Where to Eat in Hot Springs: Restaurants in and Around the Park
Hot Springs National Park is unlike any other park: it's woven into downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, just steps from Bathhouse Row. There is no NPS lodge or isolated forest cafeteria here. The town itself is the gateway, and it has all the dining options. In short, head to Superior Bathhouse Brewery on Bathhouse Row to eat in the park. For more choices, Central Avenue and the surrounding streets, with barbecue, cafés, and bistros, are within walking distance of the main entrance.
Eating in the Park: Bathhouse Row and Its Dining Spots
Superior Bathhouse Brewery
This is the park's standout dining spot, and it has earned that status. Superior Bathhouse Brewery occupies one of Bathhouse Row's historic bathhouses, inside the national park boundary. It brews beer with the park's thermal water, drawn at about 140°F at the source and cooled before it goes into the tanks. The result is a selection of ales and lagers with a slightly mineral character, served with a burger, salad, or plate of nachos.
As far as we know, it's the only craft brewery physically located inside an American national park. It's an unusual detail worth mentioning. Table and bar service are available. Reservations are recommended on weekends from April through October.
The Other Bathhouses
The other bathhouses along the row, including Fordyce, Buckstaff, and Quapaw, offer thermal treatments but no food. For a meal, just walk a few dozen yards to Central Avenue.
Groceries and Picnics in the Park
Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain, and West Mountain have picnic tables accessible by car. The roads are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you made sandwiches at the hotel that morning, it's a pleasant option with views of Arkansas's wooded hills. For your day's hike, check our Hiking page before deciding where to spread your blanket.
There is no NPS general store in the park, unlike at Yellowstone or Grand Canyon. Grocery stores are in town. Stopping before you enter the park will save you a return trip.
Where to Eat Nearby: Hot Springs, the Only Gateway Town
Because the park is literally nestled in the town, there are no multiple gateway towns to compare. Hot Springs has it all, and Central Avenue anchors most of the dining scene.
Central Avenue and the Historic District
The atmosphere is that of a reinvented spa town: historic hotels, shops, and restaurants lined up over a few blocks. You can walk everywhere from the park entrance.
The Ohio Club on Central Avenue has been open since 1905 and claims to be the oldest bar still operating in Arkansas. Expect classic American pub food, local beer, and live music on some evenings. It's lively and unpretentious, and it captures the character of the town.
The Arlington Hotel has a restaurant overlooking Bathhouse Row. It serves classic American food in a preserved Gilded Age setting. It's a good choice for a quiet dinner without straying far from the park.
Mornin' Sunshine Coffee is where locals grab their morning coffee before heading to the Grand Promenade or climbing Hot Springs Mountain.
Southern Neighborhoods and Outlying Areas
McClard's Bar-B-Q on Albert Pike Avenue has been a local institution since 1928. Smoked pork, ribs, and a house sauce made with tomatoes and vinegar make it Hot Springs's temple of Arkansas barbecue, popular with generations of locals. There is no fuss, just generous portions and paper napkins. Plan on spending $15 to $25 per person for a full meal.
Our complete Hot Springs guide covers more restaurants around town, organized by the area where you're staying.
Our Picks for Every Craving
Craft beer in the park: Superior Bathhouse Brewery, brewed with thermal water on Bathhouse Row.
Arkansas-style barbecue: McClard's Bar-B-Q on Albert Pike Avenue. No reservations, so arrive early for lunch.
Coffee before your visit: Mornin' Sunshine Coffee on Central Avenue.
Dinner in a historic setting: The Arlington Hotel Restaurant, just steps from the park.
A picnic with a view: Picnic tables on Hot Springs Mountain, with provisions bought in town before entering the park.
For families: Most Central Avenue restaurants work well for kids. Superior Bathhouse Brewery welcomes them outside peak hours, but check ahead.
The Hot Springs Specialty to Try
Two food and drink experiences are worth the detour.
Arkansas-style barbecue. Arkansas has its own barbecue tradition: pulled pork, ribs, and slow hickory smoking. The sauces are tomato- and vinegar-based, less sweet than in North Carolina and less spicy than in Texas. McClard's has been its local ambassador for nearly a century.
Thermal-water beer. At Superior Bathhouse Brewery, every pint includes water from the national park, drawn at the source. The flavor is subtle, but the idea is striking: drinking beer brewed with water that has been rising from the ground at 140°F for millennia. When I visited, I had a slightly mineral pale ale on the patio overlooking Bathhouse Row. It's hard to get more Hot Springs than that.
Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, and Budget
Hours. Most Central Avenue restaurants open around 11 a.m. and close between 9 and 10 p.m. Superior Bathhouse Brewery keeps similar hours. Check its website, since closing days change with the season.
Reservations. Recommended for The Arlington Hotel Restaurant and Superior Bathhouse Brewery on weekends from spring through fall. You won't need one at McClard's or the cafés.
Budget. Plan on $10 to $15 for a light meal such as coffee and a sandwich, or $15 to $30 for a full meal without alcohol. Our complete Hot Springs guide includes budget estimates for the entire trip, including lodging.
Season. Summer, from June through August, is the busiest period. Humid heat can climb above 90°F, and restaurant waits are longer. Spring, from March through May, and fall, from September through November, are more comfortable for patio dining. Winters stay mild, and tables are easier to get.
Special diets. As a tourist town, Hot Springs has vegetarian options on most menus. For gluten-free or vegan diets, contact the restaurants directly before you go.
In Brief: Where to Eat in Hot Springs Based on What You Want
| What you're craving | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Craft beer in the park | Superior Bathhouse Brewery (Bathhouse Row) |
| Arkansas barbecue | McClard's Bar-B-Q (Albert Pike Avenue) |
| Morning coffee | Mornin' Sunshine Coffee (Central Avenue) |
| Dinner in a historic setting | The Arlington Hotel Restaurant |
| A picnic with a view | Hot Springs Mountain picnic tables (provisions from town) |
To plan your entire trip, our complete Hot Springs guide ties together your itinerary, lodging, and restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I eat in Hot Springs National Park?
Most people eat at Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the park's only dining establishment, on Bathhouse Row. Central Avenue, just a few yards from the main entrance, adds dozens of restaurants and cafés.
What do people eat in Hot Springs?
Hot Springs's local specialties include Arkansas-style barbecue, with hickory-smoked pulled pork, and beer brewed with the national park's thermal water by Superior Bathhouse Brewery.
What is Hot Springs's signature food?
The most unusual local specialty is the thermal-water beer at Superior Bathhouse Brewery, brewed with water from the park's natural springs. McClard's Bar-B-Q, founded in 1928, is the other essential stop for Arkansas barbecue.
Do I need a restaurant reservation in Hot Springs?
Reservations are recommended at Superior Bathhouse Brewery and The Arlington Hotel Restaurant on weekends and from April through October. You don't need one at McClard's or the cafés on Central Avenue.
How much does it cost to enter Hot Springs National Park?
Admission to Hot Springs National Park is free. Our Practical Information page explains the costs of thermal treatments and guided tours available on Bathhouse Row.