Where to Eat in East Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
East Asheville’s typically one of the less-explored sections of town. Other than the WNC Nature Center, even a local may not even be familiar with all the great things to do out here, all the little hidden gems.
It's a more dispersed part of Asheville, without the kind of main drags that define west Asheville or downtown. That can make it hard to track down the most important sites, namely: restaurants.
And so it's with a particular sense of usefulness that today, I’m setting the record straight, laying out all the best restaurants in east Asheville that make it just as grand a place to eat as anywhere else.
Starting off strong here with Cornerstone, right of Tunnel Road. Whenever I’m traveling, I’m always on the lookout for a place just like this. Family owned, open all the time, filled to the brim with regulars coming in for a plate of buttermilk pancakes and cup o’ joe.
In short: Americana at its finest. I wouldn’t call it a diner necessarily, although their brioche French toast and fried chicken benedicts certainly put them in the running for the best in breakfast. But with lunch and dinner menus featuring everything from baby-back ribs to locally-sourced mountain trout, a meal at Cornerstone is sure to hit the spot no matter the time of day.
Hours: 7:30am to 9pm Sunday through Thursday. Open until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Here we have a heavy-hitter not just in terms of east Asheville restaurants, but for the city as a whole. Like Cornerstone, the East Village Grille is a long-established local favorite, expanded in recent decades into south Asheville’s Post 25, as well as Filo Pastries.
The secret to their success? Smash-hit Greco-American fare, award-winning tiger wings, and draft beers made right here in some of WNC’s most famous breweries.
It's a great place to simply kick back and celebrate with some good food and drink. And if you feel like extending your night, there’s always (more) drinks and desserts over at Filo, right across the street.
Hours: 11am to 9pm, Monday through Thursday. Open until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays.
It's these kinds of breweries that make me proud to be from WNC. Big old patios with plenty of fresh air. Cornhole in the back. And yes, you guessed it: beers brewed right here in Asheville.
Typically you'd find these kinds of neighborhood-joints out in west Asheville and its environs, so discovering one here in the east is a welcome surprise. Just goes to show there’s more to east Asheville than you might realize.
Their menu mostly features pub-fare favorites: pizza, burgers, and wings. But with the addition of house-smoked specials throughout the week, Creekside ends up being a solid contender for the best barbecue on this side of town.
If you can, be sure to visit on a Thursday for their trivia nights, accompanied by St. Louis-style ribs.
Hours: 3pm to 9pm, Wednesday through Friday. Noon to 9pm Saturdays and Sundays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Another great purveyor of Greek food in east Asheville. Whereas the East Village Grille leans more into Americana, Pomodoro goes full-sail for the old world, fleshing out their menu with Italian specialties and a fine selection of imported wines.
Pomodoros has long been one of my family’s own favorite spots in east Asheville, during which time I’ve developed a special appreciation for their baked ziti and lasagna. That said, the Greek side of the menu is surely worth some sampling as well, namely the spanakopita and pasta Athena.
On top of all that, as of my writing they’re running a special: half-price bottles of wine every Wednesday.
Hours: 11:30 am to 8:30pm Sunday through Thursday. Open until 9:30pm Fridays and Saturdays.
And finally, one of east Asheville’s best-kept secrets: the Copper Crown. This sophisticated bistro sits just a couple doors down from Dobra East, the latest branch of my favorite downtown tearoom.
Like Dobra, Copper Crown is dead-set on delivering a downtown vibe out here to the east. Haute-cuisine, tranquil ambiance, and a spread of decadent cocktails. In short: perfect for a special occasion.
Their blackened catfish and crawfish risotto are some of the most popular dishes. As for me, I’m always up to try something new, and their dinner menu changes frequently. Past offerings include such delicacies as braised pork cheek and beef cheek poutine.
Seating space is limited, so reservations here are certainly recommended.
Hours: 4:30pm to 8:30pm, Sunday through Thursday. Open until 9pm Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Wednesdays.
Businesses Mentioned
Cornerstone
(828)-236-0201
102 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
East Village Grille
(828)-299-3743
1177 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Creekside Taphouse
(828)-575-2880
8 Beverly Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Pomodoros
(828)-299-3032
1070 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Copper Crown
(828)-505-7531
1011 Tunnel Rd #100, Asheville, NC 28805
