Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?
Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these 35+ Asheville patios. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade or coverage level we’ve included for each of these locations.
Finer fare
Jettie Rae’s Oyster House | 143 Charlotte St. | Fully covered
Oysters and fresh seafood are best enjoyed from a table with a little fresh air — covered and cozy or letting the sunshine in.
Jargon | 715 Haywood Rd. | Fully covered
A covered and heated patio allows for outdoor dining no matter the season — perfectly paired with a selection from an award-winning wine list.
RendezVous | 184 New Haw Creek Rd. | Fully covered
Tables on the extensive covered patio overlook the pétanque courts, so grab some French comfort food before you play a game.
The Admiral | 400 Haywood Rd. | Uncovered
Dine on a delicious steak or pasta dish on the brick patio out front, illuminated with string lights.
Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian | 641 Merrimon Ave. + 1981 Hendersonville Rd. | Fully covered
Get cozy in a covered patio that protects from the elements at the Original Vinnie’s, or dine out in the sun at either location.
Rooftop views
Antidote | 151 Coxe Ave. | Partially covered
The vintage vibes of the indoor space are charming, but the two outdoor seating areas — a garden patio and the partially covered rooftop bar — might draw you out in the open air.
Capella on 9 | 10 Broadway St., 9th floor | Partially covered
Here you’ll find sweeping views of the city and the mountains, an aerial perspective of Pack Square Park, and tapas-style dining.
The Flat Iron Rooftop | 20 Battery Park Ave. | Uncovered
Soak up some sun with a craft cocktail and plates of small bites from the downstairs restaurant, Luminosa.
Hemingway’s Cuba | 5 Page Ave., 4th floor | Partially covered
With a westward sightline of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this is an enviable sunset spot + a location adjacent to some beautiful local architecture.
The Montford | 199 Haywood St., 8th floor | Partially covered
The contemporary spot for craft cocktails and small bites showcases beautiful mountain views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass + lots of open-air space.
Pillar Bar | 309 College St., 6th floor | Partially shaded
The Asheville skyline is a perfect backdrop for a bite + a sip from the comfort of a cushioned couch or chair.
The Social Lounge | 29 Broadway St. | Fully covered
The intimate, brick-lined rooftop bar offers views of the treetops and the downtown streets to complement your cocktails and dinner from Strada.
Soprana | 192 Haywood St., 7th Floor | Partially covered
See mountains for miles from this Italian eatery, which specializes in wood-fired pizzas and refreshing spritzes.
VISUALS Rooftop Bar | 40 Collier Ave. | Partially covered
Burial opened this spot atop Eulogy to showcase its natural wine program — snack on a tinned fish plate or charcuterie board while you sip on a wine flight.
Low-key locations
12 Bones Smokehouse | 2350 Hendersonville Rd. | Partially covered
Barbecue tastes better when you’re sitting at a picnic table, feeling the sunshine and fresh air.
All Day Darling | 102 Montford Ave. | Partially shaded
The historic Montford spot features tree-shaded spaces for your enjoyment of baked goods and coffee, seasonal fare, and signature cocktails.
Creekside Taphouse | 8 Beverly Rd. | Partially covered
The casual East Asheville spot has a massive outdoor patio with (you guessed it) a creek flowing out back. Pro tip: Always get an order of the smoked wings.
Early Girl Eatery West | 444 Haywood Rd. #101 | Fully covered
The little patio on Haywood protects you from the elements while you sample Southern fare.
Gan Shan West | 285 Haywood Rd. | Uncovered
The gravel patio out back is adorned with string lights, making it a perfect spot to enjoy handmade dumplings and Asian small plates.
Haywood Common | 507 Haywood Rd. | Partially covered
Grab a patio seat for comfort food or take a turn around the building for a table in the sun (where you can also order a beer from the adjacent spot, The Whale).
Mountain Madre | 13 W. Walnut St. | Partially covered
There are a few covered seats out front, but the Mexican kitchen also has a colorful, hidden back patio for more private dining.
Pack’s Tavern | 20 S. Spruce St. | Partially covered
Enjoy lunch or dinner on the shaded patio adjacent to Pack Square Park. Bonus: Pack’s has some tasty drink specials each day of the week if you need to cool off.
Twisted Laurel | 130 College St., Asheville + 10A S. Main St., Weaverville | Partially shaded (Downtown), partially covered (Weaverville)
Downtown’s large front patio features sunshades to give a little relief from the heat, and the Weaverville location’s front and back patios are mostly covered for dining even mid-rainstorm.
Bars and breweries
Burial Beer Co. | 40 Collier Ave. + 10 Shady Oak Dr. | Partially covered
Both the South Slope Taproom and Forestry Camp include plenty of outdoor options, in the sunshine, shaded by trees or umbrellas, or under a covering.
Cellarest Beer Project | 395 Haywood Rd. | Partially covered
This open-air neighborhood brewery hosts Cassia every Friday-Sunday to serve up scrumptious Thai food — the menu changes each week, so you’re always in for a special treat.
French Broad River Brewery | 101 Fairview Rd. | Partially covered
Get yourself a slice from the attached French Broad River Pizza and take a seat in the sun or cozy up on the heated patio.
Hillman Beer | 25 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Partially shaded
Sit out back to hear the peaceful, flowing waters of Sweeten Creek, or do some Biltmore Village people-watching out front.
Salt Face Mule | 450 Weaverville Hwy. | Fully covered
The patio has a perfect view of the mini golf course — get invested in a game over your dinner and rinks.
Sweeten Creek Brewing | 1127 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Partially covered
Bear’s BBQ Smokehouse will provide the eats for you to enjoy on the covered patio or at a picnic table.
Terra Nova Beer Co. | 101 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville + 204 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa | Partially covered
The brewery’s South Slope location is the home of Mission Pizza’s wood-fired pies and fresh salads — the Swannanoa location has treats from Root Down.
White Labs Brewing Co. | 172 S. Charlotte St. | Partially covered
A slice of pizza under an umbrella or at a patio table is somehow more tasty.
Let the sunshine (and the warmth) in.
Photo by @motheravl
Al fresco for cold weather
All Souls Pizza | 175 Clingman Ave. | Partially covered
Enjoy the recently opened covered + heated patio space or dine out in the sun while you nosh on specialty wood-fired pizzas.
Bargello | 7 Patton Ave. | Partially shaded + covered
Get in a little downtown people-watching from an elegant outdoor seat, take in some warmth from a raised fire pit, and get your fill of Italian and Mediterranean dishes.
The Bull and Beggar | 37 Paynes Way, #007 | Covered
Fine dining al fresco doesn’t have to end when the temperature drops — grab a patio seat under the heaters.
Leo’s House of Thirst | 1055 Haywood Rd. | Partially covered
Grab a glass + a few small plates, then choose a seat from a garden full of heater-adjacent tables, a covered back porch, or a spot around the roaring fire pit.
Mother | 244 Short Coxe Ave #110 | Uncovered
The South Slope spot lets you dine out in the sunshine but keeps the heaters on to make sure you’re toasty.
Sunny Point Cafe | 626 Haywood Rd. | Partially covered
The breakfast + lunch restaurant’s name is apt for the abundance of sunshine-enveloped seating (plus, lots of covered open-air tables too) — not to mention heaters and a heated patio.
