Post-Hike Restaurants In Marshall, NC With Character
Devour pizza, tacos, bowls, and more along the French Broad River. Sip on a local brew or cup of coffee. Dine in a former jail. Uncover the best restaurants in Marshall, NC, and a few nearby, for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner – all from Asheville locals.
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About 30 minutes from Asheville, we enjoy Marshall for its quirky shops, cafes, bookstores, and nearby hikes. Hot Springs is less than 20 minutes away. As such a small Western North Carolina mountain town, you might wonder where to eat in Marshall, especially with a population of 800 residents.
While Asheville is nicknamed “Foodtopia” and has James Beard award-winning establishments, the Marshall restaurants are budget-friendly, low-key, and even kitschy fun. Talk about character. Even more surprising – and as a half-Celiac and fully lactose-intolerant household – some of the best places to eat have plenty of gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, which can be harder to find in the U.S. South.
Downtown Marshall, NC Restaurants
These restaurants sit in walkable Downtown Marshall. Easily find free parking along the main and side streets. Almost all of these restaurants are great for walk-ins.
Zadie’s Market – Our Top Pick
Our top pick for delicious Marshall eats, Zadie’s Market promises the most unique space with the best service. Dine in the former Old Marshall Jail – North Carolina’s longest-operating jail. Be sure to walk around and see the old jail bars/gates along with framed historic photographs, artifacts, and ledgers. Today, the space is a gourmet shop, bar, and waterfront indoor and outdoor restaurant with counter service.
Zadie’s seasonal menu features sandwiches, bowls, salads, and small bites. Find anything from Mac & Cheese and shrimp and grits to a Beyond, veggie, or meat burger with GF bun options. Sides include fries, salads, soups, and slaw. We appreciate their large beverage selection, including non-alcoholic beer, local craft beer, soda, and wine. Zadie’s small store includes local produce, meats, jams, and specialty items.
Zadie’s Market, Bar, & Restaurant | 33 Baileys Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753
Mad Co. Beer House – Pizza & Craft Beer
One of our favorite places to eat in Marshall (and drink!) after hitting the Laurel River Trail, Mad Co. Beer House is Marshall’s first – and so far, only – brewery. Talk about a large space serving delicious pizza and local craft beer along the French Broad River.
With indoor and outdoor seating – be sure to head upstairs to the lovely outdoor patio with river views – choose from their rotating draft list showcasing anything from sours and IPAs to fruity lagers, cider, and our favorite, ESBs.
Then, order pub grub such as calzones, pizzas, salads, garlic sticks, and pretzels. For pizza near Asheville, we especially appreciate the gluten-free crust (this isn’t a dedicated GF space, though) and vegan cheese options. Plus, order a personal-sized or 12-inch pizza, with specialty pies like fig and bacon, meat lovers, Hawaiian, and Buffalo chicken.
Mad Co. Brew House | 45 N Main St, Marshall, NC 28753
Zuma Coffee And Provisions – Casual Brekkie & Lunch
One of the best restaurants in Marshall for breakfast, lunch, coffee, and smoothies, head to Zuma Coffee across from the Madison County Courthouse. This is a kitsch and low-key cafe with great counter service. (It’s a bit worn inside, just in case that’s not your jam.)
For breakfast, find anything from muffins and egg and meat platters to breakfast burritos, bagels, quiche, and breakfast sandwiches. For lunch, enjoy simple and classic sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Think BLTs, tuna, roast beef, grilled cheese, chicken salad, tempeh Reubens, and turkey. Pair any of the above with fresh smoothies, shakes, iced coffee, and more.
Zuma Coffee & Provisions is budget and family-friendly with indoor and outdoor seating. We especially appreciate the variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Read more about eating gluten-free around Asheville.
Zuma Coffee & Provisions | 7 N Main St, Marshall, NC 28753
Star Diner – Fancier With Rich Entrées
For “fine dining” Marshall restaurants, head to Star Diner for dinner or weekend brunch. With outdoor and limited indoor seating, you’ll want to make reservations.
For dinner, start with salads, Brussels, fried oysters, soups, fried brie, and beets. Then, select from entrees like lobster fettuccine, spicy sea bass, bison meatloaf, ribeye, and vegan-friendly pasta. For weekend brunch, enjoy scrambled eggs, pork schnitzel, shrimp and grits, and jumbo lump crab scramble. They also host special holiday meals like Easter brunch. Discover more of Asheville’s fine dining restaurants.
Star Diner | 115 N Main St, Marshall, NC 28753
More Great Restaurants Near Marshall, NC
These Hot Springs, NC restaurants are just past Marshall about 25 minutes by car. Along with Marshall’s Laurel River Trail, these are great stops if you are hiking Lover’s Leap. Plus, Hot Springs is another fun quirky mountain town that sees Appalachian Trail hikers. The area is famous for its mineral hot springs.
Iron Horse Station Restaurant & Tavern – Pub Eats
We love day-tripping around WNC from Asheville, and Iron Horse Station boasts lodging and great food, especially if you covet cozy pubs. Picture brick walls, a large fireplace, a local and travelers’ bar, and two levels of quaint seating.
Expect exceptional service, and for lunch and dinner, select from sandwiches, platters, salads, bar snacks, and burgers. Order a chicken sandwich, heaping fresh salad, spring rolls, or fried green tomatoes. Who can resist Southern fried catfish, steak, baby back ribs, pasta, and local trout?
Just know that Iron Horse Station Restaurant is typically closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but always double-check hours on their website. Discover more great taverns and local pubs in AVL.
Iron Horse Station Restaurant & Tavern | 24 Andrews Ave S, Hot Springs, NC 28743
The Grey Eagle Taqueria – Tacos & Beer
For more delicious restaurants near Marshall, Hot Springs houses Big Pillow Brewing with The Grey Eagle Taqueria. This is truly the best of both worlds: tacos and beer. Sit indoors or out and all spaces are pet-friendly.
The Grey Eagle Taqueria is one of Asheville’s many amazing taco joints – located in the artsy River Arts District – and their Hot Springs location is a bonus, especially if you are craving tacos. Select from nachos, corn tortilla tacos, salads, and quesadillas. Find mouthwatering smoked pork and brisket, ground beef, and Caribbean Jerk shrimp. Or, devour apps like Mexican street corn, fried plantains, and pretzels with beer mustard.
Of course, we can’t not talk about Big Pillow Brewing which has great Sours, Kolschs, Vienna-style lagers, IPAs, Pale Ales, and Porters. They also serve canned wine.
Big Pillow Brewing | The Grey Eagle Taqueria | 25 Andrews Ave N, Hot Springs, NC 2874
Let us know your favorite Marshall restaurants in the comments, and be sure to sign up for our mailing list for local gossip, tips, reviews, and more.
Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.