Northeastern Arkansas is starting to nudge its way up to one of my favorite regions of the U.S. Not only is the terrain beautiful, offering a bounty of outdoor recreation, the cities in the area boast some amazing restaurants. And one of the top cities in that region to visit for good food is Bentonville, Arkansas! My family spent two days in Bentonville, and we tried a variety of food while there. Here are our suggestions if you find yourself in the area and you’re looking for a good meal!
Disclosure: My visit was hosted by Visit Bentonville. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
For pizza you’ll remember
My kids are starting to be pizza connoisseurs, because it’s the one type of food we always have to order when on vacation. It’s always pizza night on vacation!
When nothing but pizza will do, head to The Pedaler’s Pub in Bentonville. They serve up wood-fired pizza with traditional toppings…and some eclectic options as well. My kids ordered pepperoni pizza, and left not a single slice of leftovers. I think they liked it!
I loved the atmosphere at The Pedaler’s Pub. Having spent several years on a road bike, I enjoyed the decor with bike jerseys lining the walls. My husband and I both loved the music playing, too. If you’re a certain age of a parent, I’m pretty sure you’ll love it too.
Best decor in a Bentonville restaurant
I had no idea what I was getting into when we arrived at Flying Fish one night. The exterior doesn’t really hint at what awaits inside. The place is packed with wacky, funny, colorful decor.
My favorite wall of the restaurant featured the World’s First Billy Bass Adoption Center. Yes, the Bill Bass from back in the day that would sing and move if you pushed a button. There were dozens of Billy Bass on the wall, some with custom decorations added to them.
You’d guess that there may be fish on the menu. And you would be correct. Flying Fish is a Cajun restaurant and seafood is what’s cooking. From oysters to po’boys and fried catfish and gumbo, the menu is southern through and through. There is a pretty affordable kid’s menu there.
And don’t forget desserts! Flying Fish has Key Lime Pie, as well as banana pudding and bread pudding. There’s also a little delicacy called Lake Trash A La Mode. I didn’t try it, so you’ll have to let me know what’s it’s like.
Favorite appetizer in the area
YeYos is a colorful Mexican restaurant in a great little area of Bentonville called Eighth Street Market, which is home to some locally-owned shops and eateries. YeYos was a busy spot when we went for lunch. There were families dining there, as well as couples.
My family loved the warm, fresh tortilla chips served with salsa cruda. We had no self-control there. You can overeat before your meal even arrives!
Desserts and sweet treats
Markham & Fitz is an artisanal chocolatier located next door to YeYos. You’ll smell the chocolate long before you enter the shop. We couldn’t resist the temptation.
Most of the family ordered hot chocolates with homemade marshmallows. I opted to try the Irish Coffee. Honestly, I think I would’ve been happier with the hot chocolate. The boozy coffee was a little too strong for my taste. (That may be a selling point for some of you)
We also bought some rich chocolate bars to split. It was a sweetness overload, but I’d do it all over again. I recommend trying the Southern Pecan chocolate bar.
Superfine Sweet Shoppe is one of many locally-owned ice cream shops in Bentonville. The shop serves up housemate ice cream in 12 flavors. The memorable part of the place was the decor. The interior was washed in pinks and yellows, and it was really bright. Like really bright.
Try this coffee in Bentonville
I love good coffee. And, we discovered some great coffee at Airship Coffee. They roast their own beans, so things are fresh and perfectly balanced.
There are a few locations in Bentonville to choose from, including one located in the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. It’s a pretty unique location that you cannot drive to.
Bentonville is an unexpected culinary destination, offering an array of dining experiences. From the unforgettable wood-fired pizzas at The Pedaler’s Pub to the unique and vibrant atmosphere of Flying Fish, and the artisanal delights at Markham & Fitz, the city celebrates a diversity of flavors and experiences.
Coupled with the distinctive charm of places like Airship Coffee and the lively Eighth Street Market, our visit highlighted the city’s burgeoning food scene. Bentonville is more than just a stopover; it’s a place where food tells a story, inviting visitors to indulge in a journey of taste and discovery.