The Most Flavorful Southern in Memphis

Nashville Jam Café

★★★★☆ 4.2 (839) • $$

"So, the four of us decided to hit up this spot for brunch today. Everyone went the traditional route and ordered omelettes, but not me--I went rogue with a PB&J chicken biscuit. I asked them to swap the tomato jam for peach habanero, but they gave me plain peach jam instead. Luckily, they fixed it without any drama.The biscuit sandwich? Decent, but no fireworks.Meanwhile, my friends' omelettes were like a game of musical chairs; their orders got all mixed up.The place is tiny inside, and while they have outdoor seating, Mother Nature was throwing a tantrum with rain today.On the bright side, there's plenty of street parking!"

Southern Social

★★★★★ 4.6 (697) • $$$

"I love this place for a special occasion dinner. Their service is always top notch. If you are celebrating something when you make your reservation, they will customize the menu to say Happy Birthday or Anniversary. It is one of my top special occasion restaurants."

Prince's Hot Chicken South

★★★★☆ 3.8 (917) • $$

"We came around lunch time, it took about 20 minutes for our chicken pieces to come out. The chicken was oily but flavorful. The quarter breast was decent size."

City House

★★★★☆ 3.9 (821) • $$

"Wonderful place!! Food is delicious and the service excellent. Laid back vibe - can't wait to go back. Recommend reservation. Limited parking. We ubered"

Biscuit Love: Hillsboro Village

★★★★☆ 4.1 (741) • $$

"Let me start by saying this place has a cute interior! Also, the customer service was great! We ordered the shrimp and grits not knowing bacon came on it, and my husband is pescatarian so I asked to order one without it and was happy to pay for it but they told me not to worry and made us a new one, free of charge. The biscuits are amazing but the bonuts were my all time favorite! The lemon marscapone was the perfect compliment. We really enjoyed it here and I am glad I had the chance to go while we were in Nashville visiting."

Hog & Hominy

★★★★☆ 4.1 (733) • $$

"Always a go-to when I visit Memphis. Recommend the crab claws and to hold on to the plate to dip your pizza crust into! The red eye was a bit salty for my taste, but their other pizza options have been phenomenal in my past visits, like the quattro formaggi. Parking is limited but they do have valet. Service has always been wonderful, especially the bartenders."

Big Al's Deli

★★★★★ 4.8 (508) • $

"11/18/23: The reason I had to walk across a highway after breakfast.BIg Al and Miss Andrea are so personable and welcoming. He is at the grill cooking up deliciousness. She takes the orders and handles the flow of customers.My travel buddy suggested this spot I'm not a big fan of "regular breakfast items, eggs, pancakes etc so when I saw the menu had alternate items such as Porkchops and shrimps and grits I quickly called. Big Al himself picked up and stated he had one more and do I want him to hold it. Heck yes was my response.Upon arrival he asked were you the one that called I said yes he replied you look as you sound New York...lol.Folks please note it is a small establishment in the event you need to wait it will have to be outside. Once it was our turn we ordered the Porkchops...folks the "one pork chop" he saved was 3 huge pieces. It came with potatoes, eggs, and a biscuit.We also ordered the shrimp and grits with crab, biscuits with sausage gravy and cinnamon roll.Portions were huge although we shared we still each had leftovers to take.The sausage gravy for the biscuits had chunks of sausage, it was well seasoned and spicy we have like 4 biscuits.As our hotel was not far about a 10 minute walk we decided to walk instead of calling for the hotel shuttle that dropped us off.When in Nashville this a MUST but plan accordingly as its first come first serve. It's basically similar to mom and pop establishment so do not look for fine dining the cups plates etc mismatch which I think adds to the character.So happy we partaked and happy to say we dined at Big Al's."

Red Pony

★★★★☆ 4.3 (576) • $$$

Ajax Diner

★★★★☆ 4.2 (569) • $$

"First of all the decor and atmosphere in this place is super comfy and cute. When we entered the restaurant we knew we were in for a major treat! After a long day of volunteering and our first visit to Oxford , we were anxious to eat a good hearty meal. AJAX did NOT disappoint! We were greeted by Emily, who is not only just beautiful- but a real star! Her smile was contagious! She gave great insights on the menu and her suggestions were spot on! We had the red bean rolls- when you go here- EAT SOME OF THESE! Our appetizers came out immediately and then our food followed in a matter of minutes. Everything came to the table piping hot and flavorful! Needless to say I will be returning here on my next trip to Oxford. If you come here, and you will- ask for Emily and tip her WELL!"

Soul Fish Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (541) • $$

"Found this place on our way from the airport and not disappointed. The host was not the most welcoming, but I think it's just her personality.lol once seated the server was very prompt and helpful. She gave us time, offered suggestions and patient. We had 2 entrees and an appetizer. The buffalo shrimp had just the right kick and kind of a lemon peppery taste. They were served with fries as well. We left a happy plate for sure. Both entrees were good catfish had a good taste and fried perfectly. The Po Boy didn't stand a chance either. Unfortunately, the sides weren't all that, but wasn't bad either. I added a little more seasoning to the Mac n cheese and the texture wasn't too fresh. Okra was decent as well. We'd definitely go back and try other menu items. Overall nice spot and great fell. They have an outside area too, what was a plus. Stop by if you're looking for a little seafood comfort."

Biscuit Love - Franklin

★★★★☆ 4 (609) • $$

"Of course breakfast in Nashville means biscuits and Biscuit Love is one of the best spots! We've previously dined at Biscuit Love in The Gulch, but this Franklin location is amazing! Built in an older home in downtown, the place is beautiful. Same as in the other spot, you get in line and place your order. You're assigned a table and the food is delivered to you. We started out with "bonuts". These are like the best munchkins you could dream of! Little donuts with mascarpone and blueberry jam were the star of the show. We ordered the breakfast egg dish which was served with bacon, cheese grits, and a biscuit. Everything was delicious but the biscuit with jam makes the dish. Easy street parking and friendly service made this a breakfast to remember!"

Itta Bena

★★★★☆ 4.4 (500) • $$$

"Crowded, for a good reason.We had no reservation, so we ate at the bar. It's a small bar, lots of activity, lots of hands in the bar, doing different things, it was like having great seats at a ballet that knew how to move around each other. We even got to talk to the bartender, mid cocktail shaking. Before I get too far, the cocktails were great.We weren't the only people eating at the bar. Single people in town on business, other tourists in groups of two, and us. Just finding the place was half the battle. It had been referred to us by people who frequented Beale Street. You go up this forbidden stairwell, use the secret handshake and your in. My wife's correcting me, there was no secret handshake, but it sure seemed like there should've been.Our spot at the bar was right next to the two-piece band that was entertaining. There was a guitarist and a piano player, and it positively impacted the ambience of the establishment. This review is being written a month after our visit, and I can't remember the specifics of what we ate. We shared a very tasty blue cheese, wedge salad, and a special Cajun shrimp dish.I was not feeling blue while eating at this restaurant, I'll be back."

Flying Fish

★★★★☆ 3.9 (596) • $$

"I have been to Flying Fish in Bentonville, AR and had a great time but the experience in Memphis seemed more fun and memorable. Maybe it's because I was dining with someone who loves food adventures just as much as I do.I love they have the flying fish mounted on the walls that helps create a very casual and carefree ambience. I would not come here for an intimate date but for fun, casual dining experience with family or friends, a group, or with someone that loves Cajun comfort food.There's a cost of flow of people aka line worthy restaurant. We luckily arrived before the dinner rush, which meant we had a smaller line to wait. After we ordered food and the cashier gave us a buzzer from when the food is ready, but the wait was short. The employees were very helpful and generous in keeping customers happy with the condiments for everyone's meal and willingness to help a customer choose what to get off their menu.I had ordered and shared the following items and honestly, we could have purchased more but we were too happy with what we had ordered. Next time, we'll order more and perhaps try other options.- Cajun Platter( served with rice, fried gator, crawfish jambalaya, and 2 pairs of frog legs),Before tonight, my wife swore that she did not like frog legs due to her belief. it was too much work for the amount of meat on the bones. Now, she believes that frog legs are pretty yummy with the legs here being tender and fall off the bone delish. The fried gator was so tender and delicious, and we savored every bite. We did add hot sauce to our crawfish jambalaya because it enhanced the deliciousness and we try not to eat it too fast to avoid the disappointment of it being gone.- Additional items/ sides( coleslaw, hush puppies, and pickled green tomatoesWe enjoyed each of our sides, but coleslaw was a little bland in our opinion. We needed to add salt and pepper to give it a little umph."

Jacks Bar-B-Que

★★★★☆ 4 (420) • $$

"Jack's Bar-B-Que is a great option for barbecue if you are on this side of Nashville, Tennessee. The place has a great ambiance and vibe for a barbecue restaurant. You know the type, kind of a hole-in-the-wall type place with an eclectic mix of bric-a-brac adorning the walls and they have the prerequisite pig statue.The ordering process is pretty simple. You go.up to the counter and order your meal, they fill your plate, you pay and either take it to-go or sit at a table and enjoy the feast.I went with the pulled pork dinner and for my two sides, I went with turnip greens and potato salad. I also went with Texas toast. I also went over and tried quite a few of their barbecue sauces. They have a table with their sauces available. The pork was fantastic and the sides were pretty good, as well. The staff was friendly and again, the ambiance was definitely enjoyable. I would definitely recommend Jack's Bar-B-Que and I give it five stars."

Bishop's Meat and Three

★★★★☆ 4 (324) • $$

"While I landed at 4 stars, my true rating would be 3.5, and here is why...Nostalgic southern spot in Franklin next to the Chick-Fil-A. I really wanted to love this spot, as a Meat & 3 speaks to my soul...however, I was underwhelmed here. I popped in for lunch and ordered the Fried Catfish with fried okra, mac n cheese, and rice casserole. What struck me initially was the portion size - only one piece of catfish, which was below average in size. While the sides were decently portioned, the main dish left a bit to be desired.The catfish and okra were disappointingly dry and chewy, lacking the crispiness and tenderness that I look for in fried southern classics. The mac n cheese was sadly watery and thin, however the chicken, broccoli and rice casserole was solid, and of course the sweet tea was sweet! Service was stellar, as you would expect at a southern joint.While my first go was a bit underwhelming, I am comitted to stopping back by for another round of meats and veggies...as I don't give up on a good southern spot so easily!"

Raven and Lily restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (276) • $$

"I can't believe I haven't discovered this gem until now! After a few lackluster experiences at Edge Alley, I was on the lookout for a new brunch spot and decided to give Raven & Lily a try after a friend recommended it. We were promptly seated after arriving on an early Saturday morning. Here's what we ordered:Brioche Cinnamon Roll: A delightfully dense treat with a generous burst of cinnamon flavor.Pork Belly: Crispy and literally melts in your mouth.Chicken & Biscuits: Incredibly tender chicken paired with amazing biscuits.Shrimp & Grits: A plate bursting with rich and savory flavors.Overall, this was a great experience and Raven & Lily has quickly become our favorite brunch spot in Memphis! I'm also eager to explore their dinner menu at some point. Highly recommended!"

Sage Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (273) • $$

"Came here to meet a friend for lunch. Was impressed with the vibes. The food and service were both good. I just expected a little more food for the pricing. I would definitely give this another try."

55 South

★★★★☆ 4 (257)

City Grocery

★★★★☆ 4 (255) • $$

"A lot of people say this place is overrated but I thought it lived up to the hype. Price was honestly pretty reasonable too. Amazing staff. Amazing ambiance. Excited to take out of town friends here."

Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q

★★★★☆ 3.6 (297) • $$

"Memphis is known for their BBQ so was told this is a good place to go for good bbq and southern side. The atmosphere and decor was lovely clean and family friendly, was seated right away the hostess was very polite service was great, food was ribs were tender and meaty, peas was made like I would have done, coleslaw was good delivered fast but hot The Food was very good. I highly recommend"

The Green Beetle

★★★★☆ 4 (225) • $$

"Great spot downtown with great portion sizes. Incredible diversity in their menu especially with burgers. The service was very kind and helpful, and relatively quick considering they had one waitress at lunchtime. Plenty of decorations which add tremendously to the atmosphere of being a small local place."

Soul Fish Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (236) • $$

"I really enjoyed our experience. The food was fresh and tasty. We had fried catfish, Caesar salad, and a Cuban sandwich. The fried okra and collard greens were superb. And our waitress was so super helpful."

Blue Moon Waterfront Grille

★★★★☆ 3.5 (251) • $$

"This is the perfect spot when the weather is nice. Go sit on their large patio, watch the sun set and drink a bushwacker. You can watch as ducks fly over, boats come in for the night and watch planes taking off or landing nearby at John C Tune Airport. It's very peaceful here. Families and date nights alike- this is a good spot for you. If you're looking for a healthy menu, they do have a few options, but we did not try those. The Goods:- free parking in the large lot at the marina- service was excellent. Our server was very attentive. - food was freshly made to order but came out extremely fast - food was really tasty! - Bushwacker (icy chocolatey boozy drink) for the winHere's what we ordered:- Fried cheese curds - we got them "plain" which means they weren't dipped in buffalo sauce. A side of ranch and also marinara are provided and let me tell you- this dish was a delight. So good!- Mahi Mahi Tacos- yum! This dish comes with 2 tacos (you can add a third for $6) and some delicious sauce made with ranch. Also a side that's mixed with black beans & yellow rice. All very good. - French Fries - so crispy with a hint of seasoning and a lot of salt. Just how I like them!- Fried Coconut Shrimp - didn't love that sauce they come with but the shrimp were SO GOOD! The Not So Goods:- You do have to take a ramp from the parking lot to get to the restaurant. I'm not handicap, but I would imagine this ramp might be a little difficult for someone who is. - They don't allow pets on the patio so keep your furry friends at home. I'd love to bring my dog but this isn't a reason to keep me away. - take a jacket or sweatshirt if you sit by the water. It can get chilly. Love that this place is within walking distance in my neighborhood. We will be back!"

Doe's Eat Place

★★★★☆ 4.2 (172) • $$$

"My coworker recommended as I am from out of state. It is Byob liquor or wine but they do sell bottled or canned beer and similar type drinks. We had the salads, shared a tamale order, chili, and cheese appetizer, then also shared the ribeye. It was huge and enough for 3 proper servings. Everything was delicious, steak cooked perfectly. Its not in tge most welcoming area at night but they employ a sheriff through closing so we felt perfectly safe."

Barbara's Home Cookin

★★★★☆ 4.2 (155) • $

Wendell Smith's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (170) • $

"I always love a basic diner style restaurant. You can't go wrong with the no frills of Wendell Smith's. We went for a late breakfast. My wife had a starchy meal. Eggs with grits, potatoes and biscuits. Everything was excellent I had perfectly cooked eggs and the potatoes were very good, definitely get the onions on the potatoes If you are looking for trendy, this is not it If you are looking for good basic food with nice people, try this. I don't think you will be disappointed."

Freight House Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (154) • $$

"Stopped in here for lunch, first visit. This restaurant is housed in a historic building which one served as a railroad depot. The building inside and out has been beautifully renovated.I had their signature chicken salad on a croissant with a side of Italian pasta salad. The chicken salad was flavorful and fantastic, the bun was fresh, buttery and slightly toasted. The pasta salad was fine, but didn't really flip the switch for me.Service was excellent. They also had a great selection of homemade desserts - maybe next time!"

Woody's Tupelo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (127) • $$

"The food and service here is top notch. I loved the ambiance, too! Everything was perfect!"

Brick & Spoon - Tupelo

★★★★☆ 3.9 (135) • $$

"The food was amazing. They cook in canola so that's a plus. The service expectational. It's a cool beautiful little southern place. Makes ya feel good"

McEwen's Oxford

★★★★☆ 4.1 (118) • $$$

"For a party of 12, we had amazing service. I wish I could remember the name of our waitress, because she was awesome! The servings were a little smaller than I expected, but everything tasted good. The scallops were really good, and I would definitely order again!"

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (246) • $$

"I chose Cheddars for a belated b'day dinner for myself & will not be going back. My server Cameron was ok, but certainly nothing to brag about. He took my food order & left the table w/out taking my drink order & had to come back for that.I already knew what I wanted when he finally came to the table due to him being a bit slow. I was early as far as dinner goes, it was about 4:30 when I arrived. I chose the chicken tenders & fried shrimp combo w/a loaded baked potato & side salad. The reason I chose this dinner was due to the chicken tenders I'd had in the past, & was expecting so much more than what I rec'd. My past experience had been large juicy, steaming hot tenders w/a wonderful honey mustard sauce. That was NOT the case this time. Let's start w/the plate, it's shrunk since I visited before. The tenders were skinny, mostly batter, dry & actually chewy?? The honey mustard was loaded w/spicy dijon mustard now, not a fan. The shrimp were overcooked, rubbery and not especially hot when they arrived. Not to the loaded baked potato. It was warm, NOT hot, and it was also overcooked to the point lots of potato was stuck to the skin. They charged $1.00 more for bacon, & no more than they put on it I shd hv made them take that off the bill. AND, it was SO SMALL it wld hv fit in the palm of my hand. The best tasting item I had was the ranch dressing. Ridiculous to think that's the best thing I consumed while there. Not wasting my time or money on them again."

Sweet P's Southern Style

★★★★☆ 3.7 (122) • $

Peggy's Heavenly Home Cooking

★★★★☆ 4.2 (93) • $

"Very good country/sould food. Lima beans were delicious as was the chopped steak! Staff was nice."

Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain

★★★★☆ 4 (97) • $$

"This tastes like a more expensive version of Cracker Barrel. If you like plain but filling food, you'll be good. But it's just ok. I'm not a big fan of Southern cuisine so take my review with a grain of salt (or don't since there wasn't any flavor)."

Jay's Family Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (100) • $

"Jay's Family Restaurant is a great option for a meal. I stopped in here for breakfast and not only was the food very good and fairly priced, but the service was also personable and professional.Jay's Family Restaurant has an ambiance like many other down-home southern casual restaurants. It is comfortable and inviting. As I said, Jay's Family Restaurant is a great option for breakfast. I met a client here for a breakfast meeting and it was definitely a great choice. I would definitely recommend here."