There’s perhaps nothing more magical than sitting out on the patio and enjoying fantastic food and drinks in Asheville. The beautiful cityscape serves as the perfect backdrop for the action all around, taking your dining experience to the next level. So, if you want to get the most out of your travels, then finding the best outdoor dining is a must. Thankfully, we’re here to help. To find the ultimate outdoor dining spots in Asheville, simply use this guide.
Carmel’s Kitchen and Bar
Carmel’s Kitchen and Bar lets you chill in the heart of downtown Asheville while enjoying Southern-inspired fine dining cuisine. The tables sit all along the sidewalk out front, putting you right along Battery Park Avenue. Their Sunday Brunch draws the biggest crowds, but their everyday lunch and dinner fare is just as good. For a flavor experience to remember, go for the Classic Deviled Eggs, Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, and Pop’s Peanut Butter Pie.
Twisted Laurel
Twisted Laurel proudly serves as another hot outdoor dining spot in downtown Asheville. Their cozy patio comes complete with sunshades, live plants, and a mural. The twinkling lights create a soothing ambiance toward the evening hours as well. They’re dog friendly, too, and even have a menu built just for your canine companions. You’re welcome to stop by for drinks and dessert, but it would be a shame to miss out on their Stone Hearth Pies.
The Social Lounge
A true local classic, The Social Lounge offers an overhead view of the busy city from their rooftop bar. Although many have copied their aesthetic, they’re the first to bring this setting to Asheville. Rooftop brunch runs from 10 am to 2 pm on the weekends, but there’s never a bad time to stop by. With pizza, pasta, and many other Italian favorites on the menu, it’s easy to find something great to eat. Just don’t forget to add an award-winning handcrafted cocktail to your meal – go with the non-alcoholic Devil’s Foot Ginger Beer.
Mellow Mushroom
At the Mellow Mushroom, you can nosh on all the best pizza flavors while people-watching to your heart’s content. Their gorgeous streetside courtyard always serves as a delightful place to land, especially when you just want to watch the world go by. While kicking back and relaxing, you can munch on their signature stone-baked pizzas – or build your own. They even have gluten-free pizza pies available for those who need to skip the wheat while still having a treat.
Wicked Weed Brewpub
For handcrafted brews served in a truly comfortable setting, scoot on over to the Wicked Weed Brewpub. At their original Asheville location, they have their 15-barrel brewery setup plus a full restaurant, taproom, and bottle shop. The place to be IS their outdoor patio, however, which is built to make you feel right at home in an instant. Start your experience with Hot Boiled Peanuts and the brew of your choice, and then stick around for imaginative burgers, like the Carolina Bison Burger.
Rhubarb
With a trip into Rhubarb, you’re given the opportunity to sit in a secluded streetside dining area surrounded by hanging ferns. The soft string lighting adds to the ambiance, giving you a great spot to chill out after a long day of Asheville adventures. Come in early on the weekends for brunch or swing by on the weekdays after 5 pm for dinner. Either way, you’re going to love their ability to whip up contemporary Appalachian dishes, like Butternut Soup, Vandele Farms Pork Belly, and Wood-Fired Whole Sunburst Trout.
Mayfel’s
If you’ve always wanted to see what it’s like to frequent a Bloody Mary Bar, put Mayfel’s on your radar. Each day until 4 pm, they roll out all the fixings, so you can build up big flavor in every sip. Then, you can take it out into the courtyard to savor at your leisure. Pair your bold beverage with their N.C. Crab Cake Fritters for a flavor combination to remember. Then, get the Mayfel’s Po’Boy, Seafood Etouffee, or Chicken Creole Pasta to fill up your belly while soaking in the inviting atmosphere.
Hemingway’s Cuba
When nothing else will do but breathtaking sunset views, plan an evening visit to Hemingway’s Cuba. Their covered patio lets you gaze upon the beauty of mountain vistas all day long. Then, as the sun sets, the sky lights up in vivid hues and takes the picture-perfect scenery to even greater heights. The traditional Cuban cuisine beautifully completes the dining experience, especially if you order a classic El Cubano sandwich. Just be sure to save room for their Rum-Soaked Pound Cake plus all their signature craft cocktails.
Tupelo Honey
Set right along College Street, the outdoor dining area at Tupelo Honey gives you a front-row seat to the many festivals that land here year-round. From that vantage point, you can view all the fun and excitement while chilling with great food and drinks. You’ll be glad you have a comfy spot to relax, too, after their scratch-made Southern fare leaves you too stuffed to move. For the ultimate dining experience, start with an order of their Fried Green Tomatoes and a signature cocktail. Then, go all out with their Famous Bone-In Fried Chicken – or treat yourself to the delightful Bourbon Peppercorn Glazed Meatloaf.
Zambra
When romance is on the menu, let Zambra set the stage for a memorable night out. Every evening, they transform their breezeway into an alluring spot for dinner by rolling out the flowers, string lights, and candles. Their Mediterranean cuisine lets you nibble on tapas and sip fine wine while chatting up your date. You can then explore new culinary wonderlands together as the bright, bold flavors in every dish tantalize your tastebuds.
Each restaurant offers an altogether different outdoor dining experience, so plan to visit each one to find your favorites. If any win you over, swing back through for another visit to integrate the eatery into your Asheville travel traditions. Don’t forget to bring your family and friends along for the ride to spread the love even more.
