Pan-latin$$south-slope
Little Chango on Coxe Avenue in Asheville earned a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand for its Pan-Latin small plates. Empanadas, arepas, and a tight wine list.
Signature: Empanadas, Arepas, Mojo grilled chicken
Order: The empanada flight and the arepas con carne mechada (shredded beef).
Tip: Walk-up only at the bar, reservations on Resy for tables. Small room, arrive at opening for best chance.
Bakery$$south-slope
Heidi Bass's Mother on Short Coxe Avenue in Asheville earned a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Signature: Sourdough sandwiches, Country loaf, Seasonal salads
Order: Whatever sandwich is on rotation, plus a take-home loaf of country sourdough.
Tip: Sourdough loaves sell out by lunch on weekends; arrive at opening for bread. Wine bar opens later.
Italian, Seasonal$$$river-arts-district
Crusco in the River Arts District opened in summer 2025 from Kat Kearney and former Cucina 24 staff.
Signature: Hand-rolled pastas, Wood-grilled meats, Seasonal antipasti
Order: Whatever pasta the kitchen is running, plus a glass off the food-friendly wine list.
Tip: Book on the restaurant's site. Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday from 17:00. Bar walk-ins for cocktails.
Seafood$$$river-arts-districtMon-Tue 17:00-21:00, Thu 17:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00, Sun 17:00-21:00
The Bull and Beggar at Wedge Studios in the River Arts District has run a French-American kitchen with raw bar since 2013. Tuesday burger night is the local.
Signature: Steak frites, Raw bar plateau, Burger Tuesday
Order: The steak frites with bone-marrow butter, or the burger if you can land a Tuesday seat.
Tip: Book Tuesday burger night three weeks ahead on the operator site. Walk-in raw bar seats open at 17:00.
Modern Mexican, California-inspired$$$the-blockTue-Sun 17:00-21:00
Hugo Ramirez's Limones on Eagle Street in Asheville opened in 2004 as a Mexican and Californian-inflected room.
Signature: Mole poblano, Esquites, Carnitas
Order: The mole poblano served over chicken, plus an order of esquites for the table.
Tip: Book on OpenTable; bar seats first-come from 17:00. Closed Mondays.
New American$$$downtown
Posana on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville opened in 2009 as a dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
Signature: Crab cakes, Trout almondine, Flourless chocolate torte
Order: The crab cakes, plus the flourless chocolate torte if you saved room.
Tip: Book on the restaurant page. A South Asheville Biltmore Park location at 264 Thetford Street is a separate kitchen.