It has been said by many visitors to Asheville that the food scene here is more progressive than anywhere else they have visited.  Here we offer 7 reasons that Asheville is a food forward heaven:

1.  Asheville Food is Fresh

Everyone knows that fantastic chefs cook with the freshest ingredients.  In the Asheville area, there are over a dozen farmers markets that both home cooks and professional chefs frequent to find ingredients.  Menus all over town boast meat, cheese and produce from local farms.  The Hop Ice Cream Cafe is known to stop by the West Asheville Tailgate Market for farm fresh ingredients that then show up in their incredibly creative ice cream flavors.
 

2.  It’s Easy to Grab a Bite in Asheville

A new trend that we are seeing is the rise of the food truck, lending convenience to grabbing a bite on the go in every nook and cranny of Asheville.  You will find food trucks parked at breweries, festivals, private parties and even gas stations, making it incredibly easy to eat a delicious meal.  There is even a dedicated food truck park!

3.  Local Food Abounds

Asheville’s hospitable climate is conducive to many crops flourishing.  At farmers markets, co-ops and independent grocery stores you can find various local foods throughout the seasons.  Late spring brings scrumptious greens and summer yields countless root veggies, squashes, berries and more.  Crisp apples are a fall staple in Western North Carolina.

4.  There is a Focus on Sustainable Food

In true Asheville form, there is a huge grassroots effort to make food sustainable in our area.  An organization called Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project provides support for farmers and education to the community so that we, as consumers, may have sustainable food choices and that farm businesses can continue to thrive.  Their efforts help to connect us to the farmers through markets and farm tours.

5.  Healthy Food is Everywhere

There is nowhere easier than Asheville to find healthy food that suits any diet.  Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan or any other food sensitive designation, there is a delectable menu waiting for you here!  Plant is an entirely vegan fine-dining establishment.  Posana, in Pack Square, is entirely gluten-free.  Laughing Seed Cafe, an early Asheville restaurant located on Wall Street, pioneered the way for vegetarian food in the area in the 1990s.  The Hop Ice Cream Cafe serves soymilk, almond milk, coconut milk and banana ice cream in addition to dairy ice cream.

6.  Food is Art in Asheville

Art, both visual and performing, is a large part of Asheville’s culture, and it carries over into the food realm as well.  Gorgeous, colorful combinations of local ingredients grace plates city-wide.  Notable culinary displays can be witnessed at Bull and Beggar with their seafood tower.  The sushi at Heiwa Shokudo on Lexington Avenue is stunning.  Check out the Instagram account of The Junction in the River Arts District to see their food art.  French Broad Chocolate Lounge’s handmade truffles are individual masterpieces!

7.  Asheville food is Delicious

The bottom line here is that you can taste some of the most delectable dishes imaginable in Asheville’s restaurants.  The Admiral, an unexpected fine dining restaurant in a dive bar’s body, often has reservations booked for weeks in advance.  Chef Katie Button churns out amazing tapas at Curate Spanish tapas bar.  Some of our other favorites are Mela Indian Food and Salsa’s Mexican Caribbean.

Feasting for FEAST Event

For the last several years, Mosaic Realty has been a supporter of the annual Feasting for FEAST celebration.  FEAST, an Asheville nonprofit, seeks to educate youth and families to grow, prepare and enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables.  Their annual Feasting for FEAST celebration brings together many of Asheville’s finest restaurants for a tasting of this fantastic food culture. Funds raised go toward programming that serves over 1500 local children.  Get your tickets now for the September 29th event!

At Mosaic Realty, we know this small city inside and out.  We would love to help you decide where in Asheville to call home.  For information on real estate in Asheville, please contact Mike Figura at mike@mymosaicrealty.com  or call him anytime at (828) 337-8190.

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Further Reading: This article by Collections, ETC. names Asheville as one of the coolest small towns to visit!