Flying Fish
Downtown, Memphis
Restaurant in Memphis, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Flying Fish is a casual, easy-to-book downtown Memphis option at 105 S 2nd St, suited to first-timers and walk-in diners who want a low-pressure meal near the riverfront and Beale Street. It is not a destination restaurant, but it delivers convenience in a part of the city where that counts. For a more serious meal, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen is the better call.
About Flying Fish
Who Should Book Flying Fish
Flying Fish at 105 S 2nd St is the kind of downtown Memphis anchor that works well for first-timers getting their bearings in the city. If you want a casual, low-pressure meal within easy reach of the waterfront and Beale Street before or after a night out, this is a practical choice. It is not the place to go if you are chasing a serious tasting menu or a refined dining room — for that, look at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen or The Lobbyist. Flying Fish earns its place as a neighborhood workhorse in a part of downtown Memphis that sees a lot of tourist traffic and needs reliable, approachable options.
What to Expect as a First-Timer
Downtown Memphis along the South Main and riverfront corridor draws a broad mix of visitors and locals, and Flying Fish fits that energy. The atmosphere leans casual and lively — expect noise, a packed room on busy evenings, and a crowd that is more interested in eating well than in ceremony. The vibe is communal and energetic rather than quiet or intimate, so if you are planning a conversation-heavy dinner, arrive earlier in the evening when the room is more manageable. This is a sit-down-and-dig-in kind of place, not a slow-paced occasion restaurant.
For a first visit, the practical advice is simple: come with a small group or as a pair, keep expectations calibrated to casual dining rather than fine dining, and treat it as a reliable pit stop rather than a destination meal. If you are building a fuller Memphis itinerary, check the full Memphis restaurants guide to see how Flying Fish fits alongside heavier hitters like B.B. King's Blues Club or Babalu Tacos & Tapas for a varied night out.
Location and Neighborhood Context
The South 2nd Street address puts Flying Fish in the thick of downtown Memphis, close enough to the Mississippi riverfront and the entertainment district to make it a convenient stop on a wider evening. This part of the city has enough foot traffic that a place like Flying Fish can sustain itself on walk-in volume, which tells you something about its booking difficulty: easy. You do not need to plan weeks ahead. If you are already downtown and want a casual meal without a reservation scramble, this is a reasonable bet. For anyone exploring the broader city, the Memphis hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide will help you build out the rest of your stay.
Practical Details
| Detail | Flying Fish | Babalu Tacos & Tapas | B.B. King's Blues Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 105 S 2nd St, Downtown | Downtown Memphis | Beale Street, Downtown |
| Booking difficulty | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Atmosphere | Casual, lively | Casual, social | Loud, entertainment-focused |
| Leading for | Casual dining, small groups | Sharing plates, drinks | Live music, large groups |
| Dress code | Casual | Casual | Casual |
How Flying Fish Compares in Memphis
Within the downtown Memphis casual dining tier, Flying Fish sits alongside spots like Babalu Tacos & Tapas and B.B. King's Blues Club as an easy, no-reservations-required option. It is not competing with the more considered cooking at Amerigo or Aldo's Pizza Pies. If your priority is convenience and a low-effort downtown meal, Flying Fish delivers. If your priority is a more memorable meal, move up the tier.
Planning details
- Location
- 105 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103
- Website
- flyingfishinthe.net
- Phone
- +19015228228
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Flying Fish reads like a classic Southern seafood counter transplanted into an urban Memphis block. The writing emphasizes tradition — the region's long history with fried catfish and the restaurant's longevity in a downtown stretch that sits near the Mississippi riverfront and music-lined Beale Street. It leans into an unpretentious, approachable character: no frills, focused on fried seafood and po'boy formats rather than complex plating. The surrounding music venues and steady Friday-night foot traffic give it a down-to-earth, neighborhood energy while the menu roots it firmly in regional culinary history.
Best For
This is a spot built for casual, convivial visits: quick dinners after work, neighborhood meals with family, and group outings drawn by simple, dependable seafood. Its counter format and basket-and-po'boy menu make it easy for dropped-in dining and informal gatherings rather than formal reservations. The downtown location — one block from the riverfront and near music venues on Beale Street — also makes it a convenient stop for people moving through the area on weekend evenings. Visitors come for straightforward Southern seafood and a lively, neighborhood atmosphere.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the house strengths: fried catfish and po'boy sandwiches that follow the region's classic formulas, plus fried shrimp and crawfish where available. The menu language calls out baskets and po'boy formats, so order one of those as a main and add the traditional sides the kitchen serves — coleslaw, hushpuppies, and fries — to complete the meal. If you want something offbeat, the signature gator bites are listed among the offerings. Portions skew casual and shareable, so picking a couple of different baskets or a po'boy and a side or two is a sensible approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Fun and casual with vintage Southern charm; decorated wall-to-wall with singing fish memorabilia; open-air dining from large windows; upbeat music contributes to energetic atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Counter Service
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- Grilled Catfish
- Fried Shrimp
- Po'boy Sandwiches
- Crawfish
- Gator Bites
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 105 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Gus’s World Famous Chicken, Hot Chicken, Hot Chicken
- City House, Italian, Italian
- Hattie B’s, Chicken, Chicken
- The Lobbyist, $$$ · Fusion, $$$ · Fusion
- Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, $$$ · Italian-American, $$$ · Italian-American
Restaurant context
Flying Fish is the low-friction option in downtown Memphis, easy to walk into, no real planning required, and well-positioned for anyone already in the riverfront or entertainment district. That convenience puts it in different territory from Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, which is the clear choice if you want a considered, higher-end meal and are willing to book ahead. Andrew Michael operates at a $$$ price point with Italian-American cooking that gives it a strong claim to being the best sit-down dinner in Memphis for a special occasion. Flying Fish does not compete at that level.
For casual dining comparisons, Gus's World Famous Chicken and Hattie B's are both more compelling if fried chicken is your goal, both have strong reputations and are worth the minor effort of timing a visit. City House is a better call if you want something with more culinary ambition at a moderate price point. Flying Fish works when you want reliable and easy over memorable and planned.
If you are deciding between Flying Fish and The Lobbyist for the same evening, The Lobbyist at $$$ with a fusion format is clearly the more ambitious night out. Flying Fish is the fallback for when you did not plan ahead or want something low-key before or after another activity. It earns its spot in downtown Memphis not by being the best at anything, but by being reliably accessible when the rest of the city is booked up or too loud.
Explore Memphis
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Flying Fish guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Flying Fish
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Fish | Memphis | , | No published awards |
| Gus’s World Famous Chicken | Memphis | Hot Chicken | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #752024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #942023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Ranked · #66 |
| City House | Memphis | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2822024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2922023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Hattie B’s | Memphis | Chicken | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #872024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #452023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| The Lobbyist | Memphis | $$$ · Fusion | 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Michelin Plate |
| Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen | Memphis | $$$ · Italian-American | 2025 Michelin Plate |
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How Flying Fish compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
FAQ
What should a first-timer know about Flying Fish?
Come expecting a casual, energetic room rather than a polished dining experience. Flying Fish works well as a convenient downtown stop, easy to walk into, no advance planning required. It is a practical choice for a first Memphis visit, especially if you are combining it with a Beale Street or riverfront evening. For a more considered meal, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen is worth planning ahead for instead.
Does Flying Fish handle dietary restrictions?
No specific dietary restriction data is available for Flying Fish. Call ahead or check with the venue directly before visiting if you have specific requirements. For a broader look at Memphis dining options that might better accommodate dietary needs, the full Memphis restaurants guide covers the wider field.
How far ahead should I book Flying Fish?
Booking difficulty is rated easy, so same-day or walk-in visits are realistic at Flying Fish, particularly compared to harder-to-book Memphis spots. If you are visiting during a busy weekend or a major event downtown, a same-day call ahead is sensible. You do not need to plan weeks in advance the way you would for a tighter reservation at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen.
Can Flying Fish accommodate groups?
Group-specific capacity data is not available for Flying Fish. The casual, high-traffic nature of the venue suggests it can handle moderate group sizes comfortably, but contact the restaurant directly for parties larger than six. For larger group outings in downtown Memphis, B.B. King's Blues Club is a more established option for big tables with built-in entertainment.
What should I wear to Flying Fish?
Casual dress is appropriate. Flying Fish is a downtown Memphis neighborhood spot, not a fine-dining room, so there is no expectation of smart-casual or formal attire. Come as you are, particularly if you are already out exploring the riverfront or Beale Street area. If you are heading somewhere dressier the same evening, Flying Fish works well as an early, low-key stop before a night out.
