The Root Cafe is a community-focused, farm-to-table restaurant in Little Rock, known for sourcing 75% of its operating budget within Arkansas, including 100% of its meat, eggs, and bread from local farms. It offers comfort food in a welcoming atmosphere featuring eclectic art and a free little library, with two locations in the city.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise the delicious, flavorful, and fresh food, highlighting the high quality of locally sourced ingredients. The friendly and fast service, along with the welcoming and vibrant ambiance (including outdoor seating), are frequently mentioned. The restaurant is highly regarded for its excellent vegan options. Some reviews note that it can be busy, potentially leading to parking challenges.
Additional Details
The Root Cafe is deeply committed to supporting the local economy, spending 75% of its operating budget within Arkansas. All of its meat, eggs, and bread are sourced from local farms and producers. It has a second location in Breckenridge Village, West Little Rock, and fosters an inclusive, queer-friendly environment.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reviews suggest it can be quite busy, so visiting during off-peak hours might offer a more relaxed experience and easier parking.
Seriously just one of the best meals I have ever had and I spent a week in New Orleans last year just for the food. Chicken and dumplings, side salads, sweet potato fries with house dipping sauce, cheese burger all 10/10. So flavorful and fresh. The vibes are here,we tries outdoor seating - it's great. The service was fast and the staff friendly. Food came hot and fast. No notes guys. This place rocks.
This place was a gem. Just an absolutely adorable find!! I was only in Little Rock for 25 hours to see In Flames play, and I wanted a good dinner - a good *vegan* dinner. Which I had in spades. I got the Lion’s Mane Mushroom and it was fantastic. So were the sweet potato fries. Every single person who worked there was amazing and super sweet. Bonus: this place is hella queer and I loved it. I go a lot of places and have a lot of stickers, but it’s gonna be hard to top Pride Carrot. Hugs to all you guys!!!!
5
I remembered this place from almost a decade ago and knew I HAD to come back. So I drove an hour each way to get the sausage egg and cheese biscuit with gravey and it was just as good as I remembered. I tried some of the hazelnut syrup for my coffee and it really was AMAZING! It was worth the drive even when gas is over 4 dollars a gallon. I loved the outside seating and it reminded me of eatting at the bistros in France. I can't give enough complements on the quality of the food and the prices. After a decade the taste is somehow better than I remembered.
5
The Root Café continues to deliver when it comes to fresh, locally sourced food done right. I went with the cheeseburger topped with pepper jack, made from hand-pattied, pasture-raised beef from McNeal Farms (Morrilton, AR), and added jalapeños (Malvern, AR) for an extra kick.
This burger hits a great balance. The beef is juicy and flavorful on its own, but the pepper jack and house garlic mayo bring a creamy heat that builds with each bite. The grilled dill pickles add a nice tangy contrast, and the jalapeños push it just enough into that bold, spicy territory without overwhelming everything else. It’s a well-thought-out combination where every ingredient actually matters.
The bun held together very well, even with all the toppings, which is always a plus. Nothing falling apart halfway through, just a solid, clean bite from start to finish.
On the side, I had the small salad with local spring mix, feta, and their house garlic vinaigrette. Fresh, crisp, and light, it complements the richness of the burger perfectly. You can tell the ingredients are high quality and locally sourced, which is really the heart of what The Root Café does.
Overall, this is a great option if you’re looking for a burger that feels a step above the standard. Fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and a little customization with the jalapeños took it up a notch.
Definitely one I’d come back for.
5
Atmosphere is unique and different. They have a real farmers market feel as soon as you walk up to the building. Beautiful patio seating and a fun area with trees and rustic patio seating.
The menus were easy to read and understand. The food was exceptionally good. I ordered the Pimento burger and half and half fries and my husband ordered a cheese burger. The patties were medium and grilled very well and seasoned. The side salad was funky, in a good way with a delicious tangy dressing. The spicy mayo that came with the sweet potato fries was my favorite. I adored the mason jars and self serving water and tea. Highly recommend for someone who wants anything different than a chain restaurant.
