Who’s hungry? This year a lot of things lay ahead of us, and blessedly, some of those things are food. On this list you’ll find 9 of Arkansas’s most unique and exceptional eateries, and you need to put every one of them on your bucket list. These places you should eat in Arkansas are packed with delicious eats. All of these restaurants have had articles devoted to them over the past few years and if you click on their names, you’ll find articles that sing their praises. During this upcoming year, may your food be delicious, affordable, and eaten in Arkansas’s most unique eateries.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
This store made our list of notable eateries by being named the oldest restaurant in the state by Thrillist. You’ll find delicious food there that makes this little restaurant well worth the scenic drive you’ll take to get to this little mountain cafe. Make sure to visit their website to stay up to date on their hours of operation.
The Oark General Store is located at 117 County Road 5241 in Oark.
Cotham’s Mercantile is “where the elite meet to eat,” and that’s notable enough on its own, but the reason they drew so much of our attention is because they serve some truly enormous burgers. Their hubcap burgers are accurately named—if they were made out of metal instead of meat they could totally keep the tire on your car. Their menu is filled with all the items you’d expect to see in one of the most unique restaurants in Arkansas. Sadly, the original location burned down, but Cotham's in the City is open on 3rd Street in Little Rock.
3. Ed Walker's Drive-In is the oldest locally owned and operated restaurant in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They are known for providing delicious handmade burgers, chili, and more.
Ed Walker’s Drive-In has remained about the same since 1943—they serve delicious food with 1940s and 1950s era décor and a sweet southern smile. They’re famous for their French-dipped sandwiches, but patrons also love that they’ll bring beer all the way out to your car. This amazing diner has been an institution in Fort Smith for more than 70 years, and they have a menu to die for. Head on over for one of the best meals in Arkansas!
You can step back in time by driving to Ed Walker’s at 500 Towson Avenue in Fort Smith.
Designed to resemble a steamboat, Dondie’s White River Princess is a great place to eat delicious seafood from a buffet while enjoying the splendor of the incredible White River. Dondie’s White River Princess isn’t just a place for a great meal, this eatery also offers a superb river boat themed dining experience. Their Facebook page will keep you apprised of all the goings on, and their hours of operation.
Dondie’s White River Princess is located at 101 East Curran Street in Des Arc.
Our pick for a restaurant out in the middle of nowhere isn’t actually in the middle of nowhere— it’s in the middle of Arkansas wine country. It is however, tucked away in the tiny town of Altus, miles and miles away from major population centers. You’ll find fantastic old world cuisine in this little eatery, and it’s well worth the drive to dig into all that European food. This is hands down one of the best restaurants in Arkansas! But don’t just take our word for it, check out their mouthwatering menu on their website.
Weinkeller Restaurant is located on the grounds of Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, at 3324 Swiss Family Drive in Altus.
This restaurant was highlighted not only because of its fantastic seafood, but because it’s home of the world’s first Billy Bass adoption center. That’s right, you can enjoy your awesome seafood while sitting in an establishment where the walls are covered in novelty singing fish. This is definitely one of the best places in Arkansas if you’re looking for great fish! Make sure to swing by their website and grab your coupon before you head in.
This location of Flying Fish is located in the River Market District at 511 President Clinton Avenue in Little Rock.
For a restaurant in a truly unique setting in a remote place, you need to go to Cliff House Inn just south of the Ozark mountain town of Jasper. This restaurant is situated overlooking the Grand Canyon of Arkansas, and the food they serve there is totally worthy of the view. This incredible restaurant is open seasonally, and you can visit this beautiful spot perched high above the forest from mid-March to mid-November. One of the most unique restaurants in Arkansas, it’s also one of the most romantic. Spend the night if you don’t want to drive after your meal at their lovely little inn.
You can find the Cliff House Inn 7 miles south of Jasper on Highway 7.
Doe’s Eat Place in Bentonville came up on our radar by receiving rave reviews from diners on Foursquare. Folks just can’t seem to get enough of those enormous, hand cut, USDA prime steaks. And the atmosphere, friendly service, and incredibly enormous selection of beer doesn’t hurt either. Serving some of the best steaks in America, there are now 15 amazing locations all across the country. You know this place has to be good to set up shop in so many places!
Doe’s Eat Place is located at 2806 South Walton Boulevard in Bentonville.
If you’re looking for food so good that the restaurant that serves it can stay in business in a small town simply because the food draws people from all over the state, look no further than Rivertowne BBQ in Ozark. With mouthwatering ribs, huge sandwiches, down home sides, and their own fantastic sauce, Rivertowne Barbecue. This amazing little restaurant is a must for barbecue enthusiasts. Barbecue doesn’t get much better in Arkansas than Rivertowne! Follow along on their Facebook page to stay up to date on new specials and holiday hours.
Their location is 205 South 3rd Street in Ozark.
Have you visited any of these places you should eat in Arkansas? What was your favorite? Do you know of any more that belong on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
For road trips to take this year, click here. If you want to see more things you have to do in Arkansas this, try this one.
Address: 117 Co Rd 5241, Oark, AR 72852, USA
Address: 1401 W 3rd St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Address: 1500 Towson Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Address: 511 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Address: 203 E Curran St, Des Arc, AR 72040, USA
Address: 422 N 3rd St, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Address: Wiederkehr Village, AR, USA
Address: 6 Arkansas 7 6 miles south of Jasper on Hwy, 7, Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Address: 205 S 3rd St, Ozark, AR 72949, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Places You Should Eat In Arkansas
April 19, 2021
Megan McDonald
What kind of food is Arkansas known for?
Arkansas official state food is the vine ripened pink tomato, and it’s state grain is rice, but this great state is known for tons of unique, delicious food. You’ll find greats like fried pickles, chocolate gravy, possum pie, fried fish, and more. You can find some of the best comfort food in America down in Arkansas.
Is a possum pie made out of real possums?
No! A possum pie is a popular comfort food, whipped up in both restaurants and home parties in the state of Arkansas. It’s crafted with a flour and pecan, or butter, crust, and made with a soured cream cheese bottom. It’s then topped with chocolate custard and finished off with a whipped cream top! This delicious dish is a hit for dessert at parties.
Address: 117 Co Rd 5241, Oark, AR 72852, USA
Address: 1401 W 3rd St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Address: 1500 Towson Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Address: 511 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Address: 203 E Curran St, Des Arc, AR 72040, USA
Address: 422 N 3rd St, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Address: Wiederkehr Village, AR, USA
Address: 6 Arkansas 7 6 miles south of Jasper on Hwy, 7, Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Address: 205 S 3rd St, Ozark, AR 72949, USA
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J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.
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