Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
A cream-and-sherry crab soup with female crab roe, traditionally a Charleston Lowcountry plate adopted by Asheville's modern Southern kitchens.
She-crab soup originated in Charleston around 1920 when William Deas, butler-cook to the city's mayor, adapted the Scotch-Irish partan-bree (cream-crab soup) by adding crab roe. The Lowcountry classic migrated inland to Asheville's modern Southern restaurants through the 1990s farm-to-table movement, where mountain kitchens added foraged mushrooms or local trout-roe substitutes. The Market Place and Rhubarb both run she-crab soup as seasonal specials; Tupelo Honey serves a year-round version on its Southern menu. The Lowcountry-Appalachian fusion plate became part of Asheville's broader Southern identity in the 2010s.
3 editor picks for Lowcountry she-crab soup (Asheville interpretation) in Asheville, ranked by editorial score. All Asheville signature dishes · Lowcountry she-crab soup (Asheville interpretation) 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.
Tupelo Honey opened on College Street in downtown Asheville in 2000 as an eclectic Southern cafe. The original location of what is now a regional chain.
OrderThe fried chicken biscuit with sausage gravy, plus the sweet potato pancakes for brunch.
TipBook on the operator's reservation page; weekend brunch waits run 60-90 minutes without one.
Lowcountry she-crab soup (Asheville interpretation) 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.
