Asheville Eats
Asheville is heaven for foodies, especially those who love farm-to-table restaurants. Although the Michelin Guide does not cover this region yet (a guide to the American South is due out later this year), there have been three dozen James Beard Award winners, semi-finalists, and nominees in Asheville. That’s pretty impressive for a city with a population of less than 100,000. There is an unusually large number of restaurants per capita, and most of them are independently and locally owned. Sadly, some local favorites did not survive the devastation of Hurricane Helene. But there are plenty of excellent restaurants open and serving outstanding meals, and we hope our friends will be inspired to visit Asheville and give them a try.
We loved Chai Pani so much that we dined there three times in one week. They served Indian street food with bright flavors to match the vibrant dining space. Eating at Chai Pani was tasty, affordable, and fun! Every dish we tried was fantastic, and the delicious, house-made Jal Jeera (cumin) soda was the perfect accompaniment. I think I will be dreaming about their subadana vada tots (crispy spiced potato and tapioca tots served with hot/sweet ketchup) until we can return to Asheville and have more. (Chai Pani was the James Beard Outstanding Restaurant winner in 2022.)
When we stepped through the front door of Jargon and saw the turntable and jazz records, I knew it would be our kind of place. The cozy dining room had elegant thrift store charm and artistic flair. Every dish we chose from their seasonal menu was outstanding, and having our favorite record playing was a bonus. We don’t often indulge in dessert, but we’re glad we did this time: the rhubarb pan cotta was light, fresh, and not too sweet. We would have dined at Jargon again if we’d had more time (note, it was in West Asheville, so not walkable from Downtown).
Plant was one of those genius restaurants that make omnivores like us think we wouldn't mind being vegan. The dishes were inventive, showcasing local ingredients and combining flavors and textures in unexpected and delicious ways. Of all the places we tried, this was the most crowded, even on a weeknight. If only we didn't have to walk on a busy road to get there. (Chef Jason Sellers was a James Beard Best Chef Southeast semi-finalist.)
I was a little nervous about trying a tapas place after having just lived in Spain, but Cúrate did not disappoint. The octopus was tender, and the bread for the pan con tomate was almost as light and crispy as pan de cristal. Someone at Cúrate has an odd sense of humor: on every table was a cute clay piggy with only three legs, a mildly creepy choice of mascot for a restaurant with a jamonería. (Cúrate was the James Beard Outstanding Hospitality winner in 2022.)
Tucked behind Asheville’s Flatiron Building on Wall Street, The Market Place beckoned with crimson windows and umbrellas. The modernist two-story dining room felt more upscale than the other restaurants we had tried. This was the kind of place that would satisfy a wide range of diners, from farm-to-table foodie to steakhouse traditionalist. Every dish was expertly executed and delicious. We shared the trout, and I was delighted when they split it for us - we each had our own petite Le Creuset pan. (The Market Place was a James Beard Outstanding Restaurant semi-finalist in 2024, and chef William Dissen was a James Beard Outstanding Chef semi-finalist in 2025.)
