Location: Memphis
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Tennessee, United States Food Guide: 10 Cajun & Creole food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Memphis
Find out what Cajun & Creole restaurants to try in Memphis. Memphis is a pilgrimage for those wanting to visit the birthplace of the blues, of soul and of rock 'n' roll. On Beale Street, W.C. Handy put down on paper the first written blues music. Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash all recorded at the historic Sun Records, which is now a museum. Graceland, the second most-visited home in America, welcomes visitors from around the world who yearn for a peek into the life of "the King." Beyond the music, Tennessee's largest city also offers much more. It has more sunny days each year than Miami, and combines southern tradition and hospitality with modern amenities. You'll enjoy great dining (be sure to sample the barbecued ribs), art galleries and exciting nightlife.
Things to do in Memphis
10. Lafayette's Music Room
Overall Ratings
4 based on 289 reviews
The music lives on...Some 38 years after going dark, the legendary Lafayette's Music Room returns to the heart of Memphis' revitalized Overton Square. Once again, Lafayette's is the spot to enjoy great food, good local conversation, and some of the best l
Reviewed By Hank_In_AL
We visited the Lafayette Music Room on the recommendation of a friend and planned on spending an evening there having dinner and listening to music. We took an Uber from our hotel to the venue and back. The good - Lafayette is a spacious venue with tables and seating on the main floor and the upstairs. There is also outdoor seating. The stage is relatively large so seeing the performers from either level is not a problem and the sound is well managed. The night we went the cover charge was a very reasonable $3.00 per person. Service was friendly and prompt. The venue has a full menu with plenty of selections. The chairs have metal seats. I did not find them uncomfortable but I noiced there was at least one person that brought along a cushion to sit on. When we arrived there was a jazz/blues group on stage on their last set. The group was good and we enjoyed the music. That group as followed by a singer songwriter backed up by a four piece band. The group was also good and we enjoyed listening to their music. The bad and the ugly - The following is the reason why I could not rate this venue higher than a three. When we arrived and were seated very close to the front and the interior bar. The first thing that struck us was how cold it was in the room. We were seated in direct line with the air conditioning duct and it was blowing very cold and very strong. After a few minutes the blast of cold air became untenable and we moved to another location that provided minor relief. We ended up eating our meal and trying to enjoy the music but were distracted by the frigid atmosphere.We noticed the bartender was bundled up and several patrons were wearing sweaters and/or light jackets. Mind you this was the deep south in mid - August. We ended up finishing our dinner and leaving just as the second act of the evening was beginning their second set. We had planned on stying through the entire show but it was just too cold and we could not relax and be comfortable.If you go to this venue bring along a sweater or light jacket.
9. Owen Brennan's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 302 reviews
Owen Brennan's is a family owned and operated restaurant dedicated to bringing the taste and tradition of New Orleans to Memphis. With an extensive menu and innovative nightly specials, Owen Brennan's is the perfect environment for a family get together,
Reviewed By dennish5650
First let me say I lived in New Orleans for years...Second..I was in the restaurant business...third..I can be some what flexible because I realize in the restaurant business occasionally even the best dont come out perfect.....But..I've been eaten at Original Brennans as well as Dickies Steakhouse in New Orleans, Finns, Comanders Palace, Galatories, Emeralds, all kinds of dives as well and on and on over the world..Not bragging..just fact...but this place, to have the Brennan name stuck on it is a disgrace..I stopped in there for lunch yesterday...the "lunch special" was Shrimp Wednesday....fresh golf shrimp with Spanish, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes over penne pasta... Ordered a house salad, chargrilled oysters, and the lunch special... Asked for French dressing..No. ..dont have...but have any other...thousand island...No...dont have...have remoulade sauce that taste just like thousand island... OK....I was thinking, I hope their remoulade dont taste like thousand island but who knows ?..After about 30 minutes.. there wasn't but about 3 or 4 people in there..here comes the salad...It looked great...BUT...the what ever sauce/dressing taste like no remoulade or thousand island dressing I ever tasted...but..I forced some of it down...next..the chargrilled oysters...they were not chargrilled but gas oven burnt with something I have no idea what was, scattered on top of them and burnt to a crisp...this is no exaggeration...you couldn't tell what they were suppose to be.....finally the grand special. ..WEDNESDAY SHRIMP....It looked like something out of a picture...and tasted like it too....I swear...I took one bite and spit it out...The fresh shrimp were straight out of a microwave, still steaming...the grape tomatoes were luke warm..the spinach was kinda hot..and the pasta and water was just maybe room temprature...and something in it in little bitty grey green mushy pieces that I guess was suppose to be the artichoke hearts...oh yea..in the one bite I spit out was a piece of shrimp shell....It was awful ...Again..I swear...It had absolutely terrible blan taste....but the thing that topped the cake was the waitress.....She saw the we never ate one single bite of the Wednesday Shrimp mess, we picked around at the oysters...we did eat on the salads and ate the bread, that was good and drank our drinks...but she never asked if something was wrong...if we enjoyed our meal....not one word...laid down our check and walked off and went back to talking to some body...I dont know anything about Owen Brennan...but...he needs to go back to NOLA and take some more lessons from his kinfolks...
8. The Second Line
Overall Ratings
4 based on 206 reviews
Where Cooper meets Monroe and Louisiana meets Memphis. From cocktails to gulf seafood to zeal for life, this is who everyday New Orleans really is.
Reviewed By RAB5213
We needed somewhere for dinner that was open after 10PM in the Overton Park area. Found second Line by searching restaurants near by. What a great surprise. Renovated Old house, lots of charm with very high end bar service at reasonable prices. New Orleans cuisine well prepared with great service. We will be back.
7. Jerry Lee Lewis' Cafe & Honky Tonk
Overall Ratings
4 based on 466 reviews
Jerry Lee Lewisâ Cafe & Honky Tonk is located on World Famous Beale Street in the heart of downtown Memphis. It's walking distance from the Fedex Forum, making it the prime location to stop and eat before the big game or concert. We open early and stay op
Reviewed By marycK3413VD
We went here every evening during our recent stay and even though we went on to other bars, this became our favourite.Really really good service, best we had anywhere. Entertainment was great, food too was a nice surprise and all reasonably priced.There was a really good atmosphere with people getting up to dance.The young pianist/singer was fabulous. Loved it.
Where to eat Steakhouse food in Memphis: The Best Restaurants and Bars
6. Restaurant Iris
Overall Ratings
4 based on 309 reviews
Born and raised in Southern Louisiana, Chef Kelly English fell in love with the culture and food of New Orleans. Equipped with his training from award-winning Chef John Besh, English presents a unique dining experience. Restaurant Iris specializes in Fren
Reviewed By benskie
The restaurant has been nicely renovated, but our table was too close to the one next to us. They overheard something we said and we ended up talking to them much of the night.The new renovation was very nice with a great looking bar area. Drinks were good.The bread appetizer was very good, but my foie gras pierogies had only the taste of the dumpling--very bland. I cut off half of one of them and suggested they taste it and they came back and said that the hollandaise had not been prepared properly and removed it from the bill. I couldn't taste the hollandaise at all. The shrimp in the gulf stew came w/ the heads on and it was a little messy removing them. One shrimp had not been peeled completely. The veal chop came out w/ butter on top. I smeared it around, but it didn't melt. The plate was warm, but the chop was barely warm and rare and very chewy to eat. Had to send it back to be cooked some more. My wife was finished w/ her cod by that time, but she did enjoy it..Our waitress, Shelby, was very knowledgeable and friendly.
5. Lafayette's Music Room
Overall Ratings
4 based on 289 reviews
The music lives on...Some 38 years after going dark, the legendary Lafayette's Music Room returns to the heart of Memphis' revitalized Overton Square. Once again, Lafayette's is the spot to enjoy great food, good local conversation, and some of the best l
Reviewed By Hank_In_AL
We visited the Lafayette Music Room on the recommendation of a friend and planned on spending an evening there having dinner and listening to music. We took an Uber from our hotel to the venue and back. The good - Lafayette is a spacious venue with tables and seating on the main floor and the upstairs. There is also outdoor seating. The stage is relatively large so seeing the performers from either level is not a problem and the sound is well managed. The night we went the cover charge was a very reasonable $3.00 per person. Service was friendly and prompt. The venue has a full menu with plenty of selections. The chairs have metal seats. I did not find them uncomfortable but I noiced there was at least one person that brought along a cushion to sit on. When we arrived there was a jazz/blues group on stage on their last set. The group was good and we enjoyed the music. That group as followed by a singer songwriter backed up by a four piece band. The group was also good and we enjoyed listening to their music. The bad and the ugly - The following is the reason why I could not rate this venue higher than a three. When we arrived and were seated very close to the front and the interior bar. The first thing that struck us was how cold it was in the room. We were seated in direct line with the air conditioning duct and it was blowing very cold and very strong. After a few minutes the blast of cold air became untenable and we moved to another location that provided minor relief. We ended up eating our meal and trying to enjoy the music but were distracted by the frigid atmosphere.We noticed the bartender was bundled up and several patrons were wearing sweaters and/or light jackets. Mind you this was the deep south in mid - August. We ended up finishing our dinner and leaving just as the second act of the evening was beginning their second set. We had planned on stying through the entire show but it was just too cold and we could not relax and be comfortable.If you go to this venue bring along a sweater or light jacket.
Most Popular Italian food in Memphis, Tennessee, United States
4. Lafayette's Music Room
Overall Ratings
4 based on 289 reviews
The music lives on...Some 38 years after going dark, the legendary Lafayette's Music Room returns to the heart of Memphis' revitalized Overton Square. Once again, Lafayette's is the spot to enjoy great food, good local conversation, and some of the best l
Reviewed By Hank_In_AL
We visited the Lafayette Music Room on the recommendation of a friend and planned on spending an evening there having dinner and listening to music. We took an Uber from our hotel to the venue and back. The good - Lafayette is a spacious venue with tables and seating on the main floor and the upstairs. There is also outdoor seating. The stage is relatively large so seeing the performers from either level is not a problem and the sound is well managed. The night we went the cover charge was a very reasonable $3.00 per person. Service was friendly and prompt. The venue has a full menu with plenty of selections. The chairs have metal seats. I did not find them uncomfortable but I noiced there was at least one person that brought along a cushion to sit on. When we arrived there was a jazz/blues group on stage on their last set. The group was good and we enjoyed the music. That group as followed by a singer songwriter backed up by a four piece band. The group was also good and we enjoyed listening to their music. The bad and the ugly - The following is the reason why I could not rate this venue higher than a three. When we arrived and were seated very close to the front and the interior bar. The first thing that struck us was how cold it was in the room. We were seated in direct line with the air conditioning duct and it was blowing very cold and very strong. After a few minutes the blast of cold air became untenable and we moved to another location that provided minor relief. We ended up eating our meal and trying to enjoy the music but were distracted by the frigid atmosphere.We noticed the bartender was bundled up and several patrons were wearing sweaters and/or light jackets. Mind you this was the deep south in mid - August. We ended up finishing our dinner and leaving just as the second act of the evening was beginning their second set. We had planned on stying through the entire show but it was just too cold and we could not relax and be comfortable.If you go to this venue bring along a sweater or light jacket.
Where to eat American food in Memphis: The Best Restaurants and Bars
3. B.B. King's Blues Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3921 reviews
This is the original B.B. King's Blues Club located in Memphis, Tennessee, the home of American blues music, legendary musicians, famous barbecue, historic landmarks and great basketball. With live entertainment every night of the week - from authentic bl
Reviewed By case71480
WOW! This was our first blues club to go to and to say we enjoyed ourselves would be a understatement. Top notch waiter, chicken and ribs to die for and good blues music. The Memphis Jones band was playing and the are good. Do yourself a favor and go. We will be back.
2. Itta Bena
Overall Ratings
4 based on 476 reviews
Up the fire escape above BB Kings Blues Club lies Memphis' "hidden gem" Itta Bena. Named for the town where legendary BB King was born, Itta Bena embodies the charm and inspiration of fine southern dining. Itta Bena restaurant and bar invites you in for a
Reviewed By Jeffrey D
Memphis is known for its excellent BBQ and there are many restaurants where you can enjoy it. If you need a break and are downtown, try Itta Bena. Very tasty and varied fare, excellent service and nice decor. Good wine list.
1. Lafayette's Music Room
Overall Ratings
4 based on 289 reviews
The music lives on...Some 38 years after going dark, the legendary Lafayette's Music Room returns to the heart of Memphis' revitalized Overton Square. Once again, Lafayette's is the spot to enjoy great food, good local conversation, and some of the best l
Reviewed By Hank_In_AL
We visited the Lafayette Music Room on the recommendation of a friend and planned on spending an evening there having dinner and listening to music. We took an Uber from our hotel to the venue and back. The good - Lafayette is a spacious venue with tables and seating on the main floor and the upstairs. There is also outdoor seating. The stage is relatively large so seeing the performers from either level is not a problem and the sound is well managed. The night we went the cover charge was a very reasonable $3.00 per person. Service was friendly and prompt. The venue has a full menu with plenty of selections. The chairs have metal seats. I did not find them uncomfortable but I noiced there was at least one person that brought along a cushion to sit on. When we arrived there was a jazz/blues group on stage on their last set. The group was good and we enjoyed the music. That group as followed by a singer songwriter backed up by a four piece band. The group was also good and we enjoyed listening to their music. The bad and the ugly - The following is the reason why I could not rate this venue higher than a three. When we arrived and were seated very close to the front and the interior bar. The first thing that struck us was how cold it was in the room. We were seated in direct line with the air conditioning duct and it was blowing very cold and very strong. After a few minutes the blast of cold air became untenable and we moved to another location that provided minor relief. We ended up eating our meal and trying to enjoy the music but were distracted by the frigid atmosphere.We noticed the bartender was bundled up and several patrons were wearing sweaters and/or light jackets. Mind you this was the deep south in mid - August. We ended up finishing our dinner and leaving just as the second act of the evening was beginning their second set. We had planned on stying through the entire show but it was just too cold and we could not relax and be comfortable.If you go to this venue bring along a sweater or light jacket.
