Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Asheville / Western North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Ukiah

4.9

4.9 (1849)

$31 to $50

Asian

Asheville

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, where Japanese Soul Food meets American BBQ by James Beard Nominated Chef Michael Lewis. “Japanese Smokehouse” is defined as merging Japanese ingredients and flavors with American BBQ techniques, and everything in between.

Menu highlights include light and refreshing dishes such as Wagyu Tataki with house kimchee, yuzu kosho and savory soy or Tuna Takaki with fire roasted peppers + ponzu, to bolder flavors such as Smoked Pastrami Short Rib with toasted rye, fire roasted kimchi + yuzu pickles. We are currently open 7 days a week.

Please note, our dining room consists of booths, regular tables and high-tops. We will try our best to accommodate you at your prefer location, but sometimes it is not possible due to party size. Our outdoor tables can be requested but not guaranteed when booking on open table.

Top review

Jesse

Dined 4 days ago

Yellow tail was like melting butter. Pork on sticks mmmm. Ramen just delicious. We had 5 people and about 10 dishes did it. Outdoor seating had a nice fire going close by. Good selection of saki and knowledgeable staff. Great experience.

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Popular dish

Coconut Cake

Popular dish

Pork + Shitake Mushroom Gyoza

Popular dish

Japanese Sweet Potato

The Purple Onion

4.8

4.8 (423)

$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

Jim

Dined 2 days ago

Love the Purple Onion! Good food! Good atmosphere! Good people!

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Experience

Hannah and The Wistfuls

The BEACON Butcher Bar

4.8

4.8 (650)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Boone

About the restaurant

The Beacon Butcher Bar is a labor of love from Tina Houston, owner of Reid’s Café & Catering Co., established here in the High Country since 1999. The Beacon is located in the heart of Boone, NC adjacent to the iconic Water Wheel. Just as we value beautiful ingredients in our catering, The Beacon adheres to a similar message.

In the kitchen, we value the fashion from scratch details as small as the aiolis and dressings we use, to the housemade desserts and pastries, cured and smoked meats, and naturally fermented pickles. Behind the bar, we strive for innovation and discovery from our unique and inspiring cocktails. We work within the seasons of the Blue Ridge to present a deliberate and thoughtful menu. We love the intentional, the specific, the well-cared-for.

Respectively, our market offers a unique selection of local goods and treats. From our featured cloister honey to housemade single origin chocolates, we present the craft and exceptionality of local, artisanal talent.

Top review

Raymond

Dined on May 8, 2025

This is a solid little place, excellent food and staff.

The Restaurant at the Embers

4.8

4.8 (218)

$31 to $50

American

Blowing Rock

About the restaurant

Executive Chef Matthew Betlach inspired menu. Locally sourced farm to table experience keeping in mind seasonal options when at all possible. Served in the heart of the "Embers Hotel" fireside. Outdoor Terrace dining available seasonally.

Top review

steve

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding!!! We love Embers! Our new fav in BR!

Wildwood Still

4.6

4.6 (40)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Asheville

About the restaurant

A Rooftop Bar Experience. For serious whiskey enthusiasts, the whiskey-curious, and the whiskey-indifferent.

Introducing Wildwood Still, a rooftop bar experience in the heart of downtown Asheville atop the Moxy Asheville Hotel. We don’t just serve exceptionally good spirits. We’re always in good spirits, too. The down-to-earth humans behind our bar and barrels are genuinely happy to serve you — and they’re always up for going down the whiskey rabbit hole with you.

For parties of 7 or more, please email us at hello@wildwoodstill.com

Top review

Andrea

Dined 5 days ago

The atmosphere is very nice. The view of the mountains are beautiful. The weather was great and they had the windows and doors open. Food was great. We had oysters to start. Then mushrooms, kale salad, ribs and smash burger for dinner. Everything was perfect!

Tupelo Honey - Downtown Asheville

4.5

4.5 (5931)

$30 and under

Contemporary Southern

Asheville

About the restaurant

We are in OpenTable's Top 100 Places to Brunch in America!
At Tupelo Honey, we create breakfasts, brunches, lunches and suppers that invite you to put on your Sunday’s best and gather around the table for gracious and delicious Southern food. This original, flagship location boasts over 20 years of delighting diners and providing a high energy environment that is synonymous the Asheville community.
Reservations highly recommended.

Top review

Anne-MarieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent service with friendly and welcoming staff. Great food.

Twisted Laurel Downtown

4.5

4.5 (1117)

$30 and under

American

Asheville

About the restaurant

Twisted Laurel Downtown Asheville!

Top review

Deana

Dined on May 14, 2025

Brussel sprouts and chocolate crème brûlée were outstanding!

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Popular dish

BBQ Salmon

Popular dish

Crispy Brussel Sprouts

Popular dish

Crispy Brussel Sprouts VG

Wicked Weed Brewpub - Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

4.5

4.5 (803)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Cherokee

About the restaurant

An Asheville favorite since 2012, Wicked Weed can now be enjoyed at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort - via the Wicked Weed Brewpub.

Located on the second floor of the casino next to the events center, our Brewpub offers 18 beers on tap and 14 bottled beers. Chef Kayla Snipes creates beer-inspired delicacies like Wicked Nachos with Pernicious Beer cheese sauce, cheese curds, and smoked bacon; house-made Pimento Cheese Dip with jumbo Pretzel; or you can pair the West Coast IPA with our Double Smash Burger.

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

Brisket stuffed bacon wrapped jalapeños are the bomb, Brisket sandwich off the hook, great service and fast.

The Stubborn Bull at Mill Creek

4.4

4.4 (486)

$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

Liz

Dined 2 days ago

We had a party of six and we were seated by the kitchen which was perfect because it was a little quieter than the main restaurant and we could watch the chef. Our waiter was outstanding, very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was amazing and there was not a morsel left on anyone’s dish.

Rye Knot

4.3

4.3 (75)

$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

CollinVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The food was so delicious. The service was so good. It was so quiet. I would eat here again. I highly recommend this place to anyone.

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