World Class Dining

Asheville has become a Foodtopia in recent years and the rest of the country has noticed! Our craft breweries have demanded as much attention as our independent restaurants and visitors to the area are often excited to learn that such a small city has world class dining options. Just this year we had three of our local chefs nominated for the James Beard Award - Chef Katie Button of Curate, John Fleer of Rhubarb, and Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani. Added to that, Asheville was the first city in North Carolina to have designated NC Green Restaurants - an honor that we hold near and dear!  Read on for a brief introduction to our foodcentric city!

Where to Eat:

Downtown Asheville

Downtown Asheville is home to some of the city’s most popular restaurants. Curate and Rhubarb are perhaps the most well known (reservations are almost always required). Chai Pani, located on Battery Park Avenue, serves an eclectic menu of Indian Street Food items - we recommend the Green Mango Chaat! It’s positively sumptuous. For more a classic burger joint, you can't go wrong with Farm Burger - a farm to table restaurant that passionately supports our local farming community. Located in the heart of downtown, not far from Pack Square, it is the perfect lunch spot!

There are several breweries located in Downtown as well - Green Man, located on Buxton Ave in Downtown, is one of our favorites. Hi-Wire Brewing combines an interesting space with some delicious beverages.

West Asheville

West Asheville has a unique personality, and the restaurants and breweries located there reflect that color. More of a small town than a neighborhood, West Asheville is home to a great many of our favorite restaurants and breweries. For breakfast, we recommend Sunny Point Cafe. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with the Universal Joint. For dinner, The Admiral is a hidden gem - the chef has been nominated for the James Beard Award in recent years and his flavor combinations are eclectic and inspired!

River Arts District

The River Arts District is a really interesting part of town. Once the industrial district of Asheville, over the years it has become an Art Mecca in the mountains. The warehouses have been turned into studios, restaurants, breweries, and boutiques. The communities are supportive, colorful, and uniquely Ashevillean. It is the perfect example of how art can transform a cold, crumbling environment into a rich and vibrant community. We recommend spending a day exploring the studios and galleries before stopping for lunch at 12 Bones Smokehouse.

Historic Biltmore Village

Historic Biltmore Village is a charming area across from the entrance to the Biltmore Estate. With a wide array of shops and boutiques, Biltmore Village can be a great place to spend an afternoon. We recommend having lunch at The Cantina, a Certified Green Restaurant that sources a great deal of its ingredients from local Western North Carolina farms. The Corner Kitchen is another excellent option.  Housed in a lovely turn of the century Victorian home in the heart of Historic Biltmore Village, The Corner Kitchen is a winning combination of beautiful ambiance, dedicated staff, and provocative menu.