Best Places to Eat in Hot Springs Just Steps From Hot Springs National Park

There’s nothing more satisfying than supporting local companies and getting a morsel of a new taste that you can’t find in your own hometown. That is why when we travel, we love to taste the local fare! Check out these great places to eat in Hot Springs – all located within a 5-minute walk of the center of the downtown, Hot Springs National Park. @hotspringsontap @rolandosdining #hotspringsontap #hotsprings #arkansas Click To Tweet (Check out our recommendation of 11 things to do in Hot Springs National Park). Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links which means that (at no additional cost to you) Park Trips and More will earn a commission off of a purchase made through such links.

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Our Favorite Breakfast / Brunch Places to Eat in Hot Springs

The Avenue

The Avenue restaurant is a part of the Waters Hotel which is where we stayed during our time in Hot Springs. It is not, however, your typical hotel restaurant. Brunch at the Avenue serves up locally roasted coffee, chef-designed entrees, and an atmosphere that is hip and welcoming. Brunch is served on Sunday, and is well worth checking out. Our brunch selections included: Harissa Chicken Hash – yum! And Classic Breakfast (you can’t go wrong with a stack of pancakes!). I know that I mentioned the local coffee (from Westrock Coffee Company in North Little Rock), but I want to say again how choosy my coffee taste buds are, and how satisfied they were.

The Colonial Pancake and Waffle House

This low-key spot is located at the far end of the main corridor of Central Avenue. It is understated in appearance from the outside, and has a low-key vibe, but please trust that it has what it takes to get morning started off right. This restaurant has been acclaimed as a breakfast hot spot by Southern Living. Try their specialty Pecan Waffle (with Chocolate Chips on the side) for a tasty morning treat.

colonial-waffle-and-pancakes-hot-springs-arkansas-places-to-eat — Pecan pancakes with chocolate chips are a sweet start to the day at the Colonial Pancake and Waffle House.

The Pancake Shop

The Pancake Shop is located much closer to the heart of downtown. It is a popular and bustling breakfast spot, and after tasting the food, it was easy to see why. The pancakes were good, but the ham is amazing! I would recommend The Pancake Shop for a hearty start to your day.

Our Favorite Lunch / Dinner Places to Eat in Hot Springs

Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante

Check out Rolandos for a little flare and fun. You will love their bean and corn-based salsa (different than the tomato based salsas that I’ve been used to). I tried my first mojito. They created this minty mixture with a blackberry compote which was delicious and refreshing! Check out their upstairs speakeasy dining experience for a trip back in time. We had (and highly recommend): Quesadillas de Chivo – I have never had quesadillas made with the ingredients that were listed in the menu, but these come complete with goat cheese and Argentinian mango sauce. Please trust, the flavors delight! We also had Pollo Bohemio which was a tender chicken cutlet with onions, peppers with great seasonings. If we stayed longer we definitely would have visited again. This was one of our favorite places to eat in Hot Springs.

rolandos-hot-springs-arkansas-places-to-eat — Quesadillas de Chivo at Rolando’s were a real treat!

The Ohio Club

The Ohio Club served up one of the best burgers in an awesome environment, hands down! Check out the spot that was frequented by the likes of infamous mobsters Al Capone, Bugsy Segel, Lucky Luciano and more. They have a beautiful bar, and memorabilia that you can look at while you are waiting on your food. Check out their speakeasy setting upstairs. We tried: Try the ‘Big Al’ Double Cheeseburger (or the ‘Little Al’ for a slightly smaller appetite like I did) to taste Al Capone’s favorite drink made into a sauce which is smothered on a perfectly grilled burger patty.

ohio-club-hot-springs-arkansas-places-to-eat — Eat like a gangster at the Ohio Club. Try the Lil’ Al.

Superior Bathhouse Brewery and Distillery

For a casual, quick (and vegetarian friendly) stop that won’t disappoint, check out the Superior Bathhouse. The Superior Bathouse Brewery and Distillery is the only brewery that is located within a US National Park. This restaurant is actually located in the bathhouse row within Hot Springs National Park (check out more things to do at Hot Springs National Park here). It is a restaurant and microbrewery that uniquely brews their beverages using the thermal waters. Superior Bathhouse featured a menu with lighter yet satisfying options. With friendly service to boot. What could be better? We tried: Salad and tomato bisque. Spinach dip and chips. Pulled Pork sliders. Also, try the excellent homemade root beer. #hotspringsontap

Homemade root beer is a must at the Superior Bathhouse at Hot Springs National Park!

The Avenue (again)

We enjoyed brunch at the Avenue so much that we went back for more. A dinner at the Avenue does not disappoint after a satisfying day of exploring the area. We had: Beef tenderloin and salmon dinner. Regardless of what you order for your entrée, make sure to try the macaroni and cheese as a side option. I think that it might be the absolute best mac and cheese that I’ve ever tried!

the-avenue-dinner-hot-springs-arkansas-places-to-eat — Tastes continue to delight at the Avenue.

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth – Dessert in Hot Springs:

Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcake Shoppe

If you have a sweet tooth to satisfy, check out the Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcake Shoppe. This Hot Springs shop was a competitor on the hit TV show Cupcake Wars, and features some of the selections that were created on that show. We tried their famous Crème Brulee cupcake and their highly recommended Ooey Gooey Buttercake cupcake. From one sweet tooth to another… yum!

Great Food in Hot Springs, Arkansas - check out our recommendations at parktripsandmore.com — Pin to Pinterest and visit our other great Hot Springs tips!

Author Britney

Britney is a world citizen, park enthusiast and lover of personal development. She shares tips and experiences that she and her husband, Jason, have had as they visit the 400+ U.S. National Park Units.