10 Fancy Restaurants in Memphis

Memphis is not slacking when it comes to fine dining. All throughout the city, there are fantastic restaurants creating high-class dining experiences. If you’re a fan of southern food — these places are going to blow you away. They are perfect for a special occasion, an event, or giving out a gift card to a friend or loved one. At the pinnacle of this city’s fine dining, there are steak houses, restaurants serving a full menu of seafood and meats, restaurants with Belgian, Spanish, or Italian roots, and the top of our list — Flight, where everything comes in groups of three. 

Next time you are down in Memphis, here are some of the best fancy restaurants to grab an unforgettable meal.

There are a ton of restaurants in Memphis to choose from. Feeling a little overwhelmed? Let us help! GiftYa understands the struggle of finding that perfect place for dinner out. At these fancy restaurants, the food and drink do not come cheap. If you or a friend you know are planning an outing like this, GiftYa’s virtual gift card allows you to find the best restaurant near you and ease some of the cost of the meal. They are customizable and can be applied to many of the fanciest restaurants in Memphis. Order yours today!

1. Flight

Flight brings out the rule of three — three appetizers, three entrees, three drinks, and three desserts. What’s not to love?

Got something to celebrate? Swing by Flight for an unforgettable breakfast to commemorate the occasion. Image courtesy of Instagram.

39 S. Main Street | Memphis | flightmemphis.com 

Ever been to a restaurant where the menu looks so good it’s impossible to decide what to get? At Flight, polite and engaged servers will help you navigate the menu, and, true to their name, they have flights available across all their categories. That’s right. You can get a flight of soup or salad as an appetizer, a flight of entrees, and finish the night with a flight of desserts. Flight is dedicated to giving you all the options you need to pick out the meal and drinks you’ll enjoy most whenever you stop in!

Not only that, but Flight delivers a masterful ambiance — allowing you to pick between the pleasant bustle of the main floor or the more romantic privacy of their balcony seats. If you wish to partake in some of Memphis’ excellent weather, you can grab a table on their patio. The decor is classy and the perfect pairing to your food, drink, and company.  

“Nothing short of an amazing culinary experience! As a self-proclaimed family chef who absolutely loves to try new things this was one of my best choices I've ever made!” — Yelp Review

Interested? Buy a gift card for Flight now!

2. Restaurant Iris

A Modern Take on Classic Southern Fare is Sure to Leave You Satisfied!

A meal at Iris is a full culinary experience. From the food to the staff to the decor — this Memphis gem is amazing! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

2146 Monroe Avenue | Memphis | restaurantiris.com 

This modern restaurant brings you the highest quality southern food in a comfortable, homey setting. Their head chef Kelly English has put together an amazing menu, all of her foods seasoned and cooked to perfection. On the appetizer menu, we recommend starting with the classic bread and butter or the scallops. For the main course, there is nothing on the menu short of perfection. They have a wide variety of meats and a vegetarian dish, and among those, there is sure to be something that sparks your interest! 

From start to finish, your dining experience is cared for and your server and your chef are working to create an exquisite meal and a wonderful night. 

“Tonight I was delighted to eat the best meal I have had in at least a decade.  The server made great recommendations.  Every course had surprising flavor combinations that were a joy to experience.  I will be returning very soon!” — Yelp Review

Want to give the gift of fine dining? Get your GiftYa gift card here!

3. Cafe Society

Drop by for a Unique, Unforgettable Night at Cafe Society!

Swing by for a quick drink at Cafe Society in Memphis, Tennessee! Image courtesy of Instagram.

212 N. Evergreen Street | Memphis | cafesocietymemphis.com 

Cafe Society is the perfect mixture of casual dining and high-class food. No need to dress in your Sunday best to eat at this establishment! Head Chef Cullen Kent masterfully creates a menu of modern American fare with subtle Belgian influences. The result — phenomenal. Any meal at the Cafe is sure to leave you satisfied and wanting to come back for more. 

“Awesome!  We eat out a lot and love to try different places. We will be back. Thanks to Miles. Great service.” — Yelp Review

Grab your gift card here!

4. Folk’s Folly

Enjoy Memphis’ Finest Steaks at Folk’s Folly

Care for some live music? Folk’s Folly delivers on all counts in their Cellar Lounge. Image courtesy of Instagram. 

551 S. Mendenhall | Memphis | folksfolly.com 

Looking for a steakhouse in Memphis? Look no further than Folk’s Folly, a co-family-owned Memphis steak house is a must for any visit! Their steaks are seasoned and grilled to perfection, and their seafood is unforgettable. 

Folk’s Folly has a classic steakhouse menu of steaks, seafood, and delicious sides paired with an excellent selection of wines and cocktails. You will not regret making a reservation at Folk’s Folly.

“Words cannot describe how much I enjoy my visit every single time. From the ambiance to the service to the private dining option! Folk's Folly goes above and beyond every evening!” — Yelp Review

Know a friend who could use a high-class steak? Get your gift card now!

5. Itta Bena

Dine with Style at this Modern, Memphis-born Restaurant 

Itta Bena is the perfect place to celebrate life’s wonderful moments! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

145 Beale Street | Memphis | ittabenadining.com/memphis 

This hole-in-the-wall southern restaurant is a must-see for those looking for a slick, modern restaurant with an old-school bar environment. Itta Bena has live music playing, the perfect accompaniment to a romantic dinner, a cocktail party, or wedding reception. They are happy to reserve the space for an event, or you can sidle up to the bar with some friends and have a few of their signature cocktails. 

“Great Atmosphere! Last-minute Valentine reservation here in Memphis was so serendipitous! I LOVE the blue film on the window creating this cool vibe with the Sax and piano playing behind the covid friendly plexiglass.” — Yelp Review

Interested? Grab your gift card here!

6. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Spend a Night in Luxury at this Memphis Steakhouse 

Enjoy the excellent Memphis weather with the outdoor seating at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse! Image courtesy of Instagram.

6245 Poplar Avenue | Memphis | flemingssteakhouse.com 

Looking for a location for a night out, or a place to host a business dinner? With premium Prime steak, seafood, cocktails, and plant-based fare Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse is a great choice. Their menus are finely crafted to leave you satisfied every time you swing by. Their steak is seasoned and cooked to perfection, and they are open to carry out if you want to experience some fine dining from the comfort of your living room. 

“This restaurant is my fiancé's and my favorite place for steak! We go there at least once a month (or we try to at least); and there has never been a time where we were disappointed.” — Yelp Review

Get your gift card here!

7. Porch and Parlor

Enjoy an Impeccable Meal at this Top of the Line Steakhouse

Try a handcrafted cocktail this weekend at Porch and Parlor! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

2125 Madison Avenue | Memphis | porchandparlor.com

In the heart of Overton Square sits Porch and Parlor, a classic southern steakhouse prepared to serve you nothing but the best steak and chops, along with their signature sides and cocktails. Of the steakhouses on this list Porch and Parlor has the most diverse menu, with a classic selection of steaks and Wagyu, chops, soups, seafood, and other entrees. Their wine list is extensive and full of excellent bottles of wine, and their signature cocktails are hard to beat. 

Be sure to come in with an order in mind! It is hard to choose a meal when everything on this menu looks delicious.  And to top it all off — they have a complimentary valet. 

“Porch & Parlor exceeded all my expectations by far! The ambiance was astonishing & breathtaking. The low lighting was exceptionable. Very quiet & clean. The service was top tier, second to none!” — Yelp Review

8. McEwen’s

This Soon to be Renovated Restaurant Brings Classic Southern Dishes to Life in a Modern Environment

Settle in and relax at McEwen’s this Winter! Their menu and drink selection will leave you coming back for more. Image courtesy of Instagram. 

120 Monroe Avenue | Memphis | mcewensmemphis.com

McEwen’s is a great place to sit down, relax, and enjoy a night out. With a menu full of southern-style seafood and meat dishes, this restaurant delivers in every category. Their seafood dishes, like Grilled Wild Salmon, Pan Seared Chilean Seabass, and their Seafood Pasta all have their own distinct and excellent flavor. McEwan’s has tables, booths, and seats at the bar.  

McEwen’s is currently renovating their building. They plan on reopening soon with all their renovations finished. That means it’ll be the perfect time to head to McEwen’s and check out their renovations first hand! 

“I don't give 5 stars very often, but this was one of the best meals I've had in a long time, and my friend agreed! ” — Yelp Review

Want to capitalize on their new renovations? Grab your gift card here!

9. Paulette’s

This Fancy Memphis Restaurant Delivers Great Food and Great Service!

Grab a mimosa and enjoy the view at Paulette’s this Fall! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

51 Harbor Town Square | Memphis | paulettes.net 

Located right next to Greenbelt Park, Paulette’s delivers high-class food in a beautiful setting. Sit down for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in this charming restaurant for a great, southern meal. For breakfast make sure to try out their eggs benedict. If you are stopping in for lunch, their tenderloin burger and chicken crepe are amazing options. When dinner rolls around, their fillet Paulette and herb-roasted chicken are truly spectacular. 

“The food was amazing! The environment was so great. The platting was so creative and the attention to detail was remarkable. Oh, and the flavors were so good.” — Yelp Review

10. Curfew

Take a Trip to Memphis’s Most Modern Restaurant and Enjoy a High-Class Meal Surrounded by Beautiful Decor

Take advantage of the weekend brunch hours at Curfew! The decor, the service, and the food will make it a meal to remember! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

164 Union Avenue | Memphis | curfewmemphis.com

Being on the ground floor of a hotel hasn’t stopped Curfew from becoming one of Memphis’s finest dining locations. To start, their interior architecture is sleek and modern with a classic tavern twist. From the moment you walk in your dining experience starts off on a high note. Their servers, hosts, and bartenders are all personable, friendly, and attentive. 

On the weekends Curfew opens for brunch and eating there is a must! Curfew’s brunch is spectacular, and an amazing way to start a Saturday or Sunday. 

“Curfew is a really cool restaurant/bar with a gorgeous aesthetic. Hubs and I stopped in and sat at the bar for cocktails and an app before dinner. Will be back for vibes, good drinks, and to try a full meal!” — Yelp Review

Memphis is home to a wide variety of amazing restaurants. Next time you are in the area make sure to grab some grub — you won’t regret it! Which restaurant are you planning on trying out first? Let us know in the comments!