Cozy And Romantic Restaurants In Asheville Perfect For Date Night

Whether it is Valentine’s Day, date night, or an anniversary, uncover the most romantic restaurants in Asheville, NC, perfect for intimate conversations and special occasions. As locals, these are our favorite places to eat with cozy vibes, gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain sunsets, and unforgettable food. Dine at tables tucked into warmly lit corners full of historic charm. Not all are fine dining establishments or will break the bank either.

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Tom and I have been together since 2010, and trust me, we are pros at finding the finest meats and Filipinx treats. Glowing candles and sparkling chandeliers cannot hide from us. All photos and experiences are our own. Afterward, discover all the romantic things you can do, including a nightcap at popular bars like Potential New Boyfriend, The Times Bar, and Little Jumbo.

Fancier Romantic Restaurants In Asheville

Treat yourself to dinner at these gorgeous establishments.

Zambra

Zambra is my top pick for ambiance in Asheville and one of my favorite wine bars: Dimmed lights, Mediterranean accents, and cozy nooks. They have an excellently curated wine list and sharable tapas. We especially love double dating at Zambra, and it’s a great spot for a girls’ night out. With impeccable service, Tom and I enjoy their risotto, scallops, charcuterie, meats, pasta, and more.

Neng Jr.’s

Neng Jr.’s is a culinary experience. With speakeasy vibes (that back alley entrance!), this Filipinx restaurant promises an intimate space and a daily to seasonally changing menu with both sharables and large plates, all thoroughly explained by the attentive staff.

I suggest double-dating here with friends and ordering it all. Our favorite finds: Neng Jr.’s BBQ mushrooms, vegetables simmering in peanut butter and coconut sauce, and roasted duck with gravy. Order oysters with those salty quail eggs, ice cream covered in cheddar cheese and olive oil, and seasonal and tangy fruits. This is one of the best West Asheville restaurants you won’t soon forget.

Little D’s

With the same owners as Asheville Proper – a delicious Downtown steakhouse – Little D’s is one of our favorite North Asheville date night restaurants. Designed for locals – and considered slightly more casual – head here for our favorite dishes like beets, scallops, Brussels, and chicken. I love their feathery blue-green decor with gold accents.

Plant

With a dedicated vegan menu that’s almost all gluten-free, Plant specializes in multiculturally-influenced dishes. Mix and match tapas and entrées. I am obsessed with Plant’s vegan cheese plate and roasted beets. I order them every. single. time. Other favorites for both Tom and I include their ravioli (not GF), lasagna, and anything with that creamy queso. Do we even need to talk about vegan desserts like flourless chocolate cake, gelato, cheesecake, and creme brulee?

Limones

Executive Chef Hugo Ramirez, a Mexico City native, brings a touch of San Francisco flair to Limones with his simple yet divine cuisine. Opt for tapas and those famous margaritas. I suggest starting with fresh ceviche or lobster nachos. Then, move on to fusion-cuisine entrées, including BBQ fish, scallops with salsa, ramen short ribs, and enchiladas with vegan cheese. Cap off your meal with Mexican-inspired desserts like churros or Tres Leches cake, complemented by craft cocktails, Spanish dessert wines, and Mexican coffee.

The Bull And Beggar (Re-Opening Soon)

One of our favorite romantic restaurants in Asheville to celebrate a special occasion or anniversary, The Bull And Beggar is great to satisfy those meat cravings. This gourmet dining experience boasts the most enchanting decor including chandelier lighting, brick walls, and a book-filled bar.

Start with one of the best charcuterie boards around or order steak tartare and oysters. For a main entree, we suggest any steak, duck, or seafood entree. We lost a lot of amazing River Arts District restaurants to Helene, but these guys are determined to make a comeback. They also own Baby Bull, serving up the best burger in town.

The Pure & Proper (Black Mountain)

If you don’t mind driving about 20 to 25 minutes east of the city, you’ll find some of the most romantic and delicious restaurants in Black Mountain, one of our favorite Western North Carolina towns for shopping, food, and hanging out.

We adore The Pure & Proper, an all-day eatery serving up both casual and fancier American cuisine. For date night, sit in the wine cellar or bustling dining room while eating seasonal fresh vegetables with meat and seafood entrees. I can never resist any type of tartare, and we suggest ordering a bottle of wine. Who knew a former gas station could be so cozy?

Edison (The Omni Grove Park Inn)

Imagine sipping on handcrafted cocktails while eating dinner as the sun sets over Downtown Asheville and Mount Pisgah, transforming the sky into vibrant purples and oranges. Even though The Omni Grove Park Inn is a luxury resort and a top attraction, it also houses some of the most romantic restaurants in Asheville like Edison and Sunset Terrace.

Diners will find moderately priced American handhelds and entrees on Edison’s seasonal menu. We’ve ordered everything from wings and Thai lettuce wraps to salads, pasta, and soups. Edison makes a stellar grilled octopus, and who can resist a juicy burger? We also take guests here for the “wow” factor.

Casual Date Night Spots

Tall John’s

Tall John’s has the best bathroom wallpaper (I guess that’s not very romantic)… and my favorite dry martini in the entire city. Plus, Tall John’s is one of the best date night restaurants in Asheville because of its Montford location: In the spring through fall catch free Shakespeare in the Park after dinner or walk the gorgeous historic neighborhood.

This neighborhood tavern boasts small plates like nuts and olives with craft cocktails, medium-sized dishes with salads, shrimp cocktail, and steak tartare, and large plates including burgers, grilled fish, pork schnitzel, and a half-roasted chicken. Tall John’s also hosts weekend brunch. We double date here with friends.

Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian

Growing up Italian/Sicilian-American, we have pretty high standards for both authentic Italian and Italian-American cuisine. We avoided Vinnie’s for so long, worried it would be a disappointment. However, now we go when we get homesick. Vinnie’s is sure to put a smile on your face.

Vinnie’s feels like our Italian grandparents’ homes. We enjoy the music we grew up with paired with that iconic decor and food; it feels like a slice of our childhood with the best service. Tom loves their gluten-free pasta with sausage, and I prefer their Chicken Marsala. Vinnie’s is the sister restaurant to Jettie Rae’s (seafood), another great date night option.

Bone & Broth

We cannot rave enough about Bone & Broth. Either sit in the bar/tavern area for a slightly more casual experience or enjoy their romantic dining room. Regardless of where you sit, expect delicious local meats from their butcher neighbor, The Chop Shop.

I can never turn down mussels and bone broth with a seasonal cocktail. Tom enjoys their burger. They also specialize in rich seafood and meat entrees like steaks. Afterward, walk the historic Chestnut area, spying funky fun older houses and Little Free Libraries.  

Leo’s House Of Thirst

A new James Beard nominee for Outstanding Wine, Leo’s House of Thirst has a beautiful outdoor garden patio as well as an intimate indoor space. It’s one of my favorite restaurants/wine bars in all of Asheville. Order handhelds, soups, and pasta. Choose from raw dishes like red snapper, or order lighter fare such as cheese, olives, and charcuterie. I always order olives and a half carafe of wine (Tap Tuesdays!).

Nine Mile

For a menu catering to gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, dairy-free, and honey-free preferences/allergies/intolerances, head to Nine Mile; they don’t play when it comes to your dietary needs, and we love them.

We frequent their Nine Mile’s Montford location. Here, enjoy seafood, pasta, and rice dishes, including Cajun chicken and coconut curry shrimp. My go-to is the Irie Ites, and Tom devours their Back-A-Yard Bowl. This is the best of the best for casual date night restaurants in Asheville.