13 Best Restaurants in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Southern Kitchen

This downtown breakfast and lunch spot focuses on standard comfort foods and friendly service. Southern food meets modern style here. The inside looks nice with its high ceilings, exposed brick walls, big windows that let in natural light, and counter seats.

Food favorites like fried chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and short rib hash are served in big amounts by friendly staff who keep the mood lively. There are also vegetarian options, and the restaurant tries to use local products as much as possible. On busy weekends, get there early to avoid having to wait a long time.

Standout Dishes: Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits, Veggie Quiche, Ricotta Beignets

Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante

Rolando’s is the place to go in Hot Springs for Latin American and Caribbean food. At this fun Pan-Latin diner near Bathhouse Row, dishes are made more interesting with cilantro, lime, and chili peppers. You can eat inside, where there is highly colored folk art from different countries, or on the patio, which has a salsa bar.

The varied menu has a lot of seafood, like crab empanadas, whole fried fish, and ceviche made in the Panamanian style. There are also a lot of meat and veggie options. Enjoy a fruity mojito or margarita to finish off your island holiday mood.

Standout Dishes: Ropa Vieja, Arroz con Camarones, Ceviche Trio, Cuban Sandwich

Deluca’s Pizzeria Napoletana

They learned how to make thin-crust Neapolitan pizza in New York and New Haven, where they are married and run the business. This laid-back pizzeria with high wooden ceilings is located downtown near Bathhouse Row and serves wonderful pizza.

Pies are traditionally baked at 900 degrees in a brick oven to get the perfect crust that is both crispy and chewy. They are then topped with high-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, house-made cheese, and meats from nearby farms. You can get the standard Margherita pizza or try something new with arugula and prosciutto or fig and gorgonzola. There is also wine, pasta, paninis, soups, and more at this warm and friendly place.

Standout Dishes: Neapolitan Pizza, Prosciutto Arugula Pizza, Pappardelle alla Bolognese

The Waters: An American Bistro

The Waters is just north of downtown and has a view of Lake Hamilton. It has both a formal dining room and a casual cafe atmosphere. Beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows let you see the lake and mountains beyond. Dishes like seared diver scallops with mushroom risotto, blackened redfish with jasmine rice, and bacon-wrapped deer tenderloin are on the seasonal New American menu.

A long list of draft beers and long lists of wines and cocktails make it easy to find a tasty drink to go with your food. There is also a happy hour menu with small plates. With its great food, drinks, and views, The Waters is a great place to eat by the water.

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Standout Dishes: Pan Seared Diver Scallops, Blackened Gulf Redfish, Petite Filet Mignon, Crispy Brussel Sprouts

McClard’s Bar-B-Q

McClard’s is a famous Hot Springs restaurant that should be on every list of places to eat. This famous Arkansas barbecue joint has been around for more than 90 years. It began when second-generation owner Alex McClard took over, and he finally gave the business to his daughter.

It still has that simple roadhouse feel, and both locals and visitors are lined up to get the smoky, fall-off-the-bone ribs basted in a sweet and sour sauce. Meats that are slow-cooked, like smoked turkey and chopped pork, melt in your mouth. Sides like beans, slaw, fries, and potato salad balance out the strong flavors. Keep some room for your own pies and cobblers. Even though McClard’s is well-known, it is still nice, cheap, and open to everyone.

Standout Dishes: Ribs, Chopped Pork, Smoked Turkey, Pecan Pie

Starlite Diner

There is only one place to go in the 1950s-style Starlite for classic American comfort food. This shiny silver diner car sits on Highway 7 and serves breakfast and other diner food all day. You can get biscuits and gravy, omelets with chili and cheese, or fried chicken livers with cream gravy. You can top the pancakes however you like.

You can eat patty melts, club sandwiches, meatloaf, fried catfish, and daily blue plate specials like chicken fried steak or pot roast for lunch or dinner. You finish off your Midwestern-style meal with pie, cake, and ice cream. Starlite is still a neighborhood gem thanks to its quick and friendly service.

Standout Dishes: Chicken Fried Steak, Country Fried Chicken, Fried Catfish, Meatloaf, Banana Cream Pie

Colonial Pancake House

Warm sauce made from pecans. Pancakes that are as big as dinner plates and fluffy. Since it opened downtown in 1926 as Sam Wun’s Chinese Laundry and Pancake Shoppe, this is what the Colonial Pancake House has been known for. After almost 100 years and under changed ownership, locals still come here for the 26 different kinds of pancakes that are served in tall stacks. Aside from breakfast, you can also get plate lunch deals, sandwiches, salads, and classics from Hot Springs like fried chicken livers with pepper cream gravy. But the pancakes are the star of the show.

You can start with classics like pecan pancakes with the famous pecan syrup or peanut butter chip pancakes with peanut butter sauce. Then move on to new flavors like caramel craze or Italian cream cake pancakes. Bring something to eat!

Standout Dishes: Pecan Pancakes with Pecan Syrup, Peanut Butter Chip Pancakes with Peanut Butter Sauce

Rolling Hills Restaurant

With a view of the Ouachita Mountains, Rolling Hills offers stunning views and delicious Southern food in a casual yet fancy atmosphere. Diners can enjoy dishes from local makers while taking in the views through the large windows. Begin with pimiento cheese dip or deviled eggs. Then move on to meatloaf wrapped in bacon, catfish that has been blackened, or chicken fried steak covered in spicy gravy.

The menu also has daily favorites, hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, and sweets like Mississippi Mud Pie. Rolling Hills is a great place to enjoy a relaxing meal with family or friends because the service is friendly and the views are beautiful. It’s only a short drive on Hot Springs Mountain Drive from downtown.

Standout Dishes: Chicken Fried Steak, Blackened Catfish, Fettuccine Alfredo, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Cafe 1217

Cafe 1217 is a small restaurant on historic Malvern Avenue that is known for serving fresh regional food with a European twist. There are chalkboard specials that show what’s in season, and there is also a normal menu. It tempts with meals like filet mignon topped with applewood bacon and blue cheese, sea scallops pan-seared in champagne cream, or linguine tossed with grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes.

At lunch, try a composed salad or a fancy sandwich for a lighter bite. For dessert, don’t miss the crème brûlée with fresh berries. You can pair regional vintages or handcrafted drinks with your food from the long wine list and craft cocktails. There is stained glass, a fireplace, and local art in the cozy dining areas.

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Standout dishes: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Linguine Primavera, Crème Brûlée

DeLuca’s Pizzeria Napoletana

True Neapolitan-style pizza can be found in Hot Springs’ historic downtown area at DeLuca’s Pizzeria, which bakes tasty thin-crust pies in a 900-degree brick oven. Owners Daniel and Stephanie DeLuca, who are married, learned how to make real pizza Napoletana in New York and New Haven.

Each 12-inch pie is made with just a few high-quality ingredients, such as imported San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella made in-house, olive oil, and double-zero flour. The crispy crust, tender middle, and tasty toppings make each pie the perfect size. The Fig Fabulous pizza has prosciutto, figs, and gorgonzola. You can also make your own pizza. At this laid-back gem, you can also get pasta, paninis, beer, and wine.

Standout Dishes: Margherita Pizza, Fun Fig Fabulous Pizza, Pappardelle alla Bolognese

Crabby’s Seafood Bar and Grill

Crabby’s is right on Lake Hamilton and serves fresh fish, basic comfort food, and has beautiful views of the water. While you wait for your food, you can enjoy a drink on the deck with a view of the water. Then, dig into baskets full of crab, oysters, shrimp, and other seafood that have been deep-fried until they are crunchy.

You can also choose prepared plates that have chicken, steak, pasta, and seafood that has been fried, blackened, or grilled. Add a huge piece of chocolate or peanut butter death pie on top of everything. Crabby’s is easy to get to because of its low prices, and its beautiful views of the lake make it a great spot for seafood any night of the week. It’s right off of Highway 7 and north of downtown.

Standout Dishes: Fried Shrimp Basket, Fried Catfish Plate, Any Dessert Pie

Cupcake Heaven

Cupcake Heaven is a cute shop with rows of cupcakes that are too cute to eat. You won’t feel bad about indulging your sweet tooth there. The case is full of fluffy vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with swirls frosting and candy decorations on top. But what really makes this juice stand out are the creative taste combinations, like cotton candy, chocolate salted caramel pretzel, lemon raspberry, and red velvet cheesecake.

There are also gluten-free and vegan choices. You can get one, half a dozen, or all twelve to try a variety of tastes. On the rest of the menu, you can find chocolate-covered strawberries, macarons, cake balls, pies, cakes, cookies, gelato, and bubbly frappe cold coffee drinks. A signature cupcake candle is the right thing to bring home as a gift.

Standout Items: Lemon Raspberry Cupcake, Cotton Candy Cupcake, Champagne Gelato

Conclusion

The places listed here are just a small sample of how great the food is in Hot Springs. If you like new food, nice atmosphere, and good service, you can find even more choices in Hot Springs’ unique neighborhoods, such as the historic downtown, the mountain drives, the lakefront communities, and more.

If you’re planning a romantic dinner, a casual lunch, or a night out with your family, Hot Springs’s restaurant scene is lively and friendly, and there’s something delicious for every event. Get ready to enjoy some of the best food in Arkansas when you come here.