Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Fayetteville / Northwest Arkansas

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Fayetteville / Northwest Arkansas? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Prima Italia

4.9

4.9 (160)

$31 to $50

Italian

Fort Smith

About the restaurant

Owned by a trio of talented chefs, the menus at Prima Italia were developed to offer patrons authentic, contemporary Italian cuisine. The highest quality raw ingredients, such as eggs from Happy Egg based in Rogers, AR, who also supply Michelin starred restaurants in New York and Los Angeles, are used to create fresh pasta daily. The pasta is made using equipment by Imperia & Monfeṙṙina imported directly from Asti, Italy. Breads are sourced locally from Harvest Moon Bakery.

We are excited for Fort Smith to experience our cuisine in this beautiful space!

Top review

sherylVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing dinner out with a dear friend, live band was a special treat. The service and the food was fabulous from appetizer, dinner and desserts were amazing!

Junto

4.9

4.9 (202)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Bentonville

About the restaurant

Junto boasts a Japanese-inspired menu, including seasonal small plates and chef specialties, alongside an extensive list of traditional sushi, sashimi, and nigiri.

Top review

Tracey

Dined 2 days ago

Beautiful restaurant and the food was outstanding!

Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar - Bentonville

4.8

4.8 (242)

$30 and under

Italian

Bentonville

About the restaurant

At Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar owners Chef Soerke Peters and Amy Stouffer keep this simple and amazing. Fresh pasta, mozzarella, and gelato made fresh daily. Come taste fresh!

Top review

Jackie

Dined 3 days ago

it took a little bit for us to get our drinks or even have somebody come over to take our drink order, because of that it felt a little rushed once he finally did come over, waiter was very nice. However, food was absolutely amazing as always ambience is great except restaurant is so loud we only had four people at a table and we could only talk to the person next to us, don’t know if there’s anything they can do about the noise level, but that seems like a huge problem…food is always divine though 🙌

The Hive at 21c

4.7

4.7 (2345)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bentonville

About the restaurant

Located at 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville, The Hive emphasizes the unique culinary identity of Arkansas.
A communal gathering place, The Hive prepares locally sourced ingredients to showcase the unique culinary identity of Arkansas. The restaurant and lounge are perfect for catching up over drinks friends, entertaining important clients or simply grabbing a bite with friends and family in Bentonville

Top review

Claudia

Dined 2 days ago

Thoughtfully prepared and delicious food. The chicken was surprisingly good - tender, juicy, excellent chimmichuri sauce. Lovely wait staff too. I will return!

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Vetro 1925 Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (1063)

$31 to $50

Italian

Fayetteville

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Fayetteville, Vetro 1925 offers a refined dining experience rooted in the timeless traditions of Italian cuisine. Under the direction of Executive Chef Alan Dierks, the kitchen showcases simple, elegant flavors crafted from sustainably sourced seafood, premium meats, and locally harvested produce. Meats are sourced from regional farms that uphold humane practices, while artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and Sicilian olives are imported directly from Italy. Seasonal dishes inspired by the local harvest appear alongside beloved classics, offering fresh perspective with each visit. Much of the menu is naturally gluten-free, with thoughtful vegetarian and vegan options always available.

Top review

Wendy

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Absolutely amazing from start to finish. From the cocktails to the desserts, every course was perfectly prepared and yummy. Bonus points for making a fabulous lasagna that is alpha-gal friendly!!

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Popular dish

Spaghetti Carbonara

Cheers at The Old Post Office

4.7

4.7 (567)

$30 and under

Grill

Fayetteville

About the restaurant

Come enjoy a delicious meal right off the wood fire grill! We are located right in the heart of the historic Fayetteville square, and welcome you to join us for an incredible meal in an inviting, lively atmosphere. Our kitchen uses only select mesquite wood to insure every item has just the right amount of smoky flavor. For a grilled lunch or dinner, we offer classic steaks from ribeye to filet mignon as well as a few outside of the box items like lamb chop lollipops and jalapeño-stuffed quail breast. We also have sandwiches, salads, soups, and house-made desserts.

About the Building

Built in 1911, this historic building began its important role in the Fayetteville community as the city Post Office. In 1974 it was saved from demolition by a citizen-led petition, and gained National Historic status. We are honored to continue the tradition of bringing people together and celebrating the citys history in the beautiful Old Post Office.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined 4 days ago

It was a fun and enjoyable experience. The drinks and food were good. The location was pretty cool as well.

StoneHouse Chaffee Crossing

4.7

4.7 (430)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Fort Smith

About the restaurant

Located at the edge of Fort Smith in Chaffee Crossing. StoneHouse introduces a Chef driven, eclectic menu with a modern approach to new American while focusing on the steak program with prime meats. From the moment you walk-in, plan on encountering the highest level of food in Fort Smith.

Here at StoneHouse our goal is to create a place for friends and families to gather. We pride ourselves in providing a dining experience that will truly impress our patrons and their guests.

Our Steakhouse features primal cuts including Porterhouse, Ribeye, Tomahawk and Filet Mignon. Steaks and chops aren’t the only dishes StoneHouse serves up. Seasonal seafood, Chef inspired dishes and delectable desserts are just some of the tempting offerings. Of course, no meal would be complete without that perfectly paired wine. Knowing this, StoneHouse presents one of the largest wine selections in Fort Smith. When the time comes to impress, we’ll be ready for you and your guests.

Top review

Ken

Dined 4 days ago

Our 46th wedding anniversary and my wife and I had a perfect experience at Stone House. I'm ashamed I can't remember our server's name but she could not have made it better and the food was delicious; seriously, every bite. We were expecting a good meal and good atmosphere. They far exceeded those expectations.

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Popular dish

Spinach Dip

Popular dish

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Rogers

4.6

4.6 (1878)

$30 and under

American

Rogers

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a premier dining establishment renowned for its specialty in serving USDA Prime steaks. Each steak is expertly prepared and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate, ensuring a delicious and unforgettable dining experience. Our steak house is conveniently located within walking distance of the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion (AMP) and the Rogers Event Center. It's also just a short drive from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Walmart Home Office, and the University of Arkansas Museum. Ruth's Chris Rogers has been named the 2024 OpenTable Diner's Choice Winner, a true testament to its unwavering commitment to exceptional quality and service. Whether you're a steak aficionado or simply looking for a remarkable dining experience, we invite you to join us and indulge in our award-winning cuisine.

Top review

Laura

Dined 6 days ago

First time at the new location. They did a great job and the service was amazing.

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4.5

4.5 (96)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Fayetteville

About the restaurant

The historic house has a new life as a restaurant and bar, with Executive Chef Tyler Rogers creating dishes that celebrate local, seasonal ingredients. Guests and neighbors can take their craft cocktails from the bar to the parlors of the old house or out to the screened porch. We currently offer Brunch from 7:30am-1pm 7 days a week and Dinner from 5pm - 9pm, Monday - Saturday. Come join us at the top of Markham Hill right next to the University of Arkansas.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

The food and drinks were spectacular! Great service too!

Dave & Buster's - Rogers

4.4

4.4 (71)

$30 and under

American

Rogers

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

David

Dined on May 10, 2025

The food was good and the place was fun. The service was just a little slow.

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Experience

Sunday SIP Night

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