If you think brunch pizza is a gimmick, Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill is about to change your mind. This River Market staple takes the same wood-fired approach that made their dinner menu legendary and applies it to weekend mornings with results that are nothing short of spectacular. Add one of the city's most creative craft cocktail programs, and you've got a brunch experience that's in a league of its own.
## The River Market's Best-Kept Brunch Secret
While most of Little Rock knows Samantha's for its dinner service and craft beer selection, the brunch crowd is still relatively under-the-radar. That's both a blessing (shorter waits) and a testament to how deeply embedded the dinner reputation is. But word is getting out, and the weekend morning crowd has grown steadily as regulars discover that the wood grill works just as much magic on eggs and pizza dough as it does on steaks.
## The Food: Smoke Meets Morning
The wood grill and pizza oven are the secret weapons:
- Wood-fired brunch pizza — a thin, blistered crust topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, fontina, and fresh herbs; it sounds unconventional but tastes like pure genius
• Smoked salmon Benedict — the signature; house-smoked salmon on a toasted English muffin with poached eggs and dill hollandaise. The smoke flavor elevates this classic to another level.
• Wood-grilled steak and eggs — for the hearty appetite; a perfectly seared steak with farm eggs and crispy hash
• Avocado toast with wood-roasted tomatoes — simple ingredients transformed by the grill's smoky heat
• Seasonal craft cocktails — the brunch cocktail menu rivals many bars' dinner programs, with creative Bloody Marys, seasonal mimosa variations, and original creations
The smoked salmon Benedict is the dish that earns the most devotion. The house-smoking process gives the salmon a depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the richness of hollandaise, and the dill adds just enough brightness to keep every bite interesting.
## The Craft Cocktail Program
Samantha's brunch cocktail menu deserves its own paragraph. While most brunch spots offer basic mimosas and pre-mixed Bloody Marys, Samantha's bartenders approach morning cocktails with the same creativity they bring to evening service. Expect seasonal ingredients, house-made syrups, and presentations that make you reach for your phone before your first sip.
The rotating "Bartender's Brunch Creation" is always worth trying — it's the team's latest experiment, and it's consistently excellent.
## The Space: Industrial Chic
The interior balances industrial elements (exposed brick, metal accents, the open kitchen with the wood grill center-stage) with warm lighting and comfortable seating. The bar area is particularly inviting for brunch — you can watch the bartenders craft your cocktail while the kitchen team works the grill behind them.
In warmer months, the sidewalk seating puts you right in the middle of the River Market's weekend energy.
## When to Go
Best time: Saturday 10:30 AM–12 PM. Samantha's brunch starts a bit later than some spots, which makes it perfect for people who actually like sleeping in on weekends. Sunday is equally good with slightly smaller crowds.
Season tip: The patio seating in spring and fall is prime River Market people-watching territory.
## Parking & Getting There
River Market parking garages are your best bet ($5–8 for a morning). The garage on President Clinton Avenue is closest. Metered street parking is available but competitive on Saturday mornings.
Walking: Easily accessible from downtown hotels and the River Trail.
## Who It's Perfect For
Samantha's brunch is ideal for:
- Craft cocktail enthusiasts who want a creative morning drink
• Foodies who appreciate wood-fired cooking technique
• Couples who prefer a sophisticated, slightly later brunch
• Groups celebrating a special weekend occasion
• Anyone who's curious about brunch pizza (you should be)
## Why It Beats Dinner and a Movie
At $35–50 for two (including cocktails), Samantha's is a premium brunch experience, but it delivers premium quality. The wood-fired flavors, the creative cocktails, and the River Market atmosphere create a morning that feels special without trying too hard. Follow up with a walk along the River Trail or a visit to the River Market shops.
## Plan Your Brunch Morning
- ☐ Sleep in guilt-free — Samantha's brunch starts later
• ☐ Arrive by 10:30 AM Saturday for prime patio seating
• ☐ Start with the Bartender's Brunch Creation cocktail
• ☐ Order the smoked salmon Benedict — the signature dish
• ☐ Split a wood-fired brunch pizza for the table
• ☐ Walk the River Trail or explore River Market shops after
*Little Rock Weekend may earn a commission from links in this guide. We only recommend spots we genuinely love.*
Explore more brunch spots in our Ultimate Little Rock Brunch Guide, or plan a full weekend with our Weekend Guides.
