Rogers is a thriving city in northwest Arkansas with a blossoming foodie scene. Known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities, Rogers also boasts fabulous restaurants ranging from classic diners to upscale eateries. With so many excellent options to choose from, narrowing down the 12 best restaurants in Rogers was no easy feat. However, after careful consideration, we’ve compiled our list of can’t-miss dining destinations spanning a variety of cuisines and budgets.
From the elevated comfort food at Feed Company to the creative small plates at Pressroom, the mouthwatering BBQ at Wright’s and the fresh Italian fare at Tavola Trattoria, Rogers has something to satisfy every palate. Many restaurants source ingredients from local farmers and purveyors, ensuring fresh, seasonal flavors shine through. Special dietary needs are also easily accommodated at several spots.
So whether you’re a longtime resident or just visiting Rogers for the first time, be sure to check out these 12 best restaurants on your next night out. Bon appétit!
Feed Company
Specializing in elevated comfort food in a rustic-chic setting, Feed Company is a must-visit restaurant in Rogers. Chef and owner Travis McPheron sources high-quality ingredients from regional farmers and purveyors to create familiar dishes like chicken and dumplings, meatloaf and pot roast that taste like they came straight from grandma’s kitchen.
Standout appetizers include the pimento cheese fritters with bourbon peach jam and the deviled eggs trio featuring classics like bacon and chives along with creative varieties like caprese and Greek. Entrées shine thanks to skilled execution – the airline chicken features a moist and juicy breast topped with a Virginia ham pan gravy, while the cast iron seared trout showcases fresh-caught fish.
And don’t skip dessert – the salted caramel bread pudding made with chocolate hazelnut bread from the town’s famed bakery is a true crowd pleaser. With a quaint dining room filled with repurposed wood tables and a scalloped mint green bar illuminated by Edison bulbs, Feed Company offers an intimate vibe perfect for gatherings with family and friends.
Wright’s BBQ
For finger-licking good barbecue in Rogers, locals head straight to Wright’s BBQ. Owners Jim and Susan Wright use competition-quality smokers and age-old techniques to turn out tender brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, smoky pulled pork and all the classic sides like baked beans, slaw and potato salad. Meats are smoked for up to 18 hours over hickory and oak, ensuring deep flavor in every bite.
Sauce options include sweet, spicy and vinegary varieties so guests can customize to suit their preferences. However you sauce it, just be sure to save room for their epic banana pudding – this creamy confection piled high with Nilla wafers is the perfect sweet finish after a savory barbecue feast.
Dine in Wright’s rustic dining room filled with repurposed barn wood tables or call ahead for quick takeout. An outdoor patio offers picnic tables for dining al fresco when weather permits. For quality smoked meats in a comfortable, laid-back environment, Wright’s can’t be beat.
Pressroom
Helmed by executive chef Joel Antunes, Pressroom brings big city dining to Rogers with its seasonally inspired small plates menu focused on high quality ingredients and artful presentation. Dine on the heated patio near downtown’s historic brick streets or in the sleek, modern dining room punctuated by a gleaming open kitchen.
Bright, complex flavors shine through in dishes like the pan seared scallops with corn puree, crispy pancetta and chile oil or the duck breast with Mission fig bourbon sauce. Not-to-miss appetizers include the handmade gnocchi tossed in brown butter sauce and Parmesan and the tender pork belly sitting atop a sweet potato hash.
Extensive wine and cocktail offerings provide the perfect accompaniment for Pressroom’s creative cuisine. With a hip, upscale ambiance and a menu that changes frequently based on seasonal availability, Pressroom keeps locals coming back again and again.
Echo Bistro
For fresh, innovative fare in downtown Rogers, Echo Bistro delivers an ever-changing menu filled with mouthwatering flavors. Helmed by chef de cuisine Josh Smith, Echo sources high-quality ingredients from regional farmers to create elevated yet approachable bistro classics.
Diners rave about starters like the Duroc pork belly with a lingonberry gastrique, fennel apple slaw and house pickled vegetables. Entrees shine with options like the airline chicken breast topped with prosciutto, melted leeks, charred tomato cream sauce and crispy onions or the grilled Faroe Island salmon served with braised greens, fingerling potatoes, and oven-dried tomatoes in a lemon beurre blanc sauce.
Seasonal sides like the skillet corn pudding and the truffle parmesan fries prove the perfect partners for Echo’s artfully plated entrees. Don’t miss the rotating dessert options either – the brown butter blondie with salted caramel ice cream is a popular standout. Thanks to market-driven offerings, beautiful presentation and top-notch execution, Echo Bistro remains a local favorite for date nights, girl’s nights out and special occasions.
Pedaler’s Pub
For gastropub fare coupled with a lengthy tap list, Pedaler’s Pub is a go-to gathering place for Rogers locals. Housed in a converted 1930s era auto garage near the town’s historic downtown, Pedaler’s pays homage to its building’s roots with a décor featuring vintage bike parts, license plates and auto memorabilia.
But the food steals the show – hearty dishes like the chicken pot pie, meatloaf, and bacon mac and cheese satisfy big appetites while lighter options like salads, flatbreads and sandwiches appeal to those craving a nibble. Daily specials keep things interesting – recent hits include blackened mahi tacos, chicken fried ribeye steak and slow roasted prime rib.
With 24 rotating taps pouring regional craft beers and a lengthy bottle list stocked with domestic and imported options, the bar program is equally appealing. Gather on the dog-friendly patio or cozy up near the indoor stone fireplace for a quintessential neighborhood pub experience in Rogers.
Table Mesa Bistro
For Southwestern flavor with an Argentinean twist, Table Mesa Bistro’s globally inspired comfort food hits the spot. This charming eatery housed in a restored 1920s bungalow entices with empanadas, tamales, fajitas and other Latin specialties as well as familiar fare like burgers, flatbreads and salads.
Tantalizing empanadas come stuffed with spiced ground beef, chicken tinga or cheesy spinach while tamales feature classic pork carnitas or adventurous varieties like sweet corn and green chile or chicken mole – all made from scratch in house. Hearty entrées like the Ancho rubbed ribeye, the tequila lime shrimp fajitas and the adobo braised chicken offer craveable flavor profiles that keep dinner guests returning.
Table Mesa also serves up a unique brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays featuring huevos rancheros, carnitas hash, stuffed French toast and bottomless mimosas. The vibrant turquoise exterior with strung lighting, artwork from local Latino artists and colorful textiles lining the interior create a warm, welcoming ambiance for gatherings both big and small.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Café
For fresh, flavorful Mediterranean fare, Taziki’s Mediterranean Café hits the mark. This fast-casual eatery specializes in made-to-order dishes inspired by classic Greek and Turkish recipes. Top choices include pita sandwiches and plates wrapped or piled high with tender grilled meats, flavorful sautéed vegetables, and bright, cool salads and sides.
Chicken, steak and homemade meatballs get marinated in Taziki’s savory Mediterranean spices before hitting the grill along with seasonal veggies like zucchini, red onion and bell peppers. Refreshing cucumber salad, Greek orzo pasta, and roasted new potatoes make the perfect complements.
With quality ingredients, customizable options and speedy service, it’s easy to see why Taziki’s is a go-to for Rogers locals craving a healthy, satisfying meal on the fly. The cheerful dining room with blue and white décor pays homage to Greek island architecture, making guests feel instantly transported across the globe.
Fuji Japanese Steakhouse
For flavorful teppanyaki-style dining complete with behind-the-scenes tableside theatrics, Fuji Japanese Steakhouse is a slam dunk. Groups gather around large communal tables with built-in griddles to watch expert chefs chop, toss and flip ingredients masterfully while cooking up steak, seafood and chicken entrees right before their eyes.
Bright vegetables like zucchini, carrots and onions get incorporated along with fried rice and noodles, creating a rainbow of color and texture in the sizzling skillets. Kids and adults alike marvel at the chefs’ knife skills while the aroma of garlic butter and savory proteins fill the air. Beyond the cooking show drama, well-executed entrees starring the likes of lobster tails, filet mignon and jumbo shrimp are the real stars.
Don’t miss the seafood udon soup or Fuji’s extra creamy green tea cheesecake for dessert either. Thanks to the interactive dining experience, high-quality proteins and made-to-order dishes, Fuji offers exceptional value for groups in search of a fun, festive atmosphere.
Brick & Spoon
This cozy breakfast and lunch café delivers farm-to-table comfort classics perfect for laid-back weekend mornings with the family or catching up with friends over omelets and bottomless coffee refills. Owner and executive chef Brett Sparks puts a gourmet spin on familiar offerings like pancakes, Benedicts, oatmeal, house smoked salmon and overstuffed sandwiches – even finding ways to fancy up humble tater tots with inventive preparations.
Specialties showcase locally produced ingredients in craveable ways, like the Ozark Benedict featuring thick slices of Wright’s pit-smoked brisket atop poached eggs and house made biscuits dripping with sausage gravy. Brick & Spoon’s signature melt sandwich stars local celebrity chef Tusk & Trotter’s prosciutto, melty havarti cheese, spicy peach jam and peppery arugula on grilled sourdough.
Beyond the ever-tempting sweet and savory foods, a quaint farmhouse vibe filled with wooden tables, tin ceiling tiles, a glass bakery case brimming with giant cinnamon rolls, cookies and other goodies make this café an ideal spot for a relaxing weekend brunch.
Greenhouse Grille
For fresh, wholesome fare in a laid-back environment, Greenhouse Grille hits the mark. Tucked inside Rogers’ sprawling J.B. Hunt park, diners soak up the lush surroundings in this light-filled eatery accented by warm woods, stone and greenery.
The menu ranges from familiar comforts like burgers, flatbreads and salads to global flavors like Thai curry, Indian tikka masala and Lebanese hummus & pita. Health-conscious offerings incorporate veggies, grains and lean proteins in satisfying ways, with options clearly labeled as vegan, vegetarian or gluten free.
Seasonal sides like roasted Brussels sprouts, charred broccolini and cilantro lime quinoa provide ample opportunity to add an extra serving of plants. Smoothies, juices and cocktails incorporating fresh juices and herbs add to the spa-like ambiance. Thanks to quality ingredients, global inspiration and a chilled-out vibe in harmony with nature right outside the windows, Greenhouse Grille makes healthy eating seem downright blissful.
The Hive
For elevated pub grub coupled with one of Northwest Arkansas’s most popular brunch scenes, The Hive buzzes with activity morning, noon and night. This downtown hotspot pairs its lengthy beer list with plates like beer cheese pretzels, fish and chips, smoked chicken quesadillas, specialty pizzas and loaded burgers starring high-quality proteins from Springdale’s renowned Tyson Foods.
But weekends truly belong to The Hive’s brunch menu starring Instagram-worthy dishes like chicken & waffles drizzled in spicy honey and loaded Bloody Marys garnished with bacon strips, pickled veggies and extra olives.
Bright pops of yellow and black honeycomb tiles pair with chessboard floors and honeycomb light fixtures to drive home the beehive concept. Gather with friends new and old at the welcoming granite-topped bar, hang out on the sprawling patio or cozy into leather banquettes in the dining area for a foolproof spot to refuel morning or night.
Tavola Trattoria
For authentic handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and other Italian classics with a contemporary twist, Tavola Trattoria takes the final spot on our list. The brainchild of chef Steven Brooks, a veteran of revered restaurants like New York’s Babbo, Tavola sources premium ingredients like imported olive oils, cheeses and charcuterie to create perfetto antipasti, primi and secondi.
Housemade pastas like squid ink chitarra with seafood ragú and brown butter trofie with sweet corn, pancetta and chilies delight pasta purists while unexpected toppings like pear, prosciutto and gorgonzola take Tavola’s mod-style pizzas over the top. With exposed brick walls, antique mirrors and glittering candles setting a romantic mood indoors or the option to dine al fresco on the stone-lined patio, Tavola Trattoria transports guests to a rustic Italian osteria seemingly plucked straight from the old country and dropped into downtown Rogers.
After just one round of tasting their way through inventive cocktails, savory starters, toothsome housemade pastas and other Northern Italian specialties, it’s easy to see why Tavola Trattoria earns the final coveted spot on our list. With creative spins on comfort classics, an approachable fine dining scene, craveable barbecue, festive teppanyaki joints and some of the best breakfasts in the state, Rogers offers appetizing options for hungry diners of all tastes and budgets.
Conclusion
With its natural beauty and Ozark charm paired with creative dining concepts and skilled culinary execution, Rogers continues garnering acclaim as an under-the-radar foodie destination. The 12 restaurants on this list remain favorites among locals while also tempting visitors from across the region.
From the family-friendly environs of Wright’s BBQ and Fuji Japanese Steakhouse to Pressroom’s sophisticated small plates and Echo Bistro’s market-driven offerings, Rogers truly offers something to satisfy every palate. Food-focused travelers seeking their next tasty getaway should absolutely put this Northwest Arkansas town on their culinary bucket list.