13 Best Restaurants in Benton, Arkansas

Taliano’s Italian Restaurant

At Taliano’s Italian Restaurant, which is run by a family, classic Italian comfort food is the name of the game. Traditional dishes like spaghetti marinara and shrimp scampi are served at this casual trattoria, along with new dishes like Italian nachos loaded with pepperoni and melted cheese.

Taliano’s also has deals every night, like eggplant Parmesan, chicken piccata, or lasagna. Don’t forget to save room for dessert, like seasonal cheesecakes and tiramisu. You can get a taste of Italy at Taliano’s, which has helpful service, a cozy atmosphere, and food made from scratch.

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Address: 3301 Military Rd, Benton, AR 72015
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

The Royal Food Market

In a relaxed counter-service setting, the Royal Food Market serves food with Greek and Mediterranean flavors. This restaurant is owned by a family and serves salads like tabbouleh and Greek, as well as pita sandwiches stuffed full of grilled meat, falafel, or vegetables. Some of the daily options could be gyros, moussaka, or Greek-style pastas.

For a sweet ending, try baklava, rice pudding, or another treat. Royal Food Market is a popular place for lunch and dinner because the prices are low and the amounts are big. You can either take your food to go or sit down at one of the few tables in this small but powerful restaurant.

Address: 1712 Military Rd, Benton, AR 72015

Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill

Skeeter’s barbecue and grilled foods get a sweet, smoky flavor from mesquite wood cooking. As with ribs, sausage, pulled pork, and chicken, the best Texas-style barbecue is brisket that is smoked low and slow and cut to order. Skeeter’s also serves burgers, steaks cooked on a grill, and daily treats like catfish. Beers from the United States are served with sides like baked potatoes and fried okra.

Skeeter’s is a local institution thanks to its large amounts, combos that are easy on the wallet, and BYOB policy. There is a second site in Hot Springs, and food trucks all over central Arkansas bring Skeeter’s famous flavor to a lot of people.

Address: 4201 East Street, Benton, AR 72019

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe

Chelsea’s Corner Cafe is a great place to get basic comfort food in a cozy setting. This cute restaurant is in a cute old house that is just off of the main street in old town Benton. The dining rooms with fireplaces and tin ceilings are the right setting for Chelsea’s hearty cooking.

For lunch, you can get big burgers, fluffy pancakes, or biscuits and gravy. People like pot roast, chicken fried steak, and chicken pasta for dinner. There are daily deals, friendly service, and pie by the slice at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe, which makes you feel like you’re eating at grandma’s house.

Address: 200 E Sevier St, Benton, AR 72015

Hours: Monday–Saturday 6 a.m.–8 p.m.

MJ’s Grill

The food at MJ’s Grill is a mix of Creole tastes and Southern soul food classics. This restaurant is run by black people and serves po’ boys, fried seafood baskets, smothered meats, and daily specials like meatloaf, fried catfish, and smothered turkey wings.

Sides include yams, collard greens, and mac and cheese. Drink some sweet tea or fresh lemonade to wash it all down. Longtime owner Mary Jackson keeps the quality high by making everything from scratch, so every bite tastes like love. MJ’s Grill feeds the body and the soul with its friendly atmosphere, good food, and generous attitude.

Address: 201 West Access Road, Benton, AR 72019

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Peddler’s Pub

English-style fish and chips, bangers and mash, steak and mushroom pie, and other U.K. favorites are served at Peddler’s Pub in Benton. The cozy bar is in a building from the 1800s, with dark wood, etched glass, and English-style decor.

During your meal, you can drink English and Irish beers, ciders, or whiskey. Afterward, you can play cornhole or darts outside. On the daily menu, you can find everything from prime rib and tacos to cottage pie and ploughman’s lunch. Peddler’s Pub is a great place to spend the night because it has real food, games, trivia nights, and live music.

Address: 324 W South St, Benton, AR 72015
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

301 BBQ and Grill

At 301 BBQ and Grill, smoked meats are the main attraction. This roadside barbecue joint is in a metal building just off of Interstate 30. They serve brisket that melts in your mouth, ribs that fall off the bone, smoky links, pulled pork, and chicken wings.

All the grilled and smoked meats go well with loaded baked potatoes. With its tangy sweetness, the 301 Sauce makes every bite better. With wallet-friendly prices, big portions, and BYOB policy, 301 BBQ and Grill is worth a detour for phenomenal barbecue in a no-frills setting.

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Address: Exit 117 – 298 S Access Rd, Benton, AR 72019
Hours: Wednesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Thai Drift

Thai Drift is the place to go for authentic Thai flavors in a modern setting. This stylish Asian fusion bistro makes Thai curry, noodle and rice dishes, stir fries, and more with fresh ingredients and skilled preparation.

Creative cocktails made with soju, sake, and other Asian spirits go well with the food. Some of the best dishes are pad Thai, crispy duck, pineapple fried rice, red curry, and Tom yum soup, which is full of flavors like lemongrass, chilies, and kaffir lime. Thai Drift brings city-style Thai dining to Benton.

Address: 911 Military Rd, Benton, AR 72015
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

The Rolling Pin

From breakfast offerings such as pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and casseroles; lunch options include sandwiches, salads, or soup of the day; daily specialties include pot roast to enchiladas; and save room for a slice of pie, brownie, or other dessert paired with specialty coffee drinks.

The Rolling Pin offers savory eats, sweet treats, and excellent coffee to Benton. Display cases brimming with cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and other baked goods provide the backdrop for this charming cafe.

Address: 2300 Congo Rd Suite B, Benton, AR 72015
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

Fifty-One Fifty

Fifty-One Fifty is tucked away on a side street in downtown Benton. It is a high-end restaurant with a classy but casual environment. Bimal Chitrakar, the chef and owner, skillfully combines his Nepalese background and French training to make American food that is inspired by food from around the world.

The menu changes with the seasons, but some of the best items are the pan-seared sea scallops served on mushroom rice and the parmesan-crusted chicken topped with prosciutto and lemon caper sauce. Fifty-One Fifty also has a large cocktail menu that goes well with your food. Fifty-One Fifty is great for date nights or special occasions because the food is expertly presented and the service is top-notch.

Address: 151 Jefferson St, Benton, AR 72015

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

David’s Burgers

David’s Burgers is a fast-casual place where you can get tasty burgers made to order. People in the area love this place because it serves tasty food like hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, juicy meat patties, crispy fries, shakes, and more. You can make your own burger or try one of their famous stacks, like the Frito Chili Cheeseburger or the Pizza Burger. All of these come with a single, double, or triple patty.

David’s Burgers is a great place to eat without spending a lot of money because the amounts are big. David’s Burgers has a lot of loyal customers all over central Arkansas. They have two locations in Benton, as well as spots in Bryant and Hot Springs and a food truck for grab-and-go service.

Address: 205 Military Rd, Benton, AR 72015

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Fisherman’s Wharf

This is the place to go for fresh seafood from the Gulf in a laid-back seaside setting. There is fishing gear all around this country restaurant, which serves baskets full of lightly breaded shrimp, fried catfish, oysters, and more.

Beers or frozen drinks made in the United States go well with seafood. Hushpuppies, fries, or slaw go well with seafood. There are also burgers, salads, po’ boys, and Creole dishes like jambalaya and étouffée on the menu at Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf has been a favorite fish spot for Benton residents for over 20 years. With fast counter service and low prices, it’s easy to see why.

Address: 3701 Highway 35, Benton, AR 72019

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

Conclusion

In Benton, there are a lot of different places to eat, from grill joints to bistros. Chelsea’s Corner Cafe and Fisherman’s Wharf, two well-known restaurants in the area, have been around for a long time and are loved by the community. Newer restaurants like Fifty-One Fifty and Thai Drift offer new takes on classic dishes. Classic comfort food, food from around the world, chef-driven plates, sweet treats, and everything in between can be found at these 12 places.

When you go to central Arkansas again, don’t forget to check out Benton’s underrated food scene. You’ll have a hard time choosing where to start, so be sure to bring enough food to try more than one of these hidden gems on your Benton flavor tour.