Asheville, NC is a true foodie town! From traditional Southern fare to authentic world cuisine, we have tons more local restaurants than many cities our size. Plus, the prominence of our local farms means farm-to-table cuisine makes it easy to eat local, whatever meal you choose.
The great thing about dining in Asheville is that even the affordable options are super delicious. If you only have one day in town, you need to choose your meals wisely to get a good impression of what the city has to offer. Here’s a list of some economical local eateries a true foodie would choose. And we’ve included a few of our menu recommendations for you, as well.
Breakfast
Start your day off right at Early Girl Eatery’s original downtown location (8 Wall Street, Asheville). Their food is fresh, farm to table, and locally grown. Choose from all the morning favorites, from French toast to eggs or shrimp and grits. And it doesn’t matter when you get there (though you may need to wait in line)—they serve breakfast all day!
Pro Tip: Go for the pot of hot tea as your beverage. It will serve several.
Brunch
Brunch is an entirely different meal, isn’t it? Biscuit Head has three convenient locations in town, near downtown, on the south side, and one in West Asheville. If you’re not sure what to order, their name says it all. Biscuits! Biscuits! Biscuits! With plenty of sides like fried green tomatoes, Sriracha maple sausage, and jalapeno cheese grits. And no brunch is complete without beers and pitchers of mimosas. FYI—Biscuit Head is also a book!
Pro Tip: Be sure to sample their wide array of homemades jellies, jams, and butters. They’re all unique and specially created for your dining pleasure.
Lunch
White Duck Taco Shop has a few Asheville locations, but we recommend the one right on the French Broad River (388 Riverside Drive, Asheville)—especially if the weather permits. You and your crew can sit at a picnic bench while eating a Thai peanut taco, sipping a margarita, and watching the tubers float by. Sounds like a perfect afternoon to us!
Mid-Day Treat
Baked Pie Company has a few locations on both the north end and the south end of the city. Whichever spot you pick, expect them to meet all your Southern pecan and key lime needs. If you and your group run into that mid-afternoon lull, Baked PIe is a great place to get that afternoon jolt of energy.
Pro Tip: If you can’t decide between the French Coconut and the Hawaiian Pineapple, you don’t have to. Try a pie flight! As their website says, flights aren’t just for beer anymore.
Dinner
Something is always happening in Asheville’s downtown South Slope neighborhood. And a big part of that is the two-time James Beard Award-nominated Buxton Hall Barbecue (32 Banks Avenue, Asheville). There’s always plenty of pit-smoked North Carolina-style barbecue to go ‘round! From pulled pork to racks of ribs and so many delicious sides, including potato salad and crunchy waffle fries, everyone will find something to drool over at Buxton. And if you want to take Buxton Hall home with you, it’s also a book!
While You’re Here—Take a Tour of Asheville!
Asheville tours are a great way to take in the city and its vibes. And it doesn’t hurt that you may also learn something about the town you’re visiting. If you’re looking for an activity to try between meals (and to work off a few of those calories), check out AVL Lit Tours. You will hear great historical and contemporary stories about many Asheville-related authors, all related to spots along the tour.
Book Your AVL Lit Tour Today!
Take in the sights and sounds and tastes of Asheville. And for the love of all that is literary, make it an adventure! Book your 90-minute AVL Lit Tour today, and enjoy a discount for groups of 6 or 12.