Craft beer? Check. Barbecue? Of course. Indian street food? Wait, what?

Asheville is known not only for its dynamic food scene and microbreweries but also for ethnic and exotic dining, including vegetarian and vegan options at nearly all of the area’s 250-plus independent restaurants. From blueberry-chipotle barbecue sauce to pizza made with house-milled grains, to Indian street food-inspired kale pakoras, Asheville’s culinary offerings surprise and delight. We believe each meal is a celebration. A revelation. And a transcendent experience. Foodies, welcome to paradise.

Liquid refreshment shares the culinary spotlight. Named Beer City, USA, Asheville has more microbreweries per capita than any other city — stick with the classics or go rogue with a brew made with unusual ingredients like raspberry, blood orange or beets. Wine aficionados will find more than 20 vintages at the Biltmore’s winery, the most visited winery in the US. If you want to take it up a notch, craft cocktails around town can range from envelope-pushing to retro.

Here in Asheville, we never forget where our food comes from. In addition to chatting up chefs about their partnerships with local farmers, visitors who want to learn more about Asheville’s farm-to-table food scene can tour local farms, explore the Western NC Cheese Trail or take a hands-on culinary workshop.