5 Best Restaurants in Black Mountain
Black Mountain, North Carolina is an adorable mountain town located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 20 minutes east of Asheville. It’s the perfect spot for Western North Carolina adventures or a day trip from Asheville.
With more than 40 restaurants and bars, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Since moving to Black Mountain in 2022, my husband and I have dined at almost all of them. Here are the five best restaurants in Black Mountain, based on our experience as hungry humans.
5. Bush Farmhouse
Bush Farmhouse: The Space
Bush Farmhouse reminds me of visiting my grandparents who lived on a farm. It’s cozy and actually has a mini-farm on their outside patio. Depending on your mood, you also have a variety of seating options. Inside their dining room, on their fantastic patio, at tables in their covered bar area, or at their interactive bar.
Bush Farmhouse: Menu & Drinks
There’s not much on this menu that you’ve probably eaten before. The Bush Farmhouse menu features South African-inspired tapas, small plates, and mains that will have you Googling words and trying to visualize what exactly you’ll be eating. But don’t sweat it! The ingredients are fresh and the flavor combinations are thoughtfully combined.
Bushfarm House: My Favorite Thing
This place is unlike anywhere I’ve ever eaten. The atmosphere is vibrant, the staff is kind and the food is deliciously unique. The lamb curry and rice has become my go-to order. I especially appreciate the three dipping sauces that come with it and compliment the flavor.
4. Cousins Cuban Cafe
Cousins Cuban Cafe: The Space
The tiny spot serves authentic Cuban dishes for breakfast and lunch. The activity from Broadway Avenue can usually be found inside as well. There’s usually a small line, with people ordering at the counter and then selecting a seat inside the space or on their quaint patio behind the building.
Cousins Cuban Cafe: Menu & Drinks
Cousins Cuban’s menu is filled with mouth-watering items. My personal favorite is the Cubano Bowl with crispy romaine lettuce. I also highly recommend checking their bakery case for empanadas and pastelitos. If you’ve never tried guava combined with cream cheese in a puff pastry, your life is about to change.
Their authentic Cuban food offerings also expand to its cafe menu. Their Cafe Cubano is especially delicious!
Cousins Cuban Cafe: My Favorite Thing
Cousins Cuban Cafe is locally owned and operated and the family’s inspiring story is shared on the walls of the restaurant. You can taste their love of family and their Cuban roots in every delicious bite.
3. The Pure & Proper
The Pure & Proper: The Space
The Pure & Proper has remodeled a former car mechanic shop into an influencer’s dream space complete with fluffy seat pillows. They have many dining spaces to choose from – a cozy dining room, a front patio, a secluded back patio, and an intimate wine cellar.
The Pure & Proper: Menu & Drinks
The Pure & Proper lunch and dinner menus include universal favorites like brussels sprouts or a cheese board. But also expands to Southern delicacies like fried chicken and waffles or braised pork cheeks. Their drink menu includes fun signature cocktails, the classics, beer, wine, and coffee drinks from their espresso bar.
The Pure & Proper: My Favorite Thing
This place feels picture perfect, from the servers wearing coveralls as a nod to the building’s roots to the beautiful presentation of each dish. The crispy chicken on their dinner menu pairs perfectly with the buttered rice grits and braised collard greens. And the You’re Old…Fashioned might be the best old fashion in Black Mountain.
2. Goldfinch
Goldfinch: The Space
This adorable restaurant tucked away on Cherry Street, has a large outdoor space, an intimate bar, and a cozy dining room. Live plants and mood lighting abound, making this a great place for a date night or if you need an extra dose of pixie dust to your week.
Goldfinch: Menu & Drinks
The Goldfinch menu offers unique and very delicious dishes with plenty of vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options. My personal favorite is their bowls, especially the Bahn Mi and Southern bowls. Check their Instagram account for daily and weekly specials before you order.
And whatever you do, order a cocktail! Drinks are updated seasonally and include in-house concoctions like cedar-infused Maker’s Mark.
Goldfinch: My Favorite Thing
The owner and staff are extremely friendly, welcoming you in like they’ve been waiting for your arrival. Sitting in the bar area allows you to connect with the staff and locals. The love they have for their restaurant is absorbed in everything they create.
1. Trailhead Restaurant & Bar
Trailhead Restaurant & Bar: The Space
Located on State Street, The Trailhead Restaurant & Bar offers delicious, locally sourced and reasonably priced food. There are no frills, which makes it a great place to visit after a hike or outdoor adventure. They offer seating in the dining room, outdoor patio, or at the bar. Be prepared to wait at least 20-30 minutes anytime you come, this place is popular!
Trailhead Restaurant & Bar: Menu & Drinks
The Trailhead Restaurant & Bar menu offers pub favorites like nachos, fish and chips, tacos, and burgers. Menu items are cleverly named after famous hikes, locations, and outdoor experiences in Western North Carolina. They have a large beer and wine menu and a full bar offering favorites and seasonal cocktails.
Trailhead Restaurant & Bar: My Favorite Thing
This is the number one restaurant in Black Mountain that we keep returning to. Their Trailblazer burger makes my tummy happy and I dream about their fries. I especially enjoy sipping on a black raspberry margarita after a hike, while chatting with locals and their friendly staff at the bar.
What’s Your Favorite Restaurant in Black Mountain?
What’s your favorite restaurant in Black Mountain? Let us know in the comments. Is there a place you’ve been dying to go? Join me in trying something new this Tuesday!
