Little Rock is a unique city. How many cities are named after a rock in a river? The early French explorers, traveling down the Arkansas River in small boats, encountered a rock outcropping just large enough to form a small harbor. They named it “la petite roche,” or “the little rock,” and the city has proudly carried that name ever since.
Beyond its name, Little Rock is known for many other unique attractions, like the Clinton Presidential Library, which honors Arkansas’s only U.S. President, Bill Clinton.
On a darker historical note, Little Rock Central High School was the site where nine brave Black students risked their lives to break the color barrier in 1957. Their story is preserved at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, the only national park site with an active high school.
Naturally, Little Rock is also a city with some unique dining spots, many serving up traditional Arkansas state dishes. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Little Rock Arkansas that I visited recently.
Table of Contents
- Doe’s Eat Place
- Root Café
- Park Grill
- Brave New Restaurant
- Heritage Grill Steak and Fin
- 42 Bar and Table
6 Must-Try Restaurants in Little Rock Arkansas
Doe’s Eat Place
1023 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201 // +1 (501) 376-1195
When you approach the old-fashioned red door of Doe’s Eat Place, a small diner on the corner of Ringo and West Markham Street, you might hesitate to enter unless you know the history.
Doe’s is a Little Rock landmark, with roots going back to the original Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville, Mississippi. This historic eatery was a juke joint turned restaurant that, even in the 1940s, welcomed both Black and white customers. The Little Rock location was opened by George Eldridge, an East Arkansas restaurateur and pilot who often flew friends to the original Doe’s.
Inside, the atmosphere is unpretentious, resembling a deep South pool room. The walls are adorned with photos of bluesmen, autographed photos of famous patrons, and numerous awards. It’s no wonder this spot has become a favorite dining spot for both visitors and locals alike, including President Clinton. Celebrities, from politicians to rock stars, frequent Doe’s when in town.
Today, George’s daughter, Katherine Eldridge, owns Doe’s, and the restaurant maintains its reputation for fantastic food. Part of the charm is Chef David, whose varied culinary skills keep diners coming back.
On our visit, my friend and I split an order of hot tamales and garlic shrimp. The tamales were served with a bowl of chili, hot and spicy, and utterly delicious. The shrimp were huge and flavorful, and the side dishes were so plentiful that we couldn’t finish them all.
The French fries were crispy outside and tender inside, and the three large new red potatoes, served with garlic butter sauce, were divine. We also had plenty of Texas toast.
Don’t be fooled by the simple exterior; inside, Doe’s is pure gold.
Root Café
1500 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202 // +1 (501) 414-0423
Root Café is another dining spot where looks can be deceiving. It might resemble a produce stand from the street, but this is a true farm-to-table restaurant with a unique outdoor feel.
The café can close its sides during cold or rainy weather, but otherwise, diners can enjoy being close to nature while eating.
Co-owner Jack Sundell describes the décor as “Green Chic.” Jack and his wife, Corri, opened The Root in 2011, staying true to their vision of sourcing nearly all their food locally from Arkansas.
Root Café goes beyond the local farm movement by supporting diverse farmers who practice sustainable farming methods. The concept has worked so well that they’ve been featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” and THV Channel 11’s “Eat it Up.”
During our visit, Jack shared The Root’s story and offered some delicious samples. We enjoyed fresh lemonade, chicken salad topped with a homemade pickle, and a sample of their famous pimento cheese.
The pimento cheese, made with yellow cheddar, pepper jack cheese, cream cheese, garlic mayonnaise, chopped roasted red pepper, and a touch of sriracha, was creamy, sweet, and tangy all at once.
Farm-to-table has become a bit overused in recent years, but at The Root, it’s the real deal.
Park Grill
501 E 9th St, Little Rock, AR 72202 // +1 (501) 430-5400
It’s not often that a brand-new restaurant wins multiple awards, especially one located in a museum where you might expect grilled cheese sandwiches to be the highlight. But the Park Grill, located in the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in the MacArthur Park Historic District, is no ordinary museum café. It has already won the Best New Restaurant award from Restauranttj and the OpenTable Diners’ Choice award.
While they do offer a version of the grilled cheese sandwich, it’s decidedly upscale, made with goat cheese, pecorino, smoked tomato jam, arugula, and pickled onion, and served with sweet potato fries or house kettle chips.
The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning view of the museum, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch.
The man behind the accolades is Executive Chef Patrick Herron, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and former executive chef at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. With such a pedigree, it’s no wonder Park Grill has quickly become a favorite among both locals and visitors.
Brave New Restaurant
2300 Cottondale Ln #105, Little Rock, AR 72202 // +1 (501) 663-2677
Brave New Restaurant is the brainchild of Peter Brave, a unique entrepreneur who once pedaled his bicycle across the United States in his 60s. Last year, Peter entrusted the restaurant to his family and Chef Ben Lindsey while he took some time off. Chef Peter was back when I visited recently, and things were running smoothly at Brave New Restaurant.
Finding this restaurant can be a bit tricky, as it’s located in a two-story building with little signage. But once inside, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Arkansas River.
The food is just as impressive as the view. I started with a tasty salad, followed by a grilled airline chicken breast with cremini mushroom risotto, Beurre Blanc, peach basil chutney, Arkansas pecans, and fresh basil leaves.
The meal concluded with Chef Ben’s special Chocolate Crème Brulee, topped with an edible flower. It was a truly memorable dining experience.
A cellist played soft music while Chef Peter introduced Chef Ben and the Brave extended family who keep the restaurant running smoothly. Brave New Restaurant is a hidden gem in Little Rock, well worth seeking out.
Heritage Grill Steak and Fin
3 Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock, AR 72201 // +1 (501) 399-8000
Many hotel restaurants aim to please middle-price-range customers, but Heritage Grill Steak and Fin is unique in its pursuit of top-tier dining. Arkansas Times lists it as one of Little Rock’s “High Brow Restaurants.” The dark wood walls, hardwood floors, and multiple charging stations for business travelers create a sophisticated yet practical atmosphere.
The chefs at Heritage Grill are top of the line. Executive Chef David Utley is a winner of the prestigious Chefs in America’s Maître Du Goût, Masters of Taste Award, among others. Pastry Chef Matthew Dunn recently won an award for creating the best eggnog.
The menu offers delicious options like Thyme-Roasted Half Chicken with smashed potato and Pan Jus,
and the Heritage Greens Salad, which is hearty enough to be a meal on its own.
The little pecan pies served during our luncheon were a delightful finish to the meal.
42 Bar and Table
1200 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201 // +1 (501) 537-0042
42 Bar and Table is a unique dining experience located inside the Clinton Presidential Library. It’s one of the few restaurants in the country located within a presidential library and the only one in Arkansas.
Recently, they hosted us at a Southeastern Tourism Society Showcase, where we were treated to a delicious meal by Chef Andre Poirot. Chef Andre, who trained in France and the U.K., was featured on The Great Chefs on the Discovery Channel while working at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. He later served as executive chef at the Little Rock Peabody Hotel and the Crowne Plaza before bringing his talents to 42 Bar and Table.
The banquet hall offered a panoramic view of the Arkansas River, making our dining experience even more special.
The chicken was my favorite main dish, but the mac and cheese was also excellent, and the Pecan Pie Tarts for dessert were a perfect finish.
After dining, we were free to explore all three museum floors, including the Oval Office replica and the Clintons’ china on display. Meeting Chef Andre and touring the kitchen was a highlight of the visit.
Each of these restaurants is special and represents a unique part of the dining scene in Little Rock. Whether you’re looking for a historic eatery or an upscale dining experience, these spots should be on your list.
Are you also visiting Benton? Click here to check out our guide to 7 of the Best Restaurants in Benton, Arkansas!