Eat Your Way from Little Rock to New Orleans

A seven-hour, food-fueled trip from one state capital to another has no shortage of great stops along the way. Just make sure to drive hungry.

- KEVIN SHALIN

Folks in Little Rock, Arkansas, love them some New Orleans. And really, who doesn’t? Just about everyone enjoys The Crescent City for its eclectic atmosphere, laid-back vibe, varied entertainment, and most of all, food. But with no direct flights between cities, making the long drive filled with a mix of back roads and interstate—is typically the best option for Little Rockers. So instead of rushing down there with only a couple of bathroom and gas station breaks along the way, make a true road trip out of it with the following game plan best suited for a group of four or fi ve die-hard foodies, plus a spacious cooler for leftovers.

Breakfast of Champions

Little Rock, Arkansas

Timing is everything on this trip, so start things off at 10:30 a.m. with a hearty breakfast inside one of the capital city's most iconic spots, The Root Café. As one of Little Rock's true farm-to-table restaurants, the café has been a SoMa District anchor for more than a decade with a downhome setting and a hyperlocal menu to match. A majority of the meats, as well as fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and nuts, come from nearby farms and businesses. Even the coffee they serve is locally roasted, hailing from a few miles away at Fidel & Co.Coffee Roasters.

The restaurant exudes Southern charm thanks to a collection of hodgepodge tchotchkes and the overall aesthetic of the building. Once a tiny space, The Root Café received a serious upgrade and makeover a few years back thanks to a grant that allowed ownership to expand the kitchen and dining room areas. Upcycled shipping containers have doubled the size of the restaurant and provide an alfresco dining experience on good weather days and nights.