Best Places to Eat and Drink in Asheville
In case you haven’t been following the Facebook or Instagram adventures, we spent this past weekend in Asheville, North Carolina. We had 48 hours to eat our way through the entire city. After extensive research, hours of Yelp-ing, and reviewing menu items over and over and over again, we narrowed our list down and were not disappointed with the results. Every sip, every bite, every crunch we took was worth the 10 pounds I put on.
Here are the top-rated (and personally-confirmed!) places to eat in Asheville.
Best Places to Eat in Asheville:
1) Chai Pani
Home of the Bombay Chili Cheese Fries. This Indian “street food” restaurant itself is so colorful and inviting. They have Bollywood music playing, Indian paintings on the wall, and other Indian trinkets and decorations around the place. Ankur ordered a Butter Chicken Thali which consisted of basmati rice, daal, raita, and roti – all served on a metal, round plate. And I ordered the Kathi Kabab Roll – a roti stuffed with chicken and lentils. They also have authentic Indian drinks like Mango Lassi and Nimbu Pani (!). I loved everything about this place. Pro-tip: order the Bombay Chili Cheese Fries or the Okra Fries!
2) Plant
Let me start off by saying that I am – in no way, shape, or form – a vegan. I love my chicken and would never give up dairy. This place makes me forget about the existence of those things. I ordered the Tofu Bibimbap and Ankur ordered the “Cheese” plate. We polished off our plates. The food is great and the atmosphere is upscale, but not too pretentious. (e.g. one man came to dinner in his business attire and another man came in his baseball cap and short-alls). Pro-tip: make a reservation! (Unless, you’re like us and eat dinner at 5:30PM!)
3) Liberty House Coffee & Cafe
I know it seems ridiculous to pay $11 for avocado toast. But you gotta pay $11 for avocado toast. If you’re going to eat anything, that’s the thing to eat. The French toast was OK – nothing fantastic. But the avo-toast and the coffee drinks were delicious! Ankur ordered a chai and I ordered a soy mocha. Both were fabulous. Pro-tip: pay the extra $1 to get an egg on your toast!
4) The Gourmet Chip Company
I’m a self-proclaimed chip connoisseur. I will analyze the taste, the crunch, the ease at which you can scoop them up and stuff them in your mouth. To sum it up, I love chips. So when we found a place that specializes in homemade gourmet chips, I was sold. Lucky for us, the paninis on the side were also pretty phenomenal. The chips can come “dry” with only the seasonings or “wet” with fresh toppings like garlic, bacon, or cheese. And if you’re not a potato fan they also make chips from taro, plantains and sweet potato! Pro-tip: Pick up a few $6 bags of chips on your way out. The shelf life of chips is 6 months so they will bring happiness to your life for HALF A YEAR!
5) Blue Dream Curry House
An Asian fusion restaurant. There is a no-tipping policy. They are “living wage certified.” The menu items are slightly pricier as a result, but it’s pretty comforting to know that the people that are serving your food are happy employees and enjoy being there! Ankur ordered the Korma Curry with Chicken and Paneer (served raw, crumbled up on top! Interesting!). I ordered the Panang Curry (pictured above) and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty everything was (without being oily or buttery like some curries can be!). Pro-tip: You MUST order the Naan Taco to start off with. Must, must, must.
6) Biscuit Head
I’m still drooling over this place. I am not usually a fan of biscuits. Sure, I’ll eat ’em. Because carbs. But, I wouldn’t choose biscuits. This place makes me want to choose biscuits. I ordered a breakfast plate – which comes with two eggs, two sides, and a biscuit. The moon fries were good, but I would probably choose something more unique next time. They have a “jam bar” that consists of different jams and butters and honeys to put on your biscuit. My absolute favorite was the cinnamon sugar butter and the strawberry jam. Pro-tip: Fried green tomatoes and fried chicken were both phenomenal. (Both are available as sides!) And you can pay a teeny bit extra for a side of the “daily gravy” on the side. Do it.
Best Places to Drink in Asheville:
1) Battery Park Book Exchange
A two-story used bookstore that looks very European. You can order a glass of champagne or wine (or coffee) and walk around the maze of books. They have any type of book genre you can possibly think of (including: huntin’ and fishin’). What’s even better is that they have all sorts of nooks and crannies with comfortable seating so you can truly enjoy your drink, your book, and your company! Pro-tip: you can call ahead to reserve a table or seating nook!
2) SkyBar Asheville
This rooftop bar is a great place to watch the sunset. Get there 45 minutes before the sun sets to make sure it’s not too crowded! You get to ride an old-timey elevator operated by a person on the way up. (Tip him/her a couple dollars!) Once up there, there isn’t an actual bar to order at; the bartenders walk around and take your order and bring back your drink. Not the most efficient way to serve people. However, it’s worth the experience. There is live music, beautiful scenery, and a fun atmosphere. Pro-tip: Bring a jacket or extra layers. It gets windy.
3) 5 Walnut
It’s a small place, but it’s so vibrant and lively. The wine isn’t ridiculously priced (even though it very well could be!). They have live music and the whole place floods with people. Seriously. People spilling out onto the stairs, watching the band through the windows. People walking up and down the street will stop to hear the music. It’s that good. They have live music every night and you can check out their entertainment schedule online. Pro-tip: Get there early if you plan on staying for the music!
Question of the Day:
- What would you add to this list?
Wow, Chai Pani’s chili fries are tempting!!! I wish we have that here in my country! 🙂
So much delicious food here. Those Bombay cheese fries look incredible. I wouldn’t want to share those with anyone.
Yup, I definitely could have had the whole thing myself! 😉
Wow you are very adventurous with food choices and that cool! I would like to try them all too 🙂
Such amazing food pictures, make me want to visit just to try them out, lol! Thanks for sharing!
Battery Park Book Exchange is the best! My hubby and I love it there! I love their coffee drinks and it is just so fun to explore! We went to college just East of Asheville, so we were able to enjoy Asheville fairly often!
I wish I could have spent more time there! It seems like a place where I’d want to have my monthly book club meetings!
Oh yes to The Gourmet Chip Company!! We love The Early Girl Eatery and I always suggest going to have drinks at The Grove Park Inn on their beautiful patio.
Both places that were on our original list but we didn’t have time to do it all! We’ll definitely be doing those two places when we go back in a few months!
Next time I’m in Asheville, I am going to have to try that French toast from Liberty! Thanks for the tip!
I’ve always wanted to go to North Carolina!!
Those chips look like they are calling my name all the way from Asheville! I love my chips too and would easily give them my $6 for a bag. I am like you too, I can not even think of giving up meat and dairy, however, I am open to try vegan dishes anytime.
Yes! I’m more likely to be adventurous and experimental with vegetarian dishes than I am with meat – despite the fact that I’m not a vegetarian!
Ooo all these places look fantastic. I do love to eat. We actually might be in North Carolina this summer so I’ll have to remember these places.
I have never been to Asheville but this place looks like my cup of tea! I am a travel blogger and love visiting new places. Thanks for giving such great tips! I am going to pin it for when I visit!
I wish I had something to add to this list. The food looks amazing! I’ve never been to NC before.
ive never been but all these places sound yummy! so glad i came across your blog! Happy monday!
What a hoot! Who knew Asheville was such a hip spot? Just about every place you shared looks amazing….the Battery Park place is where I would go first…..coffee and books are a winning combo!
I agree. And the cherry on the top was the wine. Though I made the mistake of letting my husband (a non-wine drinker) order my wine and he ordered a $18 glass! I’d like to think I’m classy, but not THAT classy.
All of these restaurants look amazing! I will have to visit The Gourmet Chip Company. A entire restaurant known for homemade trips is my kind of place!
These are pretty cool places! Eating and drinking your way through a city is the best way to do it 🙂
The Blue Dream Curry House sounds right up my alley. I love giving my food dollars to restaurants that support the people working hard to make a great dining experience for patrons. You did a fantastic job pulling together an extensive list of great fooderies!
Asheville is definitley on my wish list to visit. IT is not that far of a drive and hear it is wonderful.
Oh man, I wish I could remember where I ate when I was in Asheville because it was GOOD! These places all look great though and since I have a few friends there, all the more reason to visit!
I have friends in Asheville, but haven’t been there in ages… now I really want to go again. How weird is it that I’m actually EATING LUNCH and reading this and getting hungry again? Man, I’m a little piggy. Also that vegan restaurant looks amazing. Yum!
I used to live in Franklin, NC and would visit Asheville quite often. I wish I had these options back then!! Looks amazing!
How neat to find a blog about places to eat in Asheville when we were just there last weekend! But that was unusual. We live in Georgia. Looks like a great list. Too bad I didn’t come across it before last weekend. Ha!
I just read in my lonely planet mag..this is an awesome place to visit! I wanna go! All these places sound yum yum, especially the 2nd and 3rd!
Valerie
Wooowww such a great list…Asheville is definitely in my bucket list and would love to visit is soon 🙂
You are such an adventurer and risk-taker with your food choices! thanks for these pointers. xx
Plant sounds amazing so that would be a must for me. Well that, and anything with Biscuit in the name gets a visit from me at least once! 😀
All those dishes look really great. Thanks for the tip. If I’m ever in the area I’ll keep this list in mind.
Loving this post. We are thinking of vacationing in Asheville later this year so this will be super helpful!
My grandmother lives next door in Hendersonville, I’ll have to try some of these places next time I visit!
Looks like you must have done your homework/research well before heading out to Asheville.
All the places look so so good and inviting.
Glad you both got away for a fun filled weekend.
Fun filled with food and drinks. Yayyyyy!!
To be honest I never heard about Asheville but after seeing all this amazing food I might have to organize a trip there next time i am in America. I have family in NC so it should be easy 🙂 great post
How fun to eat your way through the city for a weekend! Your recommendations all sound fabulous, especially Chai Pani. My favorite Indian restaurant plays Bollywood music (or videos!), too.
Yes! They have a Chai Pani in Atlanta too. I just love the concept. When we go back to visit India, I LOVE eating the street food, but I have a sensitive stomach and it can get pretty torn up depending on what I eat. So, this is a good (clean!) way of getting to indulge in ‘street food!’
This is so detailed! Great post with nice pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! It looks like you have been busy! I love the look of that old book store. I could easily see myself wondering around with a wine in there. The Bombay Chilli Cheese Fries sound awesome too!
I saw your comment about avo on toast for $11 and had a little giggle… over here we’d be excited to see that for under $15 😉
Ooooo so many yummy places!!!! Makes me want to take a trip to Asheville just for the food and drinks!!!
I LOVE Asheville!! I went a few months ago for the first time. I missed a lot of these places on your list!! I went to sunny point cafe in west asheville and loved it-also went to battery park book exchange!! that place is beyond awesome. Asheville is the best!!
The house of coffee sound like the best place ever!!! Looks delish
Well now I need to plan my trip! Just for the food! Those biscuits need to be eaten, and I’m just the person for the job! All of these look amazing!
The food at Liberty Coffee House looks so good.
seems like you got a lot done! i am drooling at that chili fries and biscuits. have a lovely week.
The food looks amazing!!! I didn’t think asheville would have so many good finds! Will def try to go there next time i’m in the usa 🙂
-Kiara
http://www.viaisabelle.com
Love all the detail and info. Looks like some great places too, If I am ever in Asheville I know where to check out!
plant sounds awesome, i’ll have to check it out next time i’m in ashville (:
eek…asheville!
I love all the photos! Everything looks and sounds so delicious! I’ve never been to Asheville but if i go, I’ll have to check out all of these places!! 🙂
I have never been to Asheville, but now it is on my list. What an awesome bookstore/bar! The gourmet chip place is truly original.
This all looks so yummy! I’m really loving how beautiful the photos are!
All of these places look fantastic! I love finding good places to eat
Oh how I love curry! After moving to Hawai’i I have a new found love for it! I cant wait to try out some of these places that you recommended! I am traveling to NC within the year so will definitely keep these in mind.
Plant & The Liberty House Coffee looks nice! In Paris an avo toast is even more expensive than that, but it’s a rare food here ;))
Aw man! I wish I had this list last month when we were in Asheville with friends. We visited the Sierra Nevada brewery and it was super fun. Have you been?
No, but I heard similar reviews from friends! I’d love to visit. I’m not a big beer drinker, but I bet just getting the experience would be really cool 🙂
I need to contact my friends who live there so they can accompany me in those places! I need to schedule a food trip with them.
Wow these places look amazing! I’ll have to visit them one day.
These options look incredible. I am hungry now. I live in the middle of nowhere. I’m the main restaurant. My kitchen.
I know the feeling! I live near a Hardee’s. And a McDonalds. And a Subway. Thank goodness for the Subway for days I don’t want to cook!
We need to vacation together, I thought I got as much done as possible when I’m on a weekend siesta. I can’t hold a candle to you all!
I am definitely Pinning this for when I visit! All your restaurant suggestions look amazing. Thank you.
Asheville sounds fantastic. Bombay chilli cheese fry sounds amazing.It’s a great way to explore the city eating their way out of it.
So much yummyness!! Those chips look too good!
One of my best friends lives in Greensboro, and last year when I visited we went back and forth between Charlotte and Asheville for a day trip. Charlotte won last year, but with this delicious-looking list, Asheville will be the place to go next summer.
Mu husband loves Asheville. I have been to North Carolina but have not visited that town before. Having good restaurant and dining options is a must now I want to visit soon =)
We’ve always wanted to take a trip to North Carolina but haven’t yet. I’ll keep this in mind for when we do! These places look wonderful!
Fun you picked some of my favs! Chai Pani def tops the list. As a local I’d add Taco Temple, Bouchon, The Marketplace, Limones, Curate… so many favs!!! For drinks you have to try MG Road next time. It’s done by the same people as Chai Pani. 🙂
We stayed so close to Taco Temple! We almost went there Friday for lunch but opted to go to Chai Pani instead! Now I definitely need to plan another trip!
What a great list of amazing places to hang out in Asheville! I’d love to visit each of them and try their delicacies!
I love this list. The places look absolutely amazing. Should I visit my cousins back east I will definitely have to check one of these places out at the very least.
Asheville is a place that we forget about when visiting North Carolina. We always hit Charlotte. I am going to remember this as I would love to visit those food places. I love food, so anyplace with good food is a friend of mine. Great post!