If you’re on the hunt for Mediterranean cuisine in the Asheville area, you can’t go wrong with Twisted Laurel Eatery and Lounge. Established in 2014, the beloved restaurant serves European-inspired comfort food with an American twist.
Currently, the Twisted Laurel chain has multiple locations throughout the Asheville area, including one in nearby Weaverville. The College Street location in downtown Asheville maintains limited hours compared to the other restaurants — it’s only open for a few hours on Saturday and not at all on Sunday. Still, it’s worth visiting during the week. Its convenient location makes it a perfect stop before or after checking out Asheville’s finest attractions.
Twisted Laurel’s College Street location features a chill atmosphere — perfect for kicking back after a stressful day at work or, for tourists, a busy day of sightseeing. The indoor area feels open and airy, but when the weather cooperates, the patio is the place to be.
Visitors with dietary restrictions adore Twisted Laurel because it offers what many restaurants lack: variety. Vegetarian dishes abound; favorites include veggie burgers and spinach lasagna. Vegans see more limitations, as most vegetarian items feature feta cheese or labneh (Greek yogurt).
The gluten-free community appreciates Twisted Laurel’s accommodating menu. A few starters and entrees are gluten-free, and others offer options for substitution.
Arrive hungry; Twisted Laurel serves sizable portions. The mouthwatering starters are certainly worth ordering, but if you select both an appetizer and an entree, you’ll go home with at least half of your meal. Keep in mind that, while several meals are large enough to split, Twisted Laurel assesses a small charge for extra plates.
Like many Asheville establishments, Twisted Laurel boasts an excellent selection of beers on tap. Sidle up to the bar for a local brew, a glass of wine, or a cocktail. Drinks aren’t necessarily the main attraction, but they complement Twisted Laurel’s culinary offerings nicely.
Visitors are complimentary of Twisted Laurel’s attentive service. Waitstaff check in regularly but never seem pushy. The restaurant’s knowledgeable employees are always happy to make honest recommendations based on visitors’ preferences.
A few of our favorite menu items include:
Kalamarakia
Begin your Twisted Laurel culinary adventure with a daring starter: deep-fried calamari with banana peppers, lemons, and marinara sauce. Don’t worry about excessive breading; Twisted Laurel get the balance just right so you can enjoy enticing squid and lemon flavors.
Greek Platter
Enjoy marinated chicken or lamb alongside tzatziki sauce, pita bread, and a refreshing Greek salad. Perfectly seasoned, both the lamb and chicken are flavorful and juicy — never dry.
Greek Style Carolina Bison Burger
This locally sourced burger is sure to delight. Grilled to your preferred temperature, the burger features a medley of vegetables, including spinach, onion, tomato, and cucumber. Feta cheese and tzatziki sauce complete the burger, which is served with fries or house chips.
Aspry Pizza
A unique take on the white pizza concept, this version does not contain sauce. It does, however, include plenty of mozzarella and feta cheese, plus tomatoes, spinach, and garlic.
Yia Yia’s Best Spanakopita
If you’ve never tried spanakopita, here’s your opportunity. Its name (yia yia translates to ‘grandma’ in Greek) evokes the ultimate in Mediterranean comfort food. The dish consists of feta cheese and spinach, layered with traditional phyllo dough. Spinach isn’t your only source of veggies; Twisted Laurel’s take on spanakopita comes with a Greek salad.
Experience unique flavor profiles at a revolutionary Asheville restaurant that combines classic Greek and American fare to great effect. Whether your idea of the perfect meal includes battered and fried favorites or Greek spices, you’ll leave Twisted Laurel feeling satisfied, yet eager for a return visit.
Insider Tips
Looking for a place to dine with Fido? Look no further than Twisted Laurel, which boasts a dog-friendly patio. Not only are dogs allowed, they’re embraced with open arms. The restaurant even offers a menu exclusively designed for furry guests, complete with pitas, sweet potatoes, and even doggy ice cream.