I’m in Asheville! Where should I eat?
Whether you are a resident of or a visitor to Asheville, a variety of restaurants are available to suit your every pleasure. From casual to upscale, the options are staggering for a city this size. (about 70,000 residents last I checked)
Below are my personal favorites. I’ve grouped them by category of desire and will update this page with new info regularly. If you decide to take one of my recommendations, please drop me a note and let me know how the experience was for you!
Also see my list of 25 (edible) Things To Try In Asheville here.
I want to feed two people for less than $30. Where should I eat?
If we’re talking lunch, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Nine Mile (Caribbean-inspired pasta and rice dishes) is fast, delicious and inexpensive. Lunch is served until 5:00 PM, with menu items priced between $4-8. Chef Aaron is cost-conscious but still focused on flavor. My favorites are the One Foundation ($6.75) and the More Fyah! ($5.95) For dinner, entrees range between $10-17 per person, but include a side of Nine Mile’s delicious natty bread and a salad.
Mamacita’s has become a weekly staple for me. Their black bean burrito is huge, customizable and filling, made-to-order for only $6. Mamacita’s is so delicious, and the people that work there are very friendly. Despite the dozens of people that come through the line every day, they know me and can always make me laugh. Their daily specials are frequently incredible, and even if you add a giant scoop of guac to your order, lunch is still less than $10. Oh, and if you love spicy/vinegary things, they have a red salsa that is out of this world! Come to Mama!
Mela Indian Restaurant has a lunch buffet for just $8.95. The selection varies, but is always tasty, with vegetarian options as well as standard favorites, like chicken tikka masala. Mela’s food is authentic - they don’t shy away from spice. Their mango lassi is thick and tangy. Love it.
Other fast/tasty/cheap options include The Noodle Shop, Doc Chey’s (stealth chain!), Papa’s and Beer (local chain) and La Carreta. Zen Sushi has a pretty good lunch special, as does Green Tea Sushi, a favorite of mine.
Where should I go for…breakfast or brunch in Asheville?
Over Easy Cafe - Featuring organic and locally grown ingredients whenever possible, their weekend breakfast and brunch specials are the BEST! (photographic evidence here) Omelets, quiches, light and fluffy pancakes…it can be hard to decide.
Early Girl Eatery - Homey and bright, Early Girl’s row of windows look down over College Street. Great hearty breakfasts. I always end up ordering something sweet and savory.
Sunny Point Cafe - A West Asheville institution. The wait can be a bit long on the weekends, but it is worth it. Sit on the patio during warmer weather, or enjoy the bustle inside. Fast service, fresh food, large portions. Their huevos rancheros are terrific. Don’t forget an angel biscuit!
The Corner Kitchen - If you need to bring the whole family, go here. They once accommodated a party of 8 (including two kids) for me, (with reservations) no problem. Excellent service. Located in historic Biltmore Village.
West End Bakery and Cafe - The best. muffins. in. Asheville. They change the flavors up regularly, and have a whole menu full of tasty, including their trademark bread. But, oh, those muffins. The blueberry streusel and strawberry cornmeal are my favorites.
Where should I go for…a nice dinner out in Asheville?
Note: If you are going to dine at any of these places for dinner, I strongly recommend making reservations several days ahead of time. To me, there’s nothing worse than getting excited about a nice dinner, then arriving to find that they don’t have room for you. Plan ahead, so you won’t be disappointed.
Ophelia’s World Cafe - Possibly the best kept secret in Asheville. Super creative seasonal menu, extensive and affordable wine list, polished yet relaxed atmosphere. Several vegetarian/vegan options. Right next to Limones on Eagle Street. Their fried green tomatoes are great, as are the spinach and goat cheese rolls. Hearty portions. With the exception of their NY strip steak, every entree is under $20. Give them a try!
Limones - Fresh flavors and excellent margaritas. Their Mexican Caesar is heavenly - romaine hearts, toasted pumpkin seeds and whole anchovy filets. While they have a few tasty vegetarian options (think wild mushroom quesadilla), their focus is more on meat dishes.
Rezaz - A Biltmore Village option, the dining room can be a bit noisy if packed, but the service is good and their entrees are thoughtfully presented. A good place to take the parents (or have the parents take you)!
Cucina 24 - Open kitchen, great wine selection, upscale classic Italian, fresh pasta. A great place for a romantic dinner. Their simpler dishes are often the best.
The Market Place - Market Place is very intentional in their menu, which shifts with the seasons. Beautiful presentation and neat flavor combinations. An experience, to be sure. I like to eat at the bar solo sometimes. Uniquely chosen wine selection. I once spent six months chasing down a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon I had the pleasure of drinking here (all the way back to the distributor, in fact).
Zambra - Zambra is great for festive occasions. Cushy benches, with pillows strewn about, their small plates are meant for tasting, exploring and sharing with others.
Where should I go for…a great drink after dinner?
Santé Wine Bar - What can I say? Santé is my Cheers. Carla, Scott, Terry and Robert make wine fun, accessible and totally enjoyable. The atmosphere is warm, comfortable and unpretentious. Before, after or instead of dinner, you can’t go wrong by going here. Bonus: Santé hosts monthly Flight nights. Try 4 great wines at a great price and get your oenophilia on.
BoBo Gallery - Simple wine and beer selection, but great atmosphere and usually live music. Original art adorns the walls. Small in size, BoBo is best when it isn’t too crowded.
Jack of the Wood - Live music most nights, there’s a cover on Fridays and Saturdays but it is worth it. Fast bartenders, great scotch selection and their own brand of beer, Green Man Ales.
The Asheville Yacht Club - Try the Painkiller.
The Rankin Vault - Comfortable atmosphere, good mixed drinks, good bar food, f’real vault in the back.
The Usual Suspects - A favorite of locals, particularly those in the service industry. Owned and run by Kathy Taylor, who is simply the best. The wine list, beer list and liquor selection is top-notch and the food is delicious. My pick for a late-night nosh.
Tressa’s - A dark and smoky bar with high ceilings and tasty martinis. Jazz or blues almost every night. Visit Tressa’s and be transported to another time.
Look, I just want a beer, alright? Where can I get a cold pint?
Fear not, beer lovers. Your options are many. Below are four of my favorite local breweries along with my favorite beers:
Wedge Brewing Company - Iron Rail IPA
Pisgah Brewing Company - Pisgah Pale Ale
Highland Brewing Company - Black Mocha Stout
Asheville Brewing Company - Ninja Porter
Most bars in town keep a few of these on tap.
Barley’s Taproom is a great place to stop in if you just want a beer, plus their food’s not too bad either.
The newcomer to the Asheville beer scene is Lexington Avenue Brewery. A self-professed gastropub, by all accounts the beer is damn tasty, especially the Wit and the Stout. Still rather busy on the weekends, but it *is* the Hot New Thing in town. She Who Eats has a review over at Ashvegas. Check it out!
Where should I go for…a little something different?
12 Bones
Rosetta’s Kitchen
Marco’s Pizza
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Where are the tourist traps? Should I stay away?
The discussion of whether or not Tupelo Honey is a tourist trap has been had many, many times.
The reality is this: whether by word of mouth, reputation or a loyal following, Tupelo is always busy. Not since the days when they used to stay open until 2 am have I ever not had to wait 20 or even 30 minutes for a table. In addition, yes, the cafe has semi-recently changed ownership and as a result increased their prices across the board. Take from that what you will.
Personally? When I go to Tupelo, I’m going for one of three things: their sweet potato pancakes, the heavenly nutty fried chicken or the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese grits and a mug of tomato soup. Period. And it is always good. Their coffee is excellent, and I love to watch the line cooks boogie down and fry it up. Tupelo Honey is a slice of Asheville for better or for worse. If you don’t like it, don’t go, but please don’t kvetch about it and ruin it for the rest of us.
