Midtown / Cooper Restaurants

When describing the Cooper Young neighborhood in Memphis' Midtown, the words "trendy," "eclectic," "fun" and "funky" may all come to mind, and the restaurant scene goes right along with those descriptions. Chain restaurants are hard to find here. Instead, independent joints, many featuring one-of-a-kind decor on the walls and local produce on the plates, give the neighborhood a definite foodie vibe. Small-plate establishments welcome friends to linger over drinks and an assortment of shared apps and dishes. Like any good Memphis neighborhood, Cooper Young serves up southern-style pork that is rubbed with flavorful seasonings before being slow-smoked until tender. Drinks are a big deal in Cooper Young, and you'll find plenty of restaurants with extensive beer lists and creatively mixed cocktails.