Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Asheville / Western North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Asheville / Western North Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mehfil

4.9

4.9 (632)

$30 and under

Indian

Asheville

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of downtown Asheville, decorated with carvings, and statues imported from India. Mëhfil brings you authentic Indian food in a beautifully relaxed atmosphere.
Come enjoy a casual meal with friends or a celebration with your loved ones. Either way, you'll be taken care of by our knowledgeable and friendly team. We take pride in what we serve and how we serve it - Good Food and Great Service. We also offer takeout, delivery, catering and in Jul 2023 we have added Mow, Mehfil on Wheels, a food truck serving Mehfil food. Mow is a regular at the local breweries and can even come in to your neighborhood. Our signature dishes include the lamb chops, goat curry, deluxe mixed grill-an assortment of lamb and chicken seekh kebab, tandoori shrimp and lamb chops. No one does the tandoor as good us and our awards are testimony to that.

*FOR PARTIES OF 9 OR MORE, PLEASE CONTACT THE RESTAURANT DIRECTLY, HAVE A CREDIT CARD READY WHEN CALLING TO SET THE DEPOSIT*

Top review

MaryVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food was great and the service outstanding Sara was wonderful. Would go again.

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4.8

4.8 (438)

$30 and under

American

Flat Rock

About the restaurant

**To purchase tickets, reserve one of our experiences, please see the options listed below.** Established in 1998 by Susan and her husband Stoney Lamar, The Purple Onion was conceived as a 'third place' in Saluda, a neutral spot for friends and family to enjoy great food, engaging conversation, and live music. This vision flourished with a dedicated staff and supportive community. In 2020 the legacy was passed to Chambli Stuber and Emily Lamar, who continue to honor its tradition and role in the community, celebrating over two decades of service. Situated in historic Saluda, The Purple Onion boasts outdoor dining and live music on Thursday and Saturday nights. The Purple Onion features a variety of ethnically inspired dishes with an emphasis on the Mediterranean’s simple and healthy cuisine. We offer a selection of pizzas, pastas, seafood, vegetarian and meat dishes. Specialties include locally sourced trout and organic produce, along with antibiotic and hormone-free meats and poultry.

Top review

Pam

Dined 4 days ago

Always love it there!! The Rachel is my fav!!! Ribeye with blue cheese was delicious 💕 Girls that work there always so sweet !!

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Experience

Brian Ashley Jones & Melanie Jean

Experience

Admiral Radio

Experience

Angela Easterling & Brandon Turner

Little D's

4.8

4.8 (514)

$30 and under

American

Asheville

About the restaurant

Executive Chef Owen McGlynn
Chef de Cuisine Faith Hall

COOK WITH INTENTION
We’re all about cooking with intention and purposeful ingredients to deliver a depth of flavor. Slowing down to do something well makes the enjoyment of great food and good conversation that much better.
EAT WITH THE SEASONS
Our food is straightforward and authentic. Our sharable plates change seasonally as we celebrate locally‐sourced produce at its prime. Seasonal eating is a delicious and sustainable way to support your local food purveyors and enjoy both recognizable flavors, as well as the unexpected.
YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS
We hope to be that third place for you to gather and catch up over a delicious meal and craft cocktails.
Owned and operated by the friendly and energetic couple, Owen and Mindi McGlynn of Asheville Proper, they wanted to create an inviting and easygoing space just for locals, located in North Asheville, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown life.

Top review

CarolVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always great food and service. Thanks this time to Jay and the kitchen.

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Pan Roasted Duck Breast

Basil's

4.8

4.8 (22)

$30 and under

American

Boone

About the restaurant

Fresh pasta, no bologna! Sandwiches, soups, salads, and scratch made pasta at lunch. More pasta at night with other entree options. 20 taps of craft beer, full bar, constantly changing wine selection thanks to our Wednesday night tastings.

Chef Scott Ottinger brings his years of experience to our changing menu, offering pasta as well as interesting entree and salad options.

Tuesday nights feature trivia as well as half priced glasses of wine. Wednesdays feature free wine tastings from 5:30-7:30. Drop by between 5:30-7:30 to taste! Weekends often feature pairing menus on Fridays/Saturdays, with Sunday brunch weekly from 11-3. We hope to see you!

Top review

Laurie

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

very friendly & attentive service, delicous food, would recommend

Glass Onion - Weaverville, NC

4.7

4.7 (2753)

$31 to $50

Italian

Asheville

About the restaurant

Located in quaint downtown Weaverville, a short drive north of Asheville.
Glass Onion serves New American & Northern Italian fare simply prepared using mostly local, organic & sustainable products from area farmers & vendors.
Open for Dine-in Wednesday - Sunday evenings.
Hours: Wed, Thurs & Sun 4:30-8pm.
Friday & Saturday 4:30-8:30pm.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food and service! everything came out in appropriate timing.

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad

Popular dish

Rigatoni w Braised Wild Boar Bolognese

Maggie Valley Club

4.6

4.6 (108)

$30 and under

American

Maggie Valley

About the restaurant

The Pin High Bar & Grille at Maggie Valley Club offers a casual, serene ambience designed to make everyone feel comfortable, from golfers to families and friends. Enjoy a large-screen television and fireplace inside while taking in all that our fully stocked bar has to offer. Or enjoy the breathtaking views of the first tee outside on the restaurant’s covered veranda. This kind of dining treatment is what you’d expect from a western North Carolina golf club, and it’s exactly what we deliver to you.

As far as the actual dining experience in the Pin High, we know you won’t be disappointed. We support local farmers and use the freshest ingredients in our meal production, and you may enjoy these menu items from the lounge or in a private dining room if you’re celebrating with a large party.

Friday & Saturday are currently the only nights that we are serving dinner, but we also happily book private events at our beautiful property.

Top review

Peter

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food, fast service, very reasonable prices, nice view from outside patio. What more could you want?

The Stubborn Bull at Mill Creek

4.6

4.6 (494)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Highlands / Sapphire

About the restaurant

Don't see a time you're looking for?
Contact us directly at 828-200-0813
_____________________________________

Inspired by Mediterranean Spanish and South American influences, we are cooking up rustic tapas, or small savory dishes, in a modern environment.

Here at Stubborn Seeds, our menu is created in the spirit of gathering and sharing. We encourage everyone to try a variety of our small plates. Tapas come to the table as they are prepared, so relax and enjoy a social dining experience. Engage with all your senses and enjoy every bite!

Top review

Marcie

Dined 6 days ago

The tapas we had was really good. We loved the calamari, the crispy potatoes, the watermelon salad and the beet salad. The 3 scallops were ridiculous for the entree price and likewise the Paella. $68 for two and it barely would feed one person who was hungry. And honestly it wasn’t very good. So that is a no go in the future. We will come back for the apps though. Also just FYI, the kitchen is not flexible. They make what they make and do not allow any room to modify for allergies or sensitivities. Our server was Nate. Or misogynistic Nate as my husband started calling him lol He was very warm and helpful to my husband. Short, curt and impatient when it came to me. The difference was astonishing. My husband noticed it right away and asked me if it was evident to me. I said, “Of course, but we women are sadly used to it”. Naturally, I was paying the bill that night and while I did leave 20% I didn’t want to. I did tell the manager to get Nate some training but I am not sure the manager (a male) cared either. That kind of thing flows from the top down. Anyway, go for the tapas (they are good sizes) and ignore the entree.

Rye Knot

4.4

4.4 (76)

$30 and under

American

Asheville

About the restaurant

Rye Knot is the first restaurant in North Carolina to brew its own beer and distill its own spirits. We serve outstanding plated pub fare. Our top sellers are Dry Aged steaks, fish and chips, burgers, smoked meatloaf, Reubens and Shaved Ribeye Sammies. Chef Ben Dunbar is a master cook whom delivers exquisite cuisine in both variety and presentation. Our bar has a dozen large screen televisions. We have plenty of outdoor seating. We also offer several gluten free and vegetarian options. Rye Knot is a neighborhood joint. Come join us...Rye Knot?

Top review

MauriceVIP

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Very laid back and casual. Best Reuben I have had in years.

Twisted Laurel Downtown

4.3

4.3 (1122)

$30 and under

American

Asheville

About the restaurant

Twisted Laurel Downtown Asheville!

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

It was a nice place to have dinner meeting friends

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Popular dish

BBQ Salmon

Popular dish

Crispy Brussel Sprouts

Popular dish

Crispy Brussel Sprouts VG

The FIX Restaurant Bar and Lounge

4.3

4.3 (21)

$30 and under

American

Cashiers

About the restaurant

Founded by Country Artist Erica Nicole, The FIX Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, is an upscale American sports bar and event space for everyday dining or special occasions

Top review

John

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Decided to try The Fix while staying in Cashiers. They were pretty busy so it took a while to get all of our food but that was ok and the waiter was really nice and let us know updates. The appetizers were great, especially the onions with sapphire white sauce. I had the burger, ordered it medium and it was charred on the outside and very well done on the inside. Wasn’t too happy about that but also didn’t send it back due to how long it took to receive food initially. The rest of the fam thoroughly enjoyed their meals.

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