I was in town for a massive gathering of beer nerds for the homebrewers convention and needed a solid breakfast to reset my system after days of heavy tasting. I found Chestnut on Yelp and decided to wander in. The space has this elevated modern rustic vibe with a southern twist and a little bit of sass. They even sell shirts that say neither hoity nor toity, which cracked me up. Honestly, the atmosphere was great, but our waitress was the real star. She was absolutely phenomenal and looked after us perfectly. My palate was pretty fried, so I started with a Bloody Mary to wake up. Truth be told, it was just okay. The house mix had an odd flavor that nobody at the table could quite identify, and it seriously lacked spice. It was just kinda bland. I noticed a bottle of Firewalker hot sauce on the table, and splashing that in helped a little bit. After that, I transitioned to a mimosa. You really cannot mess up a mimosa too much, and it was a solid, reliable second drink. For the main event, I ordered the southern chicken and waffles. This came with a fried chicken breast sitting on golden malted waffles, smothered in sausage gravy, and drizzled with chipotle honey. It was a really great dish. The kitchen did a solid job with the fry on the chicken, and the gravy had a nice flavor. It leaned a little on the sweet side because of the honey, but it was not totally overdone. The real sleeper hit of the morning, though, was the side of cheesy grits. Those grits were absolute heaven. They were incredibly creamy and perfectly seasoned. If you go, you have to order them. Chestnut is in a great location, and despite the weak Bloody Mary, it was a stellar visit. read more

Worth Planning Your Asheville Trip Around As a Bay Area foodie, navigating around San Francisco's incredible restaurant scene taught me to appreciate thoughtful cooking, quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality. Chestnut had been on my Asheville dining list long before I arrived, and after spending several days exploring Boone, Blowing Rock, and the Blue Ridge Mountains, I made it my dinner splurge before heading home. It absolutely delivered. A quick tip: skip the hunt for street parking and head straight to the garage across the street. The first hour is free, and downtown Asheville can be congested with both vehicle and foot traffic. I arrived around 5:30 without a reservation and was warmly greeted by the hostess, who offered me a table or a seat at the bar. Asheville was surprisingly hot and humid compared to the cool mountain weather I'd been enjoying, so the air-conditioned dining room was an easy choice over the sidewalk patio. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Fresh flowers, warm lighting, elegant stone countertops, comfortable booths, tables, and bar seating create an atmosphere that feels polished without being stuffy. What stood out most was the mix of guests. There were locals greeting staff by name, couples enjoying date night, families with children, and older guests gathering with friends. It felt welcoming and comfortable for everyone. As a solo diner, the bar was the perfect choice. I enjoyed all the energy of the restaurant while still having a peaceful dining experience. I started with a glass of Brut Rosé from Spain. Crisp, refreshing, and beautifully balanced, it was the perfect way to settle in after a warm afternoon. Then came the Lobster Bisque. As someone who has made lobster bisque from scratch, I know the work that goes into creating a great one. Chestnut's version, made with Oak & Grist Reserve Cream and finished with fresh chives, was outstanding. Rich, silky, velvety, and loaded with tender pieces of lobster. If I'm being incredibly picky, I would have enjoyed just a touch more sherry, but that's purely personal preference. The smaller serving vessel kept the bisque hot from first spoonful to last, which I appreciated. My only complaint was that I wanted a larger serving because it was that good. For my entrée, I ordered the 4-ounce Petite Filet. The steak arrived cooked a perfect medium rare with excellent flavor and texture. It was served with butter-whipped mashed potatoes, haricot verts, a crisp potato gaufrette, red wine demi-glace, and chive butter. Every component was thoughtfully prepared. The demi-glace added richness without overwhelming the beef, while the potato gaufrette provided a delicate crunch. My only minor critique was that the plate could have been served a bit hotter, but the quality of the food more than made up for it. One of the highlights of the evening was the service. Taylor, part of the management team, was personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. After my sparkling wine, he suggested a half-glass pour of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir since I was driving. Excellent recommendation. The wine was elegant, earthy, and beautifully balanced, pairing perfectly with the filet. As the evening progressed, the restaurant filled quickly. Watching the staff greet regulars by name and efficiently manage the growing crowd spoke volumes about how well-run the restaurant is. You could tell many guests were repeat customers, which is always a good sign. After dinner, I attempted to walk off my meal through downtown Asheville, but the summer heat quickly convinced me to head back to my hotel. I left full, happy, and already thinking about that lobster bisque. For a Bay Area foodie who plans entire trips around memorable meals, Chestnut exceeded expectations. Great food, thoughtful service, an inviting atmosphere, and a dining experience that felt special without trying too hard. If you're visiting Asheville, put Chestnut on your list. Life is too short for mediocre meals, and this one is worth making time for. read more

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Chestnut - A Solid Asheville Gem We had a lovely dinner at Chestnut and would definitely return. From the moment we sat down, the service was extremely attentive -- the kind of attentiveness that feels genuine rather than hovering. We started with the lobster bisque, and honestly, it was fabulous. Both my husband and I were swooning over it -- rich, perfectly seasoned, and worth every bite. For my entree, I opted for the Mushroom en Croûte from the medium plates menu since I wasn't feeling particularly hungry. The concept is beautiful -- herb roasted mushrooms tucked into puff pastry with ramp whipped brie, Madeira jus, asparagus ribbons, and truffle salt. It was good, but for me it ran a little rich and felt one-note after a few bites. If you have a bigger appetite or love bold, earthy flavors, you might enjoy it more than I did. My husband went with the shrimp and grits and absolutely loved them -- completely cleaned his plate, which says everything! Overall, a great experience in a city full of fantastic dining options. The service alone makes it worth a visit, and that bisque? Don't skip it. read more

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Highly recommend Chestnut - we didn't necessarily have the best meals but it was how they handled the situation that would make me go back. Our server, Rachel, was amazing and sensed that we weren't totally satisfied with our steaks and let the manager know and the manager came over and talked to us for 10 minutes for our feedback. She refused to let us pay for our meals because she said that excellence is what they strive for with every meal. That is a restaurant that I would definitely give a second chance. Some nights are just off nights. read more

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I had brunch at Chesnut and loved it! The hostess was amazing and helped me find the perfect seat for photos with the bar in the background. Brandon, our server, was very attentive and refilled my water before I even finished my glass. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was charming. I'll definitely be back! read more

Chestnut - Me encanta como se ve este bar - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Another wonderful brunch at Chestnut! Reservations were incredibly easy to make online, which made everything seamless before we even arrived. The service was so friendly, attentive, and we were happy to not be rushed. The food and drinks were just as impressive. The Porch Swing cocktail was hands down my favorite; refreshing, perfectly balanced gorgeous and a must-try. The lobster bisque was rich and flavorful, and the kale Caesar salad with shaved brussel sprouts (I added chicken) was fresh, hearty, and something I would love to replicate at home! Every detail came together to create such a fantastic experience from start to finish. Thank you so much! read more

We are team Jane (great service). Food was incredible and atmosphere was very cozy. Appetizers were all delicious and while I know it's a rotating menu, if you can get the scallops while they're here, please do. The dish was well put together and the scallops were wonderfully cooked. We could have done without the caeser salad as it was kind of 'just a caesar' and I think comparatively the other dishes were just so good. Lobster bisque was very creamy with good lobster flavor, not a huge portion of lobster. Absolute star of the show was the fried Virginia flounder. Between the dill yogurt sauce and the pesto orzo it had a delicious Mediterranean flavor and a good sized portion, 3 nice fingers of delicate fish. Best restaurant we visited on the trip. Mushroom en croute was good but wouldn't get again. read more

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Really nice restaurant across the street from our hotel. Great spot for our last night meal here in Ashville. We had reservations so we got right in. Really nice place. Has a cool 'vintage' vibe. We started with cocktails since that is one of the things they are known for. I got the Brown butter fat washed makers mark, apple, pear, fall spices and walnut bitters. Really good. Deb had the At the movies but didn't like it. I thought it was pretty tasty. They took that one back and she got one of the old fashions that I had. Had to start with the bisque. OMG I see why it's a fav. Thick and full of fresh lobster but not overly creamy and heavy. Great flavors and texture. I got the duck. So good and cooked Perry. Deb got the filet. Again cooked perfectly. Almost cut with a fork. No knife needed. Service was awesome. Great suggestions and conversation. read more

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Excellent food and excellent service. Restaurant in the middle of downtown Ashville which is also a nice walk. The inside is also very nice. Highly recommend to give it a visit. read more

They had great customer service and ambiance. My wife had her first steak that leftover her speechless. The salads where inventive and enjoyable. The dessert was a great end to a wonderful dining experience! read more

Pros: *Food: the food was plated very aesthetically but, personally, I think some of the foods could've been seasoned a little more. The food was still delicious, especially the desserts. I tried Lobster Bisque for the first time and it was quite delicious! I enjoyed my Fried Calamari Kale Salad, I really liked the sauce it came with. While the Pumpkin Chai Pudding was a little on the sweeter side it still tasted good, the Banana Bundt Cake was the perfect sweetness and tasted amazing. I would go back again just for the Banana Bundt Cake. *Service: the level of hospitality our waitress, Abigail, provided was outstanding. She was courteous, knowledgeable, and attentive without being intrusive. Her professionalism elevated my dining experience and turned my meal into a wonderful experience. I would even dare say her professionalism reflected beautifully on the restaurant. This applies to all the other staff that attended to my group that night as well. Thank you all for the amazing service! *Ambiance: as I went for dinner, the restaurant looked more dimly lit than compared to lunch, and it has quite a warm, and cozy feeling. It was a little on the louder side, as it was pretty much a full house that night. Cons: *Nothing much I have to mention for this section. Comments: *We went for dinner on a Monday around 7:45PM. I would recommend making a reservation, the restaurant was fully packed. I would say give this restaurant a try if you're in the area, or visiting Asheville. *My friend and I were visiting from another state and we were so impressed by their hospitality. The hospitality of the staff in itself would make me want to go back to the restaurant. read more

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Service from Woody was excellent. Nice menu, wine selection and decor. Our shrimp and grits dishes were good but the grits could have been a bit thinner as they were too thick for the juice in the bowl. read more

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As a top-rated Asheville restaurant on many social sites (including Yelp) we were looking forward to dining here. Our meal here, though, was just...OK. No major issues but also far from a memorable experience. Perhaps it was the decor. This is not an old restaurant, it opened in 2012, yet everything appeared a bit...dated... to me. Dark wood floors, wooden tables, yellow lighting, mirrors with gold filigree. It felt a bit like dining in a vintage steakhouse. Even when our daughter saw our photos she commented "wow, so many old people". I mean, it was winter off-season, and somewhat early in the evening, and hey, we ourselves are old people (by age, at least). but still.... Most of our dishes were good, not great, but good. A highlight was my cocktail, "At the Drive-In". Having a drink with popcorn-infused tequila and a popcorn garnish is unique and inventive. The service was a positive. Initially, my wife's Pimento Cheese Tater Tots were over-fried and when she commented they were quickly returned with apologies. She enjoyed her main entree of Shrimp and Cheese Grits but found it filling and could only eat a portion. The manager saw this, sat at our table and asked my wife for her "truly honest feedback" of the dish. A nice touch, we appreciated the attention and care. We enjoyed our evening at Chestnut, but in honesty with so many other great dining options in Asheville I'm not sure we'll return. read more

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Had some delightful Pimento Cheese Tater Tots here, and washed it all down with a Bloody Mary! The Pimento Cheese Tater Tots came with Cajun Remolaude, Green Tomato Chow Chow, Bourbon Sorghum, Scallions over a bed of arugula salad. It was the perfect amount of cheese to potato ratio, and were lightly fried, helping it retain it's juiciness. The arugula salad helped cut down on the denseness of the cheese and potatoes, so that was also appreciated. The Bloody Mary was made with their own house mix and was delicious. read more

Chestnut - Bloody Mary - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Every single bite was wonderful. And things that I had no idea would pair together, but were perfect. Who puts fried oysters on a Caesar salad? Chestnut does, and they make you wonder why more places don't do exactly that. This is a new landing place when we come to Asheville. read more

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Visiting from out of town and was craving a delicious dinner. Service was excellent! Cocktails were great! The spicy martini was superb! Filet was outstanding! Desserts were so yummy! Our favorite dinner in NC, so far! read more

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Snagged a reservation last minute on a busy weekend and had a great time. Ely was our server and she was wonderful. Very warm, knowledgeable and attentive. This spot sits in the heart of downtown Asheville and we were sat at the bar seats that look out onto the busy street. It was fun to people watch. It would be hard to tell you if our meal or our cocktails were better because both were very delicious and unique. Think butter washed bourbon and popcorn infused libations. I loved that the menu featured small plates, medium plates, salads, and larger portions so we could get a mix and try a bunch of different items. We started with the pimento tots, which were excellent and I am going to try to re-create at home. Then we moved onto the kale Caesar salad and added crispy oysters. The oysters were cooked in fresh oil, and the kale salad had been massaged enough to not be tough. I had the shrimp and grits and my husband had the mole' short rib. The corn casserole that came with his short rib was delicious but the short rib lacked sufficient fat to make it juicy. Great flavor, a tad dry. My shrimp and grits were better. An excellent rendition of a Southern classic. It had just the right amount of salt, kick, and cream ratio. My belly was happy. Didn't have room for dessert but our amazing server made some local recommendations for an after dinner drink. (See my review for sovereign remedies). read more

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Delicious food, expertly crafted. Thoughtful and attentive service. Our waiter, Stuart was fantastic. Lovely atmosphere - fresh and warmly appointed. read more

Prior to visiting Asheville, I did some research on places near the hotel I was staying. I came across Chestnut and I'm so happy I did. It's absolutely beautiful inside and I had a reservation and was seated quickly. It wasn't loud, beautiful atmosphere, and the most amazing service! My waitress, Che...what can I say? She has the most beautiful spirit, absolutely amazing, and gave the most honest answers when I asked what was popular and good. Everything she digested I tried and OMG!!! She didn't steer me wrong. I've never had dessert after brunch and I'm on vacation, I'm going to dive in! She recommended the Maple Blondie and informed they ran out of the maple ice cream but the vanilla was soooooo amazing! I had an amazing experience, Shrimp and Grits had a "kick" to it but it was so good I ate it anyway. The lobster bisque was beyond great, and she also recommended adding pineapple juice to my mimosa and I could have ordered another one! I'll recommend Chestnut to anyone and ask for Che! She definitely gives the best experience and great suggestions for you to enjoy! 10/10 read more

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Hard to get a seat here, and now I can see why. No space for 3 (might be easier get 2, as there are some booths for 2 only) until late at night the first night we tried. Was able to snag an early dinner spot at 5 on the second night. Everything we had was solid and reasonably priced for the quality and quantity. My group of 3 shared some scallops with were fresh, succulent and accompanied by refreshing sweet/tangy beet and goat cheese salad. I had the shrimp and grits as my main and it was definitely one of the best versions I've had (although I'm no expert lol). Mom had the poached lobster with risotto cake. Mom was happy with the lobster tail (but was too small to share). I did steal a few bites of the risotto cake which kind of reminded me of a giant hockey puck shaped arancini. That part of the dish might have been my favorite bite of food in my short trip to Asheville. Perfect crispness on the outside with a nice sweet chewiness in the middle. My sister ordered the salmon with brussels and butternut puree. The salmon was tender and fresh. Perfectly crisp sweet/savory roasted brussels. The butternut puree was also delicious. Finished with the banana pudding. Wasn't my favorite banana pudding of all time but I was a fan of the roasted marshmallow topping which is a nice creative twist on the usual whipped cream topping. read more

I went for brunch and this was the best meal I had in my trip to Asheville. I had the Benedict of the day which was spoonbread with poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise, chorizo, avocado crema, cotilla cheese and pico de Gallo with their awesome breakfast potatoes. My friend had the chicken and waffles which were also very good. Everything was delicious. The space is bright and welcoming and the staff was great. We got a spot on the window bar because we didn't have a reservation and it was great for people watching on a Saturday morning in downtown Asheville. Definitely recommend! read more

Chestnut - Benedict of the day - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Food excellent Ambiance cute and cozy Also outside tables. Service very good Priced reasonable Nice menu Had soup, burger, salad all delicious! read more

The Lobster Bisque is The Best Ever!!! The Pastry Du Jour was Mouthwatering!! Absolutely Wonderful Service!! Their Shrimp & Grits were On-Point! This was a great dining experience for us, plus, the people watching out of our barstools that face the street was awesome!! read more

Chestnut - Shrimp N' Grits!! - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

BLUF: A brunch meal that felt just a bit off. My husband and I visited Chestnut and it felt just a tad off. Not bad, just not living in up to the online Yelp reviews. Service was a bit slow and my Benedict Du Jour which I believe had pastrami sounded phenomenal and in the end it was just heavy. I believe my husband had the Pesto & Parmesan Crusted Salmon which was the clear winner. After waiting to dine in this cute restaurant we were hoping for a little more but we'll certainly give it another go. read more

TikTok sent me here. First time in Asheville and I wanted to try a place that came highly recommended. Chestnut was perfect for a cold December morning. I felt comfortable eating here alone. The staff was friendly and the menu looked delicious. I settled on a bowl of lobster bisque and the daily special was lobster sliders which I paired with Cajun breakfast potatoes. Lobster bisque wasn't bad but it was bland. It needed salt. The sliders were the exact opposite- too salty. The potatoes with some ketchup were very good. But all in all, I wasn't like blown away by the flavors. I would go back and maybe try another dish. But, I've had better food to be honest. Grade: C read more

Chestnut - Lobster sliders - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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10/10 experience and would not trade it for a thing! Wonderful atmosphere and descent volume to hold a conversation on a romantic night. Wonderful service and even greater food! We were new to the area and enjoying the new year, management got us a seating in 15 minutes on a busy holiday week. This was a great choice. Craving more calamari and kale salad! read more

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John was an awesome server -- great recommendations and appropriate amount of check-ins. What's not to love when the service begins with a surprise offering from the chef -- house-made corn chip with bay scallop ceviche and crema --- in a word 'delicious'! This should be on the menu. Fried oysters with house ranch for dipping were good. John brought a side of crema because I liked it so much. Harissa meatballs with tabouleh and warm naan were excellent. I should've stopped there, but topped it off with a strawberry trifle that I took with me. read more

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Nice brunch spot! We enjoyed the cocktails. Service was great. Good ambiance overall. read more

Chestnut - Bloody Mary, and something quite similar to an espresso martini, but more grown up and fancy - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

We went here for brunch today. Had a reservation for 10am, perfect timing as the rush hadn't started yet. The place started to fill up pretty quickly after that. A variety of sitting available, from small booths to bigger group tables. It's a cozy place. Our waiter was friendly & very attentive. The drinks and food were okay. Not amazing but not terrible. I would go here again though. read more

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Peach burrata salad was good. Shrimp and grits was awesome. The halibut was very good as the fish of the day. It was priced market price and came with fingerling potatoes and skinny beans 48 dollars was too high given 4 ounce filet was 29 and shrimp and grits was 30. Main dishes came too fast. We were still eating the salad we shared. The waitress was just ok at best. read more

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I frequently travel to Asheville for work and Chestnut is one of my go-to's. It's refined, but still approachable and accessible. The staff is always kind and the food is consistently delicious! I would recommend making a reservation for a group, but I have walked in with a coworker during the week and we were able to get a great spot. Love that they cater their specials to what produce is in season. read more

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Went off TikTok recommendation. Chestnut did not disappoint. Ordered the shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. Also, had a piece of jalapeño cornbread and the parm tots. Both were good. Customer service was good. Would definitely recommend. read more

Chestnut - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Really more of a 4.5. I Stopped in for what i was hoping would be lunch that turned out to be Brunch, my fault for not checking first and for walking in based on jsut the eye-ball of the place. Brunch menu is horter and the typical 50/50 lunch bfast options. As i was in the lunch mood i went for the burger which was a good example of a high end burger. As a side i went with fries, but they were seasoned which i can do without. Beer options were good with lots of interesting local options. Service was prompt and attentive for the most part. for $35 for a burger and 2 beers I am looking for a little more interest in my dining experience. Overall good but I'd give a few other local spots that i chose this over a shot before coming back. read more

Fabulous food, service, and atmosphere. One of our favorite stops. Best grits ever. Delicious homemade pastry.

The food was nice but the bussers and waiters putting their hands in their hair, then immediately handling silverware and cleaning tables was just very unsanitary. Bummer read more

Ambiance wonderful as is the food! Was there unexpectedly and now we know we'll be back! read more

The ambience and service were fantastic. If you're just looking for the above and mediocre food for a hefty price, this is the place for you. Don't go hungry either. I know that Americans look for large portions etc etc , but fine dining can be more than an appetizer for your main course. I always know I'm going to be skeptical when the restaurant lists small plates and large plates. This one also has medium plates! My wife got the medium tortellini special. They had to save her one. I'm not quite sure why. Maybe the hype caused people to order it. Not impressed at all by the 4 tortellini on a large plate. It was technically a medium plate for $22.00. They were supposed to be home made but dough was tough and al dente . Usually tortellini is served softer. Also came out cold. Supposed to be filled with marscapone and mushrooms. Totally tasteless. I won't even try and describe the base on the plate or the sauce. My wife doesn't usually get upset by things like this but she felt like she was insulted. We can buy better imported tortellini from Costco, coupled with any of my sauces that I prepare, for much less. I got the fish special which was an amber jack type fish over what looked like pumpkin puree' that was plopped onto the plate. There was some pickled edamame and mango chunks. It was nice but it was NOT a chimichurri sauce. One of our fav restaurants is Peruvian and they make the sauce properly. Fish was tasty but could easily tell it was frozen. $46. Two of the others are huge fans of beef and ordered the tenderloin and not impressed. The 5th person ordered the scallops. These should've been sent back with the tortellini. They were small, undercooked and the sauce was the most elementary sauce I've eaten. It was if the chef was just starting culinary school. Priced at $36 for 5 small scallops. The entire party travels and eats at fine restaurants all over the world. This place is subpar at best. The bread was not even made in house but was still descent. Won't be back. Too many great choices in Asheville. We had a great meal at Red Ginger the night before. I wish that I had taken a photo of the scallops and tortellini. Wait, the wine was awesome per my wife and the others. Go there for a glass of wine and go elsewhere for dinner read more

Chestnut - Fish special on a pumpkin mash - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

We came here for the lobster bisque. We received a bad batch. It was comped, but we weren't able to get this soup in its proper form. I also noticed a lot of people had ordered it, watching the food go by as my wife and I were observing as we waited for our food. Makes me wonder how many people just ate it and didn't complain. It was completely flavorless. The manager even apologized about how it was an abomination. The NY strip was pretty good, but the grilled salad or whatever it is that comes as a side is absolutely awful. Warm and lettuce don't mix in my palette. The lamb meatballs were pretty good. Nothing exceptional, but good. The romaine wedge, again - nothing special, I would prefer iceberg and a traditional wedge. It came with almost no dressing, as you can see. So had to wait on dressing to get started. Not pictured is the filet. I forgot to take a picture. It was very good! The mashed potato's were a great match. The peach dessert we got for our anniversary was bad. I dont know what else to say about it. The restaurant is nice. Just not worth the overall price point in my eyes. read more

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I was really looking forward to dining at Chestnut bc I had a great experience last year while in town, but unfortunately, my experience this time was very disappointing. From the moment we arrived, our server seemed uninterested and not wanting to be there. The food was the real letdown, though. The dishes we ordered were all so salty that it was nearly inedible. My boyfriend and I both got steaks and neither of us had steak knives to cut our meat. Additionally, the butcher's cut dinner he ordered was missing the potatoes that were supposed to come with it. I also ordered my steak medium well and it came out more rare. For the price, I was expecting much better quality in both food and service. Hopefully, this was just an off night, but I won't be rushing back anytime soon. read more

Chestnut - New American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

A welcome respite for two weary travelers. After a wild series of flights from CO to NC we were looking for easy decisions to be had. Chestnut was the solution. We had the most delicious tator tots and beet salad because we were looking to eatlight so late in the day. The food and staff were so warm, welcoming. Top notch. It was quiet and the perfect place to recharge after a chaotic travel day. Definitely recommend!! read more