Top 10 Vegan and Vegetarian Dining Options in Northwest Arkansas

A hub for art and eccentric entrepreneur ventures, Northwest Arkansas is no stranger to living outside the box. Popping nightlifes, trendy downtowns and a focus on locally sourced goods and products, NWA has become the destination to visit in Arkansas. 

 

Gourmet and new twists on food/dining are a highlight of Northwest Arkansas and what many travel to the region for. With a little bit of something for everyone, plant-based diets can find the gourmet and tasty options they’re looking for when traveling or looking for local eateries to try out. 

 

In no particular order, here is a list of the top 10 vegan/vegetarian options in Northwest Arkansas .  

Nomads Southtown: All things local at Nomads, this joint serves many purposes in featuring the local art scene along with a colorful assortment of cuisine. Vegan meat or vegan cheese can be substituted for any of their exquisite burgers along with the option of a gluten free bun; or, there are plenty of other vegan meals to try, and dessert to top it off. Pair your meal with any of their signature cocktails and enjoy the local scene.

Petra Cafe: A plethora of vegan and vegetarian options can be found at Petra. All the traditional Mediterranean delicacies: falafil, baba ganoush, foule and hummus. All of the wonderful elements are mixed-and-matched to make exciting plant-based dishes. Sandwiches, platters, sides and soup, there’s enough to share. Check out the daily specials for your favorite meal at a discounted price. Don’t forget the baklava!  

SO FUN Food Truck: Everything on the menu is vegan, need I say more? Vegan burgers, vegan subs, even – wait for it – vegan prawns! This 100-percent vegan menu pulls out all the stops with so many options on the regular menu as well as special dishes that come and go and come back again. The truck has been around for about two years and remains a favorite quick-stop for people looking for tasty plant-based cuisine.  

Khana Indian Grill: An abundance of vegan and vegetarian options, Khana creates dishes from different regions in India and serves them on fully compostable plates made from Areca palm leaves from South India. Filling flavors and sustainability in mind, Khana dishes out a fully authentic and natural experience for customers. As the majority of the menu is meat-free, there are too many dishes to count. Bringing a bounty of flavor to every compostable plate, Khana has appetizers, entrees, and all the extras in veg or vegan. 

Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food: Dishes inspired by traditional Vietnamese street food, the experience takes the street experience inside to a trendy and comfortable restaurant. The Buddha Steak is the flavorful tofu fillet you’ve been searching for: crispy ginger-lime tofu and spicy mayo – a favorite among customers; or try out a classic that has been adapted for plant-based diets: Vegan Pho. Both dishes, along with other available options, are perfect for a night out.

Crepes Paulette: Mixing things up a bit, Crepes Paulette offers savory, sweet, and savory and sweet crepes. The crepes are perfect for an on-the-go meal with their hand-held cone-shape or to sit down and enjoy the chill ongoings of downtown Bentonville. la Veggie Chopper, la Lean Green, la Super Paulette and la Vegan Thai are only a taste of what Crepes Paulette has to offer along with endless fruit and sweet crepes ready to be devoured.

Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese: If you happen to be meeting up with someone in Fayetteville, chances are they’ll want to take you to Hammontree’s. The restaurant serves grilled cheese (per its name) and gourmet hot dogs. The Beatnik sandwich is already set-up for any hungry vegan or vegetarian, but customers also have the option to build their own sandwich. Any dog can be made a veggie dog with no charge for substitution, and don’t forget to trade out for some vegan cheese.

The Farmer’s Table: “Where locals meet and eat.” The Farmer’s Table not only serves local goods and fresh produce in their dishes, but they also have a shop specifically for local finds and businesses. A true local oasis. Restaurant wise, the Farmer’s Table has one of the most user-friendly menu for plant-based dieters around. A bold-lettered, eye-catching key tells you everything you need to know about whether a dish is for you or not, and rest assured, there are plenty of indicators for vegan. Breakfast through lunch, enjoy any of the fresh meals and support local. 

Mockingbird Kitchen: If you’re looking for a slightly more upscale dining experience without being over-the-top, check out Mockingbird Kitchen. Described as “modern cuisine” this restaurant will serve you dishes you probably haven’t tried before, and trying something new is always a good thing. The menu is also wonderfully marked with what to look at if you’re trying to find a dietary need. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many options there are, so go find your dish!

Snack Lab (Bentonville, Fayetteville): Looking for a grab-n-go stop for specific dietary needs? Snack Lab is the place. Whether you’re wanting to drop in and leave or stop and stay for a while, Snack Lab has a grocery store-esque set-up to hand select the snack or meal you want to try out. Breakfast, brunch or lunch may have specific options, but there’s a convenient all day menu that lets you pop in whenever for a smoothie, shake or bowl. There’s too many choices to list, so you’ll just have to go in yourself and let your tastebuds choose.

 

Honorable Mentions:

Aquarius Taqueria Tequila & Mezcal Bar

Artisan Woodfired Kitchen

Mary’s Vegan Kitchen

READ MORE: Top 10 Vegan and Vegetarian Dining Options in Central Arkansas