Looking for the next new restaurant hitting the 828’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Asheville — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the culinary curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
August openings
Shady Grove Coffee Co., 75 Swannanoa River Rd.
The Shady Grove team isn’t necessarily new to the coffee game, but they did recently move to a permanent spot inside the Antique Tobacco Barn.
July openings
Birdie’s Pizza, 27 Biltmore Ave.
The shop took over Manicomio’s with NY-style pies, made with hand-stretched mozzarella atop sturdy sourdough crust. If you ever get tired of pizza (although we’re not sure that’s possible), Birdie’s also serves up crispy chicken cutlet sandwiches and cacio e pepe fries with parm-ranch.
Crusco, 348 Depot St.
Rooted in seasonal ingredients, the restaurant opened in the former Vivian space, serving lunch and dinner. Kat Kearney, the former partner of the late Brian Canipelli of Cucina 24, leads the restaurant alongside more former employees from the revered Italian restaurant.
June openings
Asheville Forager, 35 Wall St. | Grocery store + deli
For us, the star of the show at this gourmet grocer is the deli section. Just half the size of the N.E. Grinder is about as big as City Editor Grace’s head and clocks in at about $9.
Foothills Watershed, 655 Catawba River Rd., Old Fort | Latin-inspired
This family-friendly riverside hang and bike park is ready to ignite your sense of adventure. At Basecamp, the menu features twists on your Foothills favorites and Latin-inspired dishes dreamed up by Chef Luis Martinez of Taqueria Rosita. Pro tip: Bring a brew — Watershed is currently BYOB until the in-house brewery is complete.
May openings
ButterPunk, 372 Depot St. | Biscuits, baked goods + coffee
Well, butter our butts. The popular new spot serves up flaky biscuit sandwiches with fluffy soufflé eggs, creamy + dreamy mushroom gravy, and fresh-baked sweet treats like scones, cake slices, cookies, and hand pies. To add to the excitement, the vibrant pink space is a leopard lover’s dream.
Fitz and the Wolfe, 1 Battery Park Ave. | Cocktails + elevated bar fare
The new bar and music venue occupying the former Isa’s Bistro nods to two important figures in Asheville’s literary history, encapsulating their styles with two floors of nightlife. But with three distinct rooms, you can choose your own adventure. The food menu boasts a Chicago-style hot dog, caprese sandwich, and a delicious smash burger, with most menu items coming in at under $10.
PhoReal, 640 Merrimon Ave. | Vietnamese classics
The deeply rich broth and ample pile of cilantro made this our favorite bowl of pho in the city. The Bánh mì and spring rolls were also standouts at the no-frills spot.
DayTrip, 174 Broadway St. | Cocktail bar
The magical ‘70s disco spot built back stronger after Helene, reopening on Broadway Street. Grab a cocktail and find a funky place to hang out in the impeccably decorated lounge.
Deep Time Cafe, 587 Haywood Rd. | Coffee and tea
The specialty roastery is rooted in faith, employing and creating community with people impacted by incarceration. The roasters opened their first cafe in May, brewing drip, espresso, and tea.
Dripolator Biltmore Village, 760 Biltmore Ave. | Coffee and baked goods
The coffee shop’s fifth location is decked out in florals and has plenty of seating for remote working.
Hilltop Ice Cream Shop, 235 Weaverville Rd., Woodfin | Ice cream
It’s the ice cream makers’ second shop, bringing fresh, homemade flavors in the heat of summer. Cool down with scoops, sundaes, shakes, and warm brownie sundaes.
Zen Sushi, 56 Patton Ave. | Sushi
Roll call. Zen Sushi’s second location is the newest addition to the S&W Market. Sashimi, hand rolls, and yellowtail jalapeno await — plus, plenty of vegan and veggie options to try.
The Refinery, 35 Eagle St. | Brunch
The new concept in The Foundry Hotel offers simple, but expertly executed breakfast and brunch fare, like blueberry ricotta fritters, seasonal omelets, and even a weekend Bloody Mary bar.
April openings
Rowan Coffee, 785 Haywood Rd. | Coffee, tea, wine + baked goods
The picturesque cafe is the second location from the roasters, with a light and airy feel and an open-air patio. The pastries and baked goods are divine, but explore the food menu for tinned fish, light snacks, and specials like oysters on the half shell.
Sweet Cub Soft Serve, Various locations | Ice cream
This isn’t your average ice cream truck. Choose your flavor of soft serve as the base for decadent sundaes like the Blue Ridge Bear (topped with honey, sea salt, and Teddy Grahams) or, get this, ice cream nachos with your choice of topping and sauce served on waffle cone chips. To make these treats even sweeter, a portion of sales is donated to support public lands.
Baba Nahm, 60 Biltmore Ave. | Middle Eastern
There’s more Mediterranean fare to enjoy now that the restaurant is serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner after moving from the Grove Arcade.
March openings
Rooftop Caffé, 20 Battery Park Ave. | Coffee, baked goods + cafe
Morning brew with a view. The Flatiron Hotel opened a rooftop stop for coffee, tea, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and grab-and-go fare from Luminosa downstairs.
Smokee’s Breakfast and Lunch, 235 Weaverville Rd., Woodfin | Sandwiches
The folks from Smokee’s Pizza are serving up hearty and delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches in Woodfin at Smokee’s on the Creek. We’re drooling over this open-faced breakfast beauty.
February openings
The Watch Kitchen & Spirits, 68 Patton Ave.| Southern comfort food
Lowcountry flavors have arrived inside the Restoration Hotel. The restaurant replaces The Exchange Restaurant & Bar, currently on the ground floor. It’s The Watch’s second location, expanding from its flagship Charleston restaurant.
The Old Haywood Filling Station, 5664 Old Haywood Rd., Mills River | Coffee + wine
The classic 1958 gas station has transformed into a chill spot for sipping, snacks, and food trucks.
January openings
Hail Mary, 575 Haywood Rd. | Burgers and sandwiches
Consider this a blessing. The West Asheville restaurant will offer a menu with shareable snacks, sandwiches, and cocktails (or mocktails). It’s open in the former location of Tastee Diner and is operated by former Tastee employees.
Färməsē, 5 Biltmore Ave. | Craft cocktails
The new cocktail lounge is tucked underground near Mehfil serves botanical-inspired beverages.
Joey’s Bagels, 707 Merrimon Ave. | Bagles + breakfast
Breakfast just got a (w)hole lot better. This is the shop’s third location, adding to its Hendersonville and Fletcher stores.
December openings
Hell or High Water, 128 Broadway St., Black Mountain | Dinner + cocktails
The new restaurant from Foothills, is now open in Black Mountain’s historic Ice House building next to Foothills Grange. Make a reservation to dine on its comforting dishes made with local ingredients.
Mabel Bakery, 175 Weaverville Rd., Ste. V, Woodfin | Bakery
Owner and head baker Sarah Easterling said the shop was inspired by her grandmother, whom she worked with in the kitchen at a young age.
Potential New Boyfriend, 647 Haywood Rd. | Desserts and cocktails
Stop by Wednesday-Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m. to savor decadent ice cream desserts, sip on wine, and listen to music from the Hi-Fi sound system.
Coming Soon
Piccolina, 375 Depot St. | Italian
Located inside the Aura Arts building in the RAD, this New York Italian eatery is set to start serving sandwiches, Neopolitan pizza, Italian ice, and sweet, sweet Zeppole this fall.
Slava Cafe, 37 Wall St. | Ukrainian
Expect pierogis, cabbage rolls, and honey cakes made from family recipes at this cafe + bakery moving into the former Rite Rite location.
Pizza at Cellarest Beer Project | 395 Haywood Rd.
It may not be in writing, but we’re fluent enough in emojis to understand the brewery’s last IG post. It looks like we can expect a wood-fired pizza truck to join Cassia on the patio soon.
Easy Tiger, 125 S. Lexington Ave. | Sports Bar
The crew behind S&W Market’s Flour Cafe is raising the bar for game day. Early this fall, just in time for football season, the team will open a classic sports bar with elevated pub grub (think fried chicken sandwiches, chopped salads, and fried shrooms) in the former Storm Rhum Bar space.
Periscope, 56 Patton Ave. | Cocktails, natural wine + pie
The new bar is taking over the upper level of the S&W Market. Another concept from The Times Bar owner, Periscope promises craft draft cocktails, natural + organic wines, art exhibitions, and pie from New Stock Pantry. An opening date is still TBA.
Chorizo, 1 Page Ave. Suite 139 | Latin
The longtime local favorite, which closed in 2016, is heading back to its old digs at Grove Arcade.
Jersey South Bagel Co., 5 Regent Park Blvd. | Bagels
You’ll soon be able to pick up the fresh baked and highly sought-after crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside bagels from a brick-and-mortar. The shop is expected to open around August.
Finest Deli, 794 Haywood Rd. | Breakfast + lunch
Order up. A new deli is coming to West Asheville. The restaurant is opening in the former home of Asheville Sandwich Company, where it will initially focus on affordable breakfast + lunch items. Later, it hopes to offer dinner and themed events.
It’s a sight for sore eyes.
Photo via @jerseysouthbagelco
Posana, Biltmore Park | Contemporary America
The menu of contemporary American cuisine will expand and include lunch service in its new location.
Zella’s Deli, 611 Tunnel Rd. | Sandwiches
Zella’s is making a comeback this summer after its Swannanoa shop was lost to the storm, moving in next to the Play It Again Sports on Tunnel Road — check out the new sign. In an Instagram post, the deli shared that it’s still a long-term goal to open back up in Swannanoa.
Mountain Madre, 791 Merrimon Ave. | Mexican
The Mexican kitchen will open its second location in the former Avenue M space, aiming to be in operation by the end of the summer.
MUNCH, 63 N. Lexington Ave. | Burgers + bar food
The new spot for late-night grub is headed for DSSOLVR and VOWL Bar. Smash burgers, tacos, and loaded tots are on the menu — plus, the MUNCH burger, with queso, pico de gallo, poblano crema, pickled red onions, and a crunchy tostada shell. Our stomachs are rumbling as we wait for an official opening date.
Did we miss a hot new spot? Let us know so we can add it to this running list.
