See where to get the best lunch in Asheville, including our local favorites like Haywood Common, La Rumba, Taqueria Munoz, Mother Ocean, and Wild Ginger.
Because of our work hours, Tom and I eat out for lunch more than any other meal in Asheville. No complaints here: there are so many delicious spots for Pho, sushi, tacos, sandwiches, Thai food, burgers, and salads. In fact, I struggled to narrow down this list.
As Asheville residents since 2019, all photos are our own of what we order and enjoy. Don’t miss our best of Asheville eats foodie guide, too. Dinner is only hours away. 💙 Christine
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Haywood Common – Best Outdoor Seating With Tater Tots Galore
The West Asheville restaurants are full of delicious lunch options, including The Smokin’ Onion, Botiwalla, and Sunny Point Cafe. Tom and I especially enjoy and recommend Haywood Common for their sandwiches, poke bowls, burgers, and salads. We order far too many tater tots…but can never stop.
Haywood Common also makes the best craft cocktails and coffee drinks. Sit on the shared patio with The Whale, which has a unique selection of beers, wine, meads, and cider. This is a healthy, local, and fast – or linger outside – choice.
La Rumba Restaurant Latino – Delicious Mexican Cuisine Everyone Loves
If you find yourself near the Asheville Mall, you cannot go wrong with lunch at La Rumba. Think the best Southern Mexican food with the nicest staff, featuring tasty margaritas, grilled chicken, steak, nachos, ceviche, platters, tortas, toastados, fish dishes, and burritos.
La Rumba starts off your meal with complimentary Mexican street corn, and they recently added a large vegan menu. We love their tacos and taco salads with plantains and yucca. Give me anything carnitas, please. This is also a great Asheville lunch restaurant for meet-ups with larger groups.
Wild Ginger Noodle Bar – Best Vietnamese Food & Pho
The best Vietnamese restaurant in Asheville, Wild Ginger Noodle Bar is a must for Pho and noodles. We’ve been eating here even before becoming NC residents.
Located in an unassuming strip mall in South Asheville, we appreciate their large portions, best Pho in town (I’m a meatball and/or brisket girl), bubble tea, and Banh Mi. We also recommend Wild Ginger’s rice vermicelli, spring rolls, and gluten-free pork chops with rice. This is a casual dining experience with a large but busy parking lot.
See where else you can get soup in Asheville, like Pho Real, Maguro, and Pulp & Sprout. We also have a full guide to the best Asian food across the city.
Mother Ocean Seafood Market – Freshest Seafood Baskets & Sandwiches
If you love all things fried fish, Mother Ocean is it. They are all the rage in the foodie groups. Who doesn’t love MOM? Find anything from shrimp and oyster fish baskets to Po Boy sandwiches and lobster rolls.
While Tom and I order their fresh seafood to cook at home – scallops, salmon, and cod, to name a few – Mother Ocean Seafood Market quickly became one of our favorite North Asheville lunch spots for fish tacos (Tom) and fish and chips (me). Afterwards, grab ice cream or bubble tea for dessert next door at The Hop or Pop Bubble Tea.
More great North Asheville restaurants for lunch include Zen Sushi, Rye Knot, Green Sage Cafe, Luella’s Bar-B-Que, and 828 Family Pizzeria.
Taqueria Munoz – Kitschy Delicious Tacos & Burritos
Hendersonville Road’s Taqueria Munoz (the street address matters) is an absolute gem for authentic Mexican cuisine. Order at the counter and grab a seat at this no-frills, simple, and kitschy cafe.
Tom and I crave their burritos and tacos, but they also serve quesadillas, tamales, tortas, and sopes. Go here for a quick and budget-friendly lunch in Asheville. If tacos are your jam, I also recommend Ay Caramba, Taco Temple, and Papa’s & Beer.
All Day Darling – Montford Gem With A Quaint Patio
Open seven days a week, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner in lovely historic Montford with a great patio, All Day Darling is budget-friendly and extremely local with quick service. Order at the counter, and grab a seat inside or out.
Their lunch menu boasts anything from burgers and classic sandwiches – a Reuben or chicken salad – to warm kale and rice bowls, salads, and toast with spreads. For kid-friendly restaurants, they offer grilled cheese, burgers, rice and beans, or a chicken sandwich.
Gluten-Free & Vegan/Veggie Asheville:
🥖 All Day Darling has a dedicated gluten-free fryer and makes gluten-free bread, which our half-Celiac household appreciates. Discover more great GF restaurants. We also have a guide for vegan/vegetarian Asheville dining.
Wicked Weed BrewPub – Famous Asheville Craft Beer & Comfy Pub Grub
For first-time visitors, the best lunch in Asheville must involve the city’s famous craft beer scene. Wicked Weed Brewing is a “tourist attraction,” but we go often as locals and bring all of our visitors here.
I like their hummus with veggies, sandwiches, and juicy burgers. Larger seasonal entrees typically include steak, fish, and pork chops. Along with their massive beer selection, find cocktails and wine. This is one of my favorite spots to sit outside and people-watch.
Apollo Flame Bistro – Our Casual Greek Go-To For Subs Before Or After That Hike
Apollo Flame is one of those places you love or don’t (you know I love them; sorry, not sorry). Our go-to for tuna and Italian subs, huge salads, pizza, and grape leaves, this Greek bistro is perfect for an NC Arboretum picnic or Blue Ridge Parkway hike (Brevard Rd. location). Their Hendersonville Road restaurant makes them one of the most convenient places to eat near Biltmore Estate, along with Corner Kitchen.
Chai Pani – Award-Winning Indian Street Food In A Beautiful Space
Chai Pani is one of the best Indian restaurants in Asheville, winning the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant. Samantha Brown dropped in to grab a bite to eat and chat with Chef Meherwan Irani for her PBS series, Places to Love.
We annihilate Chai Pani dishes like okra fries, corn bhel, and bhel puri. Their Downtown Asheville/South Slope location promises unforgettable eye candy. Try the Chef Series turmeric rice lager or a spicy AF cocktail for something unique to drink. They also opened numerous Indian street grill-like cafes, Botiwalla.
Siam Thai Restaurant – Lesser-Known Thai Restaurant With Great Lunch Specials
I honestly went back and forth over which delicious Thai restaurant to showcase for this list. You cannot go wrong with Bee Thai Kitchen, Suwana’s, or Pad Thai Asheville.
Siam Thai Restaurant is a lesser-known, hidden gem in the North Asheville and Woodfin area. With the friendliest service and great lunch specials, go for classics like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew paired with spring and fresh rolls, soups, chicken satay, fried rice, and curry dishes. Look for their tip jar… I love it!
Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food – Cuban Food Truck At A Local Brewery
If you are hoping to try Asheville’s happening food truck scene for lunch – and there are SO many great options – I’d go with Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food. They have made a strong Helene comeback and are currently located at Hi-Wire Brewing’s Biltmore Village location.
Head here for all things authentic Cuban cuisine. Think Cuban sandwiches, roasted pork, fried plantains, yucca fries, and classic Cuban sodas. Tell them Uncorked Asheville says “hi!” – and get a lager at Hi-Wire; it’s one of my favorite breweries in Asheville. While here, show Historic Biltmore Village all of the love post-Helene, as they’ve been working hard to clean up the devastating damage.
More Great Lunch Restaurants In Asheville
Every time I update this article, it is a basic “rewrite” because Tom and I have SO many favorite spots – and they are always changing. Just a few more great lunch restaurants around Asheville include:
- Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas (Downtown)
- Jerusalem Garden Cafe (Downtown)
- Huli Sue’s BBQ (Downtown)
- Bee Thai Kitchen (Downtown)
- Pad Thai Asheville (Southwest Asheville/Asheville Outlets)
- White Labs Brewing Co. (Downtown/North Asheville)
- Liberty House Cafe (North Asheville)
- Ultra Coffeebar (River Arts District)
- Pupuseria Patty (West Asheville)
- Corner Kitchen (Biltmore Village with a fantastic Helene comeback)
- Stoney Knob Cafe (Weaverville)
- Maggie B’s (Weaverville)
- 12 Bones Smokehouse (South Asheville/Arden)
- Post 25 Kitchen & Lounge (South Asheville/Arden)
- Murasaki Asheville (South Asheville/Arden)