20 Top Things to do in Midtown Memphis

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Memphis has a lot of nicknames—“The Birthplace of Rock n’Roll,” “Home of the Blues,” and “Bluff City,” among others. With all there is to check out, you can spend your entire life in this city and not see all of it, but if you’re visiting, it’s practically a requirement to visit the midtown area. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of some things to do in midtown Memphis that we think you’ll like.

EAT

Café Society

212 N. Evergreen St

Memphis, TN 38112

901-722-2177

Any restaurant that serves up chocolate peanut butter cake on its dessert menu automatically gets placed on our “Must-Eat-At” list, but Café Society is more than just sugary goodness. This swanky establishment also boasts outstanding lunch and dinner menus, and seared scallops that are the stuff of legend.

Bayou Bar & Gri

2094 Madison Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 278-8626

Cajun grub? Check. Great patio? Check. Sports on the TV? Check! Pair your favorite game with Big Easy favorites like jambalaya and a half-chicken po-boy and let all your cares melt away. If you’re visiting during the weekend, head over between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the Mardi Gras Brunch and try the Creole Benedict. You can thank us later.

17 Berkshire

2094 Trimble Place

Memphis TN 38104

(901) 729-7916

We can’t in good conscience write about midtown Memphis and not mention 17 Berkshire. They bake their delicious pastries, macaroons, and cakes from scratch every day, and you can pair your sweets with delicious teas and coffees. Got a custom order? They do that, too!

Muddy’s Bake Shop

585 S. Cooper St.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 683-8844

Bear with us—we’re gonna stay on this cake train a little longer. Neighborhood staple Muddy’s cites “lots and lots of real butter” as one of the keys to their delicious treats, and we agree. Take your sweet snack out to the patio and hang out under the fairy lights. We recommend the Prozac cupcakes (no, they aren’t actually made with Prozac) or the Oreo pudding—we have it on good authority the latter will haunt your dreams (in a good way!).

Central BBQ

2249 Central Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 272-9377We’re pretty sure it’s illegal to go to Memphis and not at least try some of the BBQ. Stop off at Central and “get messy” as the staff likes to say, indulging in goodies like beef brisket, the ribs combo, or pulled chicken. Salad? Sure, they’ve got that too.

Red Fish at 19^th Century Club

1433 Union Ave

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 454.3926You want sushi. You also want elegant surroundings. You can have both at Red Fish at 19^th Century Club, where you’ll scarf down incredible rolls (and plenty of cooked options if that’s what you’re into) while surrounded by the delicately carved walls and stained glass of an elegant 19^th-century mansion. Need a recommendation? We really loved the phoenix roll.

Huey’s Midtown

1927 Madison Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 726-4372

Huey’s has been on the scene since 1970, so they’ve had a lot of time to perfect their game. We like the Memphis Original Potato Skins (the chive sour cream is a dream) or the Old Tyme A1 Burger…or you could toast to longevity and pull something more sensible off their Heart Healthy Menu. Sundays always feature live music, so you can get your groove on while you feast.

DRINK

Café Eclectic

603 N. McLean Blvd.

Memphis, TN 38107

(901) 725-1718

Café Eclectic had us at “We serve breakfast all day.” The Kitchen Sink will make you question the goodness of every other omelet you had before it…and they also stock exceptional coffees and specialty drinks that will give you exactly the caffeine buzz you’re looking for. We’re still thinking about the chocolate-laden Star & Micey.

The Zebra Lounge Piano Bar

2114 Trimble Place

Memphis, TN

(901) 249-8147

Located in Overton Square, this venue is an extension of the legendary Chicago Zebra Lounge, which has made “The Windy City” its home since 1929. The crowd is a fun mix of locals and visitors, and yes, the piano players take requests.

Dru’s Bar

1474 Madison Ave

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 275-8082

Ready to knock back a few cold ones? Head for Dru’s. Karaoke, trivia, and drag shows appear regularly on the calendar, so there’s almost always something going on. It’s definitely a beer bar, but…wait for it…you can bring your own booze, too. Yeah, you have to pay a fee to bring it in, but nothing quite matches karaoke with your favorite drink in your hand.

The Blue Monkey

2012 Madison Ave

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 272-2583

The Blue Monkey is way more than just a cool name (and a great mental image). Themed events include Pint Night, Wine Night, and Steak Night (on top of the usual bar offerings like trivia and karaoke). It’s a great place to grab a beer or a vodka martini, but we also hear the sweet tea is pretty tasty and oh-so-Southern.

Lafayette’s Music Room

2119 Madison Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 207-5097

This restaurant focuses on established and up-and-coming musical acts, so you know there’s always going to be great tunes to act as a backdrop to a laid-back evening of beer and cocktails. Oh, and the food is pretty good too—try the mac and cheese and let your life be changed.

DO

Memphis Zoo

2000 Prentiss Place

Memphis, TN 38112

901-333-6500

If you like pandas…you should probably head for the Memphis Zoo. Of course, there’s not just pandas here—thousands of other animals call the place home. For those daring enough, you can visit The Dragon’s Lair is also pretty cool, but be warned, the “dragons” are of the Komodo variety, not the kind that answer to “Dracarys!”

Overton Square

2101 Madison Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 761-3333

Here’s a secret: we’ve already talked about Overton Square a couple times. Part district, part shopping mall, part just-plain-awesome, Overton Square has restaurants, concert venues, bars, and retail stores for just about every taste—way more than we could ever list here. Head over and enjoy!

Minglewood Hall

1555 Madison Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 312-6058

This popular venue started out life as a bread factory. Its oh-so-retro appearance makes it the perfect place for almost any sort of concert or event. It hosts local singers, well-known groups like Old Crow Medicine Show, and even sports events. Check the calendar during your visit and what’s happening.

The Levitt Shell

1928 Poplar Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 272-2722

Levitt Shell—lovingly referred to as “The Shell”—arrived on the scene in 1936. A young Elvis Presley played at this distinctive amphitheater in 1954, and since then numerous artists have given concerts here. The Shell now holds 50 free concerts a year, with the goal of “building community through free music and education.”

Overton Park

1914 Poplar Ave.

Suite 202

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 214-5450

Is the weather nice? Head for Overton Park! You’ll have almost 350 acres full of walking trails, a golf course (yes, nine holes!), museums, and even a lake. One of Tennessee’s last old-growth forests, the Old Forest Arboretum, also calls this place home.

The Links at Overton Park

2080 Poplar Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 725-9905

If you’re looking for a laid-back game on the links then this is the place to be. You can rent a set of clubs if you didn’t bring your own, and there’s a golf shop and yes, a snack bar on the premises. Enjoy an afternoon on the greens, but remember there’s a dress code—collared shirts only!

Brooks Museum of Art

1934 Poplar Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

901.544.6200

Art in all its mediums connects us through the centuries. The Brooks Museum offers a beautiful and varied collection ranging from sculptures and paintings to photography exhibits. Feeling extra artsy? Attend informational classes about subjects like art therapy.

Playhouse on the Square

66 Cooper St.

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 726-4656

Take in some local performing arts at Playhouse on the Square. This regional theatre group is dedicated to cultivating the Memphis art community, and shows usually run for about a month. You can catch all sorts of productions here, from musical comedies to inspiring dramas. And there you have it. Whether you’re just spending a night in the city or you’re planning a lengthier stay, now you’ve got an idea of the best things to do in Memphis. Follow our guide or make one of your own. Just let us know what we missed!