Chef Matt Cooper is the acclaimed Chef/Owner of Conifer Bentonville and Rÿn Bentonville. He has received multiple recognitions from the James Beard Foundation, including being a finalist for Best Chef: South in 2025...
Insights
ItalianChineseBakeryLocal ModernUpscaleDinnerFarm To TableFine Dining
Last updated: 7/7/2026, 5:33:14 AM
Key Information
Conifer Bentonville is a dedicated gluten-free, farm-to-table restaurant offering a hyper-seasonal menu that reflects local stories and ingredients. It provides a modern and lively fine dining atmosphere, making it a unique culinary destination in Bentonville.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise Conifer for its outstanding service, delicious and creative food, and elegant yet lively atmosphere. Many highlight the exceptional quality of the gluten-free dishes, noting that it's hard to believe they are gluten-free. The attentive and friendly staff, along with the chef's personal engagement, contribute to a special dining experience.
Additional Details
Conifer is known for its commitment to local, seasonal ingredients, with its menu changing frequently to reflect the freshest produce available. It is a sister restaurant to Ryn.
Conifer is open for dinner Monday through Sunday from 5 PM to 9 PM. Reservations are recommended, especially for prime dining times, though bar seating may be available for walk-ins with a short wait.
Awards & Recognition
James Beard Award Semi-Finalist (Chef Cooper) • 2024
James Beard Award Finalist (Chef Cooper) • 2025
James Beard Award Semi-Finalist (Chef Cooper) • 2026
This place came highly recommended and we see why. Downtown Ventonville locstion made this a walkable option.
Without a reservation, we were able to sit at the bar which turned out great!
Mason is an excellent bartender! He was SO personable and made our meal even more memorable! The food was delish.
Lovely location and fantastic, fresh food. Perfect for the picky foodie.
Chef Cooper delivered an incredible dining experience at The Conifer. The service was outstanding, and every dish impressed, from the chicken spatzel with mac & cheese to the strawberries with ricotta, cheddar biscuits with whipped butter, and the unforgettable brown butter ice cream with pecans and caramel.
Chef Cooper even came to our table to share his vision, which made the night feel personal and special. Hands down some of the best gluten-free food we’ve ever had, you’d never know it was gluten-free.
Absolutely worth the visit. We’ll be back.
5
Where do I begin? My husband and I came in from Kansas just to try conifers and it did not disappoint! The flavor in the food was incredible and the portion sizes were very reasonable! Everything is gluten free and a lot of meals can be made vegan, vegetarian, and dairy free!! We ate amazing cheddar biscuits, melty brisket, and perfectly flavorful chicken breast! Our server (Sarah T.) was so sweet! She was very prompt and informative of the menu, and we enjoyed her very much! The atmosphere was a little loud on the inside (but I think the quality and experience outweighs it being loud). They also have a great bar and an outside patio. The two of us went in on a Friday night w/o reservations and were sat promptly, and we were in and out in about an hour and a half. 10/10 experience, will be coming back again!!
5
We had a great time at Conifer this past Friday. We sat on the patio because we had our puppy with us. The service was attentive and friendly. We tried the cucumbers with hummus and chili crisp, the lamb meatballs, and the halibut. All were fantastic! It's easy to see why this restaurant came so highly recommended.
5
Whether you eat gluten free or not, this place is a fine dining experience. Service was unmatched. I have been eating GF for 7 years now and I've never had biscuits like that before. My wife, who can eat gluten, couldn't tell the difference between it and normal bread. The entrees were a made with quality local ingredients, and the dessert was so good. We shared the berry crumble with brown butter ice cream. Also, they have custom made beers that are gluten reduced from Bentonville brewing so that was a nice touch. Seasonal menu so it's always changing. High recommend.
