Chai Pani is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

1. Chai Pani

8.9
22 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC
Indian Restaurant · Downtown Asheville · 83 tips and reviews

Nick P.Nick Pastula: Authentic street food with local ingredients

Priya I.Priya Iyer: Chai here = authentic Indian tea and not chai latte. Too good!

Sadhana J.Sadhana Jayanth: Considering the rave reviews it got, I was disappointed to find that this place is not at all authentic and very westernized.

Cúrate is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

2. Cúrate

9.1
13 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC
Spanish Restaurant · Downtown Asheville · 119 tips and reviews

Tricia F.Tricia Falk: Amazing! Authentic tapas and a great wine list.

Francisco R.Francisco Ruscalleda: Authentic!

Wael H.Wael Hazzazi: Get the crispy bread with tomatoes, the octopus with potato puree, and the shrimp with sliced garlic 👌🏼

Papas & Beer is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

3. Papas & Beer

8.3
17 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC
Mexican Restaurant · 56 tips and reviews

Vicki G.Vicki Greear: OMG the best food in town. If you love Authentic Mexican food This is the place to be!

Rebecca H.Rebecca Harrison: Excellent , authentic Mexican food. Had the molcajetes platter. So good! Huge serving, more than I could eat, and definitely spicy. Ordered a margarita, and it was so big my husband and I shared it.

Jacob B.Jacob Ballard: Amazing fajitas and margaritas. Also hve salsa bar.

Bouchon French Bistro is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

4. Bouchon French Bistro

8.8
62 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC
French Restaurant · Downtown Asheville · 39 tips and reviews

Lisa P.Lisa Pertee: Love! Mussels are perfection. Definitely will be back for a visit! It is worth the stop and price for authentic French

SherriSherri: The food is so good.. Atmosphere awesome. Outdoor dining is beautiful..

ty h.ty hallock: Monday night is 1/2 price wine and $14 all you can eat mussels!

Biscuit Head is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

5. Biscuit Head

9.0
417 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC
Breakfast Spot · 45 tips and reviews

Sammy B.Sammy Best: Biscuits w waffles buscuits w fried green tomatoes beignet biscuits totally amazing

Sammy B.Sammy Best: Amazing fried chicken sweet potato buscuit and fried green tomatoes eggs benedict biscuit. Biscuit beigniets were all awesome too

Brandon H.Brandon Hedrick: Great spot for a late breakfast. Biscuits and cherry cola bacon were fantastic!

Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

6. Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack

8.3
3749 Sweeten Creek Rd (Sycamore Road), Arden, NC
Fried Chicken Joint · Royal Pines · 16 tips and reviews

Tamara E.Tamara Edwards: Outstanding fried pickle chips!!! Chicken wraps are phenomenal!! One of my favorite places to reward myself after a good long bike ride! 😍

Marilyn S.Marilyn Sholin: Get the fried green tomatoes! And the honey chicken wings are amazing.

Jim F.Jim Fulton: Collards are good. Also liked the coca cola cake!

Luella's Bar-B-Que is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

7. Luella's Bar-B-Que

8.3
501 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC
BBQ Joint · 73 tips and reviews

Julia Y.Julia Yan: Excited to be back in the south for authentic BBQ again! Hush puppies + BBQ ribs as always!!

Eric L.Eric L: Great BBQ, love the slaw, beans and smoked wings.

Tiffany W.Tiffany Welsh: Go to 12 bones if you want BBQ. This place wasn't nearly as good.

Mela Indian Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

8. Mela Indian Restaurant

8.0
70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC
Indian Restaurant · Downtown Asheville · 48 tips and reviews

Damien H.Damien Hoffman: The lunch buffet is an awesome value for this super tasty authentic Indian food. The Chicken Tikka Masala is my favorite from any I've had in the U.S.

Frank E.Frank Esposito: I've been to Mela 6 times since moving to North Carolina. It's delicious, consistent and I have a love affair with my 'usual' extra spicy vindaloo!

Rachael J.Rachael Johns: Awesome lunch buffet in a lovely Indian environment. I go there weekly, at least. Take-out lunch is the best bargain- fill it up to go.

Ay Caramba Mexican Grill & Bar is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

9. Ay Caramba Mexican Grill & Bar

8.2
801 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC
Mexican Restaurant · 6 tips and reviews

Sheldon A.Sheldon Altschul: We had the Mexican style tacos. They were delicious and very authentic to what you find in Mexico. We will be back!

PinkyPinky: Favorite Mexican joint in Asheville. I'm a Mexican cuisine snob and this place satisfies my spanish tooth. Very fresh. The salsa bar is excellent. Don't forget to order the Sopapillas for dessert.👍

Tim K.Tim Kelley: Good tacos and burritos

Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

10. Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack

9.1
1455 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC
Fried Chicken Joint · 57 tips and reviews

Geno M.Geno Miller: Best chicken in town, and you get A LOT for what you pay. Drumsticks as thick as your biceps. Good lemonade too!

Rod D.Rod Dickson: Best chicken in town! Anything above mildium is not for the lightweights. Every side is great. Tattoo Tuesday is awesome! Show your tat, 10% off.

Rod D.Rod Dickson: Unless you enjoy crying while eating chicken, avoid the top 3 spices. If you're scared, avoid the top 5.

Dobra Tea is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

11. Dobra Tea

8.9
78 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC
Tea Room · Downtown Asheville · 31 tips and reviews

Kira R.Kira Rocha: Amazing teas, going to basics, black, green, white, oolongs and they have selection of pu erh teas

Carolyn E.Carolyn Ellison: Sage does Tarot readings here on Monday and Friday from 2-6pm. Go to the counter and put your name on the list. $1 a minute and she's VERY good :)

Divine A.Divine Allah: Their menu is like a ritual book

Biscuit Head is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

12. Biscuit Head

9.3
733 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC
Breakfast Spot · 74 tips and reviews

Garland L.Garland Llewellyn: Country ham biscuit with fried green tomato, egg and cheese...mmmm.

Forrest S.Forrest Samuels: Don't miss the jam bar.

Wendy LouWendy Lou: Smoked chevre grits...maple, pepper, papaya bacon. Holywow this place is amazing.

High Five Coffee is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

13. High Five Coffee

8.8
13 Rankin Ave, Asheville, NC
Coffee Shop · Downtown Asheville · 41 tips and reviews

Patrick H.Patrick Hart: Great atmosphere; even better coffee. The staff is killer and super friendly.

Janis H.Janis Huang: Strong, delicious cold brew. Solid coffee joint, it would be my daily spot if I lived in Asheville. They also sell bottled kombucha.

JamesJames: Cool coffee spot in downtown Asheville with a distinct European vibe. Try the Barista's choice!

The Hop Ice Cream Cafe is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

14. The Hop Ice Cream Cafe

8.5
640 Merrimon Ave Ste 103 (Edgewood Rd), Asheville, NC
Ice Cream Parlor · 39 tips and reviews

Ashley F.Ashley F: Hot Chocolate float is delicious, especially with mint chocolate chip ice cream!

Ask Asheville h.Ask Asheville http://askasheville.com: The ice cream options are incredible here! This is Asheville's homegrown ice cream shop!!!

swadeshineswadeshine: Yum. That is all.

HomeGrown is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in Asheville.

15. HomeGrown

8.8
371 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC
American Restaurant · 55 tips and reviews

Nina Y.Nina Yiamsamatha: Large farmers' salad with fried chicken on top = a perfectly balanced, delicious meal

The Hop Ice Cream CafeThe Hop Ice Cream Cafe: The fried chicken, by itself, in a salad or sandwich, is amazing :)

Laura H.Laura Harden: Awesome local food and WIFI