Bentonville is a beautiful and quaint town located in the northwest corner of Arkansas. It is perhaps best known as being the home of Walmart, but it has so much more to offer visitors and locals. Bentonville has a thriving culinary scene with fantastic locally owned restaurants to visit.
From Italian to South American cuisine, Bentonville truly has something to satisfy every culinary craving and budget. The city incorporates fresh local ingredients and there is certainly no shortage of delicious dishes to sample.
Whether you are in the mood for a casual family dinner, romantic date night, or night out with friends, these 12 best restaurants in Bentonville, Arkansas are not to be missed. They offer welcoming and vibrant atmospheres with innovative flavors that will leave you impressed and coming back for more.
Table Mesa Bistro & Cantina
Table Mesa Bistro brings a slice of authentic Southwestern and Latin American flavor to the heart of Bentonville. Chef/owner Javier Simeon helms the kitchen at Table Mesa, infusing all the dishes with his South American roots and passion for food.
The casual atmosphere and excellent food at Table Mesa makes it a local favorite among Bentonville residents. The menu offers a vibrant mix of Latin American dishes like tamales, chimichurri steak, enchiladas, and tacos paired beautifully with an expansive tequila cocktail program.
Location: 201 NW A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Carne Asada, Beef Enchiladas, Table Mesa Tamales, Margaritas
Oven & Tap
Oven & Tap takes great satisfaction in infusing cuisine with local, artisanal ingredients. By incorporating regional seasonality into preparations, Oven & Tap consistently delivers exciting flavors and textures into each dish. The restaurant prides itself on its bread program but Oven & Tap’s food menu spans everything from flatbreads to sandwiches, pastas, salads, and more.
The restaurant incorporates its wood fired pizza oven liberally through the menu, adding a wonderfully smoky base profile to many dishes. With a changing beer and wine list, Oven & Tap is truly a one-stop destination for excellent cuisine and libations.
Location: 215 NW A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Flatiron Steak, Pork Osso Buco, Brussels Sprout & Walnut Salad, Wood Fired Pizzas
Preacher’s Son
Preacher’s Son brings new life and flavor to Southern, farm fresh cuisine. This is not your average fried food Southern fare, though the restaurant still retains the comfort and welcoming hospitality of classic Southern cuisine. Instead, Preacher’s Son experiments boldly with flavor and modern culinary techniques while working with fresh, regional ingredients.
Dishes like buttermilk fried rabbit, bacon belly jam, and sweet potato gnocchi showcase the nose-to-tail philosophy adopted by award-winning chef Matt Cooper. Excellent Southern cocktails served in mason jars and a warm interior create a laidback, relaxed farm-to-table experience at Preacher’s Son.
Location: 201 NW A St #100, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Buttermilk Fried Rabbit, Pork Rillettes, Bacon Belly Jam, Farro & Tomato Salad
Tavola Trattoria
Tavola Trattoria transports diners straight to Italy with its rustic Italian fare and lively spirit. Owner and chef Caleb France incorporates the fresh pasta-making skills he honed in Italy to craft Tavola’s exceptional homemade pastas that pair beautifully with the restaurant’s rich ragus, seafood dishes, and more.
In addition to pasta, Tavola Trattoria plates up classic Italian antipasti, pizzas, risottos, desserts, and an Italian-focused wine list. The energetic environment, facilitated by the open kitchen, complements the flavors perfectly for a fun and delicious Italian food experience.
Location: 108 NW 2nd St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Squid Ink Pasta, Clams Vongole, Truffle Gnocchi, Pistachio Semifreddo
Pedaler’s Pub
While known first and foremost for its cycling culture andlove for two-wheeled transportation, Pedaler’s Pub also puts just as much care into its gastropub menu. Pedaler’s Pub celebrates bikes and beer with a toast to both hobbies on its menu in dishes like the Handle Bar Burger and Road Rash Tacos.
While pub grub takes the forefront, executive chef Joey Genung infuses creativity and elevated flavors into Pedaler’s fare through dishes like the pork belly banh mi and General Tsao’s cauliflower. Pedaler’s also offers special menus during popular races that play on big screens around the pub. With local craft beers on tap and a relaxed, lively atmosphere perfect for cycling fans, Pedaler’s Pub is a slam dunk.
Location: 406 SW A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Handle Bar Burger, Road Rash Tacos, Gen Tsao Cauliflower, Pork Belly Banh Mi
Pressroom
Pressroom Restaurant and Bar, located on the downtown Bentonville square, celebrates the rich history of the Bentonville Press newspaper alongside contemporary Southern cuisine. Many original Press design elements bring history into modern times and facilitate the warm, inviting environment.
The Southern-focused menu stars updated renditions of classics like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, chicken fried steak, and bread pudding. Pressroom also plates lighter salads and sandwiches at lunch for variety. Special attention on Pressroom’s cocktails, beer list, and wine list perfectly complement the Southern flavors for a well-rounded dining experience.
Location: 21 W Center St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Cast Iron Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp & Grits, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Bread Pudding
River Grille
River Grille, as the name suggests, sits perched beautifully above the White River and lets diners soak in gorgeous views of the lush greenery and water. Peaceful surroundings are not the only highlight of River Grille though. The menu focuses on artfully prepared seafood flown in fresh daily alongside aged Midwestern beef cuts, all accented by local produce.
Dishes like pistachio crusted salmon, lobster macaroni and cheese, and the Wagyu beef filet mignon showcase River Grill’s standout preparations. Make sure not to skip dessert either with decadent treats like the peanut butter pie and caramelized white chocolate bread pudding rounding out meals nicely.
Location: 2422 N Walton Blvd #2200, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Pistachio Crusted Salmon, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Wagyu Filet Mignon, Peanut Butter Pie
Bike Rack Brewing Co.
Bentonville’s bike culture extends beyond just transportation and hobby, it also facilitates a fantastic brewery and live music venue in Bike Rack Brewing Co. Bikers can enjoy great music from regional bands while sampling Bike Rack’s house brewed beers, guest taps, and pub food menu.
Bike Rack celebrates the cycling lifestyle wholeheartedly by naming brews after classic rides like Handlebar Hefe and Headset Pale Ale alongside tasty dishes like the magnesium-boasting Three Minute Noodle Bowl and Pepperoni Roll. With 12-15 constantly rotating brews on tap, lively music, and a chill brewpub vibe, Bike Rack Brewing Co. is not to be skipped.
Location: 215 NE 8th St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Brews: Handlebar Hefe, Headset Pale Ale, Gyroscopic Gose, Drivetrain Lager
Signature Dishes: Pepperoni Roll, Three Minute Noodle Bowl, Kickstand Nachos, Bottom Bracket Wings
Young Avenue Deli
Since 2007, Young Avenue Deli has been a favorite neighborhood sandwich shop in downtown Bentonville. The relaxed counter service spot plates up inventive signature sandwiches, soups, and salad creations with care and runs as a small, women-owned local business.
Menu standouts include the Sweet as Honey sandwich with smoked turkey, honey mustard, provolone, bacon, cucumbers, spinach, and more layered between rosemary ciabatta. Young Avenue Deli also offers vegan dishes like its beloved housemade hummus and veggie-packed Firebird salad in addition to classic deli sandwiches. The shop maintains an inviting vibe perfect for solo diners or quick group lunches in downtown Bentonville.
Location: 306 NW A St #100, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Sweet as Honey Sandwich, Turkey Brie Sandwich, Veggie Firebird Salad, Housemade Hummus & Pita
Yeyo’s Mexican Grill
Yeyo’s Mexican Grill first began as a food truck operation in northwest Arkansas serving authentic Mexican flavors on the go. Now, Yeyo’s operates a wildly popular sit down restaurant focused on celebrating authentic Mexican street food in Bentonville. Owner Yesenia Fields masterfully crafts traditional family recipes, like the restaurant’s excellent salsas, Creamy Green Chicken Enchiladas, and Snap Pea & Corn Tacos.
Yeyo’s does not cut corners when it comes to flavor and the vibrant dishes certainly showcase the Mexican heart and soul incorporated into each plate. The casual atmosphere and wallet-friendly prices make it easy to enjoy Yeyo’s authentic creations time and again.
Location: 1008 SE 5th St Suite 101, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Chicken Enchiladas, Huevos Rancheros, Snap Pea & Corn Tacos, House Salsas & Chips ️
Pedler’s Pub Pizzeria
While Pedaler’s Pub (#5 on this list) celebrates pub fare and the cycling lifestyle, owners Casey and Joey Genung also run Pedler’s Pub Pizzeria right next door that focuses just on pizza. Celebrating the success of their walk-up pizza window at Pedaler’s, Casey and Joey branched out to open an entire build your own Neapolitan pizza joint in Pedler’s.
The pizzeria uses only high quality and fresh ingredients to build inventive, wood-fired pizzas in a welcoming atmosphere. Along with traditional and customized pizzas, Pedler’s also plates up chicken wings, salads, and gelato to satisfy. Whether you dine in or carry out, Pedler’s crafts fantastic Italian fare to enjoy after a long bike ride or night out in downtown Bentonville.
Location: 410 SW A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Pies: Joey’s Slaughterhouse 5 Pizza, Mushroom & Pancetta Pizza, Classic Margherita Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza
Odd Soul Bar & Venue
Odd Soul infuses a hip, funky vibe into downtown Bentonville through its cookout-style menu, craft beer list, and live music venue hosting regular concerts. Owned by musician Elias Reidy, you can certainly expect food with a fun twist and toe-tapping tunes at Odd Soul.
The menu strays from run-of-the-mill bar food through dishes like the Soul Burger with Jack Daniel’s onions and molasses bacon alongside fried pickles, corn fritter hush puppies, and yardbird chicken sandwiches. With 40 rotating taps behind the bar pouring regional craft beer and the venue highlighting talented local musicians, Odd Soul satisfies on all fronts as a stellar dinner destination with plenty of late night entertainment and fun.
Location: 300 NE A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
Signature Dishes: Soul Burger, The Big Bird Sandwich, Corn Fritter Hush Puppies, Beer Cheese Fondue
Conclusion
Bentonville has blossomed into a hidden gem of a food city with no shortage of fantastic dining options for hungry visitors and locals. The 12 restaurants highlighted in this article showcase the innovation and passion fueling Bentonville’s food scene from all different culinary angles. From the comfort foods at Preacher’s Son to the authentic cuisine of Yeyo’s Mexican Grill, your taste buds will enjoy an exciting tour of flavors in Bentonville.
With outstanding cuisine, experiences, and hospitality defining Bentonville’s best restaurants, it’s no wonder this northwest Arkansas city captivates foodie travelers from afar. The restaurants highlighted here truly offer a taste of the vibrant spirit and flavors that give this city its distinctive culinary identity. From the first bite of tamales at Table Mesa to the final forkful of bread pudding at Pressroom, come hungry and get ready to fall in love with dining in Bentonville, Arkansas.