One of the most alluring attractions in Northwest Arkansas is the dining options, as there’s a little bit of everything available here, particularly in Fayetteville. If you’re interested in the area, planning to visit, or moving here, you need to know about these best restaurants.
The best restaurants in Fayetteville include Tula, Hugo’s Hammontree’s Bordinos, and Doe’s Eat Place. Additionally, nearby in Johnson are a few other excellent restaurants worth visiting, including Hail Fellow Well Met, Pizzeria Ruby, and Wrights BBQ.
This article will look at all the great things about these restaurants and what makes them the best. Read on for your guide to the tastiest dining in the Fayetteville area.
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1. Tula
If you’re a fan of Mexican, Tula has everything you want. They have some of the best tacos I have had since moving to the Northwest Arkansas area.
This restaurant is easy to find, as it’s located in the downtown area of Fayetteville. You’ll notice it right away because of the glass wall of beverages. It’s an exquisite restaurant located within another building.
While they have an excellent bar and indoor seating area, they are most well-known for their gorgeous outdoor seating options. In the winter, they have heated areas, so customers can still enjoy sitting outside.
What’s most important about Tula is the fantastic menu. Some of my clients who have also moved here from Chicago have proclaimed it the best Mexican fare they’ve had since they relocated. Honestly, I can’t disagree because it’s that good.
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2. Hugo’s
One of the best burger places you’ll find in Fayetteville is Hugo’s. It’s in an underneath setting, where you must go down a set of stairs to reach it. It also has a bar, but the real gem is the burgers on the menu.
It’s not just regular burgers, either. When I first got to Northwest Arkansas, Hugo’s was one of my initial restaurant experiences, and I gave this unique burger a try. It had a combination of peanut butter, jelly, and bacon, and while that may sound weird, it was delicious.
In addition to their excellent gourmet burger offerings, you won’t be disappointed by their fries. It’s an all-around great dining experience, complete with drinks if you want them.
However, you must remember this is a popular spot and packs out quickly. So, if you plan on dining here, you’ll need to arrive early and possibly expect to be waiting outside for some time for a table. Regardless, the wait for the delectable burger you’ll enjoy will be well worth it.
3. Hammontree’s
This following location is more of a niche restaurant, as its menu is built around one food – the grilled cheese sandwich. Hammontree’s has taken everything you could possibly do to this all-American favorite and made an all-star menu.
Everything you could imagine doing to a grilled cheese sandwich has been done by this restaurant. One of my favorites features the barbeque pork on the grilled cheese, which is delicious.
Hammontree’s is located in the downtown section near Dixon Street, so stop in and try the menu if you’re in the area.
4. Bordinos
Bordinos offers guests a highly curated menu that may be special for that night or several months. It’s a low-lighting, sit-down kind of restaurant and can generally be considered a rival to Tula, a higher-end, exclusive-style restaurant.
So, if you’re looking for a great place to sit down and enjoy a very specialized menu, Bordinos is where you want to go. They feature higher-end wines, meats, and cheeses brought straight to the table.
It’s located on Dixon Street and offers guests a wonderful higher-class dining experience.
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5. Doe’s Eat Place
Doe’s Eat Place is well-known throughout the area for one thing on its menu. What’s that item? It’s steak. Ask anyone in Northwest Arkansas where to get a great steak, and they will tell you to go to Doe’s.
Located on Dixon Street, Doe’s Eat Place is one of the most popular places to eat in Fayetteville, and just like Bordinos, it packs out quickly.
Full of college flair, it’s got quite a bit of character. You’re sure to enjoy the atmosphere while you dine.
6. Hail Fellow Well Met
If you don’t mind stepping out of Fayetteville and traveling the short distance to Johnson, Hail Fellow Well Met is an excellent choice. For those who don’t know, Johnson is a small town wedged between Springdale and Fayetteville but a little closer to Fayetteville.
Hail Fellow Well Met is the brainchild of Onyx Coffee. They definitely serve Onyx Coffee on their menu, which features a better variety of lunch items than dinner choices.
While this restaurant is better for lunch options, you’re more likely to find unique and healthy lunch items here than anywhere else in Northwest Arkansas.
What makes Hail Fellow Well Met interesting goes back to its Onyx Coffee origins and their way of thinking that holds to the idea that you should never settle for “good enough.” That being said, when you go to Hail Fellow, you’ll see they are a brand that strives for outstanding quality.
7. Pizzeria Ruby
Most of the time, when someone suggests getting Chicago-style pizza, the experience is a total letdown. That’s simply not the case with Pizzeria Ruby in Johnson. In fact, it’s the closest experience I’ve had down here to either Chicago or New York-style pizza.
They have a fantastic thin-crust pizza that I absolutely enjoy. Their deep dish is also excellent. However, they specialize in the thin crust, using high-quality items.
As with everywhere else on this list, you can expect the wait times to be high due to the caliber of food. Ensure you get your order in at the right time when you’re hungry but not starving, so you can enjoy it when you pick it up.
8. Wright’s BBQ
Wright’s BBQ is known for making fantastic barbeque in the south and midwest, making it closer to Kansas-style barbeque than Texas-style. You’ll want to keep that in mind if you’re a connoisseur.
They have assortments of everything you’ll be looking for, from burnt ends to sausage to all things pork. Everything is cooked that morning or the day before, ensuring it’s fresh.
So, if you’re looking for the cream of the crop when it comes to barbeque in Northwest Arkansas, you need to stop in and visit Wright’s BBQ in Johnson.
If you’re in Northwest Arkansas, you may want to try restaurants in other cities. Read my full guide to get a comprehensive list of the best restaurants in Bentonville.