Asheville is known for its breweries, but it’s also become a mecca for foodies. The city is growing so much (and quickly) that it’s difficult to keep up with the new restaurants, but we tried to make a list of the best of the best that have proven themselves year after year as well as those who are up and coming. The list has a mixture of both fancy, high-end dining and cheap eats. The best part? You can come as you are without having to worry about getting dressed up.

49 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN ASHEVILLE NC – FOOD BUCKET LIST

1. Hole Doughnuts (West Asheville) – Best Dessert in the Country, 2016, by Bon Appetit. Fried to order!

2. Bull and Beggar (River Arts District) – Double cheeseburger and raw oysters to die for.
3. Over Easy Café (Downtown) – Fluffiest pancakes around, oh my!
4. Cúrate (Downtown) – Calamari Sandwich, paper-thin crunchy fried.
5. Buxton Hall Barbeque (South Slope) – Best New BBQ Joint, 2016, by Bon Appetit. Try the lightly smoked, then fried chicken sandwich.
6. Limones (Downtown) – Three cheese chile rellenos.
7. Gan Shan Station (Grove Park) Black bean chicken + housemade pork dumplings.

8. Cucina 24 (Downtown) – Wood roasted vegetables. All of the vegetable dishes here are top notch. Also, distinctive cocktails.
9. The Admiral (West Asheville) – Amazing thick cut pork chop (order it cooked medium) and scallops.
10. Mamacita’s (Downtown) – Carnita taco, simmered with smoky peppers.
11. Little Bee Thai (Downtown) – Panang Curry.
12. Farm and Sparrow Bakery (sold at All Souls Pizza and seasonal farmers markets) – Wood fired bread, house milled flour, and chocolate croissants.
13. All Souls Pizza (River Arts District) – Smoked shrimp pizza with fermented chiles.
14. Wild Ginger (South Asheville) – Outstanding chicken pho.

15. Mela Indian Restaurant (Downtown) – Saag paneer and kozi milagu chettinad.
16. Sunny Point Cafe (West Asheville) – Chipotle grits, maple pepper bacon, everything here is a hit!
17. Chai Pani (Downtown) – Okra fries that are habit forming.
18. Moe’s BBQ (Biltmore Village) – Smoked chicken wings and griddled cornbread.
19. Sovereign Remedies (Downtown) – Pimento cheese puffs, light as air.
20. OWL Bakery (West Asheville) – Raisin flax bread, moist and loaded with raisins.
21. 12 Bones Smokehouse (River Arts District) – Blueberry Chipotle ribs and collard greens and corn pudding.

22. Gypsy Queen Cuisine (West Asheville) – Fried cauliflower with tahini dressing & garlic aioli.
23. En La Calle (Downtown) – Small plates, everything on the menu is fantastic! Superb cocktails.
24. Smoky Park Supper Club (River Arts District) – Smoked Carolina shrimp, first shipping container restaurant of it’s kind built with 18 containers!
25. Belly Up Truck (location changes daily) – Small menu, everything wins, everything made in house.
26. Taco Billy (West Asheville) – Unique plantain tortillas, breakfast tacos are the best!
27. Green Tea Sushi (West Asheville) – Dancing shrimp roll, Asheville roll.
28. Ultimate Ice Cream (Grove Park) – Strawberry and coffee ice cream. These are full of flavor, not overly sweet.

29. French Broad Chocolate Lounge (Downtown) – Ganache based drinking chocolate and a dizzying array of truffles, all made from bean to bar or brownie or pot de creme.
30. Table (Downtown) – Thick and rich chocolate budino.
31. Plant (North Asheville) – Lasagna Cruda, Asheville’s only fully vegan and vegetarian restaurant.
32. Zambra (Downtown) – Pan seared local trout, small plates, romantic dining.
33. Jerusalem Garden (Downtown) – Baba ganoush, you will lick your plate clean.
34. Red Ginger (Downtown) – Pork dumpling in shanghai style, dan dan noodle.
35. Grey Eagle Taqueria (River Arts District) – Carnitas arepa with smoky and super tender confit pork and the 39. Fiambre salad.

36. Nightbell (Downtown) – Steak tartare ice cream cones, distinctive atmosphere.
37. The Montford Rooftop Bar (Downtown) – Hand-formed house tater tots and the Purple Potato Pie cocktail
38. The Noodle Shop (Downtown) – Basil eggplant.
39. WALK (West Asheville) – Shrimp poboy, bread straight from Gambino’s in Louisiana.
40. Bandido’s (West Asheville) – Banh mi trout taco, garlic braised yucca.
41. King Daddy’s Chicken and Waffles (West Asheville) – Belgian waffle, simple and perfect.
42. El Kimchi (location changes daily) – Spicy korean burrito and bi bam bap are the way to go.

43. Marco’s Pizzeria (North Asheville) – Pesto pizza.
44. Heiwa Shokudo (Downtown) – Altenderfer roll with tempeh, avocado, and maple almond butter.
45. Buffalo Nickel (West Asheville) – Gnocchi with mushrooms and Buffalo Nickel cocktail.
46. Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack (West Asheville) – Best chicken tenders in town.
47. Salt and Smoke (South Slope- within Burial Brewery) – Mississippi Roast Sandwich, roll up your sleeves for this one.
48. Farm Burger (Downtown) – No. 1 burger and The Superfood Salad. They also have a brewery downstairs.
49. Zia Taqueria (West Asheville) – Grilled and baja fish tacos.

Honorable Mentions

• Rosetta’s Kitchen and The Buchi Bar – The Buddah bowl!
• Nine Mile – Any salad with “His Majesty’s” dressing.
• The Hop – Salted caramel ice cream? Yes, please.