Best places to eat lunch in downtown asheville nc –
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As it turns out, the city is also the greenest dining destination in America. When we returned in to write a story on the city for Southbound magazine, we got a chance to sample quite a few of the best Asheville restaurants, including Posana, Bouchon, and more. Now, every time we visit one of our favorite Blue Ridge Mountain towns , we add to our growing list of the best restaurants in Asheville NC. Read on for our regularly updated list of favorite places to eat in Asheville!
So it is with some authority that I can say that All Souls boasts the best pizza in Asheville. Pizza lives or dies on the strength of its crust, upon which every great pie is built. On top of that foundation, All Souls chef Brendan Reusing piles an array of fresh seasonal ingredients.
As is common with many Asheville restaurants , most of their meats and veggies are locally sourced. Expect upscale toppings like soppressata, pecorino, garlic sausage, smoked NC shrimp, fontina, and salted turnips. The swanky decor, downtempo electro-funk music, and servers who look like hipster lumberjacks set a mellow mood as you sample fragrant appetizers. The best were the Wagyu Steak Tartare with ash aioli and Grilled Bone Marrow with thyme crust, dijonaise, and sourdough, which had the most incredibly robust flavor.
Sides such as Crispy Confit Potatoes with brie and smoked vinegar and creamy Coldwater Creek Grits with pepper relish are a delight as well. But they add enough unique twists to make some of the best breakfast food in Asheville. The murals, southern fried slogans, and relentless array of cat-related artwork establish a quirky vibe as soon as you walk in the door. Biscuits are obviously their main specialty, but these are not the sort of traditional buttermilk biscuits my Appalachian Granny used to make.
The Filthy Animal includes fried chicken, pimento cheese, bacon, scrambled eggs smothered in gravy. Speaking of gravy, there are 5 to choose from here, as well as a ton of homemade jams and preserves in an array of fruit flavors. A Hawaiian restaurant, Rosabees cooks up delicious poke, rice, and noodle dishes. If you are lucky, you might catch an Indonesian-inspired dish or Filipino lumpia. Dine on delicacies like octopus, and pick from spicy seafood dishes.
RosaBees also labels items containing gluten. Pair your tropical meal with an equally refreshing dessert or cocktail. This is a great off-the-beaten-path RAD Asheville dining option , but we still recommend making reservations. Or, drive a few minutes away to Bottle Riot, a gorgeous Asheville wine bar. The atmosphere is colorful, serene, and delicious. We actually love their Saturday and Sunday brunch , and they are also one of our favorite Asheville lunch spots.
One of the new downtown Asheville restaurants that opened in , Asheville Proper is your proper steakhouse. Located in the historic Grove Arcade , they invited us out for a pre-opening, media night dinner. Um, speakeasy cocktails and delicious steaks with fresh sides?!
Yes, please. Similar to the nearby Battery Park Book Exchange , they serve literary cocktails. We love Biltmore in all its touristy glory. In fact, we are annual passholders.
We devour their in-house pickles, Lusty Monk mustard, seasonal cocktails, fish and chips, and sandwiches. Another delicious Biltmore property restaurant, Stable Cafe is also a must. This is the perfect stop if you are spending all day touring Biltmore or looking for a fun kid-friendly Asheville restaurant.
Typically, you would want to visit the Biltmore House first, peruse the gardens, and then grab lunch at Stable Cafe. Afterward, beeline it for the Biltmore Winery.
Grab our suggested Biltmore itinerary here. Stable Cafe is also perfect if you are looking for family-friendly things to do at Biltmore. Head to the River Arts District for one of the absolute best Asheville restaurants and coziest ambiances. The Bull And Beggar is perfect for special occasions and fine dining. If you are a meat lover, this RAD restaurant will speak volumes to you — pun intended with the book bar upfront.
If you are a vegan or veggie, though, this might not be the absolute best choice for you. We highly recommend making advanced dining reservations. The Bull And Beggar also has heated outdoor seating. Our go-to for pizza restaurants in Asheville , Asheville Pizza and Brewing is the best. They have multiple locations across North, South, and downtown Asheville.
We love their stout coconut blends and ambers. The Merrimon location boasts of a movie theater where they play the oldies but goodies and now brand new movies. Find an arcade and play area for the littles too.
The Merrimon location has two free parking lots. For Coxe Ave. One of the first Asheville restaurants that we ever ate at before moving here, Laughing Seed Cafe is a delicious vegan and vegetarian downtown Asheville restaurant. They also have fantastic gluten-free options.
Laughing Seed Cafe is also the perfect Asheville takeout spot for the holidays — think pies, sauces, and meals for the entire family. For one of the more popular downtown Asheville restaurants on the fancier side — and where people go before concerts or for brunch — Chestnut is sleek and trendy.
Although they make delicious meals, nothing beats charcuterie and drinks at the bar. In fact, they feature one of the best charcuterie boards in Asheville. Chestnut also serves Southern dishes with large portions of the meats. They use fresh, locally sourced ingredients and their food is simple yet delicious. Chai Pani is best known for its Indian street snacks. Samantha Brown stopped by in The bhel puri and corn bhel will light up your tastebuds. Chai Pani offers vegan and gluten-intolerance-friendly options along with delicious seasonal cocktails.
Imagine a cardamon Old Fashioned or lavender lemonade with a splash of gin — yes; please! To beat the crowds, we recommend visiting on non-peak days and seasons.
Otherwise, you might be greeted by lines out the door. Full disclosure that Tupelo Honey Cafe is certainly one of the most touristy downtown Asheville restaurants on this list and a franchise , especially for brunch and lunch; we still love them. Make reservations…. Known for locally sourced ingredients, Tupelo Honey offers southern cuisine, brunch all day, and incredible cocktails. People love their chicken, and they are food-intolerance friendly. I ate dinner at Bene yesterday and enjoyed the experience.
The relaxing atmosphere, eye-catching interior, and friendly and helpful staff all contributed to a great time. The food also made the experience wonderful. These items were flavorful and filling.
I highly recommend Bene and will eat there again without question! Pictures from dinner are included in the review. Perfect for road trips See time and distance between places, and optimize your route to get the most of your day. Vegetarian restaurant. Asheville has long been known for its vegetarian and green scene, and perhaps few places are better than Plant for trying vegetables and fruits.
Plant is vegan, 90 percent organic, often local and mostly gluten-free, with almost everything made from scratch without an animal product in the house. Sample the aged cashew and farmer’s involtini cheese plate, with rosemary fruit, pickled vegetables and focaccia, or tofu bibimbap and beautiful grilled beets. Born and raised in a carniverous North Georgia family, I would have never imagined loving vegan food. Opened in by Leslie Armstrong, Alan Berger, and chef Jason Sellers, Plant was the restaurant that changed my mind, emerging as one of our favorite places to eat in Asheville.
Plant was one of the best culinary experiences of my life. Not only was the highlighted item in each individual dish spiced and cooked to perfection, but the accompanying items, which were delicious in their own right, enhanced the overall dish. The service was thoughtful, the staff were mindful of pacing our meal, and each dish was unique and exquisite.
Every dish was a visual experience utilizing varying colors, textures, and serving plates. Our table was nearly silent throughout our meal at Plant. Despite having much to discuss and catch up on with close friends, we were so overwhelmed by the flavors of the food that we were unable to do more than simply fully take in each bite.
Distilling our experience into a review feels impossible, you’ll definitely want to experience Plant for yourself. Outstanding service, as well, especially due to reservation complications due to covid. Thank you all! Excellent menu and cooking, with good portion sizes. Eaten at various vegan restaurants and this is up there with the good ones.
Italian restaurant. There’s a separate “Classics” a la carte menu, but it’s hard to resist this unique degustation, which is best enjoyed overlooking the wood-fired oven at Cucina 24’s kitchen bar.
We had an excellent meal here. This restaurant was recommended to us by some of staff at the Hotel and we are glad we made the trip. The staff at this restaurant is great. They made is feel welcome as soon as we walked in. Our server explained everything on the menu so well that we didn’t have any questions. The meal was 5 courses and we had our choice of Entrees.
The rest of the meal was set. You can see the menu online as it changes consistently with the availability of different ingredients. The trout entree I had was one of the best pieces of fish I had eaten in a while. The courses are spaced accordingly and we never felt rushed. We were definitely full after the meal ended. The cocktails were delicious as well. I highly recommended this restaurant. We love to eat and Cuchina 24 fit our taste. Since we are still in the Omicron phase the restaurant made sure all guests are vaccinated and we had to show our vaccination cards and wear masks until we sat down.
Staff was masked during the entire visit. We were very well taken care of by our waiter and other staff. They also were very accommodating about me allergies. A 5-course menu Italien inspired and the wine tasting were a delight.
Some was missing without it. But we highly recommend this dining experience! Tasting menu is insanely good, way beyond expectations.
Dishes are definitely Michelin level quality in terms of taste, authenticity and creativity. Hard to imagine they only charge 60 per person. A lot of places do Farm to Table— the difference is what happens in between. This lovely farm-to-table restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Asheville because of, among other things, their famous Reuben as well as their prime location not-to-far from the iconic Biltmore Estate, a must-see local attraction.
But back to their iconic Reuben: The restaurant sources raw corned beef for this sandwich from a specialty purveyor in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Be sure to make reservations at this upscale farm-to-table eatery in Biltmore Village. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Corner Kitchen features fresh takes on classics like the mushroom pot pie or pecan-crusted mountain trout topped with a bourbon sauce. Given its proximity to the entrance of Biltmore Estate, Corner Kitchen is usually quite busy and parking can be challenging. Quick Summary This was a upscale casual version of their Chestnut restaurant.
Food was fantastic and similar to Chestnut. Ambiance was definitely much more casual than Chestnut. Parking can similarly be difficult as it’s street parking Food- 5 stars Corn and crab chowder- this was decent. It paled in comparison to the entrees Pecan crusted trout- this was very good. Excellent flavor throughout and very balanced. I couldn’t stop eating it Pork chop- my friends couldn’t stop raving about how good the pork chop it was. I assume they get the same supplier as Chestnut, and I thought their pork chop was phenomenal Drinks- 5 stars The Vanderbilt Martini was fantastic.
I was a bit worried in the beginning when the servers were making the drinkers as well, but I was surprised and satisfied Service- 5 stars Servers and staff were friendly and attentative. They were also the bussers and the bartenders, which was pretty impressive Bottom Line Great meal at the Corner Kitchen. Highly recommend the Vanderbilt Martini with either the trout or pork chop. Good food and good service. Located in the heart of Biltmore Village, you might have to ride around a bit to find a parking spot.
We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. This place is freaking awesome. I visited this restaurant on my birthday and they treated me like a Queen. I will drive 3 hrs to eat here any day.
Mentioned on 3 lists. Mexican restaurant. While diners enthusiastically flock to Limones throughout the week for dinner, those looking for the best lunch in Asheville will not be disappointed during their Sunday brunch ser We had a wonderful dinner there tonight. Richard, our waiter, made excellent suggestions. The arugula salad was fantastic as was the bread pudding.
And I highly recommend the blood orange margarita. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by the host near the bar area.
We had a reservation, so we were seated quickly. The restaurant has a classy old fashioned look with large mirrors, Eidson type lights, wood floors, nice decor and large wall paintings.
Our server came over and explained the menu as well as several offerings of interest. I had the pleasure of trying the lamb and the scallops. Both probably could have used a touch more flavor and a little higher temperature.
The fingerling potatoes and broccoli were good accompanying items. The dessert has the flavor I was hoping for and I was definitely impressed!
The atmosphere and service was great. The ceviche was my favorite. My main course was the pork chop and butter beans. The meat was cooked to perfection, my beans were under cooked My husband had the Bouillbaisse, as he raved it was very flavorful and delicious We will return Show 4 more.
For one of the more popular downtown Asheville restaurants on the fancier side — and where people go before concerts or for brunch — Chestnut is sleek and trendy. Although they make delicious meals, nothing beats a charcuterie and drinks at the bar.
Chestnut is a lovely little downtown restaurant operated by the same folks who own Corner Kitchen detailed above.
The focus here is on hand-crafted culinary classics made with the best available local ingredients. A favorite among gastrophiles, Chestnut has become something of an institution in downtown Asheville. Take the deviled eggs, for instance. We had a delightful dinner there. We sat at the table that is surrounded by glass in the front, so you can see the sidewalk and people walking by, which we enjoyed. The food is phenomenal. I had the “Winter Citrus Salad” which was probably the best kale salad I’ve ever had.
I also had the winter squash ravioli. Being vegetarian, I was able to find a number of tasty options. We did have an issue with one of our meals, which they handled brilliantly. It wasn’t a big deal and we were beyond satisfied with their resolution.
Not every meal can be flawless, and we understand that. So when a restaurant handles an issue properly, it makes it so much nicer. I also recommend the Ginger beer, which was packed with flavor. Overall, it’s a pleasantly quiet environment, quick service and fantastic food. If you’re in the Asheville area, I highly recommend that you give Chestnut a try. Ambiance was comfortable and beautiful. Dessert is the game changer, though! Maple sundae was out of this world. Quick Summary Solid dinner spot for date nights or big groups.
Really enjoyed the lobster bisque and tomahawk pork chop. Try to make reservations Food- 5 stars Food was fantastic. The lobster bisque was rich and balanced.
The pork chop was fatty and full of flavor. Enjoyed all their food Service- 5 stars Our server, Rachel was fantastic. Very attentive and friendly Bottom Line Fantastic dinner spot at the heart of downtown Asheville.
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There are lots of wood-fired ovens grilling pizzas in Asheville, but All Souls Pizza hovers at the top of the list for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients, even in the dough. Using fresh-milled flour made from regionally grown grains, the uniquely flavored and textured dough is naturally fermented with native yeast.
Featuring country ham from Goodnight Brothers and fresh local pullet eggs from Dry Ridge Farm, their flavorful Country Ham and Egg Pizza is a fan favorite, though it’s hard to lose with any seasonal pie. So it is with some authority that I can say that All Souls boasts the best pizza in Asheville.
Locally focused, the menu of gourmet pizza highlights Asheville growers and makers. But the vibe at All Souls is very chill. So so “souls” good!!! Fresh sliced garlic, over-easy eggs, country bacon and mozzarella!!!! White bean soup!!!! Not salty and tasted so fresh!! A farm to table feel and taste Was looking for fine pizza but this was a flop The atmosphere was ok but the lighting was very dim.
Neither of us were satisfied and left feeling like we should have just eaten elsewhere and still hungry. First off, the staff deserve nine stars out of five; helpful, friendly but not gratingly so. The food is tasty and good quality for a reasonable price. Lunch in Asheville like a Vanderbilt!. We are Biltmore annual passholders — mostly for the trails, restaurants, and winery. Every single picture I have in the Stable Cafe has terrible lighting. However, the food is delicious in this fun Biltmore restaurant.
The Stable Cafe is known for its striking dining room and architecture, known for its upper-level a-frame roof. What was once a stable, is now the spot to enjoy some of the best lu Opens at and serves until The waiter was delightful and when I exclaimed how savory the coleslaw was, he brought me a second serving! The BBQ sandwich was good, and the fries were crispy and perfectly seasoned. The classic burger was cooked to a juicy medium, nestled between two toasted buns. Every bite seemed better than the last, making me forget that I don’t in fact have to finish my plate.
Needless to say, I found myself in the clean plate club! Excellent experience. Pleasant staff, child friendly. My daughter accompanied my husband and I to the restaurant. They provided water with a lid, extra straws without thinking we were weird, an extra roll for her, and a chocolate chip cookie to go despite her just eating off of our plates. Unique eating atmosphere with the horse stalls, only the booths had cushions. Would very much recommend.
This place never disappoints! Location is the coolest, eating in what used to be horse stables is the neatest! White chicken chili and chicken salad croissant was fresh and tasty! Chocolate creme brulee was outstanding! Terri, our waitress was beyond great! Asian fusion restaurant. Asian flavors meet Appalachian ingredients at this relaxed haunt with outdoor seating.
For a true Asian flavor explosion, check out the Mapo Doufu, a traditional Szechuan dish that is characteristically salty, spicy and richly-flavored, with braised tofu, ground pork, broad bean paste, garlic, ginger, tree ear mushrooms, Szechuan peppercorn, chile and loads of scallions.
Loved that they delivered to Archetype Brewing around the corner. The flavors were really really delicious. My favorite was the brisket steam buns, but it was so so good! Gan Shan West was everything I’d hoped it would be. I was beyond thrilled to see they had a beef brisket ramen.
It was perfectly spicy and flavorful. We are regulars here. Really good food and super convenient to have it dropped off at archetype brewing. Super easy and tasty. True to that romantic aesthetic, Sovereign Remedies serves some of the best cocktails in Asheville, which is what people know them for. Located downtown Asheville N Market St. Lots of great options of the list and plenty of tasty recommendations from the staff.
This is where Tupelo began in as a destination for scratch-made Southern food rooted in the Carolina Mountains. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served every day. Enjoy craft cocktails, specialty beers and famous honey dusted fried chicken at their new lounge, adjacent to original space.
This casual cantina in downtown Asheville offers Mexican soul food in a friendly atmosphere. Taco menu includes shrimp, fish, steak, pork belly and avocado. In addition to your tacos, try the elote- grilled corn on the cob with lime aioli, chili seasoning, cilantro and queso cotija. Want to list your business on this page? Contact us. Enter from Sears Alley. My Trip Planner. Also See. Where to Shop in Asheville? Downtown Asheville. Top Wineries near Asheville.
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Check this out! Red Stag Grill sits in the Grand Bohemian and is decorated like a chic hunting lodge; go for charcuterie and drinks. They also have soups, salads, sandwiches, and large entrees like steaks.
For delicious Mexican, though, The Cantina is famous for its colorful tequila bar and huge portions. It also stays a little less crowded for lunch than Corner Kitchen. Think everything delicious and Mexican like stuffed avocados, burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. Of course, order a margarita. Eda Rhyne Distillery is nearby too. HomeGrown serves Southern specialties like meatloaf and pot pie paired with grits and beet sides. Nearby, grab ice cream vegan options included from The Hop.
If you are looking for lunch near Asheville, read more about the best restaurants in Black Mountain. Explore the best places to stay in Asheville. A few of our top suggestions:.
What is your all-time favorite Asheville lunch spot? Where do you like to grab lunch in Downtown Asheville? What is your favorite AVL neighborhood to dine in? Dine like a local, and enjoy the best lunch in Asheville, NC. What is the most popular Asheville lunch spot? We are pretty sure the lines out the door speak for themselves at White Duck Taco. Craving a BBQ lunch in Asheville? Head to 12 Bones. Enjoy a burger and beer at Twisted Laurel.
Headed to lunch in Downtown Asheville and craving a burger? Farm Burger has delicious burgers with vegan, veggie, and gluten-free options. You can always expect your lunch to spill off the plate at Apollo Flame. For lunch in downtown Asheville, Early Girl Eatery is a hot spot. We cannot get enough of Thai Pearl. How do we choose between Pho and Thai noodles? Nothing beats pizza for lunch — and we have just the place for you.
Brunch all day and mimosas? We are sure you know all about Tupelo Honey. Photo by Sarah Resta Photography. Biltmore Village is a quaint and ritzy shopping area with restaurants including The Cantina. Save the best places to eat lunch in Asheville for later, and eat like a local with Uncorked Asheville.
– 18 Best Restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina – Eater Carolinas
Rhubarb. Exceptional(). Limones Restaurant. Exceptional().
