Some people make to-do lists — we make to-dine lists. Many hot new restaurants, cafes, and bars have opened in Asheville since January, ranging from breweries and bakeries to fried fish spots and elevated Italian.
To satisfy those who are really hungry for fresh dining options, we’ve got details on several more Land of the Sky restaurants coming soon, too. Grab your forks as we dig right in.
Newly open
Big Tikka, 49 Rankin Ave. | Indian cuisine | Reservations: Yes
Brand new to the Asheville restaurant scene, Big Tikka opened on Monday, July 8 in the former Noble Cider Downtown space, sharing a menu of modern Indian cuisine.
The Whale South Slope, 21 Buxton Ave. | Craft beer | Reservations: No
The craft beer collective’s third Asheville location shares a space with Green Man Eats and serves up beer, shuffleboard, and pinball.
Flour, 56 Patton Ave. | Coffee, baked goods + cafe | Reservations: No
The newest addition to the S&W Market boasts a menu of sandwiches, pastries, biscuits, and coffee — plus, cocktails in the evening.
Bridge and Tunnel Coffee Co., 10 Fernihurst Dr. | Coffee, smoothies + light fare | Reservations: No
The team expanded the popular food truck and opened a cafe in the Coman building on the campus of A-B Tech. But don’t worry — you don’t have to be a student to enjoy the espresso bar and plant-focused eats.
New Moon, various locations | Donuts + coffee | Reservations: No
The culinary creatives behind Middle Eastern fare food truck Tahini Jar made their foray into the world of old fashioned, vegan cake donuts back in March. Keep an eye on social media for where to find the food truck.
VISUALS Rooftop Bar, 40 Collier Ave. | Drinks + small bites | Reservations: No
Built to house Burial Beer Co.'s natural wine program, VISUALS sits atop music venue Eulogy and features plenty of comfortable seating, sunshine, and views of the South Slope.
Luminosa, 20 Battery Park Ave. | Italian-inspired Appalachian | Reservations: Yes
On the ground floor of the also-recently-opened Flat Iron Hotel is an elevated dining experience of pizzas, pastas, wine, and cocktails, all made with locally sourced ingredients; you’ll find The Red Ribbon Society in the basement and a rooftop bar upstairs. Bonus: Meet the chefs behind the menu.
Cooperative Coffee, 210 Haywood Rd. | Coffee + cafe | Reservations: Offered for parties of 12+
Sip on coffee, tea, or craft soda while you enjoy pastries and food from Newstock Pantry in the shop or al fresco.
VOWL, 61 N. Lexington Ave. | Bar + event space | Reservations: No
Describing itself as “Bohemian Glam-Rock,” the bar spotlights natural wine, cider, cocktails, and beer.
After/glow, 95 Roberts St. | Coffee + cocktails | Reservations: No
This combination coffee shop and bar was the last of the dining concepts to join the Radical Hotel’s roster when it opened in January, and now you can find coffee and pastries by day and craft cocktails by night in the eclectic ground floor space.
TRVE Brewing, 255 Short Coxe Ave. | Brewery | Reservations: No
If you take your brews with a side of metal, this is the space for you. In March, the Denver-based brewery opened an Asheville location, which is also permanent home to cocktail creators, Night Crawler.
Mamma Mia! Cafe, 46 Haywood St. | Breakfast, lunch + snacks | Reservations: No
You’ll find this little cafe in the atrium of the Haywood Park Building, serving up Mediterranean-inspired baked goods, sandwiches, coffee, and smoothies.
El Patio de Guajiro, 122 Riverside Dr., Ste. A | Beer, wine + instant cocktails | Reservations: No
Bask in the breeze and sunshine on the patio or escape the heat indoors at this bright and airy neighborhood bar. Pro tip: Guajiro is right next door, so grab some Cuban comfort food before you take a seat.
Wine and Roses, 150 S. Lexington Ave. | Beer, wine + cocktails | Reservations: No
Boasting a drinks menu curated by Chef Jacob Sessoms, this Gilded Age-inspired space is in the Zelda Dearest Hotel — but open to locals Thursdays-Saturdays.
Terra Nova Beer Co. and Mission Pizza, 101 S. Lexington Ave. | Brewery + pizza | Reservations: No
The pizza joint is situated just inside the brewery, so you can get your brews and your pies in one convenient place. ICYMI: Mission Pizza is owned by James Beard-nominated Chef Peyton Smith.
The Smokin’ Onion, 697 Haywood Rd. | Vegan breakfast + lunch | Reservations: No
The beloved local food truck got a West Asheville brick-and-mortar space, so now you can dine on delicious vegan dishes like chick’n and waffles any time you want.
Master BBQ, 870 Riverside Dr., Woodfin | Filipino comfort food | Reservations: No
Situated inside Zillicoah Beer Co., the restaurant serves up unbeatable recipes from the owner’s Great Grandmother Lola Rosa.
Bee Thai Kitchen, 45 S. French Broad Ave., #190 | Casual Thai food | Reservations: No
Housed in the former Little Bee Thai space (and named in its honor), this restaurant has a menu of fresh, scratch-made Thai dishes, like noodles, fried rice, and panang curry.
Soprana Rooftop Cucina, 192 Haywood St., 7th floor | Pizza | Reservations: Yes
Take the elevator to the top of the Embassy Suites hotel to find a bright and expansive rooftop bar, with lots of sunshiny seating and unobstructed views of the mountains.
Battlecat Beverly Hills, 885 Tunnel Rd. | Coffee | Reservations: No
The East Asheville newcomer serves the same delicious coffee drinks and eclectic vibe as its West Asheville counterpart.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers, 640 Merrimon Ave., Unit 203 | Plant-based burgers, shakes + fries | Reservations: No
Whether you adhere to a vegan lifestyle or not, Romeo’s offers up delicious vegan burgers (with vegan buns, cheese, and sauce) as well as fries and shakes.
South Paw, 1996 Hendersonville Rd. | Elevated casual | Reservations: No
At the former site of Margarita’s Grill, South Paw introduced a menu of craft cocktails and creative New American cuisine from former Early Girl Eatery chef Billy Green. Bonus: South Paw serves food until midnight.
Good Hot Fish, 10 Buxton Ave. | Casual fish camp | Reservations: No
The much-anticipated restaurant of Chef Ashleigh Shanti opened back in January in Burial Beer Co.'s music venue, Eulogy — it dishes out fried seafood, classic side dishes, and delicious comforts.
The Dolly Llama Waffle Master, 2 Town Square Blvd., Ste. 130 | Dessert | Reservations: No
Satisfy your sweet tooth with bubble waffles, over-the-top ice cream + toppings, and extra large milkshakes.
Coming soon
Haywood Famous, 508 Haywood Rd. | Coffee | Projected opening: late July 2024
The little Cuban coffee shop will be encouraging art, music, and sober community with its nighttime hours.
DayTrip and Boy Howdy’s Burgers, 219 Amboy Rd. | Bar, coffee + bodega | Projected opening: August 2024
The burger chefs said goodbye to pop-ups and found a permanent home in the soon-to-be-opened craft cocktail bar + bodega.
Black Cat Sandwich Company, 375 Depot St. | Sandwiches | Projected opening: summer 2024
Suzy Phillips, owner of Gypsy Queen Cuisine and Simple Cafe & Juice Bar, and business partner Dave Campbell are debuting a casual RAD cafe. While you wait for the opening, get a sneak peek of what’s to come.
Gourmand, 11 Foundy St. | Wine + rotisserie | Projected opening: fall 2024
Previously a downtown wine bar, Gourmand is getting new life in the River Arts District — before the brick-and-mortar spot opens, you can get a taste at pop-ups.
Brewwell, location TBA | Brewery + wellness center | Project opening: fall/winter 2024
The concept is simple (but exciting): combine a brewery and taproom with wellness classes — the space will be pouring brews while teaching yoga, pilates, meditation, and more.
Potential New Boyfriend, 647 Haywood Rd. | Ice cream | Projected opening: TBA
Disco of Gospel Ice Cream will soon be opening a unique spot for sweet treats and tunes in West Asheville.
