Editor’s note: When it comes to dining out for brunch, lunch or dinner, Downtown Jonesboro is a favorite spot for locals. Downtown restaurants, the majority of which are locally owned, draw visitors to the historic heart of the city each day with an array of appetizing menus. In addition to some of the city’s best American cuisine, visitors can find a taste of New Orleans, Japanese food, Southern cooking, Chinese food, popular brunch spots and more. With so many options, Downtown Jonesboro is the perfect place to meet for a meal, a business meeting or a festive celebration. For a complete list of menu items or hours or operation, please contact the restaurants below.

IV Kings Coffee  • Owners: Brandon and Audra King • 215 Union St. Suite 300 • (870) 316-4259 (Nettleton location)

IV Kings Coffee, one of Jonesboro’s favorite coffee shops, added a second location in 2023. The downtown location has added a breakfast and lunch menu in addition to the Onyx coffee served. Pastries are made at Southern Confections, which is owned by the Kings. Try the breakfast puff, a laminated pastry filled with delectable combinations of egg, meat or cheese or one of the many wraps, sandwiches or salads. IV Kings Coffee is proud of its slow bar, where they carefully craft single origin pour overs.

Bamboo Japanese Cuisine • 300 South Main St., Suite A • (870) 203-0893 • bamboojonesboroar.com

Sushi lovers know that Bamboo Japanese Cuisine offers some of the city’s best sushi. Besides the extensive sushi menu, Bamboo serves authentic hibachi, poke, bento boxes, fried rice and much more, all made from the freshest ingredients. The beautiful restaurant is great for a nice lunch or a date night and has weekly specials. Celebrate a birthday there and the honoree gets a free entree.

Ben Yay’s Gumbo Shop • Owner: Tony and Stephanie Westmoreland • 226 South Main St. • (870) 938-0025 • tandemrp.team

The Westmorelands recently brought Ben Yay’s Gumbo Shop, which serves fresh Creole cuisine, to Downtown Jonesboro. The extensive brunch, lunch and dinner menu includes food not usually seen in Jonesboro, such as alligator sausage, boudin, muffuletta, gumbo, Praline duck, po’boys, beignets and so much more.

Brickhouse • Owner: Dan Johnson • 218 South Main St. • (870) 336-2441 • mightybrickhouse.com

For those in the mood for food, fun and the best in entertainment, the mighty, mighty Brickhouse has it all. Guests can enjoy live music, watch their favorite sports on multiple high-definition flat screens or party on the outdoor balcony overlooking Main Street. The friendly staff serves up New Orleans-style cuisine including steaks, fresh seafood and weekly specials. Let the good times roll, and head on over to Brickhouse. 

Bubblee Tea • Owner: Elna June • 241 South Main St. • (870) 517-7644 • bubbleetea.square.site

Fans of boba or bubble tea will love Bubblee Tea in Downtown Jonesboro. Bubble tea is a sweetened tea beverage with everything from chunks of fruit to tapioca pearls and has a unique following among boba tea fans. Owner Elna June, a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines, says her goal is to bridge cultures and change how people think about tea. Bubblee Tea also serves regular teas brewed in house with tea imported from Asia, steamed buns filled with meat and vegetables, and bubble waffles. Check Facebook for weekly specials.

Chef’s In • Owner Lance Sullinger  • chefsinjonesboro.com • (870)934-8962

For those in the mood for Southern cooking, complete with cornbread and vegetables like mama used to cook, head to Chef’s In for the all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffet. Chef’s In has been a Jonesboro fixture for 75 years and has been owned by Sullinger for 21 years. He says he feels blessed to be here. In a place where everyone is welcome, Chef’s In has a small-town vibe featuring Southern food at its best.

City Wok Dim Sum • Owners: Li and Cory Clay • 241 South Main St., Suite A • (870) 520-9954

City Wok is a small, family owned and operated cafe with food lovingly made from scratch. For those who need a quiet place for a delicious bowl of ramen, steamed buns or dim sum, City Wok has the best in Jonesboro according to their loyal and dedicated fans. City Wok is open for dining in with lunch and dinner hours or delivery from door dash.

Cregeen’s Irish Pub • 201 South Main St. • (870) 972-9200 • cregeens.com

Cregeen’s is a unique spot in Jonesboro, serving traditional Irish fare like bangers and mash or corn beef and cabbage along with more familiar American food like cheeseburgers or a Cobb salad. Serving a “proper pint,” Cregeen’s has a long list of beers, wines and specialty drinks. Entertainment includes live bands, trivia nights and more. Check Facebook for specials and upcoming shows.
 

Dragon City Chinese Restaurant • 300 South Main St., Suite F • (870) 933-8889

Dragon City is a popular spot for a wide variety of Chinese favorites like General Tso’s Chicken, Fried Rice, Sweet and Sour Pork or Cheese Crab Rangoon. The menu is extensive, so there is something for everyone. Customers say delivery is swift and portions are huge. For those Chinese food cravings, stop by Dragon City.

HUNTINGTON SQUARE • Owners: Heather and Matt Clark • 401 W. Huntington Ave. • The Porch: (870) 206-7682 • huntingtonsquare.net

Huntington Square is home to several restaurants in one convenient location with plenty of outdoor seating under the trees, as well as an indoor seating area. Pets are welcome, and there are fun activities for the kids in addition to something for every taste bud from coffee to dessert to gourmet popsicles. In addition to food and beverage options at The Porch, current vendors include Chop n Chill, Los Arcos, Camp Fire Pizza and Lolly Gourmet Popsicles.

Ichiya Ramen • Owner: Snu Gary • 322 South Main St. • (870) 520-5094 • ichiyaramen.com

Adventurous eaters craving something different will love Ichiya Ramen. At Ichiya, the focus is on the ramen, though they also serve fried rice dishes, chicken katsu, pork tonkatsu and appetizers. Each broth is simmered several hours before being combined with any number of mouthwatering toppings like pork belly, black mushroom, bok choy, seaweed or a fish cake. Ichiya is a unique experience that will have diners coming back for more.

Lemonade House Grille • Owners: Chad and Monica Campbell • 237 South Main St. • (870) 340-0014 • lemonadehousegrille.com

The Lemonade House Grille is a recent addition to Downtown Jonesboro, offering good food in a fun atmosphere. The menu includes appetizers, steaks, gourmet burgers, tacos, salads and much more. The LHG also has the world’s largest freshly squeezed lemonade menu with 25 different delicious lemonade combos like Prickly Pear, Peach Berry or Mango Tango, any of which can be made into an adult beverage.

Omar’s Uptown • Owners: Omar Barry and Bill Hurt • 301 South Main St. • (870) 336-3001 • omarsuptown.com

Chef Omar Barry’s respect for the food is evident in every dish served. For a special celebration, a business meeting or a lovely evening with friends, Omar’s offers meticulously crafted dishes from steaks to seafood prepared with the finest ingredients in a modern, elegant space. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine and cocktail menu, as well as a fabulous dessert menu with features like the baked Alaska or a decadent chocolate terrine. Check Facebook for weekly specials and special events, live music and wine tastings.

Rice Box • Owner: Jiahui Huo • 320 South Main St. • (870) 580-0010 • riceboxjonesboro.com

For local foodies who haven’t tried a poke bowl, Rice Box is definitely the place to go. There are several signature poke bowls, but owner Huo says the “pick your own” is the hands-down favorite, as diners can chose ingredients to suit their taste, like spicy salmon, masago (fish eggs) or eel sauce. Rice Box also serves hibachi, milk tea boba and has a kid’s menu. Rice Box is also available for catering.

Scoops • Owner: Eric Roberts • 324 South Main St. • (870) 897-6087

Downtown Jonesboro’s only hand-dipped ice cream shop serves Blue Bell and Prairie Farms ice cream. In addition to the usual chocolate and vanilla with a variety of toppings, sweet seekers will find flavors not available in the grocery store, like Jonesboro favorite Blue Monster, a mix of cookies and cream and chocolate chip cookie dough. Flavors rotate weekly, so check back often to see what’s new. Carry out only with outdoor seating available.

Shadrach’s Coffee • Owner: Larry Billing • 501 Union Street Ave. • (870) 926-4835

Jonesboro’s coffee aficionados can get their caffeine fix from one of Jonesboro’s popular local coffee shops at its hip location in the old bank building on Union Street. This location has comfortable indoor seating that’s perfect for catching up with friends and the same friendly service for which Shadrach’s is known. Get a punch card for frequent visits or pick up a bag of coffee to brew at home.  

Skinny J’s • Owner: James Best • 205 South Main St. • (870) 275-6264 • skinnyjs.com

Skinny J’s may be known for its award-winning hand cut steaks, but they offer so much more. Bring the whole family for Southern-American style pastas, wraps, burgers, chicken and fish, and dine in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. With daily specials, Saturday and Sunday brunch, trivia nights and live entertainment on the weekend, Skinny J’s offers something for everyone.

Sugar Grits • Owner: Tony and Stephanie Westmoreland • 226 South Main St. • (870) 938-0025 • tandemrp.team

Inspired by the cuisine of North Carolina, Sugar Grits is a new addition to the downtown breakfast, brunch and lunch scene. The restaurant opened its doors in Downtown Jonesboro in 2023, offering a variety of its Signature Grit Bowls ranging from the Charleston Cheddar Grits Bowl to its Six Shooter Special, or customers can build their own bowl. Other menu items include fluffy omelets, biscuit sandwiches, burgers and sandwiches, salads and Pass Arounds, such as the Sugar Grits Biscuit Board for the entire table to enjoy.

The Parsonage • Owners: Chef John and Ramey Myers • 305 South Main St. • (870) 203-6116

The Parsonage in Downtown Jonesboro is a favorite among locals for lunch and brunch. A family-owned restaurant conceptualized by Chef John Myers and nurtured by his wife, Ramey, The Parsonage serves classically prepared food with a Southern twist. Belgian waffles, cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy and omelets served with Onyx coffee are among some of the restaurant’s most popular brunch offerings on the weekends or try a soup flight (featuring three soup choices), salad or sandwich for lunch. Located in a beautiful historic building, The Parsonage is also available for private parties.

The Rec Room  • Owners: Brian and Sarah Nobles  • 223 South Main St. • (870) 520-6006 • therecroomcoffeebar.com

The Rec Room is a full-service coffee/wine bar and bistro offering a variety of menu items for brunch such as its smoked salmon scrambler, brunch bowl and biscuits and gravy, and an assortment of sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads for lunch. The Rec Room offers extended hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, giving patrons the opportunity to come in for a dinner special, relax with a cocktail and listen to some live music.