Best Outdoor Dining in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective

Asheville is renowned for its cuisine and inspiring environs. It's only natural to try and join the two. You could venture out into the Blue Ridge wilds, and take your best shot with a portable griddle. Yet in my own experience (undercooked rice, eating a tomato like an apple), I find that camp-cuisine simply can not compare to the richness of Asheville’s dining institutions.

Indeed, I say the best balance of food and nature lies with the patios, the courtyards, and tables under the sun. I invite you to read on, and discover some of the best outdoor dining in Asheville.

outdoor dining in Asheville - two people sharing beer and snacks — Image from Wix

Wicked Weed Brewpub

Beer is a big deal in Asheville. With the myriad pubs, bars, and taprooms in this town, it should come as no surprise that at least one such enterprise is going to come up in any discussion of the best outdoor dining in Asheville.

Wicked Weed’s Brewpub deserves special mention thanks to its expansive street-side patio (dog-friendly, of course), and position within downtown’s South Slope, famed for its countless breweries.

Furthermore, the Orange Peel—one of Asheville’s foremost music-venues—lies just down the street. Wicked Weed’s menu consists of pub-fair, lamb, gumbo, burgers, and of course, a healthy selection of local craft beers.

If all that's got you enticed, then swing by Wicked Weed for an outdoor drink and a meal, like the locals do. Combine your visit with tickets to the Orange Peel, and you're in for one memorable night.

Hours: 11am to 11pm every day, open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

outdoor dining in Asheville - pepperoni pizza — Image from Unsplash

Mellow Mushroom

There I was, driving down the streets of shaded Savannah, when I glanced to my right, and saw a familiar sign: “Mellow Mushroom Pizza.” I commented to my compatriots that I was astonished to see such a familiar face so far south of Asheville, which I naturally took to be the birthplace of our dear Mellow 'Shroom. Imagine my astonishment when I learned that Mellow Mushroom was a national phenomenon, originating from Midtown Atlanta of all places.

Here you have a testament to how seamlessly the chain has incorporated into Asheville’s cuisino-cultural biosphere; funky and mellow.

Similarly to Wicked Weed, Mellow Mushroom hosts a street-side courtyard, but trades the South Slope for downtown’s heart, and pub faire for pizza, the crust imbued with Appalachian spring water. Take that, Midtown Atlanta.

For outdoor dining in Asheville with classic Italo-American cuisine, and easy access to downtown’s many excitements, Mellow Mushroom is my go-to choice.

Hours: 11am to 9pm every day, open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

outdoor dining in Asheville - cheers outside — Image from Wix

Universal Joint

If you find yourself in West Asheville, say on a cool Spring day, maybe with dogs in tow, and with an inexhaustible thirst for that fresh mountain air, then I've got just the place for you.

The Universal Joint is a bona-fide local favorite, a place Ashevilleans come for playoffs, for great pub fare, and for tall, cold glasses of beer. And for the dog-friendly patio, of course. It's one of the very chillest hangouts in West Asheville, and that's saying something.

I'm a personal advocate of their Steinbeck burger, with pimento cheese and bacon. Slap on a side of crispy tots, and that right there's a succulent luncheon if I've ever heard of one.

If you're visiting on the weekend, it's worth coming early to secure a seat al-fresca. Like I said, it's a popular place, typically busiest on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Hours: 11:30am to midnight every day. Open until 1am Fridays and Saturdays.

outdoor dining in Asheville - table outside — Image from Wix

Mayfel’s

Courtyards and Louisianan cuisine both hold special places in my heart. Mayfel’s rolls these two pleasures into one, with their eatery on downtown’s off-mentioned Patton Avenue.

Although their courtyard seating is seasonal, their dog-friendly, covered, street-side patio is open year-round.

Likewise, their menu offers reliable fare in the vein of jambalaya, etouffee, and po-boys, with a brunch-selection to match. For outdoor dining in Asheville with an affinity for cultured, Cajun cuisine, look no further than Mayfel’s.

Hours: 10am to 3pm Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, with an extra dinner opening from 5-9pm on Saturdays. Open from 5am to 9pm Fridays. Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

outdoor dining in Asheville - pastries and coffee — Image from Unsplash

OWL Bakery (West Asheville)

For as long as I live, breathe, and enjoy my coffee black, I believe OWL Bakery will always find its way into my musings on food. Located in West Asheville, OWL Bakery may not be very large, but it more than makes up for it in atmosphere, and sheer culinary mastery.

Here you find light faire with a French flair, plus superb drinks and deserts. My sister first introduced me to the place years ago, and it's been one of our go-to destinations for sibling symposiums ever since.

Since those long-gone days, when I first fell in love with OWL's crisp pastries and soft-boiled eggs, they've added tables set up in the back, enclosed and separated from the surrounding sidewalks, lending the area a peaceful quiet that other urban bakeries must envy.

Although not necessarily as restaurant-y as other outdoor restaurants in Asheville, NC, OWL Bakery is no culinary lightweight. In the apparent simplicity of their menu there lies a delicious depth which propels them to the top of my suggestions for outdoor dining in Asheville.

Hours: 8am to 2pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Businesses Mentioned

Wicked Weed Brewpub

(828) 575-9599

91 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

The Orange Peel

(828) 398-1837

101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Mellow Mushroom

(828) 236-9800

50 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

Universal Joint