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Asheville is known for its chef-driven, award-winning restaurants whose passion for local food creates authentic farm-to-table dining experiences you can’t find elsewhere in North Carolina. These experiences extend throughout the region, including Biltmore and surrounding small towns. Here’s a list of some of our favorite eateries. We recommend making reservations, especially on the weekends!
Find great outdoor dining options—including dog-friendly patios—as well as the best restaurants for tapas and small plates, grits, doughnuts, takeout, and so much more. Also, make sure to check out our lists of breweries & pubs, as well as the best places to get cocktails, breakfast, and coffee.
Explore Asheville’s best restaurants by category:
Vegan/Vegetarian | Brunch & Breakfast | Coffee & Tea | Gluten-Free | Food Trucks | Romantic | Best Burgers | Pizza | Fine Dining | Cafes & Bistros | Dog-Friendly | Kid-Friendly | Late Night | Downtown | River Arts District | West Asheville | Desserts, Donuts & Ice Cream | BBQ | Southern Comfort Food | Farm-To-Table | French/Cajun | Fusion | Mexican | Tacos | Thai | Indian | Italian | Ramen/Noodles | Japanese/Sushi/Poke | Mediterranean
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa - Dining
Asheville is recognized as having one of the strongest, most innovative culinary scenes in the country. At The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, you will find some of the finest locally-sourced… More Information
Hemingway's Cuba, Asheville
You can't beat the view at this restaurant and bar in downtown Asheville, pairing Cuban cuisine with Asheville flair. Menu favorites include Empanadas, Tostones Board, Ropa Vieja, and Vaca… More Information
Dining at Biltmore
Experience Biltmore's legacy of food and wine inspired by its heritage of fine dining and sustainable agriculture, with the finest ingredients from its pastures and gardens. Dine at the Bistro,… More Information
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack
Feast on some “Tennessee style” hot chicken and southern soul food. They prepare their unique fried chicken to order, so it’s not spicy unless you want it that way! Ingredients are sourced locally… More Information
Bryson City Restaurants
For a small town, you'll find a nice variety of restaurants, ranging from southern home cooking to a brewery and gourmet dining. A nice reward after a day of exploring the Great Smokies and… More Information
Baba Nahm, Downtown Asheville
This Mediterranean eatery in downtown Asheville offers a Middle Eastern-inspired menu of Israeli street food with easy grab and go convenience. They offer gluten-free options, and the entire menu… More Information
Jerusalem Garden Cafe
Transport your senses to faraway lands without leaving downtown Asheville! At Jerusalem Garden Cafe, you'll enjoy authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes from slow braised lamb shanks to… More Information
Tupelo Honey - South Asheville
Located near Biltmore Estate, they have become a neighborhood favorite Southern food restaurant in South Asheville - with responsibly sourced ingredients and craft cocktails. Lunch, dinner and… More Information
Restaurants in Cashiers, Sylva, and Dillsboro
Savor Jackson County’s thriving culinary scene, from farm-to-table restaurants and cozy cafés to craft breweries and local food trucks. Enjoy fresh, locally sourced flavors that reflect mountain heritage in Sylva, Dillsboro, Cashiers and beyond.
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Discover Restaurants in Saluda, Tryon, and Columbus
Discover Restaurants in the First Peak Region – Browse local dining in Saluda, Tryon, Columbus, Mill Spring and beyond with curated listings by type and town. Find casual eats, coffee shops, pizza, Mexican, barbecue and more.
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Bear's Smokehouse Asheville
This smokehouse in Asheville’s South Slope offers award-winning K.C. Style BBQ with signature items like brisket burnt ends, smoked sausage, loaded baked potatoes, and more. They also offer vegan… More Information
Tupelo Honey - Downtown Asheville
A longtime favorite for locals and visitors, Asheville is where Tupelo Honey began in 2000 as a destination for scratch-made Southern food rooted in the Carolina mountains. Breakfast, lunch and… More Information
Red Stag Grill
Located inside the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village with contemporary food, an extensive wine-by-the-glass menu, and a lively bar within a casual setting. The beautiful dining room… More Information
Legends on the Lake, Lake Lure
Dine lakeside at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure by their private beach. Arrive by boat or car. Casual dining includes their favorites, hand-made pizzas, and house-ground burgers. At the bar… More Information
Jack of the Wood
Since opening in 1996, this has been one of Asheville’s favorite places to relax, listen to music, and enjoy fresh, locally sourced pub fare. The original home of Green Man Brewing, the pub… More Information
Pack’s Tavern
Established as a go-to spot downtown for good beer, delicious food, and a great view overlooking Pack Square Park in a beautifully restored 1900s building. Offering multiple dining spaces:… More Information
Restaurants By Category
See our list of Asheville restaurants by category, including cuisines like southern comfort food, BBQ, Mexican, Italian, Thai, Ramen, European, Asian, global fusions, and more. Also, find food…
Banner Elk Restaurants
This small town high in the mountains has become a culinary hot spot. Whether you’re looking for an upscale meal for a special occasion, a hearty sandwich after a day outdoors, or a casual steak… More Information
Picnics by The Rhu
Take in the sights and mountain views with a picnic basket from The Rhu downtown. Picnics include house-baked breads and pastries, local cheese and meats, and salads made from fresh, local… More Information
Newman's Restaurant, Saluda
Located inside the historic Orchard Inn, their farm-to-table prix-fixe menu changes weekly, with much of the produce from their organic garden. Enjoy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and… More Information
Social Lounge
This premiere craft cocktail bar is a great place to eat, drink, and be social. Find original cocktails, fine wines, local brews, and creative food with local ingredients in a contemporary space… More Information
Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails, Black Mountain
Features contemporary southern cuisine utilizing fresh, local ingredients to create inspired comfort food with bold flavors. These handcrafted meals are served Wed-Sat for dinner and Sunday for…
The Market Place
A world-class favorite located on charming Wall Street. Chef William Dissen's inventive menu features seasonal and organic ingredients from area farms, plus an extensive wine list. Recommended by… More Information
The Swag Dining
Enjoy an elegant dinner or Sunday brunch at this secluded mountaintop luxury lodge at 5,000 feet elevation in the Great Smoky Mountains. Sunday brunch buffet has two carving stations and…
Strada Italiano
This favorite downtown Italian restaurant has the aromas of house-baked artisan bread and mouth-watering cuisine. Focuses on fresh ingredients, biodynamic and organically-produced wine selections… More Information
Season's at Highland Lake
Located on the grounds of historic Highland Lake Inn & Resort, find inspired seasonal cuisine and an impressive wine list in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy a casual lunch, romantic dinner, or big… More Information
Asheville Independent Restaurants, Up-To-Date Dining Choices
AIR is a group of 150+ locally owned, independent restaurants in Asheville (one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country). AIR is dedicated to keeping Asheville’s food scene… More Information
Twisted Laurel Downtown
Award-winning Executive Chef Tom LaFauci specializes in handmade pasta and smoked meats putting his Italian-American touch on a wide range of crowd-pleasing entrees. The full bar… More Information
Pisgah Inn Restaurant
Open April-October, Pisgah Inn is the only restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. Located at 5,000 feet elevation, enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days per week. Windows frame a…
Chai Pani Asheville
Taste and sample Indian street food like you’ve never had before at this critically acclaimed Asheville restaurant, where James Beard Award-winning Chef and Owner Meherwan Irani crafts delectable… More Information
Harrah's Cherokee Restaurants
Various restaurants satisfy any craving or appetite, all adjacent to the exciting casino action. Chef's Stage Buffet is sure to please even the pickiest eaters, with interactive stations that… More Information
Sunny Point Cafe
A favorite local spot on Haywood Road since 2003, discover innovative comfort food with made-from-scratch products and a farm-to-table approach. They even grow some of their ingredients in their… More Information
Fork Lore, Biltmore Park
This locally-owned independent restaurant features a made-from-scratch American menu, sourcing from local purveyors whenever possible. The indoor dining space includes a private dining room and a… More Information
12 Bones Smokehouse
The lines may be long, but it’s worth the wait for this locally loved BBQ joint. Enjoy the Southern style, slow-smoked barbecue and scratch-made sides while they last—when they sell out, they…
Limones
Modern Californian and Mexican cooking plus creative cocktails served in a quaint, homey setting. Dinner specialties include entrees such as grilled au natural rib-eye steak with hazelnut-ancho… More Information
Posana
This contemporary, farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of downtown Asheville’s historic Pack Square serves local, seasonal, and sustainable cuisine that is 100% gluten-free. Try one of their… More Information
Downtown Asheville Restaurants
Since we have 75+ locally-owned places to eat downtown, we suggest you walk around and see what appeals to you! Many post menus by their front door. Some honorable mentions include:
- Soprana Rooftop Cucina: This MICHELIN Guide recommended rooftop restaurant atop Embassy Suites blends Appalachia-meets-Alps flavors with sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views. Soprana also serves brick oven pizza made with locally sourced ingredients, paired with craft beer, wine, and cocktails.
- Cúrate: Chef and Owner Chef Katie Button excites and thrills your tastebuds with her incredible Spanish tapas, charcuterie boards, and imported wines at this well-known local spot in the heart of downtown Asheville.
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W XYZ Lounge at Aloft
Enjoy small plates and drinks in this downtown Asheville hip hotel. The lively lounge includes a great outdoor deck overlooking the street. 51 Biltmore Avenue
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Restaurants in Brevard
Find a variety of places to eat and drink in Brevard including upscale dining casual eateries, pubs, food trucks, bakeries, coffee shops, and more!
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