Our Metro Little Rock insiders and Editor Lindsay Irvin reveal where they love to grab a bite. From casual joints to fine dining establishments, here are the places they frequent — and where you should too!

To discover even more great Metro Little Rock restaurants, visit InArkansas.com/eat.

BRUNCH
 
Dale’s Donuts/ Benton
“This family-owned shop has the world’s best donuts for a Saturday morning breakfast, plus free donut holes for the little ones and the most amazing ladies to talk to while you’re there. Try the strawberry-filled donuts, and don’t forget to get a cup of coffee.”  – Tona Jolly
 
The House/ Hillcrest (Facebook)
“Sit upstairs or on the deck for eclectic breakfast fare. I get the St. Francis Hash or the Risotto Eggs Benedict, and mimosas of course. Brunch is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the weekends.” - Lindsay Irvin

More great options:
Best Impressions/ Downtown
Delicious Temptations/ West Little Rock
Michelangelo’s/ Conway
Red Door/ Riverdale

DATE NIGHT
 Ashley’s at the Capital Hotel/ Downtown (Website)
“For fine dining, you can’t beat Ashley’s. They take local flavors, themes and ingredients and transform them into sophisticated yet unpretentious culinary masterpieces. You don’t generally think of Southern food as fine dining, but Ashley’s pulls it off.” – Chip Taulbee

 Brave New Restaurant/ Riverdale (Website)
“When the weather is nice, snag a spot outside along the Arkansas River; the view pairs perfectly with my menu favorites: the Cream of Brie Soup and the Pine Nut-Encrusted Salmon.” - L.I.

More great options:
Ristorante Càpeo/ Argenta
SO Restaurant/ Hillcrest
Sonny Williams’ Steak Room/ Downtown
Trio’s/ West Little Rock
Vesuvio Bistro/ West Little Rock

TOO LAZY TO COOK
 
Taziki’s Greek Fare/ Midtown & West Little Rock (Website)
“Taziki’s is casual, healthy and there’s a wide variety of menu options I love. I eat there two to three times a week, no joke!”  – Rachel Bradbury
 
Loca Luna/ Riverdale (Website)
“My husband and I love this place for the atmosphere and service, as well as for the diverse menu. On your first visit, get the Pork Osso Bucco. On your second, order one of their amazing specials, like the New Zealand Lamb Chops.” - L.I.

ACADIA/ Hillcrest (Website)
“It’s always good, but on Mondays and Tuesdays they do a three-course meal for $24.50/person. When the weather is right, we request a table out on their fantastic deck.” - L.I.

More great options:
Café Bossa Nova/ Hillcrest
Home Plate Diner/ Bryant
Pitza 42/ Conway

HAPPY HOUR

By the Glass/ The Heights (Website)
“This little wine bar in The Heights is a great place to wind down, and there are so many great choices. Happy hour is from 4-6 p.m.” - L.I.

More great options:
Bar Louie/ West Little Rock
Capital Bar & Grill/ Downtown Copper Grill/ Downtown
Zin Urban Wine & Beer Bar/ Downtown

LATE-NIGHT HANGOUT
 
Town Pump/ Riverdale - (501) 663-9802
“The kitchen stays open late and they have great drink specials. Tuesdays are fun for karaoke night!” – Alex Graham

Ciao Baci/ Hillcrest (Website)
“We love the atmosphere out on the porch with good friends, sipping on a specialty martini. You must get the s’mores dessert for a late-night treat.” - L.I.

More great options:
JJ’s on the Lake/ Conway
Reno’s Argenta Café/ Argenta
The Fountain/ Hillcrest
White Water Tavern / Stifft Station

PIZZA & BEER
 
Damgoode Pies/ Hillcrest, Midtown & West Little Rock (Website)
“A variety of flavorful crusts and tasteful sauces form the foundations of a whimsical menu of pizzas at Damgoode Pies.”  – Chip Taulbee
 
U.S. Pizza Co./ 11 area locations (Website)
“‘Dave’s Favorite’ is the best on the menu (my opinion), and they have Shock Top (my favorite) on draft. I love going there after a round of golf, ordering take-out for a Dallas Cowboys game or to meet friends and sit on the patio at the Hillcrest location.” - L.I.

More great options:
Vino’s Brewpub/ Downtown
ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co./ The Heights & Conway
NYPD Pizza/ West Little Rock

POWER LUNCH
 
Capital Bar & Grill/ Downtown (Website)
“The food is delicious, and they use local meats and produce as much as possible. The large windows, dark walls, small tables and antique bar are cozy for meeting friends for lunch or drinks after work. There’s no loud music or TVs playing, just the sounds of people talking and laughing. Try the CBG Burger and the Old Fashioned drink.”  – Waynette Traub
 
Starving Artist Café/ Argenta (Website)
“This downtown North Little Rock café is always bustling at lunch hour. My favorite is the buffalo mozzarella panini with their amazing roasted red potatoes. This cute place is good for more than just lunch; they sell art, host live music and serve dinner too.” - L.I.

More great options:
Boulevard Bread Co. / Four area locations
Copper Grill/ Downtown
Cotham’s in the City/ Downtown
Whole Hog Café/ Five area locations

SUSHI

Sakura Japanese Restaurant/ Sherwood (Website)
“My wife and I love Sakura, which boasts some fine, fresh sushi just minutes from our house.”
– Lance Turner

Sushi Café/ The Heights (Website)
“Be adventurous here; you won’t be sorry. They have the most inventive and delicious sushi, plus a big menu if you’re in the mood for something else.” - L.I.

More great options:
Hanaroo/ Downtown
Igibon Japanese Restaurant/ West Little Rock
Papa Sushi/ West Little Rock
Sky Modern Japanese/ West Little Rock

BEST BURGER

Big Orange Burger/ West Little Rock (Website)
“Big Orange’s White Truffle Pecorino Burger with fig jam is the best ever.”  – Amanda Hoelzeman
 
Arkansas Burger Company/ Midtown (Website)
“Without a doubt, best cheeseburger and fries in Little Rock. The onion rings, cheese fries and the footlong chili cheese dog are local favorites too. Tip: They’re closed Sunday and Monday, and stop serving at 9 p.m. the rest of the week.” - L.I.

More great options:
Buffalo Grill/ Riverdale
Cotham’s in the City/ Downtown
David’s Burgers/ West Little Rock & Conway

CHINESE TAKE-OUT

Saigon/ West Little Rock - (501) 868-7770
“It’s a cute pan-Asian restaurant with a long, mysterious menu. I love trying new items and have never been disappointed, although I’ve often been surprised at what the meal turned out to be. The meal portions are huge, the prices are modest and everything I’ve tried has been delicious.”  – Kate Knable
 
Fantastic China/ The Heights - (501) 663-8999
“Everyone I know loves this place. Personally, I’m addicted to the hot and sour soup, but their menu has all the traditional, freshly made favorites and then some. Great service too.” - L.I.

More great options:
China Town/ Conway
Lemongrass Asian Bistro/ North Little Rock
New Fun Ree/ Downtown

MEXICAN

Casa Mañana/ Midtown & West Little Rock (Website)
“It’s my favorite place to eat in the metro area. Every time I go there, the food and service is great. I take all my out-of-town family and friends because the food is authentic and absolutely delicious. I have so many favorites there, but I would have to say the Chicken Asada Tacos are my absolute favorite.”  – Lauren James
 
Rosalinda Restaurant Hondureño/ North Little Rock - (501) 771-5559
“Rosalinda is a Honduran restaurant in Park Hill, with very reasonable prices for menu items that bear some resemblance to standard Mexican food, but lighter and much less greasy. Be forewarned: Park Hill is a dry precinct, so no beer or wine (and no margaritas).” – Gwen Moritz

More great options:
Canon Grill/ Hillcrest
Cojita’s Mexican Grill/ Downtown (weekday lunch only)
La Hacienda/ Riverdale