INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK (Detail) - Schedule of calculation of numerator and denominator in earnings per share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
From continuing operations:
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp. (Numerator) (in Dollars)	$ 5,748	$ 2,695
Shares (Denominator)	3,292	3,494
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.75	$ 0.77
Shares (Denominator)	35	31
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp. (Numerator) (in Dollars)	5,748	2,695
Shares (Denominator)	3,327	3,525
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.73	$ 0.76
From discontinued operations:
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp. (Numerator) (in Dollars)	(259)	(1,280)
Shares (Denominator)	3,292	3,494
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.36)
Shares (Denominator)	35	31
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp. (Numerator) (in Dollars)	(259)	(1,280)
Shares (Denominator)	3,327	3,525
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.36)
From net income:
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp. (Numerator) (in Dollars)	5,489	1,415
Shares (Denominator)	3,292	3,494
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.67	$ 0.41
Shares (Denominator)	35	31
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp. (Numerator) (in Dollars)	$ 5,489	$ 1,415
Shares (Denominator)	3,327	3,525
Per Share Amount (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.65	$ 0.40