Following is a Facebook conversation on the Best Asheville Restaurant. A lot of different restaurants are named, but you’ll see a few more often than others. If you’re looking for an excellent place to eat out in Asheville, you now have a pretty thorough list of very good options.
Keep in mind this is a conversation on Facebook, which as a friend noted, can take “a more relaxed tone.”
Carolina Epicurean: A local Asheville pundit recently said, some consider “XXX” the best Ashevile restaurant. I couldn’t have disagree more! Which restaurant do YOU think is the best in Asheville?
Carolina Epicurean: Just so y’all know, I really want to get everyone’s opinions. This isn’t click bait! Those 10 Best this and that lists almost never get information from locals. So thank you for your honest opinions!
Coleman: Can I be totally honest and say that I am not impressed with the Asheville dining scene? I’ve lived here for six years and never been to the same restaurant twice.
Tracy Leigh: Coleman is it the food, the ambience, the waitstaff? What is Asheville lacking that would impress? Honestly inquiring.
Coleman: I would say that the ambience fits the scene. The vibe is fantantastic. I find the food to be sub-par and outdated, with a lack of variety and an emphasis on cookie cutter corporatism. I find the service to be mean spirited. Don’t get me wrong. I would love to see my new home develop a truly vibrant scene, but, it’s not going to happen if a scene rests on its laurels without proper criticism. As it stands, the consensus best restaurant in town is an overpriced turn and burn tapas joint that’s pumping 800 covers a day. We can do so much better than that.
Tracy Leigh: Coleman have you compared Zambras to Curate?
Carolina Epicurean: Excellent questions, Tracy! Can’t say I totally disagree with you Coleman. A dining scene that begins as edgy and creative can become passe when everyone is doing it, and menus can become stagnant when founding chefs open additional locations and concepts, especially out of state. Think celebrity chefs and franchises. I don’t have a problem with it. It’s a valid choice toward growth. All that said, there ARE excellent, talented chefs in Asheville that care deeply about what they’re doing. Lots of care for less fortunate and community service.
Coleman: I have not. But, that’s a bit of my point. What is the big deal about overpriced tapas in Asheville? Is there some Iberian enclave in Asheville that I am unaware of? It strikes me as as there is some bizarre sense of displacement in the city. Nine Mile was a horrifying space/time warp of a restaurant that seems as if it jumped out of a Darden executives worst nightmare? Jerk Chicken Nachos? Jerk Chicken tortellini in white wine cream? I can’t even get started on the taco trucks.
Coleman: Carolina epicurean. It’s hard to judge what we all deem as quality. Let’s establish a single, we’ll known restaurant as a baseline. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate Buxton Hall?
Marcia: Coleman, yeah nothing is consistent. I have been to some places more than once, but it is hard to name a favorite.
Carolina Epicurean: Coleman, I’m not going to get into rating 1-10 right now.
Coleman: I understand that. You have a promotional site. I find it very interesting that nobody wants to criticize Asheville area restaurants. It’s almost impossible to find a bad review of anything in the city. It’s a very dangerous trend that does nothing to help a scene suffering from boredom and repetition.
Marcia: Coleman, I agree. I am a total foodie, spend a great deal of my money on food. I love local, but many of these places simply aren’t that good. I guess you would have to break it down by cuisines. Buxton is another more hype than great. I feel like I could go give them some pointers and then when someone asked about barbecue or even southern, I could rate them. I give honest reviews, not meant to be mean or bad, but it is some celebrated, but awful restaurants here.
Marcia: Carolina Epicurean, So true of Nine Mile…Caribbean? No!
Joe: Five points or Little Pigs!
Carolina Epicurean: Joe, Hate to say it, but I took ice cream outside on a hot day at Harry’s and Piggy’s and it didn’t melt!
Joe: Carolina Epicurean … what’s Harry’s & Piggy’s ?!
Carolina Epicurean: Joe, it’s in Hendo. Never mind. I got it confused with Little Pigs when I was replying.
Richard: Why would an epicurean ask such a question? At 2 in the morning I’d nostalgically answer the Hot Shot.
Carolina Epicurean: Haha. An important part of being an epicurean is research and gathering input. 🙂
Mitchell: I’m pretty sure you know where I stand. Seems to be a general consensus that Cúrate is the best, but I also see a lot of other great restaurants in the comments.
Carolina Epicurean: Mitchell, yes. It would be interesting and energizing, especially for locals, to see a little more craft exploration at Curate, though.
Marcia: Mitchell, not if you are really hungry.
Chrissie: Curate! But we love Posana too
Carolina Epicurean: I haven’t been to Posana in a while, but I’ve never had anything but wonderful meals there.
Chrissie: Oh and I forgot to add Buxton Hall. So yum
Linda: I love all the vegan gare Ashville offers
Carolina Epicurean: Yes, Linda. I know for a fact, people have based moving to the Asheville area on Vegetarian and Vegan options.
Kelly: Nine Mile, BinBeriBon, Copper Crown, Post 70, Sunny Point, Limones
Carolina Epicurean: Copper Crown is excellent!
Marcia: Carolina Epicurean , Nine Mile is not Caribbean, don’t like it and Post 70 is so so, but way better than Post 25.
Kelly: Marcia Nine Mile is Caribbean inspired. Delicious. Big portions, excellent price point, very friendly staff. Yummy cocktails and excellent local beers,and cidars. I enjoy post 70 because in that part of town there are not many choices for good cocktails and food. Its a locals favorite! I love sitting at the bar and the ever-changing themed menu of small plates are all delicious.
Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast Inn – Asheville, NC: Best is relative. Do you want the best $11 burger or do you want to drop $48 each for an experience? As owners of a b&b, we get asked all the time “where should we eat?” Then we start asking questions that give us clues about what would be “best” for them. And you really need to knock on our door some day you’re in AVL and say hi!
Carolina Epicurean: I’ll definitely stop by some time. Been wanting to do that for a while. I answer folks the same way you do. There are just so many places to choose from. What cuisine, ambiance, price point? Any allergies or diet preferences-vegetarian, vegan, etc.? I really wanted to see what answers I’d get throwing that very general question out there. I’m getting good information. Been thinking about writing an article on the most underrated chefs/restaurants in the Asheville area for a while now.
Diane: Carolina Epicurean good idea. Whether Curate is on the top or bottom of your list, they get plenty of press so throw a bone to some of the hidden gems. Expectations need to be realistic as well, right? How do you live up to “it’s the best restaurant ever?”
Janet: I think the fuss over AVL restaurant scene is grossly exaggerated. The only one we’d make plans to go to is Polanco, the rest are just ‘blah to ok’.
Carolina Epicurean: Going out on a limb, are we Janet? ?
Janet: Carolina Epicurean you know it!
Paula: Bull and Beggar for sure. And we also really enjoyed Red Ginger.
Carolina Epicurean: Ooo! Temporarily forgot about Red Ginger. Another underrated spot in town.
Jason: At Asheville’s first Stoobie Awards live event, Vivian restaurant wins big: http://ashvegas.com/at-asheville-first-stoobie-awards-live-event-vivian-restaurant-wins-big
Carolina Epicurean: Vivian has been at the top of my list for a while now. Such a creative mash-up of cultures and cuisines, including Nordic and foraging (also basic to Nordic) Great recap of the awards, Jason!
Jason: Carolina Epicurean Thank you for sparking a great discussion here; hope to see you out and about soon!
Carolina Epicurean: It’s always fun to run into you, Jason!
Wren: I love Zambra!
Carolina Epicurean: Gosh! Haven’t been to Zambra in years! Always good food and a good bar program. When we first went, we had to use our cell phones to see the menu. Then the servers started offering flashlights. It was hysterical watching the dining room as random people turned them on and blinded themselves and others in a small radius. Another place I need to get back to!
Marcia: Yeah, kinda dark and grungy, haven’t been in a long time.
Wendy: All Day Darling Cafe
Chris: Wendy we just ate there last week!
Carolina Epicurean: Haven’t been yet, Wendy. Guess I’d better get there asap! 🙂
Wendy: Their greens are amazing. Even for breakfast.
Chris: Carolina Epicurean The Steak Bowl was great.
Shannon: Chestnut, Rhubarb, Curate… The Admiral gets special mention.
Barbara: Curate but lots of great choices!
Matthew: Vivian, cucina, admiral. They are all outstanding.
Wren: Nine Mile — Unique, nowhere else like it.
Lynn: Wren Barnett agree
Mike: nowhere in Jamaica that’s for sure!
Beth: We also love Gan Shan Station. My husband lived in Singapore and has travelled for business in Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, etc. He said it’s the most authentic he’s tasted. We love the whole crispy snapper!
Hannah: yes! Gan Shan is great!
Beth: We still love Curate, as sharing small plates is our favorite way to eat. There are so many, it’s hard to choose!
Lisa: Curate, hands down
Nancy: Red Stag Grille
Paul: Curate without question
Amie: Ambrozia & cucina 24!
Chris: Zambra Tapas
Jeffrey: Limones
Beth: AUX Bar
Beth: Ghan Shan Station
Kristen: Cucina 24, Bull and Beggar, Vivian…Over Easy for brunch…OWl for baked things
Jason: Vivian restaurant just won Best New Restaurant AND Restaurant of the Year at last night’s Stoobie Awards.
Malcolm: Admiral, table, vivian.
I love Zambra!!!
I do, too! 🙂
Thank you for this conversation, Laura. I now have some new spots to try. Like Coleman, we have been to a number of restaurants once. A place we have been to a hand full of times and always leave happy is Strada.
Cheers, Rocquie
Hi Rocquie! Long time, no talk!!
I haven’t been to Strada in a while, but do like their food.
How does Table only get a throwaway mention in passing? Great food!
I do believe there is a good reason that Coleman gets mean spirited service.
Cut and paste Facebook? 😅
Yep. Carolina Epicurean sometimes interacts with different people on Facebook than the folks that read articles on the website. This was a way to share the discussion with a wider audience, and put it out there for further discussion.