Itta Bena

Southern restaurant (US) · South Forum

Itta Bena

Southern restaurant (US) · South Forum

1

145 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103

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Highlights

Dimly lit cabaret with Southern bites, live music, cocktails  

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145 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103 Get directions

ittabenadining.com
@ittabenamemphis

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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145 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103 Get directions

+1 901 578 3031
ittabenadining.com
@ittabenamemphis

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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@eater

The 21 Best Restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee | Eater Nashville

"Located just above B.B. King’s Blues Club, where the music will thump so loud it’s spill through the floor, Itta Bena acts as an upscale Southern restaurant with its own easygoing live music most nights. Start with the cheese Bayou crab dip stuffed with Cajun seasoning and lump crab and share a plate of crisp wedge salad with smoked bacon strips. The she-crab soup offers more lump crab in a rich, sherry cream tinted with chives and red pepper flakes. Shrimp and grits are excellent, with big U-10 shrimp sitting atop a bed of smoked gouda grits. For dessert, get the ice cream-topped chocolate brownie." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

https://nashville.eater.com/maps/best-memphis-restaurants
View Postcard for Itta Bena

Demi R

Google
The perfect word to describe Itta Bena is PHENOMENAL. From the service, to the live music, and delicious food. Everything was spectacular! My husband and I ordered the shrimp and boneless ribs. The food was perfectly seasoned, bursting with flavour with every bite. Our server, John was absolutely fantastic. He was friendly, funny, and made our day special. We were celebrating my promotion and John was kind enough to recommend the lovely bread pudding. Wow! The perfect sweet treat to end a beautiful dinner. I am grateful we visited Itta Bena and we will certainly be back when we are in the Memphis area.

A M

Google
04/04/2025- even better than the first visit! Brought some out-of-town friends for birthday celebration and definitely was not disappointed, thank you! 🙏💜 First review: I’ve been on a little Memphis fancy restaurant tour lately looking to be blown away, but it hasn’t happened and I was getting a little sad. Until I went to Itta Bena!! I can’t brag on them enough and I will certainly be back. Service and atmosphere is important, but kinda simple to achieve. Itta Bena definitely delivers that. Food, though, can be hard, and these people know what they are doing! Thank you for a wonderful time!

Billie Jo Hayes

Google
This really is a hidden gem! Speakeasy vibe with an eclectic menu. Gluten-free options are clearly marked on the menu which is much appreciated. I had the Jumbo Shrimp & Grits and it was so good! My partner that has no dietary restrictions had the Cajun Pasta. He said it was very good as well.

Debisree Ray

Google
This is hands-down one of the best spots in Memphis for Southern delicacies! Tucked away in speakeasy style without its own sign, it’s a hidden gem located right on Beale Street, above BB King’s Club. We visited on a Sunday evening to celebrate a birthday, and though we had reservations, the place wasn’t fully packed. The vibe was cozy, and the servers? Incredibly warm and sweet. We kicked things off with a crab dip, and wow—what a start! Some of us ordered drinks, and everyone loved them. The appetizer was downright addictive, so much so that we had to ask for extra bread (though heads up—they charge for that). For the main course, I went with the boneless braised short ribs served with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus. Every bite was rich, flavorful, and absolutely indulgent. The meat was fall-apart tender, perfectly seasoned, and paired with a hearty sauce that screamed comfort. It was so filling I couldn’t finish it, but the server kindly packed it up for me with care. They offered a complimentary dessert ( of our choice) for the birthday girl, with a fun sparkler! We picked the crème brûlée, and it was on point—crispy caramelized top and creamy perfection underneath. Beyond the food, I loved the laid-back ambiance and the warm, vintage charm of the interiors. This place is a total win for great food and a cozy, memorable dining experience!

Jose Perez

Google
After several years of choosing Itta Bena for birthdays and date nights, I can confidently say we won’t be returning. Despite giving it multiple chances—even after saying it would be our last time—it continues to disappoint. The service has been consistently poor, and the food quality has gone downhill. Unfortunately, it’s no longer worth the time or money.

Sarah M

Google
Honesty, I think this was the best dinner I’ve had in Memphis. Our server Jonathan was amazing and went above and beyond normal service. We got: She-Crab soup - wonderful flavor, piping hot, and did not hold back on the crab. Bacon app - my goodness, I’ve never eaten something so well done. And the blue berry compote was the star next to the bacon. Mac & cheese - cheesy and delicious Shrimp & grits - shrimp cooked perfectly, slightly salty, but not really in a bad way. The mushrooms & shallots made it sing. Tomahawk Pork chop - such a bizarre combination of flavors that actually really worked! Individually they were just okay, but all together were a perfect bite. Got the Old Fashioned and it was wonderful! And they do a damn good extra dirty martini. Will 100% be back. And requesting for Jonathan!

Carlyshia

Google
Had an amazing night. Our server, Aaron was very professional. He was friendly and helped us decide on entrees and dessert. Would love to come back and have him as our server

Shevon Q

Google
I found Itta Bena on Eater and it didn't disappoint! I had the cajun-ish shrimp with the most amazing bread and the lamb lollipops. It was a lovely meal with a live piano and saxophone music. My server Chris was excellent.
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Kashunda D.

Yelp
Anniversary dinner! The restaurant is nestled above BB Kings ....and the vibe is giving romantic and sexy speakeasy! They have live music and the walls are filled with art representing the rich musical history of Memphis! We were welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne from the manager (anniversary). The cocktails are well crafted, the food was delightful and the live music definitely tipped the scale.
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Alexandra R.

Yelp
It felt cool to walk up the unassuming side stairway and emerge inside a fairly fancy restaurant, and my drink was good, but the food left a lot to be desired and, ultimately, I felt like we feel into a bit of a tourist trap because of that. We got the smoked bacon appetizer -- it was probably 85% fat & 15% meat... At one point I had to stand up and walk to the bar to grab a napkin to you into after I had tried to chew through the tough meat for what felt like an eternity. I got the Chilean sea bass for an entree -- it lacked any flavor at all; again, maybe they assume tourists have bland pallets, but even some salt and pepper would have gone a long way. The creamed spinach that came with it was equally bland (and didn't seem to be creamed at all). Just overall a really big let down on the actual dining part of the dining experience, despite a cool feel.
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Claralyn B.

Yelp
Itta Bena in Memphis is amazing! We were in town with my boyfriend's Mom and took her to dinner. Will and I have been to Itta Bena last year. His Mom really enjoyed our meal. We started with candied bacon charcuterie-style board and crab dip appetizers. They were delicious. The bacon was super thick cut, almost like pork belly thickness. It was served with blueberry jam with chunks of berries, slices of baguette and cheeses. The cream dip was served hot and with toasted baguette slices. Just so delicious! I ordered the stuffed chicken that came with fingerling potatoes and sautéed spinach. My boyfriend ordered the lamb with risotto and it was prepared perfectly. His Mom ordered the crab bisque soup and Caesar salad. We enjoyed sharing a bottle of Malbec wine too. Ambiance is muted and stylish. You can hear the music coming up from B.B. Kings restaurant downstairs. Our server was excellent and attentive. I'd give more than five stars to Itta Bena!l
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Kristine C.

Yelp
Found this place while searching good restaurants in Memphis. Looks like a speakeasy because it didn't have any signs and wasn't advertised. The food was decent, nothing spectacular. I ordered the boneless short rib and it tasted like beef stew. The server did allow me to swap the garlic mashed potatoes for risotto at no additional cost. For the price of the food, usually should come with complimentary bread service but it didn't. Service was professional. The place was dim with blue lit up windows to give a nice fancy vibe. There was a live pianist and saxophonist around the corner. Ladies restroom was nice. We went with our family of 5 and had a new experience.
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Diana C.

Yelp
An absolute must if in Memphis. I was referred here by my wax tech and let me just say it did not disappoint. I highly recommend Cajun Abita Shrimp for an appetizer. It has a kick to it and the flavor was amazing, the beer bread even better when you dip it in the broth. For my entree I got the Atlantic Salmon.....buenísimo. The crisp outside of the fish was perfect. The service was impeccable and I appreciated his recommendations and attentive refills of our waters. Gregory did his thing taking care of us. The ambiance was mellow and chill with the live music in the background. An overall must!
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Casey K.

Yelp
Itta Bena is located above BB Kings. It is a bit "hidden" as there is no signage and you must find the blue awning then go up a set of stairs to an unmarked glass door. Don't be alarmed you are in the right palace even if it doesn't feel like it.  My friend and I had a reservation and were sat immediately after we checked in.  The menu has a little bit for everyone including appetizers, soups and salads, entrees, steaks and more. I ordered the she crab soup with lump crab meat, cream, dry sherry, chives, red pepper flakes. This was delicious! I wish I had ordered a whole bowl vs. just a cup of soup but I needed to save room for my entree. For my entree I enjoyed the Atlantic Salmon with wild rice, green beans, and a lemon butter caper cream sauce. The atmosphere was welcoming and a bit upscale all at once. During my visit, they had live music playing in the background near the bar area.  I'd recommend making a reservation and visiting this place for dinner or drinks!
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Thomas E M.

Yelp
Crowded, for a good reason. We had no reservation, so we ate at the bar. It's a small bar, lots of activity, lots of hands in the bar, doing different things, it was like having great seats at a ballet that knew how to move around each other. We even got to talk to the bartender, mid cocktail shaking. Before I get too far, the cocktails were great. We weren't the only people eating at the bar. Single people in town on business, other tourists in groups of two, and us. Just finding the place was half the battle. It had been referred to us by people who frequented Beale Street. You go up this forbidden stairwell, use the secret handshake and your in. My wife's correcting me, there was no secret handshake, but it sure seemed like there should've been. Our spot at the bar was right next to the two-piece band that was entertaining. There was a guitarist and a piano player, and it positively impacted the ambience of the establishment. This review is being written a month after our visit, and I can't remember the specifics of what we ate. We shared a very tasty blue cheese, wedge salad, and a special Cajun shrimp dish. I was not feeling blue while eating at this restaurant, I'll be back.
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Nene H.

Yelp
Would not have expected a spot like this on Beale street. So happy we found it. It's a lovely oasis from the general clamor of the street below. It's romantic and intimate. The service is wonderful and the food is well made. Always make sure to ask for bread--it's house-made and melts in your mouth. The only reason I'm knocking off a star is because it is mot in the least bit accessible--you've gotta climb some really suspect stairs to reach it lol. Worth it though!
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Jessica M.

Yelp
This place is very, very good and always a great option for dinner before going to the Orpheum across the street. The entrance is not marked at all, so be on the lookout. It's a little blue awning with a set of stairs, on the side of the B.B. King club. Go up the stairs and to the left and voila! You're there. The service is amazing and everyone is very accommodating. This most recent time, we got the crab dip as an appetizer and the host offered to bring out extra bread when he noticed we still had some dip left over. My favorite thing on the menu is the goat cheese stuffed chicken. I've tried to recreate it at home and I just can't do it justice. It's a must-try!
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Angie J.

Yelp
Amazing experience! Here are some things to keep in mind: It's downtown on Beale Street above BB King Restaurant. The entrance is on the side of the building up some stairs. Be mindful of your shoe choice especially if you struggle in heels. I didn't notice an elevator so if stairs aren't comfortable ot you're physically unable pick a different place. There's no onsite parking so you have to pay to park. Be mindful during events downtown fees increase so plan accordingly. They have a piano and live music as well. One of our guests didn't enjoy the extra "noise". Now with that out of the way this is a must try! I've been wanting to check them out but the location was always sketchy to me. Don't allow that to stop you. It's such an elegant establishment. Service is top notch. The menu is great and my party of 7 enjoyed their meal mostly. I had the stuff chicken. Definitely a keeper. My fingerling potatoes were not good at all, that's why the 4 stars. But the chicken was perfection and I didn't think I would enjoy the spinach as much as I did. I was able to sample the braised short ribs my sister had. I'm going back for that. Awesome flavor. She said her potatoes were runny, but the side of creamed spinach was an excellent choice. I sampled that too. My husband enjoyed his Cajun pasta. He raved about it. The lamb chops and sea bass were also a hit and the sweet potato casserole. We were out celebrating 3 birthdays so each guest had the opportunity to pick their dessert from the dessert menu and not just given the traditional birthday cupcake or whatever. Definitely a win. The peach cobbler received rave reviews and the crème brûlée was one of the best I've ever had. It's in my top 3! Overall it was an amazing dining experiences and we are going back for sure!
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K G.

Yelp
A little hard to find, but it was worth it. It is approached by going up a steep staircase. Food was great service was great. staff was very friendly.
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Breanna T.

Yelp
First let me start that this place is not accessible for people with disabilities... only steps to enter the building. No elevator so beware. This was my first time here and it was a good experience. The place is very well decorated and even with it being late and almost closing time they still gave great service. We sat at the bar and Cameron was great. I told him to make me his best mocktail and he did just that. The crab stuffed shrimp was so good and flavorful definitely recommend as an appetizer. It is only 3 shrimps so beware lol. For the entree I got the braised short rib.. so good and tender! Very tasty and full of flavor. Cant wait to go back and try more.
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Malinda F.

Yelp
Difficult to find address on Beale but entrance on second Lots of stairs Loud but live music Above bb kings Food great but $$$ be prepared
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Loren S.

Yelp
No words to describe our experience. Well, maybe I can find some. Located above BB King's, you pass under a blue awning then up a set stairs at the side of the BBK's. Not labeled so seems sketchy, but it really is not. Kind of IYKYK. Have to shout out to Jocelyn. Our server was superb. On spot with every recommendation and made sure we had a great experience beyond just enjoyment of the food. Nice place, quiet enough for conversation but also with some live easy listening music which was welcomed. Dress ranged from under to over dressed. I would suggest look nice; slacks and a presentable shirt or sweater, maybe a jacket. Not pretentious but the ambience deserves a respectable clientele. Hand crafted cocktails were really good. Flavorful and not overpowering. Had the Beale Street Bourbon Punch and the Delta Queen and the Blue Window. BSBP was the best but all were excellent and refreshing. Lamb popsicles and crab stuffed shrimp apps. WOW. I have had lamb literally all over the world (Iceland, for example, where it is crazy good) and this was the best I have ever eaten. Perfectly cooked, moist, flavorful. The shrimp had excellent flavor also. Soup of the day was a shrimp and corn chowder that was super. Again, great taste. All of these are "must orders". Dinners were super also. 2 orders of the fish special, a blackened red snapper on a bed of grits with asparagus on the side. Best snapper EVER! Just the perfect mix of flavors in total and perfectly cooked. Braised short rib was rich but had excellent Merlot sauce flavor, 3 large pieces of meat pulled apart and was paired with excellent mashed potatoes. Jumbo shrimp and grits again excellent. Lots of places do a version of shrimp and grits, and no one has done it better for us. And we lived in Louisiana for 10 years. Too much food but we had to try desert. Had the peach cobbler and a brownie. Both really good. Brownie was topped with ice cream, had a warm and soft center and was our favorite. One of the best meals we have ever eaten. Great experience overall also. Book a reservation and enjoy the experience. Just do it. Guess I found my words.
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Leslie T.

Yelp
The ambience of this restaurant is really cool. It is dimly lit, classy but a hint of a rustic feel to the decor. There are portraits of blues and jazz artists lining the walls, and there is a cool blue tint to the surrounding windows that adds a tint to the overall lighting. The table my party sat at was located under the AC unit and some condensation was dripping onto a couple of people. The manager apologized and offered to move us to another table, but we were close to finishing by the time he came over, so he offered to comp some of our entrees. The food was decent. I got the lamb sliders which were tasty and the Mac and cheese, which was just okay. I also ordered a key lime pie to go that tasted sweet and hardly like key lime at all (no tartness) but was good nonetheless. One thing that I'm not a fan of is that the only way to enter and exit is through the old carpeted stairs on the side of the building. I would go again, but it wasn't amazing enough for me to suggest.
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Tarshe C.

Yelp
Hands down, some of the best food I've had this year, even though the year just started. Itta Bena, is located in Downtown Memphis on Beale Street (at the top of BB Kings) . They serve Southern American dishes. Ambiance, is both romantic and casual. They had live jazz playing the night we attended. We went for my husband 48th Birthday. Menu has several options to choose from Steaks, Chicken, Seafood, etc. We ordered the crab dip for starters, it was a great choice- cheesy and flavorful and I enjoyed it. Taste of the short rib was my husbands favorite, it has a red wine based gravy. And the mashed potatoes and asparagus was very tasty and perfectly prepared. I went for the Salmon, lightly seared and seasoned but the capers sauce top it off for me (ask for extra) it was my favorite. The green bean was just okay (not a fan) but the rice was very good. Plenty of people ordered the She Crab soup, I'll be back for that one. The Service was good too, just not everyone seems to be in a good spirit though, that's my reasoning for 4 star. Overall this place Impressed me. Recommendations for the cocktails, The Sidecar. Absolutely the best cocktail thus far...

Valecia J.

Yelp
Ambiance! Food! Service! EVERYTHING was esthetically clean! Walking up the stairs was a task Overall it was a pleasant
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Tommy R.

Yelp
I took my son to Itta Bena for his 25th birthday. What a great experience! I had the shrimp and grits. It was a little too heavy on the onion for my taste but still very good. My son had the filet and enjoyed it very much. It was cooked to perfection. I also had the Old Fashion, which was made to perfection. The stand-out was our server, Stevin. I have never had better service in Memphis. He was knowledgeable about the menu. He took care of the "little things" that is the mark of a great server. Dirty dishes were taken off the table quickly. Used silverware was taken away quickly. Water glasses were filled quickly, etc. Servers in Memphis could take a lesson from this guy! It's a little pricey ($40 for shrimp and grits) but well worth it for the service and ambiance. I highly recommend!
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Amber A.

Yelp
Service 10/10. Super attentive and friendly. Food 10/10. Everything was delicious!!! Came out on time. Honestly, just yum all around. Vibe 10/10. felt like a speakeasy but in a restaurant form. Was intimate but not too loud. Would go back and would recommend.

John T.

Yelp
It wasnt too crowded and the food was wonderful. The atmosphere was lovely. The scenery was great as those ble windows add something that I cant explain.

Carole W.

Yelp
Great food. Tough to find. No signage. Tough set off stairs to climb. Like a speakeasy. Nice decor. Great staff.
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Aaron M.

Yelp
Interior was really cool. Went on a Monday night so wasn't very busy. Would have been cooler if it was buzzing a bit more. Order the sea bass. It was done to perfection. Had the crab soup and wedge salad before. Both were excellent. Service was great.

Selina C.

Yelp
Amazing place to go before to see the Memphis Grizzlies basketball game. Perfect upscale atmosphere for a perfect evening. The food was excellent! Service was excellent too! They are located above BBKing. Make sure you make reservations for dinner.
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Dave S.

Yelp
Wow! This has to be one of our favorite dining experiences! We were in town celebrating our friends anniversary and were treating them to a dining experience. What a great choice we made! Located above BB Kings and you have to be looking for the stairs to get there but a nice dining space and I've got to note this, the urinals are brass trumpets!! Should have mentioned that at the end. Now to food, all are dishes were excellent. I had the tomahawk pork chop, it rivals the best I've had, (Patti's)! Salmon, excellent, shrimp and grits, excellent!!! John our server, excellent!! Provided us champagne to toast our friends. Not cheap, but worth it!!!!!
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Jerome P.

Yelp
I think you all food is great. And your restaurant is full of cleanliness. I've never had eaten at a place with a great place to eat like you all's place of business.
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Willie S.

Yelp
This was my second time visiting this business. Th first time was when it was at the corner of Second St and Lt. George W. Lee. Since then this establishment has moved to 145 Beale St. it sits atop the very famous BB King's restaurant. There aren't any signs pointing out where this restaurant is located. You have to follow the crowd and ask for directions. There are two ways to enter this location. One is from the inside of BB King's via elevator and the second is from the street on the Second St side near the alley. This entrance poses a slight risk because of the steep flight of stairs leading to the restaurant. Once inside you walk up greeter (of course it's by reservations) give your name and your waiter/waitress are assigned accordingly to where you are seated. We were seated in this cozy closet with bench style seats lining the wall and an abundance of pillows for support. Out of all of my dining adventures I had never seen anything like this. It was very comfortable and elegant at the same time. The ambiance was romantically cozy. My fiancé and Maj it a point to do a date night once a week and last week we tried Itta Bena's. The food was very delicious at a reasonable price. I definitely recommend going to this restaurant. Will
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Meme G.

Yelp
Worth the wait (45 min for food with 8pm reservations) Stevin was often phenomenal! Food was very tasty. Restroom is quite far from tables. Not handicapped services available for entrance.
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Leena P.

Yelp
First time here at Itta Bena. On a business trip in Memphis and decided to try something other than my usuals. The restaurant had a hidden stairway that led you up to the restaurant. I am not sure if there's another entrance but that's the way I got in. Hostess and servers were very nice and we were seated fairly quickly. I didn't notice we had ordered loaded mashed potatoes so all the cheese along w the Macaroni was a bit much but it was solid. The Mac n cheese though was not something I'd get again. The cheese was tough and I personally don't prefer penne pasta for my Mac. As for my filet, it was cooked perfectly and had lots of flavor. I was able to get a seat near the window looking down onto Beale street which was nice. The food was ok, service was good but there's no parking so you'll have to walk from a parking lot.
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Amy V.

Yelp
Went for a pleasant surprise for my Memphis visit July 2024. 8pm. Live music that was excellent. It's on Beale St where all the music bars and clubs are and up a dark staircase so that I would have definitely missed it if I hadn't had a local with me. I had the shrimp and grits. He had the butterfly pork chop that was so amazing with brussel sprouts and Mac and cheese. I ordered bread and they brought this sourdough grilled bread and I sopped up the most amazing sauce with it. I was full it was sooooo goooood. Had some great wine and spent the evening strolling on Beale St listening to music. Great experience. Our waitress Maddie was so sweet and southern! Would recommend for sure. For someone from San Diego the prices were really good. Probably higher end for Memphis.
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Michelle V.

Yelp
We love Itta Bena! We have been at least a dozen times over the last few years. Service is always good, and the food is always great.

Sarah C.

Yelp
Request Jonathan as your server, because he's been one of the best we've ever had. Attentive, polite, and made our night wonderful. Food was outrageously good. I can't stop thinking about the bacon appetizer. Not pictured, She-Crab Soup. Pricy, but worth it. Drinks were amazing too, best Old Fashioned my husband had ever had. Not disabled accessible as we could see, which is freaking shame. Upgrades to make it accessible are possible.
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Bonnie R.

Yelp
Another phenomenal dinner at Itta Bena. I brought my sister prior to a concert at the Forum and she worked quickly to get us out in time for the concern in additional to accommodating my sister's dietary restrictions (with vigilance)! Ambiance amazing as always and the food was superb. Don't miss the crime brûlée!
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James P.

Yelp
Had a couple very memorable meals with friends here. Food was exceptional and the staff attentive, professional, and friendly. Beautiful setting over looking Beale. (9kay, so maybe that's an oxymoron to some, but not me!)
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A J.

Yelp
We walked in to this place just after 6 pm because we thought it was an extension of the one below it and were surprised when we realized it was not. Seated at the bar because it was quicker than waiting for a table. There was live music coming from one of the corners but it was overshadowed by the live music coming from the eatery on the first floor. Crowded but not unexpectedly for the Memphis tourist area. Staffs' attitude indicated most of them were likely transplants to the Memphis area. There didn't seem to much of a positive synergy or rhythm amount the staff. They seemed to not know who was responsible for what functions. Normal menu selections with normal touristy Beale street area $$$$. The food was decent but nothing special. I had the Cajun pasta opted for one of the shrimp appetizers. Again, nothing special. Nothing is calling us to go back.
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Ellie F.

Yelp
I would recommend this place for the ambiance. It's hidden above a bar on Beale St, but once you're inside, it feels like you're in an old jazz club. They often have live music and it's a nice place to get away with your significant other. However, I was less than impressed by the food. The quality was fine, but nothing impressive. We did like the crab stuffed avocado as an appetizer. Perhaps it would be a good place to get drinks and appetizers, and surprise someone with the speakeasy vibe.
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Yoko C.

Yelp
Amazing place to eat. Food is great, atmosphere even better and the restaurant itself was beautifully decorated.
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P P.

Yelp
This is the first time back at Itta Bena in about 4 years. Not really sure why we waited to so long to come back - we love this place! The food is always excellent, and the service is superb! John was our server this time - we were dining with 3 other couples, so John had a lot to keep track of. He made excellent suggestions on salads, entrees, and wine. The food was prepared and presented beautifully and it was delicious! Susan Marshall was providing the music at Itta Bena's this evening, along with a accompanying guitarist (sorry, but I do not remember his name). She was excellent, as always! It was also my wife's birthday and she was treated wonderfully. Everyone's appetizer and entrée was excellent and everyone loved them! Itta Bena is a special place for my wife and I and we always love being there. We will not wait so long to visit again. Highly recommend.
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Olivia V.

Yelp
Food and service is always incredible. Ambiance is one of a kind in the best way. Downtown Memphis but feels like you're off of Beale while still getting Beale views.
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Blake Z.

Yelp
Younger gentlemen with beard gave great service. And was passionate about fine dining. Food was top notch. Ambience was great and loved that it was hidden up above the Beale street crowd. Fine dining doesn't need a sign or advertising here.
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Dean L.

Yelp
My wife and I visited for dinner on a rainy Thursday evening. Travis was our server, and we liked him--he's a smooth, competent guy. We started with an order of Brussels sprouts, which were delicious; not charred to ashes as in so many other places, with just a hint of sweet. We both had the shrimp and grits, which was very flavorful. My shrimp was barely overcooked, which I don't mind. The grits were fantastic. I had a Mississippi Mule, which isn't really my kind of drink, but it paired well with the meal. Wife had wine. We finished by splitting the crème brûlée, which was nothing special. All told, it was @$200 with the tip. For a nice meal in a nice atmosphere, with live guitar and sax and blue windows, it was worth doing once. If we could do it over, we'd dress up just a little.
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Ryan D.

Yelp
One of my favorites and a hidden gem! It feels like you stepped back in time when you walk in the door, and you'd never know you're right above Beale street with how quiet the restaurant is compared to the bar scene below. Each time I've been, the food has been incredible and the service matched. Highly recommend for celebrations. Just make a reservation!
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Ellen H.

Yelp
Great atmosphere, great location, great food. If you're in Memphis, you can't miss out on this restaurant! It's very popular, so definitely reserve a table at least a few days in advance. The special drinks all have cute, Memphis-related names and taste fresh and delicious, the bartenders are skilled. We had the Memphis Mule and the BB's Porch Swing while we waited for our table. Remember to close out at the bar before you sit down for dinner and tip your bartender! The house made pretzel rolls are to die for and the butter that comes with it is so smooth and creamy. Blows Auntie Anne's out of the water every day of the week! The short ribs were absolutely incredible, melt in your mouth, so tender and flavorful. I loved the mashed potatoes and the asparagus was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. The lamb chops were delicious, succulent and juicy, but crispy on the outside and cooked to perfect inside. We thought it was on a bed of polenta, but it turned out it was risotto. It was a little over cooked, slightly rubbery, and not well seasoned. It absolutely doesn't affect our overall rating, maybe we got a bad batch, but I'd love to come back and try it again!
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Stacey C.

Yelp
I can't say enough great things about this restaurant . We had a reservation or so I thought. I actually called the wrong restaurant. We were a party of 11. Once we arrived and realized our mistake the restaurants was so very kind and accommodating. We we're celebrating a birthday and that we did. Our server John was the greatest. He made our night. The food was amazing. Drinks were good. They had music a piano player. The atmosphere was such a vibe. We loved it.

Delois V.

Yelp
I had a wonderful time here at Itta Bena. The food is just exquisite and tasty. The service is quick and professional. The ambiance is just straight up amazing and chill. 5 stars.
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Silvia Y.

Yelp
Love this place. There desert is too tier. It's have celebrated 2 birthdays here this year and never disappoints. Only downside is you have to pay an extra $25 to be able to take a cake inside.
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Jackie R.

Yelp
Wonderful place for a bachelorette dinner!! Great food and service!! The band was excellent
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Tom F.

Yelp
The food was fantastic, and with a piano and smooth jazz trumpet as background, night couldn't not have gone better. Service was top tier.
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Andrea B.

Yelp
We had a party of 7. Our server was excellent. He was very attentive and helpful with the menu. The food was great. There was a live music with a piano playing and singer but it wasn't overwhelming and we sat next to them. It's very cozy.
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Shawn O.

Yelp
My husband made reservations in advance for Valentine dinner after Valentine's Day which is my preference. We had eaten here for the first time New Year's Eve later in the evening and had a mediocre experience. Our waiter Stephen was great! Very friendly, professional, and knows his job. We had a great table the first time overlooking the BB King's sign. Our food was actually really good the first time. My husband ordered dessert but it had a hair in it so we sent it back and decided against getting another. My husband thought the guy seated behind him very close had a GI issue but we discovered after taking my entire meal back to our hotel that the undesirable smell wasn't the customer, it was my bad pork chop. It smelled absolutely awful! I threw out my entire meal that I had only had a bite of bc it was later to eat than my stomach appreciates. I contacted the restaurant the next day and spoke with a woman I believe said she is its PR rep and she'd have a manager get back to me but never heard back from them. My husband decided to give them another try and surprise me. When we arrived for our Valentine dinner, we waited too long to be seated for an advanced reservation and a restaurant that was not full. The red long haired hostess seated us at a tiny table hanging out at the end of a row of tables. I was not happy with it and she offered to seat us at another table but it would take time. I initially said I'd stay at the tiny table sitting in the middle of the aisle but when our waiter, Stephen, again waited on us, I kindly told him I was unhappy with the table. She seated us at a booth table on the other side backing up to the exterior stairwell wall. That table seats at least 4 but you have to slide in only from one side to get in. So I cleaned the crumb covered seat as I slid in. That must have been the coldest table location in the restaurant. I guess she showed me! I didn't let it ruin my dinner bc our food was plated nicely and it was delicious. So much so, that I ate every last bite and I don't usually finish my food. The live music was lovely again. Nice selection. My drink was okay. I was told it's like a Tommy Bahama. I guess that meant no alcohol and for a nondrinker, I didn't taste any alcohol and I certainly didn't feel any effects of alcohol. My husband ordered the apple cobbler of the day which he enjoyed. Overall, our second experience was very good. We ended up with a different waitress, Sydney who was very sweet. I don't know what the dress code is but I expected for a fine restaurant that there'd be a dress code but too many customers were very underdressed and casual.