Northwest Arkansas Top Food & Travel Influencers for 2025 are helping residents and visitors discover the best restaurants, experiences, and hidden gems in the region.
This area isn’t just home to world-class trails and art—it’s also a thriving hub for food and travel storytelling.
From Instagram feeds filled with crave-worthy dishes to publishing platforms with regional reach, these creators guide the conversation around where to eat, sip, and explore.
This list reveals voices that matter, with audiences who trust them.
The Influencer: Lynn West – NWATravelGuide
Lynn West
Summary:
Co-founded in 2012 by Bentonville native Lynn West and the late Lanie Dills, NWATravelGuide has grown from a local passion project into a multi-platform travel brand.
Today it reaches more than 1.5 million people each month, with a social media audience of over 80,000 across all social media platforms.
What started as a simple idea—helping friends and visitors discover the best of Northwest Arkansas—has become the region’s most trusted resource for residents, newcomers, and visitors alike.
Its independently researched Top 10 lists, which businesses cannot pay to appear on, have become a benchmark for credibility and trust in the region.
Paired with curated eBooks, weekly event calendars, and a strong social media presence, NWATravelGuide blends personal insight with professional scale, making it both fun and authoritative.
Platforms:
🌐 Website — nwatravelguide.com
Below is a sampling of NWATravelGuide’s primary social media platforms
📸 Instagram — @northwestarkansastravelguide
👍 Facebook Page — Northwest Arkansas Travel Guide
👥 Facebook Group — NWA Travel Guide Community
🗓️ Weekly Event Calendars — NWA Events & Things To Do This Weekend
✉️ Newsletter — 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly Top 10 lists, dining guides, new restaurants and bars, events, and hidden gems across Northwest Arkansas.
The Influencer: Munchin with Mantha
Samantha Gregory
Summary:
Munchin with Mantha spotlights dining through energetic food reviews and casual taste tests, with content spanning Northwest Arkansas, Southern Arkansas, Texas, and Nashville.
Her social-first style leans into TikTok trends, making restaurant visits and dishes feel approachable, entertaining, and shareable for a younger audience.
Platforms:
📸 Instagram — @munchinwithmantha
🎵 TikTok — @manthagregs
The Influencer: Hangry Pedaler NWA
Joseph – The Hangry Pedaler
Summary:
Joseph Nguyen launched Hangry Pedaler NWA in 2019 and continues to blend cycling culture with the region’s food scene.
His perspective brings a different voice to Northwest Arkansas dining content, with down-to-earth posts that highlight local spots and hidden gems in a way that feels genuine and community-minded.
Platforms:
📸 Instagram — @hangrypedalernwa
The Influencer: NWA Transplants
Brittany and Amin
Summary:
Created by Brittany and Amin after relocating from New York to Northwest Arkansas, NWA Transplants documents the experience of discovering a new community.
Their content highlights local businesses, arts, food, and culture from the perspective of newcomers, with a focus on authenticity and storytelling that resonates with others who have made — or are considering — the move to the region.
Platforms:
📸 Instagram — @nwatransplants
📘 Facebook — NWA Transplants
The Influencer: The Good Life NWA
Maria
Summary:
The Good Life NWA curates lifestyle and food experiences across Northwest Arkansas, blending restaurant highlights, local events, and regional favorites into polished social content.
With a focus on stylish visuals and accessible recommendations, Maria positions itself as a go-to guide for enjoying the area.
Platforms:
📸 Instagram — @thegoodlifenwa
The Influencer: Bad Cravings
Dee and Brandon
Summary:
Run by Brandon and Dee, Bad Cravings is a Northwest Arkansas food account showcasing bold bites, comfort eats, and indulgent cravings.
Their playful approach and couple-driven style give personality to the content, making local dining highlights both fun and relatable.
Platforms:
📸 Instagram — @bad_cravings
The Influencer: Merricks Menu
merricksmenu
Summary:
Merricks Menu shares engaging food content from Northwest Arkansas, combining homemade cooking experiments with flavorful meals discovered locally.
His approachable and playful tone makes his content relatable, while highlighting both his own kitchen creations and the regional dining scene.
Platforms:
📸 Instagram — merricksmenu
The Influencer: EAT NWA
EAT NWA
Summary:
Eat NWA is a social media brand that focuses on the food scene in Northwest Arkansas.
It uses photos and videos on platforms like Instagram to showcase local restaurants and dishes, serving as a visual guide for the area.
Platforms:
📸 Instagram — @eatnwa
Northwest Arkansas continues to thrive as a destination where food, culture, and community intersect. From chef-driven restaurants to hidden gems and local events, these voices capture the energy of the region and share it with audiences eager to explore. Together, they reflect the creativity and passion that make NWA one of the most exciting places to eat, travel, and experience in 2025.