Owen and Mindi McGlynn of Grove Arcade restaurant Asheville Proper opened their second restaurant, Little D’s, with an emphasis on small plates and seasonal produce. Current dishes include tuna crudo with compressed watermelon, grilled squash with sweet corn puree, and duck breast with pickled blackberries.

Neighborhood tavern Tall John’s focuses on well-executed European-American classics like pork schnitzel, Parker rolls, steak tartare, and a signature burger from owner/executive chef Trevor Payne. The restaurant aims to be a spot for “all occasions” in the historic Montford district.

Located in a former Greyhound bus station, the Hound comes from Zambra owner Peter Montague and the Copper Crown owner Adam Bannasch. The East Asheville lounge offers an extensive cocktail list, along with a list of snacks like boquerones or duck pastrami on rye. For more substantial meals, guest food trucks and chefs show up with various cuisines (watch Instagram for details).

Posh hotel the Restoration offers several dining and drinking opportunities on its property. The main restaurant, the Exchange, offers brunch, breakfast, lunch, and dinner with modern Southern and Appalachian cuisine (think local trout with black rice or pork chops with jalapeno grits). The Observatory rooftop bar offers botanical cocktails and small bites. The basement bar the Draftsman boasts a bowling alley, Skee-Ball machines, and local draft beers.

Regina’s has gone through some changes since opening, but now it has settled on an all-day brunch menu from Carolyn Roy, founder of local favorite Biscuit Head. Chicken and waffles, BEC biscuits, and avocado toast round out the offerings.

The team behind popular Indian restaurant Chai Pani has opened street food cafe Botiwalla in West Asheville. Away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, the new spot offers many of the same flavors of Chai Pani, but in a family-friendly, fast-casual setting. Look for okra fries, lamb sliders, Desi salads, and grilled hot buttered naan wrapped around chicken tikka, malai chicken tikka, boti lamb kofta balls, or paneer tikka. 

Need a quick lunch? Southern-inspired food truck Kinfolk now has a takeout spot full of sandwiches, salads, and soups. Most fans rave about the pastrami sandwich with vinegar slaw and Lusty Monk Thousand Island dressing.