Coffee before the gorge
Start with a real breakfast or coffee stop before a trail or rafting check-in; rushing into the canyon hungry is an easy own-goal.
Restaurants
Eat like the day involved a river
Fayetteville dining is best judged by trip rhythm: coffee before the trail, something easy after rafting, and one relaxed town dinner when everyone finally stops moving.
Post-raft casual dinner
After the river, choose easy food, cold drinks, and no dress code. This is not the night for a long drive.
One planned dinner in town
Save one evening for Fayetteville proper so the trip feels rooted in the town, not only in parking lots and trailheads.
Group-friendly fallback
Pizza, sandwiches, and pub-style menus matter with wet gear, mixed ages, and tired legs.