Arkansas Restaurants Worth the Drive, According to Our Readers

We recently asked our Facebook community (which is over 160,000 followers strong) which Arkansas restaurants were worth driving an hour (or more) for, and they answered!

The recommendations came in for restaurants all over the state, from small-town cafés and historic general stores to lakefront restaurants and special-occasion steakhouses.

We were excited to realize that we had already visited most of the restaurants they recommended.. The ones we haven’t tried are going straight onto our “eat there soon” list.

We’ve always known that certain Arkansas restaurants are totally worth a road trip. Maybe these recommendations will inspire one of your own!

BEFORE YOU GO: We suggest that you always check a restaurant’s current opening days and hours before making a special trip. Some of these restaurants have limited schedules, and others require or strongly recommend reservations. We would hate for you to make the drive and be disappointed.

Arkansas Restaurants Worth the Drive, According to Our Readers

Here are the Arkansas restaurants our readers say are worth driving for, plus one extra that we picked to add to the list.

Skylark Cafe received the most recommendations, followed by Taylor’s Steakhouse, Janssen’s Lakefront Restaurant, and Who Dat’s Cajun Restaurant.

After those four, the responses were more spread out, so the remaining restaurants are not listed in any particular order.

Skylark Cafe – Leslie

Skylark Cafe was the clear number-one response and we understand why! It is also one of our favorites. In our opinion, Skylark is one of the most charming and delicious restaurants in Arkansas.

It is located in a brightly painted house in the small town of Leslie. Leslie has a quaint downtown and is known as a gateway to the Ozark Mountains and the Buffalo River.

The Skylark is particularly known for decadent desserts. During strawberry season you have to try their strawberry pie, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything sweet that they make.

I also love their salads, especially the Asian citrus salad, but our readers adore the smoked brisket tacos and the chicken quesadillas.

Several readers also suggested visiting when the restaurant is offering a steak special. They often post specials on their Facebook page.

Taylor’s Steakhouse – Dumas

Was Taylor’s Steakhouse mentioned so often because we used a photo of their delicious steak in the post? I don’t think so!

It is certainly one of our favorite steakhouses in the state. We love it and make the drive to Taylor’s, which is about a 1½-hour drive from our house, at least a couple of times a year.

You will want to make a reservation at Taylor’s, but don’t assume that means this is a fancy steakhouse. Taylor’s is casual and friendly and you don’t have to dress up.

They offer both wet-aged and dry-aged steaks, but they also have blackened duck breast, shrimp and grits, and an amazing bread pudding.

Several of our readers said that their go-to order is the bone-in filet with a side of creamed spinach. This just happens to be what I order as well!

Janssen’s Lakefront Restaurant – Edgemont

I can’t believe that I have never been to Janssen’s Lakefront Restaurant! It was mentioned by so many people.

Janssen’s is situated on beautiful Greers Ferry Lake and you can arrive either by boat or car. According to our readers, this is lakefront dining at its best!

The ribeye was the most recommended dish, followed by the shrimp and grits. Wham Bam Shrimp was also mentioned as a favorite appetizer.

One reader also recommended visiting for brunch. Janssen’s is now firmly on our personal “can’t wait to eat there” list.

Who Dat’s Cajun Restaurant – Bald Knob

Who Dat’s Cajun Restaurant is another frequently mentioned restaurant that we are excited to visit, especially since Cajun food is one of our favorite cuisines!

Readers praised everything from the shrimp scampi and crawfish étouffée to the Cajun ribeye and Hubcap Burger.

One reader also suggested finishing the meal with strawberry shortcake from The Bulldog, a classic Bald Knob dairy bar.

The Springhouse – Near Yellville

Our readers adore The Springhouse and so do we.

Our first visit here was shortly after they opened. We didn’t know a thing about it but were passing by and decided to stop in. We were immediately impressed with the bright and airy architecture, the decor, and the helpful service.

Then the food started coming out…and y’all, we couldn’t believe how delicious everything was.

We have been back a couple of times since that first visit and everything is always delicious. Our readers say that the French Dip is worth ordering and we agree. The meat is SO tender and flavorful. But you really can’t go wrong with anything you try here!

Mike’s Place – Conway

Mike’s Place has been a staple in downtown Conway for over 20 years. I love the decor here. With its old brick, wrought iron, fountains, and plants, it has a warm and welcoming New Orleans feel.

The menu is also inspired by New Orleans. They feature great shrimp, fish, and shellfish from the Gulf as well as excellent steaks.

I love the Mike’s Creole, a whitefish dish with a decadent crawfish-and-shrimp sauce. Several readers praised the prime rib, while others simply stated that they thought that everything on the menu is good.

RŌBER – Benton

I live near Benton and let me tell you, we were thrilled when RŌBER opened in downtown Benton. This restaurant is honestly changing the culinary scene of the area.

RŌBER has a modern but very welcoming atmosphere. The cocktails are delicious and there is a lounge and a small bar that you can relax in while you wait for your table.

Speaking of waiting for your table, This is one restaurant where I strongly recommend making a reservation. It is very popular and can be busy, especially on the weekends.

The most unique appetizer here is the bacon flight. So good! But my favorite main dish is the braised short rib…or the redfish with crawfish…or…honestly, it’s all good. One of our readers even said it was worth driving three hours for!

PJ’s White River Lodge and River Run Restaurant – Norfork

Here is another restaurant that I haven’t tried. We absolutely love the White River and go there often, so I suspect that I will be visiting PJ’s River Run Restaurant soon.

PJ’s offers a relaxed but upscale dining experience in a beautiful rustic building overlooking the White River.

Readers specifically recommended the flat iron steak, bacon-wrapped quail, and duck fat fries. In fact, one person said that the duck fat fries alone were worth the drive! I adore fries so I can’t wait to try them for myself.

Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets – Keo

Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets is an Arkansas gem. It is located in the teeny downtown of Keo in a historic building that was once a drug store with a soda fountain. The original soda counter is still part of the restaurant.

Charlotte’s is especially famous for their pies. The coconut is my favorite, but all the pies I’ve tried have been good. In addition to pie, you will find great sandwiches and burgers.

One thing that is important to know is that when the pies sell out, they are gone for the day. I suggest arriving early and ordering your pie right away! This is one time when it’s ok to have dessert before lunch.

Oark General Store – Oark

Oark General Store is the oldest continuously operating store in Arkansas and, in our opinion, one of the state’s best and most unique places to eat.

This is truly a road trip destination!

Even though Oark is a tiny mountain community in the middle of the forest, the restaurant is often busy with people who have driven from across Arkansas – and probably beyond – to eat there.

The atmosphere great and they serve an incredible old-fashioned burger as well as delicious pies.

The Tamale Factory – Gregory, Near Augusta

The Tamale Factory is such a fun place to visit. This casual restaurant sits among the fields near the tiny community of Gregory, not far from Augusta, and is currently open only a few days a week.

As the name suggests, the Delta tamales are a major attraction, but readers also recommended the steaks, especially the bone-in filet, shrimp, and fries.

The restaurant’s history is connected to Doe’s Eat Place, which helps explain some of the similarities between the menus. You can read more about this in our full post about The Tamale Factory.

Hoots BBQ – McGehee

Hoots BBQ & Steaks is a beloved Delta destination known for its barbecue, steaks and lively atmosphere. This is a spacious restaurant that was once a cattle auction house.

Hoots is far more than an average roadside barbecue joint. Its extensive menu also includes steaks, shrimp, salmon, oysters, burgers, and sandwiches.

For us, Hoots happens to be on the way to “the beach,” which in Arkansas-speak usually means the Alabama coast or the Florida Panhandle. We always plan a stop when we are driving south.

Doe’s Eat Place – Fort Smith and other Arkansas Locations

Doe’s Eat Place is a famous tamale and steak restaurant that actually started in the Mississippi Delta.

We have eaten at the original Doe’s Eat Place in Mississippi as well as the Little Rock location. However, I did notice that the Fort Smith Doe’s was the one specifically mentioned by our Facebook followers.

Doe’s Eat Place is known for its excellent Delta tamales as well as its steak and fries.

Years ago, we ate at a steak-frites restaurant in Paris, and I immediately thought of Doe’s. Honestly, Doe’s was better!

Meme’s Burgery – Batesville

We have heard nothing but good things about Meme’s Burgery and have been planning to go there for months. Our readers have given us the push we needed to make the drive to Batesville and give Meme’s a try.

Meme’s is a food truck that has developed a loyal following for its creative burgers.

I took a look at their menu and all the burgers sound great, but I really want to try the Donkey Boy Burger!

Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse – Eureka Springs

Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse is on our list of the best restaurants in Eureka Springs. I think that it has such a cool atmosphere. It is located in a rustic home that grew up around an original two-room cabin that was built in 1864.

This was a private home for 120 years and became a restaurant in the 1980s.

Prime rib is a favorite here, but you will also find classic, hand-cut, char-grilled steaks. They even serve my husband’s favorite appetizer, escargot.

Gaskins is a special-occasion spot for us. We enjoy both the warm setting and the friendly service, and our steaks have always been delicious and perfectly cooked.

Big Springs Trading Company – St. Joe

Big Springs Trading Company is a great place to stop if you are on your way to or from the Buffalo River. I love the whole vibe of this place. They have a little store in addition to the restaurant and there is seating both inside and out.

This place is sort of a cross between a barbecue joint and a deli. They smoke their own meats, which you can also purchase by the pound to take home.

Readers specifically recommended the brisket sandwich and brisket sliders. I’m not surprised—the sliders are what I order whenever we stop here, and they are delicious.

I also really like the North of the River Nachos. These are great to share as an appetizer.

DeVito’s Restaurant – Harrison

This is another restaurant that I haven’t tried personally. However, DeVito’s is a well-known, family-owned Harrison restaurant with an excellent – and, according to our readers, well-deserved – reputation.

Trout is a specialty here, along with house-made Italian dishes, steaks, and homemade desserts. Readers specifically recommended the Trout Almandine and the prime rib, which is currently served only on Friday nights.

DeVito’s describes itself as an Ozark tradition built by a fourth-generation Italian cook. That sounds like a place I need to visit!

Our Own Addition: The Wilson Cafe – Wilson

Wilson Cafe wasn’t mentioned in the Facebook discussion. However, if someone asked me to name an Arkansas restaurant worth driving for, this restaurant in the charming town of Wilson would be one of my choices.

Wilson Cafe serves elevated, farm-to-table Southern food, much of it made with ingredients grown in its own gardens. We will gladly drive out of our way to eat here.

The menu changes seasonally, so I won’t try to tell you exactly what to order. Just know that the food is fresh, flavorful, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully prepared.

Arkansas is filled with restaurants that are worth going out of your way to visit, and our readers have given us several new ones to add to our own list.

Whether you are craving a perfectly cooked steak, Cajun seafood, an old-fashioned burger, homemade pie, or dinner with a beautiful lake or river view, there is a restaurant here that could inspire your next road trip.