Iris

The 21 Best Restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee | Eater Nashville

"At Iris, chef Kelly English has endeavored to bring a modern take on a New Orleans-style restaurant to East Memphis. Equal parts Crescent City native and Memphis booster, English has earned tons of local and national acclaim. He first opened Iris off Overton Square in Memphis’s Midtown neighborhood in 2008, before moving his venerable fine-dining concept to a larger space (formerly home to Grove Grill) in 2022. With a sophisticated atmosphere, this spot is especially great for couples, who can share items like crab au gratin and fried oysters before digging into main courses of grilled Scottish salmon or steak iris (a New York strip with honey-roasted carrots and fried oysters)." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

The 19 Essential Memphis Restaurants

"At Iris, chef Kelly English has endeavored to bring a modern take on a New Orleans-style restaurant to East Memphis. Equal parts Crescent City native and Memphis booster, English has earned tons of local and national acclaim. He first opened Iris off Overton Square in Memphis’s Midtown neighborhood in 2008, before moving his venerable fine-dining concept to a larger space (formerly home to Grove Grill) in 2022. With a sophisticated atmosphere, this spot is especially great for couples, who can share items like crab au gratin and fried oysters before digging into main courses of grilled Scottish salmon or steak iris (a New York strip with honey-roasted carrots and fried oysters)." - Andy Meek

"Chef Kelly English trained in some of the best kitchens inNew Orleansbefore opening Restaurant Iris, where he now serves his homey take on French-Creole cuisine. Here, dining spaces are spread throughout the rooms of a cozy bungalow, encouraging diners to interact with other tables like guests at a convivial dinner party. A recent remodel added more modern decor and an expanded bar area where patrons without reservations can dine under a large, bayou-inspired mural that harks back to English’s Louisiana roots. On the menu you’ll find Southern classics, prepared with French techniques and international flavors. Don’t miss the corn bread–stuffed quail and the crawfish beignets, which come with a heavenly sauce ravigote ."

Chef Kelly English’s flagship brings French-Creole technique to Memphis classics in the Laurelwood space, with polished service and a deep wine list. Highlighted by Eater and respected by local critics for special-occasion dining with local flavor.