18 Unforgettable Restaurants In Asheville We Crave As Locals (2025)

From locals, dine at the best restaurants in Asheville, including Tall John’s, Nine Mile, Posana, Plant, and Jerusalem Garden Cafe. Our list includes tourist hot spots, local haunts, cafes, and wine bars. Enjoy James Beard award-winning restaurants alongside budget-friendly, casual eats perfect for the family or Fido.

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Living in Asheville for 5.5+ years, we eat out multiple times a week, including takeout and delivery; think hundreds of Western North Carolina restaurants. So of course, all photos are our own, and what we ordered. Nothing is sponsored – just very loved.

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. There are so many restaurants in Asheville, we couldn’t possibly name them all.

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 recently started brewing their own beer.

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 is sure to 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, don’t miss Tall John’s half off appetizers. Be sure to order their Freezer-Cold Dirty martini – it’s my favorite drink in Asheville. Discover even more cozy taverns.

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 the best food in Asheville, Neng Jr.’s has made quite the splash. Head to the back alley for Filipinx cuisine with a Southern twist in this quaint West Asheville restaurant. Staff will explain the menu to you; select from sharables and larger entrees. With a frequently changing menu, we enjoy their 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.

Thai Pearl – Spectacular Thai Food

A favorite of Tom’s, Thai Pearl serves up the best Thai food in Asheville. Located between two popular West Asheville restaurants, Nine Mile and Jargon, select from curries, rice dishes, stir-fries, soups, Thai salads, and fresh oysters. We enjoy Chef May’s Thai onion rings, ginger soup, green papaya salad, Pad Thai, and Thai Basil dishes. Chef May, who trained at The Royal Palace in Bangkok and alongside a Michelin Star Chef in Australia, brings a unique touch to the cuisine. Takeout from Thai Pearl is never a bad idea.

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!), you could also opt 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 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.

Haywood Common – Casual Eats With Great Outdoor Space

Haywood Common is one of the best places to eat in Asheville for families, pet-friendly dining, and casual meals, especially with that shared The Whale patio (beer!). We dine here more than anywhere else. Enjoy a healthy menu featuring bowls, salads, sandwiches, and the best cocktails in town. Don’t miss Haywood Common’s fantastic weekend brunch with options like chicken biscuits, avocado toast, and breakfast hash. I always need a handcrafted cocktail and cold brew paired with taters tots and poke. Sorry, not sorry…

Jettie Rae’s Oyster House – A Favorite For Seafood

For our New England-style fish lovers, 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 my grandparents’ houses growing up (go; it is a fun time!); think Italian-American cuisine in the best cheesy – but accurate – setting.

Jerusalem Garden Cafe – Downtown Moroccan Gem

If you are shopping in Downtown Asheville, be sure to drop into Jerusalem Garden Cafe. A cozy and vibrant restaurant, we especially frequent them for lunch and weekend brunch. Hummus, gyros, and grape leaves are my go-to. They even have gluten-free pita for Tom. Brunch promises unique Mediterranean twists on classics. Nearby, we also love Red Ginger Dimsum and Tapas for dumplings.

Chai Pani – Famous Indian Street Food

We didn’t want to have a list of the best Asheville restaurants without naming a few of the big ones.

It’s no secret that Chai Pani is one of the best Indian restaurants in Asheville, with Chef Meherwan Irani winning a James Beard Award. Featured in The New York Times, GQ Magazine, and New York Magazine, with a visit from Samantha Brown, Chai Pani offers an array of spicy Indian snacks. Tom and I most enjoy their okra fries, chicken pakoras (when they are on the menu), rice, daal, bhel puri, and corn bhel. The new South Slope space is on fire (it’s an experience!) along with its unique handcrafted cocktails.

12 Bones Smokehouse – Our Pick For BBQ

North Carolina is famous for its BBQ, and we have multiple favorite BBQ restaurants in Asheville, including Luella’s Bar-B-Que and 12 Bones. 12 Bones is famous because the Obamas dined here. Their South location houses their brewery with a gorgeous Anthony Bourdain mural painted by Gus Cutty. We always order 12 Bones pulled pork sandwiches, huge BBQ platters, and ribs. Their “just a taste” option is perfect for kids. We take all of our out-of-town guests here, including my parents. Discover even more of the best breweries the city has to offer.

Cúrate – Famous Spanish Wine & Tapas

Dine at Cúrate, Asheville’s most famous restaurant where both Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay ate. Chef Katie Button and owner Felix Meana, former José Andrés associates, manage this hot spot.

Enjoy decadent Spanish tapas and sherry along with impeccable service. I love their charcuterie with a shoulder cut of the jamon iberico, anything octopus, and delicious skewered meats. Ask about a vegan/GF dessert that isn’t always listed on the menu. We are so grateful for all that they did to help the community after Helene.

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 anything from their grilled octopus and burgers to 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 fresh salad paired with a bottle of wine or 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.