Asheville Restaurants: Best Places to Eat in WNC

Feast on some “Tennessee style” hot chicken and southern soul food. They prepare their unique fried chicken to order, so it’s not spicy unless you want it that way! Ingredients are sourced locally, and classic American recipes are made from scratch daily. Asheville has two locations: West at 1455 Patton Avenue and South at 3749 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden. 

Located near Biltmore Estate, they have become a neighborhood favorite Southern food restaurant in South Asheville - with responsibly sourced ingredients and craft cocktails. Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch will make you say, “Shoo, Mercy, that was good!” 1829 Hendersonville Road.

A longtime favorite for locals and visitors, Asheville is where Tupelo Honey began in 2000 as a destination for scratch-made Southern food rooted in the Carolina mountains. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served every day. Enjoy craft cocktails, specialty beers and famous honey dusted fried chicken at their new lounge, adjacent to original space. 12 College Street.

This Mediterranean eatery in downtown Asheville offers a Middle Eastern-inspired menu of Israeli street food with easy grab and go convenience. They offer gluten-free options, and the entire menu is free of chemicals and preservatives. Try the chicken shawarma and bring home some Gozleme flatbread!

Transport your senses to faraway lands without leaving downtown Asheville! At Jerusalem Garden Cafe, you'll enjoy authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes from slow braised lamb shanks to amazing hummus alongside pocket pita. 

It’s all made by hand from treasured family recipes and served with love. The intimate, ambient space features stained glass, stunning textiles, and an…

Experience Biltmore's legacy of food and wine inspired by its heritage of fine dining and sustainable agriculture, with the finest ingredients from its pastures and gardens. Dine at the Bistro, Cedric's Tavern, Deerpark Restaurant, Stable Cafe, and the Dining Room at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. An admission ticket or annual pass is required to dine.

This smokehouse in Asheville’s South Slope offers award-winning K.C. Style BBQ with signature items like brisket burnt ends, smoked sausage, loaded baked potatoes, and more. They also offer vegan options like tempeh and Impossible Meatloaf and a variety of craft beers to enjoy!  Open 7 days a week with online ordering and delivery available. 135 Coxe Ave

A longtime French bistro with comfort food using local ingredients. A romantic, intimate and charming setting. Enjoy fresh mussels prepared in multiple ways, Escargot, Burgundy’s signature stew Boeuf Bourguignon and their famous fries. Dine al fresco along bricked walkways. Pair hand-selected French wines.

Located inside the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village with contemporary food, an extensive wine-by-the-glass menu, and a lively bar within a casual setting. The beautiful dining room features hand-hewn beams, distressed oak floors, handmade wooden tables, an intimate bar, and cozy booths. Traditionally-prepared European comfort food is updated with local ingredients. 11 Boston Way. 

A world-class favorite located on charming Wall Street. Chef William Dissen's inventive menu features seasonal and organic ingredients from area farms, plus an extensive wine list. Recommended by The Food Network, USA Today, The New York Times, Southern Living and more. Live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the bar and lounge. Reservations recommended. 20 Wall Street. 

Enjoy an elegant dinner or Sunday brunch at this secluded mountaintop luxury lodge at 5,000 feet elevation in the Great Smoky Mountains. Sunday brunch buffet has two carving stations and homemade desserts. Lunch picnics too! Reservations required. Open late April through early November. 2300 Swag Road, Waynesville

See our list of Asheville restaurants by category, including cuisines like southern comfort food, BBQ, Mexican, Italian, Thai, Ramen, European, Asian, global fusions, and more. Also, find food trucks, best burgers, pizza, vegan, coffee houses, gluten-free, and top places to eat by location!

This favorite downtown Italian restaurant has the aromas of house-baked artisan bread and mouth-watering cuisine. Focuses on fresh ingredients, biodynamic and organically-produced wine selections. Offers traditional recipes from Italy, featuring hand-tossed pizzas, savory pastas, housemade desserts, gluten-free and vegetarian options. 27 Broadway. 

Since opening in 1996, this has been one of Asheville’s favorite places to relax, listen to music, and enjoy fresh, locally sourced pub fare. The original home of Green Man Brewing, the pub specializes in hand-crafted English ales and weekly traditional jam sessions in a charming old-world atmosphere. Open until 1 AM on weekdays and 2 AM on weekends. 95 Patton Avenue. 

Take in the sights and mountain views with a picnic basket from The Rhu downtown. Picnics include house-baked breads and pastries, local cheese and meats, and salads made from fresh, local produce. Many choices! Order in advance for quick pick-up. 10 South Lexington.

This premiere craft cocktail bar is a great place to eat, drink, and be social. Find original cocktails, fine wines, local brews, and creative food with local ingredients in a contemporary space that is stylish and intimate. The rooftop patio is just the spot to unwind and elevate your spirit. 29 Broadway. 

Dine lakeside at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure by their private beach. Arrive by boat or car. Casual dining includes their favorites, hand-made pizzas, and house-ground burgers. At the bar, sip craft beers while watching the game or playing billiards. Come early to enjoy the patio views. 40 miles east of Asheville.

Located inside the historic Orchard Inn, their farm-to-table prix-fixe menu changes weekly, with much of the produce from their organic garden. Enjoy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and extensive wine list. Make reservations in advance for this special dining experience. 35 miles south of Asheville.

This small town high in the mountains has become a culinary hot spot. Whether you’re looking for an upscale meal for a special occasion, a hearty sandwich after a day outdoors, or a casual steak dinner, check out their locally-owned and innovative restaurants.

Award-winning Executive Chef Tom LaFauci specializes in handmade pasta and smoked meats putting his Italian-American touch on a wide range of crowd-pleasing entrees. The full bar includes regional beers on tap, craft cocktails, and wines. Their patio is dog-friendly and open year-round and includes a Doggie Menu, so your pup can enjoy a meal out with you! (130 College Street)

Established as a go-to spot downtown for good beer, delicious food, and a great view overlooking Pack Square Park in a beautifully restored 1900s building. Offering multiple dining spaces: expansive North Bar with 32 taps and big TVs, South Bar with TVs and free live music every weekend, and a romantic outdoor patio. 20 South Spruce Street. 

The Corner Kitchen is located in a 125+-year-old Richard Sharpe Smith Victorian House. Known as “Asheville’s most surprising restaurant," they offer handcrafted food using as much local and seasonal produce and proteins as possible. They touch on many of the cuisines found throughout this country. Open 7 days a week for Brunch from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM and for dinner from 5 PM on. Located at 3…

For a taste of the big island, this newcomer eatery crafts Hawaiian dishes (including poke), cakes, and pastries paired with specialty cocktails. Their Synergetic Smores feature marshmallows in rotating flavors, and house-made Graham crackers and chocolate. Open for lunch and dinner Tues-Sat, 11:30 AM-3 PM, 5-9 PM, Sunday 11:30-3 PM, 5-9 PM. 27 Foundy Street, Suite 20

AIR is a group of 150+ locally owned, independent restaurants in Asheville (one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country). AIR is dedicated to keeping Asheville’s food scene eclectic, authentic, and flavorful. Find a list of current Takeout/Delivery and Dine-In options for Asheville’s Independent Restaurants, updated daily.

Features contemporary southern cuisine utilizing fresh, local ingredients to create inspired comfort food with bold flavors. These handcrafted meals are served Wed-Sat for dinner and Sunday for brunch. Enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a cocktail at the bar.

In the heart of Asheville in Pack Square is this comfortable place for friends, families and strangers to simply lean in and enjoy each other's company. A place where food and drink are at their uncomplicated best. The menu is inspired by seasonal ingredients and pays homage to the bounty of regional and American cooking. A wood-fired oven and grill complement the rustic creations. 7 Pack…

Located on the grounds of historic Highland Lake Inn & Resort, find inspired seasonal cuisine and an impressive wine list in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy a casual lunch, romantic dinner, or big Sunday Brunch buffets, including holidays. Only five minutes from Hendersonville and 30 minutes from Asheville. 86 Lily Pad Lane, Flat Rock.

With a prime corner location in the beautiful Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville, find superior local and organic produce and meats for a bounty of fresh flavors with contemporary style. Lunch features soups, salads, hand-tossed pizzas, and burgers. Dinner offerings range from mussels and calamari to locally sourced steaks and pork, along with signature cocktails and local brews. Prime outdoor…

Located in the heart of Downtown Asheville, Chestnut offers their unique take on hand-crafted food and cocktails. Their palette is best described as Southern American with a variety of ethnic twists. The menu changes monthly and features a wide range of local and seasonal produce and proteins. Open 7 days a week for dinner starting at 5 PM & Brunch on Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM-2:30 PM. To…

Find a warm, cozy atmosphere where the food and service will delight your senses. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, ample wine offerings, a selection of local draft beer, an extensive rhum list, and of course, delicious food prepared by Chef Owen McGlynn. Free parking in their private lot downtown. 125 South Lexington Avenue. 

Modern Californian and Mexican cooking plus creative cocktails served in a quaint, homey setting. Dinner specialties include entrees such as grilled au natural rib-eye steak with hazelnut-ancho chile sauce or Tequila-lime cured salmon with watercress and avocado salad. Try their Sunday brunch with traditional selections such as Mexican sweetbreads and house-made sausage, including chorizo. 13…

A favorite local spot on Haywood Road since 2003, discover innovative comfort food with made-from-scratch products and a farm-to-table approach. They even grow some of their ingredients in their adjacent garden. Favorites include the huevos rancheros, cornmeal hot cakes, French toast, and their killer shrimp and grits. Open daily from 8 AM-2:30 PM. 626 Haywood Road. 

The lines may be long, but it’s worth the wait for this locally loved BBQ joint. Enjoy the Southern style, slow-smoked barbecue and scratch-made sides while they last—when they sell out, they close up! Opened only for lunch Mon-Fri, 11 AM-4 PM. 5 Foundy St

Taste and sample Indian street food like you’ve never had before at this critically acclaimed Asheville restaurant, where James Beard Award-winning Chef and Owner Meherwan Irani crafts delectable dishes for locals and visitors!  

Chai Pani relocated to 32 Banks Avenue in Asheville's South Slope — the former Buxton Hall Barbecue space — on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. 

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This locally-owned independent restaurant features a made-from-scratch American menu, sourcing from local purveyors whenever possible. The indoor dining space includes a private dining room and a full bar, known for its bourbon selection. Or enjoy cocktails or brunch on the outdoor patio. Located in the Hilton Asheville in Biltmore Park, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. 43…

This Italian-inspired eatery in the center of downtown Asheville fuses the traditions and philosophies of Italian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. The seasonal menu serves family-style, hearty traditional dishes and new Italian dishes. Fantastic wine selection. Reservations are strongly recommended. 24 Wall Street.

This contemporary, farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of downtown Asheville’s historic Pack Square serves local, seasonal, and sustainable cuisine that is 100% gluten-free. Try one of their artisanal cocktails or choose a glass of wine from local vineyards. Enjoy dinner and weekend brunch! 1 Biltmore Ave.

Open April-October, Pisgah Inn is the only restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. Located at 5,000 feet elevation, enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days per week. Windows frame a panoramic mountain view. Also pick up a picnic-to-go. 24 miles from downtown Asheville. Milepost 408.

For a small town, you'll find a nice variety of restaurants, ranging from southern home cooking to a brewery and gourmet dining. A nice reward after a day of exploring the Great Smokies and Nantahala River.

Various restaurants satisfy any craving or appetite, all adjacent to the exciting casino action. Chef's Stage Buffet is sure to please even the pickiest eaters, with interactive stations that offer tastes from around the world—Italian, Mexican, Asian, barbeque, a soup and salad bar, and desserts. Other options include Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Selu Garden Café, and BRIO Tuscan Grille.