Asheville is not really a fancy city, which is part of what makes it so lovable. Still, there are times when you want to go out for a nice vegan meal. Maybe it is a celebration, maybe you have out of town guests who are not vegan and want to eat somewhere special, or maybe you just want to treat yourself. Whatever the reason, you have options. Here are five of our top picks for when you want a nice dinner out on the town.
Plant
We talked about Plant in our first food guide (Our Favorite Restaurants for Vegans in Asheville), so you can go back and read our top picks there, including the cheese plate, the raviolis, and the crispy mushroom mole. This is the only restaurant on this list that is 100% vegan, so again, this is our top recommendation. For this guide, we want to highlight a few more dishes that make Plant such a standout. The grilled beets appetizer is excellent. The smoky grilled flavor and the horseradish mayo elevate the dish in a way that surprises people every time. The picatta entree is another favorite, and it is one of those dishes that reminds you how creative vegan cooking can be.
Leave room for dessert because the desserts always deliver. Plant is truly one of the best fully vegan restaurants in the country, so this should be your first choice if you want a special dinner.
Asheville Proper
Asheville Proper is a steak restaurant in the Grove Arcade downtown, but they always have a vegan filet made by Juicy Marbles. It has been delicious every time we have ordered it. The last time we dined there, the filet came with a bean salad, pickled peanuts, a smoky bourbon BBQ sauce, and confit garlic. The flavors were excellent, and if you have never had a Juicy Marbles vegan steak, you owe it to yourself to try it. The texture, flavor, and color will surprise both you and your omnivore friends.
Strada Italiano
Strada Italiano is also downtown and is a great option for modern Italian food. There are just a few vegan options, but the vegan star of the menu is their lasagna. It has gluten free pasta, vegan bolognese, house made almond ricotta, spinach, plum tomato sauce, and vegan mozzarella. It is hearty, comforting, and very well done. They also typically have at least one vegan dessert. The last time we went, it was an oat milk based dark chocolate gelato. (Update August 2026: Have heard reports that the pasta in the lasagna is now temporarily vegetarian, not vegan. Call to confirm if you are going and please let us know!)
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse
Ukiah is on the South Slope just south of Wicked Weed and the Orange Peel. They have a number of vegan options on their menu. The veggie ramen is excellent, and they have dumplings, buns, and several interesting vegetable dishes. We like to share a lot of plates with friends, and the last time we were there, the mushroom tempura and the crispy mushroom bao were the favorites at the table.
Jargon
Jargon is in West Asheville and has a lovely back patio that makes it a great place for a nice evening out. We had a very enjoyable meal there, sitting outside, listening to live music, enjoying excellent service, and eating a delicious vegan dinner. Everything on their menu is clearly marked if it is vegan or gluten free, and you can tell they make an effort to offer a variety of options. They change their menu often and always use fresh, seasonal ingredients.
We went in late spring and enjoyed the Sweet and Spicy Cauliflower appetizer, the Glazed Lion’s Mane entree with baby bok choy, coconut rice noodles, do chua, basil, and Aleppo oil, and a Coconut Tres Leches dessert with coconut cream, cinnamon dulce, sesame cashew crunch, and guava sorbet. With the combination of the atmosphere, the food, and the service, this place was a wonderful find.
Sunset Terrace at Omni Grove Park Inn
The Sunset Terrace is aptly named. Go at sunset and enjoy a spectacular view of Asheville and the mountains. Sitting outside with the mountain view makes the whole experience feel special. Lunch is nice too. They have a small but dedicated vegan menu for both lunch and dinner, and there are always several appetizers, sides, and entrees listed.
For lunch, they typically have an interesting Impossible burger. For dinner, the Goddess Bowl and the Miso Glazed Tofu have been regular entrees on the menu. The Goddess Bowl has sweet potato, asparagus, sprouts, quinoa, chickpea, avocado, heirloom baby tomato, pickled red onion, and goddess sauce. The Miso Glazed Tofu comes with lemongrass broth, steamed rice, celery, carrot, mushroom, and chili oil. Both are tasty and satisfying.
Wrapping Up
Asheville has plenty of casual vegan options, but when you want a nice dinner, these are the places we recommend first. Each one offers something special, whether it is a beautiful view, a creative menu, or a dish that feels perfect for a celebration.
Our next food guide is probably our favorite topic. Pizza. We have a lifetime of expertise and a lot of opinions on what makes good pizza and what does not. You will not want to miss this next one.
Asheville Vegan Map
Here is a map with all the places from this guide so you can plan your meals around town.
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