Steeped in historic charm and brimming with Southern hospitality, Germantown, TN, beckons locals and visitors alike with its idyllic neighborhoods, 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 variety of quaint, locally owned restaurants and boutiques. Join us as we explore Germantown!
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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.
- 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, we have found the spot for you. Grab a Greek yogurt bowl, breakfast burrito, or salad. The smoothies are also a must!
- Crave Sweet Shop: Crave just opened in Germantown! With an array of items like cupcakes and cookies, you can also order a cake 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. They also have Sunday brunch, “Burger Mondays,” and “Prime Rib Saturdays.”
- Garibaldi’s Pizza: Open since 1975, Garibaldi’s has pizza pies, pasta, subs, and more.
- The Commissary: A visit 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 ribs, pulled pork plates, and sandwiches served with delicious sides like beans, slaw, and deviled eggs. Along with food “so good you’ll slap your mama,” as its slogan says, you can buy savory rubs and sauces to take home. And don’t leave without trying dessert! For us, it’s a toss-up between the banana pudding and the lemon icebox pie.
- Happy Glaze Donuts: Get your coffee and donut fix! The donut shop makes fresh-from-the-oven mini-donuts in various flavors, from cream cheese glaze to s’mores. Pick up a box of a dozen for just $5 and grab a cup of joe brewed with freshly roasted beans from 901 Roasted.
- Huey’s: A Memphis mainstay for “blues, brews and burgers” 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. You can also find local brews like Wiseacre and Ghost River on tap, along with basket specials like steak and chicken kabobs and an impressive sandwich and salad lineup.
- JoJo’s Espresso: Grab a seasonal coffee and a pastry to start your morning! They also have bagels, biscuits, and croissants for those who want something a little heartier.
- Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana: This is the place to go for the most authentic south-of-the-border experience. Founded by Mexico City native and Memphis transplant Jose “Pepe” Magallanes out of a desire to share his passion for his native cuisine with his neighbors, the deli’s inviting atmosphere punctuated by Pepe-isms is anything but pretentious, yet it takes its food very seriously. Every morning, Pepe’s son and co-owner Jonathan shops at multiple markets to ensure the deli has the freshest ingredients. Menu delicacies include tortas (traditional Mexican sandwiches) as well as fish, chicken and pork tacos, elote (steamed corn with a heavenly blend of mayo, red pepper, cheese, and lime juice), fresh juices, Mexican Coke, and arguably the best guacamole in town.
- Limelight: Serving craft cocktails and a Southern-styled menu, Germantown’s newest restaurant has tons to offer! They also have seasonal menus and a “Neighborhood Hour” from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- 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: 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 the 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 a 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 has an expansive sushi menu and lunch and dinner bento boxes and noodles.
- Southern Social: Aptly 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. Sit inside to savor its elegant ambiance, or dine al fresco on the patio.
- Staks Pancake Kitchen: Kick your morning off right with a trip to Staks’s. 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, flavored bacon, and other breakfast classics. Order a specialty stack like the Elvis (chocolate and banana pancakes with peanut butter glaze), or customize your own with more than a dozen toppings from cookie butter to praline sauce. Also on the menu are yummy shareables, soups, sandwiches, brunch cocktails, and signature coffees brewed with locally roasted beans.
- 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 their 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 one. This spot also offers salads, pasta, and an array of sides.
- West Street Diner: This breakfast staple has been a Germantown dining tradition for 30-plus years. Enjoy homestyle eggs, omelets, and hotcakes, along with 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 sammies, 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, you can find a finer dining Japanese experience. They have an early bird and lunch menu 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 if you want to treat yourself to some new jewelry, Bob Richards carries everything from engagement rings to designer watches.
- Cashmere & Roses: This store offers a wide variety of clothing for your inner fashionista, including the hottest trends in tops, bottoms, dresses, jumpsuits, outerwear, and accessories.
- 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 and door hangers.
- 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!
- 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. They put on plays every season and also sponsor 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 includes games, local vendors, food trucks, and more. Admission is free, and the festival is located at Germantown Civic Club Complex.
- 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.
COMING SOON
- Local Lime: Located in Shops of Saddle Creek, Local Lime will specialize in Mexican cuisine along with specialty margaritas. Stay tuned for the opening.
- Kyuramen will open soon in Germantown Village to cure your ramen cravings!
Here’s to many adventures in this lovely and charming Memphis community!
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