Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Memphis / West Tennessee

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Memphis / West Tennessee? 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!

Tsunami

5.0

5 (845)

$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

WhitneyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful as always! And excellent restaurant for any occasion.

Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (10085)

$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

Amanda

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing as always! Love this restaurant! Food is always perfection and the service is awesome. Colby was wonderful. Highly recommend!!!

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The Wine Cellar at Flight Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (527)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Katherine

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

This was a great way to spend our 8th anniversary! The staff was friendly and food was wonderful.

Amelia Gene's

4.8

4.8 (633)

$31 to $50

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.

We are proud to offer an extensive wine list thoughtfully curated by our team. Should you wish to bring in a bottle not currently featured on our list, a corkage fee of $25 per bottle will apply, with a maximum of two bottles per party. In support of our culinary program, outside food is not permitted.

Top review

Noah

Dined 1 day ago

Incredible food and drinks that you’re supposed to order in courses. The steak was the best I’ve had in town ever! The service was outstanding and the waitress explained everything so well! We were celebrating our anniversary and they made the occasion so spectacular!

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Experience

Chef Nate's Tasting Menu

Fawn

4.8

4.8 (42)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Memphis

About the restaurant

Welcome to Fawn. Rooted in seasonality and comfort, Fawn serves a thoughtful menu of tapas style dishes crafted with local ingredients, house infusions, and delicate details that invite pause. Our dining room evokes a quiet woodland elegance with earth tones and curated textures designed for meaningful connection. Whether you're joining us for an intimate dinner, a celebratory gathering, or simply a glass of wine at golden hour, we invite you to settle in and stay awhile.

Reservations are encouraged. Walk-ins are always welcome when available.

Top review

Michael

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and drinks with innovative dishes. Great brunch menu that gives an alternative to the usual Memphis fare

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Experience

Drag Brunch

Tiger and Peacock

4.7

4.7 (531)

$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

FlorVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding service, manager is on top of all the details, server was super nice and friendly.

Ignite Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (1336)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Memphis

About the restaurant

Must be 21 & up to enter.

Close to downtown Memphis, Ignite Steakhouse is the newest upscale steakhouse in the Mid-South area. At Ignite, you will enjoy charcoal-grilled steaks, paired with your favorite wine or handcrafted cocktail.

In addition to premium steaks, Ignite also serves up local favorites with a farm-to- table experience. Food connoisseurs will appreciate the Chef’s Table, where guests can enjoy a chef-curated experience.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner, or looking for a great dinner Ignite Steakhouse will deliver a safe and memorable evening.

Ignite Steakhouse is a cash-free restaurant.

Must be 21 & up to enter.

Ignite Steakhouse charges a 18% gratuity to all parties of 6 or more.

Top review

Sonya

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

I hosted dinner at Ignite, friends were in town from Atlanta. They loved it, and it’s the best dining experience in West Memphis. I love Ignite!💜

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Popular dish

Lobster Chowder

Popular dish

Lobster Chowder- Served Tableside

Popular dish

Filet

Wilson Cafe

4.6

4.6 (67)

$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

Sara

Dined 6 days ago

This was such a great spot in a charming town square. The staff is so nice and welcoming, and we were taken care of easily and quickly. The food and beverages were fantastic. We will definitely be back!

Esco Memphis Restaurant & Tapas

4.3

4.3 (218)

$31 to $50

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

Jeremy

Dined on Jul 1, 2025

The experience was amazing!!! That was my last first time coming. The great part that it was her birthday 🎉🎉. She loved every minute.. Thank you

Mahogany River Terrace

4.2

4.2 (392)

$31 to $50

Southern

Downtown

About the restaurant

Mahogany River Terrace offers an elevated dining experience featuring Southern cuisine with a Creole twist. Located in River Terrace, this restaurant is known for its warm hospitality, stylish ambiance, and delectable soul food. Signature dishes include fried chicken, seafood pasta, jambalaya, and more. The menu showcases fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and traditional Southern techniques, while offering a variety of classic and contemporary options. With an inviting atmosphere and friendly service, Mahogany Memphis provides a perfect spot for a memorable meal with friends, family, or a special occasion.

Top review

sallyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This was our first visit to Mahogany River Terrace and we were so impressed. Everyone was so nice and the food was delightful, and our server was just excellent. The fried chicken was hot and crispy and delicious. We will definitely be back -maybe next time we try a weekend brunch!

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