When you’re on vacation, food isn’t just a necessity. It’s part of the experience! As locals of Western North Carolina, we know some of the best eateries to send you to during your stay at The Orchard Inn. We believe in wholesome, farm-to-table cuisine at restaurants that are sure to impress, including our own: Newman’s. Here’s our list of some of the best restaurants in Western North Carolina!
You Have to Dine at These Outstanding Restaurants in Western North Carolina
Dinner With a View
Maybe you’d like to people-watch in the city. Perhaps you’d prefer remote mountain scenery. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite restaurants with outdoor dining options near Asheville that you must try! Check it out:
Newman’s Restaurant | Saluda, NC
Newman’s Restaurant gives each and every guest an incredible dining experience. Guests are treated as if they are royalty, and every need is taken care of. The menu consists of three courses and dessert, and there is an extensive wine list your server can help you pair with the courses chosen. Each week, the menu changes depending on the ingredients available; only the freshest, local ingredients are used in each dish. With gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains, you’ll want to come back over and over again.
Note from the Innkeepers: We will happily accommodate vegetarians!
Sunset Terrace at The Omni Grove Park Inn | Asheville, NC
The Sunset Terrace at The Omni Grove Park Inn offers a wonderful dining experience overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Select from a range of dishes such as hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and more.
Carmel’s Kitchen and Bar | Asheville, NC
For a more casual experience, relax at Carmel’s Kitchen and Bar, which sits in the historic Grove Arcade district. Enjoy a bit of people-watching when you opt to dine al fresco style. Their tasty salads and sandwiches are perfect for munching on while you enjoy the weather.
The Courtyard Market | Biltmore Estate
If you’re planning on spending the day at the famous Biltmore Estate, you should consider grabbing a quick bite to eat at the Courtyard Market! They offer everything from gourmet sausages and hot dogs to fresh salads and even a beer and wine selection.
Bouchon | Asheville, NC
In the mood for French cuisine? Then Bouchon in Asheville is the perfect option for you. Enjoy outdoor seating while feasting on escargot, charcuterie boards, quiche, and more.
Plant-Based Options for Vegetarians and Vegans
Whether you’re looking for healthier dining options or have a specific diet to keep in mind, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction of where to find something delicious to eat. Luckily, there is a wide range of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Asheville, NC!
Plant | Asheville, NC
Plant capitalizes on seasonal, local flavors to create delicious signature vegan dishes. They don’t use meat, eggs, dairy, or honey, and they are our area’s only completely vegan restaurant. They offer made-from-scratch food, promising only to use carefully chosen ingredients that come from the earth.
Rosetta’s Kitchen & The Buchi Bar | Asheville, NC
Rosetta’s Kitchen focuses on healthy, whole, and organic vegan and vegetarian foods. Their eclectic menu features delicious bites ranging from “tempalo” wings and portobello melts to coconut curry and iron skillet cornbread. You might even want to try their flavorful craft kombucha cocktails from their Buchi Bar!
Laughing Seed Cafe | Asheville, NC
If you’re looking for farm-to-table, internationally influenced cuisine, look no further. The Laughing Seed Cafe serves up a delicious range of recipes that are prepared thoughtfully and thoroughly. Start off with the jalapeño onion fries. Then, opt for a Mediterranean salad or something heartier such as the spinach pesto manicotti. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, order the chocolate strawberry cashew cheesecake. Yum!
Green Sage Cafe Downtown | Asheville, NC
The philosophy at Green Sage Cafe is to serve food that promotes health. They offer a tasty variety of breakfast items, sandwiches, wraps, salads, bowls, juices, smoothies, and more. You can also grab a coffee or tea while you’re there as well.
Early Girl Eatery | Asheville, NC
Early Girl Eatery is known for its farm-to-table Southern comfort food experience. Whether you’re stopping in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can rest assured you’ll leave with a full belly! We recommend the Yam Scram or the grilled pimento cheese sandwich.
Nine Mile | Asheville, NC
Nine Mile is a full-service restaurant in the historic Montford district. If you’re in the mood for Caribbean-inspired pasta dishes, rice dishes, or homemade desserts, then you’ll love the fare at this vegetarian-friendly establishment.
More of Our Favorite Restaurants in WNC
Whether you’re in search of the best restaurants in Asheville or exploring the dining options in nearby smaller towns such as Hendersonville and Saluda, then you’re in luck. Here are a few of our favorite establishments in WNC:
The Purple Onion | Saluda, NC
Consider the Purple Onion for a casual option close to Orchard Inn. The name alone conjures up thoughts of farmlands and fresh food! Just a few minutes away from Orchard Inn, this restaurant is on Main Street amongst quaint shops that are great to browse through. They have several farmers that they work with to keep their ingredients fresh, and their menu has tons of gluten-free and vegan options!
The Admiral | Asheville, NC
Serving up their cuisine from a humble cinder block building in West Asheville, The Admiral is sure to please the palate. The creative menu will take you from spinach fritters to the heritage farms pork chop. It’s one of the best restaurants in Asheville!
Local tip: Reservations are highly recommended for this restaurant!
Rhubarb | Asheville, NC
Every time you visit Rhubarb, it won’t disappoint. Chances are the menu will have changed since your last visit because it is decided based on the local ingredients available and the whims of the chefs. Many dishes are classics, yet they have a twist that drives the flavors to the next level. The atmosphere is calming, eclectic, and inviting. Barn wood offsets the leather seating and chalkboard walls to compliment the cuisine.
Never Blue | Hendersonville, NC
For some casual tapas, head to Never Blue! This is one of the best restaurants in Western North Carolina to go to for a unique experience. Most of their menu consists of small plates, so many of the tables will order a few to share together. Both the menu and the decor is eclectic, and as many as possible of the ingredients are locally sourced.
Can’t-Miss Foodie Events
Because Asheville, NC, is such a culinary hot spot these days, it comes as no surprise that the city hosts a variety of foodie events and festivals throughout the year! Many great opportunities exist to experience the diverse array of cuisines prepared by award-winning chefs and local communities in WNC.
Asheville Restaurant Week | January
For this one week only, you’ll have the chance to dine at participating restaurants on a prix fixe menu for a reasonable per-person cost. The tastiest cuisine in Asheville will be up for your choosing!
Taste of Asheville | November
Every November, more than 40 of the best eateries in Asheville come together for the foodie event of the season. These restaurants showcase their best dishes for a good cause; proceeds go toward the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.
Book Your Getaway to Western North Carolina Today
Great food and gorgeous views await! Book your getaway at Orchard Inn to experience all the best restaurants in Western North Carolina. With Newman’s Restaurant right on our property, you’re already off on a great start! Browse our accommodations to start planning your stay. Each room, cottage, and suite has gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains, and our on-site nature trail is a great place to walk off a big meal. Book your getaway today!
