Travel Dining Guide to Asheville
Three Restaurants Visitors Must try in the Artsy North Carolina Town
Asheville's restaurant scene tantalizes taste buds. This dining travel guide introduces visitors to three downtown restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The North Carolina mountain town of Asheville is known for the elegant Biltmore Estate, a happening cultural class and the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These elements influence the area’s restaurant scene. While there are many excellent restaurants, the following are must-eat establishments in downtown Asheville.
Dining in Asheville, NC: Breakfast at Tupelo Honey Café, 12 College Street; Tel: (828) 255-4404
The locals sometimes wait an hour to get a table at this restaurant, definitely a telltale sign for Asheville visitors that this is the best place for breakfast. The cuisine at Tupelo Honey Café can be described as Southern flavor accented with a twist of Asheville’s mountain culture.
Organic free-range chickens and eggs are served and when possible, the restaurant purchases organic ingredients and buys locally. Edible flowers accenting entrees are from a local herb farm. A bottle of tupelo honey sits on each table and many recipes incorporate the liquid gold. Must-eats include the cheesy grit cakes drizzled with a spicy red chili sauce and eggs Crawley, two eggs cooked to order with two crab cakes accented with hollandaise and asparagus. Check the daily specials for other delicious creations from the café’s kitchen.
Tupelo Honey Café’s interior is bright and cozy with wood accents, ceiling fans and black and white photos of Asheville’s residents and landmarks. The restaurant’s atmosphere is a blend of Southern charm and bohemian edginess. Reservations are not accepted, the café is closed Mondays and opens at 9 a.m.
Dining in Asheville, NC: Lunch at Salsa’s, 6 Patton Avenue; Tel: (828)252-9805
Cramped and loud describe this hole in the wall but the food is worth it. A local favorite, Salsa’s is a Mexican-Caribbean fusion fantasy for the palate.
Entrees are complex and flavors blend nicely drawing upon Mexican, Caribbean and Latin influences. Portions are generous and variety is plentiful. Vegetarians and vegans will find entrees to satisfy their hunger but those looking for Mexican fare will probably be disappointed.
Start with the palm-sized tortilla chips and a selection of salsas ranging from sweet to zesty or try the guacamole. As a main dish, try a fish fajita and wash it down with a house margarita. Most ingredients are organic, dishes vary by season and the presentation is fun. While the food is tasty, service has been known to be less than stellar. Still, lunch at Salsa’s is worth it.
The interior is tropical with Caribbean colors yet small. Salsa’s is open daily and does not accept reservations.
Dining in Asheville, NC: Dinner at Zambra, 85 West Walnut Street; Tel: (828) 232-1060
Tramps and thieves? No, not here. Gypsies? Perhaps. One thing’s for certain, diners at Zambra will find plenty of Asheville locals enjoying the gypsy cuisine in the subterranean tapas (little dishes) bar and restaurant.
Zambra is the crown jewel in Asheville’s dining scene. Lighting is subdued (flashlights and reading glasses are provided for those needing a little help) but the atmosphere is warm, lively and hip. Benches dotted with velvety pillows are sprinkled throughout the restaurant and bar area, making them cozy nests to sit, chill and catch up with friends. The Moroccan-Spanish inspired décor is the work of Asheville architectural artist Douglas Madaras, a leader in the North Carolina town’s renaissance.
When it comes to ingredients, Zambra makes environmentally responsible choices. When possible, produce and meats are natural, organic and purchased locally. The entrée menu changes nightly but the paella and tapas pretty much remain the same. Try the chickpeas sautéed with spinach, garlic, lemon and chilis or the pomegranate braised pork spring rolls with avocado and mango dipping sauce. To drink, order the Zambrarita, a blackberry margarita-martini-like drink with a sugared rim. Or, there’s always the extensive wine list. Reservations suggested.
Asheville’s restaurant scene is an edible tourist attraction. Pleasing the palate while visiting this North Carolina town is as important as visiting the Biltmore Estate or hiking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
