Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Rainbow and brook trout farmed in the cold streams of Western North Carolina, served whole or filleted with brown butter, sorghum, country ham or foraged.
Cherokee mountain larders relied on native brook trout from the Smoky Mountains streams; the rainbow was introduced for sport fishing in the 1880s. Sunburst Trout Farms in Canton (35 miles west of Asheville) opened in 1948 as a working hatchery and now supplies most of Western North Carolina's restaurant trout. William Dissen's The Market Place on Wall Street and John Fleer's Rhubarb on Pack Square run Sunburst trout as a permanent menu item; Crusco in the River Arts District works it into seasonal Italian plates. Country ham, brown butter, sorghum drizzle and pickled ramps are the canonical pairings.
4 editor picks for Mountain trout in Asheville, ranked by editorial score. All Asheville signature dishes · Mountain trout across every city.
William Dissen's The Market Place runs modern Appalachian on Wall Street. Mark Rosenstein founded 1979; Dissen took over 2009. 2025 JBA Outstanding Chef semi.
OrderThe Sunburst Trout Farm trout from Canton, plus the seasonal foraged mushroom plate.
TipBook on the restaurant's own reservation page. The walk-up bar pours small plates from the main menu.
John Fleer's Rhubarb on Pack Square has served wood-fired modern Southern since 2013. Fleer is a multi-time James Beard Best Chef Southeast nominee.
OrderWhatever the wood oven is running, plus the Sunday Supper family-style menu when offered.
TipBook on the restaurant's reservation page. Dinner runs Thursday through Monday from 17:00.
Crusco in the River Arts District opened in summer 2025 from Kat Kearney and former Cucina 24 staff, cooking hand-rolled pasta and wood-grilled meats.
OrderWhatever pasta the kitchen is running, plus a glass off the food-friendly wine list.
TipBook on the restaurant's site. Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday from 17:00. Bar walk-ins for cocktails.
Posana on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville opened in 2009 as a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, serving crab cakes, trout almondine and flourless chocolate torte.
OrderThe crab cakes, plus the flourless chocolate torte if you saved room.
TipBook on the restaurant page. A South Asheville Biltmore Park location at 264 Thetford Street is a separate kitchen.
Mountain trout makes more sense with someone from Asheville explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover downtown Asheville on a guided food tour with 6 tastings. Learn about the city's history and architecture as you savor local flavors, including a chargrilled ...
Guided tour · 4 hours
Experience the perfect introduction to Asheville's world-renowned craft beer scene on a guided behind-the-scenes tour to 3 local breweries or cider houses. Enjoy beer ...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Experience a guided sunset rooftop tour in Asheville. Enjoy panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and skyline, with a handcrafted cocktail or mocktail at each stop.
