Best Vegan Restaurants in Asheville

"Starting with one of the best restaurants in town – vegetarian or not – Plant is an upscale, dinner-only vegan hotspot that captured Ashevillians’ hearts when its doors opened in 2011. The intimate space has garnered all kinds of praise in its seven years of operation, including a nod in January 2018 in Thrillist’s list of “The 21 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in America.” Expect an eclectic, small menu with a few unfamiliar ingredients that may just take your taste buds to places they haven’t been before. Reservations recommended."

"Plant is Asheville’s upscale vegan restaurant; don’t be alarmed by the fact that it uses “vegan” and “vegetarian” interchangeably. Using local and mostly organic produce, Plant is always reaching into the global pantry for ideas: a tofu bibimbap that nods to the Korean one-bowl meal sans the egg; seitan chile con “queso”; and a lasagna cruda with watercress pesto and slow-dried tomato. Its menu features some mainstays whose ingredients and flavors change with the season."

"Our absolute favorite dedicated vegan restaurant in Asheville, Plant serves up entrees, tapas, appetizers, desserts, and delicious cocktails. Plant marks their menu for where you can make gluten-free substitutions. Reservations are recommended via phone."

"With 16 years under their belt in a slightly tucked-away corner of downtown, Rosetta’s has cemented itself as one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the city. In fact, their homestyle veggie burger is now sold at local health food retailers. A conscientious vibe permeates beyond the food menu here since Rosetta’s has an “Everybody Eats” program, which offers a healthy beans-and-rice plate on a sliding scale starting as low as $2."

"Vegetarian eatery draws diners with delightfully intriguing fare and an inviting dining room and patio. Read more about Rosetta's Kitchen →"

"HOURS: Sun-Thu 11am to 8pm; Fri-Sat 11am to 9pm; Delivery available until 9:30pm. In the interest of full disclosure, I worked my way through college at a Mellow Mushroom offshoot in Atlanta, and later managed one of the oldest Mellow Mushroom locations (across from ATL’s Piedmont Park). So you’ll forgive me for having a bit of personal bias towards this iconic pizza place now, nearly 30 years later."

"Little more than a year old, new-kid-on-the-block Elements Real Food sells its own nut “mylks” and smoothies with everything from spirulina and maca, a South American tuber. On the cafe side, Elements has a unique sipping broth (a good anti-cold elixir with its chaga tea, chickpea miso, ginger, and sesame); an ALT (an avocado, lettuce and tomato sandwich with veganaise and on bread from artisanal baker Farm and Sparrow); and raw food desserts such as an avocado-vegan chocolate pie."

"This cold-press juice bar and cafe serves and sells 16-ounce bottles of freshly made juices, nut “mylks” made with cashews, and smoothies. Those looking for a bit more texture can choose from acai bowls, salads or avocado toast, and gluten-free bread and other options can be found on their menu as well. And for raw dieters, their raw desserts earn rave reviews."

"A post shared by Elements Real Food (@elementsrealfood) on Dec 2, 2019 at 7:05am PST. An amazing organic dining experience accompanied by amazing drinks and perfect service, these are what await you at Elements Real Food restaurant. The restaurant is committed to preparing high nutrient food that is both satisfying in taste and quality."

"We love a restaurant that doesn’t mess around and serves up comfort food. Bean Vegan Cuisine has some classics like deep fried pickles, buffalo wings, and the best Reuben we’ve ever had. Everything was incredible, but you must order something with the pimento “cheesish” dip, which took the cheeseburger to a completely new level."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by BEAN Vegan Cuisine (@beanvegan)"

"In West Asheville, you’ll love this small cafe with HUGE flavors. Sunflower Diner is a dedicated vegan restaurant with gluten-free options, including dessert. Picture nachos, breakfast burritos, and tempeh sandwiches."

"Olive Garden offers a variety of delicious Italian specialties for lunch, dinner or take out. Enjoy our freshly baked garlic breadsticks and your choice of homemade soup or salad with any entree. Hours:Closed todayMon: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMTue: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMWed: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMThu: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMFri: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PMSat: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PMSun: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM"

"Everyone is very friendly and patient (we have small children). Server was very helpful on providing information on the dishes so…"

"One of the older breweries in the city, French Broad River Brewery has been around since 2001. This company is all about Asheville; naming itself after the French Broad River and continually being inspired by local nature. In fact, this company is so dedicated to the outdoors it even brewed a special session beer called Poor Boaters Rations (or PBR) with French Broad Adventures, an outdoor adventure travel company."

"Head to French Broad River Brewery to experience the tradition of traditional European breweries. We recommend heading to their brewery on the weekend– they usually have live music by local artists. You’ll get to choose from brews that are offered year-round and small-batch beers that don’t last long!"

"Proof that Asheville’s beverage scene goes far beyond beer, Ben’s Tune Up is the city’s first sake brewery, using 100 percent American rice and mountain water to create its creamy elixirs. Staying on brand with Asheville’s penchant for garage spaces, Ben’s is inside a former auto shop, with an abundant beer garden and on-site takeout window slinging sake-friendly snacks like dumplings, egg rolls, and kimchi brats. Unpasteurized sake is served cold on draft, including fruit-infused versions like pineapple-jalapeno and blueberry-lime."

"From the outside it’s hard to tell that Ben’s Tune Up even has an outdoor area. But do yourself a favor and check it out because you’ll discover a sort of outdoor/indoor space with a bunch of different places to hang out and listen to live music, talk with your friends, people watch, etc. It makes our list as one of the best outdoor spots in Asheville to grab a drink because the staff is super friendly, they often have live music and well, there’s a roof if you want one and tons of spots without one if you don’t."

"It’s a sake brewery with a beer garden and Asian fusion restaurant, combining all of your favorites into one convenient location!. It’s open in the afternoons and evenings every day and includes an urban beer garden, full-service restaurant, sake brewery, and sake tasting room. View this post on Instagram"

"Down the street from the downtown location of White Duck Taco is a popular Chinese restaurant called The Noodle Shop. It looks simple and unassuming, especially next to some of the fancier restaurants downtown but the taste of the food was great!. They do have 2-3 tables that are dog friendly outside their patio area, however it isn’t a lot so it could fill up fast."

"One of our coveted tinier downtown Asheville restaurants, The Noodle Shop is all about noodles, stir-fry, and rice dishes. I’m always a fan of their soup. I can never say no to a fresh spring roll — not fried."