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Dinner for two at The Purple Onion - The Purple Onion, Saluda, NC

The Purple Onion

4.8
4.8
372 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 14 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
  • Great for live music
**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.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon, Thu–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Mon 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (828) 749-1179
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • Cowboy Judy Christmas Extravaganza

    US$16.00 per person

    Prepaid

    15 Dec 2024 only
    A return performance quickly becoming a tradition at the Purple Onion, this energetic group of ladies is an event you don’t want to miss. Cowboy Judy always brings the show to, well, every show they perform. Couple their infectious stage presence, melodic songs, and penchant for grooving tunes you can’t sit still to? Exhilarating. Throw in some holiday cheer and festive motifs? Pure Magic. Female fronted super group, Cowboy Judy (formally Sweet Claudette,) is the bringing together of worlds, in the best of ways. Singing an upbeat hybrid of country and motown, you would be hard pressed to find another group as gifted with their harmonies and charisma as you have here.
    Cowboy Judy Christmas Extravaganza photo
  • West End String Band

    US$10.00 per person

    Prepaid

    21 Dec 2024 only
    Dedicated to playing and performing traditional bluegrass music and old country songs with modern appeal, the West End String Band has been walking the perfect balance between nostalgia and a thumping good time. Don’t let the name fool you. The West End String Band is refreshing and invigorating, while holding true to the roots that formed this unique tradition of music. Formed back in 2008, the West End String Band blends the gritty and energetic vocals of lead Charlie McDaniel with harmonies from Kathy McDaniel and the driving banjo of Jim Rollins. Rounded out with the rich baritone and unique mandolin of Matt Purinton, this group is weaving together americana, bluegrass, and country in the best of ways.
    West End String Band photo
  • Michael Reno Harrell

    US$10.00 per person

    Prepaid

    26 Dec 2024 only
    Michael Reno Harrell is an award winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer, and he’s from the South. One could compare Michael's performances to his granddaddy's pocket knife: well worn and familiar feeling, but razor sharp, and with a point. His original songs and stories have been described as “Appalachian grit and wit” but, as his writing shows, Michael’s awareness is much broader than the bounds of his boyhood home or even the Southern Experience. Between the approachable, feel-good nature of his music, and vivid story-telling that leaves you smiling, Michael creates an auditory experience that has to be witnessed in person.
    Michael Reno Harrell photo

What 372 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

    Best Value

  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

    Healthy

  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

    Hot spot

  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

    Lively

  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

    American

  • Flat Rock / Hendersonville

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Purple Onion in Saluda, NC, is a true "gem" with "amazing farm to table food" and an "eclectic and delicious" menu catering to all dietary needs. Guests rave about the "wonderful music venue," "exceptional service," and "incredible ambience." Whether enjoying the patio or live music, it's a must-visit!

372 Reviews
  1. Laura

    Atlanta Metro

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing crab appetizer! Delicious salmon special and Caesar salad. Just a great night with all the holiday festivities.

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  2. Christin

    Charlotte

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and ambiance. The food was fresh and the flavors had a lot of depth. The pork chop was phenomenal! And we recommend trying several desserts, if you save room for something sweet.

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  3. Elizabeth

    Western NC

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent as always. The Moroccan spiced salmon was so delicious.

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  4. Tom

    Western NC

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our recent Saturday night dinner at the Purple Onion was another outstanding reminder why this space is our favorite! My friend and I shared the bolognese and the salmon special, a great bottle of wine, and fought over a blackberry crumble topped with fresh ice cream. My foodie friend declared that the "salmon is the best I've ever tasted!" The two clinchers on why we love The PO: We were greeted by my friend Chambli Stuber at the front door whose welcome smile made all the difference. Even with a great meal, we were moved by the energy of Underhill Rose - a talented group from AVL whose bright lyrics and blend of tunes made us want to forget where we parked. We chatted up singers Eleanor Underhill before the gig, and Molly Rose Reed afterwards, and found both to be enchanting and clearly professional musicians. They were backed by newbie drummer Mike and upright bassist Gary, both of whom guaranteed all the songs went of without a hitch in tempo. Clearly an exceptional evening at the PO! And - "So Saluda!"

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  5. Jon

    Nashville

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 6 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good whiskey, delicious pizza, great music from Newfound Gap!

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  6. Chuck

    Pittsburgh

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience, food and music. The server was excellent and all in all this is one of the best restaurants in WNC

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  7. Richard

    Western NC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was great, service even better. One pizza was good, just not quite what we wanted. They took it off the bill without us even asking. Will be back.

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  8. Mike

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We ate there and enjoyed a concert. Food was great and we had a great time

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  9. Dirk

    Charlotte

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had business partners visiting from out of town, and we had a great experience. Thank you!

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  10. ashley

    Western NC

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always wonderful. I had the braised pork special followed by my favorite crème brûlée

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Purple Onion offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (828) 749-1179.

The Purple Onion is rated 4.8 stars by 372 OpenTable diners.

The Purple Onion does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 14 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Purple Onion

16 Main St, Saluda, NC 28773-7700

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area
    Flat Rock
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon, Thu–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Mon 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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