Roman’s Deli & Catering

Roman's: Simple and Satisfying Deli Fare in the Heart of Asheville
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

If your idea of the perfect lunch includes a simple sandwich on locally baked bread, you are a wonderful candidate for a meal at Roman's. This beloved Asheville deli utilizes classic recipes with small, but enjoyable twists to keep meals interesting. Most importantly the restaurant relies on fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are sure to satisfy.

- The SmokyMountains.com Local Expert Team

Highlighted as one of North Carolina’s top twelve delis by Only In Your State —and named the most consistent restaurant in Asheville by Mountain Xpress — Roman’s boasts a strong reputation. The locally driven deli is one of Downtown Asheville’s most favored lunch spots, although it extends its hours to accommodate visitors on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Sandwiches and burgers are Roman’s main strengths, but the deli also serves wonderful soups and salads. Sandwiches are available in half or whole orders, as are salads. Whole portions are sizable, so many lunchtime visitors prefer to either split with a friend or order the smaller size.

Feel free to order a beer or hard cider alongside your burger or sandwich. Roman’s drink selection is admittedly small, but the offered alcoholic beverages are all delicious. Favorites include brews from Pigsah and Wicked Weed.

If you eat onsite, be sure to take in the stunning view. The restaurant overlooks the historic Basilica St. Lawrence Church and the entirety of Downtown Asheville. If convenience dominates your concerns, you’ll be pleased to learn that Roman’s has a vast delivery range extending a full 25 minutes from the deli’s Asheville location.

A few of our menu favorites include the following:

Sesame Chicken Salad
This delightful salad features local orange marinated chicken sauteed to perfection in sesame oil. Get your fill of veggies with an organic spring mix, complemented by fresh pineapple, toasted coconut, cashews, and sesame seeds. The salad is served with a house-made ginger citrus vinaigrette dressing.

Turkey Cranberry Pesto Sandwich
Featuring in-house cranberry and pine nut pesto, this delectable sandwich also comes with smoked turkey, provolone cheese, organic baby spinach, and red onion. It is served on sourdough bread and alongside a pickle spear and choice of side. Options for sides include pasta salad, potato salad, kettle chips, sweet coleslaw, or fresh fruit.

Garden Vegetable Panini
Keep it healthy with a panini that includes a diverse array of fresh vegetables. Served on multi-grain bread, the sandwich features fresh avocado, vine-ripened tomato, sweet onion, green bell pepper, cucumber, provolone cheese, and lemon-herb mayonnaise.

Pimento Burger
The Asheville Citizen-Times voted Roman’s as the local restaurant with the city’s best burger. You’ll agree that readers voted correctly when you taste this satisfying option. As with all of Roman’s burgers, the pimento version is served on a whole wheat roll from Annie’s Bakery. The grass-fed beef that forms the patty for every Roman’s burger comes from Hickory Nut Gap Farm. This particular burger includes smoky pimento cheese, smoked bacon, organic baby spinach, and vine-ripened tomato.

Insider Tips:
Roman’s accommodates multiple dietary restrictions. It serves its whole sandwiches on gluten-free bread for a small additional charge. Additionally, the house-made salad dressings are gluten-free. The deli also has a targeted vegetarian menu featuring veggie burgers and paninis. Some visitors report that the veggie alternatives taste even better than the restaurant’s traditional beef-based burgers.