Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian or just want to infuse some green power into your date night rotation, Asheville’s culinary prowess has creatively answered the call for more plant based dishes that will wow your palate and satisfy your cravings. Here’s your best bets on healthy restaurants in Asheville for a plant powered date night.
PLANT
You don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy the scratch-made goodness of the dishes at PLANT. Noted as one of the Top 10 Vegan Places to Eat in the US, PLANT takes vegan dining to a whole new level. With multicultural influences, each dish is robust with flavor. The Seitan Chili Con Queso (perfect for splitting) is rich and creamy, you’d never know it wasn’t cheese. The AppleWood Smoked Portobello (a popular dish) boasts full bodied flavor and served with farm greens, seared white polenta cake, and fennel salad. Leave room for dessert with decadent items like the Blackout Pie that has a cookie crust, chocolate peanut-butter fudge filling and berry sauce salted macadamia ice cream.
PLANT
165 Merrimon Ave
Asheville, NC
828-258-7500
Laughing Seed
With a 20 year run, Laughing Seed Cafe has brought locally driven, farm-to-table vegetarian cuisine to Asheville for quite some time. Vegetarian or not, your palate will be amply rewarded with a wide variety of flavor. The Jalapeno Onion Fries with a creamy chipotle aioli sauce is a must try, along with the Cauliflower Crust Pizza (gluten free). Indulge in one of their Fresh Live Juices like the Green Warrior, or opt for a Blackberry-Mint-Ginger mocktail. The outdoor dining patio along historic Wall Street scores high on ambiance, with plenty of people watching while you enjoy your healthy meal.
Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall St
Asheville, NC 28801
828-252-3445
Posana
In the heart of downtown Asheville on Historic Pack Square, Posana offers a fresh, seasonal menu inspired by local growers and producers. Posana is nationally recognized for their commitment to safe, gluten-free dishes, offering an exceptional dining experience regardless of dietary needs. Try The Fried Brussel Sprouts appetizer with sorghum-cider glaze, walnuts and whipped ricotta as an appetizer. Or do brunch with the Tofu Breakfast Bowl and a Bourbon Mimosa (must try). Don’t forget your pooch! Posana offers a doggie menu on the patio.
Posana
1 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
828-505-3969
Rosetta’s Kitchen & The Buchi Bar
Known as Asheville’s original vegan and vegetarian soul kitchen, Rosetta’s Kitchen has a diverse menu from homegrown to ethnic vegan dishes. Try the Tacos: three fresh fried crispy corn tacos with vegan chorizo, organic rice, romaine lettuce & house-made salsa. Add a side of Vegan Con Queso and you have a real vegan Mexican feast! But don’t leave before trying a Buchi Flight! Local kombucha brewers, Buchi, provide the deliciously fermented brews, adding to a variety of unique cocktails and elixers.
Rosetta’s Kitchen & Buchi Bar
116 N Lexington Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
828-232-0738
Jerusalem Garden Cafe
Family owned and operated for over 20 years, Jerusalem Garden Cafe serves up authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Though the cafe is not devotedly vegetarian or vegan, they have a wide variety of tasty options like the Fresh Hummus & Pita, Stuffed Grape Leaves and Falafel. The Moujaddara, a delicious mix of rice, lentils, tzatziki, onions, and tahini salad is vegan friendly, along with their fresh greek salad. Be sure to check out the live music and belly dancing on Friday and Saturday nights, along with Asheville’s Drum Circle in Pritchard Park across the street. Finish the evening with rooftop cocktails at neighboring Top of the Monk.
Jerusalem Garden Cafe
78 Patton Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-0255
Baba Nahm
Located in the historic Grove Arcade, Baba Nahm is a grab and go middle eastern eatery with big flavor. The cold case is stocked with grape leaves, dips and bottled drinks. The menu is short and simple, with house-made hummus, fresh and pickled veggies, salads and sauces. The Israeli Fries are a local favorite, tossed with zaatar, lemon tahini and Harissa sauce. The Falafel Pita is another local, vegetarian favorite. Budget friendly with big flavor makes Baba Nahm an easy veggie option!
Baba Nahm
1 Page Ave #139
Asheville, NC 28801
828-575-2075
Green Sage Cafe
Green Sage Cafe offers traditional American fare with a deliciously healthy twist. The popular Pura Vida Bowl (gluten-free and vegetarian) has black beans, rice, kale, two eggs, root hash and avocado salsa. Add the Green Goddess Juice with kale, celery, cucumbers, apples, spinach, lemon juice and ginger for a nutritious zip in your step. You can taste the difference with the natural, local and organic ingredients that Green Sage Cafe serves using sustainable practices. It’s good for your body and the environment!
Green Sage Cafe took home #3 in Best of WNC Healthiest Restaurants (2014-2016).
Green Sage Cafe
Three locations:
Downtown:
5 Broadway St
Asheville, NC 28801
828-252-4450
West Asheville:
70 Westgate Pky.
Asheville, NC 28806
828-785-1780
South Asheville:
1800 Hendersonville Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
828-274-4450
Dobra Tea House
Enjoy an array of imported, loose leaf teas and vegetarian are at Dobra Tea House. Their full, world fushion inspired menu is vegetarian and gluten-free, featuring fresh options like veggie bowls, fresh hummus, miso soup, goat cheese, biscuits, cookies and teacakes. All prepared with local, organic ingredients. The Westside Bowl packs a nutritious punch with kale, carrots, beats, cucumber wakami salad, shiitake mushrooms, kimchee and toasted seeds, all served over brown rice with a choice of tahini or peanut sauce. The Raw Chocolate Maca-roons are delish and vegan!
Dobra Tea House
707 Haywood Rd
Asheville, NC
828-505-4307
Leave a Reply