Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Asheville / Western North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Asheville / Western North Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

The Ascot Club Restaurant

5.0

5 (70)

$30 and under

American

Waynesville

About the restaurant

Located inside the clubhouse, The Ascot Club Restaurant is a boutique restaurant and bar featuring seasonal menus from Chef Paul Young, weekly specials, and of course delicious food! Guests can enjoy their meal inside the clubhouse or sitting outside on the terrace during beautiful mountain view sunset.

Top review

NancyVIP

Dined on 2 Feb 2025

Always great food and excellent service! The biscuit and sausage gravy is very good, as well as the Eggs Benedict.

Postero

4.9

4.9 (3776)

$31 to $50

American

Hendersonville

About the restaurant

Fine food, wine & drinks, delivered with uncommon hospitality. Broad base of classic French Culinary Technique is the cornerstone for New American Cuisine, which is a true melting pot of cultures, ingredients, & techniques. We love the idea of applying modern day sensibilities to traditional recipes.

We have 2 levels at our restaurant, please indicate in the notes section if you are not able to navigate the stairs & need to be seated downstairs. (Lunch is downstairs only). Please note any dietary restrictions or let your server know upon arrival.

Parties of 7+, a credit card is required to hold the table & cancellation policy will be discussed when you make your reservation.

We do not offer a private dining area/outside seating/catering. We are happy to make suggestions if that is what you are looking for!

Corkage Fee is $20/bottle & Non-Postero Food Fee is $4/person

Top review

NancyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

There aren’t many choices for dinner so this is where we usually go. The food is good but nothing special. The service was very good.

Discover more

Popular dish

The Steak

Popular dish

Shrimp "Scampi" Cacio e Pepe

Popular dish

Scallops

The Dining Room - Biltmore Estate

4.9

4.9 (3241)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Asheville

About the restaurant

A valid Biltmore admission ticket, Biltmore Annual Pass, or current overnight stay at The Inn, Village Hotel, or Cottages on Biltmore Estate is required to dine on the estate. Please inquire at Biltmore’s Reception and Ticketing Sales Center for evening access to the estate. All reservations for November 1 through January 7 can only be made by calling (828) 225-1699.

Located at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, indulge in elegant dining specializing in regional cuisine. Our culinary team invites you to enjoy our seasonal menus with beautiful views, and gracious service. We strive to support the local community through the use of sustainable agriculture.

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined 6 days ago

As always an exquisite meal in a beautiful setting.

Ukiah

4.9

4.9 (1791)

$31 to $50

Asian

Asheville

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, where Japanese Soul Food meets American BBQ by James Beard Nominated Chef Michael Lewis. “Japanese Smokehouse” is defined as merging Japanese ingredients and flavors with American BBQ techniques, and everything in between.

Menu highlights include light and refreshing dishes such as Wagyu Tataki with house kimchee, yuzu kosho and savory soy or Tuna Takaki with fire roasted peppers + ponzu, to bolder flavors such as Smoked Pastrami Short Rib with toasted rye, fire roasted kimchi + yuzu pickles. We are currently open 7 days a week.

Please note, our dining room consists of booths, regular tables and high-tops. We will try our best to accommodate you at your prefer location, but sometimes it is not possible due to party size. Our outdoor tables can be requested but not guaranteed when booking on open table.

Top review

BryantVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Got to try a variety of dishes and everything was great. Great service too.

Discover more

Popular dish

Coconut Cake

Popular dish

Pork + Shitake Mushroom Gyoza

Popular dish

Japanese Sweet Potato

Laila

4.8

4.8 (155)

$31 to $50

Indian

Asheville

About the restaurant

Step into the vibrant world of an modern Indian cuisine restaurant, where the aromas of spices and sizzling delicacies instantly transport you to India. The ambiance is lively and colorful, reflecting the spirit of modern Indian culture. The menu showcases an array of mouthwatering dishes, from tandoori kebabs to rich curries to buttery naan and aromatic biryanis. Each dish is meticulously prepared, blending a symphony of spices that leave your taste buds tingling with delight. The warmth and hospitality of the staff make you feel at home. Whether you're a fan of fiery flavors or milder options, Laila is an unforgettable gastronomic journey through the flavors of India.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on 3 Mar 2025

Good food, great service. It was a slow night there so relatively quiet inside the restaurant.

Appalachia at The Lodge

4.9

4.9 (436)

$31 to $50

American

Lake Lure

About the restaurant

Appalachia Restaurant brings an upscale-casual experience to an intimate setting. With stunning views and a cuisine that offers an Appalachian flair, you will be immersed with the true spirit of Lake Lure.
Dinner at the restaurant begins at 4:30pm.
We bring the Appalachian heritage from the outdoors in while dining in front of the stunning 525 million year old mountains. Inside, outside, or bar room dining, you will have a gorgeous view of Lake Lure and the Appalachian mountains. Boats Slips are first come, first serve. Due to the small volume of tables, we cannot accept preferred table/view requests.
Dress Code: No swimwear or coverups, must have shoes.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

This place is my go-to for a delicious meal! The food is absolutely incredible, and I’ve never had a bad experience here. The wait staff are super friendly and always ready to help.

The Gamekeeper

4.9

4.9 (3437)

$50 and over

American

Boone

About the restaurant

You haven't fully experienced the Blowing Rock, NC region until you've dined at The Gamekeeper. It's a true gourmet restaurant with an engaging blend of upscale elegance and mountain charm.

Famous for an evolving menu that blends the traditional with the exotic, The Gamekeeper features a selection of perfectly prepared game plus a range of continental and American entrees.

Acclaimed chef and owner Ken Gordon brings tremendous warmth and skill to the table treating you more as friends than guests. You'll experience a meal to remember that includes fine wines, decadent desserts, and a generous serving of personal attention. You'll leave happy and impressed with a desire to return soon!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic. Wonderful service and outstanding dinner

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (400)

$30 and under

American

Flat Rock

About the restaurant

**To purchase tickets, reserve one of our experiences, please see the options listed below.** Established in 1998 by Susan and her husband Stoney Lamar, The Purple Onion was conceived as a 'third place' in Saluda, a neutral spot for friends and family to enjoy great food, engaging conversation, and live music. This vision flourished with a dedicated staff and supportive community. In 2020 the legacy was passed to Chambli Stuber and Emily Lamar, who continue to honor its tradition and role in the community, celebrating over two decades of service. Situated in historic Saluda, The Purple Onion boasts outdoor dining and live music on Thursday and Saturday nights. The Purple Onion features a variety of ethnically inspired dishes with an emphasis on the Mediterranean’s simple and healthy cuisine. We offer a selection of pizzas, pastas, seafood, vegetarian and meat dishes. Specialties include locally sourced trout and organic produce, along with antibiotic and hormone-free meats and poultry.

Top review

karenVIP

Dined on 27 Feb 2025

Delicious first experience! Thank you! All four entrees were fabulous.

Discover more

Experience

Eternally Grateful

Experience

Fancy and The Gentlemen

Experience

Thunder and Rain

Reid's Cafe and Catering

4.9

4.9 (627)

$31 to $50

American

Banner Elk

About the restaurant

Reid’s Cafe is located in beautiful Sugar Mountain, NC. We love the intentional, the specific, and the well-cared-for. We work closely with our local farms and purveyors to curate fresh, seasonal menus that feature regionally sourced meats, a rotation of fresh oysters and select seafood. All of our breads, pastas, and pastries are prepared in-house daily. Our Bar offers local beers, seasonal craft cocktails, and a well chosen wine selection. We are currently operating under all Covid-19 restrictions and following all CDC and local guidelines. The health and safety of our guests and our staff is our #1 priority. Outdoor reservations are by phone only. We look forward to seeing you.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 1 Mar 2025

The food was excellent and the service was excellent. Great place for dinner!😁👍

Newman's Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (566)

$50 and over

American

Hendersonville

About the restaurant

We are a farm to table fine dining restaurant in an elegant setting with fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. The 4-course price fixed dinner menu ($95.00 per person, tax and gratuity not included) and 3 course brunch menu ($45.00 per person, tax and gratuity not included ) that changes monthly and focuses on regional seasonal ingredients many of which come from our organic garden. Aaron Edwards is extraordinarily gifted in the culinary arts. Each item on every plate is uniquely prepared in an innovative way to deliver maximum sensual pleasure in both taste and appearance. With our friendly professional servers, incredibly beautiful setting and amazing food this is way more than fine dining. It's a true dining experience! Our Menu changes monthly based on what is available and in season at the time. Feel free to call us anytime and we can tell you exactly what is on the menu for that week.

Top review

DennisVIP

Dined on 23 Feb 2025

Newman's, as always, did an outstanding job, food, service, location and ambiance can not be beat. Always leave looking forward to our next visit.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Asheville / Western North Carolina

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

American