Asheville, NC, isn't just "Beer City USA"; it's a culinary destination where the craft beer scene often serves up exceptional food experiences right alongside its brews. If you're seeking the best brewery restaurants Asheville NC has to offer, you're looking for more than just a taproom—you want a place where the quality of the cuisine rivals the artistry in the glass. This guide dives deep into the establishments that master this delicious fusion, helping you navigate the vibrant scene and savor every sip and bite.
At a Glance: Your Guide to Asheville's Brewery Dining
- Discover Diverse Cuisines: From upscale gastropubs to casual pizza joints and gourmet food trucks, Asheville breweries offer a spectrum of dining options.
- Find Your Vibe: Whether you seek a family-friendly compound, a cozy downtown pub, or a scenic outdoor retreat, there’s a brewery restaurant for every mood.
- Navigate Post-Flood Realities: Get the latest on recent reopenings and changes to ensure a smooth visit, especially around the River Arts District.
- Pairing Perfection: Understand which breweries excel at matching their extensive beer lists with thoughtfully crafted menus.
- Beyond the Brews: Identify options with great non-beer selections for diverse groups, including gluten-reduced and N/A choices.
Asheville's Delicious Dual Threat: Why Brewery Restaurants Reign
Asheville's reputation for craft beer is legendary, built on decades of innovation and a tight-knit brewing community. But what truly elevates the experience is how many local breweries have embraced the "restaurant" concept, transforming their spaces into full-service dining destinations. This isn't just about grabbing a snack with your pint; it's about curated menus designed to complement specific beer styles, creating a holistic sensory experience. These establishments have become vital community hubs, offering everything from hearty pub fare to refined culinary creations, all within the unique ambiance of a working brewery.
The focus here is on those establishments that genuinely deliver on both fronts: exceptional craft beer and a standout food program, whether through an in-house kitchen, dedicated food trucks, or seamless delivery partnerships. We’re exploring where the "restaurant" aspect isn’t an afterthought but a core part of the brewery's identity.
The Blockbusters: Essential Asheville Brewery Restaurants for the Full Experience
These are the heavy hitters, the established names that consistently deliver a top-tier brewery and dining experience, often on a grand scale.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Mills River)
While technically just outside Asheville in Mills River, Sierra Nevada's expansive "compound" is a non-negotiable visit for anyone serious about brewery dining. This isn't just a taproom; it's a culinary destination. Their on-site restaurant is famed for its high-quality, often locally sourced food, designed to pair impeccably with their extensive tap list. Imagine savoring a meticulously prepared dish—perhaps wood-fired pizza or a gourmet burger—while overlooking the sprawling grounds from their lodge-like taproom or enjoying the fresh air in the beer garden by a roaring fire pit. The scale and quality here are simply unmatched, making it a singular, essential brewery visit for food lovers.
Burial Beer Co. (Forestry Camp)
Burial Beer Co. has carved out a unique niche with its distinct, often ominous branding and exceptional beers. While their downtown Asheville taproom is beer-focused, the Forestry Camp location is a true brewery restaurant gem. This spot offers abundant seating, a full-service kitchen, and a menu centered on elevated American cuisine. It's the kind of place where you can settle in for a complete meal, from dinner to a delightful weekend brunch, enjoying dishes crafted to stand alongside their impressive array of IPAs, stouts, and sours. They also provide a thoughtful selection of cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic options, ensuring everyone in your party finds something to enjoy.
Wicked Weed Brewing (Downtown Asheville)
Right in the heart of downtown, Wicked Weed Brewing is a perennial favorite for its hop-forward beers and inviting atmosphere. Beyond the brews, their pub offers a solid menu of classic pub fare that perfectly hits the spot. Think satisfying sandwiches, juicy burgers, and crispy fish and chips—all the comforts you crave with your craft beer. The cozy indoor seating creates a traditional pub feel, while the outdoor, dog-friendly patio with firepits is ideal for a relaxed evening. While their Funkatorium is currently closed, you can still find their renowned sours at the original taproom, rounding out a diverse beer and food pairing experience.
Asheville Brewing Company (Coxe Avenue & Merrimon Avenue)
Asheville Brewing Company masterfully blends the love for craft beer with the joy of a good meal and even a movie. Their Coxe Avenue location is a popular spot with a large covered patio, perfect for enjoying their diverse beer selection and famous pizza menu. But for a truly unique experience, head to the Merrimon Avenue location, which features a dine-in movie theater. Imagine enjoying a freshly brewed Ninja Porter and a delicious, hot pizza right from your seat while catching a flick. It's a casual, fun, and family-friendly option where the food is just as much a star as the beer.
White Labs Brewing Co. (Near North/Downtown Asheville)
White Labs Brewing Co. offers a fascinating peek into the science of brewing, but it also delivers a genuinely family-friendly restaurant experience. This spot is known for its delicious pizzas, including excellent gluten-free and vegan options, alongside hearty burgers, sandwiches, and sharable plates. What makes White Labs unique is their focus on yeast strains, often allowing you to compare the same beer fermented with different yeasts. This scientific approach extends to their food, ensuring quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation, making it an excellent choice for groups with varied dietary needs or those looking for a laid-back meal with their brew.
Local Gems & Culinary Adventures: Beyond the Beaten Path
Sometimes the best experiences are found a little off the main drag, or in places offering a distinct local flavor or specific culinary focus. These breweries provide unique food offerings that make them stand out.
Hillman Beer (Historic Biltmore Village)
Tucked away in the charming Historic Biltmore Village, Hillman Beer is a local favorite renowned for both its welcoming atmosphere and its excellent food. Their menu goes beyond standard pub snacks, featuring a great selection of sandwiches, wraps, melts, and salads. Many locals rave about their Cuban sandwich or the satisfying burger. The airy taproom provides a comfortable setting, and the pet-friendly outdoor seating by a babbling brook adds to the relaxed ambiance. Hillman delivers a consistent, high-quality experience for both beer connoisseurs and those looking for a delicious meal in a picturesque setting.
River Arts District Brewing Company (RAD Brewing)
After navigating the vibrant murals and art studios of the River Arts District, RAD Brewing offers a fantastic spot to refuel. This brewery stands out for its friendly staff, a good mix of indoor and outdoor space, and its integration of local food talent. While they don't have an in-house kitchen, they offer seamless food delivery from Grey Eagle Taqueria (think fresh, flavorful tacos) and often host the Master BBQ Asian food truck. This dynamic approach means you get diverse, high-quality meal options while enjoying their gluten-reduced stouts and lagers, live music, trivia, or comedy nights.
Hi-Wire Brewing (Biltmore Village & RAD Beer Garden)
Hi-Wire Brewing, with its playful circus-themed branding and approachable beers, offers appealing food options at a couple of its Asheville locations. While the Downtown taproom is great for a quick pint and a jump-off point for brewery hopping, their Biltmore Village location often hosts the Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food truck, providing flavorful, authentic Cuban dishes that pair wonderfully with their lagers and IPAs. The recently reopened RAD Beer Garden, adorned with vibrant murals, is another great spot post-art stroll, and while specific food trucks rotate, the consistent presence of good food options is part of their appeal.
Highland Brewing Co. (East Asheville)
Asheville's first and oldest brewery, Highland Brewing Co., operates as an impressive "beer campus." While they don't have a full-service restaurant kitchen, their commitment to providing excellent food is evident through their consistently rotating lineup of high-quality food trucks. This model means every visit can offer a different culinary adventure, from gourmet burgers to ethnic street food, ensuring fresh and diverse options that complement their extensive tap list. Pair your small-batch or seasonal brew with a dish from a local favorite food truck, then explore their meadow, volleyball courts, or hiking trails. Their rooftop bar, offering stunning views, is also a prime spot for enjoying a bite.
The Wedge Brewing Co. (River Arts District & Downtown)
The Wedge, with its original River Arts District location housed in a historic industrial building, has become an Asheville institution. Known for its iconic Iron Rail IPA, The Wedge has also embraced the rotating food truck model, bringing a diverse array of culinary talents directly to its patrons. Recovered from recent flooding, the RAD location offers charming outdoor seating amidst metal sculptures and murals. Their downtown taproom in the Grove Arcade also provides a sunny patio, making both spots excellent choices for pairing unique brews with local food truck delights.
Whistle Hop Brewing Company (Fairview)
For a truly unique and family-friendly experience just outside Asheville, Whistle Hop Brewing stands out. This gem features a taproom inside a train and boasts incredible Blue Ridge Mountain views. While their beer list is diverse, ranging from Kolschs to Stouts, their food offering relies on a rotating schedule of excellent food trucks. What sets Whistle Hop apart is its expansive outdoor playground, complete with slides, bocce, soccer, mini-bowling, mini-golf, and disc golf. You can enjoy a delicious meal from a food truck, a craft beer, and let the kids burn off energy, making it an ideal destination for families.
Navigating Asheville's Brewery Food Scene: Post-Flood Realities and What to Expect
Asheville's resilient brewery community faced significant challenges with the 2024 floods, particularly those along the French Broad River and in the River Arts District. While many have made incredible comebacks, it's always wise to check current operating statuses.
- Reopened and Ready: Many beloved spots like RAD Brewing and The Wedge (original RAD location) have successfully reopened and are back to offering their great beers and food options.
- Awaiting Reopening: Zillicoah Beer Co. and 12 Bones Smokehouse River, both highly anticipated for their food offerings, are expected to reopen. It's worth keeping an eye on their announcements.
- Changes: Catawba Brewing will not renew its lease at its South Slope location, and unfortunately, 7 Clans was lost to flooding. This highlights the dynamic nature of the scene and why staying informed is key.
These changes mean that while some mainstays are stronger than ever, new spots like Diatribe Brewing, Salt Face Mule Brewing Co., and Terra Nova are also emerging, continually evolving Asheville's vibrant brewery landscape.
Choosing Your Perfect Pairing: A Practical Playbook
When selecting from the best brewery restaurants Asheville NC offers, consider these factors to find your ideal match:
- For the "Full-Service Restaurant" Experience: If you want a dedicated kitchen, table service, and a curated menu, prioritize Sierra Nevada, Burial Beer Co. (Forestry Camp), Wicked Weed, Asheville Brewing Company, White Labs Brewing Co., or Hillman Beer. These are designed for a sit-down meal.
- For the "Gourmet Food Truck" Adventure: If you appreciate variety and a more casual, outdoor dining experience, head to Highland Brewing Co., RAD Brewing, Hi-Wire Brewing (Biltmore Village), The Wedge, or Whistle Hop Brewing. Check their social media for daily truck schedules.
- For Family Fun: Whistle Hop Brewing (playground), White Labs Brewing Co. (pizza, family-friendly atmosphere), and Asheville Brewing Company (pizza, movie theater) are excellent choices. Many places, like Highland, also offer wide-open spaces.
- For Specific Dietary Needs: White Labs Brewing Co. is a standout for gluten-free and vegan pizza options. Several breweries, like RAD Brewing and Cellarest Beer Project, offer gluten-reduced beer options. Ginger's Revenge specializes in gluten-free ginger beer.
- For Unique Ambiance: Sierra Nevada (lodge-like), Burial Forestry Camp (rustic-chic), Whistle Hop (train car, mountain views), and The Wedge (art-filled industrial) all offer distinct settings.
To truly elevate your experience, remember that the best food and beer pairings often involve understanding the flavor profiles at play. A rich stout might perfectly complement a hearty burger, while a crisp lager could cut through the spice of tacos. For a deeper dive into making these inspired choices, consider exploring a broader understanding of Brewery food pairing guide, which can help you appreciate the intentionality behind many of these brewery restaurant menus.
Quick Answers: Your Brewery Restaurant FAQs
Q: Are there good options for non-beer drinkers at Asheville's brewery restaurants?
A: Absolutely. Many top brewery restaurants, like Burial Beer Co. (Forestry Camp) and Wicked Weed, offer full bars with cocktails and wine. White Labs Brewing Co. has N/A options, and Green Man Brewery produces a popular N/A root beer. For entirely different options, Asheville also has excellent cideries (like Ginger's Revenge for alcoholic ginger beer), wineries, and dedicated non-alcoholic bars.
Q: Which breweries are best for large groups or events?
A: Highland Brewing Co.'s vast campus and New Belgium's sprawling lawn are excellent for large groups, especially with their food truck rotations. Burial Beer Co.'s Forestry Camp and Sierra Nevada also offer significant seating and facilities well-suited for larger gatherings.
Q: Can I bring my dog to Asheville brewery restaurants?
A: Many Asheville breweries are dog-friendly, especially those with outdoor patios. Wicked Weed Brewing, Hillman Beer, Whistle Hop Brewing, and Highland Brewing Co. are notable for welcoming canine companions in designated outdoor areas. Always check individual brewery policies.
Q: Are there any brewery tours that include food pairings?
A: While general brewery tours are available in Asheville, specific tours that explicitly include curated food pairings are less common. However, many brewery restaurants are designed for you to create your own pairings by ordering off their menu after a self-guided exploration or casual visit.
Q: What about gluten-free beer or food options?
A: Several breweries offer gluten-reduced beers, such as RAD Brewing, White Labs Brewing Co., and Cellarest Beer Project. For truly gluten-free alcoholic options, Ginger's Revenge specializes in ginger beer. When it comes to food, White Labs Brewing Co. is a standout for its dedicated gluten-free pizza options, and many food trucks at other breweries often provide GF choices.
Your Next Culinary Beer Journey Awaits
Asheville's "Beer City USA" moniker is well-earned, but the title should equally celebrate its prowess as a destination for exceptional brewery dining. From the sprawling elegance of Sierra Nevada to the intimate charm of Hillman Beer, the options for pairing world-class craft beer with genuinely delicious food are abundant. Whether you're seeking a gourmet meal, a casual bite with friends, or a family-friendly outing, the best brewery restaurants Asheville NC offers provide a diverse and unforgettable culinary landscape. Embrace the adventure, explore the flavors, and discover your next favorite spot where the beer and food sing in perfect harmony.