We were in town for a work conference and decided to grab lunch here. The atmosphere was great and calm, and everyone was polite and courteous. The food was fresh and delicious! I cannot wait to go back. They had a wonderful selection of desserts but of course I had to try the red velvet cake and it did not disappoint!

The staff was very friendly, the wait was not long at all, the prices were reasonable and the food was different than most places and tasty! We will definitely be back, especially because of the gluten friendly choices.

The lovely one and I stopped here on a recommendation of a friend. The food was delicious, in decent proportions, and the staff was delightful. I had the muffaletta. While it was slightly on the smaller side, with the orzo salad it was pleasantly filling. The sweet potato fries added a nice compliment. The lovely one had the California club. It was good if slightly challenging to consume as presented. The sweet tea was on par with most, while the minted lemonade was like a refreshing hint of summer. We finished our meal by sharing a slice of key lime pie. Rich, thick, and absolutely the best taste to finish off our meal. We plan to return to try other items from the menu when we visit Hot Springs again. An added plus was the employees. They were all welcoming, willing to answer questions, and went above and beyond to make sure orders were satisfactory.

The staff are very friendly and welcoming. The establishment is clean, well-lit, and centrally located. The atmosphere is positive and inviting. The food was surprisingly delicious and the service was extremely fast. This place is awesome!! No wonder one of the staff members has worked here since the year 2000. Parking was a little tight but manageable. They had a variety of items on the menu and fresh food made daily. I most definitely recommend Cafe 1217 to anybody that lives in or is visiting the Hot Springs area.

This place was amazing! I had the locally sourced cheeseburger with red pepper jelly which comes with potato salad and it was wonderful. My husband had the tacos which looked delicious! My daughter had a Chinese chicken salad which reminded me of the Ramen cold slaw which I loved. We topped it of with chocolate cake and strawberry pie! We will be back! Definitely a MUST in Hot Springs!!

Incredible local cuisine. Arkansas Possum Pie is a must try for any visitor!!! Their award-winning carrot cake taste a medley sweet gems!! The various salads are super fresh and delish! Must, must try, the Possum Pie (rich sweet silky goodness)!!

I’ve really enjoyed all the items I’ve tried here!! My suggestion is to go for the seasonal items. Ask the staff what’s popular and go with that! I haven’t been steered wrong yet!

While visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas, for our babymoon, my wife and I stopped at Cafe 1217, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the evident emphasis on freshness. The staff were absolutely incredible—friendly, kind, knowledgeable, and eager to help. They went above and beyond by offering samples of several dishes, as everything looked too good to resist. Their enthusiasm for the food was contagious, and it was clear they take pride in serving top-notch, homemade dishes. We ordered a variety of items to truly experience everything the menu had to offer: the beet salad, a Reuben sandwich, chili, a coconut cream pie, an egg salad sandwich, and a tamale. Each dish was bursting with flavor and made with the freshest ingredients. The beet salad was vibrant and perfectly balanced, the Reuben was hearty and satisfying, and the chili was rich and comforting. The coconut cream pie was the perfect sweet finish, with its luscious filling and flaky crust. Everything tasted homemade in the best way possible, and we couldn’t help but savor every bite. Beyond the food, the entire dining experience was flawless. The restaurant was impeccably clean and organized, including the restrooms, which were spotless. The friendly and courteous staff made us feel right at home, and their attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed. Cafe 1217 exceeded all of our expectations and then some. It’s clear that they pour their heart into every dish and every customer interaction. If you’re in Hot Springs, this is an absolute must-visit spot. We left with full stomachs and big smiles, already planning to return on our next trip to town. Thank you, Cafe 1217, for making our meal so memorable and for being such a shining example of what a great dining experience should be.