Sherwood is a charming city located just north of Little Rock in central Arkansas. With its small-town feel yet close proximity to the state capital, Sherwood has developed a thriving dining scene over the years. From longtime classic diners to contemporary bistros putting a creative spin on Southern cuisine, there is something for every palate.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 of the best restaurants that Sherwood has to offer. For each restaurant, you’ll find key information including the cuisine type, price range, and what dishes you should be sure to try when you visit. Whether you’re a local looking to try somewhere new or a visitor exploring the Sherwood food scene, our guide has you covered on the top tables in town.
So let’s dive in to discover 12 of the best places to eat in Sherwood, Arkansas!
Oppenheimer’s Legacy Grill
Kicking off our list is a Sherwood favorite for burgers, steaks, and beyond – Oppenheimer’s Legacy Grill. Located right along the railroad tracks in the heart of downtown, this contemporary restaurant serves up classic American fare with a chef-driven twist.
Make sure to try their famous handmade Legacy burger cooked to juicy perfection. Featuring a custom blend of brisket, chuck, and hanger steak, it’s one of the best burgers in town. Seafood lovers will also appreciate dishes like the blackened salmon topped with a lemon caper sauce or the blackened red fish tacos. And save room for their mile-high mud pie – a decadent dessert with layers of fudge, vanilla ice cream, oreo cookies, and whipped cream.
With exposed brick walls setting an inviting backdrop paired with dishes you’ll dream about, it’s no wonder Oppenheimer’s is a longtime local favorite. Stop in for a meal and you’ll instantly see why.
Raimondo’s Italian/Pizza
For excellent Italian fare complete with homemade pastas, savory sauces, and perfected family recipes, head to Raimondo’s in west Sherwood. Chef Anthony Raimondo opened the popular eatery back in 1998, bringing a taste of New York-style Italian to central Arkansas.
Today, fans flock for dishes like the three-meat cannelloni baked in Raimondo’s signature marinara sauce, the fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken, and of course, specialty pizzas. Try the Michelangelo with spicy capicola ham, pepperoni, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, and mozzarella for a flavor explosion in every bite. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available.
The menu isn’t the only draw at Raimondo’s. An intimate, warmly lit dining room sets the mood for a relaxing Italian dinner that will transport you straight to the old country. Mangia!
Cathead’s Diner
When you visit Cathead’s Diner, prepare to fall in love with Southern comfort cuisine as well as the charming character of this 1940s-style diner. Tucked away on a side street in east Sherwood, Cathead’s is a delightful trip back in time from the mint green and chrome exterior to the red leather booths and displays of Coca-Cola memorabilia inside.
At Cathead’s, comfort rules the menu which features stick-to-your-ribs dishes like chicken fried steak smothered in peppery gravy, hearty oxtail stew served with rice and peas, and fall-off-the bone barbecued ribs basted in a sweet and tangy sauce. Be sure try their fluffy pancakes in the morning topped with mixed berry compote. And don’t skip the excellent sweet iced tea or lemon chess pie for dessert.
The retro setting and down-home cooking makes Cathead’s a one-of-a-kind dining experience in Sherwood. Stop by this Arkansas classic and get a taste of true Southern hospitality.
Brave New Restaurant
Led by two Arkansas natives who met while working in acclaimed restaurant kitchens in Chicago, Brave New Restaurant brings contemporary fine dining to Sherwood’s dining scene. Open since 2011, Brave New Restaurant has made its mark with seasonally-driven New American cuisine served in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere.
Playful takes on comfort food favorites feature prominently on the menu which often includes dishes like chicken and waffles with truffle honey and buttermilk fried quail. Be sure to also try options showcasing fresh, local ingredients like the watermelon and feta salad drizzled with aged balsamic in summer months or the cast iron seared scallops with cheesy stone-ground Arkansas grits once autumn arrives.
Whether enjoying a special occasion dinner or drinks and shared plates at the bar, the team’s passion for creating an exceptional dining experience from start to finish makes Brave New Restaurant a noteworthy addition to Sherwood’s culinary landscape.
Razorback Pizza Co.
Need a break from pulled pork and fried catfish? Head to Razorback Pizza Co. for New York-style pizza loaded with high quality toppings. Family-owned since 2008, Razorback uses only the freshest ingredients on their pizzas including hand-rolled dough, homemade sauce made daily, and Wisconsin mozzarella for the perfect bite in every slice.
Some of the most popular pies include The Carnivore layered with pepperoni, sausage, ham, beef, and bacon or The Hawaiian with sweet pineapple and smoky ham. Pepperoni may be their number one seller but vegetarians have plenty of tasty options too like The Veg Out or make-your-own salad-topped pizzas.
Of course it wouldn’t be New York pizza without some crusty garlic rolls, so be sure to add an order along with your pie for the complete experience. With quality to match the taste, Razorback Pizza Co. earns its slice of Sherwood’s best restaurants.
Pennington’s Farmhouse BBQ
You can’t talk Sherwood’s dining scene without mentioning barbecue and Pennington’s Farmhouse BBQ stands above the rest for smoked meat perfection. Pitmaster Matt Pennington combines championship expertise with high quality meats and painstaking attention to detail at every step.
The menu features classic barbecue fare like baby back ribs and pulled pork sandwiches along with daily specials like smoked turkey, bologna, ham, or chicken wings. Every meat showcases a beautiful smoke ring just beneath the perfectly rendered exterior revealing hours of careful smoking over smoldering pecan and hickory woods.
An array of the restaurant’s signature sauces are always on every table to complement the meat including Sweet Baby Rae, Honey Heat, and Smokehouse BBQ. And don’t skip dessert! Banana pudding, pecan pie, and their signature Pig Lickers made with salty pretzels, marshmallows, and chocolate provide the ideal sweet finish. Without a doubt, Pennington’s Farmhouse BBQ is a must for outstanding barbecue in Sherwood.
Mike’s Cafe
Ask any local where to find Sherwood’s best breakfast, and most will point you straight to Mike’s Cafe. This cozy restaurant has been firing up skillets full of fluffy scrambled eggs, cinnamon-dusted French toast, and golden waffles for over 20 years. Of course, Mike’s Cafe serves up lunch and dinner too dishing out hefty plates of burgers, chicken fried steak, chicken pot pie and more.
But it’s really breakfast that brings in big crowds from sunup to early afternoon. Classics like farm-fresh omelets, applewood smoked bacon, sausage patties, hashbrowns and strong coffee will fuel your day right. Not to mention Mike’s Cafe has a full bar ready to whip up Bloody Marys and mimosas for a leisurely brunch.
With friendly staff serving up big comfort food flavors for little money, it’s no wonder Mike’s Cafe has earned its spot among Sherwood’s longtime local favorites for years. Swing through this Arkansas classic for a stick-to-your ribs meal at any time of day.
The Greens at North Hills
For an upscale dining experience in a dazzling country club setting, make reservations at The Greens at North Hills. Part of an exclusive country club and golf course community known as North Hills, The Greens restaurant consistently earns rave reviews for ambiance and cuisine.
With breathtaking views overlooking the golf course through a wall of windows, the passionate kitchen crew prepares creative Southern-inspired dishes. Menu highlights include seafood cioppino brimming with fresh catch and shellfish, oak smoked duck breast with date purée and shaved Brussels sprouts, and the Southern sampler featuring fried chicken, pork ribs, and smoked brisket.
Paired with wines from their 450+ labels and cordials like bacon bourbon, dinner at The Greens promises a special night out amidst Sherwood’s natural beauty. With abundant charm, sweeping vistas, and area-topping cuisine, The Greens provides an unmatched fine dining experience.
Yellow Rocket Concepts
Maybe you’re craving a light bite for breakfast before tackling errands. Or perhaps you need a midday pick-me-up served up just right by expert baristas. In either case, Yellow Rocket Concepts has you covered. With five conveniently located outposts across central Arkansas including a flagship cafe in Sherwood, these hip coffeehouses dish out fresh sandwiches, salads, and sweets daily along with their popular roasted coffee blends and specialty drinks.
The atmosphere invites lingering with plenty of cozy seating, free Wi-Fi, and chill music. Beyond caffeine, the food menu spotlights fresh and flavorful choices like the turkey pesto sandwich served on cranberry walnut bread or the healthy superfood salad mixing kale, quinoa, avocado, dried cranberries, feta and lemon vinaigrette. Baked goods change seasonally from cinnamon rolls and danishes to triple chocolate cookies and carrot cake by the slice.
Next time the afternoon slump sneaks up or you need a comfortable place to get work done over good coffee, head to Yellow Rocket Concepts for the trifecta: connection, productivity, and deliciousness.
The Villa Restaurant & Lounge
Transport your tastebuds straight to Sicily at The Villa Restaurant & Lounge where old world techniques meet new world twists on Italian classics in a rustic elegant setting. Husband and wife owners Sal and Mary have been running this beloved Sherwood institution for over 25 years bringing their Sicilian heritage to every plate.
From veal marsala to linguini and clams simmering in garlic and herbs, The Villa utilizes premium ingredients masterfully combined for depth of flavor in dishes both traditional and contemporary. Be sure to also try their oven-fired pizzas baked to order. And don’t skip dessert because options like tiramisu and spumoni are exquisite.
Beyond lively conversation and amazing cuisine, the restaurant’s exposed brick walls, chandeliers, and Italian music completes the transportive dining experience. Mangia! Make new memories over exceptional food and drink at The Villa.
Petit & Keet Bar and Restaurant
The husband and wife duo behind Petit & Keet bring Parisian bistro flavors with Southern twists to downtown Sherwood. Their passion project is housed in a restored historic home providing a cozy and stylish dining room setting matched by acclaimed cuisine and drinks.
The menu changes with the seasons but often includes starters like duck rillette on crostini, frog legs in lemongrass garlic butter or roasted beet & goat cheese salad. For entrees, opt for dishes like steak frites smothered in béarnaise, bouillabaisse brimming with fresh fish or French onion chicken with Camembert cream sauce. Classic desserts like chocolate pot du crème, cheesecake and flourless chocolate cake deliver sweet satisfaction.
With lots of love poured into every detail for an outstanding dining experience, Petit & Keet is a Sherwood favorite you just have to try for yourself. Bon appétit!
The Rooftop at Southern Salt Cuisine: Southern Eclectic
For a truly special night out at the pinnacle of Sherwood dining, book a coveted table at The Rooftop at Southern Salt. Offering stunning views of downtown Little Rock’s skyline glittering in the distance, this hyper-seasonal new American restaurant sits atop one of the area’s premier event spaces.
Led by executive chef Jeremy Rogers, the kitchen at The Rooftop turns out artistic plates as vibrant as the vista. Start with small bites like fried green tomatoes with pimento goat cheese or the signature chicken and waffles made with crispy fried thighs resting on fluffy cornmeal waffles. Then continue delighting your senses with mains like the pan seared hogfish with bourbon mustard glaze and hazelnut risotto or the smoked wagyu flat iron steak with charred onion confit.
From inspired cuisine to creative cocktails and that Instagram-worthy panorama, The Rooftop at Southern Salt sets a luxurious stage for life’s special moments here in Sherwood and beyond.
DeLuca’s Pizzeria Napoletana
Ending our list of Sherwood’s 12 best restaurants brings us to DeLuca’s Pizzeria Napoletana, a laid-back pizzeria slinging incredible Neapolitan-style pizza in a vibrant setting. Co-owners Max and Santino met while stationed with the military in Italy where they fell in love with authentic pizza baked lightning fast in scorching ovens to develop a soft, chewy and lightly charred crust.
Bringing their passion stateside to Sherwood, DeLuca’s serves made-to-order pizzas topped with high quality ingredients like fior di latte mozzarella, imported anchovies, spicy salami and more. Beyond the pie, pastas, paninis and shareable starters speak to their Italian inspiration as well. But the real star remains the pizza bursting with flavor in every bite thanks to quality components and cooking mastery.
The next time pizza cravings hit, skip the chains and head to DeLuca’s Pizzeria Napoletana for the good stuff.
Conclusion
From down home Southern comfort food to creative cuisine from around the globe, Sherwood’s dining scene has greatly expanded in recent years while still retaining the small-town charm visitors seek out and locals love.
With 12 of the area’s best restaurants covered here, we hope our guide gives you a helpful starting point to explore the rich culinary landscape this Central Arkansas town has cultivated. Wherever your appetite leads during your stay in Sherwood, you’re sure to find warm hospitality and fantastic fare when you Pull Up a Chair. Enjoy!