One of the best things about Asheville and its amazing establishments: just when you think you’ve seen the best of the city, a perfectly situated venue allows you to witness it in a new light. Such is the case with the Sunset Terrace, which delivers an awe-inspiring experience for both your eyes and your taste buds. A prized jewel of the Omni Grove Park Inn, the Sunset Terrace holds great appeal for both locals and tourists.
On arrival, the source of the restaurant’s name becomes instantly apparent — it is a prime viewing location for sunsets over the Blue Ridge Mountains. While Sunset Terrace’s iconic view is always gorgeous, it’s most impressive with the orange glow of the sunset as a backdrop. No matter when you arrive, you’ll enjoy ample opportunities to take it all in. Keep an eye out not only at the mountains, but also the gently rolling hills, the impeccably manicured Grove Park Country Club, and even a skyline view of downtown Asheville.
The Sunset Terrace makes no secret that its specialties are all meat-based. In other words: vegetarians beware. Steak, pork chops, and seafood dominate the menu, as promised on the front page. Still, locavores should be satisfied with Sunset Terrace’s selection, as the restaurant proudly works with local farms and ranches to provide fresh ingredients from the Asheville area.
Be sure to order wine with your meal — you won’t regret it! the Sunset Terrace has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence on nine separate occasions. Most recently, the restaurant was bestowed with a prestigious award in 2015. The restaurant’s cocktails are also delectable.
While the menu changes seasonally, here are a few things we have tried and enjoyed:
Fried Green Tomato BLT
Dozens of restaurants in the Asheville area offer fried green tomatoes, but not all turn the southern specialty into a mouthwatering sandwich. If you visit during lunch, don’t hesitate to order this amazing BLT, complete with hickory-smoked bacon, roasted garlic aioli, lettuce, and fresh multi-grain bread.
Center Cut Filet Mignon
At its heart, the Sunset Terrace is a steakhouse. Therefore, the ideal Sunset Terrace experience will include a delicious cut of steak. While the menu offers multiple options for steak lovers, it’s impossible to go wrong with a classic filet mignon. Several sauce options are available, including hollandaise, au poivre, and Sunset Terrace’s signature steak sauce.
Joyce Farms Chicken
Winstom-Salem’s Joyce Farms poultry farm supplies the juicy chicken for this Sunset Terrace entree. Corn and jalapeno dressing grant the chicken the perfect hint of spice, while collard greens make it feel like a true southern meal.
Chilled Shellfish Tower for Two
Seafood lovers adore this huge order — especially during date night. There’s no need to leave out any of your favorite seafood specialties, as the tower includes the following: six shrimp, six oysters, half a pound of Alaskan king crab legs, tuna poke, and an entire Maine lobster. The perfect trifecta of sauces — mignonette, hot sauce, and cocktail sauce — complete this blissful seafood experience.
With so many excellent options included on both the lunch and dinner menus, choosing your meal can be difficult. Don’t get too flustered while observing Sunset Terrace’s extensive menu; no matter what you order, you’ll love the food, the ambiance, and the breathtaking view.
Insider Tip:
Because the Sunset Terrace is located outside, weather plays a huge role in how pleasant of an experience you enjoy. Arrive on a stormy day, and you might not dine on the terrace at all. Check the weather on the day you intend to visit — and dress accordingly.