Anyone hungry? We’ve scoured the state to find truly road-trip-worthy restaurants. There’s something for everyone on this three-day foodie adventure: laid back diners, quaint cafes, and gourmet restaurants all made the list. Pack your bags and ready your eating pants. We’re about to tour the state. You can find a map here.
Google Maps Though this trip takes you all the way across the state, the longest drive times are only about two hours and 20 minutes. The drive can never be terrible in Arkansas, anyway. Not when the Ozarks and the Ouachitas are right outside your window.
- Mud Street Café (Eureka Springs)
Flickr/kenzie campbell This adorable eatery serves fresh pastries and traditional favorites. Go for the carbs, stay for the laid back atmosphere.
Facebook/Mud Street Café These muffins live at 22 South Main Street in Eureka Springs. After you eat them you’ve got time to explore the unique shops downtown Eureka has to offer.
- Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante (Fort Smith)
Facebook/Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante Rolando’s specializes in spectacularly delicious Nuevo Latino cuisine, and it’s positioned on Garrison Avenue, close to fabulous shopping and the National Historic Site.
Facebook/Rolando’s Latino Restaurante These quesadillas can be had at 223 Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith. There are two other Rolando’s locations across the state, but the one in Fort Smith is the original.
- Brave New Restaurant (Little Rock)
Facebook/Brave New Restaurant Positioned near the river, Brave New Restaurant has great eats with a good view. This restaurant has recently been a finalist in several categories for Arkansas Times’ Reader’s Choice Awards, and was named a Romantic Restaurant Worth Traveling For by Flipkey.
Facebook/Brave New Restaurant This gorgeous dessert can be drooled over at 2300 Cottondale Lane, Suite 105 in Little Rock. If you’re up for some nightlife after, look for live music in the River Market District.
- The Pancake Shop (Hot Springs)
Facebook/The Pancake Shop It’s time for breakfast again! How about some pancakes at the adorable Pancake Shop? Not into sweets for the morning? Don’t worry. They’ve got a full menu of hearty old-fashioned breakfast foods.
Facebook/The Pancake Shop These delicious blueberry pancakes can be plowed through at 216 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. When you’ve demolished them, you can explore the shops on Central Avenue.
- The Flying Burger (Magnolia)
Facebook/The Flying Burger Ready for some good old fashioned American favorites? Try a burger and fries at The Flying Burger in Magnolia. Not into red meat? That’s okay too. They’ve got platter after platter of seafood, and it’s definitely worth the drive.
Facebook/Facebook/The Flying Burger These shrimp kabobs chill out at 1899 East University in Magnolia. While you’re in Magnolia, take a stroll around Lake Columbia.
- The Whole Hog Café (North Little Rock)
Facebook/Whole Hog Café North Little Rock Low key barbecue dinner anyone? The Whole Hog Café has you covered with thirty years of experience in world championship barbecue competitions. They slow cook the meat daily, and by dinner time it’ll be ready to slide off your plate and onto your taste buds.
Facebook/Whole Hog Café North Little Rock If you arrive in North Little Rock early enough, drop in on the picturesque Old Mill, then make your way to where these ribs fall off the bone at 5107 Warden Road in North Little Rock.
- Bob’s Grill (Conway)
Facebook/Bob’s Grill in Conway Start out your last day of this foodie adventure with a late but hearty breakfast. Bob’s Grill has big eats with a friendly hometown atmosphere.
Facebook/Bob’s Grill in Conway This good morning smorgasbord is available at 1112 Oak Street in Conway. On your way to the next diner, stop by Natural Bridge in Clinton. It’s on your way.
- The Rainbow Cafe (Mountain View)
Facebook/Pj’s Rainbow Cafe After your drive back into the Ozarks, you’ll want a good lunch. Stop off at P.J.’S Rainbow Café in Mountain View. If you want to have breakfast for lunch, you’re in luck. On top of serving appetizing daily specials, P.J.’s also serves most of its breakfast menu all day long.
Yelp/Flora M. This blackened chicken salad waits for you at 216 West Main Street in Mountain View. If you’re not too tired, drop in on the Ozark Mountain Folk Center.
- Bistro on the Ridge (Jonesboro)
Yelp/Gerard N. Bistro on the Ridge offers awesome bistro-themed wraps and sandwiches, but their entrees are absolutely to die for too. From blackened chicken alfredo to ribeye steaks to tempura shrimp, they’ve got something for you and all your road-tripping foodie buddies.
Facebook/Bistro on the Ridge This salmon is grill-marked and waiting at 914 Southwest Drive in Jonesboro. If you’re feeling up to another lovely stroll, try Craighead Forest Park. It’s wonderful at dusk.
Are you ready to tour the state in plates?
Google Maps
Though this trip takes you all the way across the state, the longest drive times are only about two hours and 20 minutes. The drive can never be terrible in Arkansas, anyway. Not when the Ozarks and the Ouachitas are right outside your window.
Flickr/kenzie campbell
This adorable eatery serves fresh pastries and traditional favorites. Go for the carbs, stay for the laid back atmosphere.
Facebook/Mud Street Café
These muffins live at 22 South Main Street in Eureka Springs. After you eat them you’ve got time to explore the unique shops downtown Eureka has to offer.
Facebook/Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante
Rolando’s specializes in spectacularly delicious Nuevo Latino cuisine, and it’s positioned on Garrison Avenue, close to fabulous shopping and the National Historic Site.
Facebook/Rolando’s Latino Restaurante
These quesadillas can be had at 223 Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith. There are two other Rolando’s locations across the state, but the one in Fort Smith is the original.
Facebook/Brave New Restaurant
Positioned near the river, Brave New Restaurant has great eats with a good view. This restaurant has recently been a finalist in several categories for Arkansas Times’ Reader’s Choice Awards, and was named a Romantic Restaurant Worth Traveling For by Flipkey.
This gorgeous dessert can be drooled over at 2300 Cottondale Lane, Suite 105 in Little Rock. If you’re up for some nightlife after, look for live music in the River Market District.
Facebook/The Pancake Shop
It’s time for breakfast again! How about some pancakes at the adorable Pancake Shop? Not into sweets for the morning? Don’t worry. They’ve got a full menu of hearty old-fashioned breakfast foods.
These delicious blueberry pancakes can be plowed through at 216 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. When you’ve demolished them, you can explore the shops on Central Avenue.
Facebook/The Flying Burger
Ready for some good old fashioned American favorites? Try a burger and fries at The Flying Burger in Magnolia. Not into red meat? That’s okay too. They’ve got platter after platter of seafood, and it’s definitely worth the drive.
Facebook/Facebook/The Flying Burger
These shrimp kabobs chill out at 1899 East University in Magnolia. While you’re in Magnolia, take a stroll around Lake Columbia.
Facebook/Whole Hog Café North Little Rock
Low key barbecue dinner anyone? The Whole Hog Café has you covered with thirty years of experience in world championship barbecue competitions. They slow cook the meat daily, and by dinner time it’ll be ready to slide off your plate and onto your taste buds.
If you arrive in North Little Rock early enough, drop in on the picturesque Old Mill, then make your way to where these ribs fall off the bone at 5107 Warden Road in North Little Rock.
Facebook/Bob’s Grill in Conway
Start out your last day of this foodie adventure with a late but hearty breakfast. Bob’s Grill has big eats with a friendly hometown atmosphere.
This good morning smorgasbord is available at 1112 Oak Street in Conway. On your way to the next diner, stop by Natural Bridge in Clinton. It’s on your way.
Facebook/Pj’s Rainbow Cafe
After your drive back into the Ozarks, you’ll want a good lunch. Stop off at P.J.’S Rainbow Café in Mountain View. If you want to have breakfast for lunch, you’re in luck. On top of serving appetizing daily specials, P.J.’s also serves most of its breakfast menu all day long.
Yelp/Flora M.
This blackened chicken salad waits for you at 216 West Main Street in Mountain View. If you’re not too tired, drop in on the Ozark Mountain Folk Center.
Yelp/Gerard N.
Bistro on the Ridge offers awesome bistro-themed wraps and sandwiches, but their entrees are absolutely to die for too. From blackened chicken alfredo to ribeye steaks to tempura shrimp, they’ve got something for you and all your road-tripping foodie buddies.
Facebook/Bistro on the Ridge
This salmon is grill-marked and waiting at 914 Southwest Drive in Jonesboro. If you’re feeling up to another lovely stroll, try Craighead Forest Park. It’s wonderful at dusk.
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