The Best Restaurants on Merrimon Ave
Asheville is home to some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, with accolades from the Michelin Guide, James Beard Foundation, TripAdvisor, and even the Food Network (Guy Fieri recently highlighted Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!)While Asheville by and large is a foodtopia, there are certainly corners and corridors of the city with a high concentration of the best spots.
Merrimon Ave in North Asheville is one such thoroughfare where tons of amazing restaurants can be found. The culinary growth on Merrimon is just one reason people move here—uncover what truly makes this community one of Asheville’s most sought-after places to live in our Ultimate Guide to North Asheville. As local experts (and self-professed foodies), we’ve curated a detailed guide to the most mouthwatering, must-try meals along Merrimon Ave:
Pizza + Italian
The Original Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian- This dinner-only spot has 2 locations, but Merrimon Ave is where you’ll find the original. Serving up old-school, New York-style Italian comfort food, they offer weekly specials and have a Goombah Rewards Club for earning points on every dollar you spend. No matter what you order in between, you must start with their Arancini (bathed in a sweet, smoky, and highly addictive tomato sauce) and end with their out-of-this-world Tiramisu.
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co.- A true North Asheville legend, this company is Asheville’s 3rd oldest brewery and has three locations in downtown, South Asheville, and on Merrimon Ave. Offering remarkably tasty pies and pub food, craft beer & cocktails, new movies with Asheville's cheapest ticket prices, and an adult-themed Game Room with TVs and the largest screen in town to watch sports, you can see why the North Asheville location is our hands-down favorite.
This is the perfect place to take visiting friends and family because it will give them a true taste of Asheville and is guaranteed to entertain anyone and everyone. Have a sweet tooth after your Magic Dragon pizza and movie screening? Head a few doors down to Whit’s Frozen Custard for their signature Asheville Gem Sundae or Whittie (aka cookie custard sandwich).
828 Family Pizzeria- This “Best of WNC” Asheville pizza joint is a family business that started in 1933 at the original Patsy’s Pizzeria in Harlem. Offering authentic New York-Style pizza, their family-favorite pizza recipes shine. We love their Robbin’s Pizza (with surprise ingredient, roasted potatoes), and Monster Pizza. Believe us when we say it will quickly become your go-to for “I don’t feel like cooking—let’s grab a pizza” nights.
Honorable Mention: Del Vecchios is a local, family-owned and operated restaurant that opened in 1996. They make their bread in-house, and they’re one of the few places in Asheville that serve Chicago deep-dish style pizza. We personally love splitting their family-size stromboli with friends or grabbing “The Classic” panini. Treat yourself to their New York-style Cheesecake as well—you deserve it!
American
HomeGrown- With the motto “slow food, right quick,” this is where you head for down-home, “slap your grandma good” home cooking. We usually snack on their pimento cheese plate before moving on to their Blue Plate Special, though we admittedly switch between the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Meatloaf. For sides, we love their Mashed Taters, Shelby Slaw, and Cheesy Grits. Pair any dish with the “House Wine of the South” Cheerwine for a uniquely NC dining experience. We’re drooling just writing about it!
Luella’s Bar-B-Que- This North Asheville icon comes highly rated for good reason. Family-friendly and embodying the "Taste the Love" philosophy (it is named after Grandma Lue after all), this neighborhood joint knows how to seamlessly blend bar-b-que flavors to make something utterly creative (their sauces are a testament to this). We truly can’t ever get enough of their Better Than Dad’s Deviled Eggs or award-winning Smoked Wings.
Where you go for your main course is purely a stylistic preference. On our side, we opt for the Chopped Pork BBQ of the Eastern persuasion or the Burnt Ends Mac 'n Cheese. For sides, our picks always include Fried Okra, Spicy Vinegar Slaw, and Hush Puppies (with a side of ranch, of course). You can’t call the meal over until trying their Scratch-Made Banana Pudding. One bite, and you’ll understand.
Montford Deli- This small-batch, family-run kitchen delivers on its promise of “comfort food done right.” Considered a local gem, the interior is decked out in a dinosaur theme, and their logo is the perpetually cute pterodactyl. We typically opt for their classic BEC (if we get up in time for their breakfast, which ends promptly at 11 AM), but their new fried chicken biscuit with honey sriracha is quickly becoming our favorite. If we get there closer to noon, we get the Club Croissant or Hot Reuben on Rye paired with a Devil’s Foot Ginger Beer for a little kick.
Honorable mention: Do you ever find yourself between cravings and wish you could combine them? Well, The Madness solves your craving puzzle, serving up delicious burgers, sushi, and Japanese-inspired dishes. We recommend starting with their Jalapeño Roulette or Rice Crispy (because deep-fried appetizers are the best appetizers) before moving on to a customized Madness Bento Box (where you can choose between 6 different burgers and 6 different sushi rolls), all served with fries, edamame, gyoza, and a ginger salad.
Asian + Eastern Fare
Zen Sushi- Offering fresh sushi and hibachi dishes, we love their Pink Lady (a nod to one of Asheville’s friendly ghosts residing in the Omni Grove Park Inn) speciality roll. Zen Sushi also shares a building with several other great establishments, including The Hop & Pop Bubble Tea. The Hop’s North Asheville shop is considered “The Mothership,” having been part of the community since the 1970s. After sushi, be sure to head downstairs for a scoop of artisan ice cream or a delicious boba treat!
Saffron India Barrel House- Located in the former Barrel House Bar building, we love this spot for their weekend lunch buffet, so you can sample a little bit of everything. They also offer a full bar and a great collection of craft beer, staying true to its Asheville roots. Don’t miss out on their different Naan options–we usually opt for Goat Cheese or the Onion Kulcha.
Phở Real Vietnamese- Aside from the incredible name, this is our top pick when we need comfy soup vibes. Their menu is small but consistently delicious. We typically get the Fried Egg Rolls and traditional Phở Noodle Soup with beef broth. While it’s the perfect remedy for cold winter nights or whenever you’re feeling under the weather, it’s delicious anytime.
Honorable Mention: The Majestic Chinese-American Kitchen by the Scheffer Group (aka owners of Asheville favorites Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, Gan Shan, and Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian restaurants) is slated to open in Summer 2026, and we can’t wait to try it!
Vegan + Vegetarian-Friendly
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers- Arguably home to the best vegan food in Asheville, this plant-based, fast-food restaurant delivers mind-altering burgers and dipping sauces. We recommend their Where Art Thou Romeo or Tobacco Road burger, with a side of their onion aioli dipping sauce. Thank us later!
Plant- This creative, high-end eatery is dedicated to all-vegan gourmet cuisine, completely made from scratch. While every dish is divine, we recommend their Crispy Mushroom Mole and unmatched Matcha Creme Brulee.
Green Sage Cafe- This Asheville staple focuses on sustainable, health-conscious dining, with ample vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. There are a few locations, but we favor Merrimon Ave because it’s the most spacious. Our usual is the Kimchi Reuben paired with a Green Day smoothie. Their Golden Turmeric and Elderberry Matcha lattes are also delicious.
Honorable mention: Cecilia’s Kitchen is a cozy bistro that blends Argentine and French fare. We love starting with their Picada Argentina and getting either the La Popeye or La Forestière crêpe as our main. When paired with a glass of white wine, you’ll feel transported. It’s simply decadent!
More Notable North Asheville Restaurants
A few beats off the Merrimon Ave path in Montford Historic District, you’ll find other tried and true favorites like Nine Mile, Tall John’s, All Day Darling, and Liberty House Coffee & Cafe. Just two miles from Merrimon Ave on Charlotte St, there’s OWL Bakery North, Jettie Rae’s Oyster House (fantastic sister establishment to Vinnie’s, Gan Shan West, and The Majestic), Taco Temple, and Bone & Broth. These local gems serve up some of the best food in North Asheville!
If you dip into downtown near Pack Square, we recommend The Noodle Shop, Pack’s Tavern, Twisted Laurel, Posana (known for its 100% gluten-free kitchen), Cúrate De Tapas, The Lobster Trap, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, and Old Europe Pastries. Cúrate is one of our favorites for celebrating special occasions, and their service is superb—no wonder they brought home the James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality in 2022!
Merrimon Ave: Grocery Row
Not only is Merrimon Avenue dining prized, but this commercial spine of North Asheville is also home to a string of much-loved grocery stores like Trader Joe’s (our personal standby for speciality items, wine, and snacks of every kind), Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, and Mother Ocean Seafood Market. The latter, affectionately known as MOM to those in the know, serves as both a market for the freshest Carolina-caught seafood and a restaurant. When dining in, do not miss out on their Fish & Chips—it’s the best in the city!
And no North Asheville outing is complete without a visit to the North Asheville Tailgate Market, which has been voted the #1 farmers market in WNC for 15+ years. Established in 1980, this year-round Saturday morning market on UNCA’s campus features well over 70 vendors weekly, offering everything from seasonal produce to baked goods to unique artisan products.
Stroll with a coffee in hand from Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Co. while browsing and listening to live music. Also, be sure to grab a beautiful bouquet from one of the local flower farms before heading out—it's the perfect way to end your morning and bring a little piece of North Asheville home with you!
Merrimon Ave is Where Lifestyle + Local Flavor Converge
As you can see, Merrimon Avenue is a treasure trove of restaurants, grocery stores, and activities, offering a true taste of what it means to call North Asheville home. With dining and everyday staples at your doorstep, you’ll have everything you need in North Asheville without the need to travel downtown—although it’s just 2 miles south in case you’re hungry for more!
Interested in exploring real estate in the 28804? Start with an overview of North Asheville market trends. From historic Grove Park homes to luxury estates near the Country Club, the North Asheville market moves with sophisticated swiftness, and our local team of experts is ready to support and keep you up-to-speed as you discover current North Asheville listings for sale. Reach out to us whenever you’re ready to dig in!