Asheville is the most all-around foodie travel destination in the United States
Yelp ranks food-scene cities with the highest restaurant rating from out-of-towners. Some media rate foodie destinations with the density of Michelin-starred and James Beard Award restaurants. Asheville, however, not only has the most highest rating restaurants but also is the most all-around foodie destination in United States to visit.
Sensational + Well’s foodie destination choice requires more than top restaurant ratings and awards. Food using better quality than farm-to-table and unique ingredients, made with art and soul is something worth traveling over to experience. Of course, the food needs to be affordable and accessible; the city is easy to get around and offers top-notch activities to do between all the eating. Asheville, North Carolina, checks all the boxes.
In fact, it’s hard to find a bad restaurant in Asheville, because people there in general have a higher standard towards food than the mass population in the United States.
We love New York, San Francisco, and Portland for food scene destinations too, but they are not as compact, affordable, well connected to the food source, or easy to get around restaurants and outdoor activities in between.
Must-try restaurants in Asheville
There are too many good restaurants for foodies to try in Asheville on your travel. One trip is not enough. The must-try list here focuses on food in Asheville that you might not be able to find elsewhere in the US, unique freshness, ingredients or menu, etc.
Cúrate
Cúrate is a Spanish tapas bar, but you’ll find a lot more interesting items on the menu than a typical tapas restaurant in New York City. All food there is well sourced, curated and executed. Impressive flavors but very clean-feel eating. Cúrate also has won a James Beard Award.
Bar seating is easy if you arrive an hour ahead of time, leave your name, and check out downtown galleries and shops while you wait. Waitlist on Resy is easily moved up too if you prefer table seating.
Neng Jr.’s
Neng Jr.’s is perhaps the most difficult-to-get-in restaurant in Asheville in 2023. It was named as the finalist for the 2023 Best New Restaurant award, as well as The New York Times and Bon Appétit magazine, and there are only 18 seats. Think upscale creative Filipino soul food flavors. Cocktails are bomb too.
Make an reservation months ahead. Or, call a few hours before opening the same day to see if there’s any cancelation. Although there are only 18 seats, they do 3 rounds a night. You’ll have only one chance to order food in the beginning, and food will come when they are ready. Dining time is about 1.5 hours.
Botiwalla
The menu at Botiwalla is very similar to Chai Pani’s, their sister restaurant with 2020 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Award, but with more grilled meats on the menu. Think gourmet Indian street food served fast food style. This is a totally different experience than a typical Indian restaurant. The street snacks are a balanced savory, sweet, sour, herbaceous, spicy, and crunchy party-in-your mouth. Try Sev Potato Dahi Puri.Â
The line is long but the total wait time is still much shorter than Chai Pani.
Hole Doughnuts
Doughnuts don’t get fresher than Hole Doughnuts. Small-batch doughnuts are the hype, but their doughnuts are made-to-order. Since the line is so long, the doughnuts are served as soon as they are not burning hot. They are heavenly yeasted dough with simple flavors.
pork shoulder adobo seasonsed
Little Chango
Little Chango serves succulent open-faced arepas, delicious plantains and yuca fries, dreamy desserts, and draft beer. They all scream quality.
Honorable mention
Jargon – New American
OWL Bakery – Elevated pastries
Mother Cafe – Excellent bread, sandwiches, and open-faced toasts
Chai Pani – James Beard Award Indian street food
Chestnut – American
Hui Sue’s BBQ and Grill – Southern and Hawaiian
Ingredients, ingredients, ingredients!
Sensational + Well cares about the quality of the ingredients as much as the Italians, and we are impressed by Asheville, NC, for West Coast and East Coast standards.
The Appalachian heritage plays a role in the locally sourced seasonal ingredients concept. The small farms in the surrounding areas deliver care and quality. The mountains and the climate offer unique plant varieties. And the award-winning food scene in Asheville drives the demand of quality ingredients. These four reasons make up a healthy sustainable cycle to the food culture in Asheville.
at Asheville farmers market
Asheville farmers markets to visit
If you are staying for a few days and have a kitchen or if you want to taste or bring back something local, farmers markets in Asheville are a treat. You’ll find raw ingredients or artisan products you won’t find at other farmers markets in the States.
at Asheville farmers market
North Asheville Tailgate Market is the biggest and most vibrant.
Sat 8-12pm
Asheville City Market right in downtown but smaller.
Sat 9-12pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market
Tue 3:30-6:30pm
Foraging
The surrounding meadows and forests of Asheville are a wonderland for foraging. There are over 500 wild edible foods. Think mushrooms, flowers, fruits, nuts, twigs, herbs, and more. A guided foraging tour would be a next-level foodie adventure in Asheville.
No Taste Like Home offers very organized and educational foraging tours for visitors. There is always something to find in every season. You can also bring your ‘catch of the day’ to a partnering restaurant for them to cook for you.
Perfect ways to burn calories in Asheville
Art and Nature.
River Art District (RAD) is walkable and packed with galleries, studios, and shops of arts in many forms. You can browse, participate in tours and classes, or watch artists making art in action.
Blue Ridge Mountains are right outside of Asheville, and Great Smoky Mountain National Park is just a short drive away. Beautiful hikes are just everywhere. There are tons of drive-up overlook scenic spots too. Blue Ridge Parkway is also a gorgeous drive, especially in fall.
How to get to Asheville?
Fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) if you will want to base in Asheville and see surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain ranges.
Fly into Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and drive if you want to combine Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Asheville in a trip. It may be good to split National Park itinerary in half – visit the first half on your way to Asheville, eat and replenish in Asheville, and visit the second half on your way back to Knoxville.
Road trip from neighboring states.
