My sister and I have been going to Asheville for as long as I can remember. As an adult I love the city and the region because of the vibe, but as a kid I loved it because my grandparents took us to their mountain house just a little bit out of town in Bat Cave, NC and we have wonderful memories there. Swimming in the streams, lakes, hiking and enjoying the views were some of the highlights.
I have put together some of my most favorite gluten-free eating options in Asheville, but these really just scratch the surface of what you can find that is paleo, gluten-free, or grain-free. I like to use the Yelp app everytime I am there to find something new.
Asheville and the surrounding area is a true farm-to-table, celebrate the farmer, locavore foodie destination. If you want to visit farms and taste goat cheese, see beekeepers in action, or just eat some mountain inspired food – it is the perfect place to visit.
Heaven cometh in a chocolate shop. If you love chocolate and all things chocolate, this is a great place to go try new combinations and fall in love with new treats. You can sample their large selection of housemade chocolates, discover other bean to bar chocolates from other US makers, and try a myriad of chocolate inspired drinks and pastries.
I can’t get enough of their flourless chocolate cake and macaroons. They also have a mexican hot chocolate drink that has no sugar in it and it really gives you a taste of how chocolate was originally consumed and enjoyed. You will not be disappointed, and if you have some non-chocolate loving friends, there are other delicacies to enjoy as well like their peanut butter cookie and creme brulee.
While there is nothing outwardly showing that this is a 100% gluten-free certified restaurant, it is thru and thru. Sitting right in the heart of downtown Asheville, Posana has a full days worth of gluten-free foods to satisfy any appetite. From fresh, warm muffins in the morning to local brisket at lunch and dinner.
Blue Ridge Farm to Table Artisanal Buffet at the Omni Grove Park Inn
For a fancier and more majestic brunch experience, take the short trek away from downtown Asheville to visit the Grove Park Inn. Just the lobby of the hotel will blow you away with enormous grand fireplaces made out of boulders. The views from the front patio are so romantic, and parts of Dirty Dancing were filmed at the hotel so how can you not feel romantic. The Saturday and Sunday brunch offer a huge selection of meats, seafood, salads, and veggies to meet any dietary need. Every time I have been, the chef has walked me through to let me know what is gluten-free, including the desserts!
Dobra Tea in Asheville and Black Mountain
The staff here take their tea super serious and the environment is more like a library than a coffee house. Very zen and don’t make any sudden movements. If you can get over that, the tea, food, and baked goods here are unique, all gluten free, and so yummy. They have this Raspberry Brown Butter Tea Cake that I can’t leave Asheville without eating one, and their their Spring Rolls are fresh, packed with unique veggies and limited so get some early. I love the Downtown Asheville and Black Mountain locations the best.
Farm Burger, two locations in Asheville
This southern burger chain out of Atlanta provides a hearty burger stop when in Asheville that you can customize to your liking from a gluten-free bun to lettuce wrapped or top it with oxtail marmelade or pork belly among many other standard and unique topping offerings. It is family friendly, fun, loud, and filling.
bunless burger at Farm Burger
Tapas heaven. If you are looking for authentic, clean, very Spanish tapas this place deliver. Also bonus, everything is labeled from Gluten Free to Tree Nut Free to Lactose Free. For something really different and so delicious try the the espárragos blancos dish (white asparagus) or the sardinas curadas. Both are rare to find in the US and done so delicately. There are lots of great options for the not so adventurous as well. Great for any person or group to share some Spanish fun together.
BBQ done the way it has been done since yesteryear. They catered my sisters wedding, so they are near and dear to my heart. At the time of this blog post, all of the sauces are gluten-free. I love their smoked wings and brisket the most, accompanied by their Spicy Vinegar Slaw and Collard Greens. (Photo by The Daily Meal)
Gluten Free Biscuits INFO!
Biscuit Head, multiple locations in Asheville
Big, giant biscuits that you can get a la carte or with a big selection of hearty fillings like the Brisket Biscuit (a biscuit with brisket, pickled onion, smoked chèvre, poached egg, and buffalo hollandaise) or the Asheville Benedict (an open faced biscuit topped with charred scallion cream cheese, fresh tomatoes, 2 poached eggs, hollandaise, roasted red peppers, and a tossed kale salad).
Blue Ridge Biscuit in Black Mountain
A very similar vibe and size of biscuit as Biscuit Head but in Black Mountain a few miles east of Asheville. Black Mountain is a small, walkable town that is fun to explore and BRB is a great breakfast spot.
Green Sage Cafe, multiple locations in Asheville
Great cafe, biscuit is not a giant or decadent as the two previous places above, but if you are hankering for biscuit, it will do. Biscuit is just a vector for butter right? Lots of gluten-free, dairy-free options and local sourcing abounds. Great place to pick up a quick bite while you are in downtown Asheville.
I love to stock up at Greenlife which is owned by Whole Foods but used to be a local store. Also there is great Asheville co-op called French Broad Co-op that has everything a real paleo and Keto foodie would want and the best part is they are worker owned and pay a living wage.
This cute place in downtown has gluten free ice cream sandwiches using peanut butter cookies. They use cream from a local dairy and make everything from scratch. It is a great addition to the downtown scene.
little ones love it
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