Angelo Felix

Loblolly Creamery makes its unique ice cream and gluten-free, vegan cones from scratch right here in Little Rock.

The South Main neighborhood (SoMa, as it’s lovingly referred to) is an area that’s seen major growth and revitalization in recent years. The area is known for being a hip, artistic hub brimming with eclectic shops and one-of-a-kind dining.

Stop by Moxy Modern Mercantile, a modern take on the general store of old, for a range of vintage-inspired home decor, industrial furniture, gifts and stationery. Phantom Palm Tropicals + Rarities is just up the street, where you can pot your own succulent or cactus at the in-house plant lab.

When it comes to dining, SoMa pulls out all the stops. For the true Southern experience, dinner at South on Main is a must. The restaurant features musical performances and literary readings that perfectly complement its menu, which put an unexpected spin on traditional Southern fare. Nearby, The Root Cafe offers a vegan and vegetarian-friendly farm-to-table menu and Raduno’s serves Neapolitan-style pizza and a mean bloody mary.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, look no further than Loblolly Creamery. The Little Rock-based creamery makes small-batch ice cream, fizzy sodas and other sweet treats at their adorable shop in the heart of SoMa.

When it comes to nightlife, locals flock to Rock Town Distillery — the first legal distillery in the state after prohibition. The location offers tastings as well as an extensive cocktail menu. Further up the street, you’ll find Atlas Bar, a new neighborhood bar themed around owner Tony Poe’s extensive world travels.

To the east, you’ll find East Village. Visitors can learn more about the global nonprofit Heifer International as they tour the urban farm — a 3-acre, multi-purpose garden. Cafe@Heifer serves delicious farm-to-table breakfast and lunch fare that supports local farmers. Nearby, a new food truck park called The Rail Yard is a favorite spot among locals for its large patio for dogs and kids to roam. Cathead’s Diner is one of the area’s most buzzed about restaurants, offering a buffet filled with barbecue, classic Southern sides and, of course, biscuits. After filling up at one of East Village’s delicious dining spots, pop into the modern new Fidel & Co. coffee shop for a pour over or try something from their farm-to-table and vegan-friendly menu.

David Yerby

Heifer International is a global nonprofit based in Little Rock. The headquarters boasts a beautiful modern campus and a 3-acre urban farm.

WERECOMMEND

SOMA

EAT

  • Loblolly Creamery

DRINK

  • Rock Town Distillery

SHOP

  • Rock Town Distillery

EXPERIENCE

  • Rock Town Distillery

EAST VILLAGE

EAT

  • Cafe@Heifer

SHOP

  • Shop@Heifer

EXPERIENCE

  • Heifer International Campus