Northwest Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Food Guide

There are a lot of great restaurants and dining options across Northwest Arkansas with endless options and cuisines. However, for this guide, we wanted to highlight outdoor recreation food options. What is an outdoor recreation food option you might ask? In this case, it isn't only trail-mix or freeze-dried food but instead restaurants located on trails and outdoor rec-friendly spaces. We also selected unique options that were outdoor themed and would be the perfect place to grab a bite to eat for anyone who is enjoying the outdoors in Northwest Arkansas. Reminder, some places on this list serve alcohol but you have to be 21 years old to consume alcoholic beverages. 

Bella Vista

• Gear Garden: Gear Garden is a converted shipping container to concession and adult beverage stand tucked away in Blowing Springs Park in Bella Vista. This stand is located right past the Blowing Springs campground and has lots of outdoor patio seating which means it is also pet friendly. This is a perfect stop to refuel after riding the trails or looking to be a part of a cool nature and atmosphere for outdoor recreation food. The stand mostly sells adult beverages but also has snacks like trail mix and roasted peanuts for sale. 
  • Open Wednesday through Sunday from 2:00PM-8:00PM, and closed on Monday and Tuesdays.

Photo courtesy of Bella Vista POA

Bentonville

• The Bend: Located right off of Slaughter Pen Trail The Bend is a great stop for bikers after riding the trails all day. The Bend has bike racks for locking up your bike as well as a big outdoor patio with lots of seating. The menu is pub style with things like nachos, pizza and sandwiches.
  • Open: 4:00PM-9:00PM on weekdays and 11:00AM-9:00PM on weekends.
• HUB Bike Lounge: The Hub Bike Lounge is designed by and for cycling enthusiasts and owned by the founders of Progressive Trail Design. The Hub is not only a restaurant and hangout spot but also a bike shop and rental hub. So you can drop off your bike and have it worked on while enjoying some food and beverages. The menu is also pub-style with nachos, sandwiches, and tacos.
  • Open: Wednesday through Saturday from 8:00AM-10:00PM, and Sundays 11:00AM-9:00PM.
• The Meteor Cafe: Another bike-centric but unique dining option is The Meteor Cafe in Bentonville. This bike shop, wine shop, and dining restaurant is a one-stop shop for cycling enthusiasts. The Meteor has a breakfast menu with biscuits, and breakfast tacos then a dinner and lunch menu with pizza and salads. 
  • Open from 7:00AM-10:00PM Sunday through Thursday and from 7:00AM-11:00PM on Friday and Saturdays.
• Oh Snap! Ice Cream: Located next door to The HUB and Pedaler's Pub is Oh Snap! Ice Cream. With a 90's theme Oh Snap! is a unique and great stop to get some ice cream after a ride. There is outdoor seating around the stand/truck and bike locks in the area. There are also non-dairy ice cream options available!
  • Open: Sunday through Thursday from 3:00PM-10:00PM, Fridays from 3:00PM-11:00PM, and Saturdays from 1:00PM-11:00PM.
• Airship Coffee: Airship has been featured in several of our blogs in the past because of its open-concept design and its amazing location. Being at the heart of the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve only accessible by trail lands Airship on our outdoor recreation food guide. Airship is mostly known for its coffee and drinks but they also have a food menu that includes tacos, nachos, and baked goods like scones, brownies, and cookies. 
  • Open on weekdays 8:00AM-7:00PM and weekends from 8:00AM-8:00PM.
• Pedaler's Pub: With a name like Pedaler's Pub there shouldn't be any question why they made our list. Founded in 2014 the Pedaler's pub serves adult beverages and pizza and is located along the Razorback Greenway trail in Downtown Bentonville. The Pedaler's Pub has both indoor and patio seating as well as bike racks to safely secure your bike after a day of hitting the world-class trails in Bentonville. 
  • Open Tuesday Through Sunday from 11:00AM-11:00PM, and closed on Mondays.
• Bike Rack Brewing: Bike Rack Brewing is another cyclist-friendly location in Bentonville that made our list because of its accessibility, and outdoor recreation theme. Bike Rack is an adult beverage location and is known for their craft beers. While they do not serve food they are located at 8th street market and so there are tons of food options right around the corner and next door to their location.
  • Open Monday through Thursday from 3:00PM-10:00PM, and Friday and weekends from 12:00PM-11:00PM.

Rogers

• The Captain's Seat: While most of the cafes and restaurants on our list are bike-centric and focused, we were sure to add a few unique dining experiences for other outdoor recreation types. The Captain's Seat at Prairie Creek Marina is a newly opened restaurant catering to people out enjoying the water at Beaver Lake. Whether you were swimming, boating, or fishing, the Captain's seat is a great place to go hang out. 
  • Open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00AM-9:00PM, and closed Monday through Wednesday.
• Java Dudes: Java Dudes is a great local coffee shop in Rogers located directly off of the Railyard Loop Bike Trail and the Rogers Skate and Splash Pad. They have several signature coffee creations as well as all the traditional coffee options. 
  • Open daily from 7:00AM-5:00PM.

Springdale

• Trailside Coffee Company: Trailside Coffee Company in Springdale is located right off of the Razorback Greenway along the Spring Creek portion. This coffee shop is a welcoming space for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a place to refuel and relax during their day of adventure. Whether you're a hiker, cyclist, or nature lover, Trailside provides the perfect blend of outdoor charm and refreshment. If coffee isn't your thing Trailside also has smoothies and tea on their menu. 

Fayetteville

• City Park: Located just north of the University of Arkansas Campus is the newly opened City Park Restaurant. Built out of an old shipping container City Park is an outdoor patio restaurant designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind. Their menu has tacos, BBQ, burgers, and many other options to satisfy everyone's palate. 
  • Open from 11:00AM-10:00PM on weekdays and 11:00AM-11:00PM on weekends. 
• Nomads Trailside: Located right off of the Skull Creek Trail portion of the Razorback Greenway is Nomads Trailside. This restaurant is only feet off of the trail hence its name and it is a great stop for cyclists and anyone else traveling the Greenway. Nomads is known for their brunch, burgers, beer, and live events like concerts and comedy. They have indoor seating which is perfect for those cooler months but also a patio to enjoy the outdoors. It is important to note at this time there are no dedicated bike racks at Nomads. If you still wanted to lock up your bike there are railings near the entrance and the patio posts. 
  • Open from 3:00PM-9:00PM on weekdays and 10:00AM-11:00PM on weekends.
• Fossil Cove/Wicked Wood-Fired Pizza: Located in the heart of Fayetteville, also right off of the Razorback Greenway is Fossil Cove Brewing company and a wood-fired pizza truck called Wicked Wood-Fired Pizza. Both of these places are bike, pet, and family-friendly and welcome everyone to come enjoy good food and if you are of drinking age, 12 of their on-tap local brews. 
  • They are open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:00PM-9:00PM, Fridays from 3:00PM-9:00PM, weekends from 12:00-9:00PM, and closed on Mondays.

Winslow

• Ridge Runner Cafe at Devil's Den State Park: Ridge Runner Cafe, nestled within the picturesque Devil's Den State Park, offers a charming dining experience in the heart of natural beauty. This cafe provides a perfect retreat for visitors seeking a bite to eat amidst their outdoor adventures. The menu features a variety of dishes crafted to satisfy hungry hikers, campers, and all other outdoor enthusiasts. Ridge Runner Cafe ensures that guests can refuel and relax in the rustic atmosphere of the old Civilian Conservation Corps building. From its outdoor-themed name to their outdoor recreation food options the Ridge Runner Cafe ranks high on our list and we highly recommend you check them out,  
  • Open Wednesday through Monday from 8:00AM-6:00PM, and closed on Tuesdays.

Photo courtesy of Ridge Runner Cafe

The Buffalo National River

• Buffalo Point Cabins & Concessions: Located near the popular Buffalo Point area is the Buffalo Point Cabins and Concessions. This restaurant and cabins are a great place for visitors of The Buffalo River to stop due to its proximity to river access, campgrounds, and scenic overlooks. 
  • Open Seasonally. Check for hours here.
• Buffalo Outdoor Center Deli: Another great outdoor recreation food option is the Buffalo Outdoor Center Deli. The BOC Deli is a charming and convenient eatery situated within the Buffalo Outdoor Center, a renowned destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to visit the scenic Buffalo National River. This deli offers a range of delicious and freshly prepared food options. Whether gearing up for a day of adventure or winding down after outdoor activities, the deli provides a variety of hearty sandwiches, salads, snacks and beverages to cater to different tastes. 
  • Open daily from 8:00AM-6:00PM

Image Courtesy of Buffalo Outdoor Center

Stay tuned as we continue our culinary journey through outdoor recreation food options across Northwest Arkansas, The options are endless, and each spot offers a unique experience that celebrates the outdoors and delicious food and beverages in perfect harmony. Whether you are a cyclist, hiker, or water lover, Northwest Arkansas has something special to offer to satisfy your taste buds on or after your day of adventure.