Asheville is known for its vibrant art, architecture, culture, but perhaps above all, it is known for its food and drink. Asheville’s food scene is spectacular, but it can prove tricky to find a restaurant that will accommodate a large group. We are here to help!
Here are top dinner recommendations for large groups:
Private Chef Service
Bring the Food Scene to You!
Hours: Daily with advance notice (I recommend booking at least 3 weeks in advance!)
The Scoop: Relax, gather around the kitchen table, sip your favorite beverage, and bond over an exquisite meal…without lifting a finger! We’ll pair you with a local Asheville private chef who will work with you to craft your ideal menu, take care of the grocery shopping, and bring Asheville’s incredible food scene directly to your home or vacation accommodations.
Deposit: Payment is required in advance
Bonus: You get to skip the hassle of snagging a reservation, trying to calculate a split-bill, and getting everyone out of the house on time. Plus, you have direct access to the chef so you can craft your perfect menu in advance and then relax!
How to Book: Book online instantly or contact us at: 828.407.0711, Info@AshevilleWellnessTours.com
Polanco
Contemporary Mexican Cuisine – Traditional Meat and Vegan
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 5 pm until close
The Scoop: Polanco loves large group parties. They can accommodate groups up to 70.
Deposit: Polanco requires a small deposit as a guarantee.
Bonus: They love bachelorette parties! And they make it FUN! You can even decorate and use the whole front of the restaurant. They also have a huge focus on dietary needs and have a wide range of food options including vegan, vegetarian and gluten free.
How to Book: 828.575.2576 or email contactus@polancorestaurant.com
Mela
Authentic North and South Indian dishes
Hours: Open 7 days a week. Lunch Buffet: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm & Dinner: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm or later
The Scoop: Mela can accommodate parties up to 20. A 18% gratuity will be added for parties of 5 to more.
Deposit: No deposit is required for reservations.
Bonus: Mela has been voted #1 Indian Restaurant in Asheville, NC. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.
How to Book: Call 828-225-8880
Curate
Authentic Spanish Cuisine
Hours: Tues. 11:30am – 10:30pm, Wed., Thurs. 11:30am – 10:30pm, Fri. 11:30am – 11pm, Sat. 10am – 11pm, Sun., 10am – 10:30pm
The Scoop: You can book online for parties under 10. Call to book groups from 10-14. Curate also has a private dining space that can fit up to 32.
Deposit: No deposit necessary for the main dining room. A 50% deposit is required for the private dining experience.
Bonus: Curate was listed as one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants in 2018. Cúrate means ‘cure yourself’ in Spanish, reflecting the belief held by chef Katie Button and her family that there are curative effects in sharing good food and wine with family and friends.
How to book: Call curate at 828.239-2946, book for smaller parties online here, private parties contact Kim at 828.237.1528
Sovereign Remedies
Cocktails and Local Fare
Hours: Saturday-Sunday | Brunch, 10am- 3pm | Dinner, 4-10pm | Late Night 10pm-2am
Tuesday-Friday | Dinner, 4pm-10pm | Late Night 10pm-2am
The Scoop: Sovereign can fit up to 10 in their dining room. They also have a private dining space upstairs that can fit 12-16.
Deposit: A credit card is required to hold reservations over 8. A deposit is required for a party over 10.
Bonus: Sovereign is a LOCALS favorite. The vibe is classy and the service is amazing. The cocktail menu is the best in Asheville. The food is always creative, local and fresh.
How to book: Call 828.919.9518
Rhubarb
Creative Farm to Table
Hours: Fri. 11:30am-10:30am, Sat. 10:30am-10:30pm, Sun. 10:30am-9, Mon. 5pm-9:30pm, Wed & Thur 5pm-9:30pm
The Scoop: A favorite for Asheville locals and tourists alike. This creative restaurants is always reinventing their menu based on the season and local produce. Our favorite dishes are the pimento pups and smoked wild mushroom cassoulet.
Deposit: For parties of 6 or more, a credit card is required to hold the table. If your party size decreases within 24 hours of the reservation time, they charge $15 per person that doesn’t show up, with a maximum fee of $100. If the party size increases within that window, they will do their best to make accommodations.
How to Book: Reservations: Reserve online here for parties up to 7 people. To reserve a table for 7 or more in the dining room, call at 828.785.1503. They offer seating for parties up to 12 in our dining room, and have private event space seats up to 80.
Heiwa
Japanese fare – sushi, stir-fries, beer/wine with an organic focus.
The Menu
Hours: Monday-Thursday 12-2:30pm, 5-9:00 | Friday & Saturday 12-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm
The Scoop: This is a hidden gem and locals favorite. The food is delicious, fairly prices and a cozy, casual, quaint atmosphere. *Heiwa currently does not have a website, but trust us, this place is so good!
How to Book: Call (828)254-7761
Here are our top rooftop bar recommendations:
Hemingway’s Cuba
Authentic Cuban experience in Asheville, NC
The Menu
Hours: Mon-Thu 4:30pm-10pm, Fri 4:30-11:00pm, Sat 3:30-11pm, Sund, 3:30-9pm
The Scoop: Delicious food, amazing cocktails and a rooftop bar to enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountain Views.
How to Book: Make reservations for a party up to 10 people online here. For parties larger than 10 please call 828.417.6866
Capella on 9
Small Plates, Big Views – Locally Sources x Crafted with Care
The Menu
Hours: Sun- Tues / 4pm-11pm, Wed-Thurs/ 4pm-12am, Fri-Sat / 4pm-12:30am
The Scoop: Capella on 9 allows the best of Asheville to serve as their backdrop and culinary inspiration, pairing locally-sourced ingredients with head-turning mountain views.
How to Book: Capella on 9 does not accept reservations; however, to learn more about their meeting and private event spaces, menu options, holiday menu options and group accommodations, shoot them an email at mdosashevilledowntown@mckibbon.com or give them a call at 828-258-2522.
Here are top breakfast/brunch recommendations:
ISIS
West Asheville | Locals Favorite | Historic
The Menu
Hours: Saturday & Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm
The Scoop: Skip the line at Sunny Point and have a delicious brunch at ISIS Music Hall.
How to Book: Call 828.575.2737
Limones
Traditional Mexican dishes enlivened with a modern sensibility
The Menu
Hours: Sunday Brunch: 10:30am-2:30pm | Mon.-Sun. 5pm-10pm
The Scoop: I love everything about Limones, dinner, cocktails, and above all BRUNCH. One of my favorite dishes is Chocolate with Churros. There are so many delicious savory dishes to choose from, you can’t go wrong.
How to book: Reserve online for up to 8 people. Groups larger than 8, call 828.252.2327
Hole
Warm, Fresh, Delicious Donuts
**Locals Favorite**
Hours: M, W, Th, F, Sat, Sun : 7:30 am – 2:00pm Closed Tuesday
The Scoop: These donuts will change your life. They are warm, delicious, amazing donuts. No reservations. There is typically a line, but it is worth the wait. Hole does host private events, contact hallee.hole@gmail.com from more info.
Now that you have all the details taken care of, it’s time to EAT! We hope our recommendations will help you have the best meals ever!
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