Highest-rated Southern restaurants in Memphis, according to Yelp
Just travel below the Mason-Dixon Line, but don't go any further than Texas to try some of the most mouthwatering comfort food: Southern food.
Southern dishes are a vital part of American cuisine. There's a variety of popular Southern dishes, from the delicious crunchiness of fried chicken to the thick and spicy sauce of Louisiana's etouffee.
What's unique about these comfort food meals is that multiple ethnic and cultural groups have influenced today's Southern plates. Spanish culture staples, such as potatoes and cocoa, are in many Southern dishes. The Acadians, who traveled to Louisiana from Nova Scotia and later became Louisiana Creoles, contributed their seafood cooking to many Southern meals. African ingredients—okra, melon, sorghum (an ancient grain), and black-eyed peas—became a part of the culture through the forced labor of enslaved people. Methods the French use, like braising and sauteing, can be found in many of the Southern dishes made today. And Native Americans introduced corn to Southern recipes.
Southern cooking is such a significant part of American culture that a museum is dedicated to these irresistible dishes and drinks: the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans.
Southern dishes are literally an explosion of cultures. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated Southern restaurants in Memphis using data from Yelp. The rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#16. Wolf River Brisket
- Rating: 2.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 1350 Concourse Ave Unit 165 Memphis, TN 38104
- Categories: Southern, American (New), Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#15. The Genre
- Rating: 3.5/5 (18 reviews)
- Address: 200 Poplar Ave Ste 105 MEMPHIS, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Seafood, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Cupboard Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (171 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1400 Union Ave Memphis, TN 38104
- Categories: Southern, Breakfast & Brunch, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Bleu Restaurant & Lounge
- Rating: 3.5/5 (97 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 221 S Bb King Blvd Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Lounges, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Chef Tam's Underground Cafe
- Rating: 3.5/5 (305 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 668 Union Ave Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Cajun/Creole
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Flying Fish
- Rating: 4.0/5 (535 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 105 S 2nd St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Seafood, Cajun/Creole, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Evelyn & Olive
- Rating: 4.0/5 (300 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 630 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Caribbean, American (New), Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Blues City Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1683 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 138 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
#8. The Green Beetle
- Rating: 4.0/5 (187 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 325 S Main St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: American (Traditional), Southern, Sports Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Central BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (2242 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 147 E Butler Ave Downtown Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Barbeque, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#6. King & Union Bar Grocery
- Rating: 4.0/5 (61 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 185 Union Ave Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: American (Traditional), Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Peggy's Just Heavenly Good Home Cooking
- Rating: 4.5/5 (75 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 326 S Cleveland St Memphis, TN 38104
- Categories: Southern, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#4. McEwen's Memphis
- Rating: 4.5/5 (513 reviews)
- Price: $$$
- Address: 120 Monroe Ave Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, American (New)
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Itta Bena
- Rating: 4.5/5 (413 reviews)
- Price: $$$
- Address: 145 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Venues & Event Spaces, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3191 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 310 S Front St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Chicken Shop, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Center For Southern Folklore
- Rating: 4.5/5 (19 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 119 S Main St Memphis, TN 38103
- Categories: Southern, Music Venues, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
