Asheville is such a great spot to eat and drink your way through a weekend while enjoying live music and shopping around the city. Below is a list of some of my favorite places to eat and many more that are still on my list to try. I hope you enjoy!
Lunch + Dinner:
- The Marketplace: First farm-to-table restaurant in Asheville – really great upscale dining. Good for groups. Cozy atmosphere.
- Zambra: Sit in the outside alley for more romantic or inside for live mariachi band music, great dinner spot.
- Curate: foodie heaven, lots of awards and recognition, need reservations
- Limones: A favorite restaurant in town; Latin-American, unique take on Mexican dishes; AMAZING seafood, great cocktails
- Nightbell: Fresh “Appalachian tapas”, Little sister to Curate – same owner and quality
- En la Calle: Limone’s sister cocktail bar next door; Chorizo burger and grilled haloumi cheese are great
- Rhubarb: farm-to-table, the goat cheese gnudi is out of this world
- Nine Mile: amazing Caribbean style food that is super casual/affordable with large portions and unique flavors; check it out for lunch or dinner at either of 2 locations
- The Med: Oldest restaurant in downtown, diner-style Greek food, Chicken gyro platter for a quick lunch
- Buxton Hall BBQ: Best fried chicken sandwich; on South Slope aka Brewery neighborhood – great for large groups
- Homegrown: Best fried chicken sandwich (it’s a toss-up between the two)
- Bartaco: Westcoast Mexican, spicy watermelon margarita
- Chestnut: Great dinner spot (pecan encrusted salmon is a rec), same owners as Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village
- Posana: fresh and seasonal menu with yummy cocktails
- Bouchon: Locally sourced French comfort food served in a cozy space with a bar, open kitchen & alley patio
- Suwani Thai: thai food go-to
- Jerusalem Garden Cafe: great Mediterranean and neat atmosphere
- Chai Pani: Great Indian food, owned by one of the best chefs in Atlanta
- Mela: Upscale Indian food, $10 lunch “buffet”
- Strada Italiano: covered rooftop patio needs reservations or sit inside the cozy restaurant downstairs
- Wasabi Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
- Green Sage Cafe
- Southern Porch: Gastropub in Canton
- Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar: Eclectic Southern-influenced comfort food and specialty cocktails in a relaxed bistro with a patio
- Lobster Trap: Cozy, casual spot for seafood, locally brewed craft beer & nightly live music
- Sonora Cucina Mexicana: Festive cantina with tin ceilings serving up Mexican eats & cocktails, plus a late-night menu.
- Mamacita’s Taqueria: fast-casual lunch spot right next to Wicked Weed Brewery
- Bimberibon: gluten-free bakery and restaurant
- Forestry Camp: Brewery with amazing food (great lunch spot to meet up with friends or upstairs dinner spot looks awesome)
Breweries
- Wicked Weed: Brewpub and 2 story brewery
- Sierra Nevada: live music, but not downtown, need to drive
Breakfast
- French Broad Chocolates: 2 locations, line may be out the door and crazy, but worth the wait for the Lavender Liquid Truffle and decadent desserts
- Hole Donuts
qcyogifoodie 