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Short answer: Downtown Memphis packs old-school food within a few blocks: the Rendezvous (52 S. Second Street, open Tuesday to Saturday), Arcade Restaurant (540 South Main, open daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., breakfast all day) and a Central BBQ on Butler Avenue. The Peabody ducks march at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- 1919Year Arcade says it opened
- 11 & 5Peabody duck march times
- $20Sun Studio tour, adult
- Nov 9-15Downtown Dining Week 2026
How we checked: the restaurants’ own sites, the Peabody Memphis, Sun Studio, the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum and the Downtown Memphis Commission. All read on November 3, 2026. Hours, prices, rules and closures change, so check the named agency or business before you rely on them. Anything we could not read is marked Not confirmed where it appears. This page covers food, museums and daytime sights; it does not list bars or clubs. General guidance on this page is labelled as general guidance. This is not safety, medical or legal advice; where a safety or legal rule appears, the quoted words are the official source’s own.
Eat Near Beale Street and Downtown Memphis
| Place | What the official page said |
|---|---|
| Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous | 52 S. Second Street. Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday: Not confirmed |
| Arcade Restaurant | 540 South Main Street, South Main Arts District. “Memphis’ Oldest Cafe,” open 7 days, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; breakfast served all day; weekday lunch specials 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Central BBQ, Downtown | Butler Avenue, 38103. Slow-smoked hickory and pecan, dry-rub spices. Hours: Not confirmed |
| Cozy Corner BBQ | Phone (901) 527-9158. Address and hours: Not confirmed |
Daytime Stops Nearby
- Peabody Memphis ducksThe hotel (149 Union Avenue) says five resident mallards march through the lobby at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
- Sun Studio706 Union Avenue. Open Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; tours on the half hour from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., no reservations; adults $20, children 5 to 11 $15 (prices as of January 1, 2026). Sun Studio guide.
- Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum191 Beale Street. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; adults $16, youth $12.
- National Civil Rights Museum450 Mulberry Street; phone (901) 521-9699. Admission and hours: Not confirmed Museum guide.
- Downtown Dining WeekThe Downtown Memphis Commission lists participating restaurants and menus for November 9 to 15, 2026.
What We Could Not Confirm
- Central BBQ downtown hours and Cozy Corner’s address. Not confirmed
- Beale Street dining optionsIts official site lists a dining section but we read none of it. Not confirmed
- Walking time between these places. Not confirmed
- Menu prices. Not confirmed
Sources Read
- Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous, read November 3, 2026
- Arcade Restaurant, read November 3, 2026
- Central BBQ, read November 3, 2026
- Cozy Corner BBQ, read November 3, 2026
- The Peabody Memphis, read November 3, 2026
- Sun Studio, read November 3, 2026 (prices and hours updated as of January 1, 2026 per the site)
- Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, read November 3, 2026
- National Civil Rights Museum, read November 3, 2026
- Downtown Memphis Commission, read November 3, 2026
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Cite this page: It's Tennessee, “Eat Near Beale Street and Downtown Memphis: BBQ, Cafes and Daytime Stops”, itstennessee.com/visit/where-to-eat/eat-near-beale-street-and-downtown-memphis/ (updated ). By the It's Tennessee editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.