The 17 Best Restaurants In Asheville, North Carolina 2024

"If you’re somebody who binge-watched Stanley Tucci trot around Italy, there’s a high probability you’ll love this spot. The dining room feels romantic, with warm orange lights, exposed brick walls, and intimate seating options. The menu focuses on multi-regional Italian food with Appalachian ingredients, combining Sicilian, anchovy-punched pasta dishes and heartier platters of roasted meats and ragu. But Cucina’s real star is the wood-fired oven, which churns out whole trout and roast chicken. Try the chef’s tasting menu if all of this sounds simply too good to pass up, and consider ending your evening with a nightcap at Contrada, which is only a quick stroll down the cobblestoned Wall Street." - laura hackett