*Updated March 2025 by Dita Faulkner
Steeped in historic charm and brimming with Southern hospitality, Germantown, TN, attracts locals and visitors alike with its lush landscapes and small-town feel. Along with its natural beauty and friendly ambiance, this rural suburb on the eastern outskirts of Memphis is also known for its parks, cultural gems, and a variety of quaint, locally owned restaurants and boutiques. Here are the highlights!
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WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
- Blue Honey Bistro: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, you can enjoy lobster grilled cheese, pasta, salmon, and salads.
- Café Med:  Café Med, a family-owned gem, celebrates its vibrant Syrian heritage through the art of traditional and flavorful cuisine. The dishes are crafted with only the freshest, most authentic ingredients, ensuring every bite is a true delight.
- Casablanca: This cafe specializes in flavorful dishes representing the best of Moroccan, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cuisine, including beef and lamb shawarma, shish kebabs, couscous platters, and tabbouleh. Top off your meal with a cup of Turkish coffee and baklava!
- City Silo Table + Pantry: For tasty food that’s also vegan and gluten-free, this spot has you covered. Grab a Greek yogurt bowl, breakfast burrito, or salad. The smoothies are also a must!
- Crave Sweet Shop: Crave just opened in Germantown! In addition to cupcakes and cookies, you can also order cakes or sweets for your next gathering or party.
- Fino’s From the Hill: Pizzas and sandwiches abound at this perfect lunch spot.
- Forrest Hill Grill: This bar and grill has everything from Angus burgers to seafood and steaks. It also offers Sunday brunch, “Burger Mondays,” and “Prime Rib Saturdays.”
- Garibaldi’s Pizza: Open since 1975, Garibaldi’s has pizza, pasta, subs, and more.
- The Commissary: Visiting here is a rite of passage for barbecue lovers. Named after the small country store that operated at its South Germantown Road location for nearly a century, the Commissary is famous for its hickory-smoked, slow-cooked Memphis-style BBQ.
- Huey’s: A Memphis mainstay for the past 50 years, Huey’s offers a fun, laid-back vibe with graffiti walls, local photos and memorabilia, a spacious patio, and toothpick darts you can shoot into the ceiling. Service is quick, and Huey’s burgers have been voted best in Memphis since 1984.
- Java Café: Java Café is so much more than just coffee and tea. You can also snag mouthwatering breakfast options, hot and cold sandwiches, crisp salads, and take-home casseroles. Fan favorites like the chicken tetrazzini and baked ziti keep customers returning, but why not stop by and discover your favorite?
- JoJo’s Espresso: Grab a seasonal coffee and a pastry to start your morning. Bagels, biscuits, and croissants are also available for those who want something a little heartier.
- Kyuramen:Â located in Germantown Village, Kyuramen will cure your ramen cravings!
- Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana: Founded by Mexico City native and Memphis transplant Jose “Pepe” Magallanes, the deli’s inviting atmosphere is anything but pretentious, yet it takes food very seriously. Menu delicacies include tortas (traditional Mexican sandwiches) as well as fish, chicken, and pork tacos, fresh juices, Mexican Coke, and arguably the best guacamole in town.
- Limelight: Serving craft cocktails and a Southern-style menu, Germantown’s newest restaurant has tons to offer. You can also look forward to seasonal menus and a “Neighborhood Hour” from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Local Lime: Located in the Shops of Saddle Creek, Local Lime specializes in Mexican cuisine and specialty margaritas.
- Memphis Pizza Cafe: Create your own pie or pick a specialty pizza — from the barbecue chicken to the veggie supreme, you can’t go wrong!
- Moondance Grill: This is the brainchild of Tommy and Liz Peters, who own Itta Bena, B.B. King’s, and Lafayette’s in Overton Square. With a lively piano bar that serves craft cocktails and a cozy dining room with a curated playlist, the restaurant is the perfect spot for entertaining friends and family. Its eclectic menu features enticing soups and salads, steaks, creative entrées like maple bourbon-glazed salmon and lamb lollipops, tempting after-dinner drinks, and an exhaustive wine list.
- Rise Southern Biscuits: Get your breakfast fix with a classic donut, chicken biscuit, and cup of coffee.
- Royal Panda: This eatery has brought the flavors of Shanghai, Beijing, and other Chinese regions to Germantown for nearly 30 years. Helmed by Chef San Lien Wu, the restaurant is a local favorite for orange chicken, crispy duck, and other house specialties.
- Sakura Japanese Restaurant: Located off West St., Sakura offers an expansive sushi menu, lunch and dinner bento boxes, and noodles.
- Southern Social: Nestled next to the old Southern Railway’s historic Germantown Depot, this white-tablecloth restaurant has stellar service and a chef-inspired menu with prime steaks, stuffed quail, fresh seafood, classic Southern sides, specialty wines, and decadent desserts.
- Staks Pancake Kitchen: Located in Germantown Village Square, this kitchen-style diner serves up light, fluffy pancakes made the old-fashioned way — with sourdough yeast — as well as hearty omelets, bacon, and other breakfast classics. Also on the menu are yummy shareables, soups, sandwiches, brunch cocktails, and signature coffees brewed with locally roasted beans.
- Sufi’s Mediterranean Grill and Bar: Sufi’s offers the finest authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Don’t miss the house specialty, Koobideh Beef – freshly ground, perfectly seasoned, and expertly grilled.
- Stoney River Steakhouse: This restaurant is located inside Saddle Creek and is excellent for a co-working lunch or date night. Be sure to check out the brunch on Sundays, too!
- Soul Fish Cafe: Craving some good ol’ country cooking? Try the catfish, fresh veggies, po’boys, and more.
- TCBY: Even though it is a chain, the frozen yogurt is still delicious! Grab a scoop after dinner.
- Uncle Goyo’s: This is the spot for a family-style meal with authentic cuisine. Enjoy enchiladas, tacos, and, of course, a margarita.
- Urban Fusion & Asian Bistro: For a fusion of Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, Urban Fusion has an extensive sushi menu, plus an array of hibachi, curry, and noodle dishes.
- Vanelli’s Deli: Build your own sandwich or enjoy a signature option. This spot also offers salads, pasta, and a variety of sides.
- West Street Diner: This breakfast staple has been a Germantown dining tradition for more than thirty years. Enjoy homestyle eggs, omelets, hotcakes, and sides of cheese grits, hash browns, or country ham any time of the day. The 1950s-retro diner also boasts a strong lunch game with hot and cold sandwiches, daily meat and vegetable plate specials, homemade biscuits, cornbread, and pies.
- Wolf River Brisket Co.: With menu items like grilled pimento cheese and jam, sliced brisket sliders, and a three-meat sampler, you get all the tasty Southern classics. And don’t forget the banana pudding for dessert!
- Zen Japanese Fine Cuisine: Also located in Thornwood, this is a fine-dining Japanese experience. They have early bird and lunch menus and a seasonal menu if you’re up for trying something new!
WHERE TO SHOP
- Bella Vita: A local lifestyle and interiors brand focused on bringing more beauty into homes and lives. Owned by husband-and-wife team Brent and Stephanie Singley, this flagship store welcomes shoppers with fanciful displays of jewelry, apparel, linens, bedding, rugs, artwork, pottery, tabletop decor, and more.
- Bob Richards Jewelers: For an anniversary or birthday gift (or even if you want to treat yourself to some new jewelry), Bob Richards carries everything from engagement rings to designer watches.
- Chestnut Hall Fine Furniture and Design: Looking for furniture for your home? Chestnut Hall has everything from couches and coffee tables to chairs and more.
- Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry: From custom bangles and necklaces to your dream ring, they have it all!
- John Mark Enterprises: Want to decorate your home? John Mark has everything from home decor to seasonal items.
- Maggie Louise Bridal: In the market for a wedding gown? Established in 2012, this boutique is home to beautiful luxury gowns. Find your perfect dress while enjoying a great experience!
- More Than Words: Germantown’s go-to gift shop for weddings and baby showers, housewarmings, birthdays, graduations, and other special events. Inside its diverse showroom, you’ll find designer jewelry, trendy apparel, distinct serving pieces, gifts for pet lovers, and creations by local artists, including framed calligraphy by owner and artist Lee Ann McGhee.
- Mozelle Boutique: To stay on trend, Mozelle has the latest sweaters, jeans, and shoes for each season.
- Shops of Saddle Creek: This shopping center boasts a collection of upscale boutiques and high-end fashion, beauty, home, and technology brands, with stores like Lululemon, Madewell, Free People, Vineyard Vines, Tecovas, and more. It also offers tons of events and a concert series in the summer!
- Southern Avenue Company: As a premier luxury gift shop and concierge gifting service, Southern Avenue Company takes pride in creating moments of happiness and elevating every experience with thoughtful, beautiful expressions. Fine jewelry, unique home décor, apparel, and accessories are just some of the great gift inspirations available.
- Two Doors Down: Looking for the perfect gift? This boutique has handpicked items, a bridal registry, and numerous designer brands for the home.
MORE TO EXPLORE
- Bobby Lanier Farm Park: This 10-acre working farm has a community garden, garden tours, and more. Oaklawn Gardens, a six-acre botanical garden and museum on old Poplar Pike, showcases artifacts from Germantown’s early history as well as azaleas, irises, daffodils, and other native plants.
- Germantown Charity Horse Show: This popular event shows off its skillful riders and graceful horses each June.
- Germantown Community Theatre. Catch a community theater production at this nonprofit. This company puts on plays every season and also sponsors a concert series.
- Germantown Farmers’ Market: In the summer, shop for fresh produce and enjoy live music and cooking demonstrations every Thursday night.
- Germantown Festival: This festival, which is located at Germantown Civic Club Complex, includes games, local vendors, food trucks, and more. Admission is free.
- Germantown Performing Arts Center: If you prefer more artsy activities, you’re in luck! This center has a year-round calendar of musical and theatrical performances featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed acts as well as local performers. Its newly built 1,200-person outdoor amphitheater, The Grove, is a hot spot for outdoor concerts and movie nights.
- Wolf River Nature Area: Feeling outdoorsy? You can paddle down the Wolf River, play on a natural beach, bike, or take a nature walk down the four-mile paved Germantown Greenway, which runs alongside the river and links up with the Wolf River Greenway.
Here’s to many adventures in this lovely Memphis community!
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