Itta Bena

We came to Itta Bena to celebrate marathon weekend, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Our evening started with the she-crab soup—recommended by our server, Carlos—and it absolutely did not disappoint. Rich, flavorful, and the perfect warm start. Next up were the fried green tomatoes, which were truly delightful. They were packed with flavor, not greasy at all, and the breading was spot-on. For my main course, I had the pork chop tomahawk, cooked perfectly and paired with sweet potato casserole and Brussels sprouts. Everything on the plate worked together beautifully. I also tried some of the stuffed chicken, which might have been the surprise standout of the night—the cheese and filling were delicious, and the chicken itself was juicy and tender. Huge shoutout to our server, Carlos. At the end of the meal he told us he’d only been there for three days, which shocked us because he knew the menu inside and out and gave us fantastic recommendations. His energy made the night even better—he was upbeat, personable, and just genuinely fun. Thanks for an amazing experience, Itta Bena. And Carlos, we’ll see you next marathon!

The shrimp and grits were so delicious. Pork chop was a smidge dry, but the accompanying brussels and sweet potatoes were wonderful. Avocado appetizer was excellent as well. Creme brulee was good. The "strawberries" it's supposed to come with is a tiny slice of a strawberry. A full strawberry would have been nice. Smoked old fashioned was good. Live music was very pleasant and not overpowering. Waitress added 2 things on our bill that we didn't order, so check your bill before paying.

Came to dinner here with friends on the recommendation of a local bartender and boy, howdy, yumminess rules here! I We started with the smoked bacon with feta & blueberry compote, which sounds like an odd combination but it was phenomenal. The fried green tomatoes with a lemon remoulade disappeared in a trice. My husband and one friend had the short ribs, tender & flavorful. Our other friend had the grilled lamb and was quite happy. We were all too stuffed for dessert but they looked yummy. Service was attentive and friendly, and our poor server was kept hopping - eight tables in her station! That she remained so cheerful and efficient is nothing short of a miracle. Definitely a highlight of our trip!

Jonathan the absolute star of the show! Truly the best, most attentive lovely service we have ever had! Travelling from London, England this was our first night in Memphis and came across this hidden gem! Gorgeous food, great ambience but more importantly Jonathan was a truly shining light! So warm, friendly and made us feel right at home!! Highly, highly recommend!

My boyfriend chose Itta Bena for a special romantic dinner, and it absolutely delivered. From the moment we climbed the discreet staircase up from B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street, we sensed we were in for something unique — elegant yet relaxed, intimate yet spirited. The lighting was warm, the décor stylish without being pretentious, and we loved sitting by the window overlooking street lights and activity below — perfect for a “just the two of us” evening. The live music downstairs added character without overwhelming our conversation.

I never write reviews (and I wasn’t asked for one), but this meal was truly fantastic. It’s rare nowadays that a restaurant really executes in all fronts, but Itta Bena delivered. One of the best steaks I have had in years, great ambiance. Our server, (ninja) John, gave great recommendations, was great with my young kids (hence the ninja title), and had the perfect of conversation. It’s honestly a can’t miss when you are in Memphis. … did I mention the brass urinal? That was also a real hit with the kids! Haha.

We absolutely LOVED Carlos!! He was the highlight of our night…and the food was pretty phenomenal! We came for my birthday (first visit) and we will absolutely be back for the next!!

First time at this place and it was AMAZING! Food was delicious and our server, Carlos was the best!! He was funny, attentive and answered all our questions with expertise! Will definitely go again! Thank you Carlos for making out first vist exceptional!

The service and ambience is always on point. This is my third time here and I love the vibes. I ordered the short rib this time and it was good but the gravy was like gel. It wasn't warm enough or something and the flavor wasn't there. Braised short rib should be flavorful and it just missed the mark. I had to add salt and pepper. This was my first time trying this dish. I'm giving them a five because I've been here before and my previous meals didn't disappoint. This dish didn't do it for me. I will stick to what I know. My salad was delicious tho. I will still come back.

My sister and I had a lovely evening at Itta Bena in Memphis, TN - classic cocktails and delicious Sourhern inspired meal. We were greeted by a friendly hostess, efficient service and found a lovely, relaxing vibe - a welcome find after a day of travel. Itta Bena touts classic southern fare and that's what we found. My entree of Boneless Braised Short Ribs with mashed potatoes, asparagus and covered with wild mushroom Merlot sauce was fantastic! My sister enjoyed her herbed brined Pork Chop Tomahawk with lemon tiered Blanc and served with sweet potato pecan casserole and maple bacon Brussel sprouts. Southern sides are served family style and include classics like Mac n Cheese, Smoked Gouda grits and creamed spinach. I could have enjoyed a vegetable plate! I hope to return sooner than later!

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.

Itta Bena was the highlight of our trip to Memphis. Up the unmarked staircase on the end of a bustling street is a little slice of romantic heaven. Riverset Sours and Smokin Blues were our cocktails of choice and were tasty and potent. We tried a little of everything. Pimento dip was wonderfully sweet and the BBQ shrimp were firm and saucy! The tomahawk was cooked to perfection and the short ribs were rich and fall apart lovely. Absolutely no room for dessert! Service was awesome. Thank you, Kelsie

This is a pretty restaurant right above BB Kings on Beale street. There is almost a secret entrance...around the corner, an unmarked awning, a tall ugly staircase that looks like it's meant strictly for workers to take out garbage or something. I'm sure it's done purposely to keep out the wretched refuse from Beale street. This is meant to be an upscale establishment. The service is very good. Friendly but polished. The food came out very quickly. So quickly, in fact, it really made us wonder if it was pre-made and just reheated. We started with crab dip. It was overly cheesy and lacked enough real crab. We also had She-crab soup, which was fine. Tasty, but unexceptional. Then we all had braised short ribs on mashed potatoes with asparagus. All of it was fine, nothing made us say "wow" or even "yum". Just fine. We also had Brussels sprouts for a side , which again were fine. Also asked our server if she recommended Mac & cheese or creamed spinach for another side. She said definitely Mac & cheese. This was the worst blob of goo possible. It's really tough to make Mac & cheese this bad. It was almost cheese soup with penne in it. Just inedible. For dessert we had bread pudding. Another perfectly ok dish. Nothing great. But fine. With tax and tip, this meal was close to $100 per person. Completely not worth it. Not a particularly good restaurant. We would bumpy recommend it and we will certainly not be going back.

We stopped in to Itta Bena for a surprise birthday dinner! They were very accommodating of all our requests and went above to make the experience special. As a larger crowd (8+), the servers were efficient and did a great job ensuring that our drinks were always full. The food was incredible! Everyone was very pleased with what they received and I am still thinking about the mac and cheese. The overall experience was fantastic!

We had a great time at this restaurant. It's a speakeasy style restaurant located on the second floor above B.B. King's jazz lounge. I had the Cajun pasta. It was absolutely delicious. The waiter was super attentive. And added to the overall positive experience. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

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!

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

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!

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.

Good dinner, bad service. Sat at the bar. I was the only customer. Typically bartender give good service. Cameron was more interested in drinking his coffee and listening to the band than being a bartender. Bad service ruined my experience

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.

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!

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!

We had a wonderful experience! The filet was cooked to a perfect medium and the pork chop was juicy and tender with a citrus flavor. The Cajun Anita shrimp appetizer had some spice to it that made it very good! The Anita beer bread was just amazing and had a hint of sweetness to it. Maddie was our server, was very friendly and attentive! Love the ambiance with the blue theme.

We went for our anniversary this year and loved it. The chef must sprinkle magic in the food, and the service is top notch. We sat at a two top table and had the best ambience. The only con was that it's on the second floor, and is not handicapped accessible. This is in a historical building and they cannot install an elevator or chair lift. We ordered the Ribeye, mashed potatoes, Mac and Cheese, and the Salmon, green beans, and mashed potato. The green beans tasted like they came fresh from the garden, the Mac and cheese did not disappoint! If you are unsure if you want to try this restaurant, do not hesitate to book your table, you won't regret it!

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!

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.

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

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.

Mind blowing food. A must when you're in Memphis. The Abita Shrimp app is onfg. Soup omfg.

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.

Itta Bena is a restaurant with great food, service, and atmosphere in a unique location.

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.

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.

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...

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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!!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!)

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.

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.