This was a wonderful find! The vibe is cool, eclectic, grounded in ethnic and other diversities in the subtlest yet most heartening way. The staff were attentive and more than helpful. The food was delicious and surprising, in that an item which might sound ordinary was absolutely and delightfully not. The serving sizes were so generous as to require either a large appetite or a desire to leave with seconds. The decor is bright, colorful, quirky-fun, and cheerful. I cannot recommend The Root Cafe highly enough. read more

What a find! The Root Cafe is the kind of place that makes me grateful for Yelp reviewers. The restaurant is committed to sourcing its ingredients locally and is known to be a 'farm to table' restaurant. Traveling through a Little Rock for work, my group decided to grab breakfast before flying out. We came in due to the raving reviews from a multitude of online sources and they did not disappoint. I ordered the Root Benny and the blueberry muffin based on the host's recommendation. First cut into my poached egg and I already knew it was the start of a culinary journey. Absolute flavor and texture perfection. The seasonal greens (steamed kale?) paired so well with the greens and the crostini was the perfect vehicle for yolk dipping. The blueberry muffin was small but delicious--exactly what you should expect from a muffin. I wish I would've remembered to order the cookies to go. I suppose I'll have to come back. read more

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The Root Cafe is a fun and unique spot to grab a delicious meal! I came here twice during my visit to Little Rock and had a great meal both times. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu that features a fresh and healthier take on classic southern food. I really enjoyed the spicy tofu bowl with grits and collared greens, their homemade cornbread, and strawberry shortcake for dessert! I also liked their arancini which was on the specials menu. Their classic lemonade was delicious, and the perfect complement to my meal. I'd highly recommend The Root Cafe for a memorable meal! read more

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We came here on a Sunday morning after church. There wasn't a line so we were able to order immediately. You order at the counter before heading to your table. The Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit was really good. The biscuit held together really well too but the crumbly bits that fell off were perfect little bites. You can taste the fresh gamey-ness of the sausage. The potato's were chopped perfectly, cooked perfectly, and seasoned very well. The bacon is also delicious. The only thing that bothered me about the restaurant were the floors and the edges of the floor that met the walls of the restaurant. It just looked really dirty. read more

The Root Cafe - Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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First time visiting Arkansas and Little Rock -- here for the LR Marathon (Half) this weekend. Stopped by The Root Cafe. Easy parking with both a lot and ample street spots. Ordered the Spicy Banh Mi: fried organic tofu, carrot-daikon pickle, cilantro, jalapeños, hoisin, sriracha, and house garlic mayo on a Boulevard baguette. I subbed vegan mayo, so it was vegetarian (possibly vegan). Overall, it was good and fairly healthy. The veggies were fresh, the carrot-daikon pickle stood out, and I appreciated the mixed greens on the side. That said, the sandwich -- and especially the greens -- were a bit salty / high in sodium. Still, solid flavors and good ingredients. I'd come back. Visited February 27, 2026. read more

The Root Cafe - Spicy Banh Mi - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

I came to visit Little Rock and when I heard about Root Cafe, I knew I had to come and try it! I'm always interested in supporting businesses that put community first. My entire meal was fantastic! Service was fast, and all the staff were friendly and helpful in the ordering process. It's a local diner that showcases community and hospitality through food right upon entering. I ordered the French Toast Matcha to start and it was high-quality matcha and it was delicious! I ordered a blueberry muffin that was full of blueberries! Every bite had a juicy berry. For my main meal, I ordered the Root Benny. It was delicious! The ham, greens, and crostinis on the side were all perfectly cooked and delicious! The greens were seasoned well, which was a pleasant surprise! It was a great start to my morning! read more

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Really cool atmosphere, bright, colorful, and quirky. My breakfast sandwich was delicious. The biscuit was soft, my eggs were fluffy, and the cheese and ham were the cherry on top. The side of jam added a touch of sweetness! Fast and friendly service, too read more

The Root Cafe - Breakfast sandwich with ham - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

*** unique plates offered here! *** Through the ol' trusty Yelp app, The Root Cafe was one of the few dog-friendly places that enticed me for lunch back on July 22, 2025. My daughters went ahead and requested a table for us. Between them not having and mint for my cocktail and my having to order at the register without my mutt by my side, those were the only pitfalls. Otherwise service was great and welcoming. Their menu is something of a exemplary nature... combining foods and flavors that pair extremely well and don't normally appear in dishes. If you want to try new things, this is definitely a place to start. Here's what we found to be scrumptious: + Kids Ham & Cheese = $7.00 + Spicy Banh Mi = $11.25 + The Jamn Skippy = $16.50 + 2 Sparkling Lavender Lemonades = $11.00 1 B*tchin' Lemonade = $10.00 Carrot cake cookie. $2.75 Matcha lemon snickerdoodle cookie. $2.75 Carrot cake slice $6.75 Free parking on their lot near downtown Little Rock, AR. I'm a fan. RATING BREAKDOWN Food: 5 | Service: 5 | Ambiance: 4 | Price: 4 PS - I didn't see one hanging on the patio ceiling, but I really wish that you would put up an American flag much in the same way that you have other flags. read more

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Easily accommodated a large group, very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Fun display of items for purchase: coffee, honey, pickled vegetables, and more! The place has a great vibe. Everyone enjoyed their food and it was all plated attractively, but there were inconsistencies. 2 people at the table ordered meatloaf and one order came out 10 minutes later than the other entrees (they comped this, unrequested), 2 people ordered the Hot Chicken and one portion was significantly larger than the other. This dish also had uniformly hot flavor on all components. read more

The Root Cafe - Hot Chicken - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

Loved Root Cafe! "Great Vibes " completely applies here. Our server was friendly and helpful, food was truly delicious (most fresh, crunchy, flavorful salad I've had ALL summer!)and service was quick. Be aware, the establishment is solar powered, so don't go expecting ice cold a/c. It's just coolish inside. Good on them. Love the fun n funky neighborhood as well. I'd definitely return if I were traveling to LR again! read more

The Root Cafe - I - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Our group of 5 friends dined outside on a Friday afternoon. Everyone was delighted with our meals. The meatloaf meal was unique, tasty and appetizing. The side salads $5 had fruit added and were delicious. We enjoyed the corn bread topped with spicy cashew butter. The pulled pork was delicious. Service was just okay, the younger server could not explain any of the meals; she may have been new? We had to ask for drink refills etc. all in all a very nice dining experience. Unfortunately, UBER will NOT drop you off at the Root Restaurant entrance and you must walk far to the Comedy Club. read more

The Root Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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This is probably the best meatloaf I have ever eaten at a restaurant. It was absolutely friggin outstanding. The Aaron Cheney was delicious. My wife had side salad, which was absolutely delicious. The sparkling lavender lemonade was to die for. I cannot go without giving a shout out to Cade, she was awesome! read more

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As a vegetarian who has been traveling through the south for the last week, I knew I had to come here as soon as I saw all of the vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. Despite the mile distance from our hotel, we made the journey on a Saturday morning at prime brunch eating time. Fortunately, there was seating available for us. It's a order-at-the-counter-and-they-bring-it-to-you kind of place. I like that they provide menus in a basket outside the entrance so you aren't forced to order the first thing that looks decent in a panic-stricken state while they stare at you. They have a lot of the breakfast classics like pancakes and breakfast sandwiches. They also have Benedicts in both a regular and meatless forms. I was intrigued by the tofu version of their banh mi and that was my choice. I also ordered a side biscuit. For my drank, I lost my shit when i saw "iced french toast matcha". GF ordered the mushroom Benedict with kale and feta and washed it down with a Bloody Mary. The best part of the meal for me, hands down, was the french toast matcha. It was absolutely excellent. Not too sweet but with a wonderful flavor. The food took a little bit longer than expected but I see this is as a good thing actually. Sometimes I'm sketched out when it comes out basically as soon as you utter the words. When did you make that? You know? It certainly was a realistic time for some shit that was made to order. Now, I have end stage ADHD and have a terrible habit of not reading the entire sentence, forget about paragraph. I might not have read the description properly but I was SHOOK when my plate arrived. It was basically a plate of what is on the inside of a banh mi, instead of an actual sandwich. I was definitely expecting a sandwich. Don't get me wrong, it was very good. The flavors were delightful, a nice combo of sweet and savory with a variety of textures. It was served with a very plentiful salad and delicious dressing. The biscuit was good, nothing to write home about. I do wish the jam wasn't quite so liquidy, it kind of slipped off of the knife before I had to chance to get it on the biscuit. GF is sleeping so can't provide any review of her meal but her plate was basically licked clean by the end of the meal. I tried her Bloody Mary and it was spicy and aggressively horseradishy. This is a great place I wish there were more of them in existence. read more

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We had vegan banh mi and mushroom burger which were fantastic. In a world of corporate restaurants it's healing to be in a cafe with character. Just passing through but I can see there are a lot of regulars here. We would be too! read more

Parking a squeeze for non handicap Breakfast only on Sunday No substitutions sandwiches come with arugula ( not my favorite) Ordered sandwich Outdoor seating with enclosure for cold weather Lots veggie options Cocktails available I would call this place kinda trendy and local read more

The Root Cafe - Area entrance - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

Traveling through Little Rock and looking for something on the healthier side is how we found the Root Cafe on Yelp. The menu looked so enticing, we had to stop in for lunch. This is a funky little artsy spot, judging by the crowd, well loved by locals. The friendly staff works like a well oiled machine to get the food & drinks out quickly. I chose the Breakfast Bahn Mi and the iced French Toast Macha, while my husband opted for the Biscuits & Gravy. The flavors and presentation were just amazing in my dish, and I could only eat half of it. Fortunately, my husband inhaled his dish and polished mine off, too. This is a great little spot that we will definitely visit again. We loved the food and the vibe. I'm deducting a star for the overcooked eggs on both our plates. read more

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I landed at LIT and went straight to Root for a late lunch/early dinner around 4PM. Since it wasn't 5PM yet, it was still order at the counter. There was only one other table in the restaurant and the dinner shift was starting show up. It's been around a month since I've been but I'm pretty sure it is the exact same staff as the last time I was there. I started with a bowl of the miso sweet potato soup. I'm pretty sure I got the same soup last time. It was very good. I also got the Jamn Skippy which is a burger with feta, sumac onions and jelly. The burger was good but it didn't have anything that stood out. The feta was pretty mild. If you don't like feta when it's tart you should be fine. The onion added some texture. The jelly wasn't super sweet. I still haven't had a chance to try their breakfast. Maybe I can make that happen this trip. read more

We came here because of Guy Fieri ... went out of our way from driving on the the 40 .... we ordered a brat , but it was pink in the middle (uncooked pork can carry trichinosis and parasites) Having been a Certified food safetey instructor and Chef for Decades , I brought it to their attention.. instead of offering to bring another well cooked one the gal argued that they are checked for temp! !!!!! seriously ? like i would just take a servers word on something like that ?? when I mentioned my vast experience , she continued to argue that the brats are temp measured???? would you eat that ?????? unbelievable! Not impressed with the entire lax attitude of everyone there ... was so frustrated i left without eating read more

I enjoyed my sausage, pancakes, and OJ. I expected to receive two sausage patties instead of one, but I accepted it because I was pressed for time. The mural outside of the building is beautiful. Several customers dined and cleaned their plates. I will return again in the future. read more

Y'all. It's so gooooood! It's the kind of place that when you leave you buy the merch because you've fallen in love. We sat on the heated enclosed patio and although it was chilly outside, we were cozy inside pretending we were outside. I got a sparkling lavender lemonade, a chicken salad sandwich, and my friend and I shared the star of the show: sweet potato fries with a special yummy dipping sauce that I couldn't tell you the name of, but it is unforgettable to my tastebuds. The sandwich had a side salad that I ate every leaf of - I'm not usually a big salad person, but I loved it. Local, fresh, cute, special. Go give them some love. read more

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This is one of those places where it is evident the owner(s) have a passion and care for what they do. From the moment you pull up and see the giant carrot shaped sign to when your food is brought to your table, every detail is carefully crafted. You order at the counter and are given a table sign that is representative of a local vendor they work with and then find your own table. The curry sweet potato soup was incredible along with the crispy fries! I ordered the curry chicken salad sandwich which was light in flavor and very fresh. My partner got the hamburger with everything on it and was super pleased. The star of the show for me was the Honey Ginger Lemonade! So fresh and perfectly sweet and ginger spicy! Cannot wait to visit again and try everything I didn't get to order this time around. read more

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Everything at The Root, including the service, is absolutely fantastic! The chicken & sweet potato dumplings were incredible & the corn bread with smoked cream cheese & summer squash relish was phenomenal! I got bread pudding and arancini (fried risotto balls of yummy goodness) to top it off & they were perfect. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Plane got delayed so we decided to get a bite . What a little gem of a unique cafe. Great vibe and atmosphere. Staff was polite and burgers were so so good . read more

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Best place to stop for breakfast and lunch in Little Rock. I've been going to The Root since they opened and moved away from AR, but it remains my go-to when I'm in the area. Excellent service and eclectic decor. Wonderful vegetarian options (though I wish they had a vegetarian gravy because their biscuits are so delicious). My partner and I got the mushroom benny and tofu scrambler and both were delicious (went for breakfast two days in a row and got the same thing both times). Ample outside seating and you get to pick your own mug if you order hot coffee! Be sure to get there early if you're going on a weekend and the weather is nice--the line can get long, but usually moves pretty fast. read more

This place is one of the best restaurants in Little Rock. I went on my first date with my partner here and we come back at least once a month. I've tried multiple things on their menu including meatloaf, Lion's Mane, PBT, burgers, spicy tofu bowl, and their brunch and all of it is so good. They source their food from local farmers and their number cards each have a description of a different farm that they source from which I always enjoy reading. The service is exceptional always with breakfast and lunch being seat-yourself and dinner being wait-to-be-seated. We love eating in the outdoor garden but you can't go wrong with inside or outside. This place is truly one of the best Little Rock has to offer. read more

The Root Cafe - Dumplings - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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On our most recent visit we tried the new location in West LR-it was amazing! The staff were helpful and kind and the food was absolutely delicious. The ambiance of this space was so pretty! I look forward to going back on our next visit:) read more

Great food, great vibes, convenient location when traveling, and clean. Great service, no complaints here.

Stopped in during my travels and ordered the burger and a salad.... I will say the two sauces that came with this burger were perfectly spiced and had the best taste. I ordered my burger protein style and my salad came with watermelon on top. Best place ever... great food and a must try. Service was fast and friendly. Inside is super great. With indoor and outdoor seating read more

The Root Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Gigantic pancakes with real maple syrup. Loved the parfait and fresh squeezed OJ. Eclectic art on the walls and cheerful oilcloth on the tables. Efficient service and very clean. Recommend! read more

This place has excellent food, good service, fresh local ingredients. The Bahn mi is a must try.

We had time for one meal in Little Rock before heading to the airport after a visit to Hot Springs and boy am I glad we picked The Root Cafe. Everyone was extremely kind and tolerant of our tired kids and the food was exceptional. I'd eat the Banh Mi off the floor. Even the grilled cheese for my toddler was prepared expertly (and I ate half happily). Terrific ambience. A true gem. read more

They have won awards and I can see why. The building was historic but used well. The food was so fresh and flavorful. We were with a group, some had breakfast and some had lunch. Everyone was very happy with their meal. We sat outside since we had dogs with us and the patio space was so fun with shade trees and umbrellas. The staff brought out water for the dogs without being asked. Everyone who works there was so nice and we had a wonderful experience. Heads up - parking in their lot is tight so you might need to park on the street. We had 3 vehicles and everyone found parking nearby without issue. read more

The Root Cafe - Entrance to building - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Just sat down for my first local Little Rock meal. I was craving a burger and did a quick "best burger" search in google, The Root was consistently top five on all lists, so here I am! I was immediately greeted by the server and given a table outside upon my request. I found the staff nice, helpful, and considerate, and the restraint clean. Definitely a cool, hipster vibe, and I loved the outdoor seating area and how it allowed for observing other people walking the downtown area. I order the cornbread as an appetizer and the pimento cheese burger with a side of sweet potato fries. My opinion, you must try the cornbread! The burger was definitely good, but I wouldn't put it on my top 10 of all time the way I was hoping, I think that top burger I've ever had is still from a small burger shop named Burger Factory, in the middle of nowhere Lithuania. As for the sweet potato fries, I liked them but the spicey Mayo took me a little by surprise. Overall, I think is was a great spot and I would recommend more for the ambiance, vibe, and corn bread than the burger. Also it looked like other people working there were enjoying the drinks! read more

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The Root Cafe's eclectic and vintage interior adds to the experience. Bright and colorful, this is the place to go for healthy alternatives. Really good lunch and dinner options await those who want a well-prepared meal. Order from the counter, grab a seat, at any table with a "clean" plaque on it and the order is delivered promptly. The place is a throwback to the 50s and 60s, but fun and clean. Convenient location downtown-- and they just opened another in West Little Rock. read more

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Line was short and ordered quickly. I got the jamn skippy and it was good 4/5. Egg salad sandwich was okay, good bread but no flavor in the sandwich 3/5. read more

In town for work and a friend and coworker both recommend this spot. I took a chance and braved the cold winter air hoping for a good meal and TLDR they did not disappoint. I ordered their green tomato cracklins, the bitchin lemonade, the hot chicken (because my server said it was ordered a lot), and some bread pudding to go. The cracklins were a surprise as I was expecting fried green tomatoes and these were not that but more like pork rinds but not pork. Anyway that was totally on me and I now I know. An interesting bite, to be sure, but don't personally need to order again as they were empty carbs. The drink was yummy but I'm too old for vodka and my body let me know quickly. The hot chicken was a delight. Disclaimer, I don't know what good greens taste like, but I enjoyed these and how they complemented the chicken. The Mac and cheese was not it at all but the chicken more than made up for it. It was juicy, crispy, flavorful, hot and something I would order again despite the mac! The chicken more than made up for the lackluster mac and the reason for my 5 ( if I could I'd give 4.5 but math rules say we round up). Oh, the bread pudding was more bready than pudding and heavy but yummy nonetheless. Would have paired nicely with coffee. Friendly staff. Cute decor. Plenty of parking. Overall, recommend! read more

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This place is such a gem! The food is always fresh and flavorful, and I really appreciate that they work with local farms. The matcha was smooth and delicious, and the cinnamon rolls were absolutely wonderful -- soft, sweet, and perfectly spiced. I also enjoyed their salads and sandwiches, everything tasted fresh and well put together. We chose to sit outside, which was lovely, though there were quite a lot of flying insects (something to keep in mind if you're sensitive to that). Overall, a cozy spot with great food that I'd happily recommend. read more

The Root Cafe - Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich and Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Stopped by The Root Cafe in Little Rock--food was good, service was friendly, no complaints there. I got the sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit, which was solid. Tried the vanilla iced coffee too, but heads up--it's super sweet, like borderline dessert levels. The layout and vibe were fine, nothing bad but nothing that really stood out either. Overall a decent experience, just not something I'd go out of my way for. read more

Great food, funky atmosphere, very friendly staff. Not good parking, but everything else made up for that. Will be going again when I'm in LR! read more

Highly recommend! Best pancakes I've ever tasted and the eggs bahn mi was also amazing. The staff is so nice and the cafe itself is so cute. We sat in the outside garden area. I would absolutely go back when I'm in town, in fact my only disappointment is that I don't live closer. read more