Culinary Adventures
Cooking schools, organic and innovative cuisine, and 45 regional farmer's markets
Discover culinary tourism in Asheville, where local farmers producing a wide range of fresh and organic crops combine with highly-skilled chefs taking those ingredients to new and innovative heights. The effect is a destination that has one of the most unique culinary scenes in the Southeast.
Asheville Food Tours
Try a guided walking tour that lets you taste some of the most exciting and memorable food in the South. Have a sumptuous glimpse into this exotic world of local Asheville restaurants, gourmet shops and microbreweries, featuring artisan cheeses and choice meats from local farms, crusty baked breads snatched from local ovens, rich hand-made chocolates and dynamic beer and wine lists. More info...
Organic and Vegetarian Cuisine
Asheville is paradise for lovers of organic and vegetarian food, with local, organic cuisine a staple at many restaurants and several tailgate markets. Asheville has been honored by GoVeg.com and Organic Style magazine. Find out more: Organic and Vegetarian Cuisine.
Farm to Table Restaurants
Asheville’s top chefs have traveled the world to learn their craft, but they all know a secret— the best ingredients are found right here at home. Many of the city’s best restaurants have paired with local farmers to bring the freshest fruits and vegetables directly from the farm to the table. Find out more: Farm to Table Restaurants.
Forest to Table
Put the loco back in local! Join one of our local expert guides for a taste of the wild life. On your culinary treasure hunt, you'll discover how easy it is to "take in the landscape." Home to morels, chanterelles, sassafras, ramps, paw paws, persimmons, and over 100 other wild edibles, Asheville has some of the richest forests in the nation. Take your pick! Bring home your catch of the day, cook it in the wild on an open fire, or have it prepared at one of our local forage-to-table restaurants. This spring, summer, or fall, go "out to eat" and experience the life of a modern hunter-gather firsthand. Forage ahead...
Farmer's Markets and Tailgate Markets
Taste farm-fresh produce, homemade jellies and other locally made products at the 36-acre WNC Farmers Market or at the variety of 35 tailgate markets scattered throughout the area. Meet farmers and a host of organic grocers, herbalists and other green thumbs and experience the rich and diverse agricultural traditions. Find out more: Farmer's Markets and Tailgate Markets.
Taste of Asheville
The distinctive members of Asheville Independent Restaurant Association throw a party for the public each year. Taste of Asheville showcases specially-crafted events allowing attendees to experience favorite restaurants in a new way. Other events include a gala, cookbook author's lecture and culinary tours. Find out more: Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.
