Itta Bena - Southern restaurant (US) in Memphis - 145 Beale St, USA

Had a wonderful birthday celebration at Itta Bena Friday night! We had a seat next to the window near the BB King's sign and live music started at 6pm. Stevin, our waiter, was a true professional and worked diligently to make sure the evening was memorable. The food was out of this world! We started with a Caesar salad, their bacon appetizer, shrimp and grits, as well as the short ribs. All of the dishes were flavorful and delicious with the shrimp and grits being the best we've ever had. The short ribs were also amazing and incredibly tender. The drinks were also tasty and the menu has something for everyone. I chose key lime pie for my birthday dessert that was on the house. After dinner we went down the stairs at the back of the restaurant to watch the show at BB King's. It was a fun, beautiful evening. Itta Bena is the perfect celebration restaurant!

I would give them a 10! FOOD It's good! From the appetizers all the way to the desserts! I liked the rib sliders and the salad that came with them. I recommend the key lime pie. DRINKS They have a variety of wines but mostly dry. Like Sambuco to help you digest your meal. SERVICE It's perfect! The host, the waitress, (Kiswana was great!), the manager. They make a good team. They really make you feel at home from the moment you walk in. AMBIANCE It's perfect for a date or a fun time with friends. The music isn't that loud. If you get a table for two by the (blue) windows you can see the street and the occasional carriage passing by.

Itta Bena was an outstanding experience. The Cajun Abita shrimp, crab stuffed avocado, crab stuffed shrimp, and Chilean sea bass were all excellent. Each dish was bursting with flavor and left me craving more. What sets Itta Bena apart is not just the exceptional food but also the top-notch service. Brandon, our server, took great care of us throughout the meal, making the evening even more enjoyable. Located above BB King's Blues Club, this restaurant is Memphis' "hidden gem." It pays a beautiful tribute to the town where the legendary BB King was born. Itta Bena exudes the charm and inspiration of fine Southern dining. Itta Bena is undoubtedly a must-visit for anyone looking to savor Delta-inspired Southern cuisine in a delightful setting.

Stevin, pronounced with a short e, was attentive, kind and accommodating. There is no name outside to identify the restaurant and the steep flight of stairs was daunting but the restaurant was sublime. The decor was a rustic elegant mix. A piano player/ singer and a guitar player/singer set the mood. The food was inventive and delicious with generous portions. I couldn’t finish the bacon appetizer! My husband was saving his appetite for his wedge salad so I was solo and it proved to be too much to eat! But my crab soup was rich and delicious.

Itta Bena was a wonder and unforgettable dinning experience. We got lost getting to the location, its sits on the third floor of the BBKing Blues Club, the entrance has a blue canopy and up a long staircase. Once there, the restaurant has a blues vibe with portraits of famous celebrities. They had a live band playing. The hostess was courteous and polite, looked up our reservation and sat our party to our table. We had Jessica as our waitress that night, she was professional, down to earth and amazing. Itta Bena is lucky to have such an awesome waitress. The place was clean and the servers were on their feet making sure tables are turned around for the next diners. Compliments to the chefs for a delicious dinner and dessert. The presentation was beautiful. Thank you making our night special.

Phenomenal experience! Food was amazing - from the crab dip to the salmon to the tomahawk pork chops. We will definitely be back!

Definitely an A for service - our waitress was amazing, on top of everything, friendly, attentive. The atmosphere looked like a great place for either a romantic date or a dinner with friends/business associates. The food was...okay? I didn't like their choices with seasoning on the shrimp and grits (which to be fair, our waitress warned me about). There was so much of a wine taste in the sauce that it made you pucker. The Cajun pasta was slightly overcooked (both the pasta and the sausage). The cocktails were good. And like I said, the service and atmosphere were amazing. Maybe I would try the short ribs next time as the waitress suggested.

Make sure to make a reservation before coming. Our server was pretty awesome. It was a bit slow but it was busy. We ordered the avocado crab appetizer and it was fresh and delicious. Ordered the tomahawk and it was cooked to perfection. The braised short ribs and mashed potatoes were to die for. We also ordered the crab cakes and the flavor was superb. The Mac n cheese was creamy and delish. The drinks were delicious. The desserts were fantastic. I highly recommend this restaurant for a great meal.