Mela Indian Restaurant is an indian restaurant in Downtown, Asheville.
Editorially verified May 31, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Lamb vindaloo, Chicken tikka masala, Vegetable thali
Must order: The lamb vindaloo with garlic naan; the lunch buffet on weekdays is one of Asheville's best deals.
Tip: Book on the operator site for dinner. The lunch buffet runs 11:30-14:30 Mon-Sat.
Address: 70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Buxton Chicken Palace inside the S and W Market in Asheville is the Elliott Moss and Meherwan Irani spinoff dedicated to the Bon Appetit-anointed Buxton Hall.
Signature: Buxton fried chicken, Hot honey biscuit, Chicken sandwich
Order: The hot honey chicken sandwich with a side of slaw.
Tip: Counter service inside S and W Market. Grab a seat upstairs at the bar or take it to go.
Tupelo Honey opened on College Street in downtown Asheville in 2000. The original location of the regional Southern chain, the room locals still send.
Signature: Fried chicken biscuit, Shrimp and grits, Sweet potato pancakes
Order: The fried chicken biscuit with sausage gravy, plus the sweet potato pancakes for brunch.
Tip: Book on the operator's reservation page; weekend brunch waits run 60-90 minutes without one.
Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street in Asheville opened in 2001 as the downtown Southern farm-to-table benchmark.
Signature: Sweet potato hash, Stone-ground grits, Pimento cheese omelet
Order: The sweet potato hash with two eggs, plus a side of stone-ground grits.
Tip: Walk-in only. Arrive at 08:00 or after 14:00 to skip the weekend queue.
Botiwalla by Chai Pani on Battery Park Avenue is Meherwan Irani's tribute to the late-night sigri (grill) cart culture of India. Counter-service kababs.
Signature: Chicken tikka kabab roll, Bombay grilled cheese, Lamb seekh kabab
Order: The chicken tikka kabab roll with mint chutney, plus the Bombay grilled cheese.
Tip: Order at the counter, take a seat. The 697 Haywood Road sister room is the West Asheville extension.
Buxton Chicken Palace inside the S and W Market in Asheville is the Elliott Moss and Meherwan Irani spinoff dedicated to the Bon Appetit-anointed Buxton Hall.
Signature: Buxton fried chicken, Hot honey biscuit, Chicken sandwich
Order: The hot honey chicken sandwich with a side of slaw.
Tip: Counter service inside S and W Market. Grab a seat upstairs at the bar or take it to go.
Tupelo Honey opened on College Street in downtown Asheville in 2000. The original location of the regional Southern chain, the room locals still send.
Signature: Fried chicken biscuit, Shrimp and grits, Sweet potato pancakes
Order: The fried chicken biscuit with sausage gravy, plus the sweet potato pancakes for brunch.
Tip: Book on the operator's reservation page; weekend brunch waits run 60-90 minutes without one.
Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street in Asheville opened in 2001 as the downtown Southern farm-to-table benchmark.
Signature: Sweet potato hash, Stone-ground grits, Pimento cheese omelet
Order: The sweet potato hash with two eggs, plus a side of stone-ground grits.
Tip: Walk-in only. Arrive at 08:00 or after 14:00 to skip the weekend queue.
Meherwan Irani's Chai Pani won the 2022 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant award. Moved May 2024 to 32 Banks Ave (South Slope). Indian street snacks, thalis.
Signature: Sloppy Jai, Kale pakoras, Bhel puri
Order: The Sloppy Jai (Indian sloppy joe with Punjabi spice) and a plate of kale pakoras.
Tip: Walk-in lunches Mon-Fri are fastest; weekend dinners run 60-90 minutes without a reservation.
Botiwalla by Chai Pani on Battery Park Avenue is Meherwan Irani's tribute to the late-night sigri (grill) cart culture of India. Counter-service kababs.
Signature: Chicken tikka kabab roll, Bombay grilled cheese, Lamb seekh kabab
Order: The chicken tikka kabab roll with mint chutney, plus the Bombay grilled cheese.
Tip: Order at the counter, take a seat. The 697 Haywood Road sister room is the West Asheville extension.
Hugo Ramirez's Limones on Eagle Street in Asheville opened in 2004 as a Mexican and Californian-inflected room.
Signature: Mole poblano, Esquites, Carnitas tacos
Order: The mole poblano served over chicken, plus an order of esquites for the table.
Tip: Book on OpenTable; bar seats first-come from 17:00. Closed Mondays.
