Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Memphis

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Memphis? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (9727)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar is a full service restaurant with multiple dining selections for a guest to enjoy in a single dining experience. Flight offers the finest service featuring a knowledgeable wait staff from which guests can gain valuable insight to enhance their dining experience.

Flight offers several distinct dining options: On the main floor, there is the hustle and bustle of friends and business people gathering together. The bar is a welcoming place for those dining alone to meet friends yet unmet, or for those who want a quick bite. On the balcony level, the booths and small tables, some overlooking Main Street, offer more privacy for business or a romantic date night.

Please check The Wine Cellar at Flight Restaurant for additional dining options.

Top review

Samara

Dined 2 days ago

Our overall experience was wonderful. We’ve been before, and while some things have changed (food items and cocktails) our even was amazing. Reese was the perfect server, giving us suggestions when we were hesitant but also giving us time to decide. I would request him every time.

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (790)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Memphis

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Cooper Young, a historic Midtown restaurant and retail destination, Tsunami is a Pacific Rim-inspired restaurant where guests can feel like globetrotters from the comfort of their own table.

Award-winning owner and Chef Ben Smith fuses various ethnic cuisines—from Asia and the South Pacific to France and the American South—to create unique and flavorful small plates and seafood specialties.

The cozy restaurant, adorned with local art and handmade accents, offers a unique bar centerpiece with fine wines and liquors, local draft beers, and daily-rotating specialty cocktails.

Consistently named “Best Seafood Restaurant” in the Memphis Magazine and Memphis Flyer, coveted Tsunami entrées including a spice-crusted tuna with wasabi vinaigrette, beef tenderloin with smoked chile butter, and roasted seabass with black Thai rice and soy beurre blanc.

Top review

Sam

Dined 5 days ago

Food preparation and creativity outstanding. Nice wine list and always professional service. One of our very favorite spots in Memphis.

Wilson Cafe

4.8

4.8 (44)

$31 to $50

American

Wilson

About the restaurant

In harmony with the seasons, the cuisine at Wilson Cafe celebrates the exceptional local bounty of the Delta and its environs. Our menus honor the Delta land, farms, and wines from our Napa Valley vineyards with dishes that reflect the region’s diverse cultural influences and rich pastoral traditions. Our talented chefs pay tribute to the area’s remarkable agricultural heritage and mark the pace of nature with ingredients fresh from The Grange gardens and the surrounding communities.

Top review

Carolyn

Dined 3 days ago

Fun evening at the Cafe. Food was good but not great. Steaks cooked as ordered. Expected a braised lamb shank with Mediterranean seasoning when ordering the shank. Sauce seemed a bit heavy. Salmon was good but not great. Lovely atmosphere.

Amelia Gene's

4.8

4.8 (335)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Amelia Gene’s, Downtown’s finest dining experience, welcomes a contemporary, globally inspired palate artfully designed to impress. Fine wines, classic cocktails, proper bites, and a can’t-miss cheese cart transport diners through a culinary journey with distinct hospitality that can only be found in this state-of-the-art, reclaimed space in Downtown Memphis.

Our menu emphasizes seasonality and a dedication to ingredient-driven preparations. Our Chef's culinary philosophy is characterized by restraint, allowing the innate qualities of the ingredients to eloquently express themselves. Our establishment is located adjacent to the Caption by Hyatt Hotel.

Top review

Marcvip

Dined 1 day ago

First time in Memphis. Great , but different menu. Was a treat and pleasure. The duck is the best ever

The Beauty Shop

4.7

4.7 (2778)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Memphis

About the restaurant

Due to Covid regulations and our assurance of social distancing, we have decided to incorporate, The Beauty Shop, our sister music club, Bar DKDC, our newest Back Dō Oasis Patio behind the Beauty Shop and our patio out front of the Beauty Shop.

In addition to the two outdoor igloos, we also now have multiple greenhouses outside to assist in social distancing and outdoor eating even during cold or rainy weather. These can be reserved via outdoor table bookings.

This is one way we can keep social distancing in place and still give all of you a great experience when you come back to see us.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you! We are doing everything we can to make sure your dining experience is comfortable and safe.

Top review

Sue

Dined 6 days ago

Delicious unique menu and wonderful service! Everyone in my party of six thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Server was excellent!

Discover more

Popular dish

Steak & Eggs

Tiger and Peacock

4.7

4.7 (480)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Midtown / Cooper

About the restaurant

For parties of six or more please call 901-538-7313 to make your reservation.

You won’t want to miss the commanding views at our rooftop bar, situated right in the midst of all of the action. Like Overton Square below, this is a destination dedicated to celebrating the best of the Memphis way of life – the art, music, culture and soul. Showcasing ingredient-forward cocktails and approachable bar fare ideal for sharing, this is the place to take in all that Midtown has to offer.

Dress Code-Smart casual. Dress to impress. Baseball caps and beanies are not allowed and men must have on a collared shirt, sweater or blazer. All genders no athletic apparel (tank tops, spandex, or sweatpants). Undergarments should not be exposed.

Our parking lot is for overnight hotel guests only. Parking is located at the Overton Square Garage. Please bring a valid ID.

This is a smoke free and weapon free environment. We encourage synergy between all of our guests. We look forward to your visit.

Top review

Michaelvip

Dined 1 day ago

Great place to go before or after seeing a show at Playhouse on the Square, The Circuit Playhouse, and Hattiloo. Wonderful performing arts district with a great hotel and bar!

Esco Memphis Restaurant & Tapas

4.5

4.5 (162)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Experience Culinary Excellence at ESCO Memphis!

Indulge in a culinary journey where dining becomes an art form.

Signature Dish: Delight in Chef P's masterpiece, Blackened Catfish, a culinary work of art that captures the essence of ESCO Memphis' creativity.

Nearby Landmarks: Located in the heart of the city, ESCO offers easy access to iconic landmarks like the Fedex Forum and steps away from Beale Street, providing a perfect backdrop for your dining experience.

Atmosphere: ESCO's ambiance is an enchanting blend of chic sophistication and inviting comfort. Whether you seek an intimate, romantic evening or a lively gathering with friends, our setting caters to all occasions.

Join us at ESCO Memphis and immerse yourself in a world where dining is elevated to an art form. Reserve your table now to savor the ESCO experience, where every meal is a masterpiece and every visit is a memorable celebration of taste and aesthetics.

Top review

Jamaica

Dined 7 days ago

Hosts and security need to be welcoming and not rude found two servers who helped make my birthday festivities a success they kept the drinks coming and brought customer experience

The Farmer at Railgarten

4.4

4.4 (373)

$31 to $50

American

Memphis

About the restaurant

Classic American dining that feeds the soul, with a locally-sourced farm to table menu that nods to a long-standing Memphis tradition delivered by Chef Mac Edwards. The Farmer is back! Located at Railgarten in the diner.

Top review

Ashley

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

Everything was wonderful!! Our waitress was wonderful also. We will definitely be back. Only 4 of 5 of us was able to make it but we all had the fried green tomatoes which were delicious with the sauce!

Discover more

Tekila Mexican Cuisine / Steakhouse

4.2

4.2 (90)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Memphis

About the restaurant

Welcome to our inaugural Mexican Steak House, where we proudly introduce a pioneering concept to the Mid-South region. Our esteemed chefs from Mexico have meticulously curated the menu, infusing it with their expertise and craftsmanship. Prepare to embark on an unparalleled culinary journey, promising an experience unlike any other in the Mid-South.

Top review

Andrew

Dined 4 days ago

One of the best dining experiences we’ve had in Memphis in a while. Food was delicious, service was wonderful, and the ambiance was beautiful. We’ll be back for sure.

Curfew - Memphis

3.9

3.9 (644)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Curfew is the perfect fusion of a classic tavern feel with Spanish, American and Italian flavors. Unrestrained by conventionality, this elevated dining experience seamlessly blends bold ingredients, a welcoming décor, and a talented team dedicated to culinary excellence.

Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani brings his passion for hospitality to this incredible concept, combining authentic dishes with handcrafted cocktails and locally-sourced beers. Located on the main floor of Memphis’ Canopy Hotel, Curfew is your new destination to gather for the big game, check out local artist or simply indulge your tastebuds.

Top review

Jarvis

Dined 7 days ago

It was cool. Cajun chicken paste wasn't worth $26 for the very small portion you get. The taste was a tad bit above average but nothing to brag about. Love the location and might recommend it to others.

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Memphis