Tired of frequenting the same old spots for date night? Whether you’re looking for new upscale places, more casual options, or restaurants with lawn games and live music, Memphis has a wealth of destinations to suit every style. Here are some of our favorites!
Fine Dining
Folk’s Folly
551 S. Mendenhall Rd., Memphis, TN. 38117 • (901) 762-8200
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The premier Memphis steakhouse, Folk’s Folly, has been a fine dining staple for the past 45 years. Located in a house-turned-restaurant in East Memphis, its intimate atmosphere includes private dining options for parties as small as two and a dress code to preserve its special occasion feel. Folk’s Folly is known for its delicious steaks, which include a variety of prime cuts, sauces, and toppings, but it also offers plenty of land and sea entrées that are equally appetizing — from duck breast with ruby port sauce to lobster tail.
The menu also features potatoes cooked multiple ways and an array of veggies to round out your meal. Delve into the Folk’s Folly Freeze for dessert (your choice of premium liquor mixed with vanilla ice cream), or stop by the cellar lounge for drinks and live piano music nightly, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Folk’s Folly has been a date night staple in Memphis since 1977. Image: Folk’s Folly
Southern Social
2285 S. Germantown Rd., Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 754-5555
Hours: Daily, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Nestled next to the historic train depot in Old Germantown, Southern Social lives up to its name, with an elegant ambiance awash in lush furnishings, chandeliers, mounted art, and white tablecloths. Start with appetizers like New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp or oysters on the half-shell. Then, order from a menu packed with Southern favorites — including fried chicken, stuffed quail, and braised venison, as well as prime steak cuts and fresh seafood from the Gulf.
The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine, cocktail, and bourbon list. Save room for its decadent desserts — with choices like praline hazelnut cheesecake and chocolate chip crème brûlée, you may want one of each to split! And be sure to take advantage of the restaurant’s complimentary valet, as well as its alfresco patio in warmer months.
Coastal Fish Company
415 Great View Dr. E., Memphis, TN 38134 • (901) 266-9000
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For a romantic meal with a view, reserve a table at Coastal Fish Company, overlooking Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park. The menu is a seafood lover’s dream, with fresh oysters, fish, and shellfish prepared in both traditional styles and with new twists, along with a raw bar. From the seafood gumbo, loaded with shrimp, crawfish, andouille sausage, and okra to the Louisiana redfish, your palette is sure to be satisfied.
In addition to the coastal fare, you’ll also find land options for appetizers and entrées, plus luscious desserts — from house-made sorbets to dark chocolate-coated key lime pie. Dine in one of the comfy booths inside or on the heated patio, where you and your date can enjoy the sunset over the lake.
Dine on delicious seafood and enjoy views of Hyde Lake at Coastal Fish Company. Image: Coastal Fish Company
Cozy & Casual
Huey’s
Multiple locations in Cordova, Germantown, Collierville, Millington, East Memphis, Midtown, Downtown, and Southwind
Hours vary by location.
A longtime Memphis mainstay for “blues, brews, and burgers,” Huey’s offers a fun, no-frills atmosphere with quick service and burgers that are consistently voted “best in Memphis.” You can find a great selection of local brews on tap, basket specials like steak and chicken kabobs, and a strong sandwich and salad lineup that includes vegetarian options.
Food is reasonably priced with generous portions, and the vibe is playful. You can watch a football game on TV, shoot frill pricks into the ceiling, or leave your mark on the graffiti walls! Even with its multiple locations across town, each Huey’s has a decidedly neighborhood feel, with local photos and memorabilia on the walls, trivia nights, and occasional live music.
Coletta’s Restaurant
2850 Appling Rd., Memphis, TN 38133 • (901) 383-1122
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
1063 S. Pkwy E., Memphis, TN 38106 • (901) 948-7652
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Founded in 1923, Coletta’s Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in Memphis and has specialized in serving Italian food for nearly a century — and it shows. The extensive pasta options come with homemade meat sauce, rich cheeses, and delicious rolls. The menu also features hearty soups and salads with homemade dressings as well as specialty dishes like the Roman Holiday (lasagna, ravioli, and chicken alfredo), eggplant parmesan, and steaks served with a side of spaghetti.
The restaurant, still owned and operated by the same family, is also the birthplace of the barbecue pizza — a favorite of none other than Elvis, who frequently dined there. Its relaxed, immersive environment, complete with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and photography of Italy on the walls, will keep you coming back just like the King.
The Second Line
2144 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 590-2829
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The brainchild of one of Memphis’ favorite chefs, Chef Kelly English, The Second Line serves Cajun and Creole comfort food in a laid-back, lively setting. Named after New Orleans’ “second line” parades, the Overton Square restaurant is best known for its po’ boys — roast beef, shrimp, oysters, catfish, and the list goes on — but its scrumptious starters are also a must, especially the crawfish and andouille pimento cheese fries. Entrées include Louisiana favorites — from muffulettas to Creole ratatouille, with sides such as red beans and rice, stewed greens, and cheese grits.
With food served on baking sheet-style trays and in cast-iron ramekins, the atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming. Savor the festive aura inside or hang out on the back patio and sip cocktails from the outdoor bar.
The Second Line is the brainchild of Chef Kelly English. Image: Caleb Sigler for Iris Restaurant Group LLC
Don’t miss out on any of the restaurant’s po’ boys! Image: Caleb Sigler for Iris Restaurant Group LLC
When the weather turns warm, The Second Line’s patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a romantic meal with your sweetheart. Image: Caleb Sigler for Iris Restaurant Group LLC
For Competitive Couples
Railgarten
2166 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 504-4342
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday
If you want a date night destination with great food and drinks, games, and live music, look no further than Railgarten. This Midtown playground, located at the site of a former railroad substation, has it all — hammocks, picnic tables, indoor/outdoor stages, ice cream, tiki drinks, and more. Challenge your date to a game of cornhole, ping-pong, or Connect Four (yes, there is an adult-sized set), or gather a group to play sand volleyball.
For outdoor and indoor dining, check out Railgarten’s funky diner, The Farmer, which serves fun, eclectic fare, such as sloppy joes, brisket nachos, and spicy chicken tenders, in addition to more substantial meals. After exploring the space, you’ll also happen upon surprise spots like a boutique ice cream parlor and a hideaway cocktail bar. As the nights get warmer, grab a lawn chair and enjoy a smorgasbord of live acts — from cover bands to Americana legends.
Enjoy delicious brews and food on Railgarten‘s patio. Image: Railgarten
The Railgarten menu boasts everything from sandwiches to chicken tenders, queso, and more. Image: Railgarten
Challenge your sweetheart to a game of cornhole! Image: Railgarten
Loflin Yard
7 West Carolina Ave., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 290-1140
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday
Situated in the heart of downtown, Loflin Yard is a popular hangout for locals craving outstanding food, games, and libations. A bar, restaurant, and event space, it’s divided into several areas. The front bar room, The Safe House, serves craft cocktails, local beer, and a diverse menu of sandwiches, smokehouse plates, tacos, and shareables. The back bar room, The Coach House, houses another bar with live music on the weekends.
The open lawns, dubbed The Front Yard and The Back Yard, are dog-friendly and packed with picnicking spots, Adirondack loungers, firepits, and games galore. You can play cornhole, badminton, ladder ball, or a giant version of beer pong with soccer balls and red garbage cans meant to double as solo cups. Let the games begin!
Ghost River Brewing Company
827 South Main St., Memphis, TN 38106 • (901) 661-4976
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday
If breweries are your thing, a visit to Ghost River Brewing Company’s South Main Taproom makes a fun date. Sample one of its dozen ales on tap — from core brands to seasonal blends. Enjoy a variety of rotating food trucks and indoor and outdoor games, including ping-pong, cornhole, ladder ball, and lawn darts. Keep an eye on the taproom calendar for occasional live music and weekly trivia nights, too!
Ghost River Brewing Company‘s South Main taproom offers 12 beers on tap, a dog-friendly patio, and a selection of rotating food trucks. Image: Ghost River Brewing Company
Dinner and a Show
Lafayette’s Music Room
2119 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 207-5097
Hours: Monday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Thursday + Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The site of a 1970s venue where greats like Billy Joel, KISS, Leon Russell, and Barry Manilow got their start, Lafayette’s Music Room is a hot spot for music lovers of all genres. Located in the heart of Overton Square, Lafayette’s hosts live bands seven nights a week — from up-and-coming local musicians to touring acts playing rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, blues, soul, and everything in between (check out their diverse calendar HERE).
Listen to music from some of the South’s best undiscovered stars while eating Southern-inspired small plates like Cajun Abita shrimp, crispy pork belly, or loaded cheese fries. Lafayette’s menu also features po’ boys, sliders, wood-fired pizzas, and delectable dishes such as jambalaya pasta, spicy mac and cheese, and shrimp and grits. Desserts are shareable (we recommend the beignets with pecan praline dipping sauce), and the dining area easily doubles as a dance floor. After the show, head out to Lafayette’s balcony for cocktails and chatting until the wee hours.
Lafayette’s Music Room is the perfect spot for delicious food and exciting live music. Image: Lafayette’s Music Room
Pictured here is singer-songwriter Marc Broussard performing his bayou soul at Lafayette’s Music Room. Image: Robert Dye
Itta Bena
145 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 578-3031
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Tucked away on the top floor of B.B. King’s Blues Club, Itta Bena, named for the town where the legendary blues artist was born, serves Southern cuisine with a Delta flair. The posh restaurant has all the hallmarks of fine dining, though the vibe is welcoming and relaxed. Exposed brick walls, mood lighting, and azure-tinted windows overlooking Beale Street give the dining area a rustic, speakeasy feel.
The menu includes mouthwatering appetizers, soups, salads, and entrées ranging from boneless braised short ribs and grilled lamb chops to pan-roasted herb chicken and seared red snapper. Dessert includes Southern classics like bread pudding and cobbler with fresh, seasonal fruit. After dinner, head downstairs for dancing, drinks, and the best rhythm and blues around.
Catherine and Mary’s
272 S Main St Ste. 105-A, Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 254-8600
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday
Catching a show downtown? Located within walking distance of the Orpheum and other Beale Street attractions, Catherine and Mary’s is the perfect place for grabbing a pre-concert dinner or drinks and dessert afterward. Housed inside the former Chisca Hotel, the restaurant has an Old World ambiance with its low lighting, candlelit tables, and a menu of Sicilian and Tuscan specialties. Owned by James Beard-nominated chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, Catherine and Mary’s cuisine is a Southern take on cooking from their Italian grandmothers, for whom the restaurant is named.
Ask your waiter to recommend small plates of pasta to share and pair with the restaurant’s expansive list of wines and hand-crafted cocktails. Polish off your meal with gelato, a cappuccino, or a tantalizing dessert like the chocolate torte. The warm, inviting atmosphere encourages conversation and diners to linger. But make a reservation in advance — the restaurant fills up fast on busy downtown nights!
Enjoy!
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