Asheville NC restaurant recommendations

Regional Dining Discussions New Orleans, the South
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OWL is more of a bakery than a true brunch spot. I’d recommend Mother Cafe instead for a similar vibe.

I can’t think of any places to add right now - Chai Pani is overrated IMO. No opinions on hotels although the Flatiron did just open and looks interesting.

Honestly, Western North Carolina is not much of a barbecue spot. I would go to Haywood Smokehouse in Waynesville if you insist. Locally: Louella’s for pulled pork and Bear’s BBQ is OK. Pork ribs are far too sweet though.

Burial is not really known for food – do you mean Forestry Camp? Not a destination, really.

Unfortunately All Souls has also gone downhill IMO.

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I had not - thank you so much!

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Thank you very much - this is really helpful.
I will take Burial off – not sure how I somehow came under the impression that was a brewery/lunch spot.
Good to know re Chai Pani.
I def don’t need barbecue. Just meant hoping to do more upscale dinners and casual lunches. One of the two of us don’t drink but would be happy to be at a brewery for lunch that does it well.

Is Cucina 24 a good dinner spot?

Thank you again

44

My daughter highly recommends Addissae, an Ethiopian restaurant. (Dinner only, to be in keeping with @ChristinaM’s format. :slight_smile: )


ETA - and also closed on Tue-Wed.

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45

I did finally make it there! It was good. Maybe not quite D.C.-level for us, but scratched the itch. FYI no liquor or beer/wine license anymore.

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46

I am not sure, but Good Hot Fish, Ashleigh Shanti’s new lunch spot, might be located there? I have never been but she is a talented local chef who (I think?) competed on Top Chef. I did hear some commentary that it is rather expensive for what you get. :woman_shrugging:t2:

Cucina 24 was very good last we went – but that was pre-COVID so I’m not super comfortable endorsing it without a return visit. That said, I have been to the adjacent bar, Contrada, and the pizzas and small plates have been delicious. It’s probably still a good bet.

Honestly most of Asheville fine dining is hotel-based and caters to tourists with kind of generic, overpriced menus. If you’re into small plates you would probably enjoy Little D’s or Tall John. Both have good cocktail programs. Leo’s House of Thirst is a similar concept but with wine. Our favorite nice dinner out right now is The Admiral; it’s just consistently well executed and good. Good wines and cocktails, too. I also think Rhubarb is a sleeper hit; good cooking with local flair. I have never eaten at cultura but the chef there, Eric Morris, is legit and his food is delicious. I bet it’s great.

If price were no obstacle I would love to try Asheville Proper in the Grove Arcade for woodfire cooking, esp meats.

Red Ginger or Shanghai Dumpling House may be worth a stop at lunch depending on where you are coming from. If you live in an area with good Asian cuisine, probably not worth the opportunity cost of missing something else here.

For a good burger and brewery combo, check out Wedge Foundation or Highwire Biltmore Village.

47

Pack’s Tavern is super high quality American tavern food. The pot roast is superb.

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48

Thanks!!

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Thank you so much; this is really helpful.
I will def look into Admiral/Rhubarb/Cultura/Asheville Proper.

We only have 3 nights, so it should be plenty to choose from!

Looks like a really nice place for a food oriented visit. Thank you again!

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50

We’ll be in Asheville in the late fall as well. We have a wedding to go to in the area and decided to extend our time to visit Asheville for the first time. I haven’t started any real planning but it sounds like I need to get going based on your and @ChristinaM’s comments. Thanks for the nudge.

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51

Of course! Feel free to check back in with any other questions and be sure to report back on your trip! :cowboy_hat_face:

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52

The new location looks beautiful though.

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53

I would agree The Admiral and Rubarb are excellent. Never had a bad meal at either.
We also are fans of Vivian.

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54

Love their brunch.

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56

OK - drinks, rooftop view, and pizza at the Flatiron Hotel are excellent. Hope you make it.

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58

https://mountainx.com/food/whats-new-in-food-luminosa-opens-in-flat-iron-hotel/

We had a white pizza with smoked mozz, ramps, and mortadella. So good.

59

Based on last night’s visit, I’ll revise this. We had three shareable plates, a cocktail, a glass of Cab Franc, and a draft prosecco and everything but the last item was good.

Corn poha, kale pakoras with chutney, and buttermilk-brined fried chicken sliders with spicy mayo were all very good. My DH had a refreshing tequila-based cocktail that we both liked ($15 is the new norm around town, sigh). I feel like they’ve stepped up their game in the new space. We ate at the bar. Fun atmosphere and worth a stop if the menu interests you.

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60

Would appreciate updates about post flood situation, both ‘where to eat’ not in hotel based restaurants in but also around Asheville. Also, critical for us, outdoor (i.e. COVID safer) dining at any places. Would like to support small restaurants and black-owned businesses.

61

I’ll try! When’s your visit? We are in the doldrums of winter and some of our most beloved restaurants have closed. :cry:

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