Calling all foodies! Arkansas is a state known for its great Southern hospitality, scenic camping vacations, and scrumptious food! Although mouthwatering barbecue is a local dining staple for most Arkansans, the state offers an eclectic variety of restaurants that offer fresh ingredients and warm, friendly service. No matter what you’re craving, you’re most likely not far from a restaurant that serves it, and we’ve got the inside scoop on some of the best restaurants in Arkansas where you’ll undoubtedly have an unforgettable meal.
From the atmosphere to the food, these places consistently knock it out of the park and they’re worth a road trip from any corner of the state. In no particular order, here are some unique restaurants in Arkansas where you’ll have an unforgettable meal.
You can dine on board without ever leaving the ground. It was built to resemble the steamboats that once traveled up and down the White River, docking at Des Arc, Arkansas.
Visit the Dondie’s White River Princess Facebook Page for more information.
The kitschy Purple Cow now has two locations in Arkansas's capital city for burger lovers to enjoy.
Learn more on the Purple Cow website.
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Inspired by a restaurant in Fresno, California built in the 1950s, the menu here features hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, a salad bar and dinner specials.
Get more information on The Mammoth Orange Café Facebook Page.
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The lion house at the Little Rock Zoo was built in 1933 and is a Works Progress Administration all-rock building. The restaurant features a stone fireplace and multi-level dining.
Learn more on the Cafe Africa website.
Note: Sadly, Cotham's Mercantile has permanently closed, but the sister restaurant is still open.
Now boasting a sister restaurant in Little Rock, Cotham's is where Arkansas elite meet to eat and is known for its trademark "Hubcap Hamburgers" and handmade onion rings.
Learn more on the Cotham's in the City Facebook Page.
The cafe features home cooking, steaks, ribs, catfish, frog legs, and homemade fried chicken.
Learn more on the Historic Oark General Store & Café Facebook Page.
This restaurant's menu includes fried catfish, seafood, barbecue ribs, a variety of salads and vegetables, plus desserts and enormous homemade cinnamon rolls.
Get more information on the Abe's Old Feed House Facebook Page.
Meats here are smoked on-site and served on plain white bread with thin, vinegar-based sauce and cole slaw. The restaurant has been featured in national magazines & television.
Learn more on the Jones Bar-B-Q Facebook Page.
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McClard's is also known for their sauce, cole slaw, beans and hot tamales, all made from scratch from old family recipes. They have been family owned and operated for over 75 years.
Learn more on the McClard's Bar-B-Q Facebook Page.
Clinton campaigners and staffers made Doe's their hangout and it was also the setting for then-candidate Bill Clinton's interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
Learn more on the Doe's Eat Place Facebook Page.
The Venesian Inn is an Arkansas tradition featuring authentic Italian cuisine, handmade pasta and rolls and excellent fried chicken.
Learn more on the Venesian Inn Facebook Page.
The AQ Chicken House is known for its secret-recipe chicken and casual family dining. The pan fried chicken is the house specialty.
The original wine cellar, hand-dug by Johann Andreas Wiederkehr in 1880, was converted to house the Weinkeller in 1967. The restaurant is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Find out more on the Weinkeller Restaurant Facebook Page.
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The eatery's featured fixtures were all made by A.H. Lippenott in Philadephia over 100 years ago.
Learn more on the Green Corner Store Facebook Page.
The century-old café features burgers, steaks and seafood in addition to its soda fountain offerings.
Learn more on the Ozark Café Facebook Page.
Charlotte's also has an old walnut soda fountain on display for diners to admire in the restaurant's old-town setting.
Learn more on the Charlotte's Eats & Sweets Facebook Page.
AR restaurants always offer a great place to have a “sit down” meal! Of course, this list is just a sampling of some of the best restaurants in Arkansas – all Arkie residents have their own favorite dining spots, and travelers from the biggest cities find themselves coming back to even the smallest towns just for a second or third helping. Did your favorite restaurant make the list? Are there any unique restaurants in Arkansas you would add? Let us know in the comments below!
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unique restaurants in Arkansas
Jackie Ann|October 04, 2020
What is the most popular restaurant in Arkansas?
No matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, there’s a kitchen in Arkansas that’s serving it. With thousands of restaurants peppered around the Natural State, it can be difficult to decide where to dine. If you’re in the mood for Tex-Mex, you can’t go wrong with a meal from Taco Mama in Hot Springs. For finger-licking-good BBQ, Sims Bar-B-Que has a huge fan base with locals who will tell you it’s the best BBQ in the state. Of course, if fried seafood is what you’re craving, Eat My Catfish will certainly fill you up, and they’ve got locations in both Little Rock and Benton, Arkansas.
Where can I find the best burgers in Arkansas?
When you’re looking to sink your teeth into a big, juicy burger, Arkansas has plenty of options for you. In Hot Springs, a local favorite is Bubbalu’s, which specializes in bodacious burgers, hot dogs, and more. For a nostalgic diner experience, head over to the Dairyette in Mount Ida. This humble little diner has been serving some of the best burgers and shakes in the state since they opened in 1958, and well worth a visit. Other favorites include CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers in Russellville, Feltner’s Whatta-Burger in Russelville, and David’s Burgers in Conway, Arkansas.
Where are the best bakeries in Arkansas?
Arkansas may not have a signature dessert that’s known worldwide, but those near Searcy County in the Ozarks would beg to differ. Known as the Chocolate Roll Capital of the World, this sweet treat is a kind of cousin to the cinnamon roll, and perfect any time of day. Misty’s Shell, a gas station in Leslie, Arkansas, is known to have some of the best chocolate rolls around. If you’re in the mood for a cupcake, you should pop into Sugar Dumplin’s. This little bakery in Bryant, Arkansas features over 80 cupcake flavors in rotation, plus freshly baked cookies, cinnamon rolls, and other delicious baked goods.
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Featured Addresses
Dondie's White River Princess, 203 E Curran St, Des Arc, AR 72040, USA
Mammoth Orange Cafe, Redfield, AR 72132, USA
Zoo Drive, Zoo Dr, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
Cotham's In the City, 1401 W 3rd St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Oark General Store, 117 Co Rd 5241, Oark, AR 72852, USA
Abe's Ole Feed House, 2299 Lawson Rd, Lawson, AR 71750, USA
Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, 219 W Louisiana St, Marianna, AR 72360, USA
McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant, 505 Albert Pike Rd, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913, USA
Doe's Eat Place, 1023 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Venesian Inn, 582 W Henri De Tonti Blvd, Springdale, AR 72762, USA
A Q Chicken House, 1207 N Thompson St, Springdale, AR 72764, USA
3324 Swiss Family Dr Wiederkehr Village, Altus, AR 72821, USA
Ozark Cafe, 107 E Court St, Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Charlotte's Eats & Sweets, 290 Main St, Keo, AR 72083, USA
1423 Main St D, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
1490 Higdon Ferry Rd, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913, USA
