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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Itta Bena
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Up the fire escape above BB Kings Blues Club lies Memphis' "hidden gem" Itta Bena. Named for the town where legendary BB King was born, Itta Bena embodies the charm and inspiration of fine southern dining. Itta Bena restaurant and bar invites you in for a cool libation and southern cuisine with a Delta twist. From our Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops to our Jumbo Shrimp and Grits and decadent desserts, Itta Bena has something for everyone. So come as you are - no jackets required, for great food in a relaxed atmosphere with unrivaled southern hospitality.
Features
CUISINES
American, Steakhouse, Seafood, Contemporary
Meal types
Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Discover
Full Bar
Live Music
Mastercard
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Valet Parking
Visa
Location
Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 5:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Monday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tuesday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wednesday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thursday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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4.5
625 reviews
Excellent
409
Very good
144
Average
44
Poor
18
Terrible
10
SamandTaylor
88 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Did the usual searches to find the 'best' spot in Memphis/Beale street to have a good dinner (not fried/gravied/burger/bbq). This place popped up, and we could not have been happier with the experience. The prices for a 'fancy' restaurant were reasonable, the ambiance was perfect, and the service was beyond top-notch. (Ask for Sidney). One has to climb 2 flights of stairs to get there - no elevator. They had a duet playing piano and guitar, no voice, just music. The drinks and food were very good. Our bill was about a hundred bucks (we split an entrée) including a cocktail, coffee, and a salad, and dessert. We thought we wanted a seat by the window to see Beale, but it is not really a thing, as you can't see without standing up and looking down. Any table is fine. Would eat there again in a heartbeat.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Val C
Banstead36 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
Great restaurant, great food, service prompt and great live music for some of the time, would have liked longer.
A couple of observations- we requested the peach cobbler when we ordered the main course and our waiter assured us he would keep one aside. Not so, when desert was served he admitted there was no peach cobbler left. Also willing to give our waiter the benefit of the doubt, but he charged us for a more expensive bottle of red wine on the bill. Not sure if it was a genuine error or if he thought we were tipsy like some other ladies in the restaurant! Check your bill before paying.
Written 16 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginny Foxtrott
78 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
On the expensive side but given that we were celebrating a special occasion, booked a table for four.
The secret door is via stairs at the side of the Blues Bar and there is no sign. The decor and ambience is super cool and there is live music which doesn't interfere with conversation. The Service was lovely and the food excellent. We were also given free Beale Street tickets afterwards by our waitress and shown the way downstairs into the Blues bar. I would highly recommend. I wasn't aware that there was a charge to enter Beale St either and that it would be so highly policed. Although we were staying just a 10 mins walk from Beale Street, we were strongly advised to take an Uber. Didn't detract from an amazing night outside of the protected area, think you need to be vigilant.
Written 3 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tourmanager57
Tennessee13 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
Pre Orpheum Theater show dinner with friends… running a little late called ahead, no problem. Food was characteristically great as always and our server Sydney really could not have been better. Restaurant was packed, she was also covering a ten top next to us with another server but always had her eyes on us and head on a swivel. Great food is expected, great service is really a bonus these days as customer service seems to be a lost art!! Cheers to Sydney and team at one of the best eateries in Memphis!! We had lamb chops, lamb lollipops, wedge salads, roasted chicken and the sea bass…. Cooked and seasoned to perfection!
Written 10 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony H
Buckhurst Hill253 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Best spot for dinner before visiting BB Kings club. Our bill for 2 people with cocktails + bottle of wine and 2 courses was ÂŁ200. Above average $ but still value for money and a welcome change from the usual grits and fried food of Memphis. You have guaranteed access via stairs to BB Kings club downstairs without any entrance fee. If you want to enjoy the BB King experience (well worth it) then this restaurant is a good way to go.
Written 3 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris w
8 contributions
May 2023 • couples
A welcome retreat from all of the basic fried chicken joints, this place is cool, refreshing and serves properly good food. The semi-secret entrance is fun to find and service all night was excellent. We spent $200 for a couple on three courses plus some cocktails. There are some variable reviews on here for the food (not sure where those people usually eat!) but I thought it was really very good and would be happy to come back.
Written 9 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JRM
144 contributions
Jun 2023 • family
Dined here at the end of June 2023. The entrance is tough to find, but the hunt was well worth it. The ambiance, with blue tinted windows and lighting, is gorgeous. The food was outstanding, especially the Cajun Abita shrimp--I had to fight my dining companions for the bread to sop up the sauce! The fish (both the salmon and the snapper) were also very tasty, and one of my companions raved about the steak. Our server was very helpful and personable in offering recommendations. The only hiccup was the wine list, which needs to be updated (they were out of our first two choices). This place is truly a hidden gem on Beale Street, convenient to all of the sights but set apart from everything for the perfect getaway or special occasion dinner.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mtzk316
Olive Branch141 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
We arrived and the gentleman at BB Kings showed us where to enter. Walking in, we noticed the restaurant has dim lighting producing a romantic feel. The band was playing some great music. The gentleman sat us near the bar but moved us at my request. Our waiter was thoughtful and offered suggestions. I ordered the half chicken. It was good but the roasted potatoes were the stars of the dish. My wife ordered the shrimp and grits. She was surprised to find that the sauce was extremely spiced. She said the meal would have been perfect without the spicy sauce. We had a great dining experience. They allowed us to go into BB Kings. We sat down and the bartender told us we were keeping him from making money. I told him we spent well over $100 in Itta Bena. I guess they are separate entities. I bought an overpriced drink so that we could sit there a while longer and enjoy the music. I’m glad we chose Itta Bena for my birthday dinner.
Written 14 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hale F
Oxford481 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
We heard this restaurant was good, and it met and exceeded our expectation. It is upstairs above BB Kings bar, on the side street off Beale Street. It has a long steel stairway, so be prepared for the climb. Once in the restaurant it has combined a rustic old building to create an elegant setting The service was "Memphis southern friendly" and attentive. The food was excellent, We split the salad, enjoyed the rack of ribs and the shrimp and grits. It is expensive and is used special occasion, based upon the folks around our table. It also had a good piano guitar combo with helped the causal elegant ambience.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fudgbug
Pelham786 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
A gem of a restaurant, hidden under a blue canopy around the corner from BB Kings and up a flight of stairs and in our opinion not to be missed.
Our men folk had the boneless short ribs that just melted in their mouth.
Try the bacon appetizer. Yum!
The soft jazz music playing in the background, the atmosphere, food and service made for a very memorable evening.
Written 30 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria R
Manalapan17 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
Overall, we had a nice experience. We came here our first night in Memphis to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Our waiter John was awesome from beginning to end! John brought us some champagne to toast our occasion which was very nice! We enjoyed our appetizer which was crab stuffed avocado. The she crab soup wasn’t what we expected, I personally didn’t like it, my husband ate it but John was happy to bring me the special soup of the day, chicken tarragon which was delish! The shrimp and grits was recommended to my husband bc it had a kick to it and I had the short ribs…both were very good, my husband found he isn’t a fan of grits. We ended the night with the apple cobbler to share and my husband loved the chocolate martini! We also got to experience the BB King Club downstairs by going down the private door which was cool!
Written 16 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter D
Hervey Bay1551 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
We visited this restaurant after reading all the good reviews online. It is a little tricky to find, around the corner from BB Kings and upstairs. Anyway after asking in BB Kings we found it.
Great atmosphere, very busy, and certainly very popular. Just as well we had made a reservation in advance.
Good menu, plenty of choices, and a great selection of cocktails and wines.
We went with BBQ shrimp and cobbler of the day for starters. For mains my wife had the salmon and I went with the NZ Lamb Chops. All of the dishes were very good, the only minor blemish is that both main dishes were just a fraction overcooked. My wife’s salmon was a little on the dry side, and my chops were medium, whereas I asked for medium rare.
But overall a good night, and the service was efficient and friendly. The online reviews were right, this is a good restaurant.
Written 29 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
appetitetogo
Mesa395 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
This must be the best restaurant in Memphis. My buddy and I arrived early for our dinner reservation on a busy Saturday evening in early April. The hostess nicely explained she could not seat us immediately as they were booked for the evening, but she suggested we go to the bar, and if anything opened up early she would come get us.
A very fortunate move. Our two bartenders, sorry, I never got their names, a young woman and young man, were the perfect hosts. The two piece male duo just behind us were absolutely wonderful to listen to. Like Marc Cohen said, I was on Beale Street, walking with my feet ten feet off Beale. The first martini was so good, we ordered a second. Had a great conversation with a couple from Little Rock next to us at the bar. Deciding we should consider eating, we asked for menus. Just as we were ready to order, our hostess showed up and said our table was ready.
Were placed at a window side table overlooking the crowds on Beale. Had a fantastic server (Stephon?). The she crab soup was to die for. Our entrees, Cajun pasta and shrimp and grits were heavenly.
The atmosphere is warm, cozy, lively and somewhat dark. If I am ever back in Memphis, this is where I am going.
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nitroliz
637 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
4th visit here, fantastic as always. Our friends were thrilled after the trip up the fire escape, always a fun first timers experience where you don't know what to expect and then always WOW!! Excellent service and food and cocktails, the atmosphere and vibe is upscale but relaxed. The she-crab soup was delicious (my favorite place to get it), and we tried a new shareable appetizer, the pimento cheese dip and onion dip with pita chips, very tasty. My entree was the sea bass over a bed of spinach/red pepper florentine, perfectly prepared. Another wonderful fine dining experience!
Written 18 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara B
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • solo
I had the most delightful dinner at Itta Bena. I enjoyed going up the secret stairway and entering a dark paneled room reminiscent of a speakeasy. The atmosphere felt welcoming from the start.
I was dining alone and I appreciated being seated at a small table by a window, rather than obtrusive lay in the center of the room. I felt I had privacy but could feel the energy in the room as well. A singer and accompanist were playing and they were excellent. They provided enough music to give the setting a sultry atmosphere.
My waiter was young and very friendly. Well versed in the menu. I started with a Memphis Manhattan which was an excellently prepared drink. Tart and refreshing….Buffalo Trace bourbon. Well done.
I had tomato basil soup which was thick and nicely spiced. I LOVED my shrimp and grits. The shrimp were firm, but not overdone. The sauce WS spicy and cheesy smooth and I loved the salty addition of bacon. I found it delicious and very filling.
Crème brûlée for dessert had a perfectly crusted top.
I would go back to Itta Bena anytime I am visiting Memphis. Solid, thoughtful service, good service, warm atmosphere. You can be casual or dressed up and always welcome. A great place for dinner.
Written 16 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Downtown
Memphis Downtown, the city's dynamic core, offers an array of attractions that capture the spirit of this unique southern metropolis. With the mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, the neighborhood is home to the iconic Beale Street, famous for its blues clubs and live music. The National Civil Rights Museum, located in the historic Lorraine Motel, provides a poignant and powerful exploration of American civil rights history. Food lovers will savor the neighborhood's barbecue joints and southern eateries, while transportation is made easy with the convenient trolley system. Amid the sounds of soulful music and the scent of mouthwatering cuisine, Downtown Memphis presents a captivating mix of history, culture, and southern charm.
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