Conway has plenty of familiar names, but some of the best meals in town come from spots you could pass a dozen times without noticing. One sits next to a gas station. Another lives inside a historic cotton gin, and one barbecue joint has only five tables.
This list covers eight local restaurants, from a Chinese kitchen to a Guatemalan and Mexican favorite, with hours and menu details so you can plan a real visit. A few are open only on certain days, and some close by early afternoon, so a quick check before you go will save you a wasted trip. Grab a friend, pick a place, and see what Conway has been quietly serving.
1. Oriental Kitchen Restaurant, Conway, AR
Sharing a building with a gas station is not the usual sign of a great dinner, and that is exactly why this place slips under the radar. Oriental Kitchen Restaurant on Morningside Drive is a no-nonsense Chinese eatery with soups, lo mein, fried rice, meat dishes, and house specials.
Chicken and Broccoli and Orange Chicken are the menu highlights, and sesame chicken, crispy egg rolls, and dumplings also earn attention. Portions are large, and the vegetables stay crisp instead of overcooked. There is also a full vegetarian menu.
It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and closed on Sundays. Service is dine-in, takeout, or delivery, but there is no table service and no reservations. Most meals land in the $10 to 20 range, and the free parking lot usually has room.
2. Hole In the Wall Cafe Catering And Events, Conway, AR
Lunch here comes with a bit of local history, since the cafe sits near a historic cotton gin in downtown Conway. Hole In the Wall Cafe on Markham Street serves cafeteria-style Southern comfort food with fried cornbread and homemade desserts.
The schedule is tight. Doors are open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 2 PM, and the cafe is closed Monday and on weekends. Plan around that window and you will be fine.
Coffee is on the menu, and the room has seating, a private dining room, and catering for bigger events. High chairs are available, and groups are welcome. Takeout works if you are short on time, though delivery is not offered.
Free parking is usually easy to find.
3. Hog Pen BBQ, Conway, AR
Five tables. That is about all the room Hog Pen BBQ on Sutton Street has, so a small crowd can feel like a full house. The down-home menu leans on classic American barbecue and Cajun specialties, plus burgers and pie.
Pork ribs, twice-cooked chicken, and barbecue beef sandwiches are the meats to know. Sides include baked beans, green beans, and fried okra, and the tea selection and desserts get mentioned too.
Hours are the thing to remember. It is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM and closed the rest of the week. Reservations are not accepted, a kids’ menu and high chairs are available, and dogs are allowed outside.
Catering is offered if you need to feed a crowd.
4. Xén – Thai and Ramen, Conway, AR
Look for Suite 9 on Salem Road, because this one sits in a commercial strip and is easy to drive past. Xén serves Thai curries and signature ramen bowls with an Asian fusion approach.
Drunken noodles, pad Thai, fried rice, and Thai bubble tea all show up on the list of favorites. The menu also includes a full vegan section and a full vegetarian section, which makes group planning easier.
It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with a midday break between 3 PM and 4:30 PM, and closed Mondays. Reservations are accepted, and a kids’ menu and high chairs are available. Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all options, and parking is free.
5. O’Malley’s Irish Grill, Conway, AR
An Irish pub inside a multi-tenant plaza is not what most people expect in Conway. O’Malley’s Irish Grill is locally owned and found at Suite 12 on Harkrider Street, with a small and intimate dining room.
Pub fare like cottage pie and fish and chips anchor the menu, and fettuccine alfredo with blackened chicken has its fans. Saturday starts early, with the doors opening at 8 AM.
Hours run Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday 11 AM to 10 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to 10 PM. It is closed on Sunday. Outdoor seating, live music, and a kids’ menu are part of the package, and sports fans will find it good for game viewing.
6. Bob’s Grill & Cafeteria, Conway, AR
Early risers get a head start here, since the grill opens at 5 AM. Bob’s Grill & Cafeteria on Oak Street is a bright and basic local diner with hearty breakfast and standard American eats.
Omelets, burgers, and fries are the reasonably priced staples, and coffee is a highlight. A full vegetarian menu is available, along with a kids’ menu and high chairs.
Monday hours are 5 AM to 1 PM, and Tuesday through Sunday it stays open until 2 PM. Weekend and Tuesday mornings tend to be the busiest, while Wednesday and Thursday afternoons are calmer. Parking can be tight at busy times, so allow a few extra minutes.
7. Cross Creek Sandwich Shop, Conway, AR
Chicken salad is the signature here, and Cross Creek Sandwich Shop on Oak Street builds its menu around it. Quaint is the word for the setting, and homemade desserts round things out.
Turkey sandwiches with potato chips are a menu highlight. Roast beef sandwiches, coconut cream pie, coffee cake, and bacon ranch dip also get attention, and gluten-free bread is available. Vegan and vegetarian menus are offered too.
Weekday hours are 11 AM to 2 PM. Saturday adds a breakfast window from 8 to 10:30 AM before reopening at 11 AM, and Sunday is closed. Lunch can get busy, and parking is sometimes tricky, so arrive a little early.
8. Portal del Gusto, Conway, AR
Homemade corn tortillas set this Harkrider Street restaurant apart. Portal del Gusto serves authentic Mexican and Guatemalan food, with flavorful fajitas on the menu and dishes made fresh from scratch.
Charro beans are a standout side, and the dining room is quiet and clean. Breakfast is served too, which is not true of every Mexican spot in town.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 8:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 8 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 3 PM. Dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, delivery, and a drive-through are all available. Reservations are accepted, and a kids’ menu and high chairs are on hand.
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