Tucked behind a blue neon sign down Barboro Alley, Belle Tavern has earned its reputation as “downtown Memphis’ Best Kept Secret” since opening in September 2016.
One review specifically praised the food and service as “amazing,” while calling out one dish in particular as a must-order for anyone visiting for the first time.
Why This Hidden Memphis Bar Has Locals Talking
That standout dish is the General Tso Cauliflower, which one reviewer flagged directly with an emphatic “must try,” and the menu itself calls it “the OG,” a tempura-fried plate finished with coconut rice, scallions, and sesame seeds.
You’ll hear plenty of people specifically praising the burger and chicken sandwich as “both delicious,” while a separate visitor described being “pleasantly surprised” by a massive order of nachos large enough to feed two people comfortably.
The tavern’s back-alley location adds to its hidden-gem appeal, and one feature described finding it by taking “a right down Barboro Alley from 2nd” and looking for “the blue neon sign, like a beacon shining bright.”
Because Belle Tavern is closed Sundays and Mondays but otherwise opens nightly at 4 PM, an evening visit midweek offers a quieter way to experience the space before the weekend crowd arrives.
Food Highlights
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General Tso Cauliflower: Crispy, tempura-fried cauliflower bites get coated in a sweet and spicy sauce and served over coconut rice with scallions and sesame seeds, and this General Tso Cauliflower has earned a direct “must try” recommendation from reviewers and a spot as the tavern’s own self-declared number one appetizer, with the menu itself branding it “the OG” dish of the entire operation.
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Steak Frites: An 8-ounce Mishima Wagyu coulotte steak gets seared and paired with truffled french fries alongside a rich demi-glace poured tableside, and this Steak Frites has been specifically flagged by the tavern itself as one of the best versions guests will find anywhere in the city, making it one of the pricier but most talked-about plates on the menu.
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Tavern Smash Burger: A 4-ounce smashed patty comes dressed with dijonaise, onions, pickles, and melted American cheese on a soft house bun, with the option to double up the patty for anyone looking for a heartier version, and this Tavern Smash Burger was specifically named alongside the chicken sandwich as one of two dishes reviewers called “both delicious” during a recent visit.
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Sophisticated Chicken Sandwich: Pesto, balsamic onions, goat cheese, and artichokes stack together with crisp romaine and tomato on toasted ciabatta bread, giving the sandwich a distinctly upscale twist on a typically simple bar staple, and this Sophisticated Chicken Sandwich rounds out the pairing of dishes reviewers specifically praised during that same visit.
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Not’chos: Tortilla chips get piled high with slow-braised pork, fresh pico de gallo, sour cream, and melted queso blanco, creating a shareable plate meant for the appetizer section rather than a solo order, and this Not’chos order was described by one reviewer as huge enough to comfortably feed two people on its own.
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French Onion Soup: Caramelized onions simmer slowly into a rich beef stock base before getting topped with melted Swiss cheese and crunchy croutons for a warm, comforting starter, and this French Onion Soup has been specifically called out by the tavern as one of the best versions of the classic dish that guests will find anywhere in Memphis.
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Buffalo Duck Wings: Five drumettes come coated in the tavern’s own house wing sauce and served alongside a cooling side of ranch, giving the dish a familiar bar-food format with an unexpected duck twist, and this Buffalo Duck Wings order gives regulars a bolder, more adventurous take on a familiar bar snack that pairs especially well with the tavern’s extensive whiskey list.
Atmosphere
Belle Tavern leans fully into its hidden-gem identity, and the tavern describes itself on its own site as having “a new menu” featuring “delicious chef-inspired food” worth discovering.
Its back-alley setting, quiet compared to Memphis’ busier main strips, gives the space a relaxed, almost secretive feel that rewards guests willing to seek it out.
Bottomline
Belle Tavern earns its reputation as a genuine Memphis hidden gem through a menu that pairs elevated bar food with a serious whiskey and cocktail program.
Whether it’s the reviewer-approved General Tso Cauliflower or the tavern’s own standout Steak Frites, this Barboro Alley spot rewards anyone willing to track down its blue neon sign.
Address:
117 Barboro Aly, Memphis, TN 38103
📞 +1 901-433-9851
🕔 Open Tue–Sat 4:00 PM–9:00 PM (Closed Sunday, Monday)