Top 50 Best Restaurants in Central Arkansas (2026) - Central Arkansas Dining Leaderboard
Our editorial leaderboard ranks Central Arkansas's best restaurants by analyzing thousands of verified reviews from Yelp, Google & TripAdvisor. Updated daily with ratings from locals and Central Arkansas visitors across Little Rock, Conway, North Little Rock and Central Arkansas.
Leaderboard Champions
The top-ranked dining experiences in Little Rock
Local Favorite ★ 5.0 Rendi’s Mud Bugs Crawfish
Hot Springs
"Visit during peak crawfish season from March through June..."
Traditional Crawfish Boil
Seafood Gumbo
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.9 The Rib Cage BBQ
Hot Springs
"Arrive before 6 PM on weekends to ensure they haven't run..."
Smoked Pork Ribs
Beef Brisket Platter
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.8 MeMe’s Twisted Potato
Little Rock
"Come hungry - the portions are generous enough to share, ..."
Loaded Twisted Potato with Pulled Pork
Buffalo Chicken Potato Bowl
+1 more
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424
Restaurants Ranked
59,872+
Reviews Analyzed
63
Cuisine Types
✓
Verified Rankings
More Top-Rated Restaurants
Beyond our top three, these outstanding restaurants have earned their spots
Local Favorite ★ 4.7 Grill Pollo
Little Rock
"Come hungry and consider sharing dishes family-style - th..."
Pollo a la Brasa
Carne Asada Platter
+1 more
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Upscale Dining ★ 4.7 Rober Cocktails And Culinary
Benton
"Make reservations for weekend evenings, and consider sitt..."
Pan-Seared Duck Breast
Craft Cocktail Selection
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.7 Cafe Kahlo
Hot Springs
"Visit during weekday lunch hours for shorter waits and as..."
Mole Poblano
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.7 Little Italy Italian Bistro
Hot Springs
"Make a reservation for Friday or Saturday nights, as the ..."
Chicken Parmigiana
Fettuccine Alfredo
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.7 Fidel & Co
Little Rock
"Make reservations for weekend evenings, as this popular s..."
Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter
Braised Short Rib with Garlic Mashed Potatoes
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.7 Bulgogi Korean BBQ
Conway
"Come with a group of 3-4 people to make the most of the t..."
Bulgogi Beef
Korean Fried Chicken
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.7 Blue House Bakery & Cafe
Bryant
"Arrive before 10 AM for the best selection of fresh pastr..."
Cinnamon Rolls
Turkey Avocado Sandwich
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.7 The Burger Shack
Benton
"Visit during off-peak hours to avoid the lunch and dinner..."
Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe
Hand-Cut Fries
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.7 Gozen Japan House
Hot Springs
"Visit during weekday lunch hours for the best value bento..."
Dragon Roll
Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Lindsey’s Hospitality House & Barbecue
North Little Rock
"Arrive early during lunch hours to ensure the best select..."
Smoked Brisket Platter
Baby Back Ribs
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 The Bugler
Hot Springs
"Visit on Sunday afternoons when they serve their famous b..."
Slow-Smoked BBQ Ribs
Chicken and Dumplings
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 The Pantry Crest
Little Rock
"Arrive early for dinner service on weekends, as the resta..."
Southern Fried Chicken Platter
Slow-Cooked Pot Roast
+1 more
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Hidden Gem ★ 4.6 EL K’iche
Conway
"Ask your server about the daily specials, which often fea..."
Pepián de Pollo
Carne Asada with Handmade Tortillas
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Cross Creek Sandwich Shop
Conway
"Visit during weekday lunch hours to catch their daily sou..."
Cross Creek Club Sandwich
Beer-Battered Fish Po'boy
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Best Cafe & Bar
Hot Springs
"Visit during weekday lunch hours for the quickest service..."
Classic Cheeseburger with Hand-Cut Fries
Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich
+1 more
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Hidden Gem ★ 4.6 The Goat Mediterranean Grill
Hot Springs
"Visit during weekday lunch hours for smaller crowds and f..."
Lamb Gyro Platter
Mediterranean Moussaka
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 David’s Burgers
Hot Springs
"Order the fries extra crispy and don't skip the milkshake..."
David's Burger with Cheese
Hand-Cut French Fries
+1 more
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Family Friendly ★ 4.6 Xen Thai and Ramen
Conway
"Visit during lunch hours for smaller portion options that..."
Tonkotsu Ramen
Pad Thai
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Cafe Mi Amor
Hot Springs
"Visit on weekends when they often feature live mariachi m..."
Carnitas Plate
Homemade Tamales
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Mama Vee’s
Hot Springs
"Arrive early on Sunday afternoons to avoid the post-churc..."
Fried Chicken with Sides
BBQ Ribs Platter
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 David’s Burgers
Conway
"Order the fries extra crispy for the perfect golden crunc..."
Classic Cheeseburger
Hand-Cut Fries
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Holly’s Country Cooking
Conway
"Arrive early on weekends as the restaurant fills up quick..."
Fried Chicken with Biscuits and Gravy
Slow-Cooked Pot Roast
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Salem Dairy Bar
Benton
"Visit on weekday afternoons for the freshest ice cream fl..."
Hand-Dipped Ice Cream
Classic Cheeseburger
+1 more
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Cozy Atmosphere ★ 4.6 Milford Track
Little Rock
"Make reservations for weekend evenings, as the intimate d..."
Wood-Fired Ribeye with Herb Butter
Arkansas Trout with Brown Butter
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Taj Mahal India Kitchen – Conway
Conway
"Call ahead on weekends as the kitchen sometimes runs out ..."
Chicken Tikka Masala
Lamb Biryani
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Lost Creek Grill
Hot Springs
"Visit during weeknight hours for the most relaxed dining ..."
BBQ Ribs
Blackened Catfish
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 Pea Farm Bistro
Cabot
"Visit during weeknight dinner hours to avoid weekend crow..."
Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Honey Drizzle
Pan-Seared Arkansas Trout with Field Pea Succotash
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.6 India Cafe
Bryant
"Ask your server about spice levels before ordering, and d..."
Chicken Tikka Masala
Lamb Biryani
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 The Pantry Restaurant
Little Rock
"Arrive early on weekends as the breakfast crowd fills up ..."
Chicken Fried Steak
Buttermilk Pancakes
+1 more
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Modern Setting ★ 4.5 Draft + Table Argenta
North Little Rock
"Visit during happy hour for discounted craft beer flights..."
Craft Beer Braised Short Ribs
Truffle Mac & Cheese
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Bubba’s Catfish-2-Go
Hot Springs
"Call ahead during peak dinner hours to minimize wait time..."
Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish Fillets
Catfish and Shrimp Combo
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Frontier Diner
Little Rock
"Visit during weekday mornings for the freshest breakfast ..."
Country Fried Steak with Gravy
Classic Cheeseburger and Fries
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Blackberry Market
North Little Rock
"Visit on weekday afternoons for the quietest atmosphere a..."
Blackberry-glazed pork tenderloin
Market-fresh seasonal salad
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 SQZBX Brewery & Pizza
Hot Springs
"Visit during happy hour for discounted pints of their hou..."
Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza
IPA Bratwurst Pizza
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 La Bodeguita
Hot Springs
"Visit on weeknight evenings for the most relaxed atmosphe..."
Ropa Vieja
Lechón Asado
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Verona Italian Restaurant
Benton
"Make a reservation for Thursday evenings when they featur..."
House-made Gnocchi Bolognese
Wood-fired Margherita Pizza
+1 more
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Hidden Gem ★ 4.5 Pho Huyen
Conway
"Visit during lunch hours for the freshest broth, and don'..."
Pho Bo (Beef Pho)
Banh Mi Sandwiches
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Star of India Restaurant
Little Rock
"Order the mango lassi to cool your palate between spicy d..."
Chicken Tikka Masala
Lamb Biryani
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Cafe 1217
Hot Springs
"Make a reservation for weekend dinner service, as this po..."
Pan-Seared Salmon with Seasonal Vegetables
Grilled Ribeye with Herb Butter
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 O’Malley’s Irish Grill
Conway
"Visit on Thursday evenings when they often feature live t..."
Shepherd's Pie
Fish and Chips
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Emma Lee’s
Hot Springs
"Visit on Sunday afternoons when they often feature specia..."
Southern Fried Chicken
Slow-Cooked Pot Roast
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Big Bad Breakfast – Main Street
Little Rock
"Arrive before 9 AM on weekends to avoid the longest wait ..."
Chicken and Waffles
Shrimp and Grits
+1 more
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Hidden Gem ★ 4.5 Buenos Aires Grill and Cafe
Little Rock
"Try the chimichurri sauce on everything - it's made fresh..."
Grilled Asado Steak
Beef Empanadas
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Cypress Social
North Little Rock
"Make reservations for weekend evenings, as the restaurant..."
Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza
Braised Short Ribs
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Hog Pen Bar-B-Q
Conway
"Arrive before noon on weekends to avoid the rush and ensu..."
Hickory Smoked Ribs
Pulled Pork Sandwich
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Baileys Dairy Treat
Hot Springs
"Visit during off-peak hours to ensure the freshest ice cr..."
Classic Cheeseburger
Hand-Cut Fries
+1 more
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Local Favorite ★ 4.5 Rosalinda
North Little Rock
"Visit on Tuesday evenings for half-price margaritas and a..."
Carnitas Platter
Baja Fish Tacos
+1 more
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How We Calculate Rankings
Our analysis goes beyond simple star ratings
📊
Sentiment Score
We analyze the emotional tone of every review
⭐
Review Volume
Ratings from Google and Yelp, weighted by recency
💬
Local Insights
Most-mentioned dishes and common themes
🏷️
Vibe Tags
We identify patterns like "great for dates"
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