A Taste of Tupelo
Eat like Elvis, tour the state's first and only meadery, or discover downtown through the newly minted Tupelo Cocktail Trail.
Known as the Birthplace of Elvis Presley, people from all over the world visit Tupelo to explore the city that gave rise to one of the world’s greatest entertainers. An emerging culinary destination, visitors come for Elvis and stay for the incredible food scene in Tupelo.
With over 160 restaurants, the power of possibility is yours in Tupelo. Sample some of the city’s best barbecue at Bar-B-Que by Jim in the heart of Downtown Tupelo. Try a juicy hamburger hot off the grill at Jimmy’s Seaside Burgers & Wings. Put a little south in ya’ mouth at Romie’s Grocery, home of Tupelo’s favorite “meat and three.” Save room for dessert at Funky Cones, where homemade waffles are filled to the brim with ice cream and all of the toppings.
Tupelo’s chefs are hailed throughout the southeast for the unique culinary creations coming out of kitchens all over town. Chef Cooper Miller’s elevated southern food is locally sourced at Forklift in the Jackson West neighborhood. An extensive menu of handcrafted cocktails complements this unique gastronomic experience. Park Heights Restaurant offers spectacular views of Downtown Tupelo on its rooftop and a scrumptious menu created by Chef Tom Lester. One of the city’s newest restaurants, Ethel Mae’s serves up Neo-Soul food in an atmosphere that makes you feel like family. Live music on the weekends, craft cocktails, and Chef Reginald Scott’s cuisine make this a can’t miss spot in Tupelo.
Visitors interested in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience should look no further than Queen’s Reward Meadery. Mississippi’s first and only meadery, Queen’s Reward makes award-winning, small-batch mead with a sip of southern hospitality. With several different varieties, taste them all in the meadery’s West Tupelo tasting room and take home a bottle of your favorite mead to remember your weekend trip to Tupelo.
The Tupelo Cocktail Trail invites guests to visit eight Downtown Tupelo locations and enjoy delicious, local artisan cocktails. Pick up your cocktail card at the Tupelo Visitors Center or at each participating restaurant. Once you have completed all eight stops on the Cocktail Trail, redeem your card at the Tupelo Visitors Center for a free #MyTupelo cocktail shaker.
Eat like the king with a visit to Johnnie’s Drive-In, where Elvis liked to eat. Tupelo’s oldest restaurant, sit in the Elvis booth inside or enjoy carhop service at this working drive-in. Try the doughburger, a North Mississippi delicacy. Tupelo’s restaurants serve up plenty of other Elvis eats including his favorite fried peanut butter and banana sandwich at Café 212 in Downtown Tupelo.
Tupelo’s culinary culture is constantly changing, but one thing remains the same, you won’t find a bad meal in the city where anything is possible. Follow #tupelofoodie on Instagram and let your mouth water. Visit tupelo.net to peruse the city’s many restaurants and start planning your scrumptious trip to Tupelo today.
Sponsored by the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau