Explore a vibrant culinary scene tucked in the mountains
Asheville, nestled into the Smoky Mountains, is home to an exciting culinary scene. Renowned for award-winning restaurants and innovative chefs as well as its international blend of cuisines, Asheville is packed with culinary gems. You’ll find cozy brunch or lunch spots, casual dining experiences or exquisite gourmet meals galore downtown Asheville; our guide can show you some of our picks of the best restaurants Asheville nc downtown dining experiences.
1. Social Lounge: Your Weekend Brunch Destination
Social Lounge stands out as an idyllic spot for weekend brunch in downtown Asheville, providing stunning rooftop views while serving delicious Southern treats and refreshing cocktails. Located on Broadway Street, this restaurant provides the ideal venue for enjoying weekend brunches with loved ones.
Their menu showcases Southern culinary artistry with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available, ranging from vegan lox and shrimp grits to breakfast bowls and Monte Cristo sandwiches – offering something delicious for every palette! Plus their shared dinner menu with Strada adds an Italian touch.
2. Jerusalem Garden Cafe: An Inviting Mediterranean Sanctuary
Jerusalem Garden Cafe, one of Asheville’s popular downtown restaurants, provides an authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary experience with their wide selection of tasty Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.
Jerusalem Garden Cafe’s varied and flavorful fare ranges from falafels and gyros to meat and seafood delicacies, making its offerings equally varied and flavorful. Its inviting ambience, with brilliantly colored lights and comfortable cushioned chairs, adds even more enjoyment. Plus, on Friday and Saturday evenings live belly dancing performances add another exciting element.
3. Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas: Japanese Cuisine with an International Flare
Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas offers authentic Japanese cuisine at its finest, featuring steaming bowls of ramen and tapas dishes in addition to offering unique combinations that bridge Japanese and Spanish culinary traditions.
Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas’ menu showcases the breadth of Japanese cuisine, from ramen and gyoza to sashimi and tempura, along with Spanish tapas – providing a dining experience that transcends culinary boundaries.
4. All Souls Pizza: Your Dream Pizzeria
Asheville’s pizza scene is unmatched, and All Souls Pizza stands out as one of its premier pizzerias. Renowned for artisanal pies topped with seasonal ingredients that come straight from Asheville farms, All Souls Pizza showcases the art of pizza-making to great effect.
All Souls Pizzeria features an incredible menu full of traditional and innovative pizza choices, like soppressata, garlic sausage, smoked North Carolina shrimp and salted turnips – no surprise it is considered the top pizza spot in Asheville!
5. Asheville Proper: Dining at its Best
Asheville Proper at Grove Arcade offers an unforgettable fine dining experience. Opened in 2020 by Executive Chef Owen McGlynn and Mindi McGlynn, Asheville Proper serves up locally sourced live fire dining.
Asheville Proper offers delectable appetizers to succulent, fire-grilled steaks. Their stylish decor, downtempo electro-funk music and friendly hipster lumberjack servers set the perfect ambiance for an exquisite dining experience.
6. Chai Pani: An Indian Food Paradise
Chai Pani, winner of the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant, offers exquisite Indian fare under chef Meherwan Irani’s leadership. Serving vibrant street food dishes that burst with flavor is what awaits visitors to Chai Pani – it truly stands out!
Chai Pani offers a tantalizing culinary journey through India’s streets with their wide array of crispy kale pakoras, okra fries, curries and Indian wraps on its menu. In addition, their friendly service adds another dimension of enjoyment while dining.
7. Copper Crown: An Ideal Neighborhood Spot
Copper Crown Restaurant can be found tucked into a quiet shopping center on the east side of town and offers casual yet refined dining. Chef Adam Bannasch created their menu, which boasts influences from Southern, Italian and New Orleans cuisines.
Copper Crown offers the ideal blend of casual and upscale dining, from its signature Lo-Fi and Hi-Fi burgers to delicious Buffalo green tomatoes, making this restaurant a local favorite. Relaxed dining vibes coupled with expertly crafted cocktails make Copper Crown an unforgettable dining experience.
8. 12 Bones Smokehouse: Barbecue Delight
12 Bones Smokehouse has long been a beloved Asheville fixture, drawing in visitors such as Barack and Michelle Obama during their visits. Renowned for its wood-smoked ribs and pulled pork dishes, 12 Bones offers delicious food that will satisfy any barbecue craving.
Twelve Bones Smokehouse’s sides, such as corn pudding, jalapeno cheese grits, collard greens and smoked potato salad are equally impressive, making the restaurant a must for any barbecue fanatic.
9. Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse: An Explosion of Flavors
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, just steps from Orange Peel music venue downtown, provides an eclectic combination of Japanese and American barbecue cuisines. Their delicious bao and gyoza sandwiches, ramen, sashimi dishes and more showcases how versatile Japanese cuisine can be.
Ukiah offers meat lovers a range of gourmet menu items like baby back ribs and prime rib-eye with shiso chimichurri for an unforgettable dining experience. Their welcoming ambience and delectable dishes ensure Ukiah offers something truly exceptional for their customers.
10. Cultura: A Culinary Adventure
Cultura, an offshoot of Wicked Weed Brewing, provides an unforgettable dining experience centered around cultured foods. Recognized with a James Beard Best New Restaurant award in 2020, they serve a seven-course tasting menu which changes weekly and depends on what inspired Chef Dan to create it.
Cultura Restaurant provides an unforgettable culinary journey, featuring dishes such as koji-cured trigger fish and duck leg with pink peppercorn gnocchi. A forest of plants, herbs and edible mushrooms lit by orb lights creates an exquisite environment to complement a memorable dining experience.
Asheville offers an eclectic blend of traditional and innovative cuisine, making it a culinary paradise. If gourmet Italian, authentic Indian, or classic American barbecue is what floats your boat, downtown Asheville has a restaurant for it – with dishes guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds and create lasting memories along the way! When in Asheville be sure to check out these top restaurants downtown. We also cover some of the best Italian restaurants in Asheville as well.