13 Best Restaurants in Springdale, Arkansas

1. Taqueria La Catrina – Authentic Mexican Street Food

Taqueria La Catrina, which is run by a family, is the best place to get real Mexican street food that tastes like Oaxacan springtime. It’s in a small, bright cottage on Emma Avenue. From the outside, it may look simple, but the inside has a lot of surprises. You can feel like you’re in Mexico’s markets and taco stands when you look at the bright, psychedelic paintings. Their tacos and quesadillas are so good that one bite will make your taste buds shout “ole!”

At Taqueria La Catrina, you can get all the classic Mexican street foods, like carne asada and al pastor tacos, which are full of juicy meats, chopped onions, and cilantro. But what really makes them stand out are their unique specialties, which feature real Oaxacan products like grasshoppers, huitlacoche corn mushrooms, and mole sauces that they make themselves. Chef Karina Luna also makes blue corn tortillas from heirloom Oaxacan corn that she brings in straight from Mexico, which gives them an even more authentic taste.

A meal at Taqueria La Catrina is a tasty way to experience real Mexican food and culture, whether you stick to the tried-and-true favorites or brave the more unusual dishes. Enjoy your stay!

2. 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.

3. The Press Room – Trendsetting New American Small Plates

The Press Room is run by two Arkansas natives who learned how to cook in New York City kitchens. It brings trendy eating from the big city to downtown Springdale, but with a Southern twist. James and Alicia Norris’s sleek, modern, industrial dining room matches their polished small plates concept, which focuses on carefully put together dishes with the best ingredients from the area.

The menu is mostly made up of snacks, garden plates, and heartier main dishes that change with the seasons and are great for sharing with other people. If you sit at the chef’s bar that faces the open kitchen, you can see how the team makes dishes like foie gras mousse on cornbread toast, garlic confit crab beignets, and coffee-crusted hanger steak served with blue cheese chimichurri that are good enough for a Michelin star.

The outside of the Rock Block building doesn’t look like much, but once you step inside, The Press Room feels like it’s in the big city while still having a Southern feel. We invite you to enjoy the most international eating experience in Springdale at this must-see hotspot.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Hugo’s Eatiquete – Refined New American Cuisine

There is no doubt that Hugo’s Restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Springdale and all of Northwest Arkansas. Chef Hugo Solano II has been cooking for 30 years, and his refined New American food skillfully blends tastes and ingredients.

Hugo’s is located in a beautiful, modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over downtown Springdale. From the moment you walk in, you’ll feel like you’re in a five-star restaurant. From the amuse bouche that starts the meal to the creme brûlée that ends it, every dish shows how talented Chef Solano is and how well he can combine flavors. Their pan-seared scallops with corn pudding and duck confit served with a lingonberry gastrique are two of the best things they serve. Also, be sure to look at their excellent wine list, which has more than 200 choices.

Hugo’s dishes are on the more expensive side, but the great service, cozy atmosphere, and delicious food make it well worth the odd treat. Hugo’s Eatiquete has one of the best meals in Northwest Arkansas.

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!