Asheville’s Recognition

Located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is generating nationwide buzz due to its innovative culinary scene, earning the No. 1 spot in Yelp’s newly released top cities for foodies survey, a title it also held in 2020.

Blending the delicious flavors of the American South with traditional Appalachian fare, Asheville offers a unique food scene that transitions from mountain to urban creativity. A representative from Yelp highlighted this diversity in a recent release.

A Glimpse into the Culinary Scene

The culinary culture in Asheville is praised not just for its diversity but also for the stories that add depth to its dining experiences. Among the venues making an impression are some downtown hotspots.

Noteworthy Restaurants

• Cúrate – A Spanish restaurant known for its lamb skewers and fried eggplant, recently recognized with the James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality.
• Chestnut – Co-owned by Joe Scully and Kevin Westmoreland, this Southern American fusion eatery is celebrated for its handcrafted dishes, surpassing expectations from lobster bisque to sorbet.
• Funkatorium – Located in the South Slope Brewing District offering a unique sour beer taproom.
• Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive – A southern barbecue joint, serving recipes from owner Dave McFarland’s grandparents.

Emerging Culinary Flavors

Several new establishments are also amplifying Asheville’s culinary reputation. The cozy eatery Chai Pani, won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant this year. Meanwhile, Top Chef’s Ashleigh Shanti is set to open Good Hot Fish, which will feature her signature seafood dishes.

Additionally, the city proudly welcomes its first Filipinx restaurant, Neng Jr’s, focusing on innovative takes on traditional Filipino fare. The ongoing transformation of the Tastee Diner into a chic new eatery is another highlight, reflecting the dynamic nature of Asheville’s food scene.

Foodtopia

Asheville affectionately refers to its culinary landscape as Foodtopia, a vibrant community of culinary innovators crafting experiences that nurture the soul. For food enthusiasts in search of their next gastronomic adventure, now is the perfect time to plan a visit to this emerging culinary hub.

To explore more about Asheville’s top food cities as determined by Yelp’s Data Science team, check out the full list of top U.S. food cities here.