Asheville, North Carolina, is renowned for its vibrant food scene, with a growing emphasis on healthy, locally sourced cuisine. For health-conscious travelers and residents alike, finding restaurants that align with their dietary needs and wellness goals is a top priority. This guide explores some of the best healthy restaurants in Asheville, offering a variety of options from vegan and gluten-free to paleo and organic.
Farm-to-Table Freshness
Asheville's geographical location provides access to thriving local farms, making it a hub for farm-to-table dining. Many restaurants prioritize sourcing their ingredients from these farms, ensuring fresh, seasonal menus that celebrate the region's bounty.
Rhubarb: Located in Downtown Asheville, Rhubarb is a casual, farm-to-table eatery that emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. Their seasonal menu features unique dishes crafted with local produce and meats when available. While the menu isn't explicitly labeled for dietary restrictions, the wait staff and chef are known for accommodating specific needs, such as gluten, dairy, or nut sensitivities.
Early Girl Eatery: With three locations in Asheville, Early Girl Eatery is a beloved local spot that prioritizes organic options and seasonal ingredients. Open all day, this restaurant offers an abundance of gluten-free and vegan choices, including local vegan bread. Notably, they use organic tofu, corn grits, and rice, which are often GMO and heavily treated with pesticides in conventional farming. They also feature organic fermented handcrafted sauerkraut.
Vegan and Vegetarian Delights
Asheville boasts a thriving community of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, catering to those seeking plant-based meals. These establishments often focus on using high-quality, organic ingredients and creating innovative dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.
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Pulp + Sprout: Formerly known as Elements, Pulp + Sprout stands out as a 100% organic, vegan restaurant with gluten-free and grain-free options. Their menu is dedicated to wellness, featuring real food and whole ingredients. They serve house-made "mylks" free of gums, thickeners, or preservatives, and their broths are made with soy-free miso. The bread is sourced from OWL Bakery, which uses organic ingredients and naturally leavened dough. Pulp + Sprout also offers healthy treats like vegan/grain-free cheesecakes and gluten-free granola.
Laughing Seed Café: Located on Wall Street, Laughing Seed Café is an international 100% vegan restaurant that offers a diverse menu with gluten-free and nut-free options. They source their gluten-free bread and buns from Eat More Bakery in Asheville. The restaurant also offers some organic ingredients, which are labeled on the menu, and family-style to-go items.
Rosetta's Kitchen: With vegetarian and vegan options, Rosetta's Kitchen is an Asheville staple.
Gluten-Free Havens
For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, finding safe dining options can be challenging. Asheville offers several restaurants with dedicated gluten-free kitchens or menus, ensuring a worry-free dining experience.
Posana: Located in Downtown Asheville, Posana is an upscale restaurant with a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. Their locally sourced menu features unique dishes crafted with real food. The staff is accommodating to other dietary restrictions, such as dairy sensitivities.
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BimBeriBon: This unique bakery and café is 100% gluten-free and offers vegan options. BimBeriBon is open Friday Nights, Fridays & Saturdays during lunch, and Sundays for brunch. They also offer Big Bountiful Bags for pick up on Thursdays.
Quick and Healthy Bites
For those seeking a quick and nourishing meal on the go, Asheville offers several options that prioritize fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Green Sage Café: With multiple locations in Asheville, Green Sage Café is committed to serving food that promotes good health and supports a vibrant community. Their food is nutrient-rich, chemical-free, and thoughtfully sourced, with 95% of the menu being organic. They offer a wide assortment of organic farm-to-cup coffee and espresso drinks, whole-leaf teas, raw house-made cold-pressed juices, whole-fruit smoothies, and scratch-made pastries and meals with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-sensitive options. Green Sage labels menu items as gluten-free or vegan, and they use grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon, local and pasture-raised pork, and Vital Farms eggs.
Clean Eatz: Located on Hendersonville Rd, Clean Eatz offers a variety of delicious and affordable healthy food options. Their dine-in cafe menu includes burgers, wraps, flatbreads, meltz, build your own bowls, and smoothies. They also offer Grab ‘N’ Go meals, protein smoothies, healthy snacks, and catering. Most meals are under 500 calories.
Whole Foods Market: While a national chain, Whole Foods Market is a great resource for grabbing organic veggies, pasture-raised meats, or healthy on-the-go snacks.
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Unique Dining Experiences
Asheville's culinary scene extends beyond traditional restaurants, offering unique dining experiences that cater to health-conscious individuals.
Curaté: This Spanish tapas bar in Downtown Asheville on Broadway St is known for its atmosphere and great menu. They label their menu items as gluten-free, lactose-free, and tree-nut-free, and offer options for paleo and vegan eaters. The staff is knowledgeable about dietary restrictions and can help create a selection of dishes to suit individual needs.
Dobra Tea: With two locations in Asheville, Dobra Tea is a tea shop that serves loose leaf tea and treats. Their treat menu is 100% gluten-free, and they label the type of sweetener used and whether it contains dairy or eggs. They offer vegan options and treats sweetened with coconut sugar.
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar: This used bookstore and champagne bar offers a unique atmosphere with a menu that includes champagne, wine, beer, tea, charcuterie boards, salads, sandwiches, brunch items, and pastries. They offer gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
Eating In: Local Grocery Options
For those who prefer to prepare their own meals, Asheville offers several grocery stores that prioritize local, organic, and sustainable products.
Earth Fare: This local supermarket chain, which began in Asheville, emphasizes products free of added hormones, antibiotics, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial/trans fats.
French Broad Co-Op: This community-owned grocery store is centrally located in Asheville and open to everyone. It supports local farmers and offers 100% organic produce and a bulk section.
Farmers Markets: Asheville's proximity to local farms makes farmers markets a great place to source fresh, sustainable produce. These markets often feature live music, speakers, cooking demos, and community-centered events.
Tips for Healthy Eating in Asheville
- Prioritize local and seasonal ingredients: Asheville's farm-to-table scene makes it easy to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce.
- Communicate your dietary needs: Many restaurants are accommodating to dietary restrictions, so don't hesitate to ask about ingredients and preparation methods.
- Explore vegan and vegetarian options: Asheville's thriving plant-based community offers a variety of delicious and innovative vegan and vegetarian dishes.
- Visit farmers markets: Farmers markets are a great place to find fresh, local produce and support sustainable farming practices.
- Consider cooking your own meals: With a variety of local grocery stores, preparing your own meals is a great way to control ingredients and ensure a healthy diet.
Additional Considerations
- Food Combining: Some health-conscious individuals follow specific food combining principles for optimal digestion. Be mindful of the combinations of foods in your meals, particularly in smoothies, to avoid digestive discomfort.
- Organic vs. Non-Organic: While organic options are generally preferred, local farmers may use sustainable practices even if they are not certified organic. Don't be afraid to ask farmers about their growing methods.
- Budget: Eating clean in Asheville can be expensive, so consider alternatives for eating out, such as cooking your own meals or visiting more affordable restaurants.
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