale. The history is incredible. Now it's mostly neon and bars. Lots of bars, restaurants, and live music that they think tourists would like. I go maybe once or twice a year. You can have an open container on the street and I think they serve til 5 or 6 AM. It's fun to walk with a drink in your hand. LOTS of great souvenir shops.
245 recommandé par les habitants
Beale Street
128 Beale StI can't make a list and not include Beale. The history is incredible. Now it's mostly neon and bars. Lots of bars, restaurants, and live music that they think tourists would like. I go maybe once or twice a year. You can have an open container on the street and I think they serve til 5 or 6 AM. It's fun to walk with a drink in your hand. LOTS of great souvenir shops.
Call Tad Pierson at American Dream Safari and schedule an off-the-beaten path tour in his 1958 Cadillac. Probably the opposite of Beale St.--in a good way. The name and address are incorrect in this listing, as he does not advertise. His number is: 901-428-3602
Stop 345
345 Madison AvenueCall Tad Pierson at American Dream Safari and schedule an off-the-beaten path tour in his 1958 Cadillac. Probably the opposite of Beale St.--in a good way. The name and address are incorrect in this listing, as he does not advertise. His number is: 901-428-3602