-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 tnO/LAXI3eImCbMMiXnw6g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001216086-03-000001.txt : 20030513
<SEC-HEADER>0001216086-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030513
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030512173417
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001216086-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030509
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030513

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOWERS ROBERT
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216086

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09453
		FILM NUMBER:		03693612

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ARK RESTAURANTS CORP
		STREET 2:		85 FIFTH AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10003

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARK RESTAURANTS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000779544
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				133156768
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		85 FIFTH AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10003-3019
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2122068800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		85 FIFTH AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10003-3019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-09</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000779544</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARK RESTAURANTS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ARKR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216086</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TOWERS ROBERT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec. V.P., COO &amp; Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-09</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>300</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.25</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>65250</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-09</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>100</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.35</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>65350</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-09</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>100</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>7.5</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>65450</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares are held by Mr. Towers in his IRA account.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert Towers</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----