Asheville, North Carolina is one of the gems of the South. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the southwestern border of North Carolina, Asheville is a hub for the arts and a popular tourist destination. When planning your vacation, it’s important to know the best restaurants in Asheville, NC. Here are ten!
The Omni Grove Park Inn Dining
$$ | (800) 438-5800 | WEBSITE
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The Omni Grove Park Inn is a historic inn and spa in Asheville with several dining options. From tapas bars to brunch to fine dining, the Inn has anything you need. Although you can get a great room and stay overnight as well, you do not have to be a guest of the hotel to eat at these restaurants or use the spa and spa restaurant.
Options at the Grove Park Inn include southern cuisine at Blue Ridge, upscale steak and seafood at Sunset Terrace, southern comfort foods at Edison Craft and Ales and Kitchen, entertainment and specialty drinks at Elaine’s Dueling Piano bar, and so much more.
At any of the Grove Park Inn restaurants, you can overlook the beautiful mountain view while eating an exquisite meal.
The Omni Grove Park Inn is also well known for being the display location for the yearly gingerbread competition. During December, you can walk around and view the finalists in the National Gingerbread Competition.
The Biltmore Inn
$$ | (800) 411-3812 | WEBSITE
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You can’t visit Asheville without taking a trip to the historic and iconic Biltmore House. The residence of the Vanderbilt family, The Biltmore, is an ode to old aristocratic homes and times long past.
There are several restaurants on the vast premises of the house. Make a day of visiting the Biltmore properties and find everything you want to eat. From burgers to fancy dining, you can experience local fare and enjoy the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains in the distance.
Restaurant options include global pub fare at Cedric’s Tavern, four-star dining at The Dining Room, Appalacian comfort food at The Stable Cafe, small plates at the Library Lounge, the southern fare at Village Social, sandwiches and flatbread at Bistro, ice cream at the Creamery, and so much more.
Make sure you check out a tour of the old house, too.
Tupelo Honey
$$ | (828) 255-4863 | WEBSITE
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One of the great and more affordable restaurants in Asheville is Tupelo Honey Cafe. Located in downtown Asheville, Tupelo Honey has southern food with a fancy twist. For example, traditional southern food like fried chicken gets dressed up with chutney.
Tupelo Honey serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Tupelo Honey has been around for 20 years and prides itself on offering food that is simply crafted, made from scratch, and responsibly sourced.
The food choices reflect the Carolina mountain traditions all around you. Responsible sourcing is important to Tupelo Honey. They do their best to find in-season produce when it’s available, and they never use meat with hormones or antibiotics, using farmers that treat their animals humanely.
Tupelo Honey’s menu includes delicious items such as Sriracha Honey with Fried Chicken and Waffles, biscuits, and Creole Shrimp Linguine.
Rhubarb
$$ | (828) 785-1503 | WEBSITE
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Rhubarb is a well-known and well-loved restaurant in downtown Asheville with a wine, brunch, and dinner menu. The head chef, Chef John Fleer, is known for creating what he calls “Foothills Cuisine.” Sourcing local ingredients, he creates classy southern dishes that match the city’s artsy feel.
Rhubarb is a great restaurant for a tourist who is looking for an earthy environment with great foothills food. Rhubarb also offers a unique dining opportunity on Sunday evenings known as Sunday Supper.
This limited seating opportunity is a three-course meal with a set menu that is served at long, communal tables. At these meals, Rhubarb serves local fare and everyone eats family style.
Rhubarb loves to focus on the community aspect of these dinners. The menu at Rhubarb offers everything from a flat iron steak to half a chicken, from grilled quail to pork chops.
Twisted Laurel
$$ | (828) 552-3240 | WEBSITE
The Twisted Laurel is another downtown Asheville restaurant with a unique atmosphere. There are two locations for The Twisted Laurel: Weaverville (just outside of Asheville) and Downtown Asheville.
At Twisted Laurel, you can find casual Mediterranean dining with incredible food and flavor. In Asheville, it is common for people to take their dogs on their downtown trip. The downtown Asheville location of Twisted Laurel even has a menu for your furry friend!
Your dog can also enjoy an inexpensive feast while you eat your Mediterranean feast. Dog menu items include grilled Brussells sprouts, grilled trout, a burger, asparagus, sweet potato, and scrambled eggs. Menus for adults include everything from a Philly steak sub to gyro.
Corner Kitchen
$$$ | 828) 274-2439 | WEBSITE
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Located in Historic Biltmore Village outside of the Biltmore House, Corner Kitchen is an incredible hidden gem. The restaurant is housed inside of a beautiful old home built-in 1895. In 1930, a man named Charles Jennings lived in the house and opened a restaurant called The Biltmore Cafe.
Located near the train station, this was a popular stop for people coming through the area for events and tours at The Biltmore House. The kitchen opened in 2004 and serves farm-to-table food that is a cut above the rest.
Serving lunch, dinner, dessert, and a full bar menu, the Corner Kitchen is a great restaurant with sophisticated food. Menu items range from Charcuterie boards to New York Strips.
Early Girl Eatery
$$ | (828) 259-9292 | WEBSITE
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If you are looking for a great place to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Early Girl Eatery has your back. It’s the traditional American diner of your dreams, with excellent food that hits the spot with any craving. It serves all of the food options for the entire day, so you can have breakfast for dinner, or dinner for breakfast.
Early Girl Eatery is a favorite of Asheville locals and popular with tourists. Early Girl Eatery believes that it is important to serve farm-to-table food in their restaurant.
Farm-to-table food supports local businesses, and food tastes better when it is fresh from a farm near you. At Early Girl Eatery, you can get anything from an omelet to fried chicken.
Strada Italiano
$$$ | 828) 348-8448 | WEBSITE
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With over 650 “excellent” ratings, Strada Italiano is the place for Italian food in Asheville. Serving brunch, dinner, and an extensive bar and cocktail menu, Strada Italiano is a hot spot for people all over Asheville.
They also have a takeout menu, so you can have any of Strada Italiano’s wonderful dishes at home. Strada Italiano offers four dining options in their restaurant. Their dining room indoors offers a main floor dining area and a lofted area that overlooks it.
The lounge booth is a section by the cocktail bar with booths to sit. You can still order the full menu in this section as well. The rooftop patio overlooks Walnut Street and is covered and heated, but remember to dress for the weather.
There is also a section with high-top tables for a more casual atmosphere. Strada Italiano offers all the Italian staples, from pizza to pasta to antipasto and everything in between.
Posana
$$ | (828) 505-3969 | WEBSITE
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In the heart of downtown Asheville sits Posana Asheville. Posana is a restaurant that serves American cuisine in a contemporary atmosphere. Focusing on premium and unaltered ingredients, Posana serves a variety of diner’s needs.
Located in a historic building, the interior design is impeccable and highlights Asheville’s history while remaining contemporary, fancy, and cozy all at the same time.
Posana is known in Asheville for being a great place to eat if you need to remain gluten free. They have a dedicated gluten free kitchen. Menu items include lamb rack, grilled prime ribeye, and more.
White Duck Taco Shop
$$ | (828) 232-9191 | WEBSITE
White Duck Taco Shop is an eclectic taco shop with unique options for all its tacos. The name of the shop comes from the owner’s nickname. When she was in the kitchen working, she was known to talk too much, and they called her “La Pata Blanca,” or, “The White Duck.”
The taco menu is ever changing, as the staff at White Duck is creative and loves to create new tacos all the time.
White Duck Taco offers typical Mexican restaurant options, like chips and salsa, Queso, and guacamole. Taco options include expected options like steak and cheese. Adventurous options include Korean beef bulgogi and Thai peanut chicken.
Summary
If you’re looking to Asheville for your Southern mountain vacation, there are a lot of great restaurants to choose from! These are the ten best restaurants in Asheville, NC. With great reviews, unique menus, and gorgeous atmospheres, Asheville has a lot to offer.
From the casual atmosphere and tacos at White Duck Taco Shop to the fancy dining in the Dining Room at the Biltmore Estate, you can find anything you would ever want in Asheville, NC.
