BREAKFAST

1. Brother Juniper's

A hearty breakfast can be found in East Memphis, near the University of Memphis, at Brother Juniper’s. The San Diegan, a bed of home fries topped with portabellas, feta, cheddar, bacon and tomatoes, is a favorite of Food Network star, Rachael Ray, visitors and locals alike.

2. Gibson's Donuts 

If you like your breakfast to fall a little more on the sweet side, go no further than Gibson’s Donuts. Their signature flavor, maple bacon, is delicious morning, noon, or night, and since Gibson’s is open 24/7, you’ll always be able to assuage your donut craving.   

3. Tamp & Tap

If you just need a high-octane liquid boost for breakfast, head downtown to Tamp & Tap and peruse their extensive coffee menu. They are one of the only places in town that serve a pour-over brew, and the punch it gives is second to none.

LUNCH

4. Central BBQ 

It’s easy to get your pork on in Memphis. We’ve got barbecue spots on every corner. If you had to pick just one item from one barbecue restaurant, we would suggest the barbecue nachos at Central BBQ. Diner’s choice of pulled pork, chicken, beef or turkey is piled high and served with cheese sauce, shredded cheddar, barbecue sauce and jalapeños. Pro tip: get your nachos served on top of Central’s house-made potato chips for an unforgettable dining experience.

5. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken 

The South is known for its fried chicken, and Memphis is no exception. Locals flock to Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken to get their chicken fix. It doesn’t matter if you prefer dark meat or white meat; each piece is hand-battered, juicy and fried to wonderful golden perfection.

DINNER

6. Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen 

Breakfast for dinner? If every dinner started the A/M Breakfast at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, you wouldn’t need to eat anything else. This duo’s playful take on Southern morning staples features creamy polenta topped with pork belly, a soft poached egg and house-made cracklins.

7. Restaurant Iris 

Chef Kelly English is known for the big, bold flavors of the Louisiana Gulf, mixed with a little Memphis grit and charm. His flagship concept, Restaurant Iris, and his signature surf ‘n’ turf dish definitely exemplify his unique cooking style. Chef English stuffs a NY strip steak with fried oysters, tops it with a creamy bleu cheese sauce and serves it on top of a huge mound of potato bacon hash.

8. Felicia Suzanne's 

No one exhibits Southern style quite like Chef Felicia Willett. At her downtown eatery, Felicia Suzanne’s Chef Willett puts her own spin on down home cuisine with a deft and delicate touch. One of the restaurant’s most popular starters is her BLFGT salad, which consists of bacon, mixed greens, crispy fried green tomatoes and a Southern-style cheese spread.

SNACKS

9. Wiseacre Taproom 

Traversing the Bluff City can be thirsty work, and if you find yourself parched near Midtown or Downtown Memphis, check out two Wiseacre taprooms. This credit card-only brewery offers a variety of crisp, refreshing beers made on site with quality ingredients. The Tiny Bomb American Pilsner is our personal favorite and is brewed with German and American malt and local wildflower honey.

10. Muddy's Bake Shop 

If your sweet tooth is about to knock you down, check out Midtown Memphis’ cute and quirky bakery, Muddy’s Bake Shop, in the Broad Avenue Arts District. While all of Muddy’s offerings are delicious, it’s always difficult to bypass the aptly-named Prozac cupcake: a moist chocolate cupcake topped with rich, creamy chocolate frosting.