Romance is not hard to find in Asheville, especially when it comes to finding a cozy dinner for two. Maybe you'd like to bask in the glow of a beautiful sunset atop a rooftop restaurant with a glass of wine? Maybe you're looking for a back table in low light or a meal that sparks the senses and lets you bask in the company you choose.
A romantic night in Asheville should be savored, and these are the restaurants that will help set the mood.
Where should I go for a romantic dinner in the Asheville area?
Omni Grove Park Inn
Make a dinner reservation at the classic spot for date nights in Asheville, the Omni Grove Park Inn Sunset Terrace, one of the only places in town where you can dine while watching the sun set behind the western mountains. Their food has earned the AAA Four Diamond Award 18 times, so prepare for a delicious meal. While the Sunset Terrace has the most romantic vibes, our social media fans also gave high marks to the other three restaurants at The Omni Grove Park Inn: Blue Ridge, Edison, and Vue 1913.
Zambra
Share small plates at Asheville’s original tapas restaurant in an amber-lit setting creating a feast for the senses at one of the most romantic spots in town. Reserve one of the tables in the back for a more private dining experience and share a bottle from the extensive wine list. Zambra was featured as one of America's Most Romantic Restaurants by Travel + Leisure magazine.
The Pure and Proper
For a date-night detour beyond Asheville, The Pure and Proper earns a spot for its cozy downtown Black Mountain setting, street-side patio, craft cocktails and warm, inviting feel. The restaurant describes itself as a place to gather over “proper food with pure ingredients,” and that mix of comfort and polish makes it especially well suited to couples looking for a dinner that feels intimate without feeling overly formal.
Crusco
Crusco deserves a spot for its warm, refined dining room in the River Arts District, where a former warehouse setting has been reworked into a space that still feels rooted in place. The menu is guided by the seasons and grounded in thoughtful cooking and honest hospitality, while the bar adds modern takes on classic cocktails and a strong wine list. That balance of intimacy, polish and ingredient-driven food makes Crusco a natural fit for couples looking for a romantic dinner that feels special without feeling stiff.
Biltmore
Experience a candlelight dinner on the 8,000 acre Biltmore Estate at Bistro, The Dining Room at the Inn or Deerpark Restaurant. Biltmore's chefs create incredible meals using locally sourced meat, fish and vegetables grown right on the Estate. Keep in mind that to dine on the Estate you must purchase a ticket, be a guest at the Inn or Village Hotel or be an annual passholder—but we promise it's worth it.
Plant
Don't let the word "vegan" scare you. Even die-hard omnivores love this restaurant which serves up flavor-sophisticated, scratch-made food in an intimate candlelit dining room. Try the vegan cheese plate, and be sure to save room for dessert for the peanut butter "cheesecake"—made with a cocoa-almond crust and a peanut-pretzel brittle.
Red Stag Grill
Set the mood with Red Stag, a rustic-modern restaurant with warm, intimate lighting serving European comfort food with a Carolina twist inside the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village.
Posana
Dine al fresco in the heart of downtown with a view of historic Pack Square Park. Posana’s seasonal menus, cozy patio, and warm welcoming dining room make for an ideal date night dinner. Each dish packs amazing flavor and the restaurant only uses unprocessed ingredients.
Sovereign Remedies
Soft light and candles create an inviting space to enjoy some of the city's best mixed drinks as well as meals with all local and organic ingredients.
Limones
Get cozy at Limones, where chef and owner Hugo Ramirez brings an innovative combination of his native Mexican and French-influenced California cuisine to Asheville. Toast your love with a cocktail and churros after you eat your fill.
Honorable Mentions
- Corner Kitchen - Southern food with an urban twist is served out of a 109-year-old house in historic Biltmore Village.
- Glass Onion - Housemade, Southern food made with locally-sourced ingredients complete with a cozy atmosphere in Weaverville.
- Que Sera - Atlantic ocean delicacies served in a comfortable atmosphere in Black Mountain.
- Salsa's - A sexy, casual vibe with originally recipes drawn from Caribbean and Latin American traditions. See a full list of romantic Latin restaurants.
