The story
Southern Social sits on South Germantown Road in Germantown, Tennessee — a short drive from Memphis but very much its own destination. The restaurant opens for dinner seven nights a week, and the format is straightforward: a focused American menu served in an atmosphere that takes its drinks program as seriously as its food.
The wine list earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024, a recognition that reflects genuine curation rather than a perfunctory bottle selection. Alongside it, Southern Social maintains a dedicated bourbon list — notable enough to warrant its own section on the menu — and a full cocktail program. For a suburban American dining room, that combination of wine credibility and bourbon depth sets a high bar.
The kitchen runs a dinner-only format, Monday through Sunday, which keeps the operation sharp and the menu intentional. The full offering spans a dinner menu, cocktail list, wine list, and bourbon list — each treated as its own category rather than an afterthought.
Southern Social also handles luxury private events and catering, with outdoor seating available for those who prefer it. Curbside pickup rounds out the practical side of things for guests who want the kitchen's American cooking at home.
For anyone in the greater Memphis area looking for a polished American dinner with a drinks program that has earned outside recognition, Southern Social in Germantown makes a strong case.
Recognition
Ambience
Location