Fayetteville is a vibrant college town located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. As the third largest city in Arkansas, Fayetteville has seen an explosion of growth in recent years, including a booming food scene.
With the University of Arkansas at its center, Fayetteville attracts food-loving students, professionals and visitors from around the world. Here are the 10 best restaurants Fayetteville has to offer, showcasing the diversity and quality of cuisine available in this unique Arkansas community.
1. Eleven Restaurant
Perched atop Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville, Eleven Restaurant offers panoramic views of the surrounding Washington County hills along with exquisite New American cuisine. Chef-owner Kelly Carden and his talented culinary team craft seasonal menus highlighting fresh, local ingredients. Dishes like pan-seared diver scallops with shiitake risotto and grilled ribeye with fingerling potatoes and chimichurri showcase the creative flavors and presentation.
Eleven also has an award-winning wine list with over 150 selections to complement any meal. The dining room feels elegant yet comfortable, making it a top choice for special occasions or date night. Consistently receiving rave reviews, Eleven sets the bar high for fine dining in Northwest Arkansas.
2. Farm 255
Located in a renovated 100-year-old home, Farm 255 celebrates local farming and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant grows many of its own vegetables and herbs on an adjacent five-acre farm. Dishes creatively showcase these fresh products, like heirloom tomato tartare, roasted chicken with spring vegetables, and pan-roasted rainbow trout.
Farm 255 also makes everything from scratch in-house, including breads, pastries and house-made pantry staples. The dining room feels homey yet polished, with a large central bar, outdoor patio and intimate private dining areas. Extensive craft cocktail and wine lists nicely complement the European-inspired cuisine. Farm 255 upholds sustainability and community as core values, making it a leader in the Fayetteville farm-to-table movement.
3. Preacher’s Son
Occupying a charming Craftsman-style bungalow, Preacher’s Son has become a local institution thanks to its welcoming vibe and creative Appalachian-inspired cuisine. Popular dishes include fried chicken with spicy honey, shrimp and grits, and beer can-roasted pork shoulder. But Preacher’s Son truly shines on weekends, when they offer a different brunch menu each day like pancake waffles or steak and eggs.
Creative cocktails and an extensive craft beer selection also keep patrons coming back. Best of all, the dining room exudes Southern hospitality with its mismatched furniture, local art adorning wood-paneled walls and upbeat music playing. Preacher’s Son nourishes both body and soul in quintessential Arkansas fashion.
4. The Hive
Taking its name from the active hive outside, The Hive embodies the community and creative spirit of Fayetteville’s artistic Dickson Street neighborhood. Upon entering the cozy bungalow, patrons are immediately struck by the warmth of repurposed wood, exposed brick, living moss walls and hanging plants. But the real stars are the shareable plates and house cocktails made from scratch using wildflower honey and herbs from the adjacent garden.
Dishes like ricotta gnocchi, shrimp po’boys and squash flatbreads constantly rotate based on seasonal finds from local purveyors. The Hive also offers cooking classes and special dinner events that further enrich the interactive food experience. With its sustainability practices, unpretentious service and cozy buzz, The Hive sets the standard for urban beekeeping and responsible cuisine.
5. Seven Restaurant
Located just off the bustling Dickson Street corridor, Seven Restaurant offers approachable plates highlighting global flavors with local ingredients. The open kitchen and counter seating allow patrons to watch chefs in action. Inspired lunch and dinner options include Hawaiian ahi tuna poke bowls, Kolkata lamb curry and short rib tacos with tomatillo salsa.
Seven also sources wine exclusively from Arkansas vintners to complement its globally-inspired small plates and heartier entrées. But the real star may be Seven’s weekend brunch, with dishes like shrimp and grits, chicken salad sandwiches and fresh-made donuts creating lines out the door. Casual yet creative, Seven satisfies all appetites with its diverse andShareable menus showcasing the vibrant flavors of Northwest Arkansas and beyond.
6. Tusk & Trotter
Since opening in 2013, Tusk & Trotter has earned a loyal following and national acclaim for chef Sebastian Campagna’s locally-inspired tasting menus. The intimate space seats just 20 guests seated around a communal table, fostering camaraderie. Each multi-course tasting menu creatively showcases hyper-local ingredients, from venison and morel mushrooms in spring to Arkansas caviar and native berries in summer. Paired wines and cocktails also highlight regional producers.
Beyond the exquisite food and beverage, Tusk & Trotter shines through its commitment to sustainability, working closely with foragers and farmers. It’s a one-of-a-kind culinary experience celebrating Arkansas’ natural bounty. Reservations books weeks in advanced, but the exquisite hospitality and attention to detail make it worth the wait.
7. Great House
Occupying a historic Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion, Great House exudes character and charm. The popular restaurant focuses on Southern cuisine with global influences, showcased in shareable small plates. Standouts include shrimp corn hushpuppies, pork belly bao buns and bourbon-glazed pork chops. Great House also offers seasonal multi-course tasting menus on select nights.
And the patio overlooking scenic Dickson Street provides the perfect spot for people watching. Beyond the food, Great House transports patrons back to a bygone era with its stunning wood interiors, stained glass accents, attentive servers and classic jazz soundtrack. It’s easy to linger for hours taking in the ambiance. Great House offers an unparalleled culinary and cultural experience that transports diners to another time.
8. ARSN Wine Bar and Bistro
Perched on the second floor of The Momentary contemporary art museum, ARSN Wine Bar and Bistro provides approachable plates, house-made pastas, charcuterie and small plates highlighting coastal Italian flavors and local ingredients. But the real stars are the 100% Arkansas wines from 20% of the state’s wineries which pair beautifully with everything on the menu.
A massive window wall framing views of downtown Bentonville enhances the upbeat yet unpretentious atmosphere. ARSN also hosts winemaker dinners, cooking classes and live music further enriching the experience. All profits fund The Momentary’s exhibitions and programs, supporting the local arts community. Providing both culinary indulgence and cultural nourishment, ARSN has revolutionized the Arkansas wine scene since opening in 2021.
9. ARSBBQ
Taking its acronym from Arkansas BBQ, ARSBBQ in Fayetteville has earned regional renown for pitmaster Philip Blair’s smoky goods. The industrial-chic dining room feels like an episode of “Queer Eye” with reclaimed wood, vintage signs and pressed-tin ceilings. But it’s the mouthwatering vittles that keep guests coming back – fall-off-the-bone ribs slathered in housemade barbecue sauces, juicy smoked pulled pork sandwiches, tender brisket plates and signature loaded baked potatoes.
Sides like cheesy grits, collard greens and skillet cornbread round out the artery-clogging goodness. Wash it down with craft beers, classic cocktails or local wines on the dog-friendly patio. Casual service and bottomless refills keep conversations and smiles flowing. ARSBBQ brings the whole neighborhood together over slow-cooked meaty bliss.
10. Bordinos
A longtime trusted favorite of University of Arkansas students since 1984, Bordinos offers tasty slices of pizza and hearty pastas at reasonable prices. The signature thin-crust pies come topped with high-quality ingredients like pepperoni, chicken sausage or roasted vegetables. Vegetarians can enjoy the delicious portabella mushroom pizza.
House-made pastas feature rustic sauces and toppings like meatballs, cannellini beans or roasted chicken. Salads, subs, appetizers and shareable nachos also satisfy cravings. But save room for the gooey turtle brownies or tiramisu after your meal. Bordinos fosters a fun, casual atmosphere enhanced by study sessions and sports viewings on flat-screens. With three locations around town, it’s the quintessential Fayetteville go-to for quick Italian eats on any budget.
Fayetteville boasts diversity in both cuisine and culture, evidenced by the range of acclaimed restaurants highlighted here. From farm-fresh fine dining to casual neighborhood favorites, these top 10 options nourish both the stomach and soul.
The vibrant food scene has flourished thanks to an engaged local community supporting sustainability, farms, artisans and culinary entrepreneurs. Fayetteville continues elevating Northwest Arkansas as a dining destination through creative chefs, approachable service and ingredients that transport diners to this beautiful corner of the Ozarks.