Asheville is for food lovers – and I (Editor Ali) am one of them. From the recent Chow Chow Festival to the many award-winning and nationally recognized chefs who have brought our restaurant scene into the international spotlight, I’ve always felt spoiled here when it comes to all things culinary.
But while we all know + love the most-buzzed spots in town, some of the coolest ways to dine are still flying a little under the radar. That’s why I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite unique culinary experiences – from where to get housemade Spam to how to find a grilled-to-order South American feast, and from the hippest pop-ups to speakeasy suppers. So, bookmark this list for the next time you’re ready for a culinary adventure – and get ready to chow down.
Addissae | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. + 5-9 p.m. (closed Tues.) | 48 Commerce St.
Ethiopian fare with tons of vegan options, all served with injera, a naturally gluten-free, spongy bread made with teff. Traditional Ethiopian coffee service is available.
Blind Pig Supper Club | various times | location given upon reservation | various prices
Asheville’s own speakeasy supper club, helmed by local + visiting chefs and organized by the team at AUX Bar, throw themed meals at secret locations. Recent events have included tributes to Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, Tool + more. The next dinner is Oct. 29 and the theme is “Welcome to Oz” ($65).
Green Opportunities | Tues.-Thurs. 12-12:30 p.m., various dinner times | Arthur R. Edington Education & Career Center, 133 Livingston St. | $5+
Green Opportunities’ Southside Kitchen is a community gathering space + culinary training program serving lunch twice a week (restarting Oct. 22) and hosting monthly multi-course, themed Kitchen Ready Showcase dinners, where a full meal is prepared by their newest graduates.
Hawaiian + more at RosaBees | Tues.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. + 5-10 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. + 5-9 p.m. | 27 Foundy St. #20
Founder Melissa Gray is a pastry chef whose love for Hawaii inspired her to open RosaBees in the RAD Foundation. On the menu: Musubi (housemade spam over coconut sticky rice), char siu pork, mochi fried chicken, make-your-own-s’mores, and taco + cupcake pairings, plus a rainbow of creative cocktails. DYK: This is Editor Ali’s favorite new restaurant.
Hemingway’s Cuba | Dinner Mon.-Thurs. 4:30-10 p.m., Sat. 4:30 p.m.-12 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. + 4:30-9 p.m. | 15 Page Ave., 4th floor (inside the Cambria Hotel)
I visited Cuba a few years ago, and Hemingway’s is where I go to be transported back to Havana. Traditional + creative dishes include the can’t-miss tostones (fried plantains) sampler, ropa vieja, and paella. And, thanks to Hemingway’s for hosting 6AM’s company retreat last year. Bonus: The rooftop deck overlooks downtown – perfect for a post-work daiquiri.
No Taste Like Home | various times | various locations | $40+
Wild food foraging tours where you’ll look for mushrooms + other seasonal edibles, followed by a visit to a local restaurant where a chef will prepare your discoveries. Private tours include a full meal of “find dining.”
Peruvian Suppers with Out of the Blue Peruvion Fusion Cuisine | various times | The Bywater, 796 Riverside Dr. | various prices
Chef Santiago Vargas parks his food truck at this laid-back riverside bar, where he serves up a la carte dishes or hosts multi-course meals twice a month. The Inca Supper comes with appetizers like the cholo fries w/ chimichurri, grilled meats, and more, while the Atahaualpa Dinner (the next one is Oct. 15) is all that and more – and includes dessert + a Pisco Sour.
Sawhorse | Tues.-Sat. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | 101 New Leicester Hwy.
Hearty Northern fare inspired by camps of the Adirondacks. Maple-infused, mustard-slathered, gravy-topped. Protip: Menus change daily but if the pancakes are available, get them. And then get a second helping.
The Scarlet Bee | Tues.-Thurs. 5-9 p.m., Fri. + Sat. 5-10 p.m. | 853 Merrimon Ave.
Mediterranean + Lebanese mezze + one of the best cocktail menus (specializing in herbal infusions) around. #MustTry – Kofta sliders, filet kabobs, and shatta (Middle Eastern hot sauce)
Silver and Cherry’s Love Songs | 6-10 p.m. on Sunday evenings through the end of October | Gan Shan West, 285 Haywood Rd. | various prices
No reservations required for this pop-up featuring Filipino food from Gan Shan West’s Chef de Cuisine Silver Cousler + their partner, Cherry Iocovozzi.
A soup dumpling tour of town | various times | Red Ginger Dimsum and Tapas, 82 Patton Ave., and Shanghai Dumpling House, 37 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville now has two spots for soup dumplings, which are filled with broth + served hot. Try them at Red Ginger (called “Pork Dumpling in Shanghai Style) and pair them with the Stir Fried String Bean, then wander up the street to sample them at Shanghai Dumpling House.
Tacos, tortas + more at Smiley’s Flea Market | Fri.-Sun. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. | 5360 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher | various prices
Folks in the know swear that you can get the best Mexican + Hispanic food around at Smiley’s, where numerous vendors sell tacos of all kinds, tortas (large sandwiches), fruit salad (made with a combination of fresh fruits + sprinkled with chili powder) and more. Protip: Take some extra cash to browse the market.
Have a unique AVL eat to add to our roundup? Share it with us in the comments.
