That rumbling sound? That’d be your stomach. Even if you’ve just eaten. After 31 years of running this poll, we can attest: It is impossible to read the list of restaurants Arkansas Times readers have selected as the best in the state and look at pictures of food at those restaurants and not feel hungry. Don’t fight it; there’s bound to be a Readers Choice winner nearby.
This year, all voting took place online (print readers were directed to the online poll). Below are this year’s winners. As usual, we have them in a number of categories, plus special votes for the top restaurants in four areas with vibrant restaurant scenes.
Browse through for your favorites and read on for related features on good eats that follow.
Overall
Little Rock: Brave New Restaurant
Runners-up: Faded Rose, Ashley’s, Copeland’s Restaurant of Little Rock
Around the state: Mike’s Place in Conway
Runners-up: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs, James at the Mill in Fayetteville, Rolando’s Restaurante in Hot Springs
Bakery
Little Rock: Community Bakery
Runners-up: Boulevard Bread Co., Brown Sugar Bakeshop, Silvek’s European Bakery
Around the state: Ed’s Custom Bakery in Conway
Runners-up: Rick’s Bakery in Fayetteville, pattiCakes in Conway, Little Bread Co. in Fayetteville
Barbecue
Little Rock: Whole Hog Cafe
Runners-up: Corky’s Ribs and BBQ, Sims Bar-B-Que, Cross-Eyed Pig
Around the state: McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Hot Springs
Runners-up: Craig’s in DeValls Bluff, Mean Pig in Cabot, Penguin Ed’s Bar-B-Q in Fayetteville
Breakfast
Little Rock: B-Side
Runners-up: Ozark Mountain Family Smokehouse, Cracker Barrel, Mimi’s Cafe
Around the state: Stoby’s in Conway
Runners-up: Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs, Local Flavor Cafe in Eureka Springs, Calico County in Fort Smith
Brunch
Little Rock: Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro
Runners-up: Ashley’s, Loca Luna, B-Side
Around the state: Arlington Hotel
Runners-up: Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway, Common Grounds in Fayetteville, Emelia’s Kitchen in Fayetteville
Buffet
Little Rock: Tokyo House
Runners-up: Franke’s Cafeteria, Golden Corral, Panda Garden
Around the state: Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc
Runners-up: Bryce’s in Texarkana, Brown’s Country Store and Restaurant in Benton, Myrtie Mae’s in Eureka Springs
Business lunch
Little Rock: Capital Bar & Grill
Runners-up: Copper Grill, Dizzy’s Bistro, Brave New Restaurant
Around the state: Mike’s Place in Conway
Catfish
Little Rock: Flying Fish
Runners-up: Grampa’s, Cock of the Walk, Catfish City
Around the state: Catfish Hole in Fayetteville
Runners-up: Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc, The Fish House in Conway, Georgetown One-Stop in Georgetown
Chinese
Little Rock: Fantastic China
Runners-up: Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant, Chi’s Chinese Cuisine, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Around the state: Jade China in Conway
Runners-up: Lucky Dragon Cafe in Berryville, Mei Li Cuisine in Eureka Springs, Oriental Kitchen in Conway
Coffee
Little Rock: Guillermo’s Gourmet Grounds
Runners-up: Starbucks Coffee Co., Boulevard Bread Co., River City Tea and Coffee
Around the State: Common Grounds Gourmet Espresso Bar in Fayetteville
Runners-up: Midnight Oil Coffee House in Searcy, Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs, Something Brewing in Conway
Deli/gourmet to go
Little Rock: Jason’s Deli
Runners-up: Argenta Market, Boulevard Bread Co., Diane’s Gourmet
Around the state: Cafe 1217 in Hot Springs
Runners-up: Coursey’s Smoked Meats in St. Joe, McAlister’s Deli in Conway, Green Cart Deli in Conway
Desserts
Little Rock: Trio’s
Runners-up: Cupcakes on Kavanaugh, Community Bakery, Copeland’s Restaurant of Little Rock
Around the state: Ed and Kay’s Restaurant in Benton
Runners-up: Cafe 1217 in Hot Springs, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs, Mike’s Place in Conway
Food truck
Little Rock: Hot Dog Mike
Runner-up: The Food Truck, Green Cuisine, Grills on Wheels
Around the state: Green Cart Deli in Conway
Runners-up: The Grillenium Falcon in Fayetteville, Eat My Catfish in Benton
Fried chicken
Little Rock: Popeye’s
Runners-up: Bobby’s Country Cookin’, Your Mama’s Good Food, Stickyz
Around the state: AQ Chicken in Fayetteville
Runners-up: Holly’s Country Cooking in Conway, Myrtie Mae’s Restaurant in Eureka Springs, Mama Dean’s Soul Food Kitchen in Fayetteville
Fun
Little Rock: Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro
Runners-up: Big Orange, Playtime Pizza, Purple Cow
Around the state: Sparky’s Roadhouse Cafe in Eureka Springs
Runners-up: Nom Noms in Hot Springs, Rolando’s Restaurante in Hot Springs
Gluten free
Little Rock: Dempsey Bakery
Runners-up: Izzy’s, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co., Cafe Bossa Nova
Hamburger
Little Rock: Buffalo Grill
Runners-up: Big Orange, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Capital Bar & Grill
Around the state: CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers in Russellville
Runners-up: Whattaburger in Russellville, David’s Burgers in Conway, Hugo’s in Fayetteville
Home cooking
Little Rock: Your Mama’s Good Food
Runners-up: Bobby’s Country Cookin’, Homer’s, Kitchen Express
Around the state: Momma Dean’s Soul Food in Fayetteville
Runners-up: Holly’s Country Cooking in Conway, Sisters Cafe in Eureka Springs, Ed and Kay’s Restaurant in Benton
Indian
Little Rock: Star of India Restaurant and Bar
Runners-up: Amruth Authentic Indian Cuisine, Taj Mahal Indian and Mediterranean Cuisine, Banana Leaf Indian Food Truck
Around the state: New Delhi Cafe in Eureka Springs
Italian
Little Rock: Vesuvio Bistro
Runners-up: The Villa, Cafe Prego, Ristorante Capeo
Around the state: Belle Arti Italian Ristorante in Hot Springs
Runners-up: Ermillio’s Italian Home Cooking in Eureka Springs, Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway, DeVito’s of Eureka Springs
Japanese
Little Rock: Sushi Cafe
Runners-up: Mt. Fuji Restaurant, Hanaroo Sushi Bar, Igibon Japanese Restaurant
Around the state: Shogun in Fayetteville
Runners-up: Domoyaki in Conway, Mt. Fuji Restaurant in Hot Springs, Osaka Japanese Steakhouse in Hot Springs
Mexican
Little Rock: Senor Tequila
Runners-up: Cantina Laredo, La Hacienda, Casa Manana
Around the state: Taco Mama in Hot Springs
Runners-up: La Huerta in Conway, La Hacienda in Hot Springs, Casa Colina in Eureka Springs
New
Little Rock: Big Orange
Runners-up: The Root, Dugan’s Pub, David’s Burgers
Around the state: Garden Bistro in Eureka Springs
Runners-up: Nom Noms Mexican Grill-N-Chill in Hot Springs, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. in Conway, Sister’s Cafe in Eureka Springs
Other ethnic
Little Rock: Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria
Runners-up: Cafe Bossa Nova, Lily’s Dim Sum Then Some, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Around the state: Rolando’s Restaurante in Hot Springs
Runners-up: Taste of Thai in Fayetteville, Bavarian Inn in Eureka Springs, Pho Hoang in Fort Smith
Pizza
Little Rock: Damgoode Pies
Runners-up: U.S. Pizza, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co., Vino’s Brewpub
Around the state: ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. in Conway
Runners-up: Rod’s Pizza Cellar, U.S. Pizza in Conway, Rocky’s Corner in Hot Springs
Place for kids
Little Rock: Purple Cow
Runners-up: Playtime Pizza, Chuck E. Cheese’s, All American Pizza
Romantic
Little Rock: Ashley’s
Runners-up: Brave New Restaurant, 1620 the Restaurant, The Pantry
Around the state: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs
Runners-up: Belle Arti in Hot Springs, James at the Mill in Fayetteville, Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway
Seafood
Little Rock: Cajun’s Wharf
Runners-up: Flying Fish, Brave New Restaurant, Bonefish Grill
Around the state: Mike’s Place in Conway
Runners-up: Fisherman’s Wharf in Hot Springs, Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc, Who Dat’s in Bald Knob
Steak
Little Rock: Sonny Williams’ Steak Room
Runners-up: The Faded Rose, Riverfront Steakhouse, Doe’s Eat Place
Around the state: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs
Runners-up: Herman’s Ribhouse in Fayetteville, Mike’s Place in Conway, Doe’s Eat Place in Fayetteville
Vegetarian
Little Rock: Green Cuisine
Runners-up: ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co., 4Square Cafe and Gifts, Root Cafe
Around the state: Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville
Runners-up: Oasis Cafe in Eureka Springs, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. in Conway, New Delhi Cafe in Eureka Springs
Wine list
Little Rock: Ashley’s Runners-up: Ferneau Restaurant, Ciao Baci, Trio’s Restaurant
Around the state: Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway
Runners-up: Mike’s Place in Conway, Bordino’s in Fayetteville, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs
Yogurt
Little Rock: Red Mango
Runners-up: TCBY, Orange Leaf, Loganberry
Around the state: Lemon Tree in Benton
Runners-up: 3 Flamingos in Cabot, CherryBerry in Fayetteville
CITIES
Benton/Bryant:
TaMolly’s
Runners-up: Pasta Jack’s Italian Restaurant, La Hacienda, Ed and Kay’s Restaurant
Conway:
Mike’s Place
Runners-up: Michelango’s Italian Restaurant, Stoby’s, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Eureka Springs:
Ermillio’s Italian Home Cooking
Runners-up: DeVito’s, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Local Flavor Cafe
Fayetteville area:
Bordino’s
Runners-up: Hugo’s, James at the Mill, Greenhouse Grille
Hot Springs:
Rolando’s Restaurante
Runners-up: McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant, Belle Arti Italian Ristorante, Taco Mama’s
Chef
Little Rock: Peter Brave (Brave New Restaurant)
Runners-up: Lee Richardson (Capital Hotel), Donnie Ferneau (Ferneau Restaurant), Capi Peck (Trio’s Restaurant)
Around the state: Mark Cook (Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Eureka Springs)
Server
Little Rock: Justin Horton at Trio’s Restaurant
Runners-up: Blair Wallace at Ciao Baci, Nick Hoback at Ashley’s, Aimee Stockton at Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro