"A celebration of pork and bier" is the holistic tagline for this convincing Overton Square tribute to lively German beer gardens.

Website: schweinehaus.com
Number of seats: 140
Average per-person check: $22
Popular dishes: Giant soft pretzel served with Schweinehaus mustard and beer cheese; Brussels sprouts deep-fried and tossed with candied almonds, citrus vinaigrette and bacon; Schweinehaus Burger with pickwick Cheddar, bacon, sauerkraut, arugula and maple whole grain mustard on a brioche bun.
What people come for: Wide selection of local and German beers.
Address: 2110 Madison Ave.
Phone number: 901-347-3060

Wurst platter

Sauerbraten brisket

This location of a small southern chain, with other locations in Mississippi and Alabama, brings tacos and tapas made from scratch daily to the River City.

Website: babalutacos.com
Number of seats: 212
Average per-person check: $21
Popular dishes: Guacamole made tableside with Hass avocado, sun-dried tomato, red and green onion, kosher salt, cilantro and lime juice, served with house chips; Baba Burger with Aspen Ridge natural Angus beef, roasted Roma tomatoes, caramelized onions, white Cheddar cheese, Hass avocado, applewood smoked bacon and chipotle aïoli on a sweet sourdough bun; carne de cerdo taco with smoked Compart Farms pork belly, chipotle-citrus barbecue sauce, roasted peanut slaw and cotija cheese.
What people come for: Specialty margaritas and cocktail list; outdoor dining
Address: 2115 Madison Ave.
Phone number: 901-274-0100

An assortment of tacos

At this intimate favorite, owner Sabine Bachman and her son/chef Armando Gagliano work together to bring out the homey and lived-in aspects of fine-dining at its easiest and warmest extremes.

Website: eccoonovertonpark.com
Number of seats: 50
Average per-person check: $40
Popular dishes: Sous-vide coppa served with skin-on mashed potatoes, fried kale, and Port glaze; branzino fillet served with fresh herbs, caper butter and basmati rice; five-cheese ravioli.
What people come for: Eclectic wine list, screened-in back deck
Address: 1585 Overton Park Ave.
Phone number: 901-410-8200

Orange and fennel salad

The back deck of the restaurant

“Love and respect for the dough” make up part of an ethos for this Midtown location, although another has been humming downtown now for three years, of a New York-style pizza place with distinguished beers to wash the slices down.

Website: aldospizzapies.com
Number of seats: 65, with 30 moe on roof deck
Average per-person check: $16
Popular dishes: Vodka pizza with vodka cream and mozzarella; Bring Out the Gump Pizza: poblano cream, sundried tomato pesto, grilled shrimp, mozzarella, red onion and basil; meatball appetizer: four of grandma's best served with arugula, marinara and shaved Grana Padano cheese.
What people come for: Mindful beer list, roof deck, kid friendliness
Address: 752 S. Cooper St.
Phone number: 901-725-7437

Beer taps

Rooftop seating