Foodtopia
You haven’t done Asheville right if you didn’t spend a good chunk of your time eating and drinking. Asheville’s thriving restaurant and bar scene has made it a popular culinary destination for foodies across the United States. From authentic Southern BBQ to sustainable farm-to-table cuisine, Asheville serves up something to please every palate. Asheville’s strong community of chefs bring passion and creativity to their work, often using local, seasonal produce to create inventive food with a Southern flare. At the Biltmore Village Inn, we encourage all our guests to explore the wonderful local restaurants cooking up some of the most delicious and creative meals in the United States. Here are some of our favorites.
Restaurants
All Souls Pizza uses fresh, seasonal ingredients to make inventive and delicious pizzas. They mill their own flour and polenta from traditional organic grains and source their meat and produce from as close to home as possible. All of their bread comes from their sister shop, the Farm and Sparrow Bakery. Come here for some of the best pizzas, sandwiches, and salads in the city.
12 Bones serves up generous portions of BBQ classics along with mouthwatering sides like cornbread, mac ‘n’ cheese, and baked beans. During their lunchtime rush, lines are known to stretch outside the door. But trust us, it is worth the wait. President Obama even braved the line during his visit to Asheville.
Posana serves up premium, unprocessed ingredients from nearly 65 local purveyors and farmers each week. They change the menu to incorporate local ingredients and even grow kale, carrots, beets, and more in a urban garden down the street. Posana is another way to experience the finest of Asheville farm-to-table dining.
As local Chef Hector’s debut restaurant, Salsa’s serves Mexican-Caribbean cuisine that’s fresh, funky, and always delicious. Combining local ingredients with exciting flavors from two cultures they hold dear, they cook with care — just like Hector’s grandmother did. Sip on a Mezcal Margarita, bite into a savory burrito, or share some signature salsas with corn tortilla chips. Feeling bold? Try a Pom-Pom-Pom with slow-roasted pork, rice, beans, greens, pineapple chutney, curry sauce, and smoked salsa made in a traditional Puerto Rican Pilón. Voted as Asheville’s favorite choice for Latin cuisine the last 15 years!
Located in the River Arts District, the Bull & Beggar offers high-end American fare in a rustic setting. This local treasure might look unassuming from the outside, but venture inside and you’ll find some of the best steak, seafood, and cocktails in Asheville.
Whether you are a francophile or just looking for a romantic dinner option, we recommend you check out Bouchon during your time in Asheville. This small but elegant bistro serves up French classics like French onion soup, crepes, quiche, escargot, braised rabbit, and more.
This charming Italian bistro was opened by two newcomers to Asheville, but it quickly became a beloved restaurant for locals and tourists alike. This pasta-centered restaurant serves up mouthwatering Italian favorites like shrimp scampi, eggplant parmesan, and chicken marsala.
Don’t let this restaurant’s modest cinder block facade fool you. The Admiral is one of the stars of the Asheville dining scene. Come to experience inventive global cuisine with a menu that changes everyday.
Asheville Food Tours offers several distinct tours, every day of the week, featuring the local Asheville food scene.
Breweries & Bars
Asheville is also known for its thriving beer scene, which is how it got the nickname “Beer City USA.” With more than 23 breweries per capita, Asheville boasts more breweries than anywhere else in the USA. It is fun and easy to do a brewery tour of Asheville because many of the breweries are clustered close together on Asheville’s South Slope. We recommend:
One of Asheville’s oldest breweries, the Green Man Brewery gets its name from a centuries-old Asheville legend.
This brewery is located on the lower level of Wedge Studios, a warehouse housing 30+ working artist studios and retail spaces. It is the perfect place to stop after exploring galleries in the River Arts District and talking a stroll along the French Broad River.
One of the oldest breweries in the iconic beer town of Asheville, NC. Their name is taken from the French Broad River which flows through the heart of the city.