Springdale is a vibrant city in northwest Arkansas known for its booming economy, cultural diversity, and delicious dining options. With new restaurants constantly opening due to Springdale’s rapid growth, there’s always something new and exciting to try in this city on the rise. From tasty tacos to mouthwatering steaks, Springdale has it all.
To help you navigate the ever-growing Springdale dining scene, we’ve put together this list of the 12 best restaurants that you must try. For this list, we’ve handpicked local favorites loved by Springdale residents, highly-rated newcomers, and award-winning establishments that highlight Springdale’s culinary diversity. From all-American comfort food to exotic ethnic cuisines, these 12 restaurants offer something for every palate.
So grab your appetite and read on for the inside scoop on Springdale’s absolute best and most mouthwatering restaurants!
Hugo’s Eatiquete – Refined New American Cuisine
Hugo’s Eatiquete is consistently ranked as one of the finest restaurants not just in Springdale, but in all of Northwest Arkansas. Chef Hugo Solano II brings 30 years of culinary experience to his refined New American cuisine that artfully blends flavors and ingredients.
Housed in an elegant and airy modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Springdale’s downtown, Hugo’s delivers an exceptional fine dining experience from start to finish. From their amuse bouche greeting you at the beginning of the meal to the creme brûlée farewell at the end, every dish exhibits Chef Solano’s impeccable talent and flavor combinations. Standouts include their duck confit served with a lingonberry gastrique and the pan-seared scallops with corn pudding. And make sure to check out their impressive wine list boasting over 200 selections.
While dishes skew towards the pricier side, Hugo’s first-class service, charming ambiance, and exquisite flavors make it well worth the occasional splurge. Treat yourself to one of the best meals in Northwest Arkansas at Hugo’s Eatiquete.
Taqueria La Catrina – Authentic Mexican Street Food
For authentic Mexican street food bursting with the fresh flavors of Oaxaca, look no further than family-owned Taqueria La Catrina. Nestled in a small colorful cottage along Emma Avenue, it may look humble from the outside but the interior tells a different story. Bright psychedelic murals transport you to the vibrant markets and taco stands of Mexico. And one bite of their tantalizing tacos or piping hot quesadillas will have your taste buds cheering “ole!”.
Taqueria La Catrina serves all of the classic Mexican street food staples like carne asada and al pastor tacos loaded with succulent meats and fresh chopped onions and cilantro. But what truly sets them apart is their exotic specialties spotlighting authentic Oaxacan ingredients like grasshoppers, huitlacoche corn mushrooms, and homemade mole sauces. Chef Karina Luna also dishes out special blue corn tortillas handmade from heirloom Oaxacan corn imported directly from Mexico, adding even more authentic flavor.
Whether you stick to the familiar favorites or dare to try the more adventurous specialties, a meal at Taqueria La Catrina offers a flavor-packed glimpse into genuine Mexican cuisine and culture. Buen provecho!
Ella’s Fine Food & Drink – Southern Charm and Comforts
For Southern hospitality and stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, Ella’s Fine Food & Drink can’t be beat. Tucked away on a brick-lined side street downtown, the charm of this place matches the charming flavor of their Southern fare. Head Chef Michael Lancaster grew up on his family’s Arkansas cattle ranch before taking his talent to top kitchens in Charleston and Nashville. Now he spoils Springdale locals with his modern take on classic Southern cooking focusing on simple goodness with upscale plating.
Start your meal off right with a cold beer or praline pecan old fashioned. Share appetizers of buttermilk biscuits drowning in sawmill gravy or fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese. Seafood lovers rave about the Cajun crawfish boil heaping with fiery shellfish straight from the Louisiana bayou. And you can’t visit Ella’s without trying their famous country fried chicken or slow-roasted pot roast with bourbon carrots and smashed potatoes.
The dining room’s vintage touches, warm lighting, and upbeat blues music complete the laidback, pastoral vibe. You’ll leave with happy bellies and hearts at Ella’s Fine Food & Drink.
The Press Room – Trendsetting New American Small Plates
Helmed by two Arkansas natives who sharpened their cooking skills in New York City kitchens, The Press Room brings chic big city style dining to downtown Springdale but with distinctly Southern flair and flavors. James and Alicia Norris match their sleek, modern industrial dining room with an equally polished small plates concept focused on artfully composed dishes and the region’s finest ingredients.
The menu centers on seasonally changing selections of snacks, garden plates, and heartier mains perfect for sharing with your dining companions. Sit at the chef’s counter overlooking the open kitchen to watch the team seamlessly orchestrating Michelin-star quality dishes like foie gras mousse on cornbread toast, garlic confit crab beignets, and coffee-crusted hanger steak served with blue cheese chimichurri.
Don’t be fooled by the Rock Block building’s unassuming facade, as soon as you step inside The Press Room’s atmosphere pulsates with big city energy while still retaining its Southern soul. Come experience Springdale’s most cosmopolitan dining experience at this not-to-be-missed hot spot.
Emma Avenue Bread Company – From Scrumptious Baked Goods to Streetside Cafe
Springdale locals know that Emma Avenue Bread Company serves way more than just exceptional artisan breads and pastries. Tucked into an over 100-year-old red brick building that once housed Evitts Grocery, Emma Avenue Bread now attracts hungry crowds with their bakery case brimming with buttery croissants, cinnamon rolls dripping in icing, and gorgeous layer cakes. You’ll also find fresh paninis, vibrant salads, and chef Judy Weatherly’s signature sandwiches baked right onto housemade focaccia bread.
For a more leisurely experience, snag a shaded patio table at their streetside Bread Cafe. Nibble flaky pain au chocolat and sip vanilla latte as you watch Emma Avenue’s bustling sidewalk traffic. You can also build your own toast platter for the table with options like avocado smash or Nutella and banana bruschetta on country white or multigrain sourdough.
Even if you’re just popping in for some crusty baguettes or fruit tarts to-go, Emma Avenue Bread Company instantly feels like home with their top-notch hospitality. Don’t miss this cherished downtown Springdale staple.
Wanderlust Coffee Co – Globally-Inspired Brunch and Lattes
Wanderlust Coffee Co. quite literally takes you on a global culinary adventure no passport required. Owner Sasha Arocha infuses the flavors from her Guatemalan heritage into the cafe’s Latin-leaning brunch and coffee menu. Sink your teeth into their signature Guatemalan breakfast sando overflowing with black beans, fried eggs, avocado, Cotija cheese, and cilantro pesto on artisan French bread. Or opt for lighter nourishment from their market table like overnight oats swimming in tropical fruit or vibrant Poké bowls mixing quinoa and kale with mango and pickled cabbage.
Of course, outstanding specialty coffee rules above all else at Wanderlust. Their talented baristas use exclusively sourced beans from female Guatemalan farmers to prepare coffee creations like Iced Mayan Mochas accented with chocolate, chili pepper, and cinnamon. Surrounded by global baubles and bright artwork as vivid as the Gurmet lattes in your hands, you just may forget you’re sipping coffee in downtown Springdale and not a chic cafe along the streets of Antigua.
Mama Lina’s Italian Kitchen – Cozy, Humble Red Sauce Joint
Craving juicy meatballs bathed in marinara? Seeking soul-satisfying lasagna layered with bechamel and bubbling cheese? Jonesing for chicken parmesan so tender the moment your teeth sink in the crispy crust gives way to moist chicken underneath? Then hurry to Mama Lina’s Italian Kitchen, Springdale’s beloved red sauce joint preparing Italian comfort cuisine just like nonna used to make.
Maybe it’s the red and white checkered table cloths or vintage Chianti bottle candle holders that make you feel instantly at home and transported to a family trattoria in the Old Country. Or perhaps it’s the scent of simmering tangy tomato sauce, sizzling garlic, and herby fresh basil. Whatever the magic, owners Gina and Ricky Francesco pour their Italian immigrant grandparents’ recipes and lore into every hearty and satisfying bite.
Sprinkled with grated Parmigiano Reggiano, the penne Bolognese gravy clings to each noodle transformed into an umami-rich meal for the Gods. We’d be remiss not mentioning Mama Lina’s pizza emerging from their coal-fired oven charred and bubbly with that nostalgic crispy-chewy crust. All this soulful Italian fare served by their friendly staff makes dinner at Mama Lina’s feel just like family.
Yeyo’s Mexican Grill – Modern Mexican Brunch Haven
Rich red enchilada sauce drenching sunny side up eggs and crispy hash browns. Sweet potatoes roasted in cinnamon sugar nestled next to carnitas tamales wrapped in tender banana leaves. Housemade tortillas still steaming from the griddle ready to cradle all those Latin flavor bombs. This is the divine decadence that awaits you at Yeyo’s Mexican Grill.
Yeyo’s may look like just another strip mall Mexican spot from the outside, but inside you’ll discover a casually hip interior splashed with modern Mexican art and Frida Kahlo inspo. Owners Yesenia and Yoandri Hernandez deliver acclaimed authentic Mexican cuisine from their hometown Oaxaca spun with contemporary twists. So while you can still get classics like carne asada tacos and cheesy chilaquiles for dinner, their brunch spread truly dazzles.
Pull up a vivid turquoise chair or nab a picnic table on their patio for Yeyo’s Saturday and Sunday brunch. Graze and gaze your way through mains like tinga stuffed poblano peppers on homemade corn tortillas or Oaxacan-style hotcakes with mango butter. And be sure to sip their Mexican Hot Chocolate adorned with sweet cinnamon whipped cream. Yeyo’s vibrant flavors and cultured setting make for Springdale’s trendiest Mexican brunch experience.
Pedaler’s Pub – Barbecue, Brews, and Two-Wheel Fun
In true Springdale style, Pedaler’s Pub pairs cycling culture with smoky barbecue and an extensive local craft beer list. Before owners Susan and Mike Anderson took over the space in 2018, it belonged to Harold’s Bicycle Shop since 1969. Paying homage to that history, the pub’s walls now burst with colorful custom bikes and cycling memorabilia amidst the polished wood accents and leather booths.
While Pedaler’s Pub offers standard pub grub done right like juicy lucifer burgers and beer cheese pretzels, their barbecue steals the show. Mike mans the smokers churning out melt-in-your-mouth smoked brisket, smoky hot links crusted in crispy burnt ends, and even chili rubbed chicken wings. Of course you’ll want an ice cold lager or IPA in hand to combat the heat and spice of the dry rubs.
The vibrant social atmosphere filled with cycling enthusiasts makes this downtown pub the ideal refueling spot pre and post-ride. And with 24 regional brews on tap plus an adjoining coffee bar, Pedaler’s Pub welcomes both spandex-sporting cyclists and flannel-wearing hipsters.
The Grove – Trendy Cali-inspired Brunch Cafe
Avocado toast layered with popped cherry tomatoes, whipped feta, and microgreens. Frothy golden oat milk lattes garnished with cacao powder and bee pollen. Poke bowls bursting with ginger-soy marinated tuna and edamame over forbidden black rice. This uber Instagrammable fare could easily be found at a sleek Los Angeles cafe, but instead, it’s being served up right in downtown Springdale at The Grove Brunch & Juicery.
California transplants Savannah and Caleb McKennon brought the nourishing brunch cuisine they loved from their time spent out West back home to Northwest Arkansas. The result is Springdale’s ultimate see-and-be-seen weekend hotspot filled with beautiful people enjoying even more beautiful food. Verdant pressed juices like “Go Green” mixing kale, apple, and lemon prep your body as vibrantly as the digitally printed table tops.
The Grove’s menu constantly evolves but some favorites like their creamy lemon ricotta pancakes and bacon quinoa bowls remain anchors. And specialties spotlighting local purveyors give the McKennons’ Cali-twist cuisine strong Southern roots in Arkansas. So brace yourself for the best – and most ‘grammable – brunch you’ve ever tasted at The Grove.
Rick’s Bakery & Cafe – Classic Comfort Food Bakery
Ask any Springdale local where to find the flakiest biscuits, creamiest banana pudding, and old-fashioned hospitality at its finest and they’ll surely point you towards Rick’s Bakery & Cafe. Since 1986, Rick Childers has been baking up Southern charm and comfort from scratch at his retro red and white checked diner. Upon entering, you instantly feel transported back to a simpler time when neighbors gathered round formica tables over pot roast platters and coconut cream pie.
While certainly known for sweets like their sky-high buttercream cakes and fruit and nut studded kolaches, Rick’s also slings classic comfort cuisine done right. Daily blue plate specials like chicken fried steak blanketed in peppery gravy or slow-simmered pot roast over buttery potatoes stick to your ribs and warm your soul. And we can’t forget their enormous Cinnamon Rolls the size of your face – pure decadence!
At Rick’s Bakery & Cafe expect big portions, bigger smiles, and the same downhome cooking Rick has perfected using his mother’s cherished recipes for over 35 years. Taste why Rick’s remains Springdale’s beloved community treasure.
Core Brewing & Distilling Co – Handcrafted Brews and Modern Pub Fare
As Northwest Arkansas’ first combined brewery, distillery and full-service restaurant, Core Brewing & Distilling Co. made waves when they opened their sprawling campus along Springdale’s Razorback Greenway bike trail in 2018. Local cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts now flock for refueling pitstops thanks to Core’s onsite brewery churning out crisp lagers, heavily hopped IPAs, and unique sours best enjoyed on their dog-friendly patio.
Their scratch kitchen also impresses with chef-driven pub grub like Korean fried cauliflower poppers, chicken tinga tacos folded in housemade tortillas, and smoked brisket ranch pizza fired in their stone oven imported from Italy. Core even conjures some magic at their copper pot still whipping up award-winning bourbons and vodkas from Arkansas grains.
Equally sleek as an urban warehouse modern gastropub yet relaxed enough for muddy mountain bikers, Core’s setting matches their ethos of approachable sophistication. Sip a hop-heavy Hazy IPA joined by a brick oven pretzel with beer cheese sauce and taste why Core became an instant staple within Springdale’s dining scene from the start.
Conclusion
With outstanding locally-owned eateries like these serving international flavors, American comfort cooking, and cutting-edge cuisine, Springdale delivers appetizing options for food lovers of all tastes and budgets. From the elevated experience at Hugo’s Eatiquete to the humble Italian home cooking dished at Mama Lina’s Kitchen, Springdale’s dining diversity has earned this Northwest Arkansas city legitimate culinary credentials.
So next time your stomach starts to growl for great food, look no further than these 12 mouthwatering restaurants representing the absolute best eats Springdale has to offer. Because no matter what you crave, Springdale serves it up in style. Buon appetito!