14 must-try Memphis restaurants opening in 2024, from a tropical escape to turkey legs
There is a lot to look forward to in the new year. From reinvented restaurants from top Memphis chefs to new brunch concepts to a tropical bar and brewery taprooms, there are several new, exciting dining concepts set to open in 2024.
Here are some of the most anticipated eateries opening in the coming year.
Kinfolk
111 Harbor Town Square
Kinfolk will soon have its own home. The popular weekend breakfast pop-up at Comeback Coffee is set to open at 111 Harbor Town Square in February.
Serving breakfast and lunch, the 1,500-square-foot restaurant will seat 40 guests and have an outdoor patio.
Chef and owner Cole Jeanes said his most popular biscuit sandwiches will remain on the menu, but to expect much more.
“There will be a plethora of menu items,” he said, explaining the concept will be like an upscale Waffle House. He said the menu will be Southern-inspired, but with some global influences.
The MVP (Most Valuable Plate) is what Jeanes called “tipping our hats to Waffle House’s all-star legacy.” Two eggs cooked to order will be served with your choice of Old Bay hashbrowns or grits, biscuit or toast, spicy sausage, Tasso ham or coffee bacon and a griddle cake.
Creative brunch cocktails are also on the menu, including a Cheer-Wine Negroni made with Wonderbird Gin, Campari, Cheerwine and orange.
Mary’s B.O.T.E.
588 S. Cooper St.
With a name like “Bar of Tropical Escapism,” you know you are in for some fun.
Mary’s B.O.T.E. (which stands for Bar of Tropical Escapism) is the latest bar concept from longtime bartenders and Cameo owners Mary Oglesby and Paul Gilliam.
The duo has been hosting a weekly “Tropical Tuesdays” night at Cameo, 1835 Union Ave. Due to its popularity, they decided to create a new immersive bar concept that transports its clientele to a tropical paradise through the spot’s décor and cocktails. Fun tropical-themed glassware and garnishes will add to the vibe.
Oglesby was quick to point out that B.OT.E. will not be a tiki bar, which limits the offerings to a certain region. Instead, they will serve cocktails from tropical regions around the globe, like Hurricanes from New Orleans, Singapore Slings from Singapore and Planter’s Punch from Jamaica.
Gilliam and Oglesby hope to open Mary’s B.O.T.E. in February.
Uncle Red’s Turkey Legs
Two locations: 786 Echles St. and 2538 Broad Ave.
Uncle Red's Turkey Legs is a concept that was created by Christopher "FreeSol" Anderson and Tony Westmoreland. It has been operating out of Carolina Watershed, but Westmoreland said two new locations will open in 2024. The first spot is set to open in February in the former Salt | Soy building at 2583 Broad Ave., and the second location will open in March in the former Avenue Coffee at 786 Echles St.
Known for its flavored and stuffed turkey legs, Uncle Red's uses family recipes and seasonings to provide a uniquely delicious turkey leg experience. Named after FreeSol's late uncle Michael "Red Bone" Anderson, their turkey legs “fall-off-da-bone” and melt in your mouth.
The legs can be ordered three ways. Seasoned turkey legs are the original recipe using a secret family seasoning blend. Flavored legs are given a hot wings treatment and slathered in your choice of Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan, TN Whiskey, Cajun Alfredo, Barbecue or Honey Gold sauce. They also come “stuffed” with fillings like Aunties Mac and Cheese and Low Down Dirty Rice. There are more than a dozen signature stuffed legs on the menu.
Evergreen Grill
212 N. Evergreen St.
Evergreen Grill will open early spring in the space that was formerly Café Society.
Chef David Todd has partnered the Green Beetle owner Josh Huckaby and general manager Meredith Brocato to create a concept Todd describes as “a well-intentioned neighborhood bar and grill.”
Todd said he wants the space to be the neighborhood joint in Midtown that everyone goes to.
Menu offerings will be inspired by some of the creative bar fare Todd served during his time at Longshot (the restaurant and bar in the basement of the Arrive Memphis hotel) and the less-fine dining dishes on his menu at much-missed Interim. Todd said to expect the dishes to be approachable and casual.
The restaurant space has been updated, with new floors, fresh paint and removing a wall to open up the bar to the dining room. The outdoor patio will be spruced up as well.
JEM
644 Madison Ave.
JEM Dining chef and owner Josh Mutchnick plans to open a new 3,400-square-foot restaurant at 644 Madison Ave. this spring. The space is alongside Rootstock Wine Merchants in the Edge District of Downtown Memphis.
Mutchnick launched JEM Dining as a pop-up dinner concept in 2022 and said that it’s been a lifelong dream to open a brick-and-mortar location.
Mutchnick describes JEM as "approachable fine dining." “I want people to come in for a date night, and for an after-dinner drink and snack with friends,” he said.
Offerings will be “New American” fare with global influences. “I have always expressed myself through food and cooking,” said Mutchnick, adding that many dishes will be influenced by his travels. “And I want to cook food that I am excited about because that will be the best food I can create.”
A Short Rib Adobo is a dish he said illustrates how he will take a dish and put his own spin and personality on it. “This ode to a classic Filipino dish sums up what we are going to do,” he said.
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The restaurant will feature an open kitchen, a bar and a private dining room.
The name JEM is two-fold in meaning. It is the initials of Mutchnick and his wife, Emily, as well as stands for “Just Enjoy the Moment.”
Biscuits & Jams + The Juke
Hotel Indigo, 24 N. B.B. King Blvd.
Biscuits & Jams is bringing its popular brunch fare to Downtown Memphis. The second location for the Bartlett-based brunch restaurant will open in Hotel Indigo in early 2024.
Biscuits & Jams will take over the space at 24 N. B.B. King Blvd. that was formerly 3rd & Court Diner. Owner Monique Williams said she hopes the new restaurant will open by March.
Biscuits & Jams will be the official food service establishment for the 118-room hotel, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and an evening dining service Williams calls “brinner.”
The menu will include all the Biscuits & Jams favorites, plus additional items. Williams said to expect more Creole dishes (their signature Shrimp & Crawfish Creole Eggs Benedict is a customer favorite), pasta dishes and a new steak for the dinner menu. A daily happy hour will also be part of the new concept.
Williams will also be taking over the basement lounge at Hotel Indigo. Originally the home of the Memphis Sounds Lounge, the basement will be reopened as “The Juke.” Expect a classic Delta Southern juke joint experience, complete with Moonshine-based drinks.
Feast & Graze
109 S. Highland St., Suite 103
Feast & Graze is moving from Downtown to East Memphis. The popular charcuterie spot from Cristina McCarter (who also runs City Tasting Box and the Craft Food & Wine Festival) will open in the spring.
The 1,300-square-foot shop and café will include a “made-to-order” charcuterie bar. “Think like when you go to a Chipolte or a Cava, but with charcuterie,” McCarter said.
Like at the Downtown location, Feast & Graze will have a selection of grab-and-go charcuterie boxes, gourmet sandwiches and salads and a retail marketplace for all your charcuterie board needs.
New will be an offering of fresh cold-pressed juices, wellness teas and smoothies. McCarter has partnered with her cousin Sierra Rhodes, who will make her HighP Hour Wellness offerings part of the new concept.
Memphis Made Brewery: A New Downtown Taproom
435 Madison Ave.
Memphis Made Brewery will open the taproom at its new Downtown brewery this spring. The 10-year-old craft brewery began brewing in the new facility last year.
Located at 435 Madison Ave., the new brewery facility will boast a taproom overlooking the Ravine in the Edge District of Downtown Memphis.
Andy Ashby, who founded Memphis Made Brewery with Drew Barton, said the new taproom will have a more modern look than the original Midtown taproom. The new taproom space features large windows and an expansive outdoor patio overlooking the Ravine greenspace.
The original brewery and taproom in Cooper-Young will remain open.
Felicia Suzanne’s
383-385 S. Main St.
Downtown Memphis dining staple Felicia Suzanne's will soon be in its new home. After a two-year delay, construction is set to start in early 2024.
In September 2021, the restaurant announced it would be leaving its home of more than 20 years. The restaurant — which had been located on Main between Madison and Monroe since the early 2000s — is relocating to 383-385 S. Main St.
Serving American cuisine with a Southern, low-country flair, the restaurant is the brainchild of its namesake owner and executive chef, Felicia Suzanne Willett.
The new location will be both a restaurant and an adjoining to-go and retail shop.
Willett said the menu at the new restaurant will feature all the old favorites, plus new dishes as she expands to beyond just Southern low country fare to “American” cuisine. She said the dining room will feel more intimate than at the original Felicia Suzanne’s, and will include a private dining room as well as a kitchen table.
Called Flo’s, the shop will feature products from Flo’s Homemade Goodness, Willett’s line of condiments, pickles and jams, products and food from other local vendors, as well as prepared foods and grab-and-go lunch items.
Willett said the new restaurant should open in the mid-year, with Flo’s marketplace coming later in the fall.
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Memphis Filling Station
206 G.E. Patterson Ave.
Set to open mid-summer, Memphis Filling Station will be the newest addition to Memphis’ ever-growing craft brewery scene. Located in the former Crossfit and Run site, the 4,300-square-foot space will include a taproom and brewery.
The small craft brewery was created by friends and fellow-homebrewers Bryan Berretta, Heather Reed, Scott-Kley-Contini and Jesse Lara. The group has been participating in charitable events like MoSH’s Science of Beer for more than a decade and decided to create a business out of their hobby.
Berretta said Memphis Filling Station will be a small batch brewery that is community focused. “We will be in a few bars and pubs in towns, but have no plans for widespread distribution,” he said. “We want to do it the most Memphis-way possible, creating a space that gives back to the community that has given us so much.”
The taproom will have 12 taps and offerings will change often. “We have over 100 recipes,” he said. “We want to offer something new and different every time you come in.”
The brewery and taproom will also have a flexible community space that will be available for events.
A few more Memphis restaurant tidbits
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint is set to open its first Memphis location on Jan. 29. The restaurant known for its beer selection and high-end burgers will be located in Cooper-Young at 2197 Central Ave.
The iconic Front Street Deli at the corner of Union Avenue and Front Street is set to open in early 2024. The sandwich shop at 77 S. Front is one of the oldest delis in Memphis and was featured in the 1993 film “The Firm.” It has been closed while the building underwent a multiyear renovation. Owner Tony Westmoreland of Tandem Restaurant Partners said the menu will be influenced by the old menu, but will include new options as well.
Madison Tavern will open in the former site of Local on the Square, which closed on Oct. 28 after 11 years of business. The new restaurant at 2126 Madison Ave. will be owned by Tim Quinn, the owner and operator of Local on Main St. restaurant in Downtown Memphis. (While the two Local restaurants had the same name, they were owned and operated by separate ownership.) The restaurant should open in early 2024.
A new sports bar and live music venue is set to open in The Shops at Carriage Crossing in Collierville in early summer 2024. Wolf River Hospitality Group, the parent company of Pyro's Fire Fresh Pizza, Wolf River Brisket Co., Abner’s Famous Chicken, Levee Coffee & Creamery and Limelight, said the high-end gastropub will offer a full-service restaurant and bar, numerous high-definition TVs and a stage for live music.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New Memphis restaurants opening in 2024: 14 you won't want to miss
