Analyzing 7,185,9777.2M ReviewsFor 20,38520.4K Experts
Google reviewers rate Itta Bena 4.6 out of 5 based on 1170 reviews, frequently praising the upscale Southern cuisine, live music, and intimate atmosphere. Staff are often described as attentive and knowledgeable, with specific mentions of efficient service and curated cocktails. However, recurring criticisms include inconsistent food quality, such as bland or tough dishes, and accessibility issues regarding the lack of an elevator for the stair-only entrance.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and reliability; weakest: replies to reviews.
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
1,170 Google reviews we collected
Phrases our text analysis found in 783 written reviews
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
We read 783 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“We were greeted by a friendly and professional staff.”
“…im not sure if it was because we were black or what but she was very rude and condescending and never checked on us besides the initial service of sea…”
“From the moment we arrived, everything exceeded our expectations.”
“Food: Everything was horrible, not seasoned, was told it wasn't spicy and it was.”
“Highly recommend the she crab soup for starters and the braised short ribs!”
“I’m not sure what the issue was with my ID or why we weren’t being served, but I will not be back.”
“We were really happy and thought it was worth every penny.”
“General arrogance of waiters, self entitlement and very expensive.”
“Then the manager Tony came by immediately and introduced our server Jon.”
“Hostess acted like there were no available tables left after we were late for our reservation but online shows plenty of time left and had to show her…”
“The restaurant is a little hidden, and honestly I probably would’ve never found it if the person I was with hadn’t been before — but once inside, the…”
“-We were repeatedly lied to about the layout, the room, and the accommodations.”
“He was funny, attentive and answered all our questions with expertise!”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Poor quality food and service. Over charged for meal. Tony has poor customer service skills.
Delicious, upscale Southern cooking meal. Our server Liz was excellent and the love music was perfect. We will definitely be back when we are next in Memphis. The Cajun pasta was a favorite at the table. The decor is amazing. Note that the entrance really is up the fire escape with no sign.
Oh my goodness! This place was amazing. From the moment we walked up the fire escape the experience was a blessing. We were greeted by a friendly and professional staff. Celebrated as we celebrated our anniversary. The drinks were great. The food was better. Everything was in place and made us feel special…
Wanted to get away from the craziness of Beale street, so I wondered into Itta Bena. Ended up staying for 3 hours. I sat at the bar and wish I would have got a table. After reading the history of the restaurant on the menu (and of course the description of the food) I decided to stay for dinner. I had the smoked old…
Excellent food and service. Sea bass plus fried green tomato were delicious. Cajun pasta and grilled Caesar salad tasty. Service was exactly what one would want. Great piano/ sax live music. Best meal of our trip!
Okay, this place feels nothing like the rest of Beale Street yet somehow fits here perfectly. Cozy and intimate, this is ideal for a date night or celebratory occasion tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the BBQ+Blues joints. Soft piano and vocals set the vibe, a curated set of craft cocktails kept us…
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,170 reviews on Google · rating breakdown
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
Poor quality food and service. Over charged for meal. Tony has poor customer service skills.
Delicious, upscale Southern cooking meal. Our server Liz was excellent and the love music was perfect. We will definitely be back when we are next in Memphis. The Cajun pasta was a favorite at the table. The decor is amazing. Note that the entrance really is up the fire escape with no sign.
Fancy thoughtful gourmet comfort food. Loved it!
Oh my goodness! This place was amazing. From the moment we walked up the fire escape the experience was a blessing. We were greeted by a friendly and professional staff. Celebrated as we celebrated our anniversary. The drinks were great. The food was better. Everything was in place and made us feel special and cared for. Ending the evening downstairs capped off a great night. Enjoy the experience for yourself.
Wanted to get away from the craziness of Beale street, so I wondered into Itta Bena. Ended up staying for 3 hours. I sat at the bar and wish I would have got a table. After reading the history of the restaurant on the menu (and of course the description of the food) I decided to stay for dinner. I had the smoked old fashion and the (supposed) famous short rib. The restaurant is a speak easy styled , with live music that isn’t so loud so you can still have a conversation. Service was great.
Excellent food and service. Sea bass plus fried green tomato were delicious. Cajun pasta and grilled Caesar salad tasty. Service was exactly what one would want. Great piano/ sax live music. Best meal of our trip!
Everything was amazing! Our server Maddie was the best!
Excellent service and food quality was top.
Okay, this place feels nothing like the rest of Beale Street yet somehow fits here perfectly. Cozy and intimate, this is ideal for a date night or celebratory occasion tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the BBQ+Blues joints. Soft piano and vocals set the vibe, a curated set of craft cocktails kept us entertained at the bar, and the menu had many tantalizing options - I settled on the Cajun Pasta which was fabulous.
I really wanted to love Itta Bena on Beale Street because I had heard so many rave reviews, but unfortunately, my experience Friday night before a concert was disappointing. I’ll start with the positives: the ambiance was really nice. The restaurant was cozy, the live music created a great vibe, and it was low enough that you could still comfortably have a conversation. From that standpoint, the atmosphere was definitely enjoyable. The food, however, did not live up to the hype for me. Everything I tasted was bland at best. I tried the crab-stuffed avocado because so many people had recommended it, but I could barely taste any crab at all. I know avocado itself has a mild flavor, but I expected the crab filling and seasoning to bring much more flavor to the dish. The biggest disappointment was my entrée. I ordered the beef short ribs, but what arrived at my table looked exactly like a plate of pot roast—shredded beef with carrots. I’ve eaten short ribs many times, and one of my close friends is a chef, so I’m very familiar with how short ribs are typically prepared and presented. I called the maître d’ over because I genuinely thought I had been given the wrong meal. Instead of acknowledging my concern, he looked me in the face and insisted that the shredded meat on my plate was short rib and asked if I had ever heard of boneless short ribs. Yes, I have. And that still does not change the fact that what was served looked, tasted, and was presented like pot roast. For a restaurant with this kind of reputation, I expected much better seasoning, presentation, and overall execution. The atmosphere was lovely, but the food was a major letdown. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not return for the food.
Analyzing 7,185,9777.2M ReviewsFor 20,38520.4K Experts
