Posana is a new american restaurant in Downtown, Asheville.
Editorially verified May 31, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Crab cakes, Trout almondine, Flourless chocolate torte
Must 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.
Address: 1 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Heiwa Shokudo on North Lexington is a longstanding downtown Japanese kitchen. Sushi, ramen, omakase, hot pot and hibachi in a casual downtown room.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Omakase sushi, Hot pot
Order: The tonkotsu ramen, or the chef's omakase if you book ahead.
Tip: Walk-in friendly midweek. The sushi bar takes omakase by reservation 48 hours ahead.
Mela Indian on North Lexington Avenue in Asheville has been the downtown dependable for regional Indian cooking since 2007. Lunch buffet weekdays, full menu.
Signature: Lamb vindaloo, Chicken tikka masala, Vegetable thali
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.
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.
All Souls Pizza in the River Arts District has run wood-fired pies on Clingman Avenue since 2013. Daily-changing seasonal pies, a large patio with kitchen.
Signature: Wood-fired pies, Daily salads, Soft serve
Order: Whatever the seasonal pie of the week is, plus the soft serve for dessert.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive at opening or after 20:30 for the easiest seats. Closed Mondays.
Heiwa Shokudo on North Lexington is a longstanding downtown Japanese kitchen. Sushi, ramen, omakase, hot pot and hibachi in a casual downtown room.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Omakase sushi, Hot pot
Order: The tonkotsu ramen, or the chef's omakase if you book ahead.
Tip: Walk-in friendly midweek. The sushi bar takes omakase by reservation 48 hours ahead.
Mela Indian on North Lexington Avenue in Asheville has been the downtown dependable for regional Indian cooking since 2007. Lunch buffet weekdays, full menu.
Signature: Lamb vindaloo, Chicken tikka masala, Vegetable thali
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.
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.
