Let’s eat.
Where?
Where else but at one of the best restaurants in Arkansas, as chosen by readers of the Arkansas Times.
Our Readers Choice contest is the oldest and most respected restaurant poll in the state. We published ballots in our weekly paper and also took votes on-line. Here are this year’s winners. Look for your favorites and check out our related features on good eating at Arkansas restaurants.
As usual, we have winners in a number of dining categories, plus special votes for the top restaurants in four areas with vibrant restaurant scenes.
OVERALL
LITTLE ROCK
Trio’s
RUNNERS-UP: Brave New Restaurant, Ferneau, Ristorante Capeo.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Mike’s Place of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway, James at the Mill of Johnson, Bordino’s of Fayetteville.
NEW
LITTLE ROCK
ZaZa
RUNNERS-UP: Copeland’s, Taziki’s, Cantina Laredo
AROUND ARKANSAS
Michelangelo’s of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Old Chicago Pizza of Conway, Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway, New Delhi of Eureka Springs.
ITALIAN
LITTLE ROCK
Bruno’s
RUNNERS-UP: Ristorante Capeo, the Italian Couple, Prego.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Michelangelo’s of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Ermilio’s of Eureka Springs, Bordino’s of Fayetteville, DeVito’s of Eureka Springs.
ASIAN
LITTLE ROCK
Lilly’s Dim Sum Then Some
RUNNERS-UP: Fantastic China, Pei Wei, Igibon.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Fuji Japanese Steakhouse of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Taste of Thai of Fayetteville, Jade China of Conway, Taste of Delight of Bryant.
MEXICAN
LITTLE ROCK
Senor Tequila
RUNNERS-UP: La Hacienda, Browning’s, Casa Manana.
AROUND ARKANSAS
La Hacienda of Hot Springs
RUNNERS-UP: La Huerta of Fayetteville, Los Amigos of Conway, Faby’s of Conway.
FUN
LITTLE ROCK
Purple Cow
RUNNERS-UP: ZaZa, Flying Fish, Cajun’s Wharf.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: New Delhi of Eureka Springs, Old Chicago Pizza of Conway, Larry’s Pizza of Bryant.
OTHER ETHNIC
LITTLE ROCK
Star of India
RUNNERS-UP: Bossa Nova, Layla’s, Leo’s.
AROUND ARKANSAS
New Delhi of Eureka Springs
RUNNERS-UP: Rolando’s of Hot Springs, Bavarian Inn of Eureka Springs, Brau Haus of Hot Springs.
BAKERY
LITTLE ROCK
Boulevard Bread Co.
RUNNERS-UP: Community Bakery, Silvek’s, Blue Cake Co.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Ed’s of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Rick’s Bakery of Fayetteville, Maggie’s Cookies of Conway, Little Bread Co. of Fayetteville.
BARBECUE
LITTLE ROCK
Whole Hog Cafe
RUNNERS-UP: Sims, Corky’s, Famous Dave’s.
AROUND ARKANSAS
McClard’s of Hot Springs
RUNNERS-UP: Whole Hog of Conway, Hog Pen of Conway, Craig’s of DeValls Bluff.
BREAKFAST
LITTLE ROCK
Satellite Coffee Co.
RUNNERS-UP: Ozark Mountain Country Restaurant, IHOP, Browning’s.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Stoby’s of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Pancake Shop of Hot Springs, Something’s Brewing of Conway, Mud Street Café of Eureka Springs.
CATFISH
LITTLE ROCK
Flying Fish
RUNNERS-UP: Grampa’s of North Little Rock, Catfish City, Cock of the Walk of Maumelle.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Fish House of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Catfish Hole of Fayetteville, Dondie’s of Des Arc, Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway.
DELI/GOURMET SHOP
LITTLE ROCK
Boulevard Bread Co.
RUNNERS-UP: Jason’s Deli, Diane’s, Fresh Market.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Cheese Corner of Hot Springs
RUNNERS-UP: Cafe 1217 of Hot Springs, McAlister’s Deli of Conway.
HAMBURGER
LITTLE ROCK
Buffalo Grill
RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Burger Co., Cheers in the Heights, Cotham’s in the City.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Whatta-Burger of Russellville
RUNNERS-UP: Hugo’s of Fayetteville, Cotham’s of Scott, Shorty’s of Conway.
PIZZA
LITTLE ROCK
Damgoode Pies
RUNNERS-UP: ZaZa, U.S. Pizza, Larry’s.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Larry’s of Bryant
RUNNERS-UP: Rocky’s of Hot Springs, Rod’s of Hot Springs, Old Chicago Pizza of Conway.
SEAFOOD
LITTLE ROCK
Cajun’s Wharf
RUNNERS-UP: Bonefish Grill, Brave New Restaurant, Argenta Seafood
AROUND ARKANSAS
Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Mike’s Place of Conway, Cajun Boilers of Hot Springs, Dondie’s of Des Arc.
STEAK
LITTLE ROCK
Sonny Williams’ Steak Room
RUNNERS-UP: Doe’s, Butcher Shop, Faded Rose.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Mike’s Place of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Doe’s of Fayetteville, Herman’s of Fayetteville, Coy’s of Hot Springs.
DESSERT
LITTLE ROCK
Trio’s
RUNNERS-UP: Community Bakery, So, ZaZa.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Mike’s Place of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Stoby’s, Michelangelo’s, Mickey’s Bluefish Grill, all of Conway.
COFFEE
LITTLE ROCK
Boulevard Bread Co.
RUNNERS-UP: Starbucks, Community Bakery, Lemon.
AROUND ARKANSAS
McDonald’s, multiple locations.
RUNNERS-UP: Something’s Brewing of Conway, Mud Street Cafe of Eureka Springs, Common Grounds of Fayetteville.
HOME COOKING
LITTLE ROCK
Your Mama’s Good Food
RUNNERS-UP: Dixie Cafe, Homer’s, Bobby’s.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Holly’s Country Cookin’ of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Ed and Kay’s of Benton, Jane’s Kitchen of Cabot, Mama Dean’s of Fayetteville.
PLACE FOR KIDS
LITTLE ROCK
Purple Cow
RUNNERS-UP: Chuck E. Cheese, Playtime Pizza, Larry’s Pizza, all with various locations.
ROMANTIC
LITTLE ROCK
Brave New Restaurant
RUNNERS-UP: Ashley’s, 1620, Acadia.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Mike’s Place of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: James at the Mill of Johnson, Bordino’s of Fayetteville, Michelangelo’s of Conway.
WINE LIST
LITTLE ROCK
Trio’s
RUNNERS-UP: Ferneau, Acadia, Ashley’s.
AROUND ARKANSAS
Mike’s Place of Conway
RUNNERS-UP: Michelangelo’s of Conway, Bordino’s of Fayetteville, James at the Mill of Johnson.
EUREKA SPRINGS
Ermilio’s
RUNNERS-UP: New Delhi Cafe, DeVito’s, Rogue’s Manor.
HOT SPRINGS
McClard’s
RUNNERS-UP: Belle Arti, Cheese Corner, Chef Paul’s.
FAYETTEVILLE/SPRINGDALE/
ROGERS/
BENTONVILLE
James at the Mill
RUNNERS-UP: Bordino’s, Herman’s, Pesto Cafe, all of Fayetteville.
CONWAY
Mike’s Place
RUNNERS-UP: Mickey’s Bluefish Grill, Marketplace, Michelangelo’s.
DRAWING WINNER
Janet Young of Sherwood won $100 in the ballot drawing.