Where to Eat & Drink in El Dorado, Arkansas | #ElDoMad #VisitArkansas Tuesday 12 November, 2019
This post was hosted by Arkansas CVB & El Dorado Murphy Arts District. All opinions are my own.
El Dorado is a growing music scene which is in their budding amazing little community of the Murphy’s Art District aka MAD. Although their music festival scene is growing with amazing artist heading this town such as Justin Timberlake, Bret Michaels, George Clinton, Natasha Bedingfield, Migos and more giving this little city something to buzz about. As the music festival scene is growing – people have to eat!
On my tour through Arkansas, it was my duty to figure out where the best places to eat and drink and definitely found the most notable ones. We have a farm-to-table type restaurant, a bar dedicated to an American icon and a NOLA inspired spot you wont forget! Check out below my top three (3) places to #SavorArkansas when you visit El Dorado,AR.
The Griffin Restaurant
The Griffin Restaurant has a vibe of industrial chic that will make you MAD happy with crazy good farm-to-table food and service as well as live entertainment every Thursday on our cabaret stage.
r
The Griffin restaurant and entertainment is not only a restaurant but a venue that occupies the space formerly known as the Griffin Automotive Building from the 1920s. Its been through a major renovation and addition to this historic building in downtown El Dorado. The new Griffin Building is now a restaurant/cabaret in the front of the building and a concert hall, designed to seat 2,500 people in the back of the former automotive building.
The Griffin building is part of a larger transformation of downtown El Dorado into the Murphy Arts District. This district with showcase nationally recognized musicians, touring Broadway shows, world-class traveling art exhibits, and outdoor festivals. I will talk about this amazing spot and how it expand and host for musical festivals next to an amphitheater in a following post. Lets get to The Griffin Restaurant food!
The Griffin MENU
Red Sangria
Fresh Tomato Basil Soup
Mr. Lawerences hushpuppies served with Arkansas honey and sea salt
Oyster Rockerfeller (Baked with spinach)
Deviled Eggs traditional seasoned and garnished with spiced nuts and seeds
Toasted Bruchetta
Blackeyed-pea hummus with Falafel
Southern Fried Catfish with Fries
The Griffin Restaurant location:
101 East Locust Street
El Dorado, Arkansas 71730
MARIYLN’S ON THE SQUARE
Marilyn’s on the Square is the premiere night spot in beautiful downtown El Dorado, Arkansas. If you are questioning if the name Mariyln is named after the icon well you are absolutely correct. We went here after dinner and had a cute cocktail hour in honor of the legendary Marilyn Monroe.
This bar is set up like a cool dive bar, but it is plaster with amazing Marilyn Monroe posters and paraphernalia to give you the vibe of one of America’s favorite icon woman! I think its cool that although Marilyn Monroe has a famous song called “Two Little Girls From Little Rock”, she is not from Little Rock, AR but its nice that El Dorado still has a place dedicated to her. Its also cool that this bar is in the middle of the El Dorado Square which is where the growing music scene is hosted in this area.
As stated all over this bar and lounge, there is wall to wall images4 of Marilyn Monroe in some of her most famous photos and movie posters.
Outside of all of the Marilyn memorabilia don’t forget you are not in a museum and get a drink! I got some red wine but they have amazing mixoligist that can whip you up an amazing craft drink just ask for what you want! Do a toast to the beloved Marilyn if you like too!
Mariiyln’s on the Square location:
119 North Jefferson Street
El Dorado, Arkansas 71730
FayRay’s
Fayrays is a romantic and fun restaurant with original recipes created by the husband and wife culinary team, Richard and Brandy Black Alewine.
Whether you’re out for a casual lunch or dinner with friends or an elegant special occasion, you’ll feel right at home at Fayrays. It’s a place where you can order escargot for starters and a hamburger as an entree. The restaurant definitely has a NOLA palette, as a lot of the meals have cajun influences. Check out their fun and Nola inspired menu below.
FAYRAY’S MENU
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Artichoke Heart Frites
Maryland Crab cakes and Shrimp
Orleans Pasta loaded with crawfish
Bahama Mama cocktail
Southern Belle truffle
Bourbon Pecan Pie
FayRay’s location:
110 East Elm Street
El Dorado, AR 71730-6102
What would be one of your first place to eat or drink in El Dorado?
About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty
All those places look so good! I really like farm to table places. We have one here in Arizona near where I live which is amazing. So I would definitely check out The Griffin if I ever visit.
The menus of these restaurants sound so good. It’s getting cold here so I would love to try that hearty tomato soup. The oysters Rockefeller baked with spinach sound delicious as well.
My grandparents are my El Dorado. It’s been years since I’ve visited but it looks so much cooler then I remember. This makes me want to take a road trip back!
I have never been to Arkansas, but I have some thoughts:
1) That tomato basil soup is speaking my language
2) Love your faded denim shirt!
3) That bourbon pecan pie (I would insert a “shocked face” emoji if I could)
I’ve never heard of El Dorado, AR. Now I’m going to research because I go to different parts of Arkansas every year. This food look amazing enough to take a detour.
r
I would NEVER expect to find food like that in Arkansas! I’d love to try all of it.
You are making me SO HUNGRY. And you’re totally encouraging my travel bug. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
this place is so perfect to dine and chill. plus the foods look so delicious. your pictures really capture the beauty of the place… 🙂
Cha at Little MisadvenCHA
Well, now I’m hungry. The food looks incredible. If I’m ever in Arkansas, I am going here.
I really want to try The Griffin Restaurant! It looks so nice and chic! Hope to dine in soon!
All those places look so good! I really like farm to table places. We have one here in Arizona near where I live which is amazing. So I would definitely check out The Griffin if I ever visit.
Wow you sure know how to find the tasty eats! Now I’ll be thinking about Deviled Eggs and catfish all day! yum!
I got so hungry reading this post! What an awesome selection of restaurants and bars!
That food looks so good! If we’re ever in Arkansas, we will definitely check it out!
The food from the Griffin looks amazing–all of it! That is where I would be spending my time. 🙂
Everything looks so food! The Oyster Rockefeller is my ultimate favorite!
what a fun looking restaurant! I especially love the exterior photo you took.
Joy at http://www.thejoyousliving.com
When a place combines such beautiful style and great food, it’s my ideal place!
When a place combines such beautiful style and great food, it’s my ideal place! Love it!
So much yummy food to look at. Now I am super hungry.
Wow – Love the delicious eats you found. Always nice to know some go-to joints in a place like El Dorado
I never knew there were so many awesome places in Arkansas. I have to plan a trip there now.
Okay you have some delicious eats here. I’ve never seen fried artichoke hearts nor eggs with nuts. The pie looks the best!
It all looks so good. You made me hungry . I have to be sure to put this on my list for traveling.
The food looks amazing! I love oysters but never had Rockefeller. I love them raw. If I am ever in Arkansas I will check out this place.
Looks like a great place to visit. That tomato and basil soup looks delicious
So many delicious options! It’s so important to know the right places to eat. Thank you so much for sharing! Now I’m hungry.
The menus of these restaurants sound so good. It’s getting cold here so I would love to try that hearty tomato soup. The oysters Rockefeller baked with spinach sound delicious as well.
Amazing review,I like how it can be different things and from old school. I might consider visiting his one day because they also have great food.
You have excited the foodie in me. Wonderful options to choose from. Great place to be in to have a great time gorging.
That’s an excellent restaurant review. The pics are just amazing. Would love to visit the place whenever I am in Arkansas.
The oysters and catfish look delicious. Would love to visit the restaurant
Wow
That looks like a great restaurant, i like the interior a lot.
Oh yeah, food looks good too
My grandparents are my El Dorado. It’s been years since I’ve visited but it looks so much cooler then I remember. This makes me want to take a road trip back!
This place reminds me of Philadelphia. A lot of great places to eat and jang out. I’d love to visit. Thanks for sharing!
Ok Arkansas they got some good lookng food out there. I would have never thought that.
I’m so stealing the idea of serving dessert like the Southern Belle Trifle. Everything looked amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Omigosh this all looks so good! Tomato soup especially. And the hushpuppies too. Woooo I’m greedy. Adding some new spots to my list!
Everything looks spectacular and delicious. The Griffin Menu has a lot of my favs!
I have never been to Arkansas, but I have some thoughts:
1) That tomato basil soup is speaking my language
2) Love your faded denim shirt!
3) That bourbon pecan pie (I would insert a “shocked face” emoji if I could)
Those look like great restaurants to try!
Nnniiiccceeeeee….I don’t know about you but I have a good feeling about FayRays! Looks like my kind of place.
I’ve never heard of El Dorado, AR. Now I’m going to research because I go to different parts of Arkansas every year. This food look amazing enough to take a detour.