10 Great Restaurants in Little Rock
Where to Eat in Little Rock and What to Try?
The trendy city neighborhoods of Little Rock, like River Market, Downtown, and the historic Quapaw Quarter, have some seriously great restaurants. The tranquil leafy suburbs like Boyle Park and Prospect Terrace also boast many delicious eateries. Arkansas’ Southern roots are on proud display here with plenty of soul food, Cajun, and Creole eateries making an appearance.
Whether you’re looking for a restaurant that serves beautifully plated gourmet meals or want a more casual eatery to hang out with the locals, our list of the best restaurants in Little Rock has you covered.
1. Brave New Restaurant
Modern waterfront gem that aims to WOW diners
Good for: Couples, Food, Photo
Casting its gaze over the dramatic Arkansas River, Brave New Restaurant serves upscale New American cuisine in a contemporary interior that features funky modern art on the walls. On sunnier days, seat yourself on the sun-kissed balcony for distant views of the Little Rock skyline and, if you’re lucky, a fleeting glimpse of the historic Delta Queen steamboat.
Order fresh seafood appetizers like avocado crab salad and Louisiana Gulf Coast oysters before savoring hearty mains like veal piccata, lamb lollipops, and aromatic chicken risotto. The desserts are too good to miss, so make sure you save some room. We recommend the shamefully indulgent chocolate creme brulee (Little Rock’s locals swear by it).
Location: 2300 Cottondale Ln #105, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 501-663-2677
Brave New Restaurant
2. Heights Taco and Tamale Co.
Mexican-Southwestern fusion cuisine in the heart of the suburbs
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
Heights Taco and Tamale Co. woos diners with its warm wood-accented interior, upholstered leather diner booths, and a countertop bar with stools that recall an America from an earlier era. This buzzy joint serves all your Mexican favorites with a contemporary twist. Think shrimp po’boy tacos, sweet potato Delta tamales, corn and zucchini enchiladas, and tomato marmalade dip.
To finish, treat yourself to the sour cream chocolate fudge cake or the puppy chow crumble cup, washed down with a mercantile soda. The cocktail menu is imaginative with seasonal concoctions appearing every quarter like the pear-infused Job for a Cowboy and the mezcal-laced Dream Theatre.
Location: 5805 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72207, USA
Open: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 501-313-4848
Heights Taco and Tamale Co.
3. The Root Café
Bringing the community together through a love of good food
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
The feel-good Root Café is in Little Rock’s historic Quapaw Quarter that’s home to a wealth of impeccably restored 19th-century homes and the majestic governor’s mansion. Instantly recognizable by its multi-colored mural frontage, featuring happy fruits and vegetables, this quirky little hangout is a great place to take the family.
Seat yourself on a brightly hued chair in its eclectic interior, surrounded by vintage floral throw cushions and plenty of eye-popping wall art, or grab a table on the cobbled patio under an oversized sun umbrella. The menu prides itself on farm-to-table offerings like the green tomato cracklin’ and the purple hull pea chili. For a real pig out, opt for the tasty homemade meatloaf with chipotle mashed potatoes.
Location: 1500 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 501-414-0423
The Root Café
4. Flying Fish
No-nonsense Cajun cuisine served in an Americana interior
Good for: Families, Food, Budget
Flying Fish is a charismatic Cajun diner in the River Market neighborhood that many consider the cultural epicenter of Arkansas’ historic capital. Come here for the checked tablecloths, neon Heineken sign, old-school bar, and Southern comfort food. It’s an excellent place to eat after visiting the city’s landmarks.
Try the stuffed jalapenos, golden gator nuggets, and steaming seafood gumbo before moving on to mud bugs, shrimp jambalaya, and hog wallow fry (an Oklahoma Cherokee special). People come from miles around to sample Larry’s Deep Fried Banana Pudding. There are also plenty of brand-name beers on tap, as well as a selection of one-glass wines.
Location: 511 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 501-375-3474
Flying Fish
5. Lindsey’s Hospitality House
Big-hearted BBQ joint which dates back to the 1950s
Good for: Families, Food, History
Lindsey’s Hospitality House is a suburban barbecue restaurant 10 minutes’ drive north of central Little Rock over the scenic Arkansas River. The throw-back decor is a clue to the authenticity within because this is the number one place to go for a taste of real-deal soul food. It’s also famed for its fiery hot sauce which goes with just about anything.
A thriving family institution, Lindsey’s specializes in finger-licking dinners of beef, chicken, catfish, and pork accompanied by delicious fixings like candied yams, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, and potato salad. For dessert, try deep-fried chocolate pie or a slice of homemade cheesecake. There’s also curbside pickup for hungry road trippers who are pushed for time or on a budget.
Location: 207 Curtis Sykes Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72114, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays and Sundays)
Phone: +1 501-374-5707
Lindsey's Hospitality House
6. Sims Bar-B-Que
A beloved food scene star since 1937
Good for: Families, Food, History
Sims Bar-B-Que is a culinary institution, founded nearly 90 years ago in a humble brick-fronted building. The inside looks like an old canteen with its simple black chairs, vintage wood paneling, and Formica-topped tables, but don’t judge a book by its cover. This place means business.
Locals flock to this down-home joint for its unbelievably delicious rib slabs, which can easily feed a party of 4, smoked sausage sandwiches, chicken dinner specials, and classic Southern sides like collard greens with cornbread. Finish with the sweet potato pie and a glass of raspberry tea. The restaurant also offers picnic packs that are ideal for the weekend.
Location: 2415 Broadway St, Little Rock, AR 72206, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 501-372-6868
Sims Bar-B-Que
7. Lost Forty Brewing
An ultra-hip hangout with plenty of indie cred
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Lost Forty Brewing, on the east side of Little Rock, is a beer hall that serves branded craft brews and scrumptious comfort food spanning Italian, Southern, and Latino flavors. Try beers like Easy Tiger Mexican Lager, Day Drinker Belgian Blonde, Munich Dunkel, and Rockhound IPA.
From the menu, order plates loaded with crispy cauliflower vegan wings and spicy Calabrian peppers or share cheesy pizzas with imaginative names like Firestarter and The Stinger. Meanwhile, the Brewhouse Gumbo is a fragrant mix of shrimp, Andouille sausage, and fried green onion, while the jumbo pretzel, served with mustard, is a mighty snack for dipping.
Location: 501 Byrd St, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 501-319-7275
Lost Forty Brewing
8. BJ’s Market Café
Just like momma used to make it
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
BJ’s Market Café might be a 20-minute drive north of central Little Rock in the McAlmont or “Mac Side” community, but it’s totally worth the price of gas. This old-world diner fixes some of the best breakfasts in the region, from its fluffy buttermilk pancakes and cinnamon-dusted French toast to its prime Texan ribeye cooked with sunny side eggs.
Alternatively swing by at lunch for a catfish fillet dinner served with hushpuppies and coleslaw, or an open-faced roast beef sandwich with onion rings and Cajun fries. Check out the specials board too as there are some seriously tasty dishes on there. We love the chicken-fried steak with a side of okra and the lemon icebox pie.
Location: 45 N Plaza, North Little Rock, AR 72117, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 5.30 am to 2 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Phone: +1 501-945-8884
BJ's Market Café
9. Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse
Elevated meat and seafood served in an exquisite, rustic-chic interior
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury
Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse is an upscale American restaurant that boasts white-clothed tables, glinting chandeliers, and an opulent banquet room where larger parties can dine in private. Here, the spotlight shines on world-class cuts of beef including Australian Wagyu and Japanese Kobe, as well as a collection of 350 wines that can be perused in the cellar.
Those who aren’t so keen on meat can opt for sumptuous seafood dishes like Alaskan halibut with macadamia crust, ahi tuna tartare, and lobster and shrimp bisque. To finish, there are plenty of sweets that will appeal to all types of palates including key lime pie with raspberry sauce and glossy molten chocolate cake.
Location: 16100 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72223, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 9.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from 10.30 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +1 501-821-1838
Arthur's Prime Steakhouse
10. Trio’s Restaurant
An eco-conscious bistro that’s popular with the locals
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
Celebrated for its New American cuisine, Trio’s Restaurant has a storied history in Little Rock. It began as a gourmet food shop, founded in 1986 and since then, this “little deli that could” has evolved into a lively family-friendly eatery. It draws hungry diners in from all over Arkansas for its more than generous portions and appealing presentation.
Many of the wait staff have worked at Trio’s for more than 20 years, which gives you some idea of how people feel about the place. The food is outstanding, with plenty of culinary creations making our top picks including the hot crab dip, Voodoo pasta, and Creole chicken with Poblano mashed potatoes.
Location: 8201 Cantrell Rd Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72227, USA
Open: Monday from 11 am to 2 pm, Tuesday–Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 501-221-3330
Trio's Restaurant
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