When it comes to eating well, Asheville has it all. Deeply rooted in traditional Appalachian foodways and cross-pollinated by a robust strain of locavore ideology, the Asheville food scene is blossoming. Check out some of our favorite places to eat in Asheville.

person cutting food on a plate at a nice restaurant
Local Dining

Discover Our Favorite Restaurants in Asheville, NC

Asheville restaurants run the gamut from Mexican-California fusion to eclectic international Vegetarian and four-star cuisine to down-home cooking. The city’s vibrant restaurant scene goes well beyond its Southern cooking roots. Expect the extraordinary in Asheville, whether it’s organic, hormone-free beef, mountain trout caviar or sweet potato salad. Asheville is abundant with local Farmers Markets, many of them exclusively organic, providing chefs with seasonal offerings and the freshest produce. There are several local farm to table restaurants and many restaurants also feature live music from jazz to bluegrass.

happy couple sharing a meal at one of the best places to eat in Asheville, NC

In Our Neighborhood

Nine Mile: Casual Caribbean influenced menu just one block from Pinecrest. Portions are generous. They do not take reservations so go off peak to avoid waiting.

Tall Johns: Neighborhood elevated pub food. Small menu but well done with bar and open kitchen. They do not take reservations so go off peak to avoid waiting.

All Day Darling: Counter service for sandwiches, salads, etc just three blocks from Pinecrest. Mostly patio seating. This is the casual sister restaurant of upscale Table that is downtown.

Little Jumbo Bar: Neighborhood watering hole serving up classic cocktails and house concoctions. Food consists of very limited bar snacks. Outdoor seating available.

The Montford Rooftop Bar: Sleek hangout featuring craft cocktails, nibbles, and mountain views in a rustic-chic interior. Unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge at sunset. Reservations recommended.

romantic dinner at an upscale restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina

Downtown Upscale

Cúrate: One of the most highly regarded restaurants in Asheville located 1.2 miles from B&B right on Pack Square in downtown. Stylish Spanish tapas bar with open kitchen serving dinner. Reservations required. Or try their casual sister restaurant, La Bodega. It’s a Spanish market with counter service downstairs; upstairs is similar food to Curate. Reservations recommended for both but La Bodega has some walk-in tables.

The Market Place: Farm to table American cuisine and robust wine list in an upscale casual setting. Reservations recommended. 1.2 miles from B&B.

Chestnut: American eatery for foods from local farms & homemade treats in restored 1920s digs with a full bar. Reservations recommended. 1.3 miles from B&B.

Limones: Modern Californian & Mexican cooking plus creative cocktails served in a quaint, homey setting. Reservations required. 1.3 miles from B&B.

Cucina 24: Restaurant melding the traditions of Italian cookery with ingredients found in the mountains of the American south. True food aficionados should consider the chef’s tasting menu for an indulgent night of superb dining. 1.2 miles from B&B.

Asheville Proper: Live-fire dining in the heart of downtown Asheville in the Grove Arcade. Asheville Proper prepares locally sourced food over a custom hardwood-fueled grill. They have many choices for cuts of steaks and the menu is al a carte. Open for dine-in plus patio dining.

Modesto: A charming Italian restaurant located downtown in the Grove Arcade. Extensive menu and it’s all delicious. Sidewalk seating is available. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.

Rhubarb: From Chef John Fleer, Rhubarb is a cool, contemporary spot for New American fare in the heart of downtown Asheville. Offering indoor and covered patio seating. Reservations recommended.

Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse: High-end Japanese food served tapas and family style to encourage sharing. Lots of things on sticks cooked over fire. Even the vegetables are interesting. Reservations accepted and walk-in bar seating.

delicious pizza from a local restaurant in Asheville

Downtown Casual

Farm Burger: Rustic-chic counter spot for upscale burgers made with grass-fed beef, plus shakes, beer & wine. Counter service only. Prepare for lengthy line during peak hours. 1.2 miles from Pinecrest.

Early Girl Eatery: Farm-to-table Southern comfort food, including all-day breakfasts, in a no-frills storefront. First come, first served. 1.1 miles from Pinecrest
Tupelo Honey Cafe The original location started in 2000, serves up responsibly-sourced, scratch-made Southern fare, local beer & hand-crafted cocktails. Reservations recommended. 1.0 miles from Pinecrest.

Mayfels: Eclectic bar/cafe offering Louisiana-inspired fare, plus a daily brunch & dog-friendly dining areas. First come, first served. 1.0 miles from Pinecrest.

Pack’s Tavern: Modern tavern in a vintage building with over 35 rotating taps, live music & eclectic eats. First come, first served. 1.4 miles from B&B.

Chai Pani: Indian street food chaat—crunchy, spicy, sweet, brightly flavored snacks and homestyle platters. Won James Beard Award in 2022. No reservations, lengthy wait times. 1.1 miles from Pinecrest.

Mountain Madre: Relaxed, family-owned joint serving Mexican food and cocktails. Large patio. First come, first served. 1.1 miles from Pinecrest.

White Labs Kitchen & Tap: They make yeast for beer! Enjoy woodfired pizzas made with 72-hour slow-risen dough, house-made fermented sauces, farm-fresh salads and other beer-infused dishes and desserts. Full bar, counter service, nice patio AND parking.

couple enjoying a casual dinner in Asheville, NC

Outside Downtown Corridor

Corner Kitchen: Upscale New American dining in a renovated, 100-plus-year-old Victorian home in a historic locale. Sister restaurant of Chestnut. Reservations recommended. 3.5 miles from B&B in historic Biltmore Village.

Sunny Point Café: Family-owned Asheville favorite serving award winning upscale comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Skip the hour plus wait at breakfast and go for dinner. Menu is extensive and it’s all delicious. 626 Haywood Road in West Asheville.

Copper Crown: Warm, contemporary restaurant offering locally sourced New American fare and signature cocktails. New selection of small plates as well as entrees. Lo-Fi burger is a favorite. 1011 Tunnel Road, #100 in East Asheville, worth the drive to a strip mall.

group of girlfriends with beers at one of the best places to eat in Asheville

Our Favorite Breweries & Cocktail Lounges

Wicked Weed Brewing: Hip brewery with a tasting room & a restaurant serving high-end, locally sourced New American fare. Open air dog friendly patio. No reservations. Be prepared for a lengthy wait during peak hours. 1.4 miles from Pinecrest. We prefer their second location, Wicked Weed Funkatorium, on the South Slope.

Asheville Brewing & Pizza: Microbrewery serving beers, pizzas & pub grub. Three locations; our favorite is on the South Slope at 77 Coxe Ave with an outdoor covered patio. No reservations. 1.2 miles from Pinecrest.

New Belgium: Tasting room with an outdoor patio on French Broad River. Rotating food trucks change daily. Expect very large crowds during peak hours. 2.4 miles from Pinecrest in the River Arts District.

Burial Beer: A favorite among locals with a great selection of beers to taste in a flight, in a pint, or buy the can to go. Plenty of outdoor seating on multiple patios and food trucks on site. 1.6 miles from Pinecrest on the South Slope. Or check out their second location, Forestry Camp, near Biltmore Village.

Antidote: When you tire of beer, check out local distillery The Chemist for a gin tasting. Next door is Antidote, the cozy cocktail lounge with a turn of the century atmosphere. Three stories with rooftop seating. 151 Coxe Ave 1.6 miles from Pinecrest on the South Slope.

chef holding a plate of food at a restaurant in Asheville, NC

Specialty Cuisines

Posana: Contemporary American restaurant in the heart of downtown, focused on local, seasonal and sustainable cuisine. They have a dedicated gluten free kitchen. Reservations recommended. 1.2 miles from Pinecrest.

Plant: This all-vegan Asheville destination presents globally inspired plant-based dishes, from fried plantains to tofu bibimbap, supplemented by craft cocktails, local beers and sustainable wines. Reservations recommended. 0.9 miles from Pinecrest.

Laughing Seed Cafe: Funky, no-frills cafe & bar serving organic, locally sourced global vegetarian & vegan fare. 1.0 miles from Pinecrest.