RESTAURANTS

Asheville restaurants offer a wide variety of dining opportunities to enjoy during your stay at Ponder Cove bed and breakfast. From casual fare to fine cuisine, the restaurants in this area provide an array of delightful dining experiences you are sure to savor. Here are our personal recommendations for dining in both Asheville and Weaverville, NC.

Easy Dining | Asheville Foodie Favorites | Weaverville | Mars Hill

Early Girl Eatery :: 8 Wall Street, Asheville, NC {828-259-9292}

Like the hybrid tomato for which it is named, this restaurant was a quick bloomer and still a favorite today for lunch and breakfast. The food represents the many partnerships made with more than a dozen area growers.

Tupelo Honey Cafe :: 12 College Street, Asheville, NC {828-255-4404}

Breakfast, served all day, includes Steak and Eggs including beef tenderloin and asparagus, poached eggs on top of crab cakes. Later you can order fried green tomatoes, grit fritters, or Cajun catfish. If you get there before it is gone, try the bread pudding. >>top

Salsa’s :: 6 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC {828-252-9805}

First of all,  it is relaxed, fun, and very inexpensive. Using local and fresh produce when available, you will enjoy a delightful combination of Caribbean-Mexican fusion cuisine. I think they have the best margarita in town made from fresh limejuice and whatever the bartender throws in that night. THEY ALLOW YOU TO DINE IN THE ALLEY WITH YOUR DOGS!! >>top

Laughing Seed :: 40 Wall Street, Asheville, NC {828-252-3445}

Meat free dining at its best. Not being a vegetarian I still choose the Laughing Seed on occasion. The food is creative and scrumptious served in a comfortable setting at affordable prices. YUMMY! >>top

The Lobster Trap :: 35 Patton, Asheville, NC {828-350-0505}

The lobsters are flown in from Maine 3 times a week. A new addition to Asheville’s food scene and a much needed one. Until their arrival we were short on seafood offerings. >>top

Ichiban :: 2 Hendersonville Road, Biltmore Station, Asheville, NC {828-252-7885}

SUSHI SUSHI SUSHI and EXCELLENT I might add.  Living in California for so long we were leary of eating sushi away from the coast.  I don’t know where it comes from but it is not only fresh but the combinations are innovative and rival anything in California.  One of our favorites. (Near the Biltmore.) >>top

Zambras :: 85 W Walnut St, Asheville, NC {828 232-1060}

Tapas with a great bar scene. Just dark enough to make for an intimate evening. The food is yummy…of course fun to go with more than two. So, you can order lots and share. >>top

Thai Basil :: Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave. Ste 151, Asheville, NC {828- 258-0036}

Great Thai food in a fun atmosphere. Good weather allows very comfortable outdoor seating. >>top

Carmels :: 1 Page Ave, Asheville, NC {828 252-8730}

A nice relaxed fun atmosphere also at the Grove Arcade. Scrumptious offerings of the American fare. Music offered and outdoor seating. Great place to grab lunch or early dinner in the summer to enjoy the wide open spaces and music. >>top

Tomato Jam Cafe :: 379 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC {828- 253-0570} **********

This is really my favorite restaurant. Let me fill you up for breakfast and then go here for a late lunch. They close at 1:30 most days…not open on Sat and Sun. The food is the best in a very relaxed in a ‘run in, run out’ sort of place. Good energy from the owners exudes through every morsel. How about the best grilled cheese (it ain’t a Kraft single) sandwich with, REAL bacon, roasted tomatoes and caramelized onions. >>top

Twelve Bones :: 5 Riverside Dr, Asheville, NC {828- 253-4499} *****

Well, now it is official. This is the Obama’s favorite rib joint in the land.  Visited twice by the president and like I have said, I was raised in Memphis and have a PhD in not only Elvis but BAR-B-Q. I swear this is the best ever. Not only the BBQ but the sides.I grew up with beans and slaw on the side and this is much more. Good enough for me and the President. Not open on weekends. >>top

Table :: 48 College Street, Asheville, NC {828-254-8980}*****

The ambience is delightful, very intimate without being crowded. I find it to be a real dining experience; taking one’s time to sample a treat from every category. The staff does not hurry you and encourages you to enjoy (without selling). They are very knowledgeable even down to the beers offered and a great wine list. Don’t miss this one. >>top

Bouchon :: 62 North Lexington Street, Asheville, NC {828-350-1140}*****

Bon Appetite Ya’ll ! When I saw these three little words at the top of the menu I knew this place was for me. A delightful little country French Bistro featuring a perfect menu of all my favorites including; mussels in white wine, pepper steak, crepes and daily “slow- cooked” country specials AND THE BEST FRENCH FRIES!! It is a relaxed atmosphere with moderate prices making it an easy choice for a fabulous meal while roaming around Asheville. >>top

The Market Place :: 20 Wall Street, Asheville, NC {828-252-4162}*****

This is the most amazing restaurant! I guarantee this place. Amazing chef, amazing seasonal specials, superb wine list and SOUFFLES! It is pricey but well worth it. >>top

Fig :: 18 Brook Street, Asheville, NC {828-277-0889}*****

MY NEW FAVORITE! A wonderful chef with surprising twists on continental fare. He features local and seasonal produce. Everything is just so fresh and yummy. On my last trip I had the best mackerel on cannelini beans and Gary’s duck was to die for. A must! (Near the Biltmore.) >>top

Flying Frog :: Corner of Haywood and Battery Park Avenue, Asheville, NC {828-254-9411}

If you look up eclectic in the dictionary, it just might say Flying Frog. The chef and owner is combination French, German and Indian and so is the menu. We have had some incredible surprises here and everything superb. Even the atmosphere is on the exotic side. BUT IT HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT OF LATE. >>top

The Corner Kitchen :: 3 Boston Way, Asheville, NC {828-274-2439}

Southern or better yet just good ole down-home comfort foot of high quality ingredients and creativity. This is not your mother’s pot pie. Highly recommended for lunch and dinner and again a stone’s throw from the Biltmore. >>top

Stoney Knob Cafe :: 337 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville, NC {828-645-3309}*****

What a great place for the North Asheville/Weaverville area. (That means it is in between Asheville and coming home to Ponder Cove.) The interior is brightly painted in what I would call a European folk style, and the deck is lovely. They serve American contemporary cuisine with neat daily specials, and they serve beer and wine. >>top

Blue Mountain Pizza :: 55 Main Street, Weaverville, NC {828-658-8777}*****
( OPEN SUNDAY!)

Don’t think this is just another pizza joint. We call it “CHEERS”. It just has a nice neighborhood feeling and the best pizza. Music nightly. THEY ALLOW YOU TO DINE ON THE PORCH WITH YOUR DOG!! >>top

Well-Bred Bakery :: 26 North Main, Weaverville, NC {828-645-9300}

Now serving great savory items as well. Build a picnic and bring it back to Ponder Cove or enjoy it there. But it doesn’t matter where you eat in Weaverville DON’T EAT DESSERT! Go to the Well-Bred instead. I always say they rival anything on Madison Avenue. If you can eat a whole éclair I’ll pay for it. Truly top drawer and they picked Weaverville to locate instead of Asheville. Aren’t my thighs lucky? >>top

El Dorado :: 4 S Main St, Mars Hill, NC 28754 {828-689-9704}

We finally have a restaurant here in Mars Hill. It is delightful offering of relaxed Columbian cuisine but with a couple of old time favorites thrown in….like the BEST cheeseburgers ever.  Music offered on most Saturday nights. >>top