11 Best Restaurants In Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock may be best known for its cheese dip and barbecue, but the city’s restaurant scene extends far beyond these iconic foods. Venture outside the box and sample the delectable Indian, Latin American, and creative New American cuisine that can be found here. Global flavors, an emphasis on farm-fresh ingredients, better-than-average steakhouses, and Southern-style home cooking—these encapsulate Little Rock’s culinary heartbeat every bit as much as a spicy, cheesy dip and succulent smoked meats (both of which, it must be said, you still have to try). Here are some of the best restaurants in Little Rock to try on your next visit, ranked in no particular order.

Trio’s

For the past three decades, Trio’s has served New American fare with locally sourced ingredients in cheery Andover Square. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads, burgers, and enchiladas, while hearty dinner entrees like Butternut Squash Cannelloni, Thai Style Shrimp Curry, and the Kobe Burger will satisfy you for hours. If it’s your first time here, get the Peck’s Special Salad—named for the historic Hotel Sam Peck downtown—and follow it up with a seasonal dessert.

triosrestaurant.com, 8201 Cantrell Rd, Ste 100 Little Rock, AR 72227

Brave New Restaurant

Brave New Restaurant has been a local staple since its inception in 1991. With beautiful views of the Arkansas River and the downtown skyline, dining here is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food. The menu is excellent—savory, meat-centric entrees include Duck with Duck, a plate of seared, spice-rubbed duck breast and smoked duck sausage, and Mixed Grill, a mix of grilled pork tenderloin, beef medallion, stuffed quail, and wild game sausage.

www.bravenewrestaurant.com, 2300 Cottondale Ln, Little Rock, AR 72202

El Sur Street Food Co.

A popular food truck turned brick-and-mortar, El Sur serves Honduran cuisine, including the famed baleadas, which are similar to a burrito. The best way to try this signature dish is to get the Con Todo, a folded flour tortilla with fried beans, Honduran cheese, fried plantains, avocado, cream, pickled onions, and your choice of filling (al pastor, birria, cauliflower chorizo, and others). Go ahead and get food for the table, too—the Pupusas and Fried Plantains are a must.

elsurstreetfoodco.com, 1214 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202

Taqueria El Palenque

Look no further for great Mexican food in Little Rock than El Palenque. This tiny taqueria is tucked away at the strip center on Rodney Parham Road, but don’t be fooled by its unassuming exterior. You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the Burrito de Camaron—a flour tortilla stuffed with shrimp, beans, pico de gallo, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream—is a standout.

9501 N Rodney Parham Rd, Little Rock, AR 72227

Cache

Cache is a tried-and-true pick for fine dining in Little Rock. This River Market establishment boasts chic, modern decor and delicious seafood, pasta, and meat entrees. Save room for dessert, like warm chocolate cake, bread pudding, or key lime pie. After dinner, retreat to the upstairs outdoor patio for live music and a nightcap with a view.

www.cachelittlerock.com, 425 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201

The Root Cafe

As much of a Little Rock institution as the Clinton Presidential Center or the Big Dam Bridge, the Root Cafe is a bustling farm-to-table spot located on Main Street downtown. All the meat, eggs, and bread they serve come directly from local farmers, and the majority of their veggies, cheeses, nuts, and fruits come from small producers in Arkansas. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are wide-ranging, with several vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.

therootcafe.com, 1500 S. Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202

Star of India

Star of India has the distinction of being the state’s first Indian restaurant when it opened in 1993. Owner Sami Lal offers a warm welcome to all, and the food is undeniably good. Come for the lunch buffet, which features tasty traditional dishes such as tandoori chicken, vegetable biryani, chicken tikka masala, and more. With candlelit booths and highly attentive staff, you can always count on a meal at Star of India to be a memorable one.

www.lrstarofindia.com, 301 N Shackleford Rd, Little Rock, AR 72211

Lindsey’s

Barbecue aficionados should make it a point to eat lunch at Lindsey’s in North Little Rock. Owners Donnie and Eleanor Lindsey often man the counter at this hometown haunt, which serves a range of aromatic smoked meats alongside classic sides like pinto beans, onion rings, slaw, and potato salad. Weekly lunchtime specials run the gamut from meatloaf to fried catfish.

www.lindseysbbqnmore.com, 207 Curtis Sykes Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72114

Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro

It’s not a visit to Little Rock without sampling some cheese dip. Stop by Dizzy’s for their La Petit Roche Cheese Dip, which comes garnished with salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, and tortilla chips. Dizzy’s has won several awards for its dip. Their entrees—White Truffle Mac & Cheese, Electra’s Baked Chicken Casserole, and Mama Elana’s Chicken Spaghetti are favorites—are made fresh, from scratch.

dizzyslr.com, 200 River Market Ave, Ste 150, Little Rock, AR 72201

Sterling Market

Dine in Sterling Market, a former paint factory turned upscale food hall. Here, sandwiches and salads feature ingredients from local vendors like Rabbit Ridge Farms, War Eagle Mill, and Barnhill Orchards. Accessible in rain or shine, the outdoor alley space offers comfy seating and occasional special events, like brunch bingo and live music.

sterlingmarket.com, 515 Shall Ave, Little Rock, AR 72202

Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse

A favorite for special occasions, Arthur’s is the city’s premier steakhouse. Rich wood features, oil paintings, and crisp white tablecloths set the stage for an elegant meal. The team dry ages their beef on the premises before it's cut in-house. Pair your filet or ribeye with a glass of red wine from the award-winning wine list to complete your meal.

arthursprime.com, 16100 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72223

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