CuisineModern American, dedicated gluten-free
Price$$$
Neighbourhooddowntown

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.

Location

Address: 1 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Also in downtown

Heiwa Shokudo ★ 4.3

Japanese sushi and ramen$$downtown

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 Restaurant ★ 4.2

Indian, regional$$downtown

Mela Indian on North Lexington Avenue in Asheville has been the downtown go-to 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 Southern Kitchen and Bar ★ 4.2

Southern, all-day$$downtown

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 ★ 4.4

Southern, farm-to-table$$downtown

Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street in Asheville opened in 2001 and has been the downtown Southern breakfast benchmark since. Editor pick on TableJourney.

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.

Full downtown food guide →

More restaurants in Asheville

All Souls Pizza ★ 4.5

Wood-fired pizza, seasonal$$river-arts-district

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 ★ 4.3

Japanese sushi and ramen$$downtown

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 Restaurant ★ 4.2

Indian, regional$$downtown

Mela Indian on North Lexington Avenue in Asheville has been the downtown go-to 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 Southern Kitchen and Bar ★ 4.2

Southern, all-day$$downtown

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 ★ 4.4

Southern, farm-to-table$$downtown

Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street in Asheville opened in 2001 and has been the downtown Southern breakfast benchmark since. Editor pick on TableJourney.

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 ★ 4.5

Vegan, organic$$$north-asheville

Plant on Merrimon Avenue has run innovative organic plant-based cuisine in Asheville since 2011. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours and the must-order.

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.

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