As with any metropolitan area, new businesses seem to be popping up left and right, and Memphis, Tennessee is no different! As a city known for their soul food and delicious BBQ, there are plenty of new must-try restaurants to choose from that have opened or are opening in the greater Memphis area for 2018. With everything authentic Asian cuisine to an upscale diner, you’ll get to satisfy all your cravings with this list. Try them out and let us know what you think!
- Railgarten Diner – This amazing space offers indoor seating in their dining room, as well as an outdoor “yard” complete with picnic tables and ambient lighting. This compound even features a “pong bar” with tons of TVs, ping pong tables, and live music. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday from noon until late, and even later on Fridays and Saturdays. As for their food, they offer a multitude of options in the forms of salads, burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers, complete with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options as well. And don’t forget dessert! They have an ice cream parlor on property, too.
- Lucky Cat Ramen – What started as a pop-up shop finally opened its own permanent location, fully immersing you in the ramen experience. They’re open for dinner only Wednesdays through Sundays, so this is a prime date night spot for sure. The menu features “Ramen Stuff” and bowls, as well as rotating seasonal specials. Also on the menu are bao buns, these tiny doughy sandwich/taco hybrids filled with your choice of fried chicken skin, bbq pork, tempura avocado, and more!
- Mama Gaia – This is Memphis’s first all-organic vegetarian restaurant, which is saying something for a city known for BBQ. Mama Gaia, which means Mother Earth in ancient Greek, features a laid back atmosphere where you order at the counter, and can have your bowl, pettitza (their take on a pizza), pita, salad, or veggie burger made into a combo or served a la carte. They also offer smoothies, and are open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Brooks Pharm2Fork – Cleverly named as a play on the popular Farm-to-Table theme, but paying homage to its building which used to be a pharmacy, this new spot places an emphasis on responsible sourcing, getting its food from local and regional farmers. They’re open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and lunch/brunch on Sundays and Mondays. And don’t worry, there’s a full bar to accompany their delicious meat-and-potatoes-filled menu (that also includes some seafood options).