Itta Bena

Name: Itta Bena
Address: 145 Beale Street, Memphis, TN, United States, 38103
Telephone: (901) 578-3031
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8

4359 Reviews

$31 to $50

Regional American (Contemporary Southern)

Top tags:

Located on the third floor of B.B. King's Blues Club overlooking historic Beale Street you will find Itta Bena "A unique delta experience". Whether entering from our private Second Street entrance or walking through the secret hall from inside B.B. King's Blues Club, Itta Bena is sure to capture your senses. Modeled after the speakeasies from the 1920's, you are a true VIP as a friendly member of our staff escorts you to the third floor. The experience is further heightened when you step inside and find yourself surrounded by rich wood floors, vaulted ceilings, deep golden hued chandeliers and the faint sound of the bustling street below. Touching all the senses, we enrich your evening by offering a delta inspired menu of robust flavors and clean presentation. Itta Bena is a complete overwhelming of the senses that you must experience for yourself.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 22 times today

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Regional American (Contemporary Southern), Steak, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(901) 578-3031
Website
http://ittabenadining.com/memphis/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Le'Shun Woods
Private party facilities
Consistent with Itta Bena’s rich rhythm and blues history our Private Dining Room overlooks Beale Street through blue tinted windows, discreetly tucked away in the corner of our restaurant. Walls decorated with intricate woodwork and a curtained entrance offer privacy to parties of up to 200.
Private party contact
Ansley Smith: (901) 202-9114

Location
145 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Neighbourhood
Downtown
Cross Street
Second
Parking Details
None
Entertainment
Itta Bena is located just above B.B. King's Blues Club on historic Beale St. Live music captivates our guests and enhances the nearly surreal dining experience. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday nights, Susan Marshall enchants her audience, performing arguably as the contemporary Memphis scene's most powerful and versatile pure singer yet (According to The Memphis Flyer). Visit our website to learn more.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wine

Featured in

29 Memphis Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Crab Stuffed AvocadoUS$16.00
Lump crab salad, cornmeal breaded and flash-fried, house remoulade, pico de gallo
Pimento Cheese and Caramelized Onion DipUS$13.00
Served with pita chips
Cajun Abita ShrimpUS$18.00
Our signature favorite. Served house-made Abita beer bread
Itta Bena Smoked BaconUS$22.00
Thick-cut smoked bacon strips, herb goat cheese, blueberry compote, sweet & hot peppers, mozzarella balls, garlic Parmesan baguette
Bayou Crab DipUS$18.00
Lump crab, cajun seasoning, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic Parmesan French baguette
Crab Stuffed ShrimpUS$18.00
Lemon cream sauce, scampi sauce
Short Rib SliderUS$16.00
Pesto aioli, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, herb goat cheese, shiitake mushrooms, mesclun greens on a brioche roll
Lamb LollipopsUS$16.00
Rosemary sauce & feta cheese

What 4,359 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.9Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Memphis
Best Overall
Memphis
Best Food
Memphis
Best Service
Memphis
Best Ambience
Memphis
Hot spot
Memphis
Romantic
Memphis
Great for scenic views
Memphis
Good for special occasions
Memphis
Best Overall
Memphis
Best Food
Memphis
Best Service
Memphis
Best Ambience
Memphis
Hot spot
Memphis
Romantic
Memphis
Great for scenic views
Memphis
Good for special occasions

4,359 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Business dinner with two others was enjoyed by all. Food, drinks, and service were outstanding. Smoked Bacon appetizer was the best bacon any of us had ever eaten in our lives and we are in our forties and fifties. Fifty seven year old from Wisconsin ranked the dinner as one of the top 20, if not top 10, meals he’s had in his lifetime. We ordered filet mignon (so tender, I cut it with my fork), short ribs, and salmon for entrees. Loved the Memphis Manhattan and Smoky Blues cocktail. Our favorite restaurant in Memphis!!
Is this helpful?
SS
ScallopSnob
Memphis
56 reviews
vip
5.0
56 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The live piano/sax duet, the succulent fried crab avocado, she-crab soup, and legendary short rib dinner, coupled with an excellent wine list and the best server in Memphis made for a memorable anniversary dinner!
Is this helpful?
BG
BillG
Manitoba
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent restaurant. Food was delicious, quiet atmosphere, our waiter Chris was excellent.
Is this helpful?
S
Shelly
Charleston
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service and food with a great wine selection. Entertainment was excellent and so enjoyable.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The experience overall was amazing, the ambience and food were delicious with a few observations. First concern was about the serving size of the Seabass. While it was cooked to perfection, it was $48 and the piece of fish was barely 6 ounces, with a little sauce; it was about $10 overpriced. The braised short ribs were unbelievably good. The Cajun pasta was good, but the protein (chicken, sausage and shrimp) had all been pre-cooked and was just put on top before serving, they were all very dry looking and tasting; you could tell they had been sitting around for a while. Would be nice to have protein cooked more fresh and integrated into the dish. I cut them up and mixed them in to soften and blend the ingredients together. However, all of this said, Jessica, our server was nothing short of amazing she ensured our first night in town’s dining experience was amazing and gave us some other valuable feedback on our plans while we were in Memphis. She is a gem! If planning on visiting, ask for Jessica.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had Mark as our waiter, he was great! Super knowledgeable but chill and didn’t try to oversell anything
Is this helpful?
MR
MaureenR
New Mexico
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service was perfect and the food excellent! I will be sure to go back again. We ate several appetizers and sides along with the She crab soup, yummy. And what a treat to be able to just stroll into BB Kings by a private entrance to hear some fabulous music after! It was a treat..
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MS
MarkS
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place to eat and right on Beale street. Loved everything about Itta Bena.
Is this helpful?
f
flutemom
Louisville
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server, Maddie, was outstanding! We had She Crab Soup, Cajun Pasta, and Chilean Sea Bass, and all were excellent. The live music was quite enjoyable.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Jessica was the best waitress! Great food, drink, and atmosphere!
Is this helpful?
K
Kim86
Memphis
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time here. Server was great. Ambience was on point. Loved the layout and look. Food was excellent.
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JW
JerryW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My new wife and I visited the restaurant for the first time after our wedding, and it was hands down an amazing experience. The service was above any reproach! Our waiter Brandon was exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu items, and the restaurant itself took precautions in regards to my wife’s food allergies. The pricing vs proportions were slightly off. Overall would definitely Recommend, my wife and I have plans to visit again in the future. The entire establishment made our day complete and perfect! Thank you for the Amazing experience!
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CH
ClintH
Baltimore
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
The shrimp Etufee soup was the star of the show. Great stock body with just the right amount of spice, and loaded with large chunks of perfectly, not overcooked shrimp. Shrimp and Grits good but a little more bland than my dinner partner would like. The Cajun pasta dish was easily a 9. Loaded with meat, dish was more than a 235 lb man could eat.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Phoenix
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love dining at a great bar and once again Itta Bina didn’t disappoint. Excellent, friendly service and delicious meal!
Is this helpful?
7
767dude
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service…the nondescript entrance on the side (on 2nd Street-a set of stairs behind a metal gate under an an awning) set the tone for the interior which was incredible…
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Exclusive
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Our server, Jessica, was absolutely amazing!!! She made our experience top notch. Can’t wait to come back
Is this helpful?
A
Anthony
Memphis
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
The atmosphere and good was very nice. Jazz duo was splendid. However, the blue tinted windows were distracting. Kind of odd during daylight hours.
Is this helpful?
MF
MelissaF
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
When we arrived the atmosphere was such a vibe. Speakeasy type industrial vibe. Loved it. We waited about 20-25 min at the bar for our table which wasn’t a big deal. We are easy going. The manager noticed this and came over to our table and bought our round and the waiter also comped our appetizers. Totally unexpected. Our waiter Jonathan was so sweet and beyond attentive. The place really impressed me. We had two orders of short ribs, and one of the New Zealand lamb chops and one pork tomahawk. Everything was amazing, cooked to perfection and our liking. Also the girls bathroom had just been renovated and it’s a vibe in itself. We heard the music from BB Kings below us and went down the back stairs later on and had a drink and watched the band. Highly recommend!!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Memphis
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful Vibes! Great Space, awesome staff! Soft live music. The Lamb Chops were DELICIOUS.
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P
Pattycakes
Naples
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on September 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Definitely a hidden gem. The service, the food, the place all great. If you choose to visit get good directions. Very hard to find. There is not a sign for the restaurant. I suggest a reservation. After dinner they will take you to BB Kings downstairs. Worth going for dinner!
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N
Nonny
Los Angeles
43 reviews
vip
5.0
43 reviews
Dined on September 12, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Very cool higher end Beale St restaurant with a speakeasy type entrance and vibe. Atmospheric interior - live soulful music. Good food, wine and cocktails!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice. Good food and service. We’ll worth your time and money.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, ambience and service. Very nice people.
Is this helpful?
SM
ShelleyM
Nashville
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
How did I not know about Itta Bena until now? What a wonderful vibe, excellent service, and delicious food! This place is outstanding and so much fun!
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JW
JanaW
Austin
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience5
We got several appetizers and a large salad. The food was just "OK"; the vinaigrette on the salad was too "vinegary" ! But we loved the atmosphere and had a great server. I would like to come back some time and try an entrée maybe better than the appetizers (?).
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B
Bobby
Key West
138 reviews
vip
5.0
138 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time Great steaks, perfectly prepared. Excellent appetizers and sides too. Served professionally.
Is this helpful?
E
Elaine
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall3food5service5ambience5
We were asked if special occasion it was my birthday they surprised me with a crème brûlée and then noticed after we left restaurant we were charged 10.00 for the birthday desert that we never ordered we assumed since they asked us about a special occasion. This was just not right.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Itta Bena is a Memphis gem! It’s my go-to anytime I attend downtown events.
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AD
AmberD
Atlanta Metro
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Second visit. The crab soup and tomato basil soup were outstanding. Second dinner of salmon was not as delicious as the previous evening. A bit over med; therefore a little dry. Last night everything was cooked perfectly. However, everything else was wonderful; wine, apps, sides, and dessert. Certainly will be a regular spot when in Memphis.
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JO
JohnO
Greater Boston
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Phenomenal meal. Outstanding service. Welcoming staff with a great atmosphere. A must go to place in Memphis!
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HD
HappyDiners
Vancouver
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous evening! Jessica was a superb server! This was our second visit.
Is this helpful?
A
Angie
Miami - Dade
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service was exceptional will definitely return
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New Orleans
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing dinner yet again, Itta Bena is consistently hitting all points of a dining experience! Thanks John for your service.
Is this helpful?
JS
JesseS
Memphis
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Great food, great service as always. Jocelyn did a great job! Love Itta Bena! Jess
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AD
AmberD
Atlanta Metro
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was delicious. So good in fact, we came back the following evening.
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F
Fanadink
New York Area
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
our waiter, Chris, was terrific. we had a great experience
Is this helpful?
YM
YvonneM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Wonderful experience- helpful friendly staff - Chris was our server and he was amazing. Atmosphere great- definitely recommend
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S
Snarksalot
Dallas
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Itta Bena was delicious - the experience made even better by our server, Stevin. He was so welcoming and warm. He made us feel so comfortable and provided amazing service. The She-Crab soup is a must try and the red snapper was amazing.
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T
Timber01
Hawaii
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Excellent food and service. Look for the blue awning in second street to enter above BB Kings House of Blues.
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EV
EddieV
Nashville
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, reasonable price, great service---Bartender, Waiter, Server and even the Hostess had GREAT ATTITUDES!
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Itta Bena is rated 4.8 stars by 4359 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 22 times today

145 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38103

Additional information

Cross Street
Second
Neighbourhood
Downtown
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Regional American (Contemporary Southern), Steak, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress Code
Business Casual
Parking Details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Le'Shun Woods
Entertainment
Itta Bena is located just above B.B. King's Blues Club on historic Beale St. Live music captivates our guests and enhances the nearly surreal dining experience. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday nights, Susan Marshall enchants her audience, performing arguably as the contemporary Memphis scene's most powerful and versatile pure singer yet (According to The Memphis Flyer). Visit our website to learn more.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wine

Website
http://ittabenadining.com/memphis/
Phone number
(901) 578-3031
Private party facilities
Consistent with Itta Bena’s rich rhythm and blues history our Private Dining Room overlooks Beale Street through blue tinted windows, discreetly tucked away in the corner of our restaurant. Walls decorated with intricate woodwork and a curtained entrance offer privacy to parties of up to 200.
Private party contact
Ansley Smith: (901) 202-9114

Featured in

29 Memphis Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Itta Bena

Make a reservation

Private dining

Additional information

Featured in

29 Memphis Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Atlantic Salmon

8oz Center Cut Filet Mignon

Jumbo Shrimp & Grits

Menu

Appetizers

Crab Stuffed AvocadoUS$16.00

Pimento Cheese and Caramelized Onion DipUS$13.00

Cajun Abita ShrimpUS$18.00

Itta Bena Smoked BaconUS$22.00

Bayou Crab DipUS$18.00

Crab Stuffed ShrimpUS$18.00

Short Rib SliderUS$16.00

Lamb LollipopsUS$16.00

What 4,359 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

How is Itta Bena restaurant rated?

Is Itta Bena currently accepting bookings?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Featured in

29 Memphis Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day