With at least eight new restaurants expected to open across Memphis in Spring 2026, the city’s dining scene is expanding to include international cuisine, café concepts and upscale dining while still reflecting local demand for affordable, convenient meals.
Planned openings include Kuya, a Filipino snack bar, Fuego Vivo, a Mexican steakhouse, Ahi Asian bistro and several new café concepts, adding to the variety of dining options available across the city. As Memphis continues to grow its restaurant scene, culinary experts say the mix of concepts reflects changing dining preferences among residents.
“Kind of that fast, quick, easy meal is what people are looking for,” said Chef Eric Etter, Assistant Professor of Teaching at the University of Memphis’ Kemmons Wilson Culinary Institute. “But I definitely think the expansion of international dining that we have here in the city is going to continue to grow.”
Etter said the addition of new global flavors could help broaden Memphis’ culinary identitywhile also exposing diners to new cultural experiences.
“Food is really culture,” Etter said. “Seeing different flavors and foods incorporated into our dining experiences will help grow our culture here in the city.”
For many Memphis college students, the growing restaurant scene offers both excitement and practical considerations like affordability. Kinsley Scallions, a sophomore biology major at the University of Memphis, said budget-friendly restaurants remain a priority when choosing where to eat.
“I much rather go downtown for local food than fancy food,” Scallions said. “I’d like to stay in the $10 to $15 range, but $25 would probably be my maximum.”
Scallions said she would like to see more variety in Memphis’ casual dining options.
“I wish there was a good burger joint or a good taco place,” she said. “It’s hard to find good burgers that aren’t insanely expensive.”
Other students are excited about the potential for new international restaurants in the area. Maia Cook, a junior strategic media major at the University of Memphis, said she hopes the city will continue expanding its Asian dining options.
“I feel like we don’t really have a lot of good spots for things like Indian, Thai or Filipino food,” Cook said. “I would love to see more high-quality places like that.”
While Cook prefers supporting local restaurants, she said new concepts, even more expensive ones, can still offer valuable experiences for students.
“I live on a budget most of the time,” Cook said. “But I definitely try to create opportunities to have new experiences, even if it’s a little outside my usual price range.”
As Memphis’ restaurant scene continues to grow, the new openings could provide both affordable dining options and opportunities for students and residents to experience new cuisines.
Dining and Cooking