Luminosa is an italian fine-dining restaurant in Downtown, Asheville.
Luminosa inside the Flat Iron Hotel earned both a Michelin Green Star and a Bib Gourmand in the first 2025 Michelin Guide American South for its Italian.
Must order: The whole-fish of the day from the wood oven, plus a hand-cut pasta.
Tip: Book on OpenTable; the chef's counter at the open kitchen takes walk-ups from 17:00. Closed Mondays.
Address: 20 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
William Dissen's The Market Place on Wall Street moved here 1990 (founded 1979 by Mark Rosenstein). Dissen is a 2025 JBA Outstanding Chef semifinalist.
Order: The Sunburst Trout Farm trout from Canton, plus the seasonal foraged mushroom plate.
Tip: Book on the restaurant's reservation page. The walk-up bar pours small plates from the main menu.
John Fleer's Rhubarb on Pack Square in Asheville opened in 2013. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours, booking notes and tasting-menu price for 2026.
Order: Whatever the wood oven is running, plus the Sunday Supper family-style menu when offered.
Tip: Book on the restaurant's reservation page. Dinner runs Thursday through Monday from 17:00.
Katie Button's Cúrate on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville won the 2022 James Beard Outstanding Hospitality award. The Pintxos tasting menu at the chef's counter.
Order: The chef's tasting at the counter, with sherry pairings.
Tip: Counter tasting menu at the long bar requires booking 30 days ahead on Resy. The dining room is à la carte.
William Dissen's The Market Place on Wall Street moved here 1990 (founded 1979 by Mark Rosenstein). Dissen is a 2025 JBA Outstanding Chef semifinalist.
Order: The Sunburst Trout Farm trout from Canton, plus the seasonal foraged mushroom plate.
Tip: Book on the restaurant's reservation page. The walk-up bar pours small plates from the main menu.
John Fleer's Rhubarb on Pack Square in Asheville opened in 2013. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours, booking notes and tasting-menu price for 2026.
Order: Whatever the wood oven is running, plus the Sunday Supper family-style menu when offered.
Tip: Book on the restaurant's reservation page. Dinner runs Thursday through Monday from 17:00.
Katie Button's Cúrate on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville won the 2022 James Beard Outstanding Hospitality award. The Pintxos tasting menu at the chef's counter.
Order: The chef's tasting at the counter, with sherry pairings.
Tip: Counter tasting menu at the long bar requires booking 30 days ahead on Resy. The dining room is à la carte.
Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian Lodge in Biltmore Village runs European comfort food with a Carolina twist: bison tenderloin, elk loin, regional.
Order: The bison tenderloin or the elk loin, plus a glass off the Carolina wine list.
Tip: Book on OpenTable. The hunting-lodge bar serves the full menu walk-up; complimentary valet.
Crusco in the River Arts District opened in summer 2025 from Kat Kearney and former Cucina 24 staff. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours, booking notes.
Order: Whatever pasta the kitchen is running, plus a glass off the food-friendly wine list.
Tip: Book on the restaurant's site. Dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 17:00. Bar walk-ins.
The Bull and Beggar at Wedge Studios in the River Arts District has run French-American fine dining with raw bar plateau since 2013. The Tuesday burger night.
Order: The steak frites with bone-marrow butter, or the burger if you can land a Tuesday seat.
Tip: Tuesday burger night books out 3 weeks ahead. Raw bar walk-ins open at 17:00.
