East Asheville Food Crawl: From Tunnel Road to Local Coves

While East Asheville is best known for its stunning rural beauty and major farms like Hickory Nut Gap Farm, which serve as the backbone for the city's celebrated culinary scene and most prestigious restaurants, this peaceful pocket of Western NC has a foodie identity all its own. Rooted in rich agricultural heritage, this celebrated community blends farm-driven tradition with a growing lineup of regional favorites that residents (and visitors) frequent time and time again. Learn more about the region in our Ultimate Guide to East Asheville .

From refined bistros in quiet neighborhood coves to convenient, globally-inspired dining spots along the commercial corridor of Tunnel Road, East Asheville restaurants offer something intriguing for every palate. It’s this balance of authenticity and accessibility that allows the East Asheville culinary scene to thrive and makes it well worth exploring.

East Asheville Eats: Tunnel Road

For a mix of regional fare and tried-and-true classic chains, head to Tunnel Road. Tunnel Road dining establishments line this major thoroughfare that has a high concentration of popular chain restaurants, including such favorites as Olive Garden, Chili’s, Waffle House, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Red Lobster, as well as drive-thrus like Cook Out, Chick-fil-A, and Taco Bell. Sprinkled in among the chain restaurants, you’ll find regional favorites like Cornerstone, Papa’s & Beer, Pomodoros Greek & Italian Café, East Village Grille, and Copper Crown. True to its name, Cornerstone has been operating in East Asheville for over 30 years. Family-owned, it serves an extensive menu featuring steaks, seafood, and authentic Greek fare, along with breakfast and brunch options.

If you go for breakfast, you must try their Blackberry Stuffed French Toast featuring brioche loaded with mascarpone cheese and berry compote. If you’re getting dinner, opt for their Chicken Gyro, Prime Rib, or Shrimp & Grits. For a cocktail (or delightful mocktail) and a surprising supper, head to The Hound . This beautifully reimagined cocktail bar inside a historic Greyhound station is the perfect blend of sophisticated and laid-back. In addition to their expansive dog-friendly patio, they also offer globally-inspired fare through their in-house kitchen, Bonito. We love their Ceviche de Gambas, Musubi (aka Hawaiian-style “spam sushi”), and signature Bontio Dog with wagyu beef frank, Okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie, and togarashi. Pair it with a sake flight or a refreshing spritzer to add an extra touch of international flair. 

If you’re a wing lover, we recommend East Village Grille. Their Tiger Wings, tossed in a signature "Tiger Sauce," are a crowd favorite and are on special every Monday. For a menu with locally-sourced ingredients from farms like Hickory Nut Gap and Sunburst Farms, head to Copper Crown. Voted #1 in East Asheville cuisine for a decade, this cozy spot offers an impressive range of vegetarian and gluten-free options and seasonally-driven dishes that blend Southern, Italian, and New Orleans influences. We love their Crispy Brussel Sprouts, topped with cane syrup and feta, and their Blackened Catfish with andouille jambalaya, collard greens, and honey-tabasco butter. 

Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up or evening date night? Enter Filo & Post 70. This dual-purpose East Asheville bar is a European-style bakery by day and a classy craft cocktail bar and bistro by night. If opting for the daytime experience, we recommend a cappuccino and a few shareable sweets, like the Tiramisu, Chocolate Mousse Cake, Almond Croissant, or Baklava. In need of a wheat-free dessert? Try their Dolci di Maria Cupcakes, Crème Brûlée, Flourless Mocha Torte, or Black Bottom Macaroons. If you’re craving an evening out, grab a glass of wine or a cold Gimlet and their Mediterranean Platter to start, followed by the Seared Scallops and Masala Shrimp Skewers with sumac couscous and mango chutney. We also love their Post 70 Flatbread topped with artichokes, roasted peppers, olives, arugula pesto, mozzarella, and a fried egg—a delightful dash of breakfast for dinner. 

East Asheville Eats: Fairview, Highland Brewing + Haw Creek

A bit further east in Fairview, you’ll find The Local Joint. Living up to its name, this highly-rated diner has been a staple of the community for over a decade— serving up diner favorites and comfort food made from locally-sourced ingredients. They’re also happy to accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan patrons. We love going for breakfast (which notably is available until 3 PM for those who love to sleep in), but we also love their Fish Fry Friday, when you can savor a hearty helping of golden beer-battered Haddock with steak-cut fries. 

In the mood for hot wings, burgers, or rotating food trucks with mind-blowing grilled cheese, authentic Argentinian, Mexican, and Appalachian cuisine, or sweet soft-serve ice cream? Check out Highland Brewing and Creekside Taphouse. These two spots are technically breweries, but their delicious food offerings land them a much-deserved spot along the East Asheville Food Crawl. Highland Brewing, aka Asheville’s original craft brewery, hosts a variety of food trucks during the week, along with an endless supply of entertainment for the whole family. 

Highland’s “Meadow” offers open green spaces, a natural playground for the kiddos, an 18-hole disc golf course, and professional sand volleyball courts. This year, Highland is welcoming Black Dome Outfitters and Cultivate Climbing, promising even more fun for visitors. They’ll also be adding an in-house pizza restaurant, giving patrons a reliable spot for great bites!  

Creekside Taphouse is Haw Creek’s neighborhood staple, serving up classic pub fare like burgers and tots, along with savory pizza and BBQ. We love The Haw pie with white cream sauce, mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, bacon, caramelized onion & fresh rosemary, as well as their House Smoked Saint Louis Ribs, smothered in their house-made sweet BBQ sauce. The best part is that you can pair any of these delicious bites with a cold, locally brewed craft beer to elevate the entire experience. 

Speaking of Haw Creek, this neighborhood is also home to the celebrated French bistro, RendezVous Asheville, located in a charmingly restored church. A sister establishment to the renowned and recently retired Bouchon, both restaurants were opened and operated by the same local team, led by Chef Michel Baudouin. Specializing in authentic French cuisine, it’s also known for something unique: its eight pétanque courts. Created in France in 1910, pétanque is a boules sport similar to bocce.

At RendezVous, you can dine on rich French dishes and sip divine house wine, all while enjoying a delightful French pastime. Curious which dishes are standouts? While you truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, we especially love their Gratinée a L'Oignon (french onion soup), Boeuf Bourguignon (beef stew), Le Canard a L'Orange Chocolaté (roasted duck), and La Banane Bourée (a chef’s original of rum-marinated banana wrapped in filo pastry and served with Ultimate's coconut ice cream and caramel sauce). Trop bon!

East Asheville: Neighborhood Staples + New Flavors

From French-inspired dining at RendezVous to the nostalgic charm of long-standing neighborhood diners, East Asheville restaurants have cultivated a culinary identity that feels both rooted in tradition yet refreshingly current. It’s a place where old favorites and new flavors coexist—where you can linger over a decadent dessert and cocktail, indulge in locally-sourced dishes, and feel connected to a close-knit community.