If years of pandemic dormancy kept the Little Rock food scene’s energy bottled up, the cork has decidedly been popped. Don’t believe me? Drive down Main Street in the heart of Little Rock’s SoMa District on a Saturday night. Notice anything different? It is no longer easy to find street parking. People are walking around, lingering in front of gallery windows. Once-empty storefronts on the 1500 block now bear signs of life. There is a palpable spark, and food and drink bear a substantial responsibility.
Longtime favorites Community Bakery and Boulevard Bread Company have your breakfast needs and sweet tooth covered. Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom’s pizza game is as strong as ever, and the Honduran food-truck-turned-brick-and-mortar El Sur Street Food Co. has delighted the masses.
A few doors down, Mockingbird Bar & Tacos has added brunch service to its approachable staples — burgers, fries, smoked wings, cheese dip. “We absolutely subscribe to the ‘rising tide’ effect,” Mockingbird owner Johnny Campbell said. “The more successful ventures in the area give credibility to the district. We champion the other restaurants in the area and truly want to see them succeed, and we are looking forward to the new additions that are coming soon.”
The Bagel Shop and BCW (bread, cheese and wine) are two of those newbies. They will join stalwarts like The Root Cafe, Loblolly Creamery and Rock Town Distillery to help round out one of the more eclectic food pockets in Little Rock.
About half a mile north on Main Street, you’ll find another mix of restaurants in the heart of downtown Little Rock. Places like Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill, Bruno’s Little Italy and Allsopp & Chapple Restaurant + Bar bring in regulars and River Market visitors alike.
“If you don’t have a reservation, it can be difficult to get a table on Friday and Saturday nights,” Allsopp & Chapple general manager Dillon Garcia said. Even midweek shifts can be busy for the Main Street restaurant, he added.
At Allsopp, take a load off at the bar and enjoy one of Garcia’s craft cocktails and a filet mignon. The 8-ounce center cut, espresso-cured beef comes with a cabernet demiglace along with sides of mashed potatoes and asparagus. It’s one of the best steaks in town.
The weekends have also been kind to Brood & Barley, the popular Argenta restaurant just across the river in North Little Rock. Dishes like the Legit Cheesesteak, raclette burger and pork tenderloin sandwich have helped build a loyal following.
“Brood certainly sees big crowds on the weekend,” executive chef and co-owner Brayan Mcfadden said. “Between the Argenta Vibe series, Dogtown Throwdown and just the natural lore of the neighborhood itself, we have everything to offer. Breakfast at Blackberry Market, dinner with us and late nights at Four Quarter Bar or Reno’s are the way to go. Argenta is the total package.”
Good times in North Little Rock don’t stop in Argenta. Eateries like North Bar, Hogg’s Meat Market, Dark Side Coffee Co., Gadwall’s Grill and Littlefield’s Cafe line both sides of JFK Boulevard. Nearby Sherwood is home to culinary veterans Chang Thai and Mama’s Gyros Grill, along with Bennett’s Casual Dining, a restaurant that took over the former Zaffino’s space. At Bennett’s, order the cheeseburger and fries; or request the four-course, dinner-for-two special during dinner service — an absolute steal at $60.
Heck, even the area where Maumelle meets North Little Rock is starting to change its food narrative. Cypress Social has it all, from a killer bar program to desserts galore to periodic special dinner events showcasing the creativity of chefs Aaron Fowler and Sara Horton. Chef Horton’s Coffee-Toffee Chocolate Tres Leches dessert is the stuff of dreams. On that note, and in the same area, have you been to Coffee Corner for an espresso? What about the new Enjoy Chicken & Rice for cucumber kimchi? You won’t be disappointed in either.
Back in Little Rock, the East Village neighborhood on the edge of downtown is now a wonderful mix of dining hot spots. The Rail Yard is under new ownership and is likely to regain prominence among the food truck community, while the beer and bites at Camp Taco and Lost Forty Brewing, brainchildren of Yellow Rocket Concepts, are sure to please. Coffee roaster Fidel & Co and its newly opened sister food hall, Sterling Market, are down the block, boding well for the neighborhood’s short term and extended future.
“Summertime is an exciting time for us because we witness our talented chefs showcasing different local, seasonal ingredients that tend to be popular ones amongst Arkansans,” Fidel owner Fidel Samour said. “We expect the alley area to be finished soon, where folks can enjoy food, drinks and various types of entertainment. The alley will have big fans and cooling units to make this inside/outside area enjoyable during those hot summer months.”
Speaking of new, The Rogue Roundabout, a gorgeous beer hall that also offers patrons a full menu of creative eats, has already taken the Conway food community by storm. Polish off an order of fried grit cakes with a brew, then head next door to BMB Creations Bakery for a loaf of sourdough and a couple cookies, cupcakes and mini cheesecakes. Conway is also bakery central, so don’t forget about established spots like PattiCakes Bakery for a cinnamon roll and Kassi’s Cookies for oatmeal crème pies. Before heading out of town, a to-go order of a spicy pork bowl and chicken wings from Bulgogi Korean BBQ needs to happen.
Should I keep going?
Saline County, an area once known for its plethora of chain restaurants, is making strides with local eats, thanks in large part to Heather Baber-Roe and Craig Roe, co-owners of RŌBER, Revival and Baja Grill.
“The Benton community, people who are from here and transplants, have been very welcoming, appreciative and wonderful supporters of all three of our downtown restaurants. With RŌBER, we constantly hear, ‘I can’t believe this is Benton, Arkansas. Thank you for bringing this here.’ It means a lot when they thank us, more than they probably realize,” Heather Baber-Roe says.
On that note, Heather and Craig, thank you for serving those Cuban nachos and killer margaritas at Baja Grill. Your clothesline bacon appetizer and cheeseburger at RŌBER aren’t too shabby, either.
Other notable spots in the area include Blue Heaven Restaurant & Bar for a chicken-fried steak, Speakeasy Cafe for a breakfast sandwich and cup of joe, Tim’s Tavern for amazing fried catfish, and breakfast at both Niecy’s and Blue House Bakery and Cafe.
I think you get the drift.
Our culinary scene continues to make great strides, but it takes two to tango; consumers must support the local scene with our patronage. If restaurants can foster creativity, churn out consistently excellent food and drink, and do so in settings that inspire return visits, the sky’s the limit for Central Arkansas.