Best New Restaurants in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective

Time passes without cease. You can write a monument to your hometown’s culinary excellence, but one day—inevitably— it will become dated. New restaurants open in Asheville like the rhododendrons blooms in spring. This is my dilemma.

Rather than go back and re-write the “Best Indian Restaurants in Asheville,” or what have you, every time a new restaurant rises to the top, I’ve engineered an ingenious solution. I’ve chosen lumping over splitting. Aggregation over separation.

In short, I’m shouting out the most fascinating restaurants in Asheville that’ve opened in the past six months or so, and hoping you get as excited about them as I am.

Image from Wix

1: Huli Sue’s BBQ and Grill

This entry caught my eye on one cold downtown afternoon. Wandering as I do, I passed by the Grove Arcade and noticed a sign for Hawaiian barbecue. “That wasn’t there before,” I said to myself. Indeed, it was not there before.

If you’ve come to Asheville to sample the local BBQ, you’ve got to put this place on your list. Huli-marinated chicken, beer battered shrimp, and “Loco Moco" (Your choice of meat with French onion gravy and an over easy egg) stand out alongside their more traditional BBQ fare, such as pulled pork sandwiches and ground brisket burgers . Pair your meal with a tropical cocktail and/or a thick slice of lilikoi cheesecake for added delight.

Hours: Thursday through Monday, noon to 8pm. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Image from Wix

2: Early Girl South

At long last, south Asheville has come to enjoy the breakfast-y delights that Early Girl has long provided to west Asheville and downtown. Those who know me know I love my breakfast, and Early Girl serves it all day, every day.

But we’re not just talking about any old breakfast here. We’re talking about farm-to-table Southern breakfast. Biscuit French toast, fried chicken and waffles, buttermilk pancakes and twelve-hour slow-roasted pork. Yes, slow roasted pork is a breakfast food. Welcome to the South.

Hours: 8am to 3pm, every day.

Image from Unsplash

3: Little Chango

This self-described “casual Hispanic kitchen” serves up quality arepas in the famous South Slope brewing district, where you can find some of the best beer in Asheville. Personally, when I’m hankering for a night on the town with my coolest compatriots, I figure a few arepas make the perfect opening.

You can get them with ropa vieja, pork shoulder, chorizo, or pepiada. You can get them with a side of tostones, mamposteao, amarillos, or my favorite: yuca fries. South Slope, watch out.

Hours: 11:30am to 8pm, Tuesday through Thursday. Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Visit before 3:30pm for a special deal on “lonchera,” served with rice and beans, escabeche salad, and pickled cabbage.

Image from Wix

4: Baby Bull

Nestled up in the northern end of the River Arts District, this offshoot of Bull & Beggar serves sophisticated burgers in a casual atmosphere. Their double cheeseburger might be familiar to you, but once you get into lobster rolls with fire roasted green chilies, pressed pork on Spanish style buns, and vada pav with tamarind chutney, you know you’re in some serious foodie territory.

Take your meal to their outside seating and enjoy the fair weather of one of Asheville’s most iconic districts. Even better: on their "Burger Mondays" you can get a burger, fries, and a beer (or soda) for only $16.

Hours: Noon to 9pm, closes at 8pm on Sundays. Closed on Tuesdays.

Businesses Mentioned

Huli Sue's BBQ and Grill (828)-505-0397

1 Page Ave SUITE 150, Asheville, NC 28801

Early Girl Eatery (South)

(828)-259-9292

1378 Hendersonville Rd Suite A, Asheville, NC 28803

Little Chango

134 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Baby Bull

1 Roberts St, Asheville, NC 28801