Best Restaurants in Downtown Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian W.
- Jul 18, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 22
The wheel of time turns, and once again I have the privilege to delve into one of my favorite subjects: the best restaurants in downtown Asheville. "Best,” can be a hard thing to put your finger on, especially in a city such as my hometown, burgeoning with exemplary restaurants of every stripe.
It’s a wide subject, which I have stabbed at before, mainly focusing on Patton Avenue, on the western wing of downtown. But today’s stabbings take us far and wide, to tour some of the most salivating new restaurants, old restaurants, and altogether best-in-class performances in one of the foodiest cities of the entire Southeast.
So, if that whets your appetite, read on and discover five of the best restaurants in downtown Asheville.
I was first acquainted with Itto through a hard-boiled egg, soaked at length in the savory broth of their classic chasu pork ramen. It was love at first sight. Or rather, first taste.
In any case, rest assured that this commendation comes from a man who adores ramen as much as any other broke college student. I know my ramen. I know the bad ramen and the good ramen. And through Itto, I have been acquainted with greatness.
Even so, if I merely stuck to the first half of their repertoire (Itto Ramen), I would have sorely missed out on the second (Japanese Tapas). Now, whenever I venture down to this excellent downtown eatery, I am torn by the choice. Noodles bathed in black garlic oil, or gyoza with chicken katsu? Curry ramen, or—my tapa of choice—thinly slice yellowtail dressed with jalapeno?
It’s a wonderful conundrum to have, and I hope, with a visit to Itto, you will have it too. On top of all that, their three locations, spread across Asheville’s width and breadth, make it easy to enjoy Itto’s delicacies even if you can’t make it to downtown.
Hours: For their downtown location: 11:30am-10pm, Sunday through Thursday. 11am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
This one I covered way back among the best rooftop bars in Asheville, and to this day, it's holding that title strong.
For best results, try to get a table her on a weekday, aiming to secure a position on their much-coveted patio, all the way up on the fourth floor of the Cambria Hotel. From here, you've got just not a stellar view of downtown, but the sweeping expanse of the mountains far beyond. It's one heck of a sight.
And that's not even getting started on the food. From ceviche to ropa vieja, the menu here covers all the best-in-class favorites of Latin cuisine, including, of course, a dynamite Cuban sandwich. As strange it might sound, I'm especially fond of the rice they serve here. It's only a side dish, but you can tell they put an extra sprinkling of something special in there. It's this kind of attention to detail that makes the difference between a good restaurant, and the great.
Hours: Brunch is served 7am to 10am, Monday through Friday, and until 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner served 5pm to 9pm Wednesday to Sunday, and as late as 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
I recall when I first mentioned S&W market here on the blog, back when it was shiny and new. Hard to believe that it’s already been a couple years.
Time moves fast, and some say if we don’t move fast enough, we are destined to become dusty old relics—like lamps or what have you—sold for $2.99 to an eccentric collector at your grandmother’s yard sale. Some people really say that.
Anyways, downtown Asheville’s S&W Market, situated in a historic art-deco building originally opened as a cafeteria in 1929, has swiftly mellowed into a local landmark, both for navigating the streets, and navigating Asheville’s food-scene.
From gourmet hot dogs to Thai steamed buns, from Peruvian fusion to local craft beer, the vendors of S&W Market span the spectrum of many culinary traditions. Plus, many of them are offshoots of a larger location, offering direction for your future dining adventures. Finish off your visit to S&W with some local ice cream, courtesy of the Hop, and you have yourself one of the best eateries in Asheville.
Hours: 9am to 8pm, every day of the week.
When I write about the best restaurants in Asheville, I try to cover a few places for every location. Itto makes a great generalist, Hemingway's for a romantic date night, and S&W for a casual lunch.
Now Posana, here, is your prime spot for a truly special occasion. From the ambiance to the first-rate service, to their award-winning wine selection, everything here breathes class.
Their menu is proud to serve farm-to-table recipes, with an emphasis on ingredients sourced from right here in the mountains. As with many restaurants of this kind, their menu changes often, but to give you an idea of what's on offer this summer: sweet corn hushpuppies, forest-cultivated mushrooms, and cherry smoked pork belly with blackberry-sorghum glaze.
And that's not even leaving the appetizer section, folks. When it comes to the main course, Posana is the perfect place to indulge in a little New York strip, pan-seared salmon, or braised short rib. And let's not forgotten some hot honey cheddar biscuits for the table.
As a savvy reader may surmise at this point, reservations are recommended.
Hours: 5pm to 9pm. Open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Now we come to the inspiration for this week’s entry: Café Bomba. Sitting smack-dab in the center of downtown, I can’t believe how many times I’ve walked by this worthy café without sparing it a second thought.
They may not have many tables, but those that they do have are worth the squeeze, with a shaded patio offering unapparelled people-watching right in downtown’s beating heart. But when it comes to restaurants, I account for food before location, and when a menu begins with “brunch all day,” they do have me intrigued.
At Café Bomba, you can expect plates piled high with house chorizo, fried eggs, fresh fruit, and sophisticated flavor-combinations that join the best parts of breakfast with Latin American fare.
It’s quickly become one of my favorite cafes in downtown Asheville. I count the days until my next visit.
Hours: 8am to 3pm. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
If this little roundup has whetted your appetite for a trip to Asheville, then all that's left is to find a place to stay.
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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
Itto Ramen & Japanese Tapas (Downtown)
(828)-552-3288
3 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas (West)
(828)-505-0860
630 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Itto Ramen (South)
(828)-676-0558
335 Airport Rd #300, Arden, NC 28704
Hemingway's Cuba
(828)-417-6866
15 Page Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
S&W Market
(828)-575-5236
56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Posana (Downtown)
(828)-505-3969
1 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Café Bomba
(828)-254-0209
#1 SW, N Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
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