Take a Culinary Tour Through These Asheville Restaurants

Share with your friends!
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Email
Flipboard
Reddit
If you think 48 hours isn't enough time to eat your way through Asheville, NC, think again. At the very least, it's enough time to hit some highlights. From cozy coffee shops and street food to elegant Appalachian-meets-Italian fare and even a brunch shared with actual alpacas (yes, alpacas!), Asheville restaurants serve a rich blend of flavors and experiences. Here's how I made the most of two delicious days in one of North Carolina's most vibrant culinary scenes.
Pin
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, some still assume the city is shut down, its vibrant streets dampened by storm damage. While it's true that recovery takes time, Asheville's spirit is resilient. The community has rallied, cleaned up, and reopened its doors with characteristic warmth and creativity. In other words, Asheville is waiting for you with open arms.
THURSDAY
Lunch: Bubbles, Brunch, and Browsing Books
I arrived in Asheville just in time for lunch — famished, curious, and not quite prepared for how quickly this mountain town would charm me. Getting into town around lunchtime on a weekday means some spots may still be closed, so a little planning goes a long way.
My advice? Don't waste time wandering (until after you've eaten!). Go straight to the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar at The Grove Arcade. It's a literary lover's dream — part bookstore, part champagne bar, part cozy French café all in one, and you may never want to leave. I certainly didn't.
Pin
I lingered over a literary-themed cocktail (they have creations inspired by The Great Gatsby, The Secret Garden, and beyond) while enjoying a charcuterie board almost too beautiful to disturb. Think rosemary-dusted Marcona almonds, homemade pickles, local blackberry preserves, aged gouda, manchego, marinated olives, and more. Add in cozy couches surrounded by shelf after shelf of well-loved books and vibey music, and you've found the afternoon reset you need to start exploring all the town has to offer.
Pin
Dinner: Wildwood Still Wows with Its Views
That evening, dinner was at the brand-new Wildwood Still, perched atop the Moxy Hotel. We sat near open glass doors and enjoyed the breezy evening as we sipped cocktails. The meal — modern Southern with an Asian twist — was beautifully balanced.
Rooftop dining in Asheville feels more like a cinematic moment than a meal, and this one played out perfectly as we dined on five-spice glazed duck bao buns, chargrilled oysters, char siu pork ribs, and a fabulous Chilean sea bass I'll be thinking about for a good long while.
When you're done, I highly recommend a post-dinner stroll. We thoroughly enjoyed ours, and even stumbled onto a wonderful summer community concert in the park. Live bluegrass music made for the perfect soundtrack for our walk back.
Pin
Pin
FRIDAY
A Morning with Alpacas: Durrant Farms
The next morning kicked off our trip highlight: breakfast with alpacas at Durrant Farms. And it's even better than it sounds. ButterPunk, a recently opened local bakery in the River Arts District, provided flaky homemade biscuits and strawberry scones that were so good they nearly stole the show. But I think it's safe to say the real stars were 'the boys,' a crew of sweet, silly, sassy alpacas and llamas who welcomed us into their pack.
Laughing at their antics as we sipped coffee and watched the Blue Ridge Mountains turn moody with drifting clouds was exactly what my soul needed. There was something grounding and magical about it all. By the time we left, my belly was full and my phone was overflowing with photos of fluffy faces and crooked alpaca grins. If you're planning a trip to Asheville, this is not to be missed. Get ready to fall in love.
Pin
Pin
Lunch at Botiwalla: Indian Street Food Done Right
For lunch, we headed to Botiwalla, a new restaurant from the Chai Pani team. The menu celebrates Indian street food, bold and bright in every sense. We flipped out over the okra fries dusted with chaat masala — crispy, salty, tangy perfection — and the rest of the meal followed suit. I enjoyed the chicken tikka roll, but I have my eye on the maharaja lamb burger for next time. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu as well.
Pin
Pin
A Night at The Flat Iron: Luminosa and The Red Ribbon Society
If Asheville has a love language, it's hospitality and thoughtful detail. Nowhere is that more apparent than The Flat Iron Hotel, a stylish, historic property that whispers rather than shouts its luxury. Think champagne upon arrival, locally made Timothy Maguire artisanal chocolates waiting in your room, and an upscale yet unpretentious design.
We spent our second evening simply enjoying the hotel itself, and it turns out that's a culinary adventure of its own. We began with a sunset cocktail and charcuterie board at The Flat Iron's rooftop bar, The Rooftop Caffé, then descended to Luminosa, the hotel's chic, Appalachian-Italian restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients shine on every plate.
Pin
Pin
Luminosa was a revelation — a dinner that danced between refinement and whimsy, with every course more enchanting than the last. The evening began with a zero-proof sparkler called 'Blossom & Bloom,' a floral, zippy palate cleanser that set the tone.
From there, the antipasti wowed with playful decadence. Bone marrow tater tots dipped in horseradish aioli were somehow both nostalgic and luxurious, while the apple-brandy beef carpaccio (topped with dollops of smoky trout tonnato) offered a clever, tasty twist.
Not to be forgotten, the steak with salsa verde and even the vegetable sides were unquestionably delicious. But it was the pasta that stole my heart. The gnocchi came bathed in gorgonzola fonduta and brightened by sugar snap peas. And the raviolo doppio? A split personality in the best way: earthy lamb on one side, creamy ricotta with mint, peas, and pecorino on the other.
After dinner, we slipped into the Red Ribbon Society, the speakeasy-style lounge beneath the hotel. Candlelight, craft cocktails, and velvet-backed booths made it the perfect spot for a slow, satisfying end to the evening.
Pin
Pin
SATURDAY
Caffeine Fixes, Market Finds, and Local Treasures
Before heading out of town, it's worth a little procrastination to hit up the local farmers' market. Of course, walking anywhere without a coffee in hand would have been a missed opportunity, so we grabbed a caffeine boost from Summit Coffee, a warm, welcoming spot perfect for both locals and travelers on the go.
From there, we made our way to Asheville City Market, a Saturday morning farmers' market that might just be the purest expression of the town's spirit you'll find.
Pin
Our haul? Fresh pasta, sourwood honey, black garlic chili crisp, artisan bitters (sweet birch and toasted hickory), cheeses from Blue Mountain Mountain Creamery, olive and rosemary focaccia, ramp and morel butter, and a bouquet of peonies that made the whole car smell like spring on the drive home.
Pin
On our way back into town, we made a quick stop at The Times Bar for one more pre-road trip coffee. I sipped an iced lemon almond latte and settled into a patio seat to people-watch, which didn't disappoint. Asheville doesn't rush you; it invites you to linger. The dog-watching is top-notch, too, and water bowls outside restaurants and shops are a common sight. Between the caffeine, the canines, and the characters passing by, it was the perfect Asheville interlude.
Asheville is many things — a haven for creatives, a sanctuary for nature lovers, a magnet for craft beer enthusiasts — but it's also a culinary destination that surprises and delights at every turn. In just 48 hours, I tasted the town's spirit: bold, generous, and a little bit unexpected.
A Few More Recommendations
We didn't make it to every spot on our list (there's only so much one stomach can hold), but local food lovers were quick to offer up favorites for next time:
The Admiral: An Asheville institution, where fine dining meets neighborhood charm.
An Asheville institution, where fine dining meets neighborhood charm. Chestnut: A local spot known for seasonal, upscale comfort food (though a local told me to skip the brunch and stop in for dinner instead).
A local spot known for seasonal, upscale comfort food (though a local told me to skip the brunch and stop in for dinner instead). Cúrate: A longtime favorite, this restaurant is beloved for its Spanish tapas and warm atmosphere … and sometimes tough to get into. We recommend making a reservation!
A longtime favorite, this restaurant is beloved for its Spanish tapas and warm atmosphere … and sometimes tough to get into. We recommend making a reservation! DayTrip: A newly reopened LGBTQ-owned bar and lounge with a charming, granny-core vibe and great cocktails.
A newly reopened LGBTQ-owned bar and lounge with a charming, granny-core vibe and great cocktails. Double D's Coffee Bus: Who wouldn't want to stop by a double-decker bus for a caffeine boost, cocktail, or dessert? The picture below says it all, and there's cute patio seating, too.
Pin
Fitz & the Wolfe: A new, three-story cocktail bar and music venue downtown, each floor offering a unique vibe — perfect for night owls and live music lovers.
A new, three-story cocktail bar and music venue downtown, each floor offering a unique vibe — perfect for night owls and live music lovers. French Broad Chocolate Lounge: This renowned chocolate lounge has fantastic truffles and treats. Helene took its toll, but the shop is back open for everything from hot chocolate to bonbons.
This renowned chocolate lounge has fantastic truffles and treats. Helene took its toll, but the shop is back open for everything from hot chocolate to bonbons. Limones: An inventive blend of Mexican and Californian cuisine, featuring dishes like ceviche, heirloom masa quesadilla with mushrooms duxelle, and negra modelo braised short ribs.
An inventive blend of Mexican and Californian cuisine, featuring dishes like ceviche, heirloom masa quesadilla with mushrooms duxelle, and negra modelo braised short ribs. Neng Jr.'s: Filipino-rooted cuisine in an 18-seat arcade room-turned-dining room. The menu is inventive and changes frequently, and it's worth trusting the chefs — this place was a 2025 James Beard finalist.
Filipino-rooted cuisine in an 18-seat arcade room-turned-dining room. The menu is inventive and changes frequently, and it's worth trusting the chefs — this place was a 2025 James Beard finalist. Old Europe: A European pastry shop owned by a Hungarian baker whose croissants and cakes have earned cult status. Locals Alice and Rick told me this place has the best pastries around.
A European pastry shop owned by a Hungarian baker whose croissants and cakes have earned cult status. Locals Alice and Rick told me this place has the best pastries around. Pho Real: North of downtown, this casual gem serves authentic Vietnamese staples like pho, banh mi, and noodle bowls.
North of downtown, this casual gem serves authentic Vietnamese staples like pho, banh mi, and noodle bowls. Spicewalla (Grove Arcade): You can't dine here, but stop by to explore their Made With Love in Asheville spice collection, co-created with local chefs to support storm recovery. You can also pick up plenty of other spices, from chili oils to steak rubs.
Pin
Soprana Rooftop Cocina: With 200-degree views on the edge of the city, it's a romantic pick for a sunset meal.
With 200-degree views on the edge of the city, it's a romantic pick for a sunset meal. Zambra Tapas: Intimate, moody, and boasting a wine list that reads like a novel, this spot has gorgeous small plates such as harissa-roasted baby carrots, pomegranate-braised pork spring rolls, steamed mussels, and seared yellowfin tuna.
Come for the food, stay for the views. And if you're lucky, have brunch with an alpaca named Ralph.
**********
To stay in the know on the best ways to drink and dine your way through the South, subscribe to StyleBlueprint.
About the Author Jenna Bratcher
Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Style Blueprint

3 hours ago

• Style Blueprint

Meet Birmingham Muralist Emma Gilbert

Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit In high school, a teacher told Emma Gilbert she'd never make it as a professional artist. After graduation, Emma converted a bus into a tiny home and traveled the country, painting as she went. With dozens of commissioned murals under her belt at public spaces and major corporations from New York to Los Angeles – all before she's even turned 25 – it's safe to say she's proven that teacher wrong. She's also the owner of EG Art Studios, a collective of women muralists on a mission to create impactful art around the world. Meet Emma Gilbert! Pin First, tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Alabaster, so this city is deeply woven into who I am. Its creativity, resilience, and charm constantly inspire my work. Art has always been a huge part of my life. I can't remember a time when I wasn't drawing, painting, or creating something with my hands. Even as a kid, I was that child covered in marker stains and glitter, making cards for everyone I knew. Over time, that passion turned into something more — something I knew I wanted to build a life around. My family has always been my biggest support system. Whether encouraging me to pursue art in school or helping me hang my very first gallery show, they've been by my side through it all. I'm incredibly grateful for them, and honestly, I think my creativity comes from generations of imaginative women in my family. Speaking of, check out our FACES feature of Emma's mom, Americana singer/songwriter Rebekah Gilbert! Pin How did you find your way to mural design? I began painting murals shortly after graduating from high school. My partner and I converted a bus into a mobile home and set out to travel across the country. During this two-year journey, I had the opportunity to create murals in multiple states, each experience expanding my skills and network. Through consistent outreach and community engagement, I was able to gain recognition and establish a name for myself within the public art scene. Now that I'm back in my hometown, my mission is to foster meaningful and impactful art throughout Alabama. After witnessing the vibrant mural culture in cities across the U.S., I was struck by how underrepresented the arts are here. That realization has fueled my goal to help grow and nurture a stronger, more visible art culture in Alabama. Pin Tell us about EG Art Studios, the community of muralists you've brought together. EG Art Studios started as a dream to create more than just a personal art space; it was about building a creative community. Over time, it's grown into a vibrant collective of incredibly talented muralists and artists who share a passion for transforming spaces through art. What makes EG Art Studios special is our collaboration and support for one another. We're not just working side by side; we're cheering each other on, sharing ideas, and bringing our unique styles together to elevate every project. We collaborate on murals and public art installations, and those are some of my favorite moments — when we bring different perspectives and skills to the same wall and watch it come to life together. We're passionate about using art to create beauty, spark joy, and build connections within communities. Whether it's a large-scale public mural or a small neighborhood project, our heart is always the same: to make art that matters and to do it together. Pin What do you like to do when you're not working? When I'm not working, I love spending time outdoors — whether that's going on a walk, working in my garden, or just soaking in a quiet sunset. Nature helps me recharge and often sparks new ideas for my art. I also enjoy cooking simple, cozy meals at home, listening to music or a good podcast, and catching up with friends over dinner. And honestly, sometimes the best days are the slow ones with no plans — just rest, reflection, and maybe a good book in hand. Who or what is inspiring you right now? Right now, I'm really inspired by the beauty of everyday moments — things like morning light through the window, the changing colors of the season, or a quiet conversation with someone I love. Lately, I've also been drawn to the idea of slow living. Being present, creating with intention, and appreciating the process, not just the outcome. Artistically, I'm inspired by textures in nature and the layers of emotion that come with growth and change. And spiritually, I'm leaning into trust, believing that even the quiet seasons are deeply meaningful. What is your best piece of advice? Don't wait for everything to be 'perfect' before you start. Whether it's pursuing a dream, starting a business, or creating your first piece of art, just begin. Progress happens in the process, not in perfection. Some of my most meaningful work came from moments when I felt unsure but showed up anyway. Trust your gut, keep showing up, and let the journey refine you. Pin Aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can't live without? My paintbrushes. They've been with me through every season of life — messy, joyful, challenging, and inspired. Each one has a little story, and I'm definitely sentimental about them. Music. There's always something playing in the background while I paint. Whether it's instrumental, indie, or a favorite worship playlist, music helps set the mood and keeps the creativity flowing. Nature walks. Whether it's a quiet trail or just time in my garden, being in nature clears my mind and fills my creativity well. So many of my color palettes and ideas are inspired by the outdoors. Pin Lightning Round! Favorite place to vacation: Utah to snowboard Your go-to gift to give: Candy Favorite recent TV show binge: The White Lotus Book(s) on your bedside table: Building a Non-Anxious Life by Dr. John Delony As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. ********** Birmingham women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives! About the Author Katie Leigh Matthews A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at and

Winnipeg Free Press

16 hours ago

• Winnipeg Free Press

Paris' iconic cauldron from the Olympic Games returns to light up summer nights

PARIS (AP) — A year after it captivated crowds during the Paris Olympics, a centerpiece of the summer Games is making a comeback. The iconic helium-powered balloon that attracted myriads of tourists during the summer Games has shed its Olympic branding and is now just called the 'Paris Cauldron.' It is set to rise again into the air later Saturday, lifting off over the Tuileries Garden. Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the launch, which coincides with France's annual street music festival — the Fete de la Musique, the Paris police prefecture said. And it won't be a one-time event. After Saturday's flight, the balloon will lift off into the sky each summer evening from June 21 to Sept. 14, for the next three years. The cauldron's ascent may become a new rhythm of the Parisian summer, with special flights planned for Bastille Day on July 14 and the anniversary of the 2024 opening ceremony on July 26. Gone is the official 'Olympic' branding — forbidden under IOC reuse rules — but the spectacle remains. The 30-meter (98-foot) -tall floating ring, dreamed up by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur and powered by French energy company EDF, simulates flame without fire: LED lights, mist jets and high-pressure fans create a luminous halo that hovers above the city at dusk, visible from rooftops across the capital. Though it stole the show in 2024, the cauldron was only meant to be temporary, not engineered for multi-year outdoor exposure. To transform it into a summer staple, engineers reinforced it. The aluminum ring and tether points were rebuilt with tougher components to handle rain, sun and temperature changes over several seasons. Though it's a hot-air-balloon-style, the lift comes solely from helium — no flame, no burner, just gas and engineering. The structure first dazzled during the Olympics. Over just 40 days, it drew more than 200,000 visitors, according to officials. Now anchored in the center of the drained Tuileries pond, the cauldron's return is part of French President Emmanuel Macron's effort to preserve the Games' spirit in the city, as Paris looks ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Winnipeg Free Press

17 hours ago

• Winnipeg Free Press

A book with bite

In her first work to be translated into English (by Pablo Strauss), Québec City-based poet, short story writer and novelist Mireille Gagné explores ecological and biological horror in the novella Horsefly. This slim eco-thriller is split into three perspectives. The first follows entomologist Thomas in 1942, recruited by the Allied forces to test and develop biological weapons which could be spread by insects. He and other scientists are isolated on Grosse Île, a remote island in the St. Lawrence River. In the same region of Québec, in 2024, lives Theodore, a somewhat shiftless young factory worker raised by his strict and emotionally distant grandfather Émeril. Theodore lives near the care home where Émeril is mistreated by the staff. News reports hint at a heatwave all across Québec that seems to coincide with a sharp spike in violence and inexplicable flights of rage. Emilie Dumais photo Mireille Gagné's latest was initially published in French in 2024 as Frappabord. The third perspective is the first-person (or insect) point of view of a female horsefly who carefully stalks Theodore and knows how this young man, his grandfather and the heatwave are connected to Thomas and the experiments carried out in 1942. After being bitten by the horsefly, Theodore becomes more impulsive and less apathetic, breaking Émeril out of the care home and taking him to the remote island where he once worked as a caretaker at a secret army base. Émeril's worsening dementia means he is often unable to tell the difference between the current moment and memories, and he begins to share memories that were never supposed to surface. The sections narrated by the horsefly are short and sweet, mainly concerned with setting the atmosphere. The fly is a sensual creature; its sections are consumed with the sweaty, bloody and vaguely erotic focus on biting Theodore and consuming his blood. This brevity works well and sets an ominous tone for the longer, more narrative-focused sections. A tight focus is used again when the narrative follows Thomas in 1942. Isolated not only on the remote Grosse Île army base, he is also forbidden from discussing his research with the other scientists, as they are forbidden such discussions with him. Tasked with finding an appropriate vector to spread anthrax, Thomas becomes fixated on a particular species of horsefly which breeds in the St. Lawrence. The flies are particularly aggressive and abundant on the island, making them the perfect specimen for his experiments. But the flies' persistence and numbers make them effectively unmanageable, bringing great risk to everyone at the facility. Theodore's sections are similarly compartmentalized and narrow in their scope, focusing purely on him and his small apartment and his spot on factory floor, branching out slightly once he takes Émeril from the care home, but the focus is less effective in this instance. Theodore's narrative is peppered with radio and news snippets describing a growing outbreak of rage and violence across Québec. While this would normally raise the stakes, the novella maintains a narrative distance from the outbreak, which is the main threat of the plot. While post-apocalyptic narratives often tighten their focus to individual stories to show the individual consequences of the larger scale happening, in Horsefly the threat to the world remains too vague to feel threatening. While there is some revelation concerning the flies and Thomas's research which remains grounded in realism, the nebulous 'rage virus' idea has been used before — in, for example, Danny Boyle's film 28 Days Later or Paul Tremblay's novel Survivor Song. Horsefly is certainly not a zombie novel – it's doing something quite different – but the parallel remains. Horsefly There's a fascinating idea at the core of Horsefly, but the tight and limited focus of the narrative keeps the dread off in the distance. It's certainly thought-provoking — the sections of Second World War-era Québec are a highlight — but readers expecting more horror may find this novella light on tension. Keith Cadieux is a Winnipeg writer and editor. His latest story collection Donner Parties and Other Anti-Social Gatherings is out now from At Bay Press. He also co-edited the horror anthology What Draws Us Near, published by Little Ghosts Books.