This is truly a special place in northwest Arkansas. The Hive is hidden within the 21c Museum Hotel but carries the art theme into the dining rooms with large bees and honeycombs suspended above the heads of diners while green penguins get a closer look. Apart from the subversive art installation, the decor is clean, rustic French in design filling the light-flooded rooms. There are large wooden tables near the kitchen for a prime view of the cooking and assembling of plates. For an early breakfast on a holiday week, it was pretty quiet and sparse, as most people were out of town. We were seated upon arrival without a reservation and even with a good looking menu, quickly decided upon our breakfast. I ordered the poached eggs while my husband opted for the egg sandwich. Although given the early hour there were not a ton of patrons, it still took a bit for the food to come out. Luckily, the wait staff had the sunniest disposition. The poached eggs arrived perched atop chorizo grits with a black-eyed pea ragout, sweet and tangy relish and toast of my choice which was a biscuit. The eggs were poached perfectly while I was left searching for chorizo or at least its flavor. The beans were cooked well and the relish was a refreshing and unexpected accompaniment to the whole dish. The biscuit was properly southern emanating the flavor and scent of butter as it towered over the small cast iron dish next to it. The strawberry jam and light-as-air whipped sorghum butter made it an extra special treat. The sandwich disappear as quickly as it arrived. He loved it, even with having the tomato jam on the side which was more like a thin tomato vinegar sauce. Nothing was left behind. This was a really great way to start the day and most likely just a preview of what lunch and dinner is like here which has me extremely interested. read more

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner. We had the cheese plate for starters, my husband had the chicken dinner and I had the ribeye. Dessert was a carmel, nut domed chocolate cake with cream on top! To top it off, green apple cotton candy was delivered with our check! . The server was amazing and brought us a small serving of a dish we enquired about when we were ordering! She also made sure we had one of the traveling penguins in the restaurant! We had fun taking the penguin to another table when we were done! Chef McClure runs an amazing kitchen with exquisitely prepared foods! Thank you so much read more

The Hive - Table with traveling penguin - Southern Near Me - Bentonville, Arkansas

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It was superbly awful. Never again. The service (2 hours) was 'relaxed' at best. The food was less than mediocre, AND I was was charged for the burger I never touched! Don't waste your money or your time. UPDATE The waitress and restaurant manager were clearly outclassed by the manager of the Hive restaurant in the 21C Hotel. The manager called and apologized profusely for our experience in the restaurant. He asked if our meal had been complimentary. We told him that we paid the bill and left a note regarding not leaving a tip. He was stunned and promptly reversed the meal charge on our credit card. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how a business should be run! read more

Don't make this a special occasion restaurant. Although the food and service were excellent they showed utter indifference to the fact that this was our 50th wedding anniversary dinner... No acknowledgment, no offer to take a picture, not even the simple candle in the dessert. They were informed twice and as we left we asked the waitress if she knew this was a special dinner for us. Her response was "yeah they told me". read more

This place is fantastic. Great service & food. Probably didn't need an appetizer because the portions are perfect. But I can't even complain because it too was amazing. read more

What a fantastic place! My partner and I hadn't had the best luck with Bentonville restaurants until The Hive, and now we can't wait to go back. We were waited on by Angela, who was great. She was attentive, friendly, and super fun, but gave us enough space to enjoy our dinner - that's a hard balance to find! We got the chicken liver mousse (perfect blend of sweet and savory), the winter salad (so fresh!), the Capelle pasta (warm and filling!), the chicken (perfectly cooked with perfect accompaniments), the Brussels sprouts (super yummy), and the citrus cake (still talking about it!). The ambiance is lovely - hip but cozy and original! We loved our cocktails, and appreciated the restaurant's whimsy; so fun to get to pull a penguin over to the table. Thanks so much for the great experience, guys, keep up the great work! read more

Food is great!! The chicken was so crispy and the fries are awesome. Love the aioli. Also love the pomegranate lemonade. read more

The Hive - Brunch chicken sandwich - Southern Near Me - Bentonville, Arkansas

Good food and a nice environment. We had a reservation which I read in other reviews was important. Would recommend having a reservation.

Was here with a very large party. The handled the volume with exceptional deft. Wines nice choices. Salad, soup, entrees, and dessert all top notch. I had pasta and a chocolate dessert and would come back. Of course the settings of the art museum sets this place above and beyond. read more

Everything about The Hive is incredibly intentional. Their attention to detail, ingredients, and environment makes for one of the best dining experiences in the NWA area. I enjoyed speaking with their staff and found their special touches to be charming. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu items. read more

Went here for a date night we enjoyed the fun drinks and the pan seared sea bass and the Berkshire Hog Chop. Attentive wait staff and a great dinner date location. read more

Great atmosphere. The food was delicious and the service extremely courteous and personal! Loved the unique menu items. We really enjoyed being able to linger over our meal and visit as long as we cared to without being rushed. read more

Let me start by saying the food was very good as you would expect at this restaurant in the 21 c. That being said the service on a recent Tuesday night was not up to par. The service was slow, we had to ask twice about the wine we ordered before it was finally served. Whether they were short staffed or what the service was not up to what you would expect with a restaurant of this caliber. Hopefully this gets addressed and The Hive can once again be the go to place in Bentonville read more

Really cool atmosphere and a great ambience. Food is wonderful too really nice place to get some really good service.

I would consider my husband and I Eggs Benedict connoisseurs! We have traveled the globe for business and pleasure and at least 2 times a month we are enjoying Eggs Benedict somewhere in the world. The Hive hands down has one of THE best Eggs Benedict we have EVER come across. I really don't know how to describe it other than FABULOUS!!! The service was spot on! Definitely try The Hive. read more

We came here just for cocktails before dinner, but they were still great! A little on the expensive side, but that's not surprising for being in such a cool place. The Hive (located in 21C hotel) has a ton of great drink options and have hear their food is great. We got the Beauty School Dropout (sour and cucumber flavor) and Manhattan (one of the best I've had in awhile!) read more

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Great food. Wait Staff was attentive. Took a little long for our order to make it to our table. Kids loved looking at all the bees, vines, and other art! read more

We came here on Easter Sunday and I think they must have been under staffed for the amount of people that were there. Cute atmosphere, food was ok- a couple entrees came out cold and we waited 45 minutes for the entrees.. at which point the children were going a little bananas. Service was lacking but everyone was friendly and the meal ended with free cotton candy which made the children forget all about the aforementioned hunger. I had roasted chicken which I personally enjoyed, but the three stars is for the cost to value ratio. read more

We enjoyed eating here. It was a nice and relaxed atmosphere. Our server (Neal) was always there when we needed him. He did a great job serving us. I'll look for his section next time I go. read more

Love this place! Always something new to try and locally sourced. My go to place for a special celebration.

Fresh, modern, and a bit romantic! Hotel dining can be very hit or miss, but I decided to give The Hive a chance, as I knew better than to check out another museum without grabbing some food first. The bright and contemporary space includes a bar/ lounge, dining room, and private dining area with quite a few pieces of artwork throughout. THE FOOD! Oh, the food. Their veggie burger was majestic. There must have been some sorcery involved with that deliciousness -- a spicy patty with herb aioli and jalapeño cabbage slaw. The patty was so good that I ended up pulling it out of the bun (and y'all know I'm not one to avoid carbs) to eat it with just the slaw. I only wished I'd known how much aioli they use (it's a lot) and requested it on the side. Either way, the burger is not to be missed. I also shared the sweet and spicy fries, which were more sweet than spicy. I could have used a bit more spice, but when am I ever not wanting more fire? Oh, and the cocktails are exactly how I like them: strong and delicious! read more

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I stopped in here on a Saturday night while in town visiting. Located within the 21c Museum Hotel, it's decorated with a modern art touch. I sat at the bar and it was probably for the best since he the main dining area was crowded with a large party or two. The cocktails were good and the light plates hit the spot. I would have stayed longer but they were badly understaffed that night and it took far too long to get an additional round of drinks. Like many bars and restaurants, they are probably having issues keeping employees around. Sign of the times, it seems. read more

Amazing service and atmosphere! Ask about the Penguins! I had the Old Fashioned with a single cube, excellent drink. Cornbread starter and Hive Burger were on point! read more

Had an amazing time here. The steak was fantastic and our server Neal kept us entertained all night long. I'll definitely be back to try some other dishes read more

I'm so glad this restaurant is still able to operate during COVID. It's such an awesome spot to bring a date and show off your whiskey knowledge. The food and art are equally fine as well. read more

The Hive - Mask friendly - even the art! - Southern Near Me - Bentonville, Arkansas

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This is one of my favorite lunch spots. There's a parking garage down the street so there's plenty of parking. The lunch crowd here is smaller so the service is always quick. The staff is very friendly and quick to help. My favorite is the Hive Burger. It has tomato jam and pimento cheese on it . So good! The fries are always great too. If you have room, the desserts are great!! read more

The Hive - Hive Burger - Southern Near Me - Bentonville, Arkansas

The Hive was a great place to eat in Bentonville. We went to Saturday brunch there, which i would recommend. Great service! The main dining room and the decorations looked amazing in the daylight. We split an Apple turnover to start (good for sharing with two or three people). Highly recommend this dish. And then we got the eggs Benedict and the braised pork chili. Would definitively recommend the chili on a cold day, and it wasn't too heavy. The restaurant is located in the 21c Museum Hotel and is right in downtown Bentonville. It's also about a 10-15 minute walk from the Crystal Bridges Museum if you are looking for something to do after eating a good meal. read more

The Hive - Apple turnover - Southern Near Me - Bentonville, Arkansas

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What an amazing place! Not only is the space packed with insta worthy eye candy, the food is wonderful as well! Upon entering you really feel as if you are in a hive. Honeycomb drips from the walls and is adorned with bee sculptures. If you're lucky your table will be overlooked by a giant green penguin sculpture! The pimento cheese dip is divine and topped with a delicious bacon jam. I repeat...BACON JAM! The jerk chicken was perfectly seasoned and so yummy. The wine selection is slim but the selections are spot on. I hope to be back very, very soon! read more

The Hive - Friendly penguin waiter. - Southern Near Me - Bentonville, Arkansas

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This place is so weird and I love it. The green penguin is movable, interactive art, and a delightful lunch date. The Veruca Salt is delicious. Actually everything was delicious but I'll narrow it down to the favorites. Veruca, Grits, Roasted Sweet Potato Soup, Fried Kale. The service was very friendly and helpful as well. I don't live locally but I'm an NWA native and look forward to coming back here again next time I'm home. read more

I've eaten here a handful of times and had the following: pork chop, ribeye, burger, and BMF chicken, and a smoked cocktail. Overall you cannot go wrong for lunch or dinner at the hive. Of the aforementioned items, I would probably steer clear from the BMF chicken as it was a 1:1 ratio of breading to chicken. I'm all about crispy fried chicken, but the moment I cut into it, breading fell onto the floor. Other than that, I'm sure that whatever you order, you will be satisfied. Nice ambiance with quick service. read more

Good atmosphere and service but food is sometimes lacking. Great place for drinks and apps

Fabulous food and great staff. Very personable. Only request would be to work on the lighting. read more

This is a great spot. The chicken is by far my favorite dish but I have yet to experience anything on the menu that is not excellent. The service is paced to lead you through a relaxed dining experience with focus on enjoying the time spent with friends - so be patient in drink and entire times. Trust me- it is with the wait. Be sure to walk through all of the amazing art in the adjoining g hotel before you leave! read more

Amazing shop. The owners are very kind and helpful. A great find in a small town. Be sure to stop in.

Best pork chop I've ever had. Staff is always friendly and fun. They make a great manhattan called the Black Dalia in house.

The Hive is the 21C Hotel restaurant and bar. Think high end Southern cuisine with fresh ingredients. Since I arrived on a Sunday, I got to enjoy a Sunday Supper with salad, Buttermilk Fried Chicken with cayenne honey, eggplant and Broccolini and Apple Crisp with ice cream. By the way the bar makes an amazing Cool Hand Cuke with Vodka, Asperol, honey & cucumber. Too bad they don't have a spa at the hotel. In the morning before my meeting I popped in for the best house made vanilla, honey yogurt with granola and berries. This is how I want to start my day every morning. After my meeting I visited the Frank Lloyd Wright house at The Crystal Bridges Museum and then came back to The Hive for the Hive Burger with Pimento Cheese, B & B pickles and the best French fries. A great lunch before heading back to the airport. The service was friendly and I would definitely recommend it. read more

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This review is specifically for the little bar area outside of the restaurant. There's a super cute afternoon happy hour from 2:30-5:30 (ish- double check to call) where there's great drinks sub $10 and light apps. The soybean hummus was delicious too! Great deal, would recommend. read more

We've always enjoyed our dining experiences at The Hive. The food is always fantastic and service is always top rate. One of our favorite places to take guests and for celebrations. And the bar has always been a lively place to meet fun locals and chat with the bartenders, who often have fun celebrity stories to share since this is one of the places for high-profile guests. Then, after your meal, you can walk the art museum within the halls of the 21c Hotel. read more

Great food. Great drinks. Service seems to be very good also. Love the chicken entree!

I'm very torn in this review. Different aspects of my experience at The Hive varied so wildly, from the bar, to the food, to the disappointing service that I could score it 4 ways - but ultimately the customer interaction failed. Upon arrival, the welcome was very cold. I'd booked via OpenTable, and upon giving my name, the hostess confirmed that I did have a reservation but that I needed to take a seat elsewhere because "we run a tight operation here". Hmm...10 minutes early, and a strange way to put it. OK - off to the bar. Now - the bartender. Wish I could remember his name, but look for the guy with the cool and heavily waxed mustache. Great Sazerac production - with attention to detail, showmanship, and a fantastic product. Really wish we'd decided to stay at the bar... Juuuust as I sat down, hostess comes back and asks "Are you ready?" *sigh* OK... As my colleague and I are settled into our table, squeezing into the first booth, we are greeted by...nobody. Bit of abandonment, not a good sign. Daniel comes over to introduce himself, asks about water, and takes note of my colleague drinking a Dr. Pepper. Now - Daniel is probably the only other service high note of the night, as during the meal, without prompting, a Dr. Pepper appeared as my colleague's drink ran low. Unbidden, no mistake - good service on the busser side. He tells us the story of the penguins, and in short order brings one to our tableside to be our dining companion. Very cool! Daniel then tells us that Holly will be over shortly to take our order and get us started. *crickets* Hostess drops a candle in the middle of the dining room. Glass explodes all over the floor and isn't fully cleaned up. *crickets* One of the managers comes over, introduces himself (Joe?), and takes our order. Butcher's plate to share, and a cavatelli with shiitake mushrooms for me while my colleague orders the shrimp and grits. Holly finally comes over with the butcher's plate, and I ask after the cornbread I see everyone else's table adorned with. "Oh, did nobody bring you any? Be right back!" So far, the cornbread is a bit of a letdown but the butcher's plate is amazing. Foie gras, a chicken liver spread, and a pork+everything else hunter's sausage, with excellent grainy mustard and a candied apricot side compote. Needed a few more toast points to enjoy each of the flavours independently, but that would take a little longer to flag down the attention of the staff. Main dishes come, while the butcher's plate is still only half-finished in front of us. OK...bad communication between kitchen and floor staff, but it's not a huge deal. The cavatelli were quite good, with just the right level of al dente and some interesting nuts and veggies in with the shiitake mushrooms. My colleague loved her shrimp and grits and things were going well again. Holly came by again to try to convince us of dessert, but after two passes by the table while we thought about it, we decided to pass and asked for the bill. With the bill we get a delicious glass full of sour apple cotton candy, which rounds out the meal very well and I'm sure would go well with a sorbet. Alas - I guess I'll have to settle for pure sugar. While I don't dine and dash, I think I could have given the lack of attention being given to us while waiting for someone to come get my credit card. Finally, seeing Holly speaking to her manager (Joe?) at length in the middle of the floor, I had to get up and bring the folio to them. The Hive puts itself into a dining category well above where the floor staff are able to operate. The kitchen put out a good product, and the bar some very well-made drinks, but I'm not going to spend the amount per person for a service level which leads me to get up and hand my credit card to the staff like a diner. read more

The Hive - I can always make room for an extra dining partner! - Southern Near Me - Bentonville, Arkansas