A Foodie Road Trip to Skylark Cafe: Leslie, Arkansas

What started out as a destination for an Alpha Gal friendly restaurant became a worthy road trip into the Ozark Mountains to a tiny town with big taste.

A Reason to Hit the Road

Sometimes a restaurant is more than just a place to grab lunch-it's the sole reason to take a drive into the Ozarks. Nestled in Searcy County along Highway 65, the historic town of Leslie, Arkansas, might look like a quiet former timber town at first glance, but it holds one of the state's best culinary secrets. Driven by a craving for authentic, made-from-scratch comfort food, Leslie became the target for a day trip.

Bentonville, AR: ~2 hours 15 minutes (via US-412 E and US-65 S through the scenic Ozarks)

Pittsburg, KS: ~3 hours 30 minutes (an easy, straight-shot weekend road trip down I-44 E and US-65 S)

Little Rock, AR: ~1 hour 45 minutes (heading straight north on US-65 N)

Skylark Cafe: The Main Event

Tucked inside a whimsical, bright teal craftsman house on High Street, nearly hidden behind massive elephant ears crowding the porch, sits Skylark Cafe. Inside, the atmosphere is deliciously funky, eclectic, and laid-back, complete with a warm, (dare I say Southern) welcoming staff and the irresistible smell of freshly baked desserts.

Worth Noting

Spot the Local Whittlers: Keep an eye out around the square for local woodcarvers carrying on a quirky town legacy-jokingly known as "making nothing out of something." Be sure to look for the historic Collier's Magazine photo frame from September 1955 that officially crowned Leslie the "Whittling Capital of the World."

What We Ate

The menu balances elevated cafe classics with farm-to-table flavors, but plan ahead for desserts before you even sit down:

Savory Favorites: They cook up seasonal daily specials using local ingredients whenever possible. But I wasn't going to miss out on Denver's smoked meats so we picked:

• Homemade Spinach Cheese Dip with Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Smoked Brisket Tacos - Chopped Brisket, house bbq sauce, chipotle slaw, fresh avocado + cilantro on grilled flour tortillas.
• Torta Ahogada - Smoked pulled pork, shredded cabbage, escabeche + avocado on pressed French bread with salsa de arbol, queso fresco + cilantro

The Desserts: As soon we walked in, we were greeted by a beautiful dessert case (and there are even more you can't see). Deciding which dessert to choose was our toughest decision of the day.

• Check out their seasonal Arkansas Strawberry Pie they make with sweet, locally grown berries whenever possible. Think, thick graham cracker crust, no bake cheesecake filling, a huge pile of lightly glazed strawberries, and topped with whipped cream.
• Beautiful Cakes, fruit pies, and cheesecakes.

Know Before You Go

• Peak Hours & Seating: The cafe is cozy and fills up quickly around peak lunch hours (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM). Aim for an early arrival or a late-afternoon visit if you prefer a quieter vibe.
• Parking: Convenient street parking is available along High Street and nearby side streets right in front of the cafe.
• Dietary Accommodations: They offer a variety of vegetarian-friendly options, fresh salads, and house-made specials. Including Alpha Gal offerings!
• Payment: Major credit cards and cash are both accepted.
• Accessibility: There is a short ramp up to the porch, but space inside can feel tight during busy rushes.

Next Time

1. I'm going back for Steak Night on Fridays and Saturdays.
2. I'll plan an overnight and stay in their B&B, Court Street Cottage.
3. I'll try something else new off the menu.
4. Go next Fall during their Whittlin' & Fiddlin' Festival.

Worth a Look While You're in Town

Don't head straight back to the highway after lunch; Leslie's Main Street is built for strolling with almost no traffic.

1. Brick House Artisans features local artist's work and crafts and the visit with the owners was worth the trip. I was tempted by the brooms, carvings, and earrings. But walked away with a book by Benson Fox, famous Ozark Mountains storyteller.
2. Visit with the locals! Our favorite part was visiting with the neighbor, Victor. Who told a tall tale about about witch and local police antics.

Craving Small-Town Sweetness at Home?

If you can't make the drive to Leslie today, bring those cafe vibes to your kitchen with these 2 recipes:

Plan Your Visit

• Skylark Cafe - 401 High St, Leslie, AR 72645
  • Hours: Tue-Thu: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM | Sun-Mon: Closed
  • Skylark Cafe is a charming historic craftsman style house that has been lovingly updated to create a unique and beautiful dining experience in the Ozark Mountains.
  • Phone: (870) 447-2354 for reservations
• The Little Hill Shop - up the hill from Skylark Cafe
  • Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11-3 Friday & Saturday 11-7
  • A happy place, curated for thoughtful gifting.
  • I got 2 adorable hair clips & some dinosaur fridge magnets.
• Brick House Artisans - 319 Main St, Leslie, AR 72645
  • Hours: Fridays & Saturdays, 10 AM-4 PM
  • A magnificent gift and wood craft shop in historic downtown Leslie! Veteran-owned and Leslie-made custom cutting boards, cheese boards, amazing wood crafts, and other local products!
• Peel Ferry
  • Hours: Daily, 6:40 AM - 7:20 PM
  • Ferry departs every 40 minutes.
  • Just drive your car onto the ferry and enjoy the ride across the lake.
  • Free!

Other Places to Visit Nearby

• Ozark Folk Center State Park - 1032 Park Avenue, Mountain View, AR 72560
  • Dedicated to perpetuating the music, crafts, and culture of the Ozarks.
  • Open mid-April to mid-November, the park offers visitors an opportunity to watch artisans work, to stroll through the Heritage Herb Garden, and to hear live Southern mountain music.
• Blanchard Springs Caverns
  • 1-hour tours are available year round and is very accessible.
  • AMAZING walk through cave with entertaining tour guides.
  • 58 degrees year round!

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