14 Delicious Restaurants In Hendersonville, NC
What are the best restaurants in Hendersonville, NC? Explore Hendersonville restaurants for German, sushi, hot dogs, BBQ, and more.
As Asheville locals, we love heading to Hendersonville for a day trip.
Hike The Hunger Games waterfalls at DuPont State Forest, apple pick at an orchard, and wine taste before dipping into one of the delicious Hendersonville, NC restaurants for lunch or dinner.
The places to eat in Hendersonville are endless, diverse, and family and budget-friendly.
Order vintage soda fountain beverages to pair with your egg salad sandwich at Mike’s On Main. Devour gluten-free and vegan Middle Eastern cuisine at Pita Express.
Grab subs from Joey’s New York Bagels before heading to a Hendersonville winery like Stone Ashe Vineyards or Sawyer Springs. Celebrate over tea at The Book & Bee.
After lunch, tour the walkable downtown area grabbing coffee at Black Bear and local craft beer from many of Hendersonville’s hopping breweries like D9 or Oklawaha Brewing (gluten-reduced beers).
For dinner, enjoy pricier Hendersonville restaurants like Umi Sushi or Postero.
Or, if you are looking for more casual fare, grab BBQ from Moe’s or Irish from one of Hendersonville’s pubs like Black Rose. Of course, Hot Dog World is pretty famous.
It’s also no secret that Haus Heidelberg is the best Hendersonville restaurant for German food. We crave them monthly.
So, if you are looking for food in Hendersonville where should you go? What are the best Hendersonville restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
Below, we are sharing our top recommendations for must-visit restaurants in Hendersonville, NC.
We know that “best” is subjective, and we’d love to hear your favorites in the comments. We had to stop ourselves from naming them all. Let’s get started!
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What You'll Find In This Guide
14 Best Restaurants In Hendersonville, NC
Umi Sushi
One of the best Downtown Hendersonville restaurants, Umi Sushi is our go-to for the freshest sushi rolls and sashimi.
For lunch, find sushi roll specials and bento boxes. For dinner, select from large specialty rolls, Thai dishes, tempura, and teriyaki.
Umi Sushi sits tucked into the back corner of the historic downtown area close to the B&Bs.
In fact, before moving to Asheville, our Bed and Breakfasts hosts at the 1898 Waverly Inn suggested dining at this delicious Japanese restaurant.
Now, we will drive in from Asheville just to eat here.
Umi Sushi is also great for takeout, especially if you are exhausted after a day of exploring DuPont State Forest.
Please know that they grow extremely busy at peak hours. It’s no surprise; they have been voted one of the best restaurants in Hendersonville for 12+ years.
Umi Sushi does not take reservations and has a small parking lot. Explore even more delicious restaurants to fight that sushi craving.
Umi Sushi | 633 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Haus Heidelberg German Restaurant
For one of the best German food restaurants in Hendersonville, don’t overlook Haus Heidelberg located on the outskirts of town.
Yes; they are a little dive-y inside, but don’t let the appearance detour you from dining here.
Nothing beats a German imported beer and all of the meats. Think schnitzel, brats, and sausages paired with all of the traditional and authentic German sides.
Dine inside or out, and park in their parking lot.
Or, catch Haus Heidelberg’s delicious food truck at one of the Hendersonville breweries – it’s by far one of the best food trucks near Asheville.
Picture that pork schnitzel hanging off of a pretzel bun.
Haus Heidelberg German Restaurant | 630 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Pita Express
One of the most local places to eat in Hendersonville, Pita Express promises the friendliest service paired with mouthwatering flavors.
We truly have to thank our dedicated readers for putting Pita Express on our radar. Plus, if you crave Gypsy Queen Cuisine in Asheville, this Hendersonville restaurant is 100% for you.
Nothing beats popular Middle Eastern cuisine like falafels, gyros, hummus, and grape leaves. Even better, Pita Express has gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options, including a gf gyro.
It’s also extremely hard to find both vegan and gluten-free desserts, and Pita Express has the perfect combination of them.
This small Hendersonville restaurant sits tucked into a plaza around the corner from Hot Dog World – just on the outskirts of Downtown.
Park in the lot, and get ready to enter an unassuming but delicious dining experience that you won’t soon forget. Plan on taking home their sizable portions.
Pita Express also offers cooking classes and belly dancing performances. They recently switched to cash-only – but always double-check in case this changes.
Pita Express | 1034 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28792
The Book And Bee Cafe & Tearoom
Located on the outskirts of Downtown Hendersonville, The Book And Bee Cafe is a literary oasis for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and tea.
Driving by, just look for the bright red British phone booth and fantastic book spine-labeled stairs. The photo opportunities are endless.
Diners may only make reservations for afternoon tea, which includes finger sandwiches, scones with jam, and sweet treats.
If you didn’t plan ahead, though, don’t worry: Breakfast and lunch – with a large pot of cream tea – are first-come, first-serve seating.
Just keep in mind that this cafe will grow busy. No one can resist its charm. We suggest going early.
Breakfast features breakfast sandwiches, quiche, biscuits with gravy, and oatmeal.
For lunch, select from soups, salads, and sandwiches with fun bookish names – gluten-free and dairy-free options included.
While dining, you’ll see newcomers peeking into rooms – each one has a unique theme.
For Hendersonville restaurants, it doesn’t get any sweeter or prettier than this. Plus, Victoria and her mom run The Book & Bee – and they’ll treat you like one of the locals.
Read more about bookish Asheville and Hendersonville, including a champagne bookstore, The Hunger Games waterfalls, and Shakespeare in the Park.
The Book & Bee Cafe and Tea | 795 Mountain Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Postero
One of the best restaurants in Hendersonville for celebrations, head to Postero. We’ve enjoyed many lunches here.
Postero serves up chic new American cuisine. Think larger entrees and shareables.
Start with oysters or charcuterie. Larger plates include meat and fish dishes like trout, steak, lamb, and roasted chicken.
Postero is fancier and pricer than most of the other Hendersonville restaurants on this list. We hesitate to say “fine dining” since lunch is more casual.
Postero isn’t pretentious, and you can make advanced reservations – highly recommended for dinner. Choose from local craft beer and cocktails too.
Postero | 401 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Hot Dog World
We are pretty sure that Hot Dog World serves up the most budget-friendly food in Hendersonville. In fact, our two hot dog meals cost us $7.00.
Plus, Hot Dog World is one of the most famous restaurants in Hendersonville – yet, it’s not really a tourist hotspot, especially because like Pita Express, it sits further outside of Downtown.
Hot Dog World has been around since 1986, and true to its namesake, they serve hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and salads for a great price.
Order online for food-to-go or enjoy their indoor and outdoor dining. If eating on-site, order at the counter when you arrive, and grab a seat with your number.
Service is fast, and there is a parking lot surrounding Hot Dog World. They do not currently have gluten-free bread, but you may bring your own.
Hot Dog World is a cash or check-only place (but always double-check in case this changes).
Hot Dog World | 226 Kanuga Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Mike’s On Main
Flashback to the past while munching on an egg salad sandwich. This 1950s-style restaurant offers breakfast, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and hot dogs.
Mike’s On Main reminds us of lunch dates at Friendly’s with grandma. Be sure to check out the historic soda fountain as well as the Coca-Cola mural outside.
Just a small FYI that Mike’s isn’t a great Hendersonville restaurant choice for food intolerances/allergies, but they are fantastic for nostalgia.
This is also a great option for food in Hendersonville if you are looking for family-friendly restaurants around Asheville.
Plus, you cannot beat that price.
Mike’s On Main | 303 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Shine
Shine is a cozy yet trendy pub in downtown Hendersonville. They feature an extensive beer selection and simple and clean food.
If you arrive for Shine’s midday opening, they serve an “Intermission Bill of Fare,” which is fabulous if you aren’t looking for a heavy meal.
For dinner, find sandwiches, steaks, duck, and even frog’s legs. They also offer Sunday brunch.
After a day of shopping, we enjoy grabbing a table tucked into the corner of the bar while devouring a French Dip sandwich.
Shine keeps an impressive local draft selection. They also have gluten-free bread.
Lastly, don’t miss Shine’s rooftop bar, which serves up handcrafted cocktails. Read more about Asheville’s rooftop bar scene.
Shine | 202 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Moe’s Original BBQ
Looking for BBQ places to eat in Hendersonville (you are in the South after all)? Moe’s won’t disappoint, even if it is a chain restaurant.
Moe’s smokes their meats in-house, and they are famous for their Alabama-style pulled pork.
We appreciate Moe’s local craft beer list paired with moist BBQ. It’s quick, casual, and BBQ at a great price.
Plus, find gluten-free options.
Read more about the best BBQ near Hendersonville & Asheville, including Carolina Ace BBQ – a circulating food truck that frequents Hendersonville’s Guidon Brewing.
Moe’s Original BBQ – Hendersonville | 114 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Joey’s New York Bagels
One of the best restaurants in Hendersonville for takeout, head to Joey’s New York Bagels.
We especially love Joey’s for subs that we can bring to the Hendersonville wineries. Please just double-check all wineries’ policies – not all allow outdoor food.
Joey’s New York Bagels has gluten-free bread, and they make delicious grinders to-go or for delivery apps like GrubHub.
They also serve breakfast and bagels. You can even order online.
Joey’s New York Bagels | 1500 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, NC 28791 & 5829 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Arabella
Arabella is one of the best breakfast and brunch restaurants in Hendersonville according to locals and our Uncorked readers.
We highly recommend them for delicious coffee drinks – including a seasonal toasted marshmallow latte.
Popular for their American and Latin brunch, Arabella is typically jumping with locals, families, and retirees. They have a quaint outdoor patio perfect for people-watching.
Inside, marvel at the historic ceiling or grab a cocktail or coffee at the bar.
Arabella has gluten-free bread, vegan pancakes, and a no-frills but sizable menu filled with eggs, salads, and sandwiches.
Be forewarned: the menu is a tad dairy-heavy.
It’s safe to say that Arabella has the nicest staff and best service around.
Arabella | 536 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Black Rose Public House
Another chill Irish downtown Hendersonville restaurant, the Black Rose has a huge draft list and is perfect for corned beef around St. Patrick’s Day.
Like most pubs, select from burgers, classic sandwiches, wings, chili, and tacos.
We’ve dropped in for a meaty Sunday brunch before strolling around Downtown Hendersonville.
Read more about the pub scene around Asheville.
Black Rose Public House | 222 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Boon Choo Thai Express
For one of the top Thai restaurants near Hendersonville, Boon Choo is it. Boon Choo translates to “good karma.”
Technically, Boon Choo sits on the border of Hendersonville in Flat Rock, NC, making this a great lunch stop before heading to Sky Top Orchard (in the fall) or Marked Tree Vineyard.
Their Thai food is delicious, and they offer smaller lunch portions.
Order at the counter and grab a seat inside or on their small patio. They’ll bring food out to you and ask that you kindly bus your table afterward.
Boon Choo serves wine, beer, and cider along with your classic Thai noodles, fried rice, appetizers, and salads.
Explore more nearby cities and towns to visit.
Boon Choo Thai Express | 576 Upward Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Tequilas Bar & Grill
We actually came across Tequilas trying to avoid the I-26 traffic back to Asheville.
If you know our favorite Asheville restaurant recommendations, you also know that we love Papas & Beer (which also has a restaurant in Hendersonville). Tequilas is similar.
Don’t let the congested shopping mall area scare you. Encounter a huge selection of authentic Mexican cuisine.
Of course, they have all of the classic drinks too. You’ll need that takeaway box. We crave all of Asheville’s jumping taco spots.
Tequilas Mexican Grill | 300 Freeman St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Hendersonville Restaurants For Drinks, Bites, & Dessert
D9 Brewing Company
For craft breweries and coffee in Hendersonville, D9 is a gorgeous downtown brewery.
We also appreciate that they open a little earlier than many of the other Hendersonville breweries. Their beers run more on the sour side.
D9 Brewing Company | 425 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Kilwin’s Chocolate & Ice Cream Hendersonville
We have Kilwin’s across Western North Carolina, including towns similar to Hendersonville like Black Mountain.
Visitors can choose from ice cream and fudge. Vegan and lactose-free goodies are a little trickier here, though.
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream | 506 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Black Bear Coffee Co.
If you are looking for Hendersonville, NC restaurants serving both food and coffee, head to Black Bear.
Inside, it’s a bit Western North Carolina bear homage meets Trade & Lore – one of Asheville’s coolest coffee shops.
For coffee in Hendersonville, Black Bear promises a city oasis. For food, choose from simple and classic breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Think avocado toast, BLTs, bagels with lox, and turkey sandwiches.
Then, order a specialty coffee drink with vegan and soy-free milk options or a classic beverage. Sit inside with a cozy back area filled with digital nomads or on the more chatty patio.
Be sure to look up for the coffee-burlap-bag ceiling, and scour the walls for vibrant local art.
Black Bear Coffee Co. | 318 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Oklawaha Brewing Company
Formerly Sanctuary Brewing, we had to mention Oklawaha Brewing Company for their gluten-reduced beers.
My Celiac husband is thrilled that he can drink beer here. They also sell Roots hummus to snack on with a kitchen coming soon.
Please remember, though, that gluten-reduced beers are not for everyone with Celiac Disease and still contain wheat if you have a wheat allergy.
If you are GF, you might also like our guide to gluten-free Asheville as well as the best Asheville breweries.
Oklawaha promises that their kitchen is coming soon!
Oklawaha Brewing Company | 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Wine Sage And Gourmet
We saved the best for last: Find a slightly hidden and seriously amazing wine bar in downtown Hendersonville.
With two floors, explore a gorgeous wine shop complete with a basement wine bar. Sit ensconced in wine bottles.
Wine Sage and Gourmet also sells gifts, drunk wine art (you heard us correctly), olive oil, and local coffee.
We highly recommend grabbing a glass of red and perusing their extensive and thoughtfully curated selection. You’ll also find local wine and meads.
The staff at Wine Sage is incredibly knowledgeable and community-oriented. We dare you to leave empty-handed. Don’t miss all of the Asheville area’s trendy wine bars.
Wine Sage And Gourmet | 416 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
More Popular Places To Grab Food In Hendersonville:
HenDough Chicken & Donuts
The Poe House
Dandelion
Never Blue
Brandy’s On Main
Mezzaluna
Save The Best Places To Eat In Hendersonville For Later:
Where can you stay in and around Hendersonville?
Don’t miss these cabins, stays, and hotels in Hendersonville, NC.
Headed to Asheville? Here are our Asheville hotel recommendations.
Where is your favorite place to grab food in Hendersonville, NC?
What are the best places to eat in Hendersonville? Who makes the best sushi, hot dogs, burgers, beer, and sandwiches?
Where do you love to order coffee and dessert? Let us know in the comments!
What else can you do in and around Hendersonville?
Fun Things To Do In Hendersonville
Favorite Hendersonville Wineries
Breweries To Love In Hendersonville
Apple Alley – Where To Pick Apples Around Hendersonville
Headed to Asheville next? You might like these posts:
Asheville, NC Events, Hikes, & Attractions
More Day Trips From Asheville
Asheville’s Best Lunch & Dinner Restaurants
Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.
I would definitely add West First at the top of the restaurant list in Hendersonville. It is one of our favorites and many people I know love it. It’s much better than Mezzaluna. Also, Seasons at Highland Lake Inn
Flat Rock is a phenomenal restaurant! The inn and cabins are also great places to stay.
Thanks so much for sharing your favorites with us and our readers.
You missed the best Japanese Thai restaurant in Hendersonville – better than any other – Champa on Main St. Mezzaluna has fabulous food, and you also missed Harvey’s at the Henderson. Some of the places on your list are just tourist destinations, locals will have some other ideas.
Hi Carole, Thanks so much for sharing your favorites; we all enjoy different places, and we appreciate your suggestions! We live in Asheville, visit Hendersonville frequently, and have local friends there who also enjoy the places above and then some. Not all “tourist destinations” are bad…they are popular – and good – for a reason. Have a great upcoming New Year. We hope you’ll share more of your personal Hendersonville favs with us.
Mike’s pizza and pasta is excellent. They should diffinitly be on Hendersonville list.
Thank you so much for the rec! That’s one of the spots we haven’t been – we will have to check them out.
For those of you who like an authentic cheesesteak you might want to try Woody’s Cheesesteaks on Church Street 431 North in Hendersonville
That sounds delicious. Thank you for the additional Hendersonville restaurant suggestion. We and our readers appreciate it!
Don’t forget The Poe House!!! For a true gastro pub/tavern atmosphere, great cocktails, select wines, craft beers from all over the U.S. and great tapas style eats, The Poe House is a must!! Live music on weekends! New outdoor patio as well!
Yes! Thank you! We have to catch them when they are open. We pass them all of the time.
All nice choices. Have to agree with Mathias about Arabella. Another great spot not listed is The Black Rose’s family friendly Italian neighbor The Mezzaluna. Wood fired pizzas, fresh pasta, great appetizers and a great beer & drink menu!
Thank you so much! Our restaurant lists always accidentally lack pizza recommendations (due to our food intolerances — we gotta work on this!). We really appreciate these suggestions, especially as we update articles and go exploring for delicious ‘research’ ourselves.
You need to add Hot Dog world.
Thank you!
I’d add the following to Victor’s list (no particular order, with a touch of variety):
1. Arabella
2. Hendough
3. Dandelion
4. Daddy D’s
5. Bakers Box
6. Boon Cho
7. Pita Express
8. Honey & Salt
9. Hubba Hubba
10. Shine
¡Buen provecho!
Thanks so much for the equally awesome and delicious Hendersonville restaurant recommendations.
There are numerous Mexican food restaurants in Henderson County. Which one is the best? In my opinion, Sol y Luna Restaurant in Laural is phenominal. If you crave quality Cali-Mex food with fresh vegetables, choice meats, and totally addictive unique salsas, this is the place. You will pay a bit more than the other Mexican restaurants in town, but their food, atmosphere, and service is well worth it!!
We haven’t been to Sol y Luna yet, but you’ve convinced us! That sounds delicious. Thanks so much for the restaurant recommendation. I’m sure our readers appreciate all of the helpful info, too.
What about Never Blue, Brandy’s and West First. I’d pick those over Hannah’s and Black Rose.
Thanks for sharing your top Hendersonville restaurants with us and our readers, Victor. I debated adding Tequilas, too.