Little Rock is the capital and most populous city of Arkansas, located in the central part of the state. As the state’s cultural and economic hub, Little Rock is home to a thriving food scene featuring a wide variety of cuisines. From upscale fine dining to casual neighborhood eateries, the city has no shortage of excellent restaurants to satisfy every taste.
Here are 10 of the best restaurants in Little Rock to consider for your next meal.
1. Graffiti’s Kitchen Bar
Graffiti’s Kitchen Bar is a contemporary American bistro located in the River Market district. The dining room features an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere with tall windows, exposed brick walls, and sleek wooden tables and booths. Executive chef and co-owner Tonya Pepper helms the kitchen, putting her creative spin on New American fare using local, seasonal ingredients.
Guests can start with shareable small plates like baked brie with fig jam or truffle mac and cheese before moving on to entrées such as crab cake sandwiches, pan-seared branzino, or wood-fired flatbreads. The culinary team also operates a wood-fired oven, adding smoky complexity to pizzas, roasted veggies, and grilled meats and seafood. An expertly curated wine list and craft cocktails perfectly complement the dishes. Graffiti’s remains one of Little Rock’s finest dining experiences.
2. South on Main
South on Main is a contemporary Southern restaurant located in the Hillcrest neighborhood. Here, executive chef Matthew McClure puts a refined twist on comfort food favorites using fresh, local Arkansas products. The dining room offers an upscale yet comfortable atmosphere with green colored walls, white tablecloths, and a raw bar serving oysters.
Start with appetizers like sweet corn and crab hushpuppies or bacon-wrapped dates before choosing an entrée. Customer favorites include shrimp and grits, chicken fried steak, and ricotta gnocchi. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered to as well. Save room for decadent desserts like coconut cream pie or butterscotch budino. South on Main expertly blends nostalgic Southern flavors with inventive presentations, making it a top choice for special occasions or date nights.
3. Fassler Hall
Fassler Hall is Little Rock’s premier beer hall featuring a thoughtfully curated list of craft beers from around the world. Housed in a renovated historic building, the three-story pub offers an abundance of communal tables, booths, and high-tops from which to enjoy a pint. In addition to beers, the menu highlights shareable German-inspired pub fare like soft pretzels, wurst plates, salads, and housemade pastas.
Out front, a spacious biergarten and beer garden provide outdoor seating during nice weather. Live music and entertainment keep things lively most nights. Fassler Hall excels at providing a fun, casual atmosphere for socializing over drinks and snacks. It’s the perfect spot for catching sports games, hosting group outings, or simply unwinding after work with friends.
4. Acadia
Acadia is an upscale American bistro located in the Quapaw Quarter historic district. The dining room features polished wood furniture, stained glass windows, and flickering candles that lend an intimate romantic ambiance. Executive chef Matt McClure heads the open kitchen, crafting exquisite tasting menus centered around seasonal ingredients. Dishes are artfully plated and showcase adventurous flavor combinations.
A five or seven-course prix fixe menu allows diners to experience a parade of mini masterpieces. Options change regularly but may feature dishes like smoked black cod, sous vide quail, or heirloom tomato soup. Paired wines guide guests through the progression. While the elevated cuisine comes at a higher price point, Acadia delivers a truly memorable fine dining experience that foodies will appreciate. Reservations are highly recommended.
5. Pizza D’ Action
Pizza D’Action is a beloved local pizzeria known for its unique creations and quintessential neighborhood atmosphere. The intimate dining room offers a casual yet vibrant vibe with colorful décor, vinyl records playing on the stereo, and local art adorning the walls. Pies emerge from the wood-fired oven with perfectly charred, blistered crusts.
Popular topping combinations range from classic margherita and pepperoni to more inventive combinations like barbecue chicken with pickled jalapeños. Salads, sandwiches, and appetizers round out the menu. By day, locals crowd the sunny patio for lunch. At night, craft beers and wine flow freely as friends and families enjoy fun, low-key dining. Pizza D’Action truly epitomizes the feel of Little Rock’s urban neighborhoods. It’s easy to see why locals have considered it a favorite hangout for over 30 years.
6. Big Orange
Nestled inside a renovated 1917 fire station, Big Orange exudes charm and character. The repurposed garage doors open to a double-decker dining room beneath vaulted tin ceilings. Executive chef and co-owner Ben McPherson leads the open kitchen, crafting New American cuisine influenced by global flavors and techniques.
The seasonal menu features dishes like duck confit tacos, pork belly BLT, and housemade pasta shining spotlight on local ingredients. Oenophiles will appreciate the thoughtfully curated wine list focusing on natural, organic, and biodynamic varieties. Big Orange elevates the typical neighborhood deli into a sophisticated yet unpretentious dining destination. The welcoming atmosphere paired with meticulously prepared seasonal food make it a longtime local favorite.
7. Cafe 72
Cafe 72 has served Hillcrest neighborhood residents and downtown workforce for over two decades. The cozy cottage exterior belies an airy modern space inside. Here, chef Dean Moore and his small but mighty team quietly turn out a rotating menu of refined comfort food mostly à la carte.
Soups, salads, and sandwiches take a culinary spin during lunch before more substantial fare arrives at night like citrus herb chicken, shrimp and grits, and pecan-crusted rainbow trout. Desserts like pies and bread pudding provide a sweet finale. Breakfast and weekend brunch let locals linger longer over coffee and morning classics. Friendly, prompt service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere make Cafe 72 the neighborhood’s neighborhood spot for any meal occasion.
8. FLINT
FLINT blends natural wines, seasonal American cooking, and sleek, plant-forward design to craft an experience unlike any other in Little Rock. Housed in the historic Governor’s Mansion District, the low-lit interior features an raw concrete bar, hanging ferns and an open demonstration kitchen. Chef Matt McClure’s tasting menu offers a series of small plates exploring ingredients, flavors and techniques, such as tempura cauliflower with shio koji dressing, pork belly potstickers with chicken fat caramel and pickled chiles.
Dishes highlight local, organic and sustainable ingredients in innovative ways. Thoughtfully sourced natural wines gracefully pair with each course. FLINT embodies the future of fine dining – sophisticated yet unpretentious with an emphasis on flavor, texture and environmental consciousness.
9. Locals
Locals Bar & Kitchen celebrates little-known ingredients and underappreciated cuts of meat at affordable prices. Housed in a historic building, the industrial-chic space features an open kitchen, communal tables, and a bustling bar. Here, chef Kent Avers crafts a daily menu highlighting the bounty of small farms, producers, and fishermen. Rotating dishes include starters like stuffed squash blossoms, pâtés, or charcuterie before classic plates of pork chops, chicken fried steak, or seasonal vegetable dishes.
Craft beers, creative cocktails, and a natural wine list meant for sharing complete the experience. Locals delivers thoughtful, hearty fare in a lively yet unpretentious atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for meeting friends, winding down after work, or grabbing a pre- or post-show bite downtown.
10. Community Bakery & Cafe
Community Bakery & Cafe fills Downtown Little Rock with the delicious aroma of freshly baked goods. In addition to wholesome baked treats like cookies, muffins, and scones, the café serves breakfast and lunch daily. Classics like biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sandwiches and soups satisfy neighborhood residents and workers.
For something lighter, build your own salad or breakfast tacos from a variety of seasonal options. Out front, cozy picnic tables provide al fresco seating. Beyond the cash register, the industrial-style bakery bustles as breads, pastries and sweets emerge from ovens. Community Bakery expertly balances crave-worthy carbs with nourishing fare in a cheerful downtown setting. It’s the ideal spot to start the day or fuel up on the go.
Little Rock’s diverse and evolving culinary scene has something for every taste and occasion. From upscale fine dining to casual neighborhood favorites, these 10 restaurants exemplify the city’s commitment to fresh, local ingredients prepared with creativity and care. Whether seeking a special night out, happy hour with friends or good homemade cooking, Little Rock’s best restaurants deliver memorable experiences and flavors to remember.