Where to eat
Where to eat in Memphis
The food guide to Memphis — what to order, where the locals go, and the meals worth travelling for.
Photos for Memphis are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
What to eat in Memphis
The barbecue holy war: dry rub (Rendezvous) vs wet (Central, Payne's) — try both. Beyond: the soul food (Four Way, Alcenia's), the fried chicken, and the Beale Street clubs' late-night food. The Rendezvous's ribs are the pilgrimage.
Where the locals eat
Beale Street for the club food; downtown for the barbecue joints; Cooper-Young for the indie dining; East Memphis for the polished restaurants.
The iconic orders
Iconic: the Rendezvous dry-rub ribs; Payne's pulled pork; soul food at the Four Way.
Common questions
What is Memphis famous for food-wise?
See the dishes above — they're the reason food people come here.
Where do locals actually eat in Memphis?
The areas above: markets and neighbourhood strips beat the tourist squares on price and quality.
Do I need to book restaurants ahead in Memphis?
For the famous names, yes — especially weekends. Market stalls and lunch counters never need booking.
More to explore in Memphis
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