Eat Well, Feel Good: Restaurants Making an Impact in Little Rock
Eating out in Little Rock already means good food and local flavor. And, some of the city’s favorite restaurants are serving standout food while quietly making thoughtful choices behind the scenes. Dining at these spots means enjoying a great meal and knowing your choice supports businesses doing a little extra for the community and the environment.
These restaurants are part of the City of Little Rock’s Green Restaurant Program, which recognizes simple actions that add up over time. Think fewer single-use items, smarter food practices, and everyday decisions that reduce waste without changing the dining experience. For guests, it is an easy way to support places already doing the work with no extra effort required.
The Root Cafe
A longtime favorite for breakfast and lunch, The Root Cafe is known for seasonal comfort food that feels both familiar and thoughtful. The cafe sources as much as possible from small farms and producers across Arkansas, including 100% of the meat, eggs, and bread served, along with a majority of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and cheeses. In fact, 75% of its total food and beverage costs are locally sourced, placing The Root Cafe in the top half of 1% of farm-to-table restaurants nationwide. That same mindset carries behind the scenes, where food donations, composting, and local sourcing are part of daily operations, making it easy to enjoy a meal that’s grounded in the community.
Moody Brews
Moody Brews is a small batch brewery and taproom located in Little Rock's Pettaway neighborhood, serving local beer creations and small bites. Sustainability shows up in the details here, from waste reduction to intentional sourcing, proving that small choices can still have a meaningful impact.
Nexus Coffee & Creative
Nexus Coffee & Creative blends specialty coffee with a welcoming, art-forward space that encourages you to linger. Behind the scenes, sustainability shows up through waste reduction and thoughtful daily practices, making it an easy stop for coffee that feels good in more ways than one.
The Green Corner Store
A neighborhood favorite for local loose-leaf teas, The Green Corner Store focuses on tea varieties blended in the Savoy Tea Lab in Fayetteville, Arkansas, that use local, raw honey and small-batch organic syrups to sweeten and flavor specialty drinks like matcha, coffee, kombucha, tea lattes, and wellness teas. Its commitment to the Green Restaurant Program shows up through waste-conscious practices and thoughtful sourcing that reflect the café’s overall philosophy. It’s the kind of place where everyday choices quietly support a healthier community while keeping the experience relaxed and welcoming.
Loblolly Creamery
Ranked the No. 8 Best Ice Cream Shop in the U.S. in the 2025 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Loblolly Creamery brings handcrafted ice cream and inventive flavors to Little Rock’s food scene. With a focus on quality ingredients and local partnerships, the shop pairs creativity with sustainability-minded practices that reduce waste without sacrificing the joy of a scoop or two. It’s a sweet stop that proves small operational choices can still make a meaningful impact.
Stone's Throw Brewing
Creative beers and a neighborhood feel define Stone’s Throw Brewing. Sustainability is part of the operation here, with efforts to reuse materials and reduce waste woven into everyday brewing and service without changing the guest experience.
Trio's Restaurant
A longtime Little Rock staple, Trio’s Restaurant serves approachable American dishes in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Its participation in the Green Restaurant Program reflects a commitment to operating thoughtfully while staying focused on consistency and quality.
Fassler Hall
Known for German-inspired fare and a buzzing beer hall atmosphere, Fassler Hall is a popular gathering place year-round. Sustainability efforts here focus on smarter operations and waste reduction, allowing guests to enjoy the experience without a second thought.
Southern Tail Brewing
Southern Tail Brewing blends elevated pub fare with a lively taproom vibe, making it an easy stop for food and drinks. Behind the bar and in the kitchen, thoughtful practices like waste reduction and responsible sourcing support the brewery’s community-first approach.
Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge
Part bowling alley, part restaurant, and part social hub, Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge keeps fun at the center of the experience. Its green certification highlights behind-the-scenes practices that reduce waste while keeping the focus on community and play.
Boulevard Bread Company
Using organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, Boulevard Bread Company offers a curated selection of artisan cheeses, olives, charcuterie, and hard-to-find gourmet pantry items. All locations are certified through the City of Little Rock’s Green Restaurants Program.
Cafe Africa
Located inside the Little Rock Zoo, Café Africa aligns sustainability with conservation-focused values. The café’s participation in the Green Restaurant Program supports waste reduction and responsible practices while serving families and visitors exploring one of the city’s most popular attractions.
City Silo Table & Pantry
City Silo Table + Pantry serves reimagined comfort food and drinks made with wholesome, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. The menu features a range of healthy, flavorful options designed to support a variety of diets, with dishes that feel both satisfying and nourishing. As part of the City of Little Rock’s Green Restaurant program, City Silo supports sustainable dining through practices like responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and eco-conscious packaging.
Tacos Godoy
Established in 2019, Tacos Godoy is a family-owned food truck and restaurant specializing in traditional Mexican guisados, with stewed and braised dishes made from fresh ingredients and served on house-made corn tortillas. A participant in the City of Little Rock’s Green Restaurant program, Tacos Godoy emphasizes sustainability through local ingredients, reduced waste, and thoughtful food practices.
A great meal often leads to more. From welcoming hotels to walkable attractions and a dining scene worth lingering over, Little Rock makes it easy to build a full stay around the places you love to eat.
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