7 Must-Try Restaurants In Russellville, Arkansas That Are Worth The Drive In 2027

One dining room in Russellville, Arkansas, sits partly inside a historic train car built in 1918. Yes, you can eat lunch in a train car that’s older than sliced bread.

I love how that’s only one surprise on this list. Another spot has served food since 1947 and came back fast after a fire.

A burger joint fries its potatoes in beef tallow, and a pasta place makes a savory cheesecake with roasted garlic chicken.

I’d say a town like this rewards anyone willing to point the car toward the river valley. The menus run from catfish buffets to brisket sausage to cannoli cookies.

So which stop would you hit first?

1. Stoby’s Restaurant

Lunch inside a train car sounds like a kid’s dream, but it’s real here. Part of the dining room uses an Illinois Central coach built in 1918.

That coach was rebuilt in 1948 before it found its second career. Now it holds diners instead of travelers, and nobody has to show a ticket.

The Russellville location opened in 1984. That came four years after the original Stoby’s started up in Conway.

Fast forward to 2026, and Stoby’s in Conway was named a finalist for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. That’s pretty big recognition for a restaurant known for sandwiches and cheese dip.

Speaking of cheese dip, you’ll want to start there. The Original Cheese Dip is award-winning, so skipping it feels like skipping the train ride.

Next comes the Stoby, the sandwich the place is named after. You can customize it, which means your perfect version is totally up to you.

Breakfast and lunch are the big draws here. Omelettes and signature sandwiches fill the menu, so early birds and noon crowds both have options.

Got a sweet tooth that won’t quit? The menu lists what it calls its infamous possum pie, and that name alone deserves a taste test.

Don’t worry, it’s a dessert pie, not a critter. The funny name is half the fun, and the other half is the pie itself.

Need to stay connected while you eat? Free Wi-Fi is available, which helps if you’re mapping out the rest of your road trip.

Outdoor seating is also on offer for nice-weather days. That gives you a choice between train-car charm and fresh Arkansas air.

Short on time? A drive-thru and online ordering make it easy to grab your food and keep moving.

Still, the real treat is sitting down inside that old coach. How often do you get to eat a sandwich in a piece of railroad history?

Address: 405 W Parkway Dr, Russellville, AR 72801

2. Pasta Grill Restaurant

Cheesecake for an appetizer, with chicken and roasted garlic inside? Pasta Grill makes that happen, and it’s one of the most curious dishes in town.

The Roasted Garlic Chicken Cheesecake is savory, not sweet. It’s the sort of order that starts a conversation before the first bite.

The menu sums itself up with three words: pasta, steaks, and seafood. Then it adds a Cajun twist to keep things lively.

On the Italian side, you can order scratch-made lasagna. Chicken parmesan is another option for anyone craving the classics.

Steak lovers get real choices too. Hand-cut cuts like filet mignon and ribeye appear on the menu.

Now for the Louisiana flair. Shrimp and grits sits on the menu, and so does jambalaya pasta.

That mix sounds a little wild at first. But pairing Italian comfort with Cajun spice gives the menu its own personality.

The story behind it goes back to 1994. Wesley and Suzanne Hall opened Italian Gardens that year, then later rebranded it as Pasta Grill.

The Russellville location opened in December 2015. So the concept has decades of practice behind it.

Planning a birthday or group dinner? A private dining room is available for larger gatherings.

That makes it a smart pick for celebrations. It also works for a calm, easy dinner out with one or two friends.

Not sure how to order? Try sharing the savory cheesecake, then split one Italian dish and one Cajun dish.

That way, you get the full flavor of the place without choosing sides. Your table can decide which half wins the debate.

Address: 319 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801

3. Brown’s Catfish

Fried catfish is the star at this Russellville favorite, and the buffet makes sure it never runs short. Bring a plan, because seconds are basically expected.

The all-you-can-eat setup changes depending on when you show up. Lunch and dinner each have their own lineup, so timing matters.

At lunch, you’ll find fried catfish alongside homestyle comfort foods. A salad bar sits there too, in case you want to pretend you’re being good.

Dinner is where things really stretch out. The spread grows to include boiled shrimp and fried shrimp, which is a fun choice to make.

Chicken and BBQ ribs also join the evening buffet. There’s seafood gumbo too, so your plate can take a little trip to the coast.

So which do you pick, lunch or dinner? Lighter appetites might like noon, while big eaters should probably aim for evening.

Now, about dessert. Homemade cobblers show up on the menu, and so does bread pudding.

Then there’s banana puddin’, spelled the Southern way. It’s the kind of finish that makes the drive home feel shorter.

Brown’s has earned plenty of hometown respect over the years. Readers of the local newspaper have voted it Best Seafood Restaurant for more than two decades.

It was also nominated for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. That’s serious recognition for a family-run spot built around one Southern fish.

Can’t stay to eat? Takeout and curbside pickup are both available, which is handy for picnics or hotel-room feasts.

Still, a buffet is best enjoyed in person. Grab a tray, start with catfish, and see how far your appetite can go.

Pro tip: save a little room on that first trip. Dessert deserves its own plate, and cobbler shouldn’t have to share space with gumbo.

Address: 1804 E Main St, Russellville, AR 72801

4. Ridgewood Brothers BBQ

Two best friends, one backyard hobby, and a smoker that got serious. That’s how this barbecue spot began.

Robert Couser and Grant Hall are Russellville natives. They turned their love for backyard barbecue into a restaurant serving wood-fired, slow-cooked meats.

And the meat list is long enough to need a game plan. Brisket comes lean or marbled, depending on how you like it.

Pulled pork and smoked turkey are also on the board. Ribs round out the classics for anyone who likes eating with their hands.

Then come the Bacon Burnt Ends. The name pretty much does the selling by itself, doesn’t it?

Sausage fans should pay close attention here. The Cheddar Jalapeño Sausage is house-made from 100% brisket trimmings.

That’s a clever way to use every bit of good brisket. It also brings a little cheesy heat to your tray.

Sides keep things classic and comforting. You can pick baked beans, potato salad, or creamy mac and cheese.

Don’t forget the sauce. Signature BBQ sauces are part of the experience, so try more than one if you can.

A sampler approach works best on a first visit. Grab two or three meats, one sausage, and a couple of sides.

Need to skip the line? Online ordering for pickup is available, which helps when hunger hits hard.

Indoor seating is there if you’d rather eat it hot right away. Barbecue rarely tastes better than fresh off the cutting board.

Arkansas has plenty of smoke in its food story. This spot adds a hometown chapter written by two friends who kept the fire going.

Address: 803 W Main Pl, Russellville, AR 72801

5. Old South Restaurant

Chocolate gravy for breakfast might sound like a dare. At Old South, it’s a Southern tradition sitting right on the menu.

This Russellville landmark has served Southern comfort food and diner classics since 1947. That’s a lot of biscuits.

Its story took a hard turn in June 2023. Fire took the original Art Moderne-style diner building.

The comeback was quick, though. Old South reopened in a new location in October 2023.

Look up when you arrive. The original sign made the move and still proudly shows the way.

Here’s a perk night owls will love. The full menu is served all day long.

That means chicken fried steak and eggs can be your dinner. Biscuits and gravy or an omelette work at suppertime too.

Lunch and dinner picks are just as hearty. Hamburger steaks and grilled salmon both appear on the menu.

Feeling adventurous? Try the deep-fried meatloaf sandwich, which takes comfort food one crunchy step further.

The Fried Green Tomato BLT is another fun Southern spin. It swaps in a classic Arkansas-style favorite for regular tomato slices.

Then there’s the salad dressing. The garlic-flavored recipe is famous and kept top-secret.

Yes, people drive for dressing here. It might be the only salad that becomes the main event.

Old South blends history with plates you can actually eat. After nearly eight decades, it’s still feeding hungry folks throughout the day.

Address: 105 E Harrell Dr, Russellville, AR 72802

6. CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers

Burgers, fries, and shakes. That’s the whole focus, and CJ’s treats it like a craft.

The beef starts fresh. Chuck shoulders are ground in-house, which is a big deal for burger fans.

Those patties get smashed and seasoned on a flat top. The result is a crusty, browned outside that burger lovers chase.

Size is your first choice. Pick a 1/3-pound burger or a 2/3-pound double, depending on your hunger level.

Toppings stay classic. American cheese, bacon, grilled onions, and fresh vegetables are all on the list.

Now, about those fries. They’re hand-cut and cooked in beef tallow, an old-school move with rich flavor.

Grab some fry sauce for dipping. It’s a house favorite, and your fries will thank you.

Shake time comes next, and it’s thick. Milkshakes and malts are both available.

Flavors include strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla. Caramel and cake batter join the lineup for something a bit more playful.

Cake batter in a cup? That might be the sweetest reason to save room.

Ordering happens at the counter. The retro-chic interior gives the meal a fun throwback feel.

A short menu can be a good sign. It usually means the kitchen knows exactly what it does best.

So keep it simple on your first trip. Burger, fries, fry sauce, and a shake is the full CJ’s lesson in one tray.

Address: 2803 N Arkansas Ave, Russellville, AR 72802

7. Nonna Bella’s Pizzeria

Cannoli filling squeezed between giant Oreo cookie wafers? Somebody at Nonna Bella’s clearly loves dessert as much as pizza.

Those cannoli cookies are a fun reason to visit. But the pizza deserves the first spot on your plan.

This family-owned and operated pizzeria leans on traditional recipes. Fresh dough and quality toppings are the base of the menu.

Crust choices are generous. Go hand-tossed, thin, or cauliflower, depending on your mood.

The house namesake pizza is loaded. The Nonna Bella brings linguica, pepperoni, Italian sausage, olives, and mushrooms.

Linguica is a smoky Portuguese-style sausage. It gives this pie a twist you won’t see on many menus.

Want something fancier? The Granchio comes with butter-poached seafood, prosciutto, and baby spinach.

It all sits on a creamy garlic sauce. That’s a pizza that feels like a special-occasion dinner.

Pizza isn’t the only option, either. Homemade pasta dishes fill out the menu.

Toasted ravioli makes a fun starter for the table. Wings are on offer too, for anyone who wants extra crunch.

Gelato sometimes shows up when available. Ask about it, because a scoop after pizza is hard to beat.

So how should you order? Split a signature pizza, add an appetizer, and finish with those cookies.

That’s a solid way to close out a food road trip through Arkansas. You’ll leave full and already plotting your next drive back.

Address: 717 S Arkansas Ave, Russellville, AR 72801