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 weekdays is one of Asheville's best deals.
Tip: Book on the operator site. The dining room is large; walk-ins generally get seated within 15 minutes.
Address: 70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
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.
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 and has been the downtown Southern breakfast benchmark since.
Signature: Sweet potato hash, Pimento cheese omelet, Stone-ground grits
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.
Sovereign Remedies on North Market Street in Asheville pairs craft cocktails with modern American cooking in a multilevel historic building.
Signature: Bone marrow, Seasonal small plates, House pastas
Order: The bone marrow with sourdough.
Tip: Book a table on Resy. The downstairs bar takes walk-ins for the cocktail menu.
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.
Katie Button and Felix Meana's Cúrate in Asheville opened on Biltmore Avenue in 2011 and won the 2022 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding.
Signature: Jamón ibérico, Paella Valenciana, Patatas bravas
Order: The jamón ibérico with pan con tomate, plus the paella Valenciana for the table.
Tip: Book on Resy 30 days ahead. Bar seats and the chef's counter take walk-ins from 17:00; arrive at opening.
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.
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 and has been the downtown Southern breakfast benchmark since.
Signature: Sweet potato hash, Pimento cheese omelet, Stone-ground grits
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.
Plant on Merrimon Avenue has run innovative organic plant-based cuisine in Asheville since 2011.
Signature: Coconut ceviche, Mushroom risotto, Raw chocolate torte
Order: The coconut ceviche to start, then the seasonal risotto and the raw chocolate torte.
Tip: Book on OpenTable. Wednesday and Sunday are the easiest nights. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Sovereign Remedies on North Market Street in Asheville pairs craft cocktails with modern American cooking in a multilevel historic building.
Signature: Bone marrow, Seasonal small plates, House pastas
Order: The bone marrow with sourdough.
Tip: Book a table on Resy. The downstairs bar takes walk-ins for the cocktail menu.
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.
Katie Button and Felix Meana's Cúrate in Asheville opened on Biltmore Avenue in 2011 and won the 2022 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding.
Signature: Jamón ibérico, Paella Valenciana, Patatas bravas
Order: The jamón ibérico with pan con tomate, plus the paella Valenciana for the table.
Tip: Book on Resy 30 days ahead. Bar seats and the chef's counter take walk-ins from 17:00; arrive at opening.
