20+ Amazing Local Restaurants in Asheville
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Asheville is widely considered to be the top foodie destination in North Carolina. While you can find plenty of Southern staples like BBQ, biscuits and gravy, and sweet potato pancakes in town, the culinary scene is diverse enough to attract visitors from around the world. Many of the city’s award-winning restaurants feature international dishes from around the world.
From Indian, Caribbean, Italian, Greek, Spanish, French, and Mediterranean cuisine, there’s a unique culinary experience for everyone in Asheville to enjoy. Whether you are visiting solely to explore the local food scene, or seeking a delicious quick bite after exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, you will find something to please your palate. Since moving to the region, I have been supporting many local businesses. I have really been impressed with the diversity of options for such a small city. From a local point of view (skipping overpriced tourist traps), here are 20+ amazing local restaurants to check out on your first visit.
Disclaimer: I have not been paid to promote any of these businesses. I regularly support local busineses wherever I live and travel. These Asheville restaurants are (in my opinion) great small business worth supporting. Your experience may differ from mine based on food preferences, service, etc.
In no particular order…
1. Chai Pani
- Location: Downtown
- Highlight: Best Indian food in the city
- What to order: Vegetarian Thali
- Chai Pani full review
This popular restaurant serves Indian street fare (Chai Pani is Indian slang for “going out for a snack”). Chef Meherwan Irani has been nominated 5 times for a prestigious James Beard award. This place is trendy and busy, so arrive early to avoid a long wait. The decor is minimalistic, fresh, and modern. So many great apps to indulge in here including the Aloo Chaat (fried potatoes, chutneys, and spices). For your main meal, try their famous Thali lunch specials, available as veg (Saag Paneer) or meat (Butter Chicken).
Each thali is served with basmati rice, daal, masala slaw, raita, and papadam. A bit on the spicy side, but incredibly delicious! Be sure to add on the delicious naan. Unfortunately, there is no buffet here, but you really get a lot of food with the thali, all of which is spectacular. Be aware that the food is a bit on the spicy side. Oh and don’t forget to treat yourself to a wonderful cooling rice pudding or mango lassi for dessert on a hot summer day!
2. Biscuit Head
- Location: West Asheville, South Asheville, Biltmore area
- Highlight: Giant cathead biscuits, GF/V options
- What to order: Half Breakfast special
- Biscuit Head full review
If you love southern style biscuits, then you definitely will want to plan for breakfast at Biscuit Head. Offering giant cathead style biscuits (“as big as a cat’s head”), gravy flights, a self service jam bar, and GF/vegan options, you really cannot go wrong here. Not only is the food totally delicious, but it’s also one of the more affordable breakfast options in a pricey city.
With 3 convenient locations, it’s easy to plan a quick meal around your itinerary. Note: All locations usually have a long line, with the South Asheville cafe seeing the least tourist traffic. Try the wonderful Half Breakfast special which includes a huge biscuit, a side, and 2 eggs your way for under 10 bucks. Bonus – they serve coffee from local roaster Pennycup.
3. Nine Mile
- Location: Montford, West Asheville, South Asheville
- Highlight: Unique Caribbean fare
- What to try: Cool Runnings
- Nine Mile full review
A frequent recipient of many “best of” awards, Nine Mile is a must try for anyone seeking something out of the ordinary. The food is Caribbean inspired, and almost any entree can be made gluten-free or vegan. For anyone with any food allergy, Nine Mile is one of the top choices in town. The décor is colorful and eclectic, and the vibe trendy, so a perfect choice for a weekend date night destination.
One unique choice here is the Cool Runnings dish featuring Cajun chicken, bell peppers, mushrooms, and fire roasted tomatoes in a smoky gouda chipotle queso sauce, served with rice, Caribbean black beans (a bit spicy), and pineapple sauce. Note most dishes can be made vegetarian by subbing veggies for protein. There’s also a fantastic vegan pesto based sauce (Ire Ites). Entrees are pricy, but include a salad and Natty bread (garlic bread).
4. Vinnie’s Italian
- Locations: North Asheville, South Asheville
- Highlight: Old school Italian vibe
- What to try: Baked Ziti
- Vinnie’s full review
For an old-school Italian meal, plan for a fabulous dinner at Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian. The vibe here is more Brooklyn or North End of Boston, rather than Carolina, and the cuisine totally authentic. Featuring all of your favorite classic Italian dishes, a cozy dining space, along with friendly service, it’s no surprise that Vinnie’s is often rated the top restaurant in the city.
Do start with the minestrone soup and the fabulous (although quite pricey) garlic knots. Whether you are craving Eggplant Parmesan, Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken Marsala, or NY style pizza, Vinnie’s has you covered. If weather permits, enjoy your meal on the lovely covered patio.
5. Apollo Flame Bistro
- Location: West Asheville, South Asheville
- Highlight: Best Greek food in the city
- What to try: Vegetarian Pita (served with a Greek salad)
- Apollo Flame full review
For the best Greek salad in the city, plan for lunch/dinner at Apollo Flame Bistro. Apollo, a family-owned business, uses family recipes passed down for over 3 generations. It has been rated the best Mediterranean restaurant in Asheville for the past 19 years! As such, you can expect crowds most of the time. Although with a spacious dining room and 2 locations, there is never a long wait.
Asides from their wonderful Greek salad, their gyro sandwiches, vegetarian pita, and Greek spaghetti are all totally worth ordering! On a side note – Apollo serves the best fries in town. Unfortunately, there is no fryer at the Hendersonville Rd. location. Also, the Brevard Rd. location is much more spacious and features a lovely patio.
