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    Tall John's

    4.5 (95 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Tall John's Photos

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    TALL JOHN'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Tall John's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Lamb shoulder
    Nina S.

    I really wanted to love Tall John's, and to be fair there were definitely some highlights, but overall, it didn't quite live up to the price point. We tried a variety of dishes. The mussels were easily the standout - absolutely delicious and something I'd come back for. The lamb was also very tender, and both the salmon and chicken dishes were good. That said, the chicken felt pretty basic, especially considering it didn't come with any sides or additional elements to round out the plate. Service was a bit inconsistent. It may have just been an off night, but our server felt a little scattered. One of our guests was initially served a lukewarm, flat Coke in a very small bottle, which was surprising for a restaurant of this caliber. To her credit, she replaced it with a Mexican Coke and didn't charge us, which we appreciated. Still, overall guidance on the menu and pairings would have elevated the experience. At the end of the day, the biggest issue was the pricing. The food was good, but not nearly good enough to justify how expensive everything was. For that reason alone, I'd likely explore other options in Asheville before coming back.

    Roasted Beets, Pears, Blue Cheese, and Candied Pecans
    Grace K.

    Tall John's is the creation of chef-owner Trevor Payne. The restaurant, named in part after his father, opened in 2022 and brings a lovely addition to the neighborhood. I recommend booking a table ahead of time through Resy or by calling in. The space is intimate, with roughly 16 bar/open kitchen high seats and then about 10 tables inside. When open, the outdoor patio adds plenty of room and is dog-friendly, offering around 36 additional seats. FOOD: The menu changes regularly with options for small (3 options), medium (8 options), and tall dishes (7 options). 1. Parker House Rolls with Whipped Butter (5/5): There were 4 rolls in one order. The rolls are perfectly warm, crisp outside, and impossibly fluffy inside. The whipped butter was nice but wasn't needed. A must-order. 2. Roasted Beets with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Candied Pecans (4/5): This salad is common, but the ingredients were quite fresh and well-balanced with flavors and textures. The sweetness of the pears and pecans played nicely with the blue cheese. 3. Striped Bass with Carrot Purée and Green Harissa (4/5): This was a beautifully cooked fish with a slightly crisp skin sitting on top of a silky carrot purée. The green harissa added just the right amount of lift. 4. Confit Lamb Shank with Mint, Curried White Beans, and Pickled Radish (4/5): A tender lamb paired with aromatic beans, which gave it an interesting twist. The mint and pickled radish kept the dish from feeling too heavy. 5. Ricotta Gnocchi with Roasted Grapes, Sage, and Walnut Sauce (4/5): A nice combination consisting of gnocchi with a rich, nutty sauce and sweetness from the grapes. This dish was unique and yet came together. The service was great. Our drinks did not touch bottom, and the food arrived in a timely manner. I was impressed by the thoughtfulness behind every dish. It strikes a balance, featuring high-quality ingredients prepared with intention: sophisticated yet approachable, inventive yet familiar. Bonus points: HH runs daily from 4-5 pm with 50% off small and medium plates, and Sundays feature 25% off wine bottles. Would I come back? 100% (to dine at the open kitchen seating).

    Large pork chop
    Ed D.

    Another restaurant we've talked about and finally paid a visit. There are two long bars bordering the small dining room that can feel a bit cramped when it's busy. We were with others so had a table reservation though the bar seating is very inviting. Service was adequate. Our server described the menu and when asked about substitute the potato for another side, advised that none were allowed. I loved my bavette steak and mushrooms (extra instead of the potato), and another diner really enjoyed the large pork chop. We have our favorite spots around town, and this is a favorite of friends so will have no problem returning again sometime.

    Gnocchi with grapes and sage
    Chelsea S.

    I'd give it 6 stars if I could. Everything on the menu is delicious. Even if you're looking at it and think "uh I don't know grapes and gnocchi?" Just don't question and trust the chef. I'm only visiting for a month and I'll have gone at least 3 times before I leave.

    Gabrielle Z.

    Really tasty dishes and drinks, fantastic service, super cute space. Dishes I loved when I visited: - Parker House Rolls - Ricotta Gnocchi with sweet corn butter - Duck Breast served with spaetzle, corn, and blackberries Chef Trevor Payne, who spent time at Le Pigeon in Portland, Oregon under James Beard-winning chef Gabe Rucker, and later at Little Bird Bistro moved back to Asheville where he grew up and opened this spot. So awesome to have him in the city!

    French Fries
    Andrew C.

    Review: Tall John's - Refined Simplicity, Deeply Satisfying My family and I had the pleasure of dining at Tall John's in Asheville, and it absolutely lived up to expectations--ones I had built carefully after researching and targeting it as a key stop on our trip. I first discovered it just under a week ago, on a Tuesday, and by that point, reservations were nearly impossible to come by. After a sympathetic conversation with the hostess, I was fortunate to secure a 4:45 PM reservation, which turned out to be a hidden blessing. As it happens, Tall John's offers 50% off their small plates before 5 PM (they call them "small" and "medium," if memory serves), so this early dinner time gave us the chance to explore the menu in breadth and depth. We began with a couple of appetizers. I didn't try the fried squash myself--I'm on a low-carb diet--but I was assured by my family that it was outstanding. I did try the zucchini with pesto and zucchini blossoms, and it was a standout: a dish that captured what Tall John's does best--simple, elegant composition that lets seasonal ingredients speak for themselves. The pesto was vivid and fresh, the zucchini tender and subtly sweet, and the blossom added both a visual and textural flourish. It was, quite literally, summer on a plate. Next came the potato gnocchi in a sweet corn sauce with fresh herbs, which I didn't sample (again, low-carb), but my mother--who has dined at institutions like The French Laundry and Chez Panisse--said it may have been the best gnocchi she's had in her life. Lightly crisped on the outside and tender within, the gnocchi was described as perfectly balanced by the richness of the corn and the aromatic herbs. Our four-year-old son came along--a bold move, perhaps, for such a refined spot--but he held it together beautifully. In fact, by the end of the meal, the table next to us expressed surprise that we had a child with us at all. He called the French fries the best he's ever had (and he is a picky, self-proclaimed fry critic). They were deeply golden, crisp, and perfectly salted--French in the best possible sense. My wife, currently pregnant, was initially disheartened by the craft cocktail list, but quickly found joy in the non-alcoholic options. The cinnamon soda and orange soda were both creative and well-crafted--not mere substitutions, but beverages worthy in their own right. As for the rolls--you may have heard they're from "the mother's bakery." Believe the hype. We ordered two, and though I didn't indulge in the butter (diet again), the rest of the table declared them life-changing. Crispy on the outside, cloud-soft on the inside, and dusted with cheese--they're a reason to come back on their own. My parents split the swordfish, served with a sauce somewhere between a béarnaise and a sabayon. Egg-based, unexpected, and utterly delicious--it complemented the fish in a way that was both rich and delicate. We also had the duck, served with a corn sauce, blackberries, and a savory glaze. The skin was perfectly caramelized, the interior moist and flavorful--one of the best duck preparations I've had in recent memory. I ordered the pork chop, served in a fresh tomato and bean broth. It was hearty yet clean--a dish that respected the produce as much as the protein. It captured Tall John's ethos in a single bowl: Appalachian ingredients elevated by French and Italian technique, but always in service of flavor, not flash. At the end of the meal, I had a beautifully pulled espresso, followed by a glass of Vin Santo, the classic Tuscan dessert wine made from air-dried grapes. It was a gentle, warm close to a meal that felt celebratory in every course. Our son, in honor of his excellent behavior, was treated to a housemade ice cream sundae--the perfect note for him to end on. Final Thoughts: Tall John's isn't about reinventing the wheel. It's about sourcing exceptional ingredients, treating them with precision and restraint, and delivering meals that feel both familiar and elevated. It's Appalachian meets European, but more importantly, it's thoughtful food served with warmth. We'll be talking about this dinner for a long time.

    Little gems salad
    Sandy L.

    Tall John's is that girl. Their small and medium plates are half off every day from 4-5, which is an insane deal for the quality. You have to be there right at 4 or have a reservation because this place fills up fast (and for good reason). It's hands down my favorite restaurant in Asheville. The execution, flavors, and plating are always on point. There's real craftsmanship behind the menu. Service is consistently great. The ambiance hits that sweet spot of cozy and elevated. Please don't ever change!! Must-orders on medium plates: the steak tartare and caesar salad. Skip the fried squash unless youre up for fries... The little gems salad had potential but could use a pinch of salt and some editing. It's a fun place to pick a bunch of things and share the flavors!

    Ricotta Cavatelli
    Elizabeth L.

    Delicious meal at Tall John's! Walked in & got a kitchen side seat in less than 20 min. We had a beverage, mussels to start. Mains pork chop & Collette steak. All cooked well & very flavorful. The curry mussels were my favorite! No room tonight for dessert but they had several options.

    Duck
    Haley P.

    This was the best chicken I have ever eaten! I highly recommend the roasted chicken. The service was great and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. You could go here for a date night or just a casual meal!

    Calamari- love the fried lemon in there!!!
    John M.

    An awesome place and a must to include if you are in Asheville!! The staff is awesome up front and at the bar. The food will not disappoint. There is such a positive vibe during dinner. It can be packed but the noise is NOT overwhelming, it just creates such a positive vibe.

    Entrance
    Bryan K.

    Tall John's is a fantastic spot in the Montfort neighborhood of Asheville. Close to downtown, but mostly a locals joint. There is a kitchen bar (our favorite), regular bar seating and tables if the bar is not your thing. Always an interesting and diverse menu with something for everyone. Parker House Rolls is a must and great cocktails and wine list. The staff and service are top notch.

    Exterior
    Alice A.

    What a neighborhood gem! Everything from the Little gem salad to the grilled octopus to the famous roasted chicken and Parker House rolls was to die for! We only wished we had room for dessert!

    Stacey H.

    Outstanding food and excellent service! Tall John's is a must. Can't wait to go back!

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    6 months ago

    Great atmosphere and helpful service. Excellent, creative food. Intimate, yet fun environment.

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    4 months ago

    Food good! Prices BAD! Servers were busy but attentive. Space was a bit crowded but what can you do around the holidays?

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    7 months ago

    This is a true neighborhood gem! Warm and inviting a great place to meet friends for food and or drinks. And the service is impeccable.

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    4 months ago

    What a fabulous dinner!!! Everything was delicious particularly the caesar salad! The vibes were good and the server was awesome.

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    7 months ago

    Great food! We sat at the kitchen bar. It was fun to watch the chefs and talk to them. Service was great too.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Tall John's

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    Cúrate - Jerez y chocolate

    Cúrate

    4.5(2.7k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    Holy cow! I've been…read morehere a couple of times while visiting Asheville. I come here every single time now. Plan ahead. This place is busy, because it is awesome! Make a reservation. I love Spanish food and tapas. Curate delivers like no other place I have been. I love the open kitchen - it's awesome to see them prepare the delicious food! Ask for kitchen seating for an extra treat! One of the advantages of the smaller plates is they allow you to sample from a wide range of delights! We always get the boquerones - I love the way they prepare the fresh anchovies! We also had a cheese plate, with a selection of dry, ripe, and blue Spanish cheeses - all of which were excellent and presented with very complimentary sides - the pear and apricot compote with the blue cheese was a personal favorite! We also had the patatas bravas (fried potatoes), lamb skewers, oysters, grilled shrimp, and stuffed piquillo peppers. EVERYTHING was a delight. The wine list is also exceptional. I had a delicious albarino, and a txacolina rose that was outstanding. We finished with the Tarta de Queso - which was delicious. Tangy, and lightly sweet. A perfect end to a great meal! Not just one of my favorite restaurants in Asheville, but one of my favorites period. I love Curate!

    I wanted to really love the place - especially after the hype from my friends, but this was our…read moreleast favorite lunch/dinner we had in Asheville this week. For drinks - we got the sangria - which wasn't all that great. I paid a lot for ice. Next time - just get the wine. My husband also got a glass of vermouth - which he did like. For our meal - we got 1/2 order of the ham croquettes, 1/2 order of Chistorra & Chips José's Way, Gambas Al Ajillo, Patatas Bravas, and Pulpo a La Gallega. Our least fave was the gambas / shrimp. They were overcooked and had very little garlic. Dissapointed in the Chistorra b/c it was litearlly fried chorizo w/ maybe some chips in there? We enjoyed the potatoes and the ham croquettes. But sadly - nothing stood out to us that we "wanted" to go back.

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    Inside

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    Seafood paella

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    Inside

    Tall John's - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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