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.
16. Red Ginger Dim Sum and Tapas
- Location: Downtown
- Highlight: Gorgeous modern ambiance
- What to try: Veggie Lo Mein
- Red Ginger full review
For the most delicious and authentic Chinese food in town, plan for a wonderful meal at Red Ginger. This beautiful downtown restaurant features modern decor and an open concept kitchen. The buzzy vibe and beautiful setting make it a great choice for a fun date night out. The dedication to farm-to-table ingredients and elegant ambiance has won Red Ginger numerous awards over the years. It’s the best place to eat healthier Chinese food in the city!
The dim sum style menu means you can share a bunch of small plates amongst your party. There are so many great shareable plates to choose amongst here including a sizeable selection of vegetarian options. From a mango lover’s sushi roll, to buddha bean curd rolls, to mushroom dumplings, there are lots of healthy choices to indulge in. If you love seafood you will enjoy the variety here which includes entrees and apps such as grilled Chilean sea bass, amazing lobster roll, and grilled mountain trout Szechuan style.
17. Fahrenheit Pizza
- Location: South Asheville
- Highlight: Self-serve craft beer station
- What to try: NY style pizza
Although Asheville’s pizza scene is no New York or Chicago, there are a few decent local places here and there. Fahrenheit is one great local establishment to check out. This casual pizza and beer joint is located off on a side road far away from the downtown, so this is a great choice if you would like to explore the non touristy side of Asheville.
The menu is simple and includes a variety of specialty pizzas, wings, a few salads, and garlic knots. The knots are really delicious and worthy of the caloric splurge. The New York style pizza is amongst the best you will find in this region – give it a try. Another highlight here is the self service beer station. Although the design is a little bland, Fahrenheit is a great choice for a casual, no frills, comfort food splurge.
18. Andaaz
- Location: Biltmore Village
- Highlight: Elegant ambiance
- What to try: The weekend brunch buffet
2025 Update: Andaaz is still temporarily closed as a result of the damaging effects of Hurricane Helene. I wish them the best of luck in rebuilding.
Andaaz is a gorgeous upscale Indian restaurant located in historic Biltmore Village. Not only is it the best local restaurant in the Village, it’s one of the best in Asheville. Offering a delicious lunch buffet 7 days a week, you really cannot afford to miss out on this one. The elegant upscale ambiance, combined with great service and authentic Indian cuisine, makes Andaaz an easy choice for an afternoon date destination. I love the gorgeous design and the location in historic Biltmore Village. Andaaz is my favorite afternoon lunch date destination.
Everything on the buffet line is delicious especially the vegetarian options, the Naan, the rice pudding, and the paneer. The buffet line is always clean and restocked despite the heavy lunch time crowds. Be aware – this place can get really busy and noisy. Despite the rowdy setting, it’s easily one of the better overall dining experiences in Asheville. Bonus – the weekend buffet includes specialty juices and mimosas.
19. Sonora
- Location: Downtown
- Highlight: Fresh homemade dishes
- What to try: Burrito Sonora
- Sonora full review
This colorful cantina serves up modern Mexican fare in a cool space. The dining room is colorful and attractive, clean, and modern. The food is delicious and affordably priced. The freshness is really there and you can taste the homemade quality. Nothing from a can here! Because Sonora does not receive as much traffic as trendier restaurants, you can usually get right in. Don’t let the lack of foot traffic fool you – this is one of Asheville’s hidden foodie gems.
For starters try the delicious Elote dip and chips and salsa (all made fresh in-house). Standard favorites include burritos, specialty tacos, empanadas, and enchiladas. The best way to go here is the a la cart tacos selection. This way you can customize your protein and salsa. Vegan protein includes calabacitas and potatoes. Tacos include cilantro lime slaw, onion, queso cotija and cilantro. For under 5 bucks, this is a great deal in an otherwise pricey tourist region. For anyone really hungry, Sonora serves the best burritos in town.
20. Blue Dream Curry
- Location: Downtown
- Highlight: Delicious curries
- What to try: Masala curry
- Blue Dream menu
UPDATE: Blue Dream has unfortunately closed.
For a quick curry fix, head downtown to local gem Blue Dream. While most tourists head to the trendier establishments, Blue Dream remains attractively quiet. The serene setting and laid-back charm make Blue Dream the perfect choice for anyone looking to hide from the tourist crowds (if just for a bit!). The dining room is simple, yet colorful and unique. During the slower afternoon hours, you can usually pick your own seat.
Blue Dream offers a simple menu of appetizers (the Naan taco is especially popular) and a selection of specialty curries. Each curry dish is flavorful and spiced to your preference. Bonus – they use local ingredients. For just 12 bucks, you can enjoy one of the more delicious meals in Asheville. I highly recommend the Masala, a creamy UK tomato based curry. All curries come loaded with seasonal veggies (protein choices for an extra fee) and can be customized (1-10) for spice level. Do add on a side of delicious Naan bread from local bakery Geraldine’s.
