Memphis on the MICHELIN Map: Top Restaurants You Can’t Miss

A longtime Memphis favorite, Hog & Hominy blends Southern comfort with Italian inspiration in a lively, welcoming setting. Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman serve playful, flavor-packed dishes like wood-fired pizzas, pork belly, and butter bean hummus that keep guests coming back. Awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in the inaugural guide and again in 2026 for delivering exceptional food at great value, Hog & Hominy perfectly captures the spirit of Memphis dining: creative, communal, and full of heart.

Tucked inside Midtown's Crosstown Concourse, Bao Toan is a family affair. Karina Pham and her daughters opened the modern Vietnamese kitchen and cocktail bar in early 2025, naming it after the family's youngest sister and building the menu around the dishes they grew up eating. Less than two years later, it earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, which the restaurant says makes it the first Vietnamese restaurant in Tennessee to receive the honor. Inspectors singled out skill-intensive classics like bánh khọt, bánh cuốn, and bánh bèo, along with house-made bread for the bánh mì and house-made noodles for the A5 wagyu pho. Don't skip the chả giò, crispy pork and wood ear mushroom egg rolls served with fresh herbs. Elegant and softly lit, it's equally suited to date night or a family celebration. Read more about Bao Toan.

One of the newest faces on Cooper Street, Fawn opened in 2025 and earned a spot as MICHELIN Recommended in the 2026 guide. Executive Chef Theresa Schuenke, who came to Memphis from Milwaukee, runs a farm-to-table, small-plates menu sourced as locally as possible, drawing on Spanish tapas, Middle Eastern, Southern Italian, and Creole influences. Her goal is food that feels like Sunday supper at grandma's: comforting, layered, and meant to be shared. Start with the miso deviled eggs, then work through the seasonal menu with dishes like octopus pepperonata. The cozy, woodland-inspired dining room makes it an easy pick for date night or a night out with friends.

Known for inventive Southern cuisine with a contemporary twist, Felicia Suzanne's moved to the historic South Main neighborhood, bringing its signature hospitality and bold flavors to a vibrant, artistic community. Housed in a beautifully restored 1926 building, the restaurant blends exposed brick and wood with warm lighting for a relaxed, timeless atmosphere. Chef Felicia Suzanne Willett-Schuchardt, a Johnson & Wales alumna and Emeril Lagasse protégé, celebrates seasonal, sustainable ingredients in dishes like Fried Green Tomatoes, Gulf Fish with Lump Crab, and the signature BLFGT Salad, earning the restaurant MICHELIN Recommended status in 2025 and again in 2026.

Set in the historic Hotel Chisca, The Lobbyist combines vintage elegance with approachable fine dining in the heart of downtown Memphis. Sunlight streams through tall windows overlooking South Main, while globe lights, wood tables, and gold accents create a mid-century vibe. Chef Jimmy Gentry and Chef de Cuisine Jessica Lambert blend seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with global influences, crafting bold dishes like Corn Mash with acorn squash in bacon jus, Charred Okra, and Roast Potatoes in spiced masala gravy, all served in generous portions. MICHELIN Recommended two years running for its flavorful, inventive cuisine, the restaurant also reimagines classic cocktails, making it ideal for both special occasions and relaxed nights out.

Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman's flagship restaurant, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, is MICHELIN Recommended for the second year in a row. Located in a cozy house on Brookhaven Circle, just across the street from its sister restaurant Hog & Hominy, it blends Italian tradition with Southern comfort. Standout dishes include pork belly with polenta and a runny egg, tuna tartare with sundried tomatoes, and mafaldi in veal ragu. Warm and inviting, it's a must-visit for fans of inventive, soulful Italian cuisine.

For lovers of bold, spicy flavors, Petals of a Peony is Memphis' first fully authentic Sichuan restaurant. Founded by a chef who spent years in Chengdu, the restaurant serves family-style dishes like Spicy Dumplings, Crispy Fried Duck, Kung Pao Chicken, Peony Fried Chicken, Eggplant, and Dan Dan Noodles, with generous portions and vegan and halal options clearly marked. Known for its fiery, tongue-tingling heat and consistent execution, the Cordova location is MICHELIN Recommended for the second straight year, and its Overton Square sister in Midtown serves the same signature dishes. It's a must-visit for diners craving an adventurous, authentic taste of Sichuan.