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Home » United States

The Best Restaurants in Northwest Arkansas

Created On: July 21, 2020  |  Updated: September 23, 2022  |   1 Comment

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links from which we may make commission from. As always, we only recommend places and products we love! In addition, we try our best to keep our articles up-to-date with current prices, locations, and hours of operation however we always recommend double-checking when planning a trip as these items can change frequently.

Table of Contents show
1 The Best Restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
2 BEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH
2.1 Crepes Paulette
2.2 Susan’s Restaurant
2.3 Loves Donuts
2.4 Pressroom
2.5 The Hive
2.6 The Farmer’s Table Cafe
3 BEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR A QUICK LUNCH
3.1 Stone Mill Cafe
3.2 Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe
3.3 Tacos 4 Life
3.4 Spoon Fusion Korea Oh K-Dog
3.5 Pupuseria Salvadorena #2
4 BEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR A SIT-DOWN LUNCH
4.1 Sweet Freedom Cheese
4.2 Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese
4.3 Briar Rose Bakery & Deli
4.4 Eleven
4.5 Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters
5 BEST FOOD TRUCKS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
5.1 Recipes and Barbecue
5.2 Dough Zone
5.3 Kinley’s Soul Food
5.4 La Pupusa Mobile
5.5 KDK’s Chicken & Waffles
6 BEST RESTAURANTS FOR A CASUAL DINNER IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
6.1 Yeyo’s Mexican Grill
6.2 Azul Tequila
6.3 Local Lime
6.4 Table Mesa
6.5 Meme’s Caribbean Flavour
6.6 Big Orange
6.7 Monte Ne Inn
6.8 Chick’n Headz
6.9 Southern Food Company
6.10 Catfish Hole
6.11 Wright’s Barbecue
6.12 Fratelli’s Italian Grill
6.13 Mirabella’s Table
6.14 The Odd Soul
6.15 MJ Pizzeria
6.16 U.S. Pizza Co
6.17 Damgoode Pies
6.18 Ginger Rice and Noodle Bar
6.19 Meiji Japanese Cuisine
6.20 Ramen Nara
6.21 CO-OP Ramen
6.22 Mama Tang Restaurant
6.23 Szechuan House
6.24 Pho Thanh
6.25 Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food
6.26 Khana Indian Grill
7 BEST PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
7.1 The Preacher’s Son
7.2 Tavola Trattoria
7.3 Doe’s Eat Place
8 BEST DESSERTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
8.1 Markham & Fitz
8.2 Vargas Fruteria
8.3 Bobo’s Ribbon Ice
8.4 Alchemy Macarons
8.5 Sweet Scoops Blender Bar
8.6 Ayala’s Panadería
8.7 Crumbl Cookies
9 BEST COCKTAIL LOUNGES & BARS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
9.1 Fox Trail Distillery
9.2 The Nine’s Bentonville
9.3 The Tower Bar
9.4 The Foreman
9.5 Maxine’s Tap Room

The Best Restaurants in Northwest Arkansas

When Logan and I moved to Northwest Arkansas in September of 2018 and we couldn’t wait to try out a bunch of local restaurants in Northwest Arkansas so we hit the ground running. But before we dive into these fantastic places to eat let me give you a little background on the Northwest Arkansas area for those unfamiliar. 

So, when we moved here we heard many people referring to this area by the region (Northwest Arkansas) instead of the city or town they live in. I’ll be honest, I’m still not sure if I totally get it, but the main thing to know is that Northwest Arkansas is comprised of a number of different cities and towns all within the Northwest corridor of Arkansas. 

The main cities you’ll find here are Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville which are all within 20-30 minutes of each other at most. However, there are a few other areas like Bella Vista, Siloam Springs, and Eureka Springs that also fit into the Northwest Arkansas corridor as well!

In addition, there are a number of small towns that you might see mentioned in this guide. Just know that the majority of the restaurants we suggest are close to one another so you can easily enjoy them if visiting Northwest Arkansas for a weekend trip.

Now, we’re excited to share with you some of the best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or even drinks! Also, we’re sorry if you get hungry reading this post. It’s just going to happen mmmk? 😉


BEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH

Crepes Paulette

Crepes from Crepes Paulette in Bentonville, Arkansas
Sweet and savory crepes

Crepes Paulette offers a twist on authentic and fusion, sweet and savory French crepes (say that 5x fast!). It first started as a food truck, founded by Bentonville native Paula Jo Chitty Henry and her husband Frédéric Henry. Due to its popularity, they then expanded to a small restaurant in Bentonville.

All of their crepes are made fresh-to-order and are even handheld which makes it the perfect item for on-the-go (or you can sit-in if you want!). They also offer options for a number of dietary restrictions including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. While we’ve included it as a breakfast place, it’s also a great place for a quick lunch.

Our Suggestions: SAVORY: l’Épinard (spinach, sharp cheddar, and egg), Spicy Crepe with Black Forest ham, cheddar cheese, egg, and salsa
SWEET: la Foster (salted caramel, bananas, cinnamon), fresh strawberry with nutella, or nutella and banana

Prices: $5-$10
Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-4pm (restaurant location)
Location:
100 SW 8th Street, Bentonville // MAP


Susan’s Restaurant

Susan’s Restaurant is a long-time mom and pop restaurant with homestyle cooking. They also have some of the biggest, yummy gooey cinnamon rolls EVER. There’s ALWAYS a wait at Susan’s and it’s probably due to the fact that it makes you feel like you’re in your grandma’s kitchen for Sunday morning breakfast. But don’t be alarmed, the wait tends to go by quickly!

Our Suggestions: If you’re looking for a basic breakfast (that’s also only $4!) get one of the “getcha by” breakfast meals which comes with 2 eggs, hash browns or grits, and toast or biscuits and gravy. Pro tip: Ask for your hashbrowns crispy. After, order one of Hannah’s homemade cinnamon rolls to share.

Price: $5-10
Hours:
Sunday-Saturday 6am-2pm
Location:
1440 W Sunset Ave, Springdale // MAP


Loves Donuts

Loves Donuts has a few convenient locations in Northwest Arkansas with both savory and sweet breakfast options. But Love’s can also be great for a sweet treat! Their donuts are melt-in-your-mouth amazing so definitely get one or a dozen. 😉 

Our Suggestions: Seriously, you can’t go wrong with any of them, but at least get a kolache or breakfast sandwich and don’t forget a donut!

Price: Under $5
Hours: Monday-Friday 5am-12pm, Saturday & Sunday 6am-1pm
Location: 1044 E Henri De Tonti Blvd #9, Springdale // MAP (There are also locations in Lowell, Bentonville, and Bella Vista)


Pressroom

Eclairs from Pressroom - places to eat in Northwest Arkansas
Pressroom - restaurants in Northwest Arkansas

Pressroom is located in Downtown Bentonville and is the perfect place for brunch with friends! They have an awesome environment right on the Bentonville square with sweet and savory breakfast options on the menu. However, Pressroom serves more than just breakfast, they also serve lunch and dinner! However, we have yet to enjoy lunch or dinner there because their brunch is so good!

Our Suggestions: Our favorites so far are the Breakfast Hash, Avocado Toast, or their savory breakfast sandwich which can be left as is, vegetarian, or you can add meat.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday 7am-10pm, Saturday 9am-10pm
Location: 100 NW 2nd St #100, Bentonville // MAP


The Hive

The Hive in Bentonville, Arkansas
The Hive in Bentonville, Arkansas

Chef Matthew McClure uses locally sourced ingredients to give his spin on southern cooking at his restaurant, The Hive. Because of his use of local ingredients, the menu changes by season to keep up with the freshness of ingredients. But some of The Hive’s staple menu items stay year-round.

I’ve had both breakfast and lunch at The Hive and they were both terrific, but I was a big fan of the breakfast menu hence why I’m including it here. But, that being said, lunch and dinner are great at the Hive too! 😉

Our Suggestions: BMF Chicken on a Biscuit or one of their seasonal pancake or waffle entrees, I had the peach french toast. Don’t forget to get one of their well-crafted cocktails while you’re there! A mimosa with brunch is pretty much a given. 😉 

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30am-2pm & 5:30pm-9:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 6:30am-2pm & 5:30pm-10:30pm
Location: 200 NE A St, Bentonville // MAP


The Farmer’s Table Cafe

The Farmer's Table Cafe in Fayetteville - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
Ozark Huevos

The Farmer’s Table is another great place to get breakfast that has seasonal locally-sourced ingredients from small family farms used in all of their menu items. They even have a list of where your ingredients came from so you can know everyone who contributed to your yummy meal. The setting is very cozy making it a great place for a casual date or brunch with a friend.

Our Suggestions: Ozark Huevos is one of my favorites! It is made with corn tortillas, pinto beans, blue corn chips, and cage-free eggs. But what really hits the spot is the sriracha aioli and cilantro cream. They add such a zing to the dish! 

Prices: $10-15
Hours: 7am-3pm daily (closed Mondays)
Location: 1079 S School Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701 // MAP

READ MORE: Northwest Arkansas Travel Guide


BEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR A QUICK LUNCH

Stone Mill Cafe

Stone Mill Cafe in Bentonville

Stone Mill Cafe offers quality food made from scratch with wholesome ingredients. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a sandwich, soup, or salad on a quick lunch break (think Panera by 10x better). As a bonus, all menu items come with chips and a freshly baked oatmeal cookie. Also, if you enjoy their bread as much as we do, you can even purchase some to take home! 

Our Suggestions: The Chicken Salad Supreme sandwich on their homemade cranberry pecan bread is one of my absolute favorites. We also love the West Coast Special which has smoked turkey, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion on spinach feta bread. Both of these are great paired with their fire-roasted tomato soup.

Prices: $5-10
Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-7:30pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, Closed Sunday
Location: 2903 S Walton Blvd, Bentonville (Another location available in Fayetteville) // MAP


Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe

Similar to Stone Mill Cafe, Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe is another quick sandwich, soup, and salad restaurant that offers made-from-scratch bread and more. They also have a number of their yummy, freshly baked bread and sweetbreads available to-go.

Our Suggestions: The Woo Pig Sooie sandwich with smoked ham, bacon, swiss cheese, and BBQ Chipotle Ranch is one that Logan really enjoyed, I like the Cranberry Turkey with smoked turkey, swiss cheese, and cranberry mustard, or the salad sampler with honey pecan chicken salad, fruit, focaccia, and a blueberry muffin. I also suggest buying one of their sweetbreads to take home! The lemon blueberry is my favorite.

Prices: $5-15
Hours: Monday 7am- 2pm, Tuesday-Sunday 7am-7pm
Location: 2090 W Pleasant Grove Rd, Rogers // MAP


Tacos 4 Life

Tacos for Life

Their tacos are delicious but their mission will make you go all the more. Tacos 4 Life donates one meal for every meal purchased to Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit that helps provide meals for children suffering from malnutrition in 60 different countries across the world.

Our Recommendations: Our favorite tacos are the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, which also has lettuce, chipotle aioli, and a drizzle of honey, Carnitas which has citrus and cumin slow-roasted pork with queso, cabbage, cilantro, and green onion, and Hawaiian Shrimp which has grilled or fried shrimp with pineapple Ono sauce, pineapple, lettuce, and toasted coconut. If you want something a little lighter the Mexican Cobb Salad is also amazing.

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday: 11am-10pm, Closed Sundays
Location: Tacos 4 Life has a few locations in Northwest Arkansas


Spoon Fusion Korea Oh K-Dog

Korean Corn Dog from Spoon Fusion Korea Oh K-Dog in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Potato Mozza Dog and Regular Mozza Dog.

When we were living in Japan we came across a cheesy corn dog at a summer festival in Japan that we haven’t stopped thinking about since. So when I saw that Spoon Fusion Korea Oh K-Dog offered these perfectly fried, sweet and savory corn dogs, I was beyond excited!

You can order them in a variety of ways including hot dogs, mozzarella cheese, rice cakes and more. The corn dog breading has the perfect amount of softness and crunch. After it’s fried you can have your hot dog rolled in cinnamon sugar, regular sugar, or nothing if you aren’t a fan of sweet and savory combos (although I recommend trying it this way!). Then you can add sauce toppings such as spicy mayo, mustard, ketchup, etc.

Fluffy Egg Toast from Spoon Fusion Korea Oh K-Dog
Chicken Bulgogi Bowl from Spoon Fusion Korea Oh K-Dog in Fayetteville, Arkansas

But Spoon Fusion has more than just Korean rice hot dogs, they also have fluffy egg toast, japchae, bulgogi, ramen, and other favorite Korean dishes that would be perfect for a more filling lunch or dinner.

Our Recommendations: We loved the potato mozza dog which had cubed potatoes on the outside and the regular mozza dog and for entrees we recommend the bulgogi chicken and rice bowl or the egg toast!

Prices: $5-10
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 603 W Dickson St, Fayetteville // MAP


Pupuseria Salvadorena #2

Pupusas from Pupuseria Salvadorena #2 in Rogers, Arkansas - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas

Pupusas are one of our favorite things to get for a quick, filling lunch and one of the best places to get pupusas is Pupuseria Salvadorena in Rogers. If you’ve never had a pupusa before they are a traditional food from El Salvador that are small, round corn cakes filled with a variety of ingredients. They are cooked on a griddle and commonly served alongside salsa roja, a spicy Salvadorian red sauce and curtido, which is a cabbage relish, kind of like coleslaw.

In addition to pupusas, Pupuseria Salvadorena has a number of other Salvadorian foods that we have yet to try but look delicious!

Our Recommendations: Pupusas are made to order and filled with a variety of ingredients. Our favorites are chicharron (fried pork), frijol y queso (beans and cheese), camaron y queso (shrimp and cheese), and rajas y queso (pepper and cheese).

Prices: $3-5
Hours: 8am-8pm daily
Location: 1610 S 8th St, Rogers (Southgate Plaza) // MAP


BEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR A SIT-DOWN LUNCH

Sweet Freedom Cheese

Charcuterie board from Sweet Freedom Cheese in Bentonville, Arkansas
Charcuterie board and mimosas

Friends, I can’t stop talking about Sweet Freedom Cheese. Not only is it the perfect place to enjoy a quick lunch by ordering one of their grilled cheese sandwiches or by picking up a bento box, but it’s also a great place for a girl’s night out or a date night. You can even order a charcuterie platter to-go which is something we do often for date nights at home or when we have friends over.

One of the best things about Sweet Freedom Cheese is the free samples so you can try any of the cheese or meat options before you buy them. They also offer cheesemaking classes and cheese pairing experiences which we have yet to sign-up for, but that’s next on our list!

Our Suggestions: Our favorites are the Smoky Grilled Cheese Sandwich, “Bread Cheese” Appetizer, Monger’s Choice Cheese Plate: 3 choices of cheese and one meat (perfect for two) or build-your-own cheese plate to pick your own favorites!

Prices: $5-20
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30am-8:30pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 801 SE 8th St #1, Bentonville (8th Street Market) // MAP


Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches from Hammontree's - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese

Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese is one of the places we always take guests when they come for a visit because it’s consistently good and who doesn’t like grilled cheese?! But before you scoff at paying for grilled cheese, let me just say, these aren’t your average grilled cheese sandwiches. 

They have a variety of cheeses like smoked gouda or brie and even have a few sandwiches with their specialty slow-roasted pork that they prepare at the restaurant. If you aren’t into grilled cheese sandwiches also have hot dogs and a number of vegetarian and vegan options too! (pssst, this is also a great family-friendly restaurant in Northwest Arkansas).

Our Suggestions: We have such a hard time narrowing it down because everything is SO GOOD. For starters, the sweet potato fries with avocado-ranch dipping sauce are a MUST, they’re the best sweet potato fries we’ve ever had.

For grilled cheese options we recommend Brie’s Company with grilled apple, brie, gouda, caramelized onion, and fig jam, or the Pig Sooie with BBQ pulled pork, house cheese, smoked bacon, jalapenos on jalapeno cornbread.

Prices: $5-10
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-9:30pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 326 N West Ave #8, Fayetteville (Another location in Rogers) // MAP


Briar Rose Bakery & Deli

Briar Rose Bakery & Deli is located in the cutest cottage-like setting and serves up delicious sandwiches, soups, and yummy bakery items. I seriously can’t stop thinking about their cupcakes… just trust me. They also have a number of keto, gluten-free, and sugar-free selections of baked goods!

Our Suggestions: Mozzarella, Tomato, & Basil Sandwich, Egg Salad on a croissant, and their soup of the day. Don’t leave without getting one of their bakery items. Especially the cupcakes or cinnamon rolls.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday 7am-2pm, Tuesday-Thursday 6am-2pm, Friday 6am-3pm, Saturday 7am-3pm
Location: 28 E Main St, Farmington // MAP


Eleven

Eleven Restaurant at Crystal Bridges Museum
Eleven Restaurant

Inside Crystal Bridges Museum you’ll find Eleven which offers Southern home-style cooking in a modern cafe setting. I’ve only ordered lunch here, but I’ve heard in the evenings the casual lunch setting is transformed into a more lux, romantic dinner setting perfect for business dinners or a romantic date where you might even need a reservation.

Our Suggestions: Signature Chicken Salad with green grapes, red onion, pecans, raisins, and honey-Dijon dressing, or the Ozark Niçoise Salad with bibb lettuce, new potatoes, radish, egg, and heirloom tomato with apple cider vinegar. 

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday 11am-2:30pm, Monday & Saturday 11am-6pm, Wednesday-Friday 11am-9pm, Closed Tuesday
Location: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville (inside Crystal Bridges Museum) // MAP


Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters

While Arsaga’s primary focus is coffee, they also have two restaurant locations I’ve been to that are extremely delicious! The first location is Arsaga’s at the Depot which has a sit-down restaurant area inside an old freight train building.

The Depot is focused on carefully crafted entrees and I had one of the best vegan entrees of my life here! While they have larger meals they also have some menu items perfect for a snack while enjoying your coffee like sweet and savory crepes.

Pulled pork sandwich from Arsaga's at the Depot in Fayetteville
Vegan scramble dish from Arsaga's in Fayetteville

On the other hand, Arsaga’s Church & Center is perfect for a quick bite to eat. This location only serves up coffee and toast but it’s not just any ol’ slice of bread. They make what I’m gonna call “fancy toast” because they have yummy ingredients that you wouldn’t think would go well together, BUT THEY DO. Think whipped feta, mint, pink peppercorn honeyed citrus fruits, and fresh mint. 

Toast from Arsaga's Church & Center in Fayetteville
Toast from Arsaga's Church & Center in Fayetteville

Our Suggestions: At the Depot location try the Cathead Biscuit which is a giant housemade biscuit with gravy that has rotating veggie and meat options and a sunny side up egg on top! Another choice I’d recommend is the Townie tofu scramble with vegan sausage, a bunch of veggies, and toast. At the Church & Center location, I recommend getting a sweet and savory toast to share with someone.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: The Depot – Church & Center – Sunday: 8am-3pm, Monday-Saturday 7am-3pm
Location: Arsaga’s at the Depot – 548 W Dickson St, Fayetteville // MAP, Arsaga’s Church & Center – 200 W Center St a, Fayetteville // MAP


BEST FOOD TRUCKS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Recipes and Barbecue

Pulled chicken, burnt ends, grilled cabbage, and other barbecue items from Recipes and Barbecue - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
Barbecue chicken, bacon burnt ends, grilled cabbage, and homemade cinnamon roll

Logan and I both love food trucks and Recipes and Barbecue is one of the best of the best! You can tell that the owners put in a ton of time, care, and love to their food because each bite is exceptional. All of the meats are slow-roasted over a wood fire bringing you the most tender and deliciously marinated meat. 

Our Suggestions: Bacon burnt ends, pulled pork, and OMG the smoked chicken – it’s definitely the best I’ve ever had. I’m not joking. They also have a gouda mac & cheese that is apparently so good that by the time we get there, it’s always sold out. So pick some up for us if you happen to get there in time! 😉 

Prices: $5-15
Hours:
Check their Instagram for current location and hours
Location:
210 N Main Street Cave Springs (Food Truck Park) // MAP


Dough Zone

Basil chicken nuggets from Dough Zone in Bentonville, Arkansas
Basil Fried Chicken
Coco-curry noodles with chicken and shrimp from Dough Zone in Bentonville
Coco-Curry Noodles

Dough Zone specializes in popular street foods from many cities and countries in Asia. Most of the menu items are shareable or small bites meaning you can try a variety of things! Please excuse me while I go dream about their basil fried chicken.

Tonkatsu from Dough Zone in Bentonville, Arkansas
Tonkatsu
Peach buns with red bean paste from Dough Zone in Bentonville
Peach Buns

Our Suggestions: The vegetarian dumplings are one of my favorites along with the basil fried chicken, and satay chicken served with peanut sauce. Another favorite is the Coco-Curry Noodles that have a wonderful coconut curry sauce with egg noodles, shrimp, and chicken!

Prices: $5-10
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 715 SW A St, Bentonville // MAP (They also have a location in 8th Street Market in Bentonville)


Kinley’s Soul Food

Kinley's Soul Food food truck in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Located close to Lake Fayetteville are a number of food trucks that will entice you with the yummy smells! We haven’t had the chance to try a lot of the food trucks here’s but one of the best is Kinley’s Soul Food. Kinley’s Soul Food has one of the largest menus of any food truck I’ve visited and to be honest, I don’t know how they keep up – it’s magic!

Our Suggestions: I recommend getting a combo plate that has wings, chicken, and fish with fries and a drink. With the combo plate, you also get to pick your seasoning choices too! They also have daily specials. I’m eyeing the Sunday dinner that has a choice of protein alongside collard greens, sweet potatoes, and cornbread.

Prices: $5-15
Hours: Sunday 12pm-7pm, Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm
Location: Lake Fayetteville // MAP


La Pupusa Mobile

Pupusas from La Pupusa Mobile food truck by Lake Fayetteville in Arkansas.

Though we mentioned another restaurant known for delicious pupusas, we had to put La Pupusa Mobile on our list as well because we often visit the Fayetteville Food Truck park after biking around Lake Fayetteville. Basically, biking + pupusas have become our new thing. Their menu offers a number of different pupusa options, fried yuca, and natural shakes with real fruit.

Our Suggestions: We usually order our classic favorites which are chicharron y queso (pork and cheese), frijoles y queso (beans and cheese), and rajas y queso (peppers and cheese).

Prices: $2-5
Hours: 11am-8pm (hours vary)
Location: Lake Fayetteville // MAP


KDK’s Chicken & Waffles

KDK's Chicken & Waffles in Fayetteville - best food trucks in Arkansas
Chicken and waffle combo

If you’re a fan of fried chicken look no further than KDK’s Chicken and Waffles. The flavor from the perfectly balanced spices within the batter pairs so well with the hot, buttery waffle I’m surprised I haven’t dropped what I’m doing and driven there to get some right now.

Our Suggestions: If it’s your first visit you simply can’t miss out on the chicken and waffle combo with comes with 3-5 fried chicken tenders, a waffle, and a side dish.

Prices: $5-15
Hours: 11am-7pm daily, closed Mondays
Location: 989 S Razorback Rd, Fayetteville // MAP


BEST RESTAURANTS FOR A CASUAL DINNER IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Before I get started on these restaurants in Northwest Arkansas, let me just say that many of them are also great lunch spots so if you’d rather visit them for lunch, that’s a-ok too! 😉


Yeyo’s Mexican Grill

Street tacos and burrito bowl from Yeyo's in Bentonville, Arkansas
Burrito bowl and street tacos.

Yeyo’s Mexican Grill offers food inspired by the streets of Mexico, specifically Villa Jimenez where the Rios brothers are from. It started with their dad’s garden which grew so large that they started up a food truck that instantly became a huge success and they still grow all of the produce on their farm not far from their restaurant which is SO cool.

Our Suggestions: The Burrito Bowl is so tasty, it has rice, beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa, and your choice of protein, I personally loved the grilled chicken. Basically it’s all the goodness thrown into a bowl. Another menu item we enjoyed is the Mexican Street Tacos with the choice of protein or the Torta with classic telera bread.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday 10am-4pm, Tuesday-Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Closed Mondays
Location: 801 SE 8th St #41, Bentonville // MAP


Azul Tequila

Shrimp tacos from Azul Tequila - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
Shrimp tacos

The owners of Azul Tequila brought their inspiration from their hometown of Jalisco, Mexico and you can see much of that heritage within the restaurant decor and dishes. Azul Tequila has been a consistent favorite restaurant of ours since moving to Northwest Arkansas

Our Suggestions: I LOVE trying new things but the street tacos at Azul Tequila are so good I find it hard to stray away. My favorite is the Cabo-style shrimp tacos which have lightly battered shrimp topped with corn, black beans, cabbage, pico de gallo, and tomatillo inside a corn tortilla. Oh, and how could I forget? Get the house margarita!

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Location: 960 N 45th St, Springdale // MAP (There is also a location in Bentonville)


Local Lime

Beer-Battered fish tacos from Local Lime - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
Beer-battered fish tacos with cilantro lime rice and jicama jalapeno slaw

Local Lime offers menu options with Tex-Mex street fare in a modern, hip interior. We frequented Local Lime while in college at their Little Rock location so we were excited to see a second location open up in the Northwest Arkansas area too.

Our Suggestions: For starters order the Three Salsas with Chips, (our favorite salsas are the House Tomato, Caribbean Mango, and Verde Tomatillo), Queso Blanco and/or Guacamole. Our favorite entrees are the Easy Tiger Fish Tacos, Caribbean Beer-Battered Fried Shrimp, and Carnitas. If you happen to go for a happy hour get one of their margaritas! 

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday-Sunday 11am-10pm
Location: 2103 S Promenade Blvd, Rogers // MAP


Table Mesa

Table Mesa in Bentonville, Arkansas
Table Mesa in Bentonville, Arkansas

Table Mesa offers modern Latin cuisine with a wonderfully varied menu full of flavor. It is located on the Downtown Bentonville Square making it convenient to locate. Inside, you’ll be surrounded by a terrific ambiance with reclaimed wood floors, brick walls, comfy bar seating, and subtle lighting.

Our Suggestions: One of my favorite starters to get as a meal is the Shrimp Lucy Quesadilla. It has gulf shrimp, melted cheese, poblano sauce, roasted corn, and sauteed peppers and onions. The Butternut Squash Enchilada is also fantastic and a house favorite!

Prices: $15-25
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday: 9am-9:30pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 108 E Central Ave #10, Bentonville // MAP


Meme’s Caribbean Flavour

The first time I tried Meme’s Caribbean Flavour was at an event where they catered. I got a few items to try, scarfed everything down, and went back for seconds and thirds because it was so good. This is a pattern I keep struggling with so someday I’ll actually do my part to take a photo before I dive into all the goodness on my plate!

Our Suggestions: For starters, I recommend getting the signature pies with either aloo or cheese. For mains, I suggest the jerk chicken. It’s a staple, it’s delicious, and you can get it in a variety of different ways – wings, platter, or barbecued. While you’re at it throw in some fried plantains and fried bake too (which is fried bread dough). The next thing to try on my list from Meme’s is the saltfish sandwich

Prices: $10-15
Hours: 11am-2pm, 4:30pm-8pm daily
Location: 115 N Dixieland Rd Ste. 9, Rogers // MAP


Big Orange

Burgers from Big Orange restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas - The best places to eat in Northwest Arkansas
White Truffle & Pecorino Turkey Burger and Arkansas Bacon & Cheddar Turkey Burger

Normally you wouldn’t find either of us at a burger joint because I don’t eat beef and Logan isn’t a fan of burgers, but Big Orange offers more than just regular burgers. There are a number of other protein options including a veggie burger, falafel, grilled chicken, and turkey burgers with bold, flavorful combinations to be paired with! 

Cocktails from Big Orange in Rogers, Arkansas
Velvet Orange & El Diablo cocktails
Milkshake from Big Orange in Rogers, Arkansas
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Shake

Our Suggestions: We love the turkey burger which can be paired with any of the burger options. Our favorites so far are the white truffle and pecorino cheese, the smashed avocado with Havarti cheese, butter leaf lettuce, and a garlic aïoli, or the hickory smoke with cheddar cheese, barbeque sauce, and fried onion strings. The salads at Big Orange are also terrific, the Thai Chop is my favorite. Their milkshakes are also BOMB.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Location: 2203 S Promenade Blvd Ste. 3100, Rogers // MAP


Monte Ne Inn

At Monte Ne Inn they stand by their motto of “bringing family and friends back to the table.” It’s so cozy inside and the staff is exceptionally friendly. Their all-you-can-eat meal includes their famous fried chicken, homemade bean soup, seasoned green beans, sweet corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, and biscuits with apple butter.

Prices: $13 for the all-you-can-eat meal
Hours: Sunday 12pm-7pm, Tuesday
Location: 13843 AR-94, Rogers // MAP


Chick’n Headz

Wings from Chick'n Headz in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Wing Combo with Sweet Potato Fries

If you’re looking for the best wings in Northwest Arkansas then look no further than Chick’n Headz. All of their wings are prepared to order so they take at least 15 minutes to prepare but they are worth every minute of the wait and are finger-licking good. Once you’ve had wings from Chick’n Headz you’ll never go back to Buffalo Wild Wings again.

Our Suggestions: Chick’n Headz offers traditional or boneless wings but they also have chicken tenders, catfish fillets, and fried shrimp if you aren’t a wing fan. We like sharing an order of the homestyle wings with honey mustard or the hot lemon pepper but we’ve also ordered the wing combo meals and picked 5 boneless and 5 bone-in wings.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday 12pm-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Closed Monday
Location: 3162 W, M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Fayetteville // MAP


Southern Food Company

Everything bagel sandwich from Southern Food Co in Fayetteville, Arkansas
The Big Gobbler
Sandwich from the Southern Food Company in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Bacon, avocado, and turkey grilled cheese

Southern Food Company is serving up Southern and Tex-Mex cuisine in a rustic restaurant that is perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. I hear they also have terrific breakfast and brunch options too although we have yet to try them!

Our Suggestions: For starters, get the Fried Green Tomatoes, they pair perfectly with the cayenne ranch! For entrees, consider the Big Gobbler sandwich which is piled high with smoked turkey, veggies, and sriracha mayo on an everything bagel or the Southern Smothered Chicken with blackened chicken breast, sauteed mushrooms, cheese and bacon accompanied with mashed potatoes and a side salad.

Prices: $5-20
Hours: Sunday 8am-2pm, Tuesday-Saturday 8am-9pm, Closed Mondays
Location: 3575 W Wedington Dr Suite 3, Fayetteville // MAP


Catfish Hole

The Catfish Hole is a family-style restaurant that mainly focuses on… you guessed it fried catfish! All meals served with unlimited fixin’s of hushpuppies, coleslaw, and pickles with green tomato relish served family-style.

Our Suggestions: It goes without saying that if you are a fan of fish, get the fried catfish fillets another item that’s popular is the peel & eat boiled shrimp.

Prices: $10-20
Hours:
Sunday 11am-8:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-9:30pm, Closed Monday
Location:
4127 W Wedington Dr, Fayetteville // MAP


Wright’s Barbecue

A variety of smoked meats and barbecue from Wright's Barbecue in Northwest Arkansas

Wright’s Barbecue is a laid-back barbecue joint with an assortment of smoked meats that are cooked the old school way, on a 100% wood fire pit. They have a small indoor setting area and a large outdoor patio where you can enjoy your meal from! You can even order smoked meat by the pound for dine-in or take home for a family-style meal.

Our Suggestions: Pulled Pork, Brisket, or Chicken Sandwich with the mac & cheese and roasted veggies for sides.

Prices: $5-20 
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Closed Sunday & Monday
Location: 2212 Main Dr, Fayetteville // MAP


Fratelli’s Italian Grill

Chicken Tuscany from Fratelli's Italian Grill in Springdale, Arkansas - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
Chicken Tuscany
Chicken Florentino pasta from Fratelli's Italian Grill in Springdale, Arkansas
Chicken Florentino

Fratelli’s Italian Grill is hands down our favorite place to get Italian food in Northwest Arkansas. The interior is a cozy space that will make you feel instantly at home and the owners and staff are all incredibly welcoming. Every menu item is cooked from scratch, even the bread is made fresh each morning. 

Our Suggestions: Any of their plates of pasta are delicious but our favorites are the tortellini alla panna and the chicken fettuccine. But my favorite dish by far is their chicken tuscany which has grilled chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts, in a pink sauce with spaghetti. The flavors are just incredible! 

Prices: $10-15
Hours:
11am-9pm daily, closed Mondays
Location:
1008 W Sunset Ave, Springdale // MAP


Mirabella’s Table

Dessert assortment at Mirabella's Table in Northwest Arkansas

Mirabella’s Table is owned by the founders of Tavola Trattoria and Table Mesa, two other local favorites so you know it’s gotta be good! Though it has Italian fare like Tavola, Mirabella’s Table offers a more modern approach with innovative menu items.

They recently changed their menu to mirror a more upscale all-you-can-eat approach where you order small plates one by one or a few at a time.

Our Suggestions: Don’t miss out on the Rigatoni Pomodoro with pesto cream, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil or the Ravioli Funghi with marsala cream and white truffle oil.

Prices: $15-18 (all-you-can-eat)
Hours:
Monday-Friday 6:30am-9pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-9pm
Location:
4200 S 48th St #10, Rogers // MAP


The Odd Soul

The Funguy pizza from The Odd Soul - Springdale, Arkansas

Downtown Springdale has some of our favorite, underrated spots to eat and shop, and The Odd Soul is just one of those places! The Odd Soul is a craft bar and restaurant serving up delicious starters, pizzas, and sub sandwiches with a large selection of beers on tap plus craft cocktails.

Our Suggestions: We really enjoyed the Odd Soul pizza which had prosciutto, pepperoncini, and chili-infused honey, or the Funguy which is a pizza with a garlic butter base, portobello mushrooms, basil, and black pepper.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Monday: 4pm-10pm, Tuesday & Wednesday 11am-10pm, Thursday-Sunday: 11am-12am
Location: 126 W Emma Ave, Springdale // MAP


MJ Pizzeria

Margherita Pizza from MJ Pizzeria in Springdale, Arkansas - best pizza in Arkansas
Margherita Pizza

At first glance, you might be turned off thinking about visiting a pizza place that’s connected to a gas station and liquor store but don’t let it keep you away. Once you walk into MJ Pizzeria you’ll be greeted by an intimate setting perfect for a business dinner or romantic evening out.

Our Suggestions: For entrees, my favorite is the Housemade Potato Gnocchi with oven-roasted chicken, crimini mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, and a white wine butter sauce. As far as pizza goes, the traditional Margherita is delicious and Logan raves about their calzones as well.

Prices: $15-25
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Location: 838 N 48th St Suite A, Springdale // MAP


U.S. Pizza Co

Margherita and pepperoni pizzas from U.S. Pizza Co in Arkansas
Queen Margherita & Pepperoni Pizzas

Another favorite local spot to get pizza is U.S. Pizza Co. which started in 1972 in Levy, Arkansas. They specialize in thin-crust pizza baked in a stone hearth oven and have even won a number of awards for it. Despite the fancy accolades, the environment at U.S. Pizza Co is a casual, family-friendly pizza place with a large menu and a number of specialty pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers.

Our Suggestions: Start off with the stuffy stix or spicy stix. They’re basically soft breadsticks stuffed with cheese and are OH SO GOOD. As far as pizzas go, we love Queen Margherita which has tomatillo salsa verde & creamy alfredo sauce, Buffalo Chicken is the BOMB, and pepperoni is a classic favorite too.

Prices: $10-20
Hours: Sunday 10am-9pm, Monday-Thursday 10:30am-9pm, Friday 10:30am-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm
Location: 202 W Dickson St, Fayetteville // MAP (Location in Springdale as well)


Damgoode Pies

Two pizzas from Damgoode Pies in Fayetteville, Arkansas

As the name suggests, Damgoode Pies really are THAT good. In fact, their pizzas are even award-winning! These American pizza pies are offered in three different crust styles and many different sauces and pizza toppings. We’ve ordered a variety of different pizzas here and have enjoyed every style we’ve tried.

Our Suggestions: Whatever you do don’t skip the stuffy crust. It’s double the crust with the sauce on top and while this might sound a little obscure, it’s freakin’ delicious. For pizza styles I recommend the Spicy Five which has five different cheeses, ricotta, cheddar, feta, parmesan, and mozzarella with spicy white sauce, Buffalo Chicken, and Triple Pepperoni.

Prices: $10-35
Hours: 10:30am-9pm daily, Closed Mondays
Location: 37 E Center St, Fayetteville // MAP


Ginger Rice and Noodle Bar

Yakisoba from Ginger Rice and Noodle Bar in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Yakisoba
Bi-Bim-Bap Rice Bowl from Ginger in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Bi-Bim-Bap Bowl

Ginger is a popular restaurant that is also operated by the owners of Wasabi, a sushi restaurant that we haven’t eaten at yet and Shogun which is a hibachi and sushi restaurant that could also be considered for one of the best places to eat in Northwest Arkansas!

Although those restaurants are grouped together and all serve sushi, Ginger has a few different menu items than Wasabi or Shogun. Many of the dishes are inspired by Korean and Japanese cuisine including bi-bim-bap, bulgogi, ramen, yakisoba, and sushi.

Our Suggestions: We tried some sushi at Ginger and it was really good but if you want something more unique, we suggest trying the yakisoba which is a Japanese noodle dish, or create your own bi-bim-bap rice bowl.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday-Saturday 11am-9pm
Location: 1163 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Fayetteville // MAP


Meiji Japanese Cuisine

Ramen from Meiji Japanese Cuisine in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Ramen from Meiji Japanese Cuisine in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Something that people might not know about Japanese food is that hibachi and sushi, at least the way we eat sushi in the United States, are not typical in Japan. Most sushi in Japan is very simple – a piece of fish over rice with a little wasabi. As for the whole fried rice hibachi show, that doesn’t exist in Japan.

So if you are wanting a more traditional approach to Japanese cuisine, I recommend visiting Meiji. Although some of the food is Japanese fusion, Meiji is the closest thing to the real deal in Northwest Arkansas when it comes to many of their dishes.

Our Suggestions: If you want something traditional then try the tonkatsu, which is a fried pork loin served on a bed of cabbage with a savory sauce. I also love the tempura udon which is a thick noodle served in tsuyu vegetable broth and tempura shrimp. Meiji’s build-your-own ramen bowl is another favorite of ours too because you can customize it however you’d like.

Prices: $10-20
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 12pm-10pm, Closed Sunday
Location: 3878 N Crossover Rd #8, Fayetteville // MAP


Ramen Nara

Tonkatsu and vegetarian ramen from Ramen Nara - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas
Tonkatsu and vegetarian ramen from Ramen Nara.

Newly opened as of 2019, Ramen Nara has the best ramen that we’ve had in Northwest Arkansas, and we don’t say this lightly considering Logan is Japanese and we frequently visit Japan. Honestly, if you close your eyes, you’ll even feel like you’re in Japan slurping noodles.

Ramen Nara has many styles of ramen that you can find in various regions of Japan such as curry ramen or Hakata ramen which is typically found in Fukuoka. Another thing I love about Ramen Nara is the focus to ensure quality food for all patrons. They have vegan and vegetarian options as well as gluten-free noodles for those who cannot have traditional ramen noodles.

Our Suggestions: The most traditional ramen on their menu is the Hakata Tonkatsu which has pork broth, chasu grilled pork, soft boiled egg, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and green onion. The Miso Tontaksu would be another traditional choice.

I am a huge fan of the Spicy Curry Seafood which has chicken and seafood coconut broth, tempura shrimp, fried tofu, and a fried fish cake. But I’ll warn you, it can be HOT, even though I love spicy food. You can always add more chili oil later. 😉

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-2pm & 5-8pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-2pm, 5-8:30pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 301 S Dodson Rd Suite A, Rogers // MAP


CO-OP Ramen

Ramen from Co-op Ramen in Bentonville, Arkansas
Spicy Tori Paitan Ramen
Tonkatsu ramen from Co-op Ramen in Bentonville - best places to eat in Northwest Arkansas
Shoyu Tonkatsu Ramen

CO-OP Ramen is another ramen spot we’ve loved that recently opened in Northwest Arkansas. They have a few more traditional dishes but some fusion ones too. The menu at CO-OP Ramen is limited, but what they do have, they do it really well. If you aren’t a fan of ramen then they also have rice bowls!

Our Suggestions: If you want to try something unique get the spicy tori paitan ramen with creamy chicken broth, soft boiled egg, kaarage (Japanese fried chicken), chili oil, and other toppings. If you want a more traditional ramen dish, get the shoyu or shio tonkatsu ramen which has pork broth, chasu (grilled pork belly), soft boiled egg, mushrooms, and a few other toppings.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Sunday 11am-8pm, Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm
Location:
801 SE 8th Street, Suite #31, Bentonville // MAP


Mama Tang Restaurant

If you’re a fan of Chinese food then you have to try Mama Tang Restaurant. Mama Tang has a large variety of familiar Chinese dishes that are perfect for sharing because all of the portions are HUGE. Everything on the menu is offered at extremely reasonable prices.

Our Suggestions: Some of our favorites so far are General Tso’s Chicken, Mongolian Chicken (or beef), and Kung Pao Chicken.

Prices: $5-10
Hours: 11am-9pm daily, closed Mondays
Location: 3482 Elm Springs Rd, Springdale // MAP


Szechuan House

Chinese food dishes from Szechuan House in Springdale, Arkansas
Sesame Chicken and Szechuan Shrimp.

Unfortunately, Szechuan House is currently closed due to damage sustained from a fire. I have hope that they will reopen and if they do I’ll let you know here!

Of all the Chinese restaurants we’ve visited in Northwest Arkansas, Szechuan House is the closest to authentic Chinese food – don’t believe us? Read the reviews for yourself! However, if you aren’t wanting to try something new they have a number of American Chinese favorite dishes that you’ll recognize. Now I just can’t wait to dine in the restaurant and order a hot pot dish!

Our Suggestions: Logan ordered the sesame chicken which he enjoyed but he said he would try something different next time because you can order sesame chicken anywhere! I really loved the Szechuan shrimp which had a lot of mixed vegetables and shrimp coated in a spicy, savory sauce.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: 11am-9pm daily, Closed Mondays
Location: 2255 W Sunset Ave, Springdale // MAP


Pho Thanh

Meal from Pho Thanh Vietnamese restaurant in Bentonville - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas

Pho Thanh is a Vietnamese restaurant that has traditional Vietnamese dishes as well as bubble tea you can enjoy with your meal or to-go. Nearly all of their generously portioned entrees are served with ample amounts of fresh vegetables and flavorful spices and herbs.

Our Suggestions: My favorite menu items are bun ga nuong or bun ga xao sa. Both of which are grilled chicken dishes with vermicelli noodles and vegetables. The flavors of lemongrass and mint were exceptional. I reallllly want to go back and do a hot pot because they look amazing!

Prices: $10-15
Hours:
10:30am-9pm daily
Location:
1204 S Walton Blvd, Bentonville (there is also a location in Fayetteville) // MAP


Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food

Grilled lemongrass chicken rice bowl and pork banh mi from Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food in Northwest Arkansas
Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Rice Bowl and Pork Banh Mi
Soft Shelled Crab Bao and Pork Belly Bao from Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food in Northwest Arkansas
Soft Shelled Crab Bao and Pork Belly Bao

Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food is one of our favorite finds as of late. They have delicious street food snacks such as bao, satay, and bahn mi but they also have more hearty dishes such as pho and rice bowls.

Our Suggestions: For small plates we love the bao, which are a steam bun! We especially liked the soft shell crab bao and pork belly. They come with shrimp chips and pickled veggies. The banh mi (sandwhiches) are also delicious and very filling, they come as a set of two. If you’re wanting something a little more filling I suggest getting the saiwok bowl which comes with your choice of protein (the grilled lemongrass chicken is my favorite) alongside rice or noodles.

Prices: $5-15
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-9pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 2882 W Walnut St, Rogers // MAP


Khana Indian Grill

Khana Indian Grill - Fayetteville, Arkansas
Khati Rolls
Khana Indian Grill - Fayetteville, Arkansas
Combo platter with tikka masala, samosas, and naan

Khana Indian Grill features various dishes from India’s many regions in a beautifully decorated, casual environment. They pride themselves on using fresh ingredients and prepare each entree in small batches in their wood-burning oven for maximum quality. When taking the first bite of your food, you’ll immediately be able to identify the time, care, and love put into each recipe.

Our Suggestions: If you’re dining with others I recommend getting a combo plate so you can try a bunch of different entrees in smaller portions. We really enjoyed everything on our combo platter including the khati rolls, tikka masala, samosas, and naan!

Prices: $10-15
Hours: 11:30am-9pm, closed Mondays
Location: 2101 N College Ave, Fayetteville // MAP


BEST PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Pro tip: We suggest making a reservation on OpenTable or by calling ahead for most of the following restaurants.

The Preacher’s Son

The Preacher's Son restaurant in Bentonville, Arkansas - the best places to eat in Northwest Arkansas

The Preacher’s Son uses sustainably sourced ingredients from farmers and ranchers in Northwest Arkansas and is located inside a restored Gothic Revival church to add a unique flair to the ambiance of this gorgeous restaurant.

The concept for The Preacher’s Son was inspired by Chef Matthew Cooper, who was the son of a preacher who actually preached at the church across the street from the restaurant. Another thing that makes this restaurant unique is that it’s entirely gluten-free.

Our Suggestions: Start with the roasted cauliflower or the burrata with apples and fennel. For entrees, we recommend the Braised Pork Shank or the Gnocchi. However, the menu here changes so these options may not be available. Have no fear, everything is delicious here.

Prices: $25-40
Hours: Sunday 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm, Saturday 5pm-10pm
Location: 201 NW A St, Bentonville // MAP


Tavola Trattoria

Tavola Trattoria in Bentonville, Arkansas
Tavola Trattoria in Bentonville, Arkansas

Tavola Trattoria is a bistro-style restaurant that has Italian and Meditteranean cuisine and a fabulous wine selection. The vibe of this restaurant is mellow, yet still posh enough for a date. I also love that many of their menu options can be served family-style!

Our Suggestions: To start, get the Organic Greens Salad with fried goat cheese, grilled cantaloupe, prosciutto, and balsamic reduction. For entrees try the 2000 Year Anniversary Risotto with shrimp, butternut squash, roasted and pistachios and garlic, or the Orecchiette Pasta with grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and dolce gorgonzola cream sauce.

Prices: $15-25
Hours: Sunday 11:30am-8:30pm, Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-9:30pm
Location: 108 SE A St, Bentonville // MAP


Doe’s Eat Place

Doe's Eat Place - Fort Smith, Arkansas
Shrimp platter at Doe’s Eat Place
Doe's Eat Place - Fort Smith, Arkansas
Steak and hand cut fries at Doe’s Eat Place.

Doe’s Eat Place is a popular steakhouse with a few locations in Northwest Arkansas. It was first established in 1941 and has carried on a longstanding tradition of serving quality steaks and their well-known tamales. I wouldn’t say that the interior is fancy, but the price point is more like a nice, dinner date.

Our Suggestions: Crab & Corn Bisque, Doe’s Fillet Steak, Gulf Shrimp Dinner (half broiled and half fried), and plenty of the Southern Drop Biscuits.

Prices: $20-40
Hours: Monday-Saturday 5pm-9pm, Closed Sunday
Location: 316 W Dickson St, Fayetteville (Another location in Bentonville) // MAP


BEST DESSERTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Markham & Fitz

Lavender chocolate bars from Markham & Fitz in Bentonville
Fresh baked cookies and brownies from Markham & Fitz in Bentonville - best desserts in Northwest Arkansas
Sipping chocolate from Markham & Fitz in Bentonville

Chocolate… I mean, need I say more? Markham & Fitz strives to create delicious chocolate from scratch with sustainably sourced cocoa beans. The moment you walk into the store you’ll be greeted with the mouth-watering aroma of chocolate being made. Be sure to sample the chocolates that they have available to purchase in bar form. Just ask one of the employees and I’m sure they’ll gladly help you. 🙂

Our Suggestions: The brown sugar bourbon chocolate chip cookie as well as the chocolate tarts are amazing! Don’t forget to ask for some samples of their chocolate bars and buy some to take home! 

Prices: Under $10
Hours: 12pm-5pm daily, closed Monday
Location: 801 SE 8th St Suite 45, Bentonville // MAP


Vargas Fruteria 

Freakshake from Vargas Fruteria in Springdale, Arkansas
Freakshake from Vargas Fruteria

Vargas Fruteria has a ton of different desserts that are perfect for sharing or for enjoying yourself, we’re not so good at sharing. 😉 The two most popular desserts are the rolled ice cream and the “freak shakes” which are seriously massive.

Our Suggestions: Besides the yummy rolled ice cream and freak shakes, my favorite thing is the juices that are made daily, horchata and guava are my top two. If you want something savory and sweet I suggest getting the mango slices with tajin!

Prices: Under $10
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 2pm-9pm, Wednesday 1pm-9pm, Friday-Sunday 12pm-10pm, closed Mondays
Location: 1975 W Sunset Ave Suite D, Springdale // MAP


Bobo’s Ribbon Ice

Shave ice and bubble tea from Bobo's Ribbon Ice in Fayetteville, Arkansas

A friend of ours told us about Bobo’s Ribbon Ice and we can’t. stop. going. back. not that we’re complaining. 😉 Bobo’s Ribbon Ice has traditional Taiwanese ribbon ice (think shave ice but more creamy), boba tea and smoothies, taiyaki (a traditional Japanese dessert), and a few savory items as well like Taiwanese popcorn chicken or Japanese takoyaki (fried octopus balls).

Our Suggestions: For drinks, Logan’s favorite is the Taro Milk Juice and I love a bunch of different drinks but a recent favorite is the Black Sugar Bubble Tea. The ribbon ice is also amazing so don’t miss out on trying that. My favorite toppings are the passion fruit poppers, fresh fruit, and egg pudding! 

Prices: Under $10
Hours: Sunday 12pm-8pm, Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 12pm-9pm
Location: 4155 Steele Blvd, Fayetteville // MAP


Alchemy Macarons

Alchemy Macarons

Alchemy Macarons spent years perfecting the art of French macarons and you can definitely tell the second you bite into one. They are perfectly chewy and the flavors they use are incredible. All of the macarons are made at their Fayetteville location using the best ingredients including house-made jams!

Our Suggestions: I’ve never had a macaron I didn’t like here, but our favorites are honey lavender, blueberry lemon, and earl grey!

Prices: $2.20 each
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-6:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-7:30pm, closed Sundays
Location: 112 W Center St #130, Fayetteville (They also have a location in Rogers) // MAP


Sweet Scoops Blender Bar

Ice Cream Bubble Wrap from Sweet Scoops Blender Bar in Farmington, Arkansas - best places to eat in northwest Arkansas
Ice Cream Bubble Wraps

Sweet Scoops Blender Bar is a newer spot for yummy ice cream treats in Northwest Arkansas and the word about them has quickly spread! Not only do they have terrific rotating ice cream flavors they also have a variety of treats to choose from including ice cream nachos, waffle pops, macarons, and bubble waffles with ice cream creations inside!

Our Suggestions: All of Sweet Scoops ice cream flavors are delicious but if you want to try something unique I suggest getting one of their bubble wraps. You can either create your own flavor with mix-ins or you can pick one of their creations like the bonfire which has vanilla ice cream with smores cereal, graham cracker, chocolate syrup, and a chocolate bar. They’re pretty big so they’re great for sharing!

Prices: $3-7
Hours: Sunday 1pm-8pm, Tuesday-Thursday 1pm-8:30pm, Friday & Saturday 1pm-9pm, Closed Mondays
Location:
68 E Main St, Farmington // MAP


Ayala’s Panadería

Pan dulce, pastries from Ayala's Panaderia in Springdale, Arkansas - desserts in Northwest Arkansas
A selection of various pan dulce.

If you are in the mood for some delicious pastries or sweets then check-out Ayala’s Panadería for some authentic Mexican pan dulce. Once you walk in the store you’ll notice that there are glass cases filled to the brim with delicious freshly made sweet bread, cookies, and other pastries. You’ll grab a tray and some tongs to make your selections from the cases.

There are no labels so if you aren’t familiar with pan dulce you can look up a few of these sweets prior to visiting or just be adventurous! Then take your tray to the check-out area where your sweets will be bagged up. While these sweets can be saved for breakfast, we’ve often enjoyed them as an evening treat.

Our Suggestions: I recommend getting a few different pastries such as concha, empanadas de fruta, churros, orejas, or besos. But honestly, just grab a tray and some tongs and pick out whatever looks best to you!

Prices: $1-5
Hours: 5am-10pm daily
Location: 404 W Sunset Ave, Springdale // MAP


Crumbl Cookies

Sugar cookie with pink icing from Crumbl Cookies - best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas

Cookie lovers unite! While Crumbl Cookies is technically a chain we had to put them in this round-up because they’re so so good (and highly addictive)! These cookies are so soft and delicious and it’s hard not to visit every week when they have over 120 rotating flavors to choose from.

Recommendations: The classic sugar cookie is one of our absolute favorites and lucky for you (and us) it’s one of the flavors they have no matter what! But a few of our favorite rotating flavors we’ve had so far are Circus Animal, Churro, Lemon Glaze, and Pink Velvet.

Prices: $3.50-$30
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 8am-12am, Closed Sundays
Location: 500 SE Walton Blvd Suite 10, Bentonville // MAP


BEST COCKTAIL LOUNGES & BARS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Fox Trail Distillery

Cocktail from Fox Trail Distillery in Arkansas

Not to age ourselves, but going up to a crowded bar counter and ordering a $2 margarita isn’t hitting the spot like it used to which is why we love Fox Trail Distillery. Fox Trail Distillery is our favorite place to get a nice cocktail in Northwest Arkansas. One unique thing about Fox Trail is they distill all of their own spirits and use them in their cocktail recipes. It is the perfect place to enjoy a well-crafted drink with friends in a swanky, relaxed setting. 

Cocktails from Fox Trail Distillery in Rogers, Arkansas

Our Suggestions: If you’re a whiskey or bourbon fan, the smoked old-fashioned is incredibly unique, it is literally served with a glass full of smoke on top to add to the flavor. They also have a great gin & tonic if you’d like to have a classic cocktail.

Prices: $10-15
Hours: Monday-Thursday 4pm-11pm, Friday 4pm-12am, Saturday 2pm-12am, Closed Sunday
Location:
 2121 S Bellview Rd, Rogers // MAP


The Nine’s Bentonville

Let me be upfront, we haven’t yet been to The Nine’s yet for a drink. But as soon as we’re able to, we’re heading there because we’ve heard amazing reviews and I’m a big fan of their business model already.

The owner of The Nine’s focuses on being a sustainable business only using straws made from sugar cane, recycling and composting all waste, and even utilizing electronic receipts instead of paper ones. I love the initiative and dedication to reducing their carbon footprint as a business.

The Nine’s serves up a variety of local beers, a nice selection of wines, and their own spin on classic cocktails like a raspberry basil margarita that sounds incredibly refreshing!

Prices: $5-10
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday & Saturday 5pm-2am, Closed Mondays
Location:
401 SW A St #120, Bentonville // MAP (additional location in Fayetteville)


The Tower Bar

Cocktails from the Tower Bar inside the Momentary in Northwest Arkansas.

The Tower Bar is located inside the Momentary, a new contemporary art space in Bentonville. Being on the top floor, it features a fantastic view with 1960s airport lounge inspired decor. At the bar, you can find terrific cocktails, beer, and wine along with some bar snacks!

Our Suggestions: I loved the Avant Gardener which has tequila, Cointreau, simple syrup, red grapefruit juice, and a splash of prosecco.

Prices: $10-15
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday & Saturday 5pm-12am, Closed Sunday & Monday
Location:
 507 SE E St, Bentonville // MAP


The Foreman

Cocktails from the Foreman in downtown Rogers, Arkansas

Located inside the historic 1907 building in downtown Rogers you’ll find The Foreman on the second floor. It’s a small bar, but warm nonetheless. All of the cocktails are paired with a side item, take the Old-Fashioned, it’s served with a small sugary cake donut!

Our Suggestions: The Cynar Snaq is a very unique cocktail that is made with cynar, a liqueur made from artichokes, and has notes of bitter orange and candied nuts.

Prices: $10-15
Location:
 Address: 101 E Walnut St #300, Rogers


Maxine’s Tap Room

The history of Maxine’s Tap Room starts in 1950 when Maxine Miller set out to open a bar that soon became a staple in Fayetteville. Maxine was active in the day-to-evening operations and was well-known for her last call of “May I have your attention, please! You have ten minutes to drink, and get the hell out!” Maxine’s has since been remodeled but it still pays homage to the history of the original Maxine’s as a place to enjoy live music and terrific drinks with friends.

Our Suggestions: There are so many fantastic cocktails at Maxine’s Tap Room! I recommend getting one of their signature cocktails instead of a traditional cocktail because they have so many awesome ones to choose from. For something refreshing and fruity try the Abominable Sno-Cone which has white rum, coconut milk and cream, lime, ginger, and turmeric. For something a bit more robust try the Grey Gardens which has bourbon, earl grey tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Prices: $10-15
Location: 107 N Block Ave, Fayetteville // MAP

As we continue to explore more of our new home city we’ll add to this list of the best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas so keep checking back for more! What are some of your favorite places to eat in Northwest Arkansas?

If you are traveling to Northwest Arkansas to visit Fayetteville, Bentonville, or Rogers then you won't want to miss this list of the best restaurants in Northwest Arkansas. These places to eat include breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and even drinks.  Fayetteville | Bentonville | Springdale | Rogers | Arkansas

posted in: Arkansas, Food Guides, North America, United States

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. AC says

    March 6, 2021

    I love this list and agree with a lot on it! A couple I’d add are Prelude in Fayetteville and La Media Luna (near Wrights in Johnson).

    Reply

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