Eating Asheville Restaurants

Home of Asheville’s first James Beard nominated chef, Jacob Sessoms. Table is all about market-driven, locally-sourced food and drink. Table offers a daily menu, authentic cocktails, and a boutique organic and biodynamic wine list.

Zambra is a tapas bar and restaurant in Downtown Asheville, with contemporary twists on Spanish cuisine as well as influences from around the world. Zambra utilizes seasonal and local produce, meats, and dairy to create dozens of nightly changing specials.

The French Broad Chocolate Lounge handcrafts artisan chocolates and pastries featuring superb local ingredients. While keeping green, the lounge offers live music, local beer, and wine. They are voted #1 in the “best of Asheville” for sweets and chocolates.

Three-time James Beard nominee John Fleer brings his unique “foothills cuisine” to Asheville. Rhubarb transforms local ingredients into world-class dishes. Rhubarb is the place where rugged, refined, fancy, and familiar merge in one.

Since 2005, The Lobster Trap has been THE seafood destination for visitors and locals. Food and hospitality abound and the oysters are always fresh. With the best live music, local beer, and great drinks, it’s no wonder that they have been awarded “Best Seafood” every year since opening their doors.

The Imperial Life is a new grown-up bar above Table Restaurant in downtown Asheville. They feature an extensive list of small batch spirits, local beers, a seasonally changing selection of craft cocktails, house cured meats, and inventive small plates.

Strada is the home of traditional Tuscan cuisine presented by chef Anthony Cerrato. They feature such classics as: ravioli, tortellini, fresh fish and seafood, antipasto, and delicious house-made desserts.

Original craft cocktails, wine, local brews, and modern gastropub fare along with the best rooftop seating in Asheville and live music on the 19th century piano – Eat, Drink, and be Social!

Opened on Biltmore Ave. in 2013 after the smashing success of the original River Arts District location, Ben and Laura Mixson offer a multitude of super fresh takes on tacos in a bright and arty atmosphere.

Fairly new to the downtown restaurant scene, Mountain Madre Mexican Kitchen and Agave Bar is a hip Mexican restaurant that offers the largest selection of tequila available in Asheville, a sunny outdoor patio, and fresh, local ingredients crafted into traditional Mexican fare.

The Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne bar combines two of life’s finest pleasures, books and wine. With over 80 glasses of wine available, local bites, and a comfortable feel, they are sure to please oenophiles and bibliophiles anywhere and everywhere.

Modesto is Hector Diaz’s homage to Italian cuisine, with wood-fired pizza and house-made pastas and breads with farm fresh Latin and Caribbean twists typical of the passionate Asheville icon.

Asheville Chocolate’s primary goal is to make the finest chocolates and gelato in the heart of Downtown Asheville. They make them all by hand in small batches in the shop, using only the best ingredients, including white, milk and a variety of dark chocolates from Belgium.

Located in the center of downtown, Bomba offers an always changing menu of heartful, honest Latin breakfast and lunch fare featuring the best possible ingredients along with handmade breads and tortillas. Bomba serves wine, local beer and expertly brewed 1000 Faces coffee and espresso.

After heading up the show for the Grove Park Inn and working for Thomas Keller at Per Se in NYC, Duane Fernandes brought his talents to Isa’s, where he offers focused technique to seasonal, farm-to-table classic bistro cuisine.

This is the second Asheville venture from 4-time James Beard nominee John Fleer and is situated behind Rhubarb on Lexington Ave. The Rhu offers a full scale bakery and café along with regional grocery and pantry items. Breakfast, lunch, coffee and the best baked goods around from the also James Beard nominated pastry program.

Blue Dream Curry House opened in the BLUE Ridge Mountains with the DREAM of providing a fresh, affordable international menu to Asheville, without skimping on culinary intrigue. With every ingredient sourced regionally, and an exciting offering of traditional curry dishes and local drink, Blue Dream has “curried” favor quickly here.

Husband and wife Neeraj Kebede and Vicki Schomer moved from San Francisco to Asheville to start a successful B & B, and after hearing years of pleas for Ethiopian cuisine started Addissae at the end of 2014. Major flavors abound on family-style platters, no utensils required!

An Asheville institution, serving the largest selection of beer in WNC since 1994. Order any sandwich or burger you can imagine, or a robust salad or classic pub entrée or appetizer and hit the game room or watch a game on the big screen in the open-air dining room.

This café, deli and catering outfit is in the iconic storefront that was Laurey’s. Adam and Emily Thome are continuing the legacy with breakfast, lunch and take-home dishes available Monday-Saturday on the ‘Restaurant Row.’

Situated at the gateway to the South Slope, Bhramari is the collaborative effort of Asheville veterans chef Josh Dillard, brewmaster Gary Sernack and bar guru Josh Bailey. These longtime friends and colleagues merge craft beer, on point seasonal cuisine and craft cocktails in a unique environment that is an artistic statement equal to their gastronomical creativity.

The Gourmet Chip Company has gourmet chips like you’ve never had. They are original and a one of a kind. The Chip Co. offers kettle style, Japanese sweet potatoes, plantain, and taro root chips combined with a myriad of toppings and dips, a local favorite!

With creative flavors such as olive oil and cracked pepper, beet and ricotta cheese and pickled habanero these culinary delights are more than a simple sweet treat – they truly push the limits of unique food experiences and offer diners an experimental approach to an American classic.

An Asheville staple since its opening in 2011, Tupelo Honey Cafe’s concept is simple; “A revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina mountains… recipes are simply crafted and made from scratch with responsibly sourced ingredients that bring the best of every season.”

We’ve added some delicious frozen treats to the Eating Asheville menu. Sunshine Sammies serves up ice cream sandwiches and other sweet treats you might remember from your childhood. Think sprinkles, milkshakes, moonpies, and oatmeal cream pies!

L’ecluse, located above Bouchon, features a variety of cocktails, wine, beer and small plates. Choose the perfect wine (or two) to accompany a charcuterie board with a rotating selection of meats and cheeses. Cap off the evening with a dessert from Bouchon’s menu.

Baba Nahm offers “lightning fast” food that is full of fresh ingredients and Middle Eastern flavors. From the Chicken Schwarma and Israeli Potato Fries (seasoned with zatar, lemon tahini and harissa) to the colorful, energetic décor, this Grove Arcade eatery delights the senses.

Tasty. Local. Twisted. The motto of Vortex Doughnuts says it all! With a commitment to sourcing local, fresh ingredients, Vortex Doughnuts creates flavorful yeast and cake doughnuts with unexpectedly delicious flavor combinations. This doughnut shop is “as unique as Asheville.”

Urban Orchard serves up crisp, refreshing hard cider crafted from apples grown in Hendersonville, NC and aged a minimum of 8 months. Infused with fruits, herbs, and chilies, their ciders pair well with the small plates and dips they serve.

The Chemist creates gin that is less juniper and more citrus forward, lending itself to casual sipping over ice.  Sample spirits in a tasting room that is reminiscent of speakeasies and Prohibition.

The South Slope Catawba Brewing location is where small batch beers are brewed and is also home to their barrel aging program. Enjoy a HOPness monster or a White Zombie in their tasting room.

Located in the historic S&W Cafeteria building in Asheville’s downtown area awaits one of the city’s top cocktail bars and foodie destinations featuring seasonal-inspired cocktails and creative menus.

Cultura, a collaboration between Wicked Weed and Table, offers new agrarian cuisine in a beautiful and airy space. Whether you prefer small plates and a sour beer, or a Feast with signature cocktails, Cultura is an experience not to be missed.

The mission of High Climate Tea Company is to “provide the freshest variety of traditional Chinese teas available” and to educate people about the health benefits of tea. Relax in this beautiful tea lounge while enjoying tea and Asian inspired snacks.

Enter a tropical garden room in Asheville – The Greenhouse. Noble’s Bar and Bistro features award-winning ciders, cocktails and an innovative menu of globally inspired small plates and large platters.

Located in the South Slope, Twin Leaf Brewery offers a rotating selection of beers on tap with a relaxed family and dog friendly atmosphere. Play a game while enjoying a glass of Luminosity, a Belgian Tripel, or a pint of their signature 144 (Codename: Juicy Fruit).

Polanco’s contemporary Mexican cuisine combines Chef Ricardo’s take on traditional Mexican food with delectable vegan options. Try some Mexican street food, such as the carnitas or Spanish garlic mushroom tacos. Their specialty is the Mole Rojo, with more than 32 ingredients, which is slow cooked to perfection. 

Come to Crave for delectable desserts, stay for the fun, romantic atmosphere, small plates, and innovative cocktails. Their red velvet waffles with white chocolate fondue pairs well with Sincerely, Crave, a smoky bourbon cocktail. Or try a sippable dessert like Chocolate Cocaine, featuring chocolate vodka.

With a regal ambiance, exceptional bar food, and one of a kind craft cocktails, Sovereign Remedies is a must see when visiting Asheville. Sovereign Remedies offers proper cocktails and liquid remedies. The European style patio is the ultimate place to enjoy an authentic cocktail prepared by some of Asheville’s finest mixologists.

The Collaboratory celebrates experimentation and collaboration in beer, food and culture. Brewers gather to partner and push the boundaries of beer. Guests are welcome to stop in and taste beers that are inventive and unique, while enjoying some pub food in a fun, inviting space.