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Tucked in the creative heart of the SoMa District in Little Rock, Rex’s Restaurant and Bar is the kind of place that makes you wish it were in your own neighborhood.
I tried it for the first time during a work-vacation weekend and honestly, I was blown away. Not just by the food, though that would have been enough, but by the entire experience.
Rex calls itself a Modern American Bistro, which is technically accurate. However, it doesn’t fully tell the story. The menu boldly features global fusion, with flavors and influences from Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, German and Japanese cuisines. It feels like someone returned from a culinary tour of New York City and decided to create a carefully curated menu, drawing on their favorite bites.
And I am not mad about it.
Setting the Tone
It’s rare to find a restaurant that works equally well for a girlfriend’s brunch, a first date, a business lunch, and a relaxed Sunday brunch while you are in town visiting. Rex’s somehow manages to be all of those things at once.
Located perfectly along South Main Street, it embodies the artsy, community-oriented spirit that defines SoMa. The eclectic artwork on slate gray walls immediately sets the mood. Historic beams and antique fixtures contrast with farmhouse tables, assorted dining chairs and mid-century side pieces. The result is street chic with a cozy vibe. As evening falls, vintage globes cast a magical glow across the dining room.
While we ate, I noticed older couples lingering over coffee, teens with parents, young professionals in casual weekend attire and our own business lunch, catching up. No one felt out of place. The atmosphere was polished yet inviting, creative yet warm.
And that balance carried through to the service.
The servers were attentive without hovering. They offered recommendations but never pushed. They gave us space to talk and connect. It was clear that the staff is fully committed to creating a great experience, not just delivering plates to tables. That kind of teamwork, especially in a smaller arts district setting, is refreshing.
What’s on the Menu?
After taking in the atmosphere, we examined the weekend paper brunch menu and the regular menu, then looked again. There was so much to consider.
“Global fusion” may seem like a tired phrase nowadays, but here it genuinely applies.
Brunch Standouts
- The Breakfast Pancake – Listed on the menu as “THICC,” spelled exactly that way. And yes, it earned both c’s. Picture a cake-like pancake cooked in an iron skillet, flipped perfectly, glazed with syrup from edge to edge, and topped with a thick slab of butter melting into golden streams. It was an inch thick and sliced like a pie; a showstopper. We were happy to share a piece while deciding on the rest of our order.
- The Breakfast Burger – Stacked perfectly, easy to cut in half, and still sturdy enough to pick up. Two thin smashed patties topped with housemade hollandaise and a fried egg. Once sliced, the runny yolk becomes its own sauce, soaking into the milk bun. Rich, balanced, and not messy like some brunch burgers can be.
- The Breakfast Schnitzel – This dish surprised us all. A crispy smashed chicken cutlet, fried to perfection and topped with housemade sausage gravy that evokes a red-eye gravy from an Arkansas grandmother’s kitchen. Add two eggs on top, and you have layers of buttery, savory comfort. Easily shareable and unexpectedly delightful.
The Full Menu Surprise
Then we explored the regular menu, and that’s where things became pleasantly surprising.
Yes, there were more schnitzels, more burgers, and a lineup of sandwiches, making narrowing it down difficult.
But then came Thai curries, ramen, a three-meat house meatloaf, a Tikka Masala Schnitzel, a spicy Reuben, lettuce wraps, chicken wings and a double-decker fried chicken BLT.
It was bold. It was creative. It worked.
Several dishes came with side salads, which let us at least feel like responsible adults while sampling everything at the table.
Honestly, this is the kind of menu that invites a return visit with a friend willing to go halvsies so you can try even more. I am already planning which items to order next: green curry, spicy Reuben and maybe fried cauliflower bites.
Drinks All Around
The drink menu was extensive, and our waitress was great about stopping to explain the flavor profiles of each. From a breakfast “punch” to traditional brunch margs and spring lavender cocktails, the variety was enjoyable. Of course, there were coffee drinks as well, but we kept it global with these options too. “Loaded” coffee cocktails and traditional Vietnamese and Thai coffee drinks were the group’s favorites.
So, Who Was Rex?
From my seat, I saw a metal bar glass marked with “Rex” and a white goat. Details like that always spark my curiosity.
We found out the restaurant was instead named after the chef-owner’s late dog, Rex, who brought warmth and comfort wherever he went.
In the back of the restaurant, there’s a beautiful piece of art depicting Rex in his favorite corner spot on the couch at home. It is subtle but meaningful. He watches over the space in spirit as guests gather, eat and linger.
That detail says a lot about the heart behind the place.
Why I Loved It (and will return!)
I love places that foster a sense of belonging.
I love restaurants that serve food so good you want to come back right away.
I love exploring new places in Arkansas that I can’t wait to tell others about.
Rex’s hit every note.
It was the Ken doll hanging from the hostess’s key ring when she opened the door and welcomed us. It was the smooth coordination of the wait staff, with no territorial lines, just a shared commitment to hospitality. It was the thoughtful plating and the way every flavor made us want one more bite.
In a district known for art, creativity and community building, Rex’s fits perfectly.
And I already can’t wait to go back.
Rex’s Restaurant and Bar
1501 Main Street, Ste J | Little Rock (SoMa District)
501-295-4457
Website | Menu | Instagram
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