Whether you’re flying to Splinter Creek or making the journey via a Southern road trip, chances are you’ll pass through Memphis on your way. Known jokingly to Oxford locals as the “capital of north Mississippi,” Memphis is so much more than a place to run errands or pick up relatives from the airport. Guest blogger Erin Austen Abbott shares her favorite Memphis spots to dine, drink, shop, explore, and experience when you find yourself in the Bluff City.
Memphis is one of those cities that even with as much time as I’ve spent there, I’m still always finding new places or spotting new design elements that I’ve missed previously. I wanted to mention a few spots not to miss in this hidden gem of a city. As I dug in, there were so many businesses I wanted to include, so I highlighted some favorites and made lists broken down by neighborhood. I actually lived in Memphis for years, and only a handful were in business then. It speaks to the growth Memphis has experienced recently. — Erin
Downtown Memphis
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Although there is an Oxford outpost, this is the original location of the small but growing chain. Spicy fried chicken, served with white bread, baked beans and fries, in a hole-in-the-wall atmosphere is a recipe for greatness. Pop in here when you want something other than barbecue.
The Gray Canary
This new restaurant, by the folks that brought you Hog & Hominy, is simple and beautiful. Located directly next to Old Dominick Distillery, it sits a couple blocks from the Mississippi River on a quiet street in a renovated industrial building.
Old Dominick Distillery
Take a tour of the whiskey and vodka distillery, located next to The Gray Canary and across the street from Gus’s Fried Chicken. Check their website for info on their frequent music events and private parties.
South Main Market & Deli
We’ve seen food halls pop up in major cities from New York and San Francisco to New Orleans. Now you can add Memphis to that lineup. South Main Market is a mix of some of the finest restaurants in town, with micro locations found here.
The Rendezvous
What’s a Memphis city guide without mentioning The Rendezvous? Tucked away in an alley in the heart of downtown, you follow the billowing, meat-scented smoke down the steep steps to the cavernous basement restaurant. Order a sausage and cheese plate, followed by a full rack of their famous ribs with dry rub.
Ghost River Brewing
If you see Ghost River Beer on the menu, try it. My husband and I love it! Brewed right in downtown Memphis, is always hits the spot.
More Downtown Memphis faves:
Central BBQ (find the original location in Midtown)
National Civil Rights Museum
Loflin Yard
The Little Tea Shop
Mud Island
Midtown Memphis
Stax Museum
The first time I visited Stax Museum I was overwhelmed by the information presented, the memorabilia on display, and thoughtful way the museum as a whole was curated. It’s a must for any music fan.
The Liquor Store
I love everything about Broad Street’s Liquor Store. While the outside looks similar to what it looked back in the day, complete with the same name, the inside is a modern take on a retro diner. It’s stunning, with no detail forgotten. Palm leaves on the Formica counter, pendent globes, Miami beach style bar stools, just to name a few…
Crosstown Concourse
I’ll admit, I’m not sure how to describe Crosstown Concourse. It’s located in the old Sears distribution center building that couldn’t be torn down due to its historic nature, but did sit vacant for many years. My grandfather worked in this building in the 1940s. Today, it’s been renovated into a mix of medical offices, coffee places, an ice cream shop, gift shops, restaurants, an art gallery and so on. A theatre and a high school are in the works. It’s a small city within a city. Strange, uniquely Memphis and totally worth seeing.
More Midtown Memphis Faves:
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Payne’s barbecue
Memphis Zoo / Overton Park
Overton Square Shopping
Broad Avenue Arts District
The Beauty Shop restaurant
Aldo’s Pizza
Muddy’s Bake Shop
Memphis Tap Room
Goner Records
East Memphis Faves:
Hog & Hominy
Porcellino’s Craft Butcher
Garden District
David Lusk Gallery
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Memphis Botanic Garden
