In a rush? See what restaurants we love that are currently open in Asheville.

Good Morning Reader,

I wanted to thank you all so much for the incredibly kind emails reaching out after Helene. I am slowly getting back into our [new] normal routine for the website and newsletter.

Our Favorite Restaurants That Are Open In Asheville

Many of our Asheville businesses are struggling right now. The tourism board, Explore Asheville, has multiple links for where to shop online (Love Asheville From Afar) and businesses that are open/closed.

I recently updated our "best restaurants in Asheville" list to reflect businesses that are welcoming guests. On them bottom, I left two businesses that are still closed, hoping they will re-open soon. I update this list multiple times a year and switch up showcased businesses. Many of your favorite businesses might land on a different list.

A few of our favorites:

• Tall John's
• Haywood Common
• Plant
• Jettie Rae's
• ELDR (temporarily closed)
• Bone & Broth (temporarily closed)

Our photos of mussels at Tall John's, Plant's vegan cheese plate, GF/VG dessert at Posana, and Stoney Knob's tacos (Weaverville)

A few restaurants not on this list that I also champion: Little D's, Zambra's, Taco Temple, Huli Sue's, and Luminosa.

Asheville Author & Book Set In Asheville

I picked up Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings in a bookstore in Calistoga, California. Sonoma was everything I hoped for wine tasting; I don't think I ever spoke about that trip because Helene hit the week we returned.

🌼 Late Bloomer is a neurodiverse, sapphic romance that will transport you to Asheville, North Carolina. Eddings is an Asheville-based author, and you'll catch glimpses of the Grove Park Inn.

The novel reads like a Hallmark story, but with much more depth and diversity:

Opal wins the lottery and buys a flower farm, not realizing it has a brooding occupant, Pepper. The two begin to work together for a flower competition, and let's just say, things get very steamy in the bedroom.💋

I love the rep, Opal’s great relationship with her sisters, and Pepper’s supportive circle of friends.

If You Love A Reading Challenge...

On our sister site, The Uncorked Librarian, find our new 2025 Uncorked Reading Bingo Card Challenge. In short, read a book that matches the theme.

Not required, we also share our reads in our bookish Facebook community, Uncorked Readers. Even if you are not participating but want to get book recs, you may join the group.

We have our own newsletter, which explains the full challenge. We'd love to have you. It's low-key and fun.

Lady Whistledown of Asheville

It is hard to keep track of Asheville's happenings right now, and my inbox is about 2 - 3 weeks behind on managing press releases. However, a few notable mentions:

• If you've been with me for a while, you know that I SCREAMED when I heard The Malvern - my favorite West Asheville dive for burgers - is coming back. This news was originally announced on the Jennifer Hudson Show (!!!) and on DayTrip Asheville's Instagram: "...we have become owners of Little Louie's and are bringing back @The.Malvern!! Starting the first week in December DayTrip will have a 3 month pop up at The Malvern called 'DayTrip: Winter Vacation.' Then in March we will be moving DayTrip to the new permanent space and have The Malvern back in full capacity..."
• ​Guajiro - a favorite food truck of ours - is opening at Biltmore Village's Hi-Wire today (11/16). Helene devastated El Patio and their original food truck in the River Arts District. Their resilience and determination are inspiring. As currently announced on social media "...Guajiro Hours: everyday from 10am to 9pm; Hi-Wire Taproom Hours: everyday from 12pm to 9pm..." Think all things Cuban comfort food.
• I was sad to see that Geraldine's Bakery on Merrimon Ave. closed. However, Mattie Lou’s Cafe and Bakery moved in (no website just yet) but you can follow them on Instagram for menus.
• ​The Bon Secours in Greenville, SC announced Linkin Park is performing on May 8th.
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Upcoming Asheville Events

• November 15 - December 31, 2024: Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum
• November 16, 2024: Travelers Rest, SC Beer and Cider Festival​
• November 25, 2024: Gratefull Greenville​
• November 29 - December 31, 2024: Hendersonville Home For The Holidays​

Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore Estate

Tom and I enjoyed a three-course dinner at Stable Cafe last night before touring Biltmore House all decked out for Christmas. It was beautiful. I'll share more soon (possibly even in a special newsletter).

We also want to see Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum ASAP, which opens today.

I have articles on each, but I am still in the process of updating them for 2024.

Support Uncorked Asheville & Indie Media

Although I don't own a brick and mortar building, Uncorked Asheville was hit unbelievably hard by the loss of peak tourist season as well as overall regional recovery - loss of internet and power, resident displacements/evacuations including our own, rebuilding, permanent and temporary closures, pausing on work, etc.

Traffic to the website, followers, and independent advertisers' spending via our ad network that help keep the site funded were annihilated. Not to mention how much work will go into updating articles post-Helene. Like our other local businesses, it will be hard to stay afloat. My inbox is also overwhelmed right now.

As always, you can support Uncorked Asheville with a tip here or via Venmo.

Other ways to support us include following us on Facebook, engaging with social media posts (when you scroll past them, it tells Facebook not to give us any love), and sharing with your friends.

Thanks so much!