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Asheville restaurants that are open after Helene

Although many restaurants and bars have become inoperable while we wait for resources to come back online, these local spots have been able to reopen their doors.

October 25, 2024 • 
Molly Wilson, Grace Powers
AVLtoday_rocky's_hot_chicken_shack_asheville

Show your support through your stomach.

Photo by AVLtoday

After Helene swept away power and water for thousands in the region, many Asheville restaurants and bars had to shut their doors indefinitely. A large number that were otherwise inoperable have pivoted their focus to serve as hubs for free meals and supply distribution. But as water and power return to much of the community, some local spots have been able to start business up again.

So in case you’re able to support some local business, we’ve gathered together a few restaurants and bars whose doors are now open. Note: Many are operating with limited menus, and some are cash only.

Arden

Downtown Asheville

  • 67 Biltmore, 67 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Asheville Proper, 1 Page Ave., Ste. 151, Asheville | Wednesday-Monday, 5-9 p.m.
  • Bier Garden, 46 Haywood St., Asheville | Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
  • The Blackbird, 47 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | Brunch: Daily, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner: Friday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
  • Botanist & Barrel, 32 Broadway St., Ste. 110, Asheville | Thursday-Tuesday, 2-8 p.m.
  • Botiwalla, 22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville | Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
  • Burgerworx, 1 Page Ave., Ste. 132 | Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Burial Beer, 40 Collier Ave. (South Slope) + 10 Shady Oak Dr. (Forestry Camp) | Daily, 12-10 p.m. (South Slope); Tuesday-Friday, 4-10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Cúrate, 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | Tuesday-Sunday, 5-9 p.m.
  • Foggy Mountain Brewpub, 12 Church St. | Thursday-Sunday, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
  • French Broad Chocolate Lounge, 10 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Daily, 12-8 p.m.
  • Hemingway’s Cuba, 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor | Daily, 4:30-10:30 p.m.
  • Luminosa, 20 Battery Park Ave. | Tuesday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m.
  • Mehfil, 5 Biltmore Ave., Ste. B, Asheville | Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m., 4:30-8:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
  • mother, 244 Short Coxe Ave., Ste. 110, Asheville | Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Summit Coffee, 1 Page Ave., Ste. 148 | Daily, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • White Labs Brewing Co., 172 S. Charlotte St. | Wednesday-Sunday, 1-8 p.m.

North Asheville + Woodfin

River Arts District

South Asheville

Weaverville

  • Glass Onion, 18 N. Main St., Weaverville | Wednesday-Sunday, 5-8 p.m.
  • Soba Sushi & Noodles, 76 N. Main St. | Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. + 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • Stoney Knob Cafe, 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville | Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Twisted Laurel Weaverville, 10A S. Main St., Weaverville | Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Well Bred Bakery & Cafe, 26 N. Main St., Weaverville | Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Note: The Grove Arcade location of Well Bred is still closed.

West Asheville

  • Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd. | Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, 12-11 p.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m.
  • Botiwalla, 697 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
  • Character Study, 797 Haywood Rd., Ste. 100, Asheville | Tuesday-Sunday, 3-7 p.m.
  • Diatribe Brewing, 1042 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Monday-Friday, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-9 p.m.
  • Gan Shan West, 285 Haywood Rd., Ste. 20 | Tuesday-Sunday, 4-8 p.m.
  • Haywood Common, 507 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Wednesday-Sunday, 12-8 p.m.
  • Haywood Famous, 508 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday, 12-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8-10 a.m. + 12-7 p.m.; Sunday, 1-7 p.m.
  • Leo’s House of Thirst, 1055 Haywood Rd. | Tuesday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 12-10 p.m.; Sundays, 12-8 p.m.
  • Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville | Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • The Whale, 507 Haywood Rd., Ste., 10 | Daily, 1-8 p.m.

If you know of a bar or restaurant that’s open again, let us know and we’ll add it to the list. If you’re having trouble with that link, send an email instead to hello@avltoday.com.

Even if you don’t see your favorite spot on this list, you may still be able to offer your support during this difficult time. Many local establishments have set up fundraising campaigns in the aftermath of Helene, raising money for repairs or employees’ livelihoods.

Reopening rules

According to statements from Buncombe County, any establishments that had interruptions in power or water need inspections from Buncombe County Environmental Health before permits can be reinstated and food can be sold.

Restaurants that don’t have access to municipal water but want to reopen must complete an emergency operations plan — information on the plans has been sent to all restaurants. Once plans are approved, inspectors will visit. If restaurants have access to water and are under a boil water advisory, the practices outlined in the advisory need to be followed — an emergency operations plan or inspection visit is not needed to reopen. If restaurants never lost power or water, the County wants to know, but the establishments are able to reopen whenever they’re ready.

Note: Any free food being given out from restaurants is not regulated by Buncombe County Environmental Health.

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