12 New Restaurants to Try

Those who seek the finer things will find a home at Bishop, the latest restaurant from James Beard Award-nominated chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman. Bishop, a French brasserie connected to the new Central Station hotel, serves adventurous items like tinned seafood and escargot as well as traditional Coq Au Vin, Mussels and Frites, and more.

The beloved midtown restaurant and bar now has a second, more spacious location in the heart of the South Main Arts District. Sip a local brew or one of their infamous Jameson slushies, then choose from an array of shareable appetizers, sliders, or lobster rolls. You can hang out on the dog-friendly patio when the weather’s nice.

It’s cozy, it’s eclectic, and it’s full of mouth-watering homemade bread: the Hustle & Dough café is located in the new Arrive hotel lobby downtown, right by a trolley stop. They have all your favorite toast toppings - think almond butter or avocado - plus freshly baked sourdough, rye, pastries, and light breakfast items. There’s also a full coffee menu from local roasters Vice & Virtue for your latte fix.

For fresh seafood with a stunning view, head to Coastal Fish Company at Shelby Farms Park. Nestled on the banks of Hyde Lake, the white tablecloth restaurant boasts an extensive menu of oysters, raw bar, fish and shellfish, and a few turf options, too. Watch the sunset on the heated patio or order drinks and oysters at the bar, and enjoy a taste of the Coast in Memphis.

When breakfast-for-dinner calls your name, head to 3rd and Court at the Hotel Indigo downtown. The diner-inspired spot offers cozy booths and casual barstool seating with meat-and-three specials, griddle cheeseburgers, and breakfast all day. Wash it down with a mug of coffee, a creamy milkshake (booze optional), or a cocktail.

For Old World Italian in a modern setting, visit Elemento Neapolitan Pizza on the eastern end of the Crosstown Concourse. Using only certified ingredients and authentic methods, these pies are cooked quickly in a high-temperature imported oven, so they’re served up piping hot and fresh to order. Make it a full meal with meatballs, burrata, and salads before you explore the Concourse shops and Crosstown Arts galleries. 

For casual Mediterranean and Greek cuisine in South Main, visit the Grecian Gourmet, just steps away from the National Civil Rights Museum and the Blues Hall of Fame Museum. Go for classics like gyro, pastitso, and moussaka, or sample new dishes like lamb sliders and pita chip nachos. They offer online ordering for takeout, or you can stay awhile and enjoy wine or a Memphis-brewed beer. 

For Southern-inspired fare in a sleek, modern setting, stop in to Hu.Diner, connected to the Hu.Hotel in downtown Memphis, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After your meal, stick around for happy hour specials on classic cocktails in the stylish bar. You can also head up to the rooftop during select hours for an amazing view of the Mississippi River and Hernando de Soto Bridge.

The most adorable treats await your sweet tooth at South Main’s picturesque Primas Bakery & Boutique. Owned by a pair of cousins, the bakery offers shortbread cookies, macarons, pastries, petit fours, and more, plus coffee and tea. Do a little shopping in the Latin-inspired boutique while you’re there, and don’t forget to grab some treats to take home! 

Seeking craft cocktails and savory snacks? Barware in downtown Memphis serves up a full bar’s worth of drinks and plenty of shareable plates, sandwiches, and Sunday brunch, all in a trendy lounge atmosphere. Looking for a healthy jolt to your day? Head next door to Juice Brothers, which has a variety of organic, cold-pressed juices, plus smoothies, acaí bowls, and tonics.

For freshly-made pasta and bubbling cheesy pies straight from the oven, head to midtown’s Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza. Chef Miles Tamboli sources ingredients directly from local farmers and producers and uses them to create inventive and classic pasta dishes and Italian comfort food in an intimate dinner setting.

Whether you’re meeting a friend, need to get some work done, or just want to take a moment for a cuppa and a bite, find your way to Comeback Coffee in The Pinch District. The bright and airy café serves gourmet coffee and tea, breakfast bowls, lunch sandwiches, and pastries. You’ll be near the Bass Pro Pyramid and right down the street from the Renasant Convention Center.