Asheville isn't just a beacon for craft beer; it's a genuine culinary destination where many of the best brews come hand-in-hand with exceptional dining. Forget stale pretzels and basic pub grub—the city's brewers have truly mastered the art of elevating the taproom experience, ensuring that when you search for "asheville breweries with great food menus," you're spoiled for choice with everything from gourmet BBQ to innovative international fare.
At a Glance: Your Guide to Asheville's Top Brewery Bites
- Diverse Menus: Expect far more than just bar snacks—from wood-fired pizzas and elevated gastropub fare to dedicated BBQ joints and exotic international options.
- Pairing Perfection: Discover breweries where the food is thoughtfully designed to complement the beer styles, enhancing both.
- Dietary-Friendly: Find numerous vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices, reflecting Asheville's inclusive food scene.
- Family & Group Options: Locate kid-friendly spots and venues equipped for larger gatherings, some even offering special deals.
- Planning Your Culinary Crawl: Get practical tips on transport, timing, and navigating the city's varied brewery districts.
Why Asheville's Brewery Food Scene is a Cut Above
Asheville’s reputation for craft beer often overshadows its burgeoning culinary identity, but the truth is, the two have grown in tandem. Brewers here understand that a truly memorable experience involves more than just an outstanding pint. They've invested in full kitchens, brought in talented chefs, and embraced the region's rich agricultural bounty to offer food that stands proudly alongside their award-winning beers. Many breweries lean into a farm-to-table ethos, crafting menus that are fresh, seasonal, and distinctly Appalachian yet globally inspired. This evolution means that whether you're craving upscale comfort food, authentic barbecue, or creative international dishes, you'll find a brewery serving it up with flair.
Navigating Asheville's Culinary Brewscapes: A Taste Tour
To truly appreciate the breadth of food offerings, it helps to categorize them by their culinary focus. This isn't just about what's on the menu, but the entire dining experience each brewery cultivates.
BBQ & Comfort Food Havens: Hearty Pairings
Sometimes, all you need is soul-satisfying comfort food, and Asheville's breweries deliver. These spots excel at classic American fare, often with a local twist, perfect for pairing with a diverse range of ales and lagers.
- 12 Bones Brewing: A local legend, 12 Bones isn't just a brewery; it’s a BBQ institution. Their ribs come in four distinct flavors—the brown sugar rub is particularly recommended. Beyond ribs, dive into pulled pork, smoked chicken, wings, turkey, and brisket (available Wednesday-Saturday). With about ten daily sides, a four-sides plate is a perfect way to sample their comforting accompaniments.
- Sweeten Creek Brewing (South Asheville): This brewery features an on-site Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, ensuring authentic, delicious smoked meats right where you sip your beer. Expect classics like pulled pork, savory burnt ends, creamy mac & cheese, and collards. Sweeten Creek is also mindful of dietary needs, offering vegetarian options such as smoked portobello, smoked tempeh, and even an Impossible meatloaf. Note that the brewery and BBQ operate from separate counters, making ordering efficient.
- Catawba Brewing Co. (South Slope): While their specific menu can vary, Catawba often hosts food trucks serving up Southern comfort food with a unique twist, like their popular pulled pork sandwiches. It’s a great spot for straightforward, satisfying bites that pair well with their approachable beer lineup.
- Green Man Brewery (South Slope): Green Man offers elevated pub fare that leans into classic English comfort, perfectly complementing their traditional English-style ales. Think hearty bangers and mash made with local sausage, or perfectly crafted Scotch eggs. It’s sophisticated comfort food designed to enhance the beer experience.
Elevated Pub Fare & Gastropub Gems: Beyond the Basics
These breweries take the concept of "pub food" and turn it on its head, offering sophisticated, chef-driven menus that wouldn't feel out of place in a standalone restaurant.
- Burial Beer Co. (South Slope): Burial is synonymous with innovative brews, and their South Slope location extends that creativity to the kitchen. While the menu changes, their double cheeseburger is a frequently lauded item—a testament to their commitment to quality ingredients. The brewery's unique atmosphere, with outdoor seating, a biergarten, and a rooftop, makes it a prime spot for a meal.
- Wicked Weed Brewpub (Downtown Asheville): This downtown staple is known for its diverse beer selection and an equally varied food menu. Their famous chicken sandwich is a must-try, and for groups, the Bavarian platter offers a generous spread. Tuesdays after 5 PM bring a special treat: kids eat free with an adult meal purchase, making it a great family-friendly option.
- Hillman Beer (near Biltmore Village): A welcoming, kid-friendly spot with spacious outdoor seating, Hillman offers more than just brews. Their menu features a signature burger, a classic Reuben, and a fried chicken sandwich. Wednesday nights are especially popular for their burger + beer special. Don't miss their soft pretzel appetizer, a perfect start to any meal.
- Highland Brewing Company (East Asheville): Asheville’s original craft brewery has evolved its food offerings significantly. Their kitchen sources many ingredients locally for wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches featuring regional meats, and fresh seasonal salads. It’s a true celebration of Appalachian flavors paired with their beloved brews.
- Hi-Wire Brewing (Multiple Locations): Known for its fun branding and accessible beers, Hi-Wire also delivers a sophisticated food menu. Their elevated pub fare prioritizes quality and local ingredients, ensuring that each dish, from creative appetizers to hearty mains, complements their diverse beer styles.
Pizza Perfection & Yeast-Driven Delights: Carb-Lover's Dream
For those who believe beer and pizza are a match made in heaven, these breweries take their dough seriously, often leveraging their brewing expertise to create truly special crusts.
- White Labs Kitchen & Tap (Downtown Asheville): As a global leader in yeast production, White Labs brings its scientific precision to pizza. They use special yeast strains in their dough, resulting in exceptional flavor and texture. With vegan cheese, vegan sausage, and gluten-free crust options, they cater to diverse dietary preferences, alongside salads, appetizers, and sandwiches.
- Asheville Brewing Co. (Multiple Locations): With three distinct locations, Asheville Brewing consistently delivers on the pizza front. Their South Slope location offers pizza by the slice and classic bar appetizers, perfect for a quick bite. Their North Asheville brewpub uniquely doubles as a movie theater, allowing you to enjoy a similar menu alongside your film.
- Zillicoah Beer Company (Woodfin, just north of Asheville): Zillicoah specializes in traditional European-style lagers and ales, and their food menu perfectly aligns with this aesthetic: wood-fired cuisine. Expect delicious pizzas, expertly roasted meats, and grilled vegetables, all cooked with a smoky depth that pairs beautifully with their crisp beers.
International Flavors & Unique Culinary Pairings: Global Explorations
Asheville’s culinary scene isn't afraid to explore global flavors, and neither are its breweries. These spots offer exciting, often unexpected, international dishes designed to intrigue your palate.
- Cellarest Beer Project (West Asheville): This brewery, focused on oak-fermented beers, hosts Cassia, an on-site Thai food truck (since late 2023). Cassia's menu changes bi-weekly but consistently offers authentic Thai flavors with dishes like stir fry, fried rice, coconut curry, and their popular "Firecrackers" (crispy sweet potatoes with spicy mayo) and Firecracker Shrimp. It’s a fantastic example of a perfect culinary partnership.
- Bhramari Brewing Company (Downtown Asheville): Known for its experimental beers, Bhramari extends its adventurous spirit to its food menu, which focuses on global flavors and bold spices. You might find Korean-style tacos, Indian-inspired curries, or Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, all crafted to stand up to and complement their innovative brews.
- Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium (South Slope): The East Coast's first dedicated sour beer taproom, the Funkatorium offers a unique pairing challenge. Their food menu rises to the occasion with appetizers, sandwiches, and pizza that beautifully cut through or complement the acidity of their renowned sour beers. They even offer signature flights, including non-sour options and a Vidl wine flight, ensuring there's something for every palate.
Grand Scale Dining & Brunch Experiences: Full-Service Delights
For those seeking a more expansive dining experience, complete with full entrées and weekend brunch, these breweries offer a broader culinary scope.
- Burial’s Forestry Camp (South Asheville): Burial's second location provides a unique dining experience, often with an expanded selection of seasonal dinner entrées beyond their South Slope menu, including a consistently praised smash burger. Crucially, Forestry Camp also serves a delicious brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM, making it a weekend destination for both food and beer lovers.
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Mills River Campus): While a short drive from downtown Asheville, Sierra Nevada's sprawling Mills River campus is a culinary destination in itself, offering two distinct dining experiences. The Back Porch provides casual bar snacks and sandwiches, perfect for a quick bite. For a more substantial meal, the Taproom Restaurant offers dishes like Joyce Farm torpedo chicken wings, a variety of pizzas, and elevated entrées such as braised lamb shank. It's a full-service culinary experience within a breathtaking brewery setting.
Strategic Planning for Your Asheville Brewery Food Tour
Successfully navigating Asheville’s brewery and food scene requires a little forethought. Consider these practical tips to maximize your enjoyment and culinary discoveries.
Matching Beer & Food: A Quick Guide
While the specific pairings will depend on the brewery and your personal preference, understanding the basics can enhance your experience. Lighter beers often pair well with delicate flavors, hoppy IPAs can cut through rich, fatty foods, and dark stouts complement desserts or smoked meats. For a comprehensive dive into this art, explore Mastering Brewery & Food Pairings, which offers frameworks for making informed choices. Applying these principles will elevate your dining beyond just a good meal to a truly harmonized experience.
Practical Logistics & Insider Tips
- Dietary Restrictions: Asheville is incredibly accommodating. Many breweries, like White Labs with its vegan/GF pizza options and Sweeten Creek with its vegetarian BBQ, clearly list dietary-friendly choices. Always check online menus or call ahead to confirm specific needs.
- Transportation: Downtown Asheville is quite walkable, allowing you to easily hop between spots like Wicked Weed, Burial (South Slope), and Green Man. For breweries further afield, such as Hillman (near Biltmore Village), Cellarest (West Asheville), or Burial’s Forestry Camp (South Asheville), ride-sharing services, taxis, or designated drivers are highly recommended. Biking along the French Broad River Greenway can also be a scenic option for some West Asheville destinations.
- Timing is Everything: To avoid peak crowds, especially on weekends, consider visiting during weekdays or early evenings. Lunchtime can also be a less busy, more relaxed option to enjoy the full food menu.
- Reservations: While many breweries operate on a first-come, first-served basis, some, particularly those with more extensive dining rooms like Sierra Nevada's Taproom, may accept or require reservations, especially for larger groups. Check their websites or call ahead to confirm their policies.
- Special Events & Collaborations: Always check brewery websites or social media. Many breweries host special food-related events, such as beer dinners, food truck rallies, or chef collaborations, which can offer unique culinary experiences.
- Leverage Proximity: Some breweries, even without an in-house kitchen, are strategically located next to fantastic dining options. For example, Archetype Brewing in West Asheville doesn't have its own kitchen or daily food truck but is conveniently situated next to Gan Shan (Asian/Thai) and Pizza Mind. You can order from Gan Shan and have it delivered directly to your table at Archetype (though not the rooftop). This provides flexibility without sacrificing quality food.
Quick Answers: Your Asheville Brewery Food FAQs
Q: Do all Asheville breweries have full kitchens or offer food?
A: No, not all. While many prominent breweries now boast full kitchens, some, particularly smaller taprooms, may only offer snacks, rely on rotating food trucks, or partner with neighboring restaurants for delivery. Always check their website or social media before you go.
Q: Are there specific breweries known for being exceptionally kid-friendly with good food?
A: Absolutely. Hillman Beer is very kid-friendly with spacious outdoor seating and a good menu. Wicked Weed Brewpub downtown also offers "kids eat free" on Tuesdays after 5 PM with an adult meal, making it a solid choice for families. Many breweries with outdoor spaces generally welcome children.
Q: How can I find vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options at Asheville breweries?
A: Asheville is very diet-conscious. Many breweries clearly mark these options on their menus (e.g., White Labs with vegan cheese/sausage/GF crust, Sweeten Creek with vegetarian BBQ options). It's always best practice to review their online menu beforehand or call the brewery if you have specific or severe dietary restrictions.
Q: What's the best way to combine a brewery tour with a great food experience?
A: Plan your route strategically. Focus on a specific neighborhood like South Slope (Burial, Wicked Weed Funkatorium, Green Man) for walkability, or West Asheville (Cellarest, Archetype). Prioritize places where the food menu genuinely excites you and aligns with the beer styles you want to try. Consider doing lunch at one spot and appetizers/dinner at another to sample more.
Crafting Your Perfect Asheville Brewery & Food Adventure
Asheville’s breweries have truly mastered the art of matching great beer with exceptional food. It’s no longer just about the pint; it’s about the full sensory experience that elevates both the beverage and the bite. To plan your ultimate culinary beer journey, start by identifying the type of food you're craving—be it gourmet BBQ, elevated pub fare, international delights, or yeast-driven pizzas. Then, cross-reference that with the breweries' atmosphere and location. Be mindful of logistics like transport and timing, especially if you're exploring beyond the walkable downtown core. With a little planning, you won't just find a great beer in Asheville; you'll uncover a truly memorable meal that perfectly complements it, turning a simple outing into an unforgettable gastronomic adventure.