Food Fit for A King - Elvis Presley's Memphis Restaurants and Favourite Feasts
- Barry Pickard
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless of this, please be advised that all opinions expressed in this blog post are genuine and authentically my own.
Author: Barry Pickard
Hi, I'm Barry, the owner of Tailor-Made Itineraries and I have been designing bespoke self-guided tours for adventurous and curious travellers since 2015. I am a history graduate with a passion for travel.
I created this blog to show, through my own adventures, how you can have an incredible travel experience as an independent traveller, giving you the information to navigate the world with confidence.
Contents
Where can you eat Elvis Presley's favourite meals in his actual Memphis restaurants? The sweet aroma of maple syrup drizzles over golden sweet potato pancakes in a retro booth that's held the King's frame since 1919, while the clatter of plates and hum of breakfast conversation fills the Arcade Restaurant exactly as it did when Elvis was just another regular. Across town at Coletta's, mozzarella bubbles atop a pizza so stacked with BBQ pork that you'll need a knife and fork to tackle what locals claim was Elvis's favourite dish—even though he supposedly didn't like barbecue itself.
I'm Barry Pickard, and I've been designing custom Elvis-themed itineraries for food-loving independent travellers since 2015. After covering Graceland, recording studios, and hidden Memphis sites in previous posts, I knew our Elvis journey wouldn't be complete without experiencing the down-to-earth restaurants where the King shared wholesome meals with friends throughout his life. You'll get my tested guide to Memphis's two most iconic Elvis eateries, from booking Elvis's actual booth to conquering (or failing to conquer) that legendary BBQ pizza, complete with practical tips and all those "I'm sitting where Elvis sat" moments that made these meals feel like culinary pilgrimages.
This is your complete guide to eating like the King in Memphis—packed with menu recommendations, reservation strategies, and all the delicious details that turned these restaurant visits into genuine highlights of our Elvis adventure.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting these restaurants appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the Elvis Presley Memphis restaurants, or indeed, a general tour of the exciting city of Memphis.
Elvis Presley's Memphis Restaurants
Coletta's Restaurant
Address: 1063 S Pkwy E, Memphis, TN 38106
First up was a late lunch at Coletta’s Restaurant. This Italian eatery first opened its doors in 1923 and judging by the food, it is easy to see why it has remained open for so long and has become the oldest restaurant in Memphis. I sat in the backroom of the restaurant, right next to the table that Elvis himself would sit at. Obviously this photo opportunity could not be missed!
Please note that Coletta's have two restaurants in Memphis, with the one you want to visit being near Graceland, on South Parkway.
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According to local legend, Elvis’ favourite meal at Coletta’s was their barbecue pizza, even though it was said that he wasn’t actually fond of barbecue itself! There was only one thing to do, and that was to order the pizza. What was presented to me was an impressive 12” pizza stacked thick with BBQ pork and mozzarella. The pizza was so stacked that you couldn’t begin to lift up a slice before it collapsed. A knife and fork were the order of the day.
In the man versus food competition that I had embarked on, I lost horribly, getting through perhaps only two thirds of the pizza before having to concede defeat. Thankfully Coletta’s boxed up the remainder for me to have later.
Read on to discover the favourite breakfast spot of Elvis.
Arcade Restaurant
Address: 540 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
The next morning, I had an early date at the Arcade Restaurant. I booked 3 months ahead on their website, as I wanted to occupy the Elvis booth, which can be found at the back of the restaurant and was his regular spot. I was unsure what his favourite breakfast was, but, according to their menu, their specialty was the classic southern breakfast treat of sweet potato pancakes, so this was the order of the day for me.
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I found the Arcade to be busy, friendly and a retro classic. It is said to be the oldest café in Memphis, having been opened by Spero Zepatos in 1919, and is still family owned today. Interestingly, the Arcade has been featured in a number of Hollywood films – including Mystery Train, Great Balls of Fire, The Client, The Firm and Walk the Line. I couldn’t say that I recognised it from the films, but it certainly has a great atmosphere and look and well worth going to just for the food.
If you are interested in experiencing more gastronomic experiences in Memphis, check out this Redfin article we were featured in:
Whether you’re looking to buy a house in Memphis, TN, or rent an apartment or home in the area, you’ll find plenty of reasons to love this city. In this Redfin article, you’ll explore some of these unique things to do in Memphis, TN that you’ll only find here:
Conclusion
These two Memphis restaurants delivered something Graceland's dining room displays never could—the chance to actually experience food the way Elvis did, in the same spaces he occupied, surrounded by the same down-to-earth atmosphere he loved. Coletta's barbecue pizza lived up to every expectation, though I'll admit defeat came around the two-thirds mark when tackling that impressively stacked 12-inch creation. The Arcade Restaurant the next morning offered a completely different vibe, with its 1919 retro charm and sweet potato pancakes representing classic Southern breakfast traditions. Booking Elvis's booth three months ahead proved essential—these aren't just tourist traps trading on the King's name but genuine Memphis institutions that remain family-owned and continue drawing locals who remember when Elvis was simply a regular customer. Combined with Graceland, the recording studios, and his Tupelo birthplace, dining at Coletta's and the Arcade creates the full sensory Elvis experience. You can't truly claim you've followed the King's footsteps without sitting in his booth, tackling his pizza, and understanding why he kept returning to these Memphis classics throughout his extraordinary life.
Where to Stay
If you are looking to stay near Graceland, there are a couple of excellent choices, such as The Guest House at Graceland, and the Holiday Inn Express. There are also budget options, such as the Super 7 Inn, and the Comfort Inn Airport.
If you are looking to stay nearer the centre of Memphis, there are a number of luxury options, such as the MOXY Memphis Downtown, and the ARRIVE Memphis. As for a more budget option, you won't go far wrong with the Best Western Plus Gen X Inn, or the La Quinta by Wyndham Memphis Downtown.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in finding out more about Elvis, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Share in the comments which Elvis restaurant meal sounds more appealing—Coletta's legendary BBQ pizza or the Arcade's sweet potato pancakes!
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting these restaurants appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the Elvis Presley Memphis restaurants, or indeed, a general tour of the exciting city of Memphis.
Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.