8 Restaurants In Alma (AR) That Locals Love For Food & Vibes!

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Last updated on January 19, 2023 by Wandering our World

Alma may have once been known as the “Spinach Capital of the World”, but they’ve certainly branched out and added a whole list of culinary delights these days!

With tons of international flavors to try out ranging from Chinese, Mexican, Cajun, and more, Alma really does have an endless variety of excellent restaurants to try out. Below we recommend a few of our favorites!

Chef cooking in kitchen
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

The Best Restaurants In Alma (AR): Food Worth Waiting For!

1. Catfish Hole

At the heart of Alma’s community, an iconic restaurant that’s been around forever and serves some of the most delicious seafood in town!

This multi-award-winning restaurant right in the heart of Alma is something you simply shouldn’t miss out on while traveling the region. Catfish Hole is one of the most popular restaurants in Alma, not only due to its awards and fanfare, but because they’ve become a quintessential part of the town’s history.

The restaurant has a great vibe and aesthetic, and that has a lot to do with all the loyal patrons flocking through its doors day after day. The atmosphere they create is deeply embedded in the town’s sense of community, and you’ll probably feel right at home even if you’re just there for a few days. That’s how warm and welcoming the people and the place are!

As for what to eat, their catfish is their most famous menu item, so anything related to that would be a great choice. They also have some amazing non-fried dinners, like Grilled Chicken and Snow Crab.

Plus, their salads are super delicious and highly recommended by locals as well. Their Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Bundt Cake are some of the most popular desserts too, so make sure you try them as well.

Catfish Hole is closed on Mondays and open all other days of the week, from 11 am to 8 pm.

Address: 24 Collum Ln W, Alma, AR

2. El Trio

Traditional and authentic Mexican food served in the most festive interior with exceptional service!

Family-run and operated, El Trio is owned by three members of the same family, hence the name! Their commitment and service to Alma since 2006 has been nothing short of awe-inspiring and their blend of Mexican food is just what the town needed. So, if you’re in the mood to have some authentic Mexican delights look no further than this place.

With one of the most colorful interiors in town, El Trio will make you feel as if you’re vacationing in Mexico. From the colorful walls to the festive decorations, everything about the place is a celebration.

Plus, they also have a lot of greenery that really makes you feel closer to nature and adds a homey touch to the place. Truly a place where you will probably take a million pictures, so go prepared!

They have a huge menu so take your time in going through it. Their most recommended menu items are the Burritos, Tacos, Carnitas, and Fajitas. So, if those are your favorite dishes you’re in luck!

If not, then there are plenty of other items that you can choose from. You can also experiment with something you’ve never had before, because they make everything fresh from scratch so you’re in for a treat either way.

El Trio is open seven days a week from 11 am to 9 pm, apart from Sunday when its open from 11 am to 3 pm.

Address: 214 US-64, Alma, AR

Mexican food, many dishes of the cuisine of Mexico, flat lay, shot from the top on a vibrant blue background, forming a frame with a place for text. Nachos, quesadillas, guacamole, burritos etc
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Plateresca

3. CrawPappy’s Cajun Cuisine

Inspiring Cajun flavors housed in a unique and quirky interior with professional staff and service!

Continuing on with more international flavors, Alma has one of the finest Cajun restaurants in the region. So if you’ve never had Cajun food before then you are in for a really special treat.

CrawPappy’s Cajun Cuisine is a beloved little eatery right in the center of town that will probably end up becoming your new favorite restaurant! What can we say, we warned you!

The restaurant’s interior is a cross between a diner and a café, with the best elements of both! With an open-style kitchen where you can see all the magic happening and many interesting decorative elements placed throughout the restaurant, it’s a lovely place and has a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal in. Even the colorful Cajun-inspired murals in the main lounge are fascinating.

Their food is simply amazing as well, with all their best dishes mentioned under the ‘classics’ section of their menu. But if you want to be a little more adventurous you can also go through their specials and see if you like something from there.

You can always ask your server for recommendations and suggestions as well, if it all gets a little too overwhelming, they’ll be more than happy to help you order the best meal you can possibly have.

CrawPappy’s Cajun Cuisine is only open three days a week from Thursday to Saturday from 11 am to 8:30 pm, so make sure you catch it then.

Address: 1915 U. S. Hwy 71, Alma, AR

Homemade Southern Crawfish Boil with Potatoes Sausage and Corn
Photo for illustrative purposes only. iStock.com/bhofack2

4. The Pizza Place

A popular neighborhood pizza place that also sells burgers and other daily specials! Perfectly family-friendly.

Another restaurant that we always love to go to while on vacation is the town’s local pizzeria. After all, there’s just something about family-owned pizza parlors that’s so warm and comforting. The dough is fresh and their toppings and combinations usually reflect local preferences, it’s much better than all the big-name brands out there. So visit The Pizza Place in Alma if you’re like us, and enjoy the simple things in life.

The interior is modern and chic, like many other pizza parlors, but their red and black color combination makes it look classy and timeless.

They also have some arcade-style video games in the back, if you want to indulge in those while waiting for your order!

As far as their food is concerned, they sell a great buffet deal full of salads, pizza, desserts & drinks in an all-you-can-eat style. If that sounds like too much you can also just have the buffet with pizza only or have pizzas by the slices. It’s all up to you!

Apart from that, they have Daily Grill specials which you can ask your server about. Each day is a different kind of burger and sandwich, so make sure you try some out whenever you go.

The Pizza Place is closed on Sundays but open all other days of the week from 11 am to 8 pm, making it a very convenient spot to go to if you cant decide on where to go!

Address: 108 U. S. Hwy 71 #110, Alma, AR

wood fired pizza on table
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/JulyProkopiv

5. Airedale Diner

Homestyle American classics are served in a recently renovated diner that has a great atmosphere and lovely owners.

Comfort food can be one of the best things to have while on vacation, not only because it reminds you of home but also because it’s usually healthy and hearty. So, if you’re in the mood for some home-style American cuisine then Airedale Diner in Alma is one of the best restaurants to go to.

They’ve recently gotten a facelift and have renovated the entire place, which makes it look super new and clean. There are plenty of booths and tables to choose from too, so they’ll likely always have room for you no matter how busy it gets.

They have breakfast, lunch or dinner options, all of which have their own specialty dishes. Their breakfast is super popular, so if you like waking up early, you’ll appreciate the spread and options.

Apart from that they have some amazing lunch and dinner specials too, with salads and sides available as well. You can ask your server for the menu of the day and they’ll update you about what the kitchen is preparing, so you can get whatever’s fresh. Sounds good!

Airedale Diner is open every day from 5:30 am to 9 pm, making it a reliable place to go when in town!

Address: 39 Collum Ln E, Alma, AR

Pancakes with banana, walnut and caramel.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Lilechka75

6. China Fun

Locally owned Chinese restaurant with a comprehensive menu, efficient service and cosy atmosphere!

China Fun will bring you all the authentic flavors and aromas that we know and love about Chinese food. So, if you want your weekly fix of Sweet & Sour Chicken or Chow Mein, then this is the best place in town to get it!

The interior of the place is clean and simple. It might not be much to look at but the food is what makes everyone keep coming back for more. Remember: it’s often the most unassuming places that sell the best food and that is super true for China Fun.

They have a buffet stand in one corner, and many tables to choose from. Their large windows also mean that the place gets plenty of sun, so it’s a great place to visit during winter.

You can order Ala carte or have their buffet, its up to you, depending on how hungry you are and how much food everyone wants to eat! Both options are economical and filling regardless.

They have a huge menu but do check out the ‘Chef’s Specialties’ which is a list of all their best and most recommended items.

China Fun is open every single day of the week from 11 am to 9 pm, apart from Sunday when they open from noon to 4 pm.

Address: 536 U. S. Hwy 71, Alma, AR

assortment of asian dishes on a table
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/thesomegirl

7. Archie’s Diner & BBQ

Barbecue served with a side of the region’s well-known hospitality and community spirit!

BBQ is something that feels like a treat, no matter how often you have it. So if you’re a meat lover and like having BBQ every now and then, make a special trip to Archie’s Diner & BBQ because it truly is one of the best restaurants in Alma and perfect for date night or meeting up with some fam!

It has that classic diner and small-town restaurant feel to it, which is heightened by everyone knowing each other. From the patrons to the servers, it’s a very warm and welcoming atmosphere that they create, which just puts you in a good mood.

Their food is simply divine too, and their BBQ is slow-roasted, flavorful, juicy, and tender. Whether you want to have it on its own, toss it in a burger, taco, salad or sandwich, the rich flavor will come through regardless.

They also have some great sides that you can order to complement the meat. Everything is made fresh from scratch daily, so you know you’re getting the good stuff!

Archie’s is closed only on Sundays but they are open every other day from 8 am to 6 pm, so catch them whenever you have time.

Address: 3603 N Hwy 71, Alma, AR

Selection of bbq items
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/YuraWhite).

8. Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store

Burgers, Ice Cream, shakes, and much more at this one-stop mega mart that’ll cater to everyone’s cravings! 

We always try to make sure we include something for everyone, so if you’ve been craving some real dairy ice cream, then there’s no place better than Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store.

You’ll actually forget what store-bought mass-produced ice cream even tastes like after a single bite of this delicious freshly churned, frozen delight.

The restaurant has a grocery store next to it, making it a convenient location for some last-minute necessities too.

The restaurant part of the place feels timeless – almost like you’ve stepped into a classic ice cream store from back in the day. It’s nostalgic and refreshing at the same time. Definitely a place worth visiting.

Plus, the place also has a ton of other menu options to choose from like breakfast specials and hamburgers, so if you’ve come at a mealtime, maybe try some of their offerings before digging into the ice cream.

If you are only interested in their ice cream then their banana split is super popular and highly recommended by locals, as are their sundaes. They also have malts, shakes, mixes, and sherbet, so it’s kind of like an ice cream lover’s paradise!

Braum’s is open all seven days a week, from 6 am to 10:45 pm making it a great location for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Address: 129 U. S. Hwy 71, Alma, AR

That’s all from our side, guys! All the best restaurants in Alma, AR, that we think you should visit when you’re in the region. Enjoy!

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.