The Rhu offers breakfast, lunch or take-out picnics and is one of Asheville’s more popular spots to relax or to do a bit of work while you are on the move. The smell of fresh-baked goods lures you to their door even before you pass the restaurant. The restaurant features dining upstairs and downstairs. Enjoy a cup of coffee and something to eat while you take in the beautiful view of Church St. The restaurant is spacious so you don’t feel like you have to whisper so as to have a private conversation.
Enjoy a wide variety of specialty coffees and teas with flaky pastries if you are not ready for a full lunch or if you are at The Rhu for breakfast or brunch. All of The Rhu’s pastries are fresh-baked each day. The rosemary sticky buns feature the perfect combination of savory and sweet and are great for those who want something that is not overly sweet.
If you prefer to eat out, order a picnic basket. Choose the Brunch Basket, Farmer’s Market Basket, Ploughman’s Basket, French Countryside Basket or the Sandwich and Salad Basket. Because the baskets are reusable, the restaurant does charge a deposit on them to ensure the baskets are returned.
In addition to the restaurant, you are able to purchase artisan goods at The Rhu, including handcrafted cutting boards that are made locally and house-made Levain and Looking Glass Creamery fromage blanc. Suppliers of the cafe’s gifts include Allegheny Treeware, Spinning Spider Creamery, Hazelwood Soap Co., Lusty Monk Mustard, Bourbon Barrel Foods, Outer Banks Sea Salt, cookbooks, crafts and Big Spoon Roasters.
A few of our menu favorites at The Rhu in Asheville include:
Bagel
Enjoy one of The Rhu’s chewy bagels with your choice of topping including Imladris jam, big spoon peanut butter, peanut butter and jam, Nutella and sea salt, Ricotta cheese, Looking Glass Fromage Blanc, pimento cheese or cream cheese.
Cheese toast
Start your day with the mouth-watering cheese toast with your choice of Ashe County cheddar or gouda.
Toad-in-the-Hole
If you need a bit more substance for your day but don’t want something that is heavy, enjoy this twist on a favorite classic. The Toad-in-the-Hole is made with sweet potato-bacon brioche an a farm fresh egg. Toad-in-the-Hole is served with a field green salad.
Chicken or Egg Salad Sandwiches
Choose from chicken or egg salad sandwiches for a light lunch. The Rhu’s sandwiches are all delicious made made out of fresh-made house bread.
House-made ham sandwich
Get ready for a new version of an old standard. The Rhu’s ham sandwich is made with Ashe County cheddar, Lusty Monk mustard or Duke’s mayonnaise served with bread and butter pickles.
Brunch Basket
The brunch basket is just one of The Rhu’s picnic basket. When you order the brunch basket, you’ll get sweet or savory scones, seasonal fruit gallette, doughnuts, bagels with cream cheese and sunburst smoked trout, sticky buns, cruze buttermilk biscuits with cultured butter, imladris jam and Benton’s proscuitto croixette, and yogurt with house-made granola and seasonal fruit.
Add a fresh cup of soup or salad to a sandwich for a full meal. All of the menu choices feature fresh ingredients and are made to order ensuring a tasty and fresh dining experience.
Insider Tips
-If you are taking a working lunch, The Rhu is the perfect place to bring your laptop. You’ll find plenty of outlets in the second floor dining area so you won’t have to worry about running your battery down.
-Don’t want to pay the deposit for a picnic basket? Just ask for a disposable picnic basket.
-The sister restaurant (same chef John Fleer) is sometimes difficult to get reservations at. If you want reservations at the Rhubarb, ask the staff and they will call and set up reservations for you.