If you’re eating just one dish at a restaurant, you’re missing out (at least, according to writer Jo Pinsker ). Therein lies the beauty of tapas + other small plate restaurants — where small bites of everything are the point.
Here are four small plate spots where you can indulge in a multi-course culinary adventure. Just make sure your schedule is clear, as lingering around the table for hours is really the magic of the experience.
Zambra | 85 W. Walnut St.
Nestled below the sidewalk level of Walnut Street, this beloved local institution has a subterranean yet opulent atmosphere. The archway-adorned, amber-lit lounge focuses on western Mediterranean dishes like fried chickpeas, pan roasted scallops, and confit duck leg — and with plates starting at $7, it’s also one of the most affordable options in the 828.
Cúrate | 13 Biltmore Ave.
This authentic Spanish tapas restaurant takes service seriously — so much so that it recently won the James Beard Hospitality Award . The patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp in sherry broth), and piquillo peppers (peppers stuffed with spanish goat cheese) are executed to perfection. Make a reservation — or visit the seafood-focused pintxos bar, La Bodega , which is only a few streets away at 32 S. Lexington Ave.
Asheville Proper | 1 Page Ave., St. 151
Nearly everything tastes better when kissed with fire, and luckily, this live-fire steakhouse offers a plethora of small plate vegetable, seafood, and protein dishes. Menu standouts include the wood-fired beets, local mushroom ragout, and wagyu flatiron steak. Reservations are encouraged.
Red Ginger Dimsum and Tapas | 82 Patton Ave.
The soup dumplings are a must at this authentic Chinese dim sum-style restaurant. Though there’s no traditional rolling cart
, guests are encouraged to select freshly prepared dishes like the pork short ribs, steamed shumai dumplings, and smoked duck breast with reckless abandon.