A Local’s Guide To Unforgettable Restaurants In Asheville This 2025 – 2026

From locals, dine at the best restaurants in Asheville, NC, including Tall John’s, Nine Mile, Plant, Bone & Broth, and Neng Jr.’s. This list includes first-time visitor musts, local hidden gems, what’s new, and what’s currently hot in Asheville, with a quick cheatsheet section.

Enjoy James Beard award-winning restaurants alongside budget-friendly, casual eats perfect for the family or Fido. All of our photos are what Tom and I ordered (and devoured). Nothing is sponsored – just very loved by us.

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Known as “Foodtopia,” it can be hard to select just a few Asheville restaurants to dine at. Tom and I have lived here since 2019, and we are never at a loss for where to eat. If your favorite restaurant is missing, we have more guides filled with places to eat in Asheville broken down by cuisine, price, ambiance/occasion, and neighborhood. 💙 Christine

Quick Breakdown To Navigate The Asheville Restaurant Scene

If you are overwhelmed and looking for a quick cheatsheet to Asheville’s best restaurants, here’s my scanable line-up. Then, keep scrolling for full reviews of our top picks for you.

4 Must-Visit Restaurants In Asheville For First-Timers

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Many of Asheville’s restaurants are great tourist attractions, with Anthony Bourdain, Samantha Brown, and the Obamas dining here. These are the delicious hotspots that visitors travel to Asheville for:

• Cúrate – Downtown Asheville, Spanish wines and tapas, James Beard award-winning
• Chai Pani – Downtown Asheville, unforgettable space, Indian street snacks with spicy cocktails, also owns Botiwalla (more casual)
• 12 Bones Smokehouse & Brewing – South Asheville, beer and the best North Carolina BBQ
• Wicked Weed Brewing’s Brewpub – Downtown Asheville, along with Burial Beer and Highland Brewing, one of Asheville’s most famous breweries, casual pub grub

🍴Visitors also enjoy Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen, French Broad Chocolate (dessert cafe), and Biscuit Head.

4 Hot Restaurants In Asheville This 2025 – 2026

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These Asheville restaurants are all the rage right now (and worth the hype):

• Good Hot Fish – Downtown Asheville, counter service, fish fry restaurant with a famous chef
• La Rumba Restaurant Latino – Amazing casual Mexican cuisine, just past the Asheville Mall
• Juancho’s Fonda – Colombian fusion on Sweeten Creek; all gluten-free
• Luminosa – In the newer Flat Iron Hotel, fancy Italian

🍴 Also hot in Asheville’s Facebook groups, online forums, and with our dedicated readers: ButterPunk, Flour, and Hail Mary.

8 Best Casual Asheville Restaurants We Recommend

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If you are looking for delicious casual restaurants in Asheville to try, Tom and I most love and recommend:

• Haywood Common – West Asheville, rustic comfort food, best drinks, outdoor seating with shared The Whale patio, endless tater tots
• Mamacito’s Taco Temple – North Asheville, authentic tacos, in a former gas station
• White Labs – Craft beer (gluten-reduced beer options), pizza, and burgers
• Rye Knot – North Asheville brewery and distillery with elevated pub food
• Baby Bull – River Arts District, local burgers and fries, best burger in town
• Taqueria Muñoz – Edge of Biltmore Village, authentic Mexican, extra casual
• Jerusalem Garden Cafe – Downtown Asheville, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine
• Bee Thai Kitchen – Downtown Asheville, delicious Thai food, great lunch specials

🍴Two food trucks we love: Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food and Master BBQ

Where To Eat In Asheville By Mealtime

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• Breakfast: All Day Darling, 5 Points
• Coffee Shops: Retro, Liberty House Cafe, Pollen, and Rowan
• Brunch: Social Lounge, Sunny Point Cafe, Chestnut, The Smokin’ Onion (vegan)
• Lunch: Mother Ocean, Pulp & Sprout (vegan), Wild Ginger, Apollo Flame
• Romantic Dinner: Zambra’s or Little D’s

Our Top Picks For Best Restaurants In Asheville

These are our top picks for the best Asheville restaurants, including highlights, reviews, why go, and what Tom and I like to order.

Nine Mile – Caribbean-Inspired Cuisine & Brews

A Caribbean-inspired Asheville restaurant, enjoy menu items like Cajun chicken, salmon over pasta, and coconut curry shrimp. I almost always order the Irie Ites, and Tom leans towards their Back-A-Yard Bowl. For Caribbean, my stomach appreciates that not all of the dishes are spicy. We bring our out-of-town guests here, especially when we are craving a casual environment. Nine Mile brews craft beer, too.

Tall John’s – Neighborhood Tavern With A Memorable Bathroom

Yes; you read that right… Make sure you use the restroom at Tall John’s; the wallpaper will make you smile. Of course, their food will too. Located in the former Chiesa, we prefer sitting at the kitchen counter.

With a seasonally changing menu, I order items like mussels and schnitzel while Tom enjoys their burger or roasted chicken. From 4 to 5 PM, take advantage of Tall John’s half-off appetizers. Order their Freezer-Cold Dirty Martini – it’s my favorite drink in Asheville.

Plant – Best Vegan Cuisine (Even If You Aren’t Vegan)

Tom and I aren’t vegan, but Plant is still one of our favorite restaurants in Asheville. A James Beard Award semifinalist, their menu features seasonal and organic options like ramen, veggie lasagna, Brussels sprouts, curries, and nachos.

We love sitting on the outside patio with fresh cocktails and endless small plates. I live for Plant’s cheese plate, ravioli, and roasted beets. Tom will order anything with that melty vegan queso. Lately, he’s a big fan of their roasted potatoes.

Neng Jr.’s – Special West Asheville Filipinx Restaurant

For unbelievable food in Asheville (as in, brings tears to your eyes), head to the back alley for Filipinx cuisine with a Southern twist in this quaint West Asheville restaurant. Staff explain the menu – it’s that niche!

Select from sharables and larger entrees. With a frequently changing menu, we enjoy Neng Jr.’s salty oysters with quail eggs, duck simmering in a rich gravy, and veggies covered in peanut butter and coconut sauce. Discover more mouthwatering Asian restaurants across Asheville.

Leo’s House Of Thirst – Favorite Local Wine Bar

A fantastic wine bar, Leo’s House of Thirst is our go-to for casual date nights, especially to satiate our tapas cravings. Peruse an impressive wine selection by the glass, half carafe, or bottle, including unique orange and pink wines. Find discounts on “Tap Tuesdays.”

The menu features handhelds, pasta, veggies, chicken, and charcuterie. Sit outside on the garden patio with your dog or enjoy their charming indoor bar and tables. I need their olives, vegan soup, and anything raw from the sea. If you have the extra time, the wait for the roasted chicken is worth it.

Gypsy Queen Cuisine – Unforgettable Mediterranean

One of the best restaurants in Asheville that rarely makes others’ lists, Gypsy Queen Cuisine (GQC) is the city’s best-kept secret for delicious Mediterranean & Lebanese street food.

Find mezze options, including grape leaves, hummus, and our favorite, fried Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Suzy’s Sampler is a go-to for me. For entrees, savor rice bowls, gyros, platters, and wraps. GQC is great for lunch and our go-to for takeout.

Edison (Grove Park Inn) – Incredible Sunset Dinner

We frequent Edison at The Omni Grove Park Inn for its stunning sunset views over the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a “must” thing to do in Asheville. It’s also one of our favorite rooftop restaurants.

While we suggest making reservations for sunset hour (check times!), consider opting for a delicious lunch with seasonal craft cocktails, local beers, and a menu featuring sandwiches, charcuterie, soups, wings, Thai lettuce wraps, and salads. For a high-end dining experience, try Sunset Terrace for delectable scallops and steak.

Posana Restaurant – Dedicated Gluten-Free Fine Dining

Posana stands out as one of the best Asheville restaurants for gluten-free diners, promising a dedicated gluten-free kitchen for Celiacs like Tom. Their menu features local and contemporary American cuisine.

Enjoy roasted beets, grilled chicken, octopus, gnocchi, pork loin, steak, and more. Menus change seasonally, and they even have one for your pooch, who is welcome on the outdoor patio overlooking Downtown’s Pack Square. Discover more delicious restaurants in Downtown Asheville.

Jettie Rae’s Oyster House – A Favorite For Seafood

For our New England-style fish lovers (we are CT natives), Jettie Rae’s has the best seafood. Sit in a renovated Gulf Gas Station, and peruse a menu filled with oysters, shrimp cocktail, mussels, and clams, complemented by a creative and spicy cocktail list.

They boast a raw bar, and for non-seafood eaters, find burgers and salads. I go here when I need my fried clam fix. They also own Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian, which feels like our grandparents’ houses growing up (go; it is a fun time!); think Italian-American cuisine in the best cheesy – but accurate – setting.

Stoney Knob Cafe – Nearby Funky Fun Weaverville Restaurant

Stoney Knob Café is one of our favorite Weaverville restaurants – just outside of Asheville. We had to include them because they are SO good and SO memorable. From the outside, Stoney Knob looks like an unassuming diner. Inside, find eye candy like lava lamps, an Elvis statue, and funky fun décor.

With a Mediterranean-American menu, we enjoy their grilled octopus, burgers, seafood entrees, and lettuce wraps. I always need a sangria. They also have Sunday brunch and above-and-beyond service.

Bone & Broth – Tavern With Locally-Sourced Food

North Asheville houses some of the best restaurants like Bone & Broth. This classy tavern is for meat lovers, sourcing from local butchery, The Chop Shop. It’s one of my favorite soup spots for bone broth as well as for celebrating anniversaries/milestones.

I usually order a burger, mussels, or salmon on salad paired with a bottle of wine or a house-infused liquor cocktail. Walk off your meal in the gorgeous historic Chestnut Street area filled with Little Free Libraries.

Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse – Unique Eats & Decadent Bites

Japanese street food meets American BBQ: Sounds a bit unique, right? Get ready for an incredible dining experience. Think meat skewers, shrimp cocktail, ramen, and raw sushi-grade fish. This is an Asheville restaurant to treat yourself.

Most of Ukiah’s dishes are meant for sharing, but you can order an entrée too. I love the bar decor, and the rest of the restaurant will transport you out of the city. Order that cocktail, and enjoy seasonal brunch.