Best Delis in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian W.
- Jun 29, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 26
If you’re a longtime reader of Asheville Cottages, then you know talking about my hometown’s most tantalizing restaurants is one of my favorite activities. I’m more than drawn to it. I'm compelled. Sometimes I snag people off the street and shout: “Would you like to know about a great place for chopped brisket with awesome flavor and reasonable prices?!”
Usually they run away, but sometimes, to my satisfaction, they stay and listen. I’m here to help, after all. But in my fervor for highfalutin delicacies sometimes I overlook the simpler parts of Asheville’s food scene. That down-to-earth, heart-warming fare that keeps us all going in fine health and finer spirits.
Take the humble sandwich, for instance. They’re often overlooked, but with the right selection of cold cuts and condiments, you’ve got yourself a lunchtime delight, perfect for an intermission in your exploration of downtown Asheville, or to wrap-up and take on a hike. What follows are the hottest places in town to grab yourself some sandwiches, in other words, the five best delis in Asheville.
Situated in Biltmore Park, south Asheville’s premier shopping and dining district, if you visit on the right day of the week and you may witness a man here wolfing down a sandwich and dark roast coffee with all the gusto of a hunger-crazed castaway.
That man is me, and that sandwich a muffuletta, a bacon-egg-and-cheese, or any one of their exciting weekly specials. Pair it with a prime pick from their pastry cabinet, and you’ll be more than ready to take on the day.
It’s a no-frills kind of place. They do sandwiches and they do them right, plus salads, breakfast bowls, and invigorating smoothies, perfect for an afternoon snack. Combine all that with fast and friendly service and you can see why Mosaic is one of the best delis in Asheville, especially among south Asheville locals.
Hours: 7am to 3pm, Mondays through Fridays. Opens late at 8am on Saturdays, 9am to 2pm on Sundays.
A longstanding staple among downtown eateries, Roman’s Deli is strategically situated just down the street from Harrah’s Cherokee Center and Malaprop’s Bookstore, with the Grove Arcade standing another five or so minutes away by foot. That’s to say: Roman’s makes for a convenient stop between visiting some of downtown Asheville’s foremost spots for shopping, site-seeing, and general entertainment.
And what’ll you find here? Well, nothing less than a selection of grass-fed local beef burgers, hot pressed paninis, and South Slope beer, all of which won Roman’s a spot among the twelve best delis in all of North Carolina. If you find yourself downtown, during your visit to Asheville I highly recommend stopping in and seeing for yourself.
Hours: 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday through Friday. Closed Saturdays, and Sundays.
Sticking around downtown, Asheville Forager brings the age old grocer-and-deli concept to placid Wall Street, just a block south of the Grove Arcade.
This place is truly a jack-of-all-trades. They've got fresh produce, they've got grab-and-go-meals. They've got baked delicacies ranging from kolachis to sweet potato pies to their signature Forager butterhorns.
And of course, here at Forager they're serving made-to-order sandwiches with organic deli-cuts laid out on their house-made rolls which can be enjoyed right on the spot, or taken to go as you explore the rest of downtown.
It's swiftly become a local favorite, just perfect for furnishing a picnic as for grabbing a casual lunch. And if you ever find yourself stranded and in-need of on-demand lettuce and chicken stock (we've all been there) they also offer grocery delivery and pick-up.
Hours: Breakfast served 8am to 10:30am, weeklong. Deli in operation from 10:30am to 6pm.
Located down Sweeten Creek Road from Biltmore Village, not far from great antiquing further north along Swannanoa River Road, not to mention the famous Biltmore Estate, Old School Subs prides itself on house-made rolls, and locally sourced ingredients, much of it coming from one of Asheville’s awesome farmer’s markets. Combine that with reasonable prices and subs stacked high with some of the finest meats in town, and you can see why I consider this place one of the best delis in Asheville.
But keep in mind the secret is out on this one. Come lunchtime it’s a hotspot for hungry locals. My recommendation is to order ahead, take it to-go, and enjoying your Old School sub picnic-style, off the Parkway.
Hours: 11am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Closes at 3pm on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays.
Too many times I've seen a t local hotspot hit by hard times, forced to shutter its doors. But sometimes, if we're lucky, these restaurants are not forgotten by time, but are brought back from the dead, resurrected by their hard-working owners, returned to serve the people of Asheville once more.
Such is the case of Zella's deli. Once a downtown landmark, this killer New-York style deli has reopened in east Asheville, not too far away, in fact, from the WNC Nature Center.
On the menu they've got all the Big Apple favorites: pastrami on rye, corn beef, reubens, and one of my personal favorites, the bagel and lox. If you're looking for a true local favorite while you're out in east Asheville, then Zella's deli is the place to be.
Hours: 11am to 4pm, every day of the week.
If you're hankering for some local Asheville delicacies, then I reckon you'll want a locally-owned place to stay as well.
Asheville Cottages lies just a short drive away downtown (the epicenter of our deli raze), making it a top-pick both for seeing the city's sites, as well as exploring the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway.
Our luxury cabins offer top-of-the-line private accommodations, featuring full kitchens, hot tubs, grilles, and even heated bathroom floors.
Book a stay yourself and see just why Asheville Cottages is rated number one on trip advisor, with plenty of five-star reviews.
Businesses Mentioned
Mosaic Café
(828)-676-2446
1 Town Square Blvd Suite 150, Asheville, NC 28803
Roman's Deli & Catering
(828)-505-1552
75 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Asheville Forager
(828)-617-1387
35 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801
Old School Subs & Deli
(828)-277-7750
55 Sweeten Creek Rd #131, Asheville, NC 28803
Zella's Deli
(828)-505-8455
611 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
