Exquisite seafood dishes, prepared with cutting edge techniques, woo diners to this chic spot. Muted yellow walls and wrought iron decor accent the crowded interior, which rarely has... Read more »
This long-lived establishment has been an Asheville fixture for decades, and it still takes to heart its mission of serving superb cuisine using local ingredients and supplementing... Read more »
Occupying a quaint, rolled-roof cottage that once housed the Homespun Shops of Biltmore Industries, Grovewood Cafe is a delightful place to enjoy lovingly crafted and carefully... Read more »
This wood-paneled hotel restaurant, with its leather-clad chairs and patterned carpets, ranks as one of only seven North Carolina restaurants to receive four diamonds from AAA. With... Read more »
Located on the west side of downtown, Vincenzo's is a comfortable, accommodating restaurant known for its well-prepared Italian fare. Personal service is a welcome amenity, and the... Read more »
It may run against intuition to order seafood in the mountains, unless of course it's trout. Experts say, after all, that it's best to fit the cuisine to the geography. However,... Read more »
Located in the basement of the Frog Bar and Sidewalk Café, this captivating dining room serves fine cuisine touched by German, Continental and Indian influences. For example,... Read more »
If you're looking for an impressive place to dine, the Grove Park Inn is one of the area's finest establishments. Sophisticated diners appreciate the elegant affair, which is set... Read more »
Intricate carpets play off an ivory-painted room with coffered ceilings, a dry-stacked stone fireplace, and luminous chandeliers in this elegant establishment. You'll dine... Read more »
With its graceful summerhouse furnishings and walls of windows, this appealing restaurant is a far cry from its humble barn origins (albeit architect-designed). No, Deerpark is now... Read more »
Even with its popularity as a resort town and tourism hotspot thanks especially to places like The Grove Park Inn and the Biltmore Estate Asheville can surprise visitors with its terrific dining scene. Maybe it's the presence and influence of artists and movie-making, but culinary innovation is strong, and the movement to source local farms for premium goods is a standard at top restaurants. Although fantastic outposts exist away from town, and myriad Biltmore and Grove Park dining rooms boast fabulous kitchens worthy of return visits, the bulk of the independent restaurant selection is clustered in downtown Asheville. Here, on lively streets and cross-streets are places like Tupelo Honey Café, which updates Southern fare in a charming, cozy atmosphere, and Laughing Seed Café, whose focus on organic, vegetarian, and international foods is legendary in these parts. That appreciation for world flavors can also be found at Rezaz Mediterranean Restaurant and Enoteca, which unites rustic and delicate ingredients with a judicious hand. Bouchon also does the city proud, serving bistro fare in a space that beautifully complements the warm, comforting food. Luckily, outdoor dining is hugely fashionable, and many downtown restaurants invite patrons to indulge themselves while watching the foot traffic go by, invigorated by fresh air and mild mountain nights. If you're weekending in Asheville, brunch is a lovely prospect as well, and plenty of places cater to leisurely morning repasts. Grovewood Café, for example, makes an excellent case for sweet and savory dishes in a historic Biltmore cottage, and Deerpark Restaurant serves a buffet affair that will have you overflowing with more than just contentedness.