Southern breakfast
Sunny Point Café
West Asheville
Must try
Huevos Rancheros
A savory, hearty start at one of Asheville’s best-known breakfast cafés.
Popular brunch hours can mean a wait.
Menu & visit details →From first coffee to a memorable dinner
Asheville Dining Guide
Our top 10 picks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—with a must-try dish at each.
Find your next good meal
Thirty distinct restaurants, from casual local favorites to destination dinners. These are editorial recommendations, not a numbered ranking. Some places serve more than one meal; we’ve put each where we think it makes a useful starting point.
Researched October 6, 2026. Menu picks draw on published menus and signature dishes. Hours, menus, and availability change; check the restaurant’s link before heading out. Bakery stops are included for lighter breakfasts, and some dinner picks are starters to build a meal around.
Breakfast
10 breakfast spots to try
| Restaurant | Area | Must try |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny Point Café | West Asheville | Huevos Rancheros |
| Biscuit Head | Asheville locations | The Filthy Animal |
| All Day Darling | Montford | Shakshuka |
| Early Girl Eatery | Asheville locations | Bow to the King Biscuit French |
| Tupelo Honey | Downtown | Sweet potato pancakes |
| Taco Billy | West Asheville | Mama’s Favorite |
| City Bakery | Charlotte Street | Farmhouse Sandwich |
| Ultra Coffeebar | Clingman Avenue | Sunrise bagel |
| Hole Doughnuts | West Asheville | Vanilla-glazed doughnut |
| Old Europe Pastries | Downtown / Broadway Street | Croissant |
Biscuits & Southern comfort
Biscuit Head
Asheville locations
Must try
The Filthy Animal
A biscuit stacked with fried chicken, pimento cheese, bacon, eggs, and gravy. Come hungry.
Choose your location and check its current menu.
Menu & visit details →Neighborhood café
All Day Darling
Montford
Must try
Shakshuka
Poached eggs with spicy tomato, kale, and feta, served with flatbread.
A useful choice when your group wants a mix of breakfast and all-day options.
Menu & visit details →Southern breakfast & brunch
Early Girl Eatery
Asheville locations
Must try
Bow to the King Biscuit French
Chicken tenders paired with cinnamon-battered biscuit French toast for a sweet-and-savory breakfast.
Menus vary by location; check before choosing a branch.
Menu & visit details →Southern brunch
Tupelo Honey
Downtown
Must try
Sweet potato pancakes
Our sweet-breakfast pick at the downtown flagship; choose your preferred toppings.
Check brunch service times and consider a reservation.
Menu & visit details →Breakfast tacos
Taco Billy
West Asheville
Must try
Mama’s Favorite
The restaurant’s signature breakfast taco on a house-made plantain tortilla.
A casual alternative to a long sit-down brunch.
Menu & visit details →Bakery café
City Bakery
Charlotte Street
Must try
Farmhouse Sandwich
Eggs, sausage, spinach, and cheddar on focaccia, with apple-butter mustard.
Breakfast has a cutoff time; the Charlotte Street café is closed Sunday.
Menu & visit details →Coffee & breakfast sandwiches
Ultra Coffeebar
Clingman Avenue
Must try
Sunrise bagel
Egg, garlic-herb cream cheese, vegetables, and pickled onion on a multigrain oat bagel.
The menu also lists a vegan Sunrise version.
Menu & visit details →Doughnuts & coffee
Hole Doughnuts
West Asheville
Must try
Vanilla-glazed doughnut
A freshly made doughnut for a simple, sweet breakfast stop.
A lighter stop rather than a full breakfast plate; check hours and daily flavors.
Menu & visit details →European bakery
Old Europe Pastries
Downtown / Broadway Street
Must try
Croissant
Pair a flaky croissant with coffee for a leisurely bakery breakfast.
Counter selection varies; go early for the widest choice.
Menu & visit details →Lunch
10 lunch spots to try
| Restaurant | Area | Must try |
|---|---|---|
| Chai Pani | South Slope / Banks Avenue | Kale Pakora Chaat |
| White Duck Taco Shop | Asheville locations | Crispy Pork Belly taco |
| 12 Bones Smokehouse | Arden / South Asheville area | Blueberry Chipotle baby back ribs |
| Luella’s Bar-B-Que | North & South Asheville | Chopped Pork BBQ sandwich |
| Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack | West Asheville / Arden | Fried chicken plate |
| Farm Burger | Downtown / South Asheville | No. 1 Farm Burger |
| Baby Bull | River Arts District | Cheeseburger |
| Gypsy Queen Cuisine | Patton Avenue | Falafel wrap |
| Itto Ramen Bar & Japanese Tapas | West Asheville / downtown / Arden | Itto Deluxe Ramen |
| Good Hot Fish | South Slope / Buxton Avenue | Good Hot Fish Sandwich |
Indian street food
Chai Pani
South Slope / Banks Avenue
Must try
Kale Pakora Chaat
Crispy kale fritters with yogurt and chutneys make a lively centerpiece for a shared lunch.
Add another small plate if you want a fuller meal.
Menu & visit details →Creative tacos
White Duck Taco Shop
Asheville locations
Must try
Crispy Pork Belly taco
A rich taco paired with green-onion aioli and pickled watermelon rind.
Tacos vary by location and season.
Menu & visit details →Barbecue
12 Bones Smokehouse
Arden / South Asheville area
Must try
Blueberry Chipotle baby back ribs
Sweet fruit and a little heat give the ribs a distinctive twist.
This listing is for the South smokehouse; check daily flavors and availability.
Menu & visit details →Carolina barbecue
Luella’s Bar-B-Que
North & South Asheville
Must try
Chopped Pork BBQ sandwich
A vinegar-kissed Eastern North Carolina-style sandwich with slaw.
Choose the location closest to your plans.
Menu & visit details →Hot chicken & Southern sides
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack
West Asheville / Arden
Must try
Fried chicken plate
Our pick for crisp, made-to-order chicken with your preferred heat level and sides.
Choose a spice level you enjoy; plain chicken is also available.
Menu & visit details →Burgers
Farm Burger
Downtown / South Asheville
Must try
No. 1 Farm Burger
A house burger is the natural starting point for a quick, satisfying lunch.
Check the menu at your chosen location.
Menu & visit details →Counter-service burgers
Baby Bull
River Arts District
Must try
Cheeseburger
A focused burger-shop lunch from the Bull and Beggar team.
Counter service; check current location details and hours before visiting.
Menu & visit details →Lebanese street food
Gypsy Queen Cuisine
Patton Avenue
Must try
Falafel wrap
A handheld, plant-forward lunch pick for fans of Lebanese flavors.
Check the current menu and service hours.
Menu & visit details →Ramen & Japanese tapas
Itto Ramen Bar & Japanese Tapas
West Asheville / downtown / Arden
Must try
Itto Deluxe Ramen
A substantial bowl of ramen when lunch calls for something warm and comforting.
Confirm the menu at the branch you choose.
Menu & visit details →Southern seafood counter
Good Hot Fish
South Slope / Buxton Avenue
Must try
Good Hot Fish Sandwich
Fried North Carolina catfish on soft white bread with buttermilk tartar sauce.
The seafood menu changes with season and availability.
Menu & visit details →Dinner
10 dinner spots to try
| Restaurant | Area | Must try |
|---|---|---|
| Cúrate | Downtown / Biltmore Avenue | Berenjenas con Miel |
| Limones | Downtown | Ceviche del Mercado |
| The Bull & Beggar | River Arts District | Steak Tartare |
| Jettie Rae’s | Charlotte Street | Spaghetti & Rock Shrimp |
| Nine Mile | Montford / West / South Asheville | Nine Mile entrée |
| Copper Crown | East Asheville | Crispy Brussels Sprouts |
| UKIAH Japanese Smokehouse | Downtown / Biltmore Avenue | Karaage Chicken |
| Plant | Merrimon Avenue | Crispy Mushroom Mole |
| Posana | Downtown / Pack Square | Joyce Farms Chicken |
| Neng Jr.’s | West Asheville / Haywood Road | Duck adobo, when offered |
Spanish tapas
Cúrate
Downtown / Biltmore Avenue
Must try
Berenjenas con Miel
Fried eggplant with honey and rosemary: an inviting first plate for a shared tapas dinner.
A small plate, so order several dishes for the table. Reservations recommended.
Menu & visit details →Mexican-inspired seasonal dining
Limones
Downtown
Must try
Ceviche del Mercado
The market-fish ceviche is our bright, fresh starting point for dinner.
The fish and accompaniments can change; reserve ahead.
Menu & visit details →European-inspired dining
The Bull & Beggar
River Arts District
Must try
Steak Tartare
Our starter pick for a meal built around classic European cooking.
Check the current menu and book ahead for a special evening.
Menu & visit details →Seafood & raw bar
Jettie Rae’s
Charlotte Street
Must try
Spaghetti & Rock Shrimp
House-made pasta with rock shrimp and arrabbiata sauce makes a satisfying seafood dinner.
Its online menu is a seasonal sample; confirm availability and reserve ahead.
Menu & visit details →Caribbean-inspired
Nine Mile
Montford / West / South Asheville
Must try
Nine Mile entrée
The namesake dish brings jerk chicken or tofu together with ginger and vegetables over pasta or rice.
Specify your preferred heat level; check hours at your chosen location.
Menu & visit details →Seasonal neighborhood dining
Copper Crown
East Asheville
Must try
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Cane syrup, pickled carrots, and feta give this shareable starter a sweet-and-savory balance.
Add a main course or more small plates; the menu changes seasonally.
Menu & visit details →Japanese-influenced barbecue
UKIAH Japanese Smokehouse
Downtown / Biltmore Avenue
Must try
Karaage Chicken
A crisp chicken small plate with Kewpie mayo and Kyoto-Carolina barbecue sauce.
Build a meal with other plates or explore the tasting-menu option.
Menu & visit details →Vegan dining
Plant
Merrimon Avenue
Must try
Crispy Mushroom Mole
Our pick from the sample menu for a layered, fully plant-based dinner.
The kitchen remakes its small menu daily; confirm this dish and reserve ahead.
Menu & visit details →Seasonal contemporary American
Posana
Downtown / Pack Square
Must try
Joyce Farms Chicken
A comforting main-course choice from the seasonal menu.
This listing is for downtown. Seasonal preparations change; reservations recommended.
Menu & visit details →Filipino-inspired dining
Neng Jr.’s
West Asheville / Haywood Road
Must try
Duck adobo, when offered
A signature dish to ask about when planning a dinner at this intimate restaurant.
The menu rotates and this dish is not guaranteed. Reserve well ahead; entrance is in the back alley.
Menu & visit details →Make a day of it
Pair a meal with our rainy-day ideas, find a view in the sunrise and sunset guide, or pick a pour from the Standout Beers Guide.
Looking for a deal? See weekly restaurant specials.
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