New Asheville Restaurant and Attraction 2023 Recap

With 2024 now in full swing, it’s time to look back at the past year to explore all the new spots that opened in Asheville in 2023. More than a dozen restaurants, coffee shops, and other joints came to town, brightening up the area with culinary creations and quality service. Ready to try them all? Here’s where to go on your whirlwind trip through what’s new in town.

Sage and Spice Catering

1056 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 500-1450

Sage and Spice Catering wowed the event scene by creating the most iconic mix of talented chefs and organizers around. Together, these experts serve memorable meals of all kinds, including gluten-free, allergy-free, and vegan spreads. They also offer private dinners with their chefs for when nothing else will do but dine on pure excellence with its creator.

 

Huey Magoo’s

291 Long Shoals Rd, Arden, NC 28704
(828) 340-2395

Whenever you’re in the mood for ultra-flavorful breaded and grilled chicken tenders, Huey Magoo’s is a sure bet. You can come by for tenders and fries for one or get a sharing plate—or go all out with their sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Just be sure to grab an order of their fresh potato chips with cheese dip on the side.

Salt Face Mule

450 Weaverville Hwy, Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 484-7474

Want to enjoy the finest food, drinks, and fun all in one establishment? You need to take a trip to Salt Face Mule. This beloved brewpub specializes in small-batch beer paired with traditional Appalachian comfort food. Plus, they have a miniature golf course right on site, making it a great place to spend the day.

Mudpuppies Sports and Sushi Bar

5 Andrew Way Suite A, Arden, NC 28704
(828) 676-2151

At Mudpuppies Sushi and Sports Bar, they perfectly pair fresh seafood delights with classic bar food without missing a beat. Although it sounds like an unlikely combination, it just works. Pair Tuna Tacos with Fried Pickles, order Gyoza with Philly Cheesesteak Flatbread, or get Volcano rolls alongside your Bacon Smashburger. The sky is the limit to what flavors you can combine.

Botiwalla

697 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 209-8627

Botiwalla brings the Irani café formula to Asheville, treating locals and tourists to the full tea and kebab house experience. Grilled meats and flatbreads are the names of the game at this joint, and every dish is cooked to perfection. Just be sure to leave room for their delightful Mango Lassi drink to bring all the flavors together beautifully.

Hotbox

121 Biltmore Avenue Asheville, NC 28801

The Hotbox is taking its time to get fully up to speed, as they are closed for the season, but it will be well worth the wait. Although they’ll soon serve hot and smoked sandwiches galore, it’s all about the imaginative cocktails, sake, wine, and more right now. Check back often to see when their food menu will arrive onsite, and then plan a trip to get the first bite.

Tiki Easy Bar

197 Hilliard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 738-2452

If you’d like to take a trip to a mystical land without leaving Asheville, jet on over to Tiki Easy Bar. This innovative bar serves all the best tropical potions, like Puka Punch, Daquiris, and Pina Coladas. For an even more interesting experience, go with the shareable bowls filled with spirits and fruit juice for all to sip on together.

The Nerd Dungeon

505 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 505-1120

Would you like to combine your love for coffee and nerdy delights? Just head on over to The Nerd Dungeon to get your fill. At this coffeehouse, the team goes above and beyond in brewing invigorating drinks that promise to maintain your edge. That way, you can dominate as you participate in their board game nights, trading card tourneys, and more.

Overlook Coffee Collective

800 Brevard Rd Ste 677, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-0853

The Overlook Coffee Collective is the place to go for brews from roasters all over the globe. They also keep things local by only getting their tea from nearby producers and making baked goods from scratch. Plan to stick around to explore their art and other wares at each visit to enjoy the full experience.

Cats at Play Café

12 Eagle St, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 505-2166

If you absolutely adore spending time with felines, head straight over to Cats at Play Café to get your fill. This cozy café is an incredible place to kick back and relax with a cup of Joe while petting the sweetest kitties imaginable. You can even adopt one of their cats if you fall in love during your visit.

A Ci-Tea

2 Hendersonville Rd A4, Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 676-0740

Do you absolutely adore all things tea? If so, you need a trip to A Ci-Tea in your life. Upon arriving at this teahouse, you’re greeted by a huge menu full of milk tea, fruit tea, smoothies, refreshers, and everything in between. Order yours plain or infuse them with boba, jellies, and other delightful toppings to take each drink to the next level.

Regina’s

1400 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 505-3099

Regina’s never fails to delight when you want to start your day off right. At this family-friendly restaurant, they go big on the flavor when making iconic dishes like fried chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and sausage gravy. They also have sandwiches that are perfect to take on the go, so you can fuel up for more fun between your Asheville adventures.

The Hound

2 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 412-3498

The Hound hasn’t been around long, but it’s already become a beloved pitstop for locals and tourists alike. Built in an old Greyhound bus station, this spot continues the rich tradition of bringing people together. Only this time, it’s over their decadent lite bites and the perfectly prepared drinks to match.

Abuela’s Little Kitchen

8 Long Shoals Rd, Arden, NC 28704
(828) 676-2454

Do you need a homecooked meal served by the friendliest crew in town? Take a trip to Abuela’s Little Kitchen. With a visit to this restaurant, you can fill up on everything from Breakfast Chimichangas to Steak Quesadillas. They also have robust burgers, BLTs, and many other sandwiches if you prefer.

Little D’s

952 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 412-3472

The crew at Little D’s prides themselves on serving seasonal fare with flair all year long. Their menu changes constantly to ensure you only get the freshest local ingredients transformed into scrumptious dishes of all kinds. Depending on when you swing by, expect things like Roasted Butternut Focaccia, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, and Parsley Crusted Wreckfish.

The Rabbit Hole

9 State St, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 785-5760

Whenever you need a sweet treat on the double, The Rabbit Hole is there to help you satisfy your cravings. This bakery rolls out cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, and more daily to keep the sweetness rolling through Asheville. They also offer catering services for whenever you want to delight your party guests with tasty desserts.

Margarita’s Grill

** Margarita’s Grill is in the process of relocating and is TEMPORARILY CLOSED **

Margarita’s Grill achieved great success upon opening its doors, thanks to its commitment to serving traditional Mexican fare family-style. They were so successful, in fact, that they’re relocating to a better spot soon. For a chance to visit when they reopen, check back here for the latest news and follow their Facebook page.

If you want to elevate your culinary adventures, consider dining with a big group of friends as you visit each restaurant above. With that move, you can sample all the newest creations together while making memories to last a lifetime. At the end, you can all sit down and decide who comes out the winner. Just don’t be surprised to get won over by more than one of these top spots. They’re all incredibly good at serving imaginative food and drinks with a smile.