Thirty-three years: It’s got to be some kind of record. That is the number of years that readers of the Arkansas Times have weighed in — sometimes a few pounds heavier after a delicious meal — on the best places to dine, sup, chow down, grab a bite, nibble, whatever, in Arkansas.
A restaurant called The Hive is giving everyone an itch to get to Bentonville and experience the 21c Museum Hotel’s fine dining amid fascinatingly curious artwork. South on Main is getting rave reviews from the readership, proving that the Oxford American magazine’s notion to back good Southern eating as well as good Southern writing was a super idea. The chefs behind both, along with other products of the Capital Hotel kitchen, are profiled in one of our accompanying stories. Elsewhere, look for features on chicken and waffles in Central Arkansas, restaurants worth driving to Benton for (yes, you read that right), waitress extraordinaire Joann Sims, meat savant Rob Nelson of Bentonville’s Tusk and Trotter and the continuing evolution of Southern Gourmasian. Fair warning: You’re going to have a hard time reading on an empty stomach.
Overall
Little Rock: The Pantry
Runners-up: South on Main, Brave New Restaurant, Trio’s
Around the state: The Hive (Bentonville)
Runners-up: ZaZa (Conway), Mike’s Place (Conway), James at the Mill (Johnson)
New
Little Rock: South on Main
Runners-up: Bruno’s Little Italy, Table 28, Big Orange Midtown
Around the state: The Hive (Bentonville)
Runners-up: Tusk and Trotter (Bentonville), Umami Sushi and Grill Fusion (Conway), Table Mesa Bistro (Conway)
Chef
Little Rock: Matthew Bell (South on Main)
Runners-up: Anthony Talley (Terry’s Restaurant), Peter Brave (Brave New Restaurant), Scott McGehee (ZaZa, Local Lime, Big Orange)
Around Arkansas: Matthew McClure (The Hive)
Runners-up: Mark Cook (Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse), Jerrmy Gawthrop (Greenhouse Grille)
Server
Little Rock: Joann Sims (Cache)
Runners-up: Scott Roberts (Brave New Restaurant), Wayne Pyland (Trio’s Restaurant), Aimee Stockton (Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro)
Around the state: Brent Garrett (Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Eureka Springs)
Bakery
Little Rock: Community Bakery
Runners-up: Boulevard Bread Co., Rosalia’s Family Bakery, Dempsey Bakery
Around the state: SugarBelles Cupcakes (Ward)
Runners-up: Ed’s Custom Bakery (Conway), Rick’s Bakery (Fayetteville), Arkansas Fresh Bakery (Saline County)
Barbecue
Little Rock: Whole Hog Cafe
Runners-up: Sims Bar-B-Que, Corky’s BBQ, HB’s BBQ
Around the state: McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant (Hot Springs)
Runners-up: Craig’s Bar-B-Q (DeValls Bluff), Jones Bar-B-Q Diner (Marianna), Whole Hog Cafe (Conway)
Breakfast
Little Rock: The Root Cafe
Runners-up: Ozark Country Restaurant, B-Side, Red Door Restaurant
Around the state: Mud Street Cafe (Eureka Springs)
Runners-up: Stoby’s Restaurant (Conway), The Pancake Shop (Hot Springs), The Hive (Bentonville)
Brunch
Little Rock: Trio’s
Runners-up: YaYa’s, The Root Cafe, Red Door Restaurant
Around the state: The Hive (Bentonville)
Runners-up: Tusk and Trotter (Bentonville), Mud Street Cafe (Eureka Springs), Local Flavor Cafe (Eureka Springs)
Buffet
Little Rock: Franke’s Cafeteria
Runners-up: Tokyo House, Star of India Restaurant, Panda Garden Restaurant
Around the state: Brown’s Country Store & Restaurant (Benton)
Runners-up: Buffet City (Benton), Who Dat’s Cajun Restaurant (Bald Knob)
Business lunch
Little Rock: Capital Bar & Grill
Runners-up: South on Main, Copper Grill, Trio’s Restaurant
Around Arkansas: Mike’s Place (Conway)
Runners-up: The Hive (Bentonville), Fayrays (El Dorado)
Catfish
Little Rock: Flying Fish
Runners-up: Lassis Inn, South on Main, Cock of the Walk
Around Arkansas: Eat My Catfish (Benton)
Runners-up: Flying Fish (Bentonville), Catfish Hole (Fayetteville), Fred’s Fish House (Mammoth Spring)
Chinese
Little Rock: Fantastic China
Runners-up: Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking, Chi’s Authentic Chinese Cuisine, Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant
Around Arkansas: Jade China (Conway)
Runners-up: Grand Fortuna (Harrison), Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant (Conway)
Coffee
Little Rock: Boulevard Bread Co.
Runners-up: Starbucks, River City Coffee, Mylo Coffee Co.
Around the state: Onyx Coffee Lab (Fayetteville)
Runners-up: Common Grounds (Fayetteville), Mud Street Cafe (Eureka Springs), Arsaga’s (Fayetteville)
Deli/gourmet to go
Little Rock: Hillcrest Artisan Meats
Runners-up: Boulevard Bread Co., Jason’s Deli, Bray Gourmet
Around the state: Cafe 1217 (Hot Springs)
Runners-up: Stone Mill Bread Co. (Fayetteville), Coursey’s Smoked Meats (St. Joe)
Desserts
Little Rock: Trio’s Restaurant
Runners-up: South on Main, Big Orange, Natchez
Around the state: Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets (Keo)
Runners-up: Nom Noms Mexican Grill-N-Chill (Hot Springs), Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs), The Hive (Bentonville)
Food truck
Little Rock: Southern Gourmasian
Runners-up: Waffle Wagon, kBird, Taqueria Samantha II
Around the state: Baja Grill (Benton)
Runners-up: Crepes Paulette (Bentonville), Big Rub BBQ (Bentonville), Green Cart Deli (Conway)
Fried chicken
Little Rock: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Runners-up: South on Main, Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, Bobby’s Country Cookin’
Around the state: Monte Ne Inn (Rogers)
Runners-up: Holly’s Country Cooking (Conway), AQ Chicken (Springdale), Venesian Inn (Tontiown)
Fun
Little Rock: Big Orange
Runners-up: Playtime Pizza, South on Main, Local Lime
Around the state: The Hive (Bentonville)
Runners-up: Mike’s Place (Conway), Jose’s (Fayetteville), Pesto Cafe (Fayetteville)
Gluten free
Little Rock: Dempsey Bakery
Runners-up: Izzy’s, Cafe Bossa Nova, Big Orange
Around the state: ZaZa (Conway)
Burger
Little Rock: Big Orange
Runners-up: David’s, The Root, Arkansas Burger Co.
Around the state: David’s (Conway)
Runners-up: Hugo’s (Fayetteville), Whattaburger (Russellville), CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers (Russellville)
Home cookin’
Little Rock: Homer’s Restaurant
Runners-up: Bobby’s Country Cookin’, South on Main, Your Mama’s Good Food
Around the state: Holly’s Country Cooking (Conway)
Runners-up: Momma Dean’s Soul Food Kitchen (Fayetteville), Hole in the Wall (Conway), Ed and Kay’s (Benton)
Indian
Little Rock: Star of India Restaurant
Runners-up: Banana Leaf food truck, Taj Mahal
Around the state: Tandoori Chicken and Fish House (Plumerville)
RUNNERS-UP: New Delhi Cafe (Eureka Springs), Indian Orchard (Rogers)
Italian
Little Rock: Bruno’s Little Italy
Runners-up: Ristorante Capeo, Vesuvio Bistro, Bravo!
Around the state: Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking (Eureka Springs)
RUNNERS-UP: Bordinos (Fayetteville), Pasta Grill (Conway)
Japanese
Little Rock: Sushi Cafe
Runners-up: Sky Modern Japanese Restaurant, Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Hanaroo Sushi Bar
Around the state: Umami Sushi and Grill Fusion (Conway)
Runners-up: Meiji Japanese Cuisine (Fayetteville), Osaka (Hot Springs)
Mexican
Little Rock: Local Lime
Runners-up: Cantina Laredo, Senor Tequila, La Hacienda
Around the state: Taco Mama (Hot Springs)
Runners-up: Table Mesa Bistro (Bentonville), Jose’s (Hot Springs), Baja Grill (Benton)
Other ethnic
Little Rock: Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria
Runners-up: Cafe Bossa Nova, Pho Thanh My, The Pantry
Around the state: Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria (Conway)
Runners-up: Taste of Thai (Fayetteville), Rolando’s Restaurante (Hot Springs), Pho Vietnam Restaurant (Fort Smith)
Pizza
Little Rock: Damgoode Pies
Runners-up: ZaZa, U.S. Pizza Co., Vino’s Brewpub
Around the state: ZaZa (Conway)
Runners-up: Damgoode Pies (Fayetteville), Rocky’s Corner (Hot Springs), Tommy’s Famous (Mountain View)
Place for kids
Little Rock: Playtime Pizza
Runners-up: All Aboard Restaurant and Grill, Purple Cow, Big Orange-Midtown
Around the state: Purple Cow Restaurant (Hot Springs)
Romantic
Little Rock: Ashley’s
Runners-up: South on Main, Vesuvio Bistro, Ristorante Capeo
Around the state: James at the Mill (Johnson)
Runners-up: The Hive (Bentonville), Red Apple Inn (Heber Springs), Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking (Eureka Springs)
Seafood
Little Rock: Brave New Restaurant
Runners-up: Flying Fish, Cajun’s Wharf, Bonefish Grill
Around the state: Mike’s Place (Conway)
Runners-up: Fisherman’s Wharf (Hot Springs), Powerhouse Seafood and Grill (Fayetteville)
Steak
Little Rock: Sonny William’s Steak House
Runners-up: Doe’s Eat Place, South on Main, Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse
Around the state: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs)
Runners-up: Mike’s Place (Conway), The Hive (Bentonville), The Porterhouse (Hot Springs)
Vegetarian/vegan
Little Rock: Root Cafe
Runners-up: Cafe Bossa Nova, Boulevard Bread Co., Banana Leaf Indian Cuisine
Around the state: ZaZa (Conway)
Runners-up: Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), Autumn Breeze Restaurant (Eureka Springs)
Wine list
Little Rock: Ashley’s
Runners-up: Brave New Restaurant, Ciao Baci, Trio’s Restaurant
Around the state: The Hive (Bentonville)
Runners-up: Bordinos (Fayetteville), Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs)
Yogurt
Little Rock: Red Mango
Runners-up: Orange Leaf, TCBY, Yogurt Mountain
Around the state: Freddo’s Frozen Treats (Russellville)
Best restaurants in areas around the state
Benton/Bryant:
Baja Grill
Runners-up: Eat My Catfish, Ed and Kay’s, Pasta Jack’s
Conway:
ZaZa
Runners-up: Mike’s Place, Stoby’s, Table Mesa Bistro
Eureka Springs:
Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking
Runners-up: Local Flavor Cafe, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, DeVito’s Restaurant
Northwest Arkansas:
The Hive (Bentonville)
Runners-up: Tusk and Trotter (Bentonville), James at the Mill (Johnson), Bordinos (Fayetteville)
Hot Springs:
Rolando’s Restaurante
Runners-up: Taco Mama, McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant, Central Park Fusion Cuisine