SE Souvenir Eats
Smoked barbecue ribs on a tray

City guide

Where to eat in Memphis

In Memphis, barbecue is the obvious move and still worth doing carefully. Start with the institutions that define the city.

Barbecue pilgrimagesMusic weekendsClassic road food Verified 2026-04-25

The short list

The 3 meals to consider first.

Barbecue tray with smoked meat and sides
1 BBQ Essential Memphis barbecue · $$

Central BBQ

Central BBQ is the flexible pick: casual enough for a quick meal, serious enough to belong in a barbecue itinerary.

Order
Barbecue nachos
Go
Lunch after a morning in Midtown or dinner before music.
Smoked ribs with barbecue sauce and sides
2 Memphis Classic Memphis barbecue · $$

Corky's Ribs & BBQ

Corky's is approachable, deeply Memphis, and built around the wet-or-dry rib decision that every visitor should make at least once.

Order
Wet or dry ribs
Go
Lunch or dinner when you want a full Memphis barbecue spread.
Smoked barbecue chicken and ribs on a tray
3 BBQ Landmark Memphis barbecue · $$

Cozy Corner BBQ

Cozy Corner has the personal, lived-in feeling that makes a food city real. It is not just a barbecue stop; it is Memphis culture on a tray.

Order
Barbecue Cornish hen
Go
Lunch or early dinner Tuesday through Saturday.