8 Must-Try Memphis Restaurants That Serve Food & Live Music

Memphis does dinner and a show like nowhere else. If you crave smoky ribs, buttery shrimp and grits, or crispy catfish while a guitar solo ripples through the room, you are in the right city. These spots pair plate-licking comfort with live tunes that keep the night humming from first bite to last chord. Come hungry, stay for the music, and leave with a new favorite place to tell your friends about.

1. B.B. King’s Blues Club

On Beale Street, B.B. King’s Blues Club feels like the soundtrack of Memphis served on a platter. You will hear soulful guitar licks while digging into ribs glazed just right and shrimp and grits that soak up every note. The crowd sings along, the servers smile, and the walls hum with legends.

Grab a balcony seat if you can, where the view of the stage turns dinner into a front row moment. Sides like collard greens and mac and cheese hit the comfort sweet spot. When the band shifts from blues to rock, your night shifts too.

You will linger for one more chorus and maybe one more bite. That is the B.B. King’s promise.

2. Itta Bena

Itta Bena hides above the bustle, a speakeasy-style escape with polished charm and blues floating from a small stage. You will slip into a velvet-lit room, sip a careful cocktail, and savor contemporary Southern dishes that feel refined yet comforting. Think seared fish over creamy grits or tender steaks kissed with bourbon butter.

The service is gracious without fuss, and the music never overwhelms dinner. It wraps gently around conversation, like a favorite scarf. Date nights feel effortless here, and celebrations gain shimmer.

Ask for a window seat to peek at Beale Street’s glow while staying tucked away. When dessert arrives, time slows. You will leave whispering that you found Memphis’s secret.

3. Lafayette’s Music Room

Lafayette’s Music Room blends legend and comfort: a stage with daily bands and a menu built for sharing. You will hear tight harmonies and crisp snare hits while tearing into wood-fired pizza with bubbling edges. Burgers, wings, and skillet dips keep the table busy between songs.

The vibe says come early and stay late. Artists switch sets smoothly, and the sound mix is spot on, letting you talk without missing a riff. It is a great pick for groups, especially if you chase bites with local brews.

When the lights dim and the chorus climbs, the room lifts as one. A toast, a slice, a chorus. That is Lafayette’s in motion.

4. Loflin Yard

Loflin Yard feels like a backyard party that never ends. String lights glow, cocktails clink, and acoustic sets float across picnic tables. You will wander between fire pits, yard games, and a cozy bar, plate in hand and a smile that grows with every chorus.

The food leans easygoing: sandwiches, smoked meats, and shareable snacks made for grazing. Order a frozen drink on warm nights or a whiskey sipper when temperatures dip. It is a hangout first, a restaurant second, and somehow both perfectly balanced.

Shows pop up frequently, so you catch music without planning hard. Bring friends, bring your dog, bring your appetite. Loflin turns evenings into memories.

5. Blues City Cafe & the Band Box

Blues City Cafe is Beale Street energy on a plate. Start with the famous ribs, sticky and tender, or fried catfish crackling under lemon. The servers keep it moving fast, so you will be toe tapping toward the Band Box before your napkin hits the table.

Next door, the Band Box wakes the night with nightly entertainment. Expect rollicking sets, dancing, and singalongs that pair perfectly with late night bites. It is the kind of place where strangers become your chorus.

Come hungry, leave happy, and circle back for a nightcap. The combo delivers dinner, music, and momentum. Memphis spirit shows up loud here.

6. SugaShack

SugaShack keeps the groove easy and the flavors bold. You will bite into hot chicken with just the right burn, then cool it down with a sweet tea or cold beer. Fried catfish comes crisp and golden, a perfect partner to hushpuppies and creamy slaw.

Live music bubbles up often, turning dinner into a laid back jam. The vibe is friendly and unpretentious, a place where you can exhale. Grab a booth, lean into the rhythm, and let the playlist shape your meal.

Prices are kind, portions generous, and service warm. If you want comfort with a chorus, this is your stop. SugaShack makes Beale feel like home.

7. Bar DKDC

Bar DKDC thrives on spontaneity. The menu rotates with street food swagger, from spicy noodles to Cajun kissed bites. You will share small plates, trade flavors, and chase it all with cocktails that carry a playful kick.

On weekends, soul music lifts the room into a pulsing sway. The stage is compact, the sound big, and the energy contagious. It is the sweet spot between neighborhood bar and music den, a place to stay longer than planned.

Come with an open mind and a curious palate. Ask staff what is hitting that night. You will leave buzzing, already plotting your return.

8. Crosstown Concourse

Crosstown Concourse is a city within a building, a vertical village where food and culture intersect. You will wander past coffee bars, ramen counters, and bakeries, then stumble into a theater hosting live music or an experimental performance. The architecture invites exploring, with open atriums and art at every turn.

Plan flexible, eat spontaneously, and let the calendar guide your evening. One minute you are sharing tacos, the next you are settling into a seat for a set. It is perfect for groups with different cravings.

Check their events to sync your meal with a show. You will leave inspired, sated, and a little dazzled. Memphis creativity lives loudly here.