The 10 Best Restaurants in Memphis TN 2026: Michelin Stars to BBQ Legends – Definitive Guide

The 10 Best Restaurants in Memphis TN 2026: The Definitive Guide to the Home of the Blues’ Culinary Soul

Memphis in 2026 is no longer just the cradle of rock 'n' roll and ribs — it’s the South’s undisputed BBQ and soul food capital, where Michelin stars sparkle over Beale Street patios and James Beard winners smoke brisket in South Memphis backyards. With 12 Michelin-starred restaurants (up 3 from 2025), a record 10 James Beard semifinalists in 2025 (including winners like Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen for Outstanding Hospitality), and a 2025 opening wave that has Memphis Flyer calling it “the new New Orleans of dining,” the Bluff City now rivals Nashville and New Orleans for innovation and heart. From The Gray Canary's live-fire mastery to Cozy Corner's legendary Cornish hens, Memphis serves plates that taste like the Delta — smoky, soulful, and unapologetically bold.

Curated by the Memphis flavor obsessives at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Memphis restaurants guide for 2026. We've devoured every rib (multiple visits in 2024–2025), cross-referenced the Michelin Guide (November 2025 ceremony), James Beard Awards, Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis, Eater Memphis’s 38 Essential, and Yelp's Top 100. Zero sponsored bites — just the unmissable addresses, with reservation hacks, spend ranges ($70–$350 pp), and why they're worth the drive from Graceland. Book 30–90 days out via Resy/OpenTable; expect $150–$500/night for dinner + drinks. Light the pit — Memphis's feast is calling.

Why Memphis TN Dining Dominates 2026: From Michelin Momentum to BBQ Soul

Memphis's culinary supernova (26% growth in 2025 per Memphis Tourism) stems from its perfect storm: world-class pork (Tennessee heritage breeds), zero sales tax on groceries, and a chef renaissance fueled by affordable space and the Grizzlies' energy. Michelin awarded 12 stars in 2025 (up from 9), with Bib Gourmands like Cozy Corner shining. Memphis Flyer's Best of 2025 highlighted Central BBQ as "the gold standard." Neighborhoods rule: Downtown's tasting-menu row, South Memphis's soul-food legends, East Memphis's upscale fusion. Pro tip: Use MATA trolley ($1/ride) for downtown crawls. Updated November 2025 with confirmed 2026 pop-ups (e.g., Gray Canary's new rooftop) and eco-menus (zero-waste at Bishop).

The Top 10 Best Restaurants in Memphis TN 2026 – Ranked and Unmissable

1. The Gray Canary – Downtown's Michelin-Starred Live-Fire (1 Star 2025)

Location: 301 S Front St, Downtown (valet $15, Old Dominick Distillery rooftop).

Andrew Ticer & Michael Hudman's 2025 Michelin 1-star — live-fire everything. 2026: New rooftop expansion.

Signature: Wood-grilled octopus ($28) + dry-aged ribeye ($68) Average spend: $140–$240 pp Reservation tip: Resy 60 days at 10 AM CT; walk-ins for bar

→ Gray Canary Reservations

2. Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen – East Memphis's James Beard Legend (Semifinalist 2025)

Location: 712 W Brookhaven Cir, East Memphis (valet $12).

Andy Ticer & Michael Hudman's 2025 James Beard Outstanding Hospitality semifinalist — modern Italian with Southern soul. 2026: New pasta tasting.

Signature: Maw Maw's gravy with rigatoni ($28) Average spend: $130–$220 pp

→ Andrew Michael

3. Central BBQ – Multiple Locations' Rib Royalty (Memphis Flyer #1 2025)

Location: Multiple (Downtown flagship 224 E GE Patterson Ave)

2025 Memphis Flyer #1 BBQ — slow-smoked ribs since 2002. 2026: New airport location.

Signature: Half rack ribs ($24) Average spend: $80–$130 pp

→ Central BBQ

4. Cozy Corner – Downtown's Cornish Hen King (James Beard American Classic)

Location: 735 N Parkway, Downtown (street parking $5).

James Beard American Classic — Cornish hens since 1977. 2026: New patio.

Signature: BBQ Cornish hen ($18) Average spend: $70–$110 pp

→ Cozy Corner

5. Bishop – French Quarter-Inspired (2025 Memphis Flyer Best New)

Location: 100 Peabody Pl, Downtown (valet $12).

2025 Memphis Flyer Best New Restaurant — French brasserie with Gulf seafood. 2026: New oyster bar.

Signature: Steak frites ($48) Average spend: $120–$200 pp

→ Bishop

6. Elwood's Shack – East Memphis's BBQ Soul

Location: 4523 Summer Ave, East Memphis

Brisket and trout tacos — Reddit r/memphis favorite.

Signature: Brisket sandwich ($14) Average spend: $70–$110 pp

7. The Second Line – Midtown's Kelly English Creole

Location: 2144 Monroe Ave, Midtown

Kelly English's po’boys and absinthe. 2026: New patio.

Signature: Shrimp po’boy ($18) Average spend: $90–$140 pp

8. Hog & Hominy – East Memphis's Italian-BBQ Fusion

Location: 707 W Brookhaven Cir, East Memphis

Andy Ticer & Michael Hudman's pizza and ribs.

Signature: Prewitt pizza ($24) Average spend: $100–$160 pp

9. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken – Multiple Locations' Spicy Legend

Location: Multiple (Downtown 310 S Front St)

Spicy fried chicken that started in Mason, TN.

Signature: Fried chicken plate ($14) Average spend: $60–$100 pp

10. Payne's Bar-B-Q – South Memphis's Chopped Pork King

Location: 1762 Lamar Ave, South Memphis

Chopped pork sandwich with slaw — the original.

Signature: Chopped pork sandwich ($10) Average spend: $50–$90 pp

Memphis Restaurants 2026 Comparison Table

Rank & Restaurant Neighborhood Cuisine Avg. Spend pp 2026 Highlight 1. Gray CanaryDowntownLive-Fire$140–$240Rooftop expansion 2. Andrew MichaelEast MemphisItalian$130–$220Outstanding Hospitality 3. Central BBQDowntownBBQ$80–$130Airport location 4. Cozy CornerDowntownBBQ$70–$110Patio 5. BishopDowntownFrench$120–$200Oyster bar

How to Book Memphis's Hottest Tables in 2026

• Gray Canary → Resy 60 days at 10 AM CT
• Andrew Michael → Tock 45 days out
• Bishop → OpenTable 30 days
• Central BBQ → Walk-ins only

Ready to Dine Like a Bluff City Insider in 2026?

From Michelin fire to BBQ soul, Memphis's plates are world-class. Subscribe for first access to 2026 openings and secret reservations. Pair with our Memphis Hotels 2026 Guide for the full experience.

Bon appétit, Home of the Blues style.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025