Are you hosting or planning gatherings this holiday season and need to be mindful of specific food allergies or dietary preferences? Be “the most” with the help of this curated guide of Bentonville dining destinations that makes accommodating special diets a breeze. From restaurants completely dedicated to specific diets to places with everyone in mind, this list has you covered.

 

A festive dining scene with four people enjoying colorful drinks and snacks at a vibrant, holiday-themed table adorned with decorations.

Gluten-Free

 

Folks with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, rejoice! Bentonville has several exclusively gluten-free establishments. For sweet treats and savory baked goods, check out Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery (hint: the cinnamon rolls are SO good). Head to Stoic Brews for their totally GF menu, including house-made beers “brewed without barley,” cocktails made with Delta Dirt Sweet Potato Vodka, pizza, snacks, and mocktails. 

 

A modern bar interior featuring a sleek counter with high stools, illuminated tap wall, and a menu board displaying various beverages.

 

If you’re near the Bentonville Square, visit Conifer, a James Beard Award-nominated restaurant from Chef Matthew Cooper, whose dedicated gluten-free kitchen serves elevated but approachable farm-to-table seasonal fare. For a more rural experience, enjoy an unforgettable evening at Cooper’s newest restaurant, Ryn, where you can delight in a daily-rotating tasting menu sourced from the microfarm on premises. 


Other spots with great GF menu items include the savory, naturally gluten-free buckwheat crepes at Crepes Paulette (they have vegan and vegetarian soup options, too), seafood flown in daily at Blu Seafood House, gluten-free pizza options at The Meteor, and pancakes, biscuits, and waffles at The Buttered Biscuit–just ask for the gluten-free option.

Vegan

 

Another diet-dedicated space is Third Space Coffee. Third Space is Bentonville’s only 100% vegan coffee shop and bakery, it’s bike and pet-friendly, and is a great place to hang out or catch up on some work (or adopt a pet next door at Best Friends Animal Shelter, as it's located inside the resource center). 

 

Mindful of Allergens and Diets

 

Dining destinations that serve customers with multiple allergens and dietary preferences are becoming more and more common, but Bentonville has several spaces that can set your mind at ease. Snack Lab caters to most diets and offers healthy menu items that are paleo and keto-friendly, too. Sunny’s on Second is a health-focused cafe just off the Bentonville Square that supports vegan, gluten-freegluten free, keto, and paleo diets in addition to omnivorous options. You can find many dairy-free menu items at places like fruit and veggie-forward Rush Bowls (nut-free options, too!) and fast casual chains Chicken Salad Chick and Hawai’ian Bros. Choose the dairy-free ice cream base at Trash Ice Cream and indulge in the sweet treats of your dreams without worry. 

Vegetarian 

Most restaurants in Bentonville offer vegetarian options, but for extensive vegetarian menus, look no further than the wealth of Southeast Asian restaurants around town. Some of our favorites are the dosa and South Indian vegetarian fare at Chola Cafe, flavorful curries at Thai Basil or Kerala and modern Indian cuisine at Vira’s Cafe, which has many vegetarian, dairy, and nut free options.

Best stops for a mix of all the above + Omnivores

 

Omnivores will enjoy any of the restaurants mentioned in this guide, but as previously mentioned, there are a few establishments that do a great job of offering a little something for everyone. Taking a trip to Crystal Bridges? The museum’s coffee bar and restaurant at Eleven can accommodate most diets. Who doesn’t love Mexican food? Venture to James Beard Award-nominated Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico where they serve incredible Mexican cuisine that makes every belly happy (meat eaters: don’t sleep on the cauliflower tacos, you’ll regret it) or check out Ark-Mex specialties at Bentonville Taco and Tamale. If you’re looking for a cocktail spot with serious speakeasy swagger and an accommodating menu, make a reservation at the memorable Callisto Bar. How about a burger joint that works for everyone? Pop into Townie Burgers for a crowd-pleasing menu of nostalgic favorites. Focused on fine dining? The Hive, Preacher’s Son, and Bar Cleeta are all happy to accommodate your groups’ preferences. It’s hard to go wrong with the restaurant scene in Bentonville, but now you can host with even more confidence.

 

Dine safely and Happy Holidays!

 

 

Want more details? Listen to our podcast episode where we explore these accommodating restaurants and more! 

 

Know a spot we missed? We’d love to hear from you! If you have a favorite allergen-friendly, vegan, or gluten-free eatery in Bentonville that deserves a mention, email us at info@visitbentonville.com and help us keep this guide fresh and inclusive.