The Admiral

American restaurant · Asheville

The Admiral

American restaurant · Asheville

5

400 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806

Photos

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The Admiral by The Admiral
The Admiral by Seeking Sunshine Photography
The Admiral by Seeking Sunshine Photography
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null
The Admiral by null

Highlights

Innovative global menu & cocktails in cinder-block building  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater
Featured on Bon Appetit

400 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 Get directions

theadmiralasheville.com
@theadmiralasheville

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

400 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 Get directions

+1 828 252 2541
theadmiralasheville.com
@theadmiralasheville

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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reservations

Last updated

Aug 9, 2025

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@eater

The 18 Best Restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"Since it started delivering boundary-pushing American fare in a plain cinder block building on the west side of town in 2007, the Admiral has remained one of Asheville’s flagship upscale dining experiences. Innovative, skillfully executed dishes and the dining room’s rough, eclectic charm make it a go-to spot for a memorable date night. The charcuterie boards loaded with housemade sausages, terrines, and ferments are a must for meat lovers. Full-service dining is available indoors or on the heated patio by reservation only." - Gina Smith

https://carolinas.eater.com/maps/best-asheville-restaurants
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@eater

Asheville Restaurants Urge Tourists to Return - Eater Carolinas

"A beloved neighborhood spot in West Asheville that has reopened, symbolizing the community's resilience." - Kay West

https://carolinas.eater.com/2025/1/27/24352917/asheville-restaurants-open
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@infatuation

The 17 Best Restaurants In Asheville, North Carolina 2024

"This dive bar-meets-fine-dining establishment feels like it’s run by a pirate who's seen every episode of Bar Rescue. Located in a cinderblock building in West Asheville, The Admiral’s space has a surprising blend of nautical decor, antique tin ceilings, and polished mahogany furniture. The menu toes the line between one you might find at a white tablecloth steakhouse and a New American spot. They nail classics like beef tartare and seared scallops, but it’s the dishes like the banana pepper dip, chicken liver mousse with blueberry shortbread, and off-the-wall salads that really make the restaurant fun. Stop by The Double Crown dive bar after dinner for the full West Asheville experience. " - laura hackett

https://www.theinfatuation.com/asheville/guides/best-restaurants-asheville-north-carolina
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@infatuation

The Admiral Review - West Asheville - Asheville - The Infatuation

"This dive bar-meets-fine-dining establishment feels like it’s run by a pirate who's seen every episode of Bar Rescue . Located in a cinderblock building in West Asheville, The Admiral’s space has a surprising blend of nautical decor, antique tin ceilings, and polished mahogany furniture. The menu toes the line between one you might find at a white tablecloth steakhouse and a New American spot. They nail classics like beef tartare and seared scallops, but it’s the dishes like the pork belly funnel cake, bonito sake mussels, and off-the-wall salads that really make the restaurant fun.  Over the last decade, despite going through some leadership changes, The Admiral still has plenty of charm, and it’s hard to not feel cool when you’re eating here. Stop by dive bar after dinner for the full West Asheville experience.  " - Laura Hackett

https://www.theinfatuation.com/asheville/reviews/the-admiral
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@bonappetit

The 22 Restaurants That Turned Us Into Dedicated Regulars in 2018 | Bon Appétit

"A West Asheville destination that blends dive-bar grit, a lively dance-party energy, and chef-driven cooking: a cinder-block space with moody velvet curtains, cocktail names nodding to Rolling Stones deep cuts, and dishes like miso-glazed chicken with tatsoi that reflect the city’s playful culinary spirit." - ByThe Bon Appétit Staff

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/restaurants-we-loved-2018
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Carla Siegel

Google
Last Thursday evening my family arrived at The Admiral without reservations after a booking snafu at a nearby restaurant. On learning about our predicament, the hostess, Kat, was incredibly understanding and did her best to turn our night around despite a large party and pretty limited options. She graciously set us up in the front room along the window and we ordered cocktails - relieved to have our night back on track. Our server was excellent and the food and drinks were great. As luck would have it there was a cancellation and we were moved to a table just before our entrees came. What was a bit of a bummer night became a memorable evening marked by exceptional hospitality. I know we all look forward to returning. Thank you all!

Samantha Fisher

Google
Incredible! From the hostess, to our server, Meredith, and the rest of the staff - everyone was phenomenal. They have the same family style system I see at my other restaurants and I love that. We arrived an hour early on my birthday for our reservation, we were going to sit at the bar, but the hostess informed us we could sit early! Meredith was absolutely lovely and very helpful with the menu. We shared the beef tartare, which was out of this world! Best one we’ve had out to date. I had two espresso martinis, which were perfectly balanced; my boyfriend had the old fashioned. He said he could drink them all evening! My boyfriend had the special, Pork Schnitzel, and I had the Ribeye Steak Frites - both absolutely mouthwatering as well. I was pretty stuffed after all that, but my boyfriend had a delicious mini sundae, and I got a cute little orange cooly (not sure the spelling on that one)! We loved everything and will definitely be back to try everything else! Thank y’all so much for making my birthday dinner so great ♥️

Agata Lamb

Google
My beef tartare looked nothing like on the photos. Pale beef with a yolk and pile of crusty bread. No pickles or any sauce. Was well seasoned, but I guess the chef forgot most of the ingredients on the plate! I was looking for this one encouraged by the photos . Artichoke dip I think was lovely, filet mignon cooked nicely, but overpriced a bit considering not too attractive plate. Martini espresso ok . Service was good but not great - my beef tartare came after all the dishes arrived and it was the only cold dish we’ve ordered. I wish I have my tartare picture captured so you could compare ! All the photos of this European dish were so yummy looking - mine was not. I

Jo Dee

Google
It is one of the greats in Asheville. The rib eye was a perfect 'crispy on the outside / juicy on the inside'. Beautiful service, and one of the most delicious desserts I've had. Will come back to try more on the menu.

Tommy Werner

Google
My partner and I have been visiting The Admiral on and off over the past eight years: the food is always top notch and an ever-changing menu, and the space is full of details that I love, whether that’s the cut flowers at the host stand, the tin ceiling, and the booths that are so elegant. We loved sitting out in the indoor patio that’s full of natural light. The steak frites are excellent and we love ordering a few things off of the top menu (we got a Caesar salad and roasted cucumbers: what a cool idea!) with an extensive wine list and servers that had plenty of recommendations on the menu (and if you want more for a visit, the whole back page of the menu has local suggestions). Be sure to get dessert and a cocktail: they have classics and their original creations are the best!

Katie Long

Google
And a little research about West Asheville and found this Jim through my search treated my husband two birthday dinner here and it did not disappoint. We sat in the front sunroom and gazed out the window side-by-side at a lovely raised height bar table, which actually was lovely during the early evening as the sun went down over our meals.

Matt Briggs

Google
One of the best nice meals I’ve had out in a while. We started with an appetizer of hush puppies with goat cheese and they were some of the best I’ve ever had. I had the gnocchi and my wife had the pork chop. Both were so flavorful and great portion sizes. For dessert we had panna cotta and it was a perfect way to finish the meal. Service and atmosphere were nearly perfect. I couldn’t recommend this place more.

Daniel Joy

Google
just received the best service I’ve ever had in my entire life. my partner and I have eaten here regularly for years and the food has always been exceptional, but tonight our server Meredith pulled out all the stops to ensure we had the best date night imaginable. the menu exceeded our expectations and was executed flawlessly. can’t recommend this place more highly
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John S.

Yelp
After reading all the Yelp hype, we were really excited to get our reservations at The Admiral confirmed. Sorry to say, that was the high point of the experience. The vibe is definitely "Asheville", which is cool, but be ready to spend some time waiting. We were seated promptly, I guess the reservations meant something, but after that, things slowed down. 5 minutes for the server to ask about drinks, only 4 tables were occupied at that point. Bartender took his time in prep, but the drinks were good, if not expensive. Dinner was a solid 40 minute wait, although the salads did come early. I had the Bolognese, and she had the Black Cod. Both were served as appetizer portions - I did not see a note about small plates? Really, $34 for an appetizer? That I had to wait 40 minutes for? The flavors were good, but the value just was not there, at all. The bill comes and I see a glass of wine and another glass of "tonic" on the bill that was not ordered. The server was kind enough to remove the errant charges, but again, less than half full restaurant, how could that happen? We left hungry and feeling like we had been taken advantage of with the over charge. Lots of better options in Asheville, we will NOT be back.
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Carly W.

Yelp
From it's unassuming location, you wouldn't know that the admiral is one of the best restaurants in Avl. Decor is beautiful - tin ceiling, open kitchen and perfect lighting. Service is top notch, knowledgeable and friendly staff. Food is heavenly. They have a knack for pairing flavors and textures that aren't too over powering. My husband got the steak and I got the cod, both done to perfection. My husband eats a lot of meat and he said the admirals steak is the best in the area. 5/5 stars, great spot!!
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Noah N.

Yelp
Steak was pricy, but well worth it. Cooked perfectly and seasoned perfectly. First place I've ever been to that gave me a new chilled glass for my drink with additional olives to freshen up my dirty martini which was an awesome touch
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Catherine W.

Yelp
One of the most amazing dining experiences I've ever had! The food was amazing - we had to get a second round of oysters just because. And the service was spectacular. The best I've had in Asheville!!
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Yunnuen P.

Yelp
My boyfriend and I came here for a date. We usually like to sit side by side. Because it's more comfortable for us. We usually always share plates. But they only had tables, which meant we had to sit across each other. Which ended up not even being a problem since the place was super cozy. We started off with drinks and bread service, it was delicious. Then moved on to the beef tartare (as shown in the picture) again, delicious. We then had the gnocchi pasta which was to die for and the little gem salad (which went together perfectly). We finished off with a strawberry dessert. I would say this is the best restaurant in West Asheville if not in all of Asheville. Our Server was so attentive. The food runners made sure our dirty plates were out of the way and they made sure we had fresh silverware the entire time. **thought I love this place I would suggest going somewhere else for dessert if you have a sweet tooth, I was a little under satisfied with the small portion of our dessert. I still gave it a 5 star because the quality of the dessert is unmatched. I would just like a slightly bigger portion**
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Britt J. R.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite spots in Asheville because they not only do they have good pizza but their salads are excellent. Also they have several television with sports on continually. So, this is my kind of place.
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Jaclyn S.

Yelp
Killer Asheville ambiance love the vibe. Drinks and food were fantastic. Loved the steak frites massive serving of fries. The gnocchi was spectacular. The beef tartare had cheese in it? So strange never seen this before ... not going to lie it actually added. :). Solid date night spot off the downtown path and quick service.

Elizabeth B.

Yelp
Austin gave me the most wonderful experience! Had an incredible meal of vinaigrette, leaks, and cod that was crunchy and buttery and delicious. Highly recommend! And the Manhattan was perfect
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Katie P.

Yelp
We chose this spot to celebrate our wedding anniversary and had a late reservation. The good and the service were phenomenal. Even though we were in there later, not once did we feel rushed. We were able to enjoy each other and the delicious food! Thanks Admiral!
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Brooke F.

Yelp
Always an amazing meal and experience in a cozy, swanky atmosphere. Attention to detail and high-quality ingredients make The Admiral stand out. We visit every time we're in Asheville. Plan ahead and make reservations.

Mica H.

Yelp
My dad saved up for months to treat his younger sister to a nice dinner during her annual visit. He did some research and settled on The Admiral. The vibe was ok. Nice lighting, a bit cramped and loud but not to the point of discomfort for me personally. The table was clean and the bathroom was nice. The food and service however, left much to be desired. The server was polite and took our orders quickly, and then we waited about an hour for our food. My family is not easily annoyed by long waits, we chatted and enjoyed each other's company. The appetizers did come quickly. After a while we got our food. I was shocked by the poor quality. I have never had such an expensive steak ($70 filet) and hoped it would be at least as good as the tiny discounted end pieces of the tenderloin that I often got when I worked as a butcher and prepared for myself in under 5 minutes as a late dinner or midnight snack... but by comparison those barely seasoned minimally cooked filets were gourmet. Back to the Admiral- I ordered mine rare and it came medium. Even that would have been fine, but the meat was so heavily salted that it had no other flavor, and the texture was dry and almost chalky. It was as if the meat had been thawed and refrozen more than once. Kinda like the meat version of ice cream that's melted completely and frozen again. It was the most expensive and the most poorly prepared steak I've ever had. I've always thought of filets as the cut that can't be ruined, but at The Admiral I learned otherwise. The spring salad was good with fresh crisp greens, but was missing the alleged apples. The server forgot that we had substituted side salads for fries and brought my diabetic father a massive pile of fries. the server corrected the error promptly but not before my dad ate a few fries (even a few was enough to shoot his blood sugar up requiring more insulin than he usually needs in an evening). I've worked as a server and in many kitchens and I know how crazy it can be, but dang this place was a rip off. $70 for a steak I had no desire to eat and service that seemed harried and was undeniably forgetful (not just about the fries, but I don't need to yelp y'all's ear off detailing every example). The bathrooms were nice though. Maybe I'd give them a 2 if I wasn't a lil miffed at this spot for giving us food made with 0 skill or attention to detail while charging more than they have any business charging... but that would be generous. Basically, this place gets my award for most overrated and overpriced restaurant in the area. *edit- The snap peas were actually bomb. Refreshing & crisp. Still overpriced, but enjoyable. **edit- After doing more research this place seems like it has had better days. I feel kinda bad for giving it one star, but the price of the food vs the quality is too disparate to give more.
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Daniel B.

Yelp
We had a phenomenal experience at The Admiral in West Asheville. For me, this restaurant may top the more popular and award-winning Curate downtown (https://www.yelp.com/biz/c%C3%BArate-asheville-2). The food, drink, and service were outstanding. Over the last two decades, the more I've eaten at restaurants, the less I've been "wow'd" and had my "mind blown" by new dishes and unique ingredient/flavor combinations. Unexpectedly, The Admiral delivered on this front. I was expecting good/great, but not amazing. This was amazing. Both my wife and I were very impressed. If you're visiting Asheville, I highly recommend The Admiral. The Admiral has been around since December 2007. The cuisine is New American. Fine-dining-type dishes, but not in a stuffy atmosphere. My sister, who has lived in Asheville for most of her life, told me that she used to come to the bar here circa 2008. If I recall correctly, this used to be more of a local hangout. Over the years, the restaurant evolved and made a name for itself. Word got out and this became one of *the* places to eat in a city already known for its excellent food scene. If a restaurant stands out in Asheville, then you know it's good. I do have to admit I was a little put off by some of the language on Resy at the time I booked our reservation. Things like same-day cancellations "may trigger a fee of $25.00 per guest" and the cancellation policy "MUST be firm." "No shows and same day cancellations are the plague of the industry and we ask of you now to uphold your end of this commitment as we are thrilled to provide on our end." Not that a cancellation policy like this is unheard of, but maybe it could be communicated in a nicer way. The restaurant takes reservations up to 45 days out. I was able to get us a Saturday night reservation only two days out, but it was at 9pm on the covered patio. Along with the main dining room and covered patio, they also have an uncovered patio with picnic tables with umbrellas. Both patios are heated during colder weather. The covered patio even has a stone fireplace. The restaurant is cozy. It has a low-key exterior. Inside, what we saw in-person was an upgrade from photos I'd seen online. Among other things, they upgraded the dining room and patio furniture and added a new ceiling. The place looks more refined now, befitting of the cuisine. The vibe is sophisticated casual. Here's what we got: Boards * Beef Tartare ($19) - horseradish cheddar, pickled red onion, chili aioli, 64-degree egg, crostini Salads and Vegetables * Radish ($12) - XO sauce, pickled melon rind * Sprouting Cauliflower ($14) - whey bechamel, country ham, bread crumb Entrees * Scallops ($35) - rainbow chard, pickled elberberries, chili pepper nage * Pork Chop ($39) - Anasazi beans, kale, tomato gastrique Drinks * Amigo Viejo cocktail ($16) - Espolon Tequila Blanco, Campari, Vermut Lacuesta Extra Dry, Pamplemousse, Yellow Chartreuse * Dr. Feelgood mocktail ($12) - Ghia non-alcoholic apertif, lemon, soda * Complimentary digestif with our check Every dish was presented beautifully and each tasted as good as it looked. Also, every dish was memorable. Overall, ingredient quality and execution was superb. The Beef Tartare was the most memorable dish to me. I recommend it. I believe it's been a mainstay on The Admiral's menu for years. We loved how they presented it like a cheese and charcuterie board, allowing us to customize and mix and match the different ingredients. The tartare and egg were incredible. Melt-in-your-mouth. The Radish was super creative. I've never had XO sauce (an Asian seafood sauce) in a fine-dining, New-American type dish. It gave the salad an unexpected and distinct Cantonese, maybe even Southeast Asian, flair. I don't think this dish is for everyone, but it's perfect for adventurous diners. We both really liked it and I'd order it again. My wife put it best when she described the Sprouting Cauliflower as like the grown-up gourmet version of broccoli with cheese. It was on another level. The entrees were terrific. The Scallops were well-cooked. They were fresh and flavorful. The chili pepper nage (sauce/broth) was relatively thick and creamy. Delicious. The pork chop was sizable. It was juicy and savory. The flavoring was addictive. My wife said I was "obsessed" with the Anasazi beans. These may have been the best beans I've had anywhere. Taste and texture were exceptional. The drinks were yummy. The Amigo Viejo was complex -- smoky, acidic, and sweet, but balanced. The Dr. Feelgood was citrusy and packed with flavor. It was so tasty, I could've chugged it one go, but instead I savored it. A digestif was brought out with our check. It was strong, and a nice surprise at the end. Our server was Wesley B and he was fantastic. He was personable and attentive. We really enjoyed having him as our server. Note: I believe there's only one restroom for guests. An employee noticed me waiting and let me use the employee restroom.

MacKenzie S.

Yelp
Made a 7pm reservation for dinner. We were running a little late and when we got there, the table wasn't ready and we had to wait 10 minuets. We ordered our appetizer and dinner at the same time, and the wait was just STUPID long for both meals to come out. I had the potato gnocchi (which was decent) but it was truly appalling that a little bowl of pasta took almost an hour. We couldn't wait to leave!
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Jenna L.

Yelp
Great cocktails, steak and the best green beans I've ever had. One of our favorites when visiting Asheville even if it's outside the typical downtown tourist areas. I can't wait to come back and eat here again.
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Steph H.

Yelp
I honestly didn't have high expectations of this place, thought it would at least be cool to try. I was beyond pleasantly surprised. From the service, to the food & cocktails- everything was just top notch. It's odd because inside it definitely reads old diner, not anything very high end. But it was top notch. The cocktails we had were perfectly balanced and the food was well executed. The bartender, our waiter and of the other staff were helpful and attentive. Plates cleared before courses.. just overall great service. This was my personal favorite restaurant while visiting Asheville. Highly recommend. We went early with a reservation and it filled up quickly after we arrived on a week day so make sure you make a reservation.
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Michelle V.

Yelp
Made a 7:00 reservation at the bar of the Admiral for Thursday, July 6th. My husband and I were celebrating our 4 year wedding anniversary. The ambiance was upscale, lit romantically, and not too loud. I asked the bartender to make me something "girly" and "fruity," and he didn't disappoint. Service was quick and efficient, though I will mention that one of the runners squeezed between us too many times and I was about ready to snap. I understand that you need to put a fork and knife in front of him, but you don't need to push yourself between our clasped hands in order to do so. Management should probably address that. Anyway, I ordered the ribeye steak and he had the pork chop. My steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare, and they even had horse radish! (I was joking with my husband about getting in the habit of carrying some in my purse because most restaurants don't have it in stock. ) I typically shy away from steak at restaurants because I hate paying such a high price for it to be cooked wrong, but the Admiral got it purrrrfect. His porkchop melted in his mouth (and mine when I tasted a bite); it was soooo juicy! Our entire experience was amazing and we have nothing but good things to say about this establishment. Price is on the higher end, but every bit worth the price. We will definitely be back. Ambiance Cleanliness Wait time Service Food Price Location
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Jill G.

Yelp
Service was good and drinks were too. Atmosphere was relaxing. Menu looked to be created by a chef but food quality was that of a line cook. The burger wasn't seasoned well, the bun was soggy, and the blue cheese sauce was unpleasant. The crab artichoke dip was served with horrible tasting crackers and covered in fresh dill which made it taste like dill.
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Floy K.

Yelp
It had been years since we had visited The Admiral, mostly because life has been busy and we just hadn't gotten over there. Decided to celebrate our anniversary there this year. They have added an enclosed porch and outdoor seating since we had been last, which allows a lot more space and a nice ambiance. The food was very good. Will have to go back again soon!
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Ozzies M.

Yelp
We always hit The Admiral when we visit Asheville and of course it did not disappoint. Our waiter, Devon, made our evening even more special. He was very professional and had a delightful personality. As always, the food was outstanding.

MH L.

Yelp
Food was very good! Service excellent! However, what is the deal with a 3% "kitchen appreciation " fee? Not disclosed on the menu that we saw! Pay your staff decent wages and don't sneak in these fees. Made a nice meal end on a sour note.
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Jessica G.

Yelp
Overall, this is a warm and welcoming restaurant that does like to change up the menu weekly. Service was excellent! The restaurant itself is darker (older furniture and half wood paneled walls). They have a great covered patio and a bunch of outdoor tables when the weather is nicer. The menu for the week is posted on their website (with prices) so price points mentioned in previous reviews can easily be found there before going. We ordered: OWL BAKERY BREAD - this was ok. It comes with very cold butter that can't be spread easily on the bread. It also has olive oil (no vinegar). PARISIAN GNOCCHI - not a favorite. The gnocchi itself was great, but the spices used were a little over powering and really tasted like a pile of grease was left in the bowl. CHICKPEA TIKKA MASALA - loved this one. Lots of great flavor and the cauliflower and chickpeas were perfectly cooked. Excellent vegetarian option! WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE - amazing! The ganache is sweet but balanced out by the apples. The streusel on top gives an added texture.
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James N Carly G.

Yelp
Great date night spot! The ambiance, the dim lighting, the comfortable seating, made for a romantic evening. More than suitable for any important event or holiday. Patio, bar, and indoor seating available, as well as an extra bar that faces the patio for when it's rainy. Tilefish crudo had large portions and the pork belly melts in your mouth. Ribeye and gnocchi both would satiate the average person. Each dish had some sort of distinct sauce or dressing that took us by surprise and made each dish feel special. Ask your server who The Admiral is--the answer may surprise you!

Bill M.

Yelp
Was so excited to go from what I read. But the service was sub par. We made reservations and when we arrive were to we have to wait on the patio. Never got to eat inside the dining room. Our waiter was more concerned about a party table for 7 than us. After our appetizer he asked if we were ready for our check and we had to tell him we hadn't even had a chance to order dinner. Cosmos drink were weak (blood red in color) and tasted more like lime and lemon. They didn't even have crown. Ordered the cod and it smelled very fishy. (It should not). It's a shame to spend over $200 with service like we received. Many more places in Asheville which have better service and want your business.

Eleanor H.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious food, above and beyond service, and the vibes were energetic without feeling like it was too loud. We highly recommend the mussels and beet salad!
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Nick R.

Yelp
Very disappointing experience. I heard great things about Admiral but unfortunately it did not live up to its reputation. We probably interacted with six or seven of the employees there and none of them could even muster up a smile. It felt like we were doing them a favor by being there. Even when we asked to taste a couple of wines, they were not enthusiastic at all. Fried pickles were undercooked, snapper crudo was very small and not tasty, kohrabl was good i have to admit. Pappardelle was very average. They are using canned artichokes
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Brent H.

Yelp
Service is great. The restaurant is dated and needs some love. But, it fits the neighborhood. Ribeye was perfect. 9/10. Scallops were tasty but too few. Hen of the Woods Mushrooms were tasteless themselves. But, the sauce was impressively flavorful. Definitely overpriced. True value is what the market is willing to pay. And, the place was slammed. So, their pricing is right on.
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Noah D.

Yelp
Great food, small selection, great atmosphere. Gets loud when full. Take awhile to order and get food. Parking is on street a block or two walk.
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Sarah L.

Yelp
Really cute spot with a very unique menu. Lots of reservation availability and the outdoor patio is available for walk in (due to weather). Our group started with the paté, arugula apple salad, and a side salad. The path and arugula salad were so lovely. For mains, I had theblobster and cauliflower pasta. The cauliflower consisted mostly of stems unfortunately. My husband had the fish with corn chowder which was so tasty and the fish was perfectly crispy. My Mom had the pork, I thought it was strange they asked how she prefers it to be cooked, and they suggested medium which was pink in the middle. This is great for a steak but seemed unsafe for pork. We took the pork home and it made two great breakfasts. For desert we shared the peach cornbread, which was a little dry. Cocktails were well balanced.
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Tom E.

Yelp
Great restaurant, great service. Concentrated menu, but expertly prepared. Excellent wine program.
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Laura P.

Yelp
Huummm, 3 or 4 stars? Would we eat here again if visiting Asheville? No, hence 3 stars. Hubs is a trooper. On a cold, 32 degree, cloudy January evening we were seated in their enclosed front porch with only several ceiling heat lamps impossibly attempting to warm the space. Social distancing of tables on the interior while porch tables fully utilized. The Admiral was recommended to us by a local, and the 4.5 rating made it appealing. The atmosphere is hip, Bob Dylan streaming from the sound system, and some of the employees seem to have that 1960s "don't give a flip" attitude (specifically the young female hostess). We started with The Admiral Manhattan- Very good - and the Smoked Troup mousse with rutabaga chips. Loved the Smoked Trout Mousse! While creative, healthy and a nice accompaniment, some of the rutabaga chips were pleasantly cracker crisp and others were soggy limp. On to the entrees. The Thai Glazed Short Ribs ($26) with rice grits, bok choy and stem mustard was enjoyable. The short rib was flavorful and braised till fork tender and easily pulled apart. I really enjoyed the crisp tender bok choy. The starch of rice grits was forgettable. Hubs ordered the Ribeye ($39) with lyonnaise potatoes, grilled portobello mushroom with peppercorn butter. The steak was cooked as requested. The lyonnaise potatoes were smothered & covered with sautéed onions. Some of the parboiled potatoes appeared to have been finished under a broiler and the edges were burnt. Important to note, an automatic 2% "Kitchen Appreciation" service charge is added to your bill, and it states "the entirety is passed on to our kitchen staff." Hopefully, it is. Furthermore, the suggested tip, at the bottom of the receipt begins at 20% then 23% and 25%. Generally the suggested tip on receipts begins at 15%, 18% and 20%.
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Nicole T.

Yelp
By far my favorite restaurant in AVL. Love the interior, it feels very low-key, service is always great and the food is outstanding every single time. Plus, the menu always rotates! So there's something new to try every time :)
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Marci O.

Yelp
Dined here for an early dinner and sat at the bar, the ambience is fantastic especially for a small party of 2. We got the cheese plate, the Gem salad, the ribs and the gnocchi. The gnocchi is a must try as it takes comfort food to another level, the meat of the ribs was so juicy. The Gem salad was a great size with the best goat cheese (Chèvre) YUM, ambience, staff, service, food 11/10.
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Sabrina H.

Yelp
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. And stop by this charming Asheville gem. I came here on a date and we sat at the bar since we didn't have reservations. I love a bar seat anyways. The bartender was really charming and it was fun to see the staff work in the tiny space that they have available. The food and drinks were wonderful. I heard there was DANCING HERE!?!?! I'm excited to come back again for that. Maybe make reservations if you want a table and parking is always a struggle bus on that side of town so get there early!
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Zhicao F.

Yelp
A small, delicate restaurant located at a not-so-glamourous neighborhood of Asheville, serving a series of housemade drinks and game dishes. COVID-19 precautions: staff wearing masks, hand sanitizer available, (witnessed) sanitation between guests, limited seating capacity. Service: very friendly. We were seated 5 minutes before our reservation when a table came up. We were seated in the patio area with cover and heating lights inside, but could still feel a bit of chill sitting at places not covered by the lights. Drink: homemade ginger soda, you could taste the spiciness of real ginger. Went well with a slice of lime. Appetizer: pork belly. Perfectly grilled, crunchy skin and thin fibers with melting fat. Entrees: Trout---perfect sear on the skin side and golden on the filet side, could be a teaching example of how trout should be cooked. Garnish of sausages and potatoes were perfect. Rabbit Bolognese---tagliatelle cooked to perfect al dante. Bolognese was a bit too salty for me though. Quail---fried with crunchy breadcrumbs while remaining extremely juicy inside: could literally feel the juice burst into my mouth when taking the first bite! Garnish of rice and pok choy was a nice choice, but a bit too soury; could tone down the seasoning a bit. Overall: Excellent food for the price. Recommended to anyone visiting the area.

Chris H.

Yelp
I don't get the hype of this place. Food was mediocre and smear. By that I mean you get a tiny piece of what you order and a smear of some sauce on the plate. Had a lobster pot pie, the size of a large cupcake that had 2 tiny pieces of lobster in it. Served a crostini that I thought would break my teeth. Overall paid $90 for 2 people and left saying "Where do you want to go eat?" It has been a few years but I get pissed everytime I see this place or any advertisement. Our waiter was nice and knowledgeable, did take good care of us. Made sure to tip him well. The interior was very dark and parking for this place is abysmal.

Troy R.

Yelp
Excellent ambiance, food, drinks, and service. All top shelf. HIGHLY recommend if you are in Asheville.

Heather W.

Yelp
After being given the left over martini mix from the bar tender (thinking it was a kind gesture), not the case. There was a mysterious $6 dollars tacked on and when I asked the bartender what it was for, he said the extra martini mix that was left over. Before anyone goes crazy, yes, I know it's $6 dollars, BUT a heads up about the charge would have been nice as NOTHING was mentioned and I have NEVER had anyone do this. Very odd. I even emailed them about it and the owner just brushed it off. Food was good, but this definitely rubbed me the wrong way and also the way the manager handled it. Definitely won't go back for this reason. Bad way of doing business.
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Zak F.

Yelp
I would give this closer to a 3.6 if the rating existed. I went here on high recommendations from friends. Reservations are hard to come by so I had high expectations. The interior is definitely a little vintage-dim. The service was great and the drinks were pretty good. However, the food was unimpressive, even less so for the price. The braised pork collar was very oversalted, The parsnips and turnups tasted ok, but aren't done interestingly enough for me to order them again. The tortellini was again OK. I don't think any of the dishes wowed me and at this price point I'm not likely to give the restaurant another try soon.
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Alec T.

Yelp
Fantastic dining experience! From our super knowledgeable, friendly server to the amazing skills of the bartender, bringing it home with two perfectly cooked meals and a very creative appetizer accompaniment. Made the perfect anniversary dinner date.

Mile L.

Yelp
Very good 10/10 would recommend Our waiter was very polite and was very patient place is well decorated outdoor seating and everything. Amazing!

Bridget T.

Yelp
Delicious food and drinks, especially the espresso martini. We also loved the bread appetizer, gnocchi and grilled peaches. Service was not as good as I would expect from a nicer restaurant. Pretty informal and not extremely attentive.

Robert M.

Yelp
The food was wonderful! Fresh and inventive, but not too crazy. Their drink menu was impressive as well. It's a great "splurge" restaurant. I highly recommend!
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Melanie L.

Yelp
Stopped into the Admiral for a drink and snack. Didn't have reso but walked in right at 5 and sat at the bar. Great atmosphere- very soeakeasy-esq. If you go when it is cold, try to request the table next to the fireplace - it's under cover with heaters outside and is definitely the best seat in the house!! Charcuterie board and soup were both delicious. Would def go back and try more of the menu!
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Keven S.

Yelp
Not worth it. We ordered a $65 "meal for two" which included steak, gnocchi with bacon, fries, potatoes, salad, and two desserts. Although the food was very tasty and most portion sizes were acceptable, the steak - the star of the show - was tiny. I emailed The Admiral, and they unapologetically confirmed that we received the intended portion size. They stated: "The packages include two entrees, each for one person (in addition, the potatoes, salad, and dessert). The sum of the parts is dinner for two. Each entrée is not double sized." Before leaving a negative review, I wanted to make doubly sure I didn't misunderstand. I asked if they would please look at the picture (the first one in this review) to confirm we got the steak portion they intended. They replied: "Yes. It is a six ounce filet. Once again, meant to be paired with many other items to feed a party of two." No apology. No empathy for the fact I felt ripped off. No hint of making things right. Just a bit of irritation toward me, hence the "once again." After this meal, and after being similarly underwhelmed with undersized portions we received in their expensive 2019 Valentine's dinner, we will not be returning to The Admiral for a long time. Amazing restaurants are plentiful in Asheville, and some of them actually care about customer satisfaction. I've attached photos of everything we received with the $65 "meal for two."
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Brantley L.

Yelp
Phenomenal meal and extremely accommodating staff. Our group of 7 thought we had reserved a table here for dinner, but accidentally reserved a table at a restaurant of the same name in DC. Whoops! The host got us seated quickly despite being busy. Each thing I tried was delicious, down to the bread and butter. The fish pate is something I will dream of! Our server was amazing. Super fun and kind. And the cocktails were dreamy. All the stars for the Admiral!

Jim H.

Yelp
Nice ambiance. Ceiling was pressed tin. Service was very good. I had the spare ribs which were very good but not as good as those I had at Wicked Weed. Beers were only bottled not drafts. Too bad since there are so many breweries in Asheville
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Mandy G.

Yelp
One of Ashevilles darlings. Old diner transformed into a 5 star restaurant. 5 star service to match. The menu selections are fresh and cooked in the open kitchen. At a place like this I always prefer to sit at the bar to see the action in the kitchen along with dinner. Can be a special occasion kind of place, a date night, or a just because you want a really great craft cocktail and you know they'll do it right. You can depend on the service and quality of the Admiral to always be on point. I've never been disappointed.
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Abigail M.

Yelp
Always incredible service and interesting eats. They've done a wonderful job with the outdoor dining area. This is an Asheville staple.
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Sherman B.

Yelp
The Admiral is a MUST VISIT when we go to Asheville! The food is always GREAT! Check on the menu (changes weekly) and make a reservation!