Where To Eat On Beale Street

Share This:

Where To Eat On Beale Street

As the most famous street in Memphis and one of the most iconic places in the country, Beale Street gets a lot of love for its music and its drinks. You'll find some good eats too.

Here are nine places to eat on Beale Street in no particular order.

nighttime view of beale street with neon signs lit up
Craig Thompson

1. New Wing Order

Nestled inside Ghost River Brewing's Beale Street taproom, New Wing Order is one of my favorite spots to grab a bite in the afternoon or late-night. While they specialize in wings with 25 signature sauces and dry rubs, don't sleep on the rest of the menu. The smokehouse loaded fries or hot wing nachos are both a must. Best part is you can wash it down with a great brew from Ghost River.

2. SugaShack


You'll find SugaShack located at the end (or start of) Beale Street depending on the direction you're coming from. SugaShack is a great spot for southern cuisine staples grab a plate of fried chicken, wings, catfish, and more. We love the seasoned fried chicken with a side of fried okra and mac & cheese.

3. B.B. King's

 
 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by B.B. Kings Memphis (@bbkingsmemphis) on

Come for the live blues music, stay for the food. Pull apart some BBQ ribs slathered in B.B. King's house sauce, the King's Meatloaf, and mac 'n' cheese. The menu offers a sampling of your standard Southern and BBQ favorites, so there's something for every body.

4. Dyer's

Picture this: you've tried all the drinks on Beale Street, from a Big Ass Beer to a Silky's Diver to a Call-A-Cab at Silky's. You're going to need something to eat, and it better be greasy and filling. Dyer's fries their burgers in carefully guarded 100-year-old-grease and they stay open late. Dyers: We'll Leave The Grease On For Ya. Read more.

5. Blues City Cafe

 
 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by [email protected] (@bychefeli) on

Blues City Cafe is a Beale Street must. The recommendations are many, but the top choices seem to be the Memphis barbecue ribs, the gumbo fries, and the Delta-style tamales. What are gumbo fries? Crispy, piping hot steak-cut fries topped with a big pour of Blues City's seafood gumbo.

6. Itta Bena

Alex Shansky

If you're looking for speakeasy-style fine dining on Beale Street (oddly specific, I know) then Itta Bean is a top choice, not just for this street, but for the city. Dig in to the Southern and Cajun-inspired menu while you enjoy the romantic atmosphere. If you're having trouble finding Itta Bena, just look for the secret red door next to B.B. King's—this Memphis date night restaurant is located up a flight of stairs on top of the blues club.

7. Rum Boogie

Craig Thompson

Rum Boogie, one of my personal favorites for live music, has also earned local fans for their Gator Gumbo and their daily lunch special. The latter is a meat-and-three plate with an entree that changes daily, including turkey and dressing on Tuesdays. They have fried catfish and BBQ daily, too. Rum Boogie was also a filming location for the NBC show Bluff City Law.

8. King's Palace Cafe

 
 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by christina (@christinammatus) on

If you're looking for something hearty and heartwarming, King's Palace Cafe touts their "Championship Gumbo" as a must-try, and the people seem to agree on that and recommend the pasta dishes too. I also appreciate their gated side patio (and walk-up bar) when the weather's nice and the music is flowing.

9. A. Schwab

Andrea Zucker

Now it's time for dessert! A. Schwab is the oldest operating business on Beale. On one side, you'll find an old fashioned general store selling everything under the sun. On the other side, you'll find an adorable old fashioned soda fountain. A. Schwab is only open during the day, but that makes it the perfect family-friendly thing to do with kids on Beale Street. Order up a banana split, hot fudge sundae, or a frothy milkshake.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Don’t miss out on all the Memphis goodness!
Subscribe Here

Comments Make Us Happy

8
Leave a Comment
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats
Amy
Thank you so much for sharing this well kept secret. I am going to add this to our trip down in July, we always like to try something new:) I will have to look for a website and I hope I find one and a menu!
January 13, 2011 7:52pm
Stephen
Thanks for this! I am always looking for a great place to try out, and you never disappoint. You rock!
January 14, 2011 3:26pm
Aaron
We live in Arkansas but we party in Memphis. You never disappoint! Now we don't do a thing on the weekends until we see what you suggest first. This place is right up our alley and will be a must see for us. You rock!! Thanks for I heart Memphis!
January 15, 2011 8:47am
Suzanne Raines
It is one of the best restaurants in Memphis! I love it! I don't get to go there often enough.
January 17, 2011 3:47pm
Aaron
Had the duck and waffles.. I'm a sucker for a weird menu item, it was great, but tisk, tisk, my martini had ice in it! LOL, bring a flashlight or an iPhone to read the menu.
January 23, 2011 7:44pm
Itta Bena &laq…
[...] write-ups about them in print and online: East Memphis Moms, Commercial Appeal, Eat Local Memphis, I Love Memphis, Memphis Magazine, and even Southern Living!  Or make a reservation at Open [...]
November 25, 2011 5:02pm
Linda Woods

What is the name of the best Hotels near Beale Street?

April 13, 2021 2:22pm
Holly Whitfield

Hi Linda! Here's a resource that will give you some options and you can pick a price range, too! Hyatt Centric is the brand new one on Beale but there are a ton of options in the area: https://www.memphistravel.com/memphis-hotels?f%5B0%5D=profile-regions%3A12766&f%5B1%5D=profilecategories%3A12101

April 19, 2021 7:24pm

You Might Also Like