Where to Carb Load in Little Rock

For runners gearing up for the race, carb-loading is especially important because of the hilly terrain. But carb-loading doesn’t have to be boring or tasteless. In fact, with foods such as pasta and pizza, it can be a delicious and fun way to prepare for the race!

Little Rock is home to some amazing restaurants; if you’re looking for the perfect pre-marathon carb-load, these are some great places to go.

Staying downtown? There are a handful of dining options that would be a perfect warmup for the race. Traditional Italian eateries and pasta places like Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro, and Bruno’s Little Italy are popular choices. If you prefer to fuel up with good old-fashioned pizza, try Iriana’s Pizza. Farther down Main Street, in the South Main (SoMa) neighborhood, is Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom, where hand-tossed pizzas and a great lineup of craft beers make for a perfect pre-race date night. But Italian isn't your only choice. When it comes to carbs in the River Market District, check out Buenos Aires Grill and Cafe for a new flavor of pre-race fuel.

Another downtown choice with a different flavor is Three Fold Noodles + Dumpling Co. Their handmade noodles and dumplings are super tasty and can be spiced up as much as you can handle. (We order them at the “poison level,” but that’s up to you.) Did we mention they offer vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, too?

Out in the Hillcrest/Heights/West Little Rock areas, there are local eateries that can help you get ready to run. The Pizzeria and Zaza Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Company both have great options. Ciao Baci and Graffiti’s are other local favorites worth visiting. All are just a short drive from downtown, so why not get out and see some of the city?

Finally, another favorite of the locals is Larry’s Pizza. It’s an all-you-can-eat pizza joint with multiple locations. They’ve got some fun spins on traditional pizza including the Asian chicken pizza and the Club pizza. Dessert pizza is also available.

Whether you’re gearing up for a training run or this year’s big race, Little Rock is full of places to keep you fueled up. Good luck to all the runners out there, and happy carb-loading!