What happens when you combine great food and Southern hospitality with the royal game of chess? You get an experience that is uniquely Memphian. The Memphis Chess Club, founded in 1877, has been reinvented to include a full service cafè, making it a one-of-a-kind destination within the historic walls of 195 Madison Avenue. The Memphis Chess Club is the perfect place for people of all ages to enjoy a meal from the cafè, as well as observe, play and even learn the game of chess. Whether you are looking for a fantastic cup of coffee with a delicious meal or a fierce game of chess, the Memphis Chess Club will have you feeling right at home.
Memphis Chess Club – Facebook
. Closed now. . 195 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN, United States, 38103. Links. . memphischessclub.com. Contact info. . (901) 602-6402. . info@memphischessclub.
Carl Larsen
This place is incredible. Don’t be deceived by the name. It’s a coffee shop that kicks butt. Went there twice on my work trip great experiences both times the second time they didn’t make my drink quite right and insisted on remaking it top-notch
… morejenlee wokeup
Had coffee and some snacks. Absolutely fantastic place to hang out. Lots to look at! Great coffee and the service was nice. It was a little pricey for a small latte. We will go back!
… moreMatthew Taylor
I spent my morning looking for a coffee shop to take coffee to my wife for her and some co workers. This place has excellent customer service and Talan is the best barista in Memphis. I really appreciate them.
… moreIshwaria Subbiah
The Memphis Chess Club is a fantastic spot for all ages! We came in for a quick late lunch after visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, and it was the perfect stop. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a great selection of easy food, a solid kids menu, and fast & courteous service. They even serve delicious crêpes on Saturdays and Sundays until 2 PM!
Neither chess play nor membership isn’t required to enjoy the space – it’s a wonderful place to gather, with an awesome wall of games and books. Our family had a blast and we’ll definitely be back! Highly recommend!
… moreKelsey Huse
LOVE this place. Great vibes, really cozy. Food is decent. I got a salad and the egg was slightly overcooked but it was still good. Overall I will be coming back for the aesthetic. Unfortunately I am rating it only 4 stars due to the lack of bike parking, yet if you drive and park at the garage then you get a discount, so the transportation incentives here are a bit regressive.
Edit: Bring your bike inside to the courtyard, or lock it to the street meters if available.
… moreVijay B Sambasivam
This is such a cool and unique spot in downtown Memphis! The Memphis Chess Club Coffee Shop combines a love for chess with a cozy café vibe, and it works beautifully. The chess-themed ambiance is both classy and fun, with boards on tables, chess art around the space, and even chess games playing on the TVs—perfect for fans of the game.
Their coffee is solid—smooth, well-balanced, and perfect for sipping while you play or watch. There’s even a dedicated space where people can sit down and play actual games, which makes it more than just a coffee shop—it’s a creative community hangout.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just someone who enjoys a unique atmosphere and a good latte, this place is worth a visit. Definitely one of the more memorable café experiences in Memphis!
… moreNatalie Greene
Great atmosphere. Cool, old building, beautifully decorated, nice view, and so much fun! You pay $5 for access all sorts of games, books, and chess pieces. We had crepes and a macchiato. We will be back! I’ll try their pizza next time.
… moreBOBBY ZINSER
We happened into this place after running in the St Jude Marathon. I’ve heard of it and wanted to check it out, it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was really cool and I only had coffee and a chocolate pastry. They were really good. But this place is really cool. I didn’t know it served beer and food. I’m not a chess player. So don’t let the name dissuade you. The people working were happy and nice despite being overwhelmed by all the runners coming in. I will for sure be back and maybe even learn to play chess.
… moreGabbie C.
I had one of the best crepes ever here, crispy edges while being soft but not doughy in the middle, with all of the ingredients being cooked very well/seasoned great together. The ambience is also very cute and I def would come back for the crepes and coffee!
… moreV W
So let me start off by listing the good things. I truly wanted to like the food here because I absolutely loved the vibe. The atmosphere was very chill, relaxing, welcoming and inviting. You are able to play chess, read, play board games, study and co-mingle with your friends. THE PERFECT atmosphere! We arrive @7:50. The kitchen closed @8 but the dining room closed @8:30. When we arrived there were a few other customers studying and working on their laptops. We ordered the 12’ club, a bacon egg and cheese croissant and fries. Our order came out to about $50. Please forgive the quality of my pics because I had to take the pics in the car under to car overhead light. We received our food right at 8:30. So that means we actually waited almost 40 minutes for our meal. Mind you we were the only one waiting for food. This was absolutely the worst and most tasteless sandwich I have ever have had in my life. It had tomato’s, lettuce, Cajun turkey, ham, red onions and mayo. The bread was over toasted until it had a dark burn mark like the croissant in the pic which was also over toasted. The turkey and ham both tasted the same. The ham wasn’t sweet and the turkey definitely didn’t taste Cajun. Both tastes absolutely too bland which I found very odd and off putting. Found this place off of TikTok. The young man in his video had some kind of mustard sauce on his club sandwich. When I asked the cashier he stated that it only came with mayo. So, I said ok I will keep it the same as you all normally make it. But even with the other sauce it still would’ve been honey mustard with bland meat. The croissant was just ok with the overly toasted bread. One thing that we really enjoyed was the fries! They were fresh and well seasoned. Sad to say the best part of the meal!
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