Dubbed as “foodtopia”, Asheville, NC is home to many culinary delights. Locally sourced, fresh ingredients are very important to Asheville chefs and restaurant owners. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever visited a place that emphasizes the use of locally sourced foods more than in Asheville, NC. Here’s my round-up of the best places to eat in Asheville, NC for every meal.
Coffee
Double D’s Coffee & Desserts - $
Though touristy, Double D’s serves some delicious coffee. I tried the Red Hot Chili Mocha which was divine! The Lavender Honey Latte is also a popular choice. When open, you can sit upstairs, otherwise there’s outdoor seating in their closed-in patio space. Double D’s only accepts cash, so keep that in mind when visiting.
Image courtesy of High Five Coffee.
High Five Coffee - $
They make their syrups in-house and offer a full range of classic coffee options including espressos, americanos, hand-brewed and batch-brewed coffee, macchiatos, cortados, mochas, and lattes. You may also want to try their Mocha or Chai Milkshakes! Pair with a semilla sesame tahini cookie for something really special.
The Rhu - $
You can also get adorable pre-packed picnic baskets here. Like it’s sister restaurant, Rhubarb, The Rhu celebrates local foods and producers. Here you can grab a cup of locally roasted coffee or cup of tea with an apple galette. Their breakfast sandwich on a homemade biscuit was amazing!
Breakfast
Image courtesy of Sunny Point Cafe.
Sunny Point Cafe - $$
This hippie-chic restaurant features covered, outdoor dining, chalkboard specials, as well as an onsite production garden of fresh produce. A couple of staple items off the breakfast menu include Huevos Rancheros and the Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich.
Image courtesy of Biscuit Head.
Biscuit Head - $$
Dreaming of that fluffy Southern biscuit dripping in butter? Go to Biscuit Head, Asheville’s perfect place for cathead style biscuits. All of their butters, syrups, and jams are made in-house and feature creative creations like banana foster jam, sweet potato butter, and peach & rosemary jam. Prefer more of a savory biscuit? Choose from 7 different gravies including espresso red eye, fried chicken gravy, pork sausage gravy, spicy veggie “chorizo” gravy, sweet potato coconut gravy, mushroom medley gravy, and the gravy of the day. If you can’t decide, opt for a gravy flight of 3 different choices.
Image courtesy of Tupelo Honey.
Tupelo Honey - $$
Tupelo Honey boasts some of the best fried chicken in Asheville. Considered a pioneer in the Asheville farm-to-table movement, Tupelo Honey serves Southern fare made from scratch. Fan favorites include buttermilk fried chicken, sweet potato pancakes, pecan pie French toast, and pimento-stuffed omelets. Be sure to make reservations for this popular restaurant in Asheville!
Lunch
Buxton Hall Barbecue - $$
It was light, airy, and felt relaxed and casual. And the food was incredible! You get hush puppies for the table for starters and the mac’n’cheese side was delicious. Set in the old Standard Paper Sales Company building, Buxton Hall recently introduced a new cooking system and new menu, featuring Asheville’s only brisket cheesesteak. Due to challenges with the smoking operations, Buxton Hall’s head chef landed on a Texas-style of barbecuing to help. As a result of this new method, brisket and ribs are now on the menu. Wash down your slow-roasted barbecue with a bourbon slushie or Icepick slushie (a mix of sweet tea and vodka). The bourbon slushie was so good!! Try the pulled pork, pit smoked chicken, or the smoked and fried catfish.
Image courtesy of Biltmore.
Stable Cafe at Biltmore Estate - $$$
It was really busy when we were there but the food was good - a little pricey but everything at Biltmore is on the pricier side. The space was once the Biltmore’s actual horse stable which has now been converted into a casual restaurant. Horse stalls have been converted into cozy booths and the atmosphere here is bright and airy.
White Duck Taco Shop - $
Taco lovers must try Asheville’s White Duck Taco Shop. This affordable hot spot is known for wild taco creations and its use of local and seasonal ingredients. In addition to traditional taco offerings, White Duck Taco Shop offers more interesting fillings like Banh Mi tofu, spicy buffalo chicken, Bangkok shrimp, lump crab, Korean beef Bulgogi, and duck with mole. Personally, I’m not a huge taco fanatic - I thought the tacos were solid and the flavor combinations were creative. But if you’re a real taco lover, you’ll enjoy this spot.
Happy Hour
Image courtesy of EatingAsheville.com.
Sovereign Remedies - $$
Hand-crafted beverages are created with detail and care, almost like an art form. Bartenders are happy to make recommendations and create custom cocktails to match your exact taste.
Antidote Cocktail Bar at Chemist Spirits Distillery - $$
With decor from the early-1900s, you’ll feel transported back in time as you sip on a craft cocktail, overlooking the city. Although the building itself is not original, I still loved the speakeasy atmosphere inside - even the bartenders were dressed in period clothing. Offering both traditional and modern cocktails, Antidote has ample seating options with four levels of welcoming booths, nooks, bars, and hearths to enjoy a cozy moment.
Sunset Cocktail Terrace at Omni Grove Park Inn - $$$
I was worried we wouldn’t get a spot because it’s so busy around Christmas time, but we arrived about an hour before sunset (4:00 PM) and we were able to snag the perfect spot on the balcony off of Edison. I was also worried we’d be cold on the terrace but there were ample space heaters to keep the cold at bay. Drinks are on the pricier side because of the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but it’s totally worth it!
Dinner
Image courtesy of Conde Nast Traveler.
Cúrate - $$$
Staff is knowledgeable and can help you select a variety of small portion shared plates. Can’t decide - try the tasting menu with all the favorites. Examples of tapa selections off the menu include carabinero (prawn), Sardinas Curadas (sardines), and Tabla de Jamones (ham). And don’t forget to try the Sangria!
Image courtesy of SmokyMountains.com.
Bouchon - $$$
This restaurant gives a cozy vibe with brick walls and an open kitchen. If the weather is nice, sit on the alley patio to feel like you’ve been transported to the French countryside. With a meat-forward menu, Bouchon offers dishes like Chicken Cordon Bleu, Boeuf Bourguignon, and Steak au Poivre. The Steak Au Poivre was seriously incredible. If you like black pepper like me, you’ll love this dish. The meat was extremely tender and the pepper added so much additional flavor.
Rhubarb - $$$
Chef John Fleer, a five-time James Beard finalist for “Best Chef in the Southeast”, creates locally sourced, seasonal dishes such as Heritage Pork Meatballs, the Rhu-Burger, Toad-in-the-Hole, and Wood Roasted Bee Line Snapper. The menu changes weekly depending on availability of local resources, if not daily. The dishes were delicious but we found the portions rather small. I especially enjoyed the Goat Cheese Burrata. For authentic, tasty farm-to-table food, go to this chic Asheville eatery.
Dessert
French Broad Chocolate Lounge - $
The Lounge offers an extensive menu of cakes, cookies, brownies, custards, creams, handcrafted ice cream, and of course chocolates (both for eating and drinking)! Exciting menu items include Chocolate Creme Brulle, Highland Mocha Stout Cake, Liquid Truffle, and Coconut Macaroon Brownie. I regret not trying the liquid truffle because the Lounge is known for it but I was full from dinner and thought that may be too rich for my taste that evening. Instead, I opted for hot cocoa and a scoop of peppermint ice cream. They were a lovely end to the evening!
Image courtesy of Hole Doughnuts.
Hole Doughnuts - $
After you order, your donuts will be immediately hand-rolled and fried so that they come out as warm and delicious as possible. Don’t let the simple menu fool you. Hole Doughnuts have perfected their three standard donut choices - Vanilla Glazed, Toasted Almond Sesame Cinnamon, and Cinnamon Sugar. They also offer one seasonal flavor that changes weekly. (On the flip side, if you like crazy flavors and wild donut creations, visit Vortex Doughnuts!)
Old Europe Pastries - $
In addition to breakfast sweets, they also offer macarons, eclairs, cannolis, tartes, and brulees.
Are you ready to try some amazing meals yet?! What would you add to this list of “best places to eat in Asheville, NC”? I’d love to know! Drop them in the comments below!
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
