Travel Back in Time at the Arcade Restaurant in Memphis

The Arcade Restaurant is the oldest cafe in Memphis and has a pretty interesting history to go along with its delicious dishes. The family-owned restaurant first opened in 1919 and is perhaps most famous as one of Elvis’s favorite spots to grab a bite to eat in the city.

The restaurant was remodeled in the 1950s, and a lot of the features remain the same today, which gives it a cool retro feel. 

The Arcade has been featured in tons of movies. Plus, media outlets like Southern Living and the Food Network have highlighted the Memphis spot. But is the Arcade actually worth visiting or it is overhyped due to its history?

Visiting the Arcade Restaurant

From the outside, the Arcade definitely captures your attention with its distinct neon sign. Inside, the comfy booths and the rest of the set-up transport you to the aesthetic of the 1950s, but in a muted way that feels authentic rather than in the over-the-top way some retro diners feel. While the place has been maintained, there are spots that show its age. To me that makes the Arcade have a comfy atmosphere. It’s very welcoming. 

I particularly like that the expanded dining area features historic photos of Memphis on the walls. It’s incredible to see what Memphis looked like during the years when the city was the place to be. 

Since the Arcade is only open until 3 pm, I went on a weekday a little before lunch. Things weren’t crowded at all. You might find a few more people around on the weekends and possibly have to wait a bit. But, that wasn’t a problem at all. 

The menu is pretty standard for a diner with a nice selection of breakfast options and things like pizzas and sandwiches for later in the day. 

You can get the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. According to the staff, Elvis liked to eat this sandwich with mayonnaise, which seems like an unusual combo, but it could be worth trying if you’re a fan. (There’s also a plaque on the booth Elvis normally sat in, so you can also have your meal in his regular spot if you want.)

As a breakfast person, I had to try the French toast, and I’d definitely eat it again. I didn’t try out the sweet potato pancakes, but I wish I had!

Memphis has so much delicious food to try, so the bar is pretty high. Overall, I’d say the food is good at the Arcade, but it probably won’t be the absolute best meal you have in the city. I didn’t have any complaints though! 

Despite being Downtown and having become a more touristy spot over the years, the prices are reasonable (especially compared to the prices I’m used to seeing in Downtown Nashville). 

So, I’d say it’s worth adding at stop at the Arcade to your Memphis itinerary. The restaurant’s history alone makes it worth visiting, and you’ll get an enjoyable meal as well. Plus, it’s not difficult to get to Downtown. 

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The Arcade is located at 540 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103. You can check the menu and hours on their website.

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