Welcome to the third installment of our New Resident Guide! 

We polled our staff and our residents to discover their favorite spots to eat, shop, and explore in Little Rock. Now, we can share them with those of you moving to Little Rock and making your new home in our luxury apartment community.

After checking out the best photo spots and outdoor trails we recommended around town, you might be feeling a little famished. So, we’re here bring you our list of the best restaurants in Little Rock and North Little Rock. Bon Appetit!  

42 Bar & Table

Looking for a great meal with a great view? 42 Bar & Table is where you need to go for brunch, lunch, or dinner. 

Housed in the Clinton Presidential Center, this restaurant offers excellent patio dining overlooking the Arkansas River. Make a reservation there on a sunny day this summer to enjoy a bowl of Clinton Curry, a plate of Dry-Aged Pork Chops, or a taste of the Presidential Club.

Brood & Barley

If you checked out our Argenta restaurant guide, you’re already familiar with the fantastic flavors of Brood & Barley on Main Street in North Little Rock.

The restaurant was developed by Flyway Brewing Company, so you already know every menu item pairs perfectly with a pint of beer. You can even try the chef’s four-course Beer Tasting Menu! 

Our favorite dishes are luxurious, stick-to-your-ribs options like the Raclette Burger, Fried Duck Wings, and Beer Cheese Fondue.

Doe’s Eat Place

Doe’s Eat Place in Downtown Little Rock has been open since 1941 (80 years!) and it’s not difficult to see why. 

The menu is short. The food is classic. So, if you want a simple, satisfying steak without the fancy sauces and trimmings of a traditional steakhouse, go to Doe’s! You can’t go wrong with a Ribeye and steak fries.

Kemuri

When you’re craving superb sushi, make a reservation at Kemuri in Hillcrest and tell them we sent you.

Whether you go the signature route with a Kemuri Roll (tuna, blue crab, mango, jalapeno, avocado, and more!), the decadent route with a Surf & Turf Roll (shaved filet mignon and three types of crab!), or the fried route with the Super Vegas Roll (smoked salmon, crab, cream cheese, spicy mayo, and more!), you’re going to enjoy yourself. 

Just don’t forget to try one of their signature cocktails, too!

Heights Taco & Tamale Co.

Just up the hill on Kavanaugh from Kemuri, you have to hit up Heights Taco & Tamale for Mexican dishes served “Arkansas style.” 

The tacos are tasty, the tamales are tantalizing, the cocktails are stout, and the enchiladas melt in your mouth. If you’re feeling too hungry to pick just one thing, order the Plato 1947 and try a little bit of everything!

Mighty Crab

How can you go wrong with a build-your-own seafood combo? That’s exactly what Mighty Crab offers, and we are here for it. Shrimp, crab legs, clams, mussels, lobster, crawfish…you name it, and they serve it.

Go get your hands dirty and break open a basket of seafood with corn and potatoes. You even get to pick your seasoning and your spice level!

Give them a try by stopping into their Lakewood Village location.

Mugs Cafe

Mugs Café is another one of everyone’s favorite places to eat in Argenta. Why? Because it’s the perfect coffee shop.

The baristas can prepare you a classic cappuccino or luscious latte, or you can try one of their tasty seasonal drinks like a Sunset Soda or Strawberry Basil Smash.

The food is great, too. Breakfast items like French Toast or Biscuits & Gravy are always good, or you could stop by for lunch and get something like the Smoked Salmon Salad or Cranberry Turkey Sliders. 

North Bar

Do you want a place to go where everybody knows your name? North Bar on JFK Boulevard is a favorite amongst our residents because it has that fun, hometown neighborhood bar feel.

But they don’t just serve any kind of bar food. Try ordering the Blueberry Bacon Burger, Ranch Blasted Waffle Fries, or Crunchy Chicken Cheddar Chipotle Wrap. They even have Vegan and Vegetarian options!

We’ve heard their Mules and Margaritas are a must-try, too. 

Pantry Crest

Ever been to Austria, Poland, or the Czech Republic? These are just a few of the countries you will find represented in the menu at Pantry Crest.

From house-made, German-style bratwursts and Hungarian-style sausages to Jäger Schnitzel and Potato Pierogies, there are so many delicious, comforting dishes to savor. Their “Rustic Bowl” changes daily, so it’s always a pleasant surprise to try the special, too.

Pair your meal with one of their imported beers or wines and you will feel a true taste of Eastern European cuisine. (Trust us, the owner and head chef is Czech!)

Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom

The next restaurant on our list is a resident pick located in the SoMa district of Downtown Little Rock: Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom.

We love their cocktails and their brunch, of course. But you can’t miss making a dinner reservation to enjoy their appetizers and pizzas, too. 

Meatballs with polenta? Zucchini Fritters with house-made ranch dressing? Sausage and fennel pizza with garlic, roasted tomatoes, and chili flakes? Even their salads are fabulous!

Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill

This list would not be complete without giving a major shout-out to Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill. They just reopened this month after undergoing months of repairs due to a pipe burst caused by the big snowstorm we had in February.

Samantha’s is a great spot to meet up with friends or take your colleagues out for happy hour after work. They have a full range of craft beers on tap that all would taste delicious with a serving of their Surf & Turf Queso Blanco. 

Then, you can stay for dinner and devour something delectable from the grill like their Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon or New Zealand Spring Lamb Chop Lollipops. Delicious!

Skinny J’s

Another awesome spot you may have already seen us suggest in our Argenta restaurant guide is Skinny J’s on Main Street. 

This self-coined “steak and burger joint” does so much more than excellent steaks and burgers. In fact, we love to go there for dishes like the Cajun Shrimp Alfredo, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla, or Bourbon Bread Pudding. Plus, they have awesome happy hour specials and a bodacious brunch, too!

The Terrace

When your GPS app routes you to a bank on Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock, trust us, you haven’t missed The Terrace. This magical little Mediterranean restaurant is a hidden gem on the first floor with amazing food.

Some of their recipes have been handed down through generations, including authentic Babaghanouj, Tabouleh Salad, and Moussaka. 

Other standouts are the Lamb Shank, Norwegian Salmon (odd, we know!), and the Hummus Trio, which comes with a classic, kalamata olive, and spicy roasted red pepper hummus.

Order a glass of wine and you’re all set!

Ready to go out on the town? Stay tuned for the next installment of our New Resident Guide showcasing nightlife around Little Rock.

Photo Credit: Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill