Asheville Independent Restaurant Association

10/24/2026

🌱🍽️ Trial to Table Returns to The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage!

Join the The Utopian Seed Project on November 7 for the final Trial to Table of the year at AIR partner The Mule!

Six talented local chefs will create unique dishes featuring crops currently being trialed by the Utopian Seed Project, bringing together culinary creativity, local agriculture, and a shared commitment to a more sustainable and resilient regional food system.

👨‍🍳 Featured Chefs:

• Nick Barr | Chai Pani
• Ashley Capps | Newstock Pantry
• Lynn Wells | Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef
• Awo Amenumey | Eh’vivi
• Dana Amromin | Potential New Boyfriend & Butter Punk

Your ticket includes samples of each chef’s creations, along with an opportunity to learn more about the Utopian Seed Project’s work and hear directly from the chefs!

🌿 Vegetarian-friendly options available!

🎟️ Get your tickets: www.utopianseed.org/the-mule -tickets

Photo credit Leo Zimmer Photography

10/23/2026

🍷✨ An Evening of Exceptional W**e & Cuisine at The Market Place Restaurant!

Join AIR member The Market Place Restaurant on November 11 for an exclusive w**e dinner featuring acclaimed w**es from Arkenstone W**ery in Napa Valley, thoughtfully paired with a specially designed four-course menu. From pan-roasted golden tilefish to a 50-hour beef short rib, each course has been carefully crafted to complement the featured w**es for a truly memorable dining experience.

The evening brings together the culinary expertise of The Market Place, the distinctive w**es of Arkenstone, and the w**e expertise of Asheville’s Metro W**es for an immersive dining experience. Known for its highly acclaimed w**es from Napa Valley’s Howell Mountain region, Arkenstone will also have a special guest from the w**ery joining the evening to guide guests through the tasting experience and share the stories behind the w**es.

Reservations are required and available through OpenTable: https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=82936&restref=82936&experienceId=834327&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared&dateTime=2026-11-11T18%3A00%3A00&partySize=2

10/22/2026

🍽️⭐ Asheville’s culinary excellence shines again!

The 2026 MICHELIN Guide American South selections have been announced, and we’re thrilled to celebrate 15 Asheville restaurants maintaining their MICHELIN Guide recognition for another year!

🏅 Bib Gourmand
• Little Chango (2025 & 2026)
• Luminosa (2025 & 2026)
• Mother (2025 & 2026)

🍽️ MICHELIN Recommended
• Addissae (2025 & 2026)
• All Day Darling (2025 & 2026) ⭐ AIR Member
• Cúrate (2025 & 2026) ⭐ AIR Member
• Golden Hour (2025 & 2026)
• Good Hot Fish (2025 & 2026) ⭐ AIR Member
• Leo's House of Thirst (2025 & 2026)
• Soprana Rooftop (2025 & 2026)
• Sunny Point Café (2025 & 2026) ⭐ AIR Member
• Table (2025 & 2026) ⭐ AIR Member
• Tall John's (2025 & 2026) ⭐ AIR Member
• The Admiral (2025 & 2026)
• Ukiah (2025 & 2026)

🎥 Watch the full 2026 MICHELIN Guide American South ceremony here:

Join us LIVE for the MICHELIN Guide American South 2026 Ceremony as...

10/20/2026

🍽️⭐ Nashville, here they come!

The 2026 MICHELIN Guide American South Ceremony is tomorrow, October 21, and we know of some incredible Asheville restaurants making their way to Nashville for the big announcement!

We’re sending our best wishes to all the chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality teams representing our incredible culinary community!

Last year marked an exciting milestone as the MICHELIN Guide introduced its first-ever American South selection, recognizing 15 Asheville restaurants.

Let’s celebrate the incredible restaurants recognized in the inaugural guide:

🌿 MICHELIN Green Star
• Luminosa

⭐ Bib Gourmand
• Little Chango
• Mother
• Luminosa

📍 MICHELIN Recommended
• Addissae
• All Day Darling Cafe (AIR Member)
• Cúrate (AIR Member)
• Golden Hour AVL
• Good Hot Fish (AIR Member)
• Leo's House of Thirst
• Soprana Rooftop Cucina
• Sunny Point Café (AIR Member)
• Table (AIR Member)
• Tall John's (AIR Member)
• The Admiral
• Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse

We’re so proud of the culinary talent across WNC and can’t wait to see what this year’s announcement brings for our region. Good luck to everyone heading to Nashville! We’re cheering you on from home!

The MICHELIN Guide has circled a date on the calendar for the 2026 MICHELIN Guide American South ceremony. Nashville has been chosen as the host city for the ceremony, which will be held on the evening of Oct. 21 at The Pinnacle. “Last year marked a momentous year for the American South as we prou...

10/19/2026

✨ AIR Insider This Week ✨

Here’s what’s new around the AIR community 👇

🍌Treat yourself to something sweet while supporting a great cause! Through December 31, The Corner Kitchen and Chestnut are donating a portion of every dessert sale to Eliada Homes. Featured here is Corner Kitchen’s Paw Paw Banana Pudding, made with paw paw custard, Nilla Wafers and brûléed banana!

👻 Things are getting spooky at The Hop Ice Cream! October 27th unleashes limited-edition spooky ice cream flavors, plus a bewitching new Halloween drink and topping at Pop Bubble Tea! These frightfully delicious treats are only around through October 31st!

🔥 Rockys Hot Chicken Shack is bringing the heat to your next gathering! They now offer online catering for corporate events and private parties. Contact Rocky’s to spice up your next event!

🍺 Enjoy rooftop views of Asheville with $5 Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest drafts at Hemingway's Cuba Rooftop! Each b**r comes with a koozie, and the special is available all October long!

🍸Twisted Laurel Weaverville has three new cocktails to satisfy your sweet tooth! Try the Twisted Coffee with Kahlua, Baileys and tequila, a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Martini with RumChata and Fireball, or a Chocolate Strawberry Martini. Cheers to fall! 🍂

🍽️ Harvest Ball Silent Auction with Equal Plates Project | Through Oct. 22
Equal Plates Project’s inaugural Harvest Ball is officially sold out, but you can still support their mission! Their online silent auction is open through October 22, featuring exciting items like Biltmore tickets, a falconry experience, weekend getaways and more! All proceeds support local farms and help provide meals to neighbors facing food insecurity.

🍻Start your week with a local favorite! Highland Brewing Company's Monday Love for Locals special features $5 flagship pints. Stop by and enjoy a refreshing brew to kick off the week!

🍂 Salt Face Mule Brewing Co. has added a bunch of delicious new dishes to its fall menu! Stop by, grab a pint and see what the kitchen has been cooking up!

🍕Blue Mountain Pizza is supporting Weaverville B.E.A.R. Closet throughout October! This local nonprofit provides families in need with free baby and toddler clothing, diapers and essential supplies. Stop by and make a donation at the register, and Blue Mountain Pizza will match every dollar donated through the end of the month!

🍚 Kyoto Teriyaki House has new rice bowls on the menu for just $9.99! Choose from steak, shrimp or chicken with your choice of Sriracha, sweet chili or teriyaki sauce. A delicious new option to try!

❤️ Dine for a Cause at Copper Crown | Oct. 19
Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting a great cause! Copper Crown in East Asheville is donating 15% of all dine-in and takeout proceeds on October 19 to Food Connection, helping redistribute rescued food to neighbors in need. Can’t make it today? Stop by throughout the week to make a direct donation!

🍽️ 67 Biltmore Downtown Eatery + Catering has a delicious new weekly menu! Enjoy maple curry chicken salad, kale with roasted butternut squash and pepitas, chicken marsala with wild rice, Italian sausage and kale lasagna, plus fresh baked treats! Available for takeout Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM.

10/16/2026

🎄✨ Planning a holiday party? Celebrate local this season!

From company holiday parties to festive gatherings with friends and family, these AIR members offer dedicated private event spaces perfect for bringing everyone together!

📍 Twisted Laurel Downtown Asheville | The Loft
📍 Packs Tavern | Century Room on the Park
📍 Salt Face Mule Brewing Co. | Salty’s Outpost
📍 Cúrate | La Bodega Event Space & W**e Cellar
📍 Posana | Private Event Galleries
📍 White Labs Brewing Co | The Culture Room
📍 Jargon | The Argot Room
📍 Strada Italiano | The Loft & Rooftop
📍 Devil's Foot Beverage Co. | The Mule

Each offers its own unique atmosphere, delicious food and space to make your holiday gathering memorable.

✨ Host your holiday celebration with an AIR member! Contact each business directly to learn more about their event packages, availability and booking details.

And don’t forget, many of our other AIR members also offer restaurant buyouts and private dining options for holiday celebrations!

🥂 AIR members: Tell us about your options in the comments below!

10/16/2026

So excited for next week’s MICHELIN Guide announcement! 🤩🍽️ We love seeing so many incredible restaurants across Western North Carolina already recognized and can’t wait to see who else makes the list!

10/15/2026

🥣❤️ Good food for a great cause!

Join several AIR members and other local culinary favorites for MANNA FoodBank’s 24th Annual Empty Bowls on Monday, October 19! This special event brings together Asheville’s culinary and arts communities to help fight hunger in Western North Carolina.

Guests will select a beautiful handmade pottery bowl created by a local artist and enjoy their choice of three delicious soups, stews, or chowders, along with bread and dessert, all packaged to take home!

We’re proud to see so many AIR members participating, including Biscuit Head, Chestnut, The Corner Kitchen, Gemelli Restaurant, Luella's Bar-B-Que, Mëhfil, Red Fiddle Vittles, Ritrovo Pizzeria, and Strada Italiano! See their website for full list of participants.

🎟️ Tickets are $60, and each ticket helps MANNA provide 96 meals to neighbors in need.

📅 Monday, October 19 | 10 AM–5 PM
📍 Mission / A-B Tech Conference Center | 16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville

The event follows a walk-through format, so guests can choose a one-hour arrival window that works best for their schedule.

🎨 Don’t miss the Collector’s Corner, featuring beautiful pottery and artwork, with 100% of sales supporting MANNA’s mission. You can even shop without an event ticket!

🎟️ Get your tickets and learn more: https://mannafoodbank.org/empty-bowls/

10/14/2026

🌶️ Help AIR partner Spicewalla win a USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award!

Their Made with Love in Asheville Collection has been nominated for Best Gift for Foodies, and they need your votes! 🎉

This limited-edition collection features 10 unique spice blends created in collaboration with some of Asheville’s most beloved food businesses, including Chai Pani, Cúrate, Burial B**r Co., Hickory Nut Gap, Good Hot Fish, High Five Coffee, Biltmore, Billy D’s of The Market Place Restaurant, The Chop Shop Butchery, and Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn!

With so many AIR members and partners represented, we love seeing Asheville’s food community come together for something special!

Created to celebrate Asheville’s food community and its resilience after Hurricane Helene, this collection also gives back. $15 from every sale supports MANNA FoodBank, Homeward Bound of WNC, and Blue Ridge Public Radio.

🗳️ Show your support and vote by November 2: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/spicewalla-made-with-love-in-asheville-collection/?utm_campaign=button_list_VoteforUSATodayTop10

🎁 And grab a collection of your own! Whether you’re gifting it to your favorite foodie or adding a little Asheville flavor to your own kitchen, every purchase helps support organizations making a difference in our community.

10/12/2026

✨ AIR Insider This Week ✨

Here’s what’s new around the AIR community 👇

🎤 Midnight Draft Poetry Open Mic at The Argot Room | Oct. 13
Join Midnight Draft Poetry Collective for an evening of poetry, featuring a special reading by award-winning poet Amy Pence. Readings begin at 6 PM, and attendees receive 20% off food at Jargon next door all day!

🍷 An Evening in Tuscany at Battery Park Book Exchange & Ch*****ne Bar | Oct. 15
Enjoy an evening of live Italian music, Tuscan-inspired food, a welcome toast and optional w**e tastings. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with music at 7 PM. Tickets are $59 per person. More info at www.eveninginbatterypark.com.

🍂 Jettie Rae's is welcoming the season with new dishes featuring roasted kabocha squash, fall greens with pickled pear, NC grouper, whole flounder and a new tinned fish selection. Plenty of delicious reasons to stop in this fall!

🎃 Berliner Kindl German Restaurant Black Mtn has a new seasonal specialty! Their Pumpkin Käsekuchen, a German cheesecake, is made with locally produced quark from Three Sisters Cheese, a spiced cookie crust, honey sour cream topping and a chocolate pumpkin. Light, airy and perfect for fall!

🍤 Gemelli Restaurant is offering a special Bar Bites menu every Sunday through Tuesday! Featuring unique small plates that rotate every two weeks, there’s always something different to try.

🍝 The Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village has a delicious new addition to the dinner menu! Parmesan-crusted Verlasso salmon served with house-made tagliatelle, sun-dried tomatoes, local mushroom cream sauce and braised greens.

🐟The Lobster Trap has a new limited-time special! Seared rare tuna served with sun-dried tomato spread, horseradish aioli, lemongrass chow-chow and a soy sauce drizzle. Get it while it lasts!

🧀 An old favorite is back at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co.! Their Spinach Artichoke Dip has returned to the menu, made with spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese and Parmesan, served with tortilla chips. Find it at their 675 Merrimon Avenue location!

🍦 Fall flavors have arrived at Blue Mountain Pizza! Their housemade Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is back for the season. Stop by and enjoy a scoop of this seasonal favorite!