When nothing else will do but homecooked meals made from scratch, it’s time to head over to Moose Cafe for a bite to eat. At this Asheville favorite, you can always count on enjoying Southern favorites made to order. The chef uses traditional recipes and fresh, local ingredients from the farmer’s market to whip up each dish. Think hand-breaded fried chicken, cornbread baked in a cast iron skillet, and ultra-flavorful, slow-cooked chicken and dumplings.
Every dish comes out of the kitchen in humongous portions that fill you up fast and leave you with plenty extra for a second round later in the day. In fact, the dishes are all big enough for sharing, but once you take a bite, you might not want to. The flavors are rich and comfortable, wrapping you in the essence of authentic Southern cuisine.
Moose Cafe’s ambiance and dedication to quality service add to the overall dining experience. The space is open and airy, but the seating arrangements make it feel cozy and intimate. The décor strikes a balance between rustic charm and modern comfort, with touches of Asheville’s unique culture and history throughout. The warm lighting and gentle buzz of friendly conversation create a truly inviting atmosphere that will have you coming back for more.
The service quality will make you feel like a guest of honor as soon as you enter the café. Their staff starts every visit with a warm greeting, a genuine smile, and an eagerness to treat you to a memorable dining experience. This promises to make you feel valued and well cared for as you enjoy your meal to the fullest. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let your server know. They’ll be more than happy to accommodate your requests, whether for a drink refill or an extra helping of your favorite sides.
Dishes you cannot miss at Moose Cafe:
The Blue Ridge Breakfast
The Blue Ridge Breakfast never fails to serve as a hearty start to the day. This dish features eggs freshly made to your liking and your choice of bacon or sausage. Alongside that, you get whatever breakfast side looks good, like their famous potato casserole. The blueberry moose cake brings it all together, adding a dash of sweetness to your meal.
NC Mountain Trout
If you’d like to savor local flavors in every bite, go with the NC Mountain Trout, for sure. At the center of this meal is their locally sourced rainbow trout dusted in breading and fried to a rich golden brown. You also get their cornbread, scratch biscuits, apple butter, and two additional sides of your choice.
Biltmore Sampler
When you simply cannot choose between their country-fried steak and buttermilk fried chicken, treat yourself to the Biltmore Sampler. This meal comes with both of these decadent entrees, each smothered in their delicious country-style white pepper gravy. Three sides are included as well, ensuring you walk away stuffed full and ready for whatever the day brings.
Although you’ll likely be way too full to nosh on dessert after your meal, it’s well worth grabbing for the road. Their desserts change seasonally depending on what’s available at the farmer’s market. But you can expect delightful sweets like blackberry cobbler and strawberry shortcake. If you’d rather keep it simple, order the sweet tea with your meal and enjoy the biscuits with sweet apple butter jam as your dessert.
Insider Tips:
-Moose Cafe often offers discount tickets to nearby attractions like the Biltmore. Ask about their deals to save money on activities for the rest of the day and possibly get a discount on your entrée.
-If you want your biscuits and apple butter to be dessert, ask for them to be delivered at the end of your meal instead of as your starter.
-Weekends get super busy, so if you want a quieter dining experience, come by on a weekday instead.