If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the culinary delights of Asheville while also taking in the stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rooftop dining is the perfect option. Asheville has a variety of rooftop restaurants that offer delicious food, craft cocktails, and amazing scenery. Whether you’re in the mood for tapas, Cuban cuisine, or Southern fusion, there’s a rooftop restaurant for you. Here are some of the best rooftop dining spots in Asheville that you should check out.
## The Montford Rooftop Bar
The Montford Rooftop Bar is located on the eighth floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown and offers panoramic and unobstructed views of the mountains. The rooftop bar has a contemporary and rustic speakeasy vibe, with cozy fire pits and lounge seating. The menu features seasonal craft cocktails, local beer, wine, and light fare using local, Western North Carolina ingredients. Some of the dishes you can try are:
– Empanadas with black bean puree, queso fresco, and salsa verde
– Fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and bacon jam
– Smoked trout dip with house-made crackers and pickled vegetables
– Braised pork belly sliders with apple slaw and barbecue sauce
The Montford Rooftop Bar is open daily from 4 pm to 10 pm (11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays) and does not take reservations. You can find more information on their website: https://themontford.com/
## Hemingway’s Cuba
Hemingway’s Cuba is a rooftop restaurant that brings a taste of Havana to Asheville. The restaurant is on the fourth floor of the Cambria Hotel and has a 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with fantastic views of downtown Asheville and the mountains. The menu features authentic Cuban cuisine, such as:
– Ropa vieja: slow-braised beef stew with rice, beans, and plantains
– Vaca frita: crispy shredded beef with onions, peppers, rice, beans, and plantains
– Camarones con coco: sauteed shrimp in a coconut cream sauce with rice and vegetables
– Pilar’s double burger: two beef patties with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and thousand island dressing on a brioche bun
Hemingway’s Cuba also has a variety of Cuban cocktails, such as daiquiris, mojitos, and Cuba libres. The restaurant is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm (10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays) and takes reservations online. You can request outdoor seating in the notes section when making your reservation. You can find more information on their website: https://www.hemingwayscuba.com/
## Capella on 9
Capella on 9 is a rooftop tapas restaurant that offers amazing views of both the mountains and the city skyline. The restaurant is on the ninth floor of the AC Hotel and has two different rooftop terraces with fire pits and lounge areas. The menu features tapas-style dishes with locally sourced ingredients, such as:
– Seared scallops with cauliflower puree, bacon jam, and microgreens
– Brown butter gnocchi with mushrooms, spinach, parmesan, and truffle oil
– Cheese and charcuterie board with assorted cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and bread
– Lamb meatballs with tomato sauce, feta cheese, and mint
Capella on 9 also has a large cocktail menu with handcrafted mixology cocktails, as well as beer, cider, wine, and more. The restaurant is open daily from 4 pm to 10 pm (11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays) and does not take reservations. You can find more information on their website: https://www.capellaon9.com/
## Pillar Rooftop Bar
Pillar Rooftop Bar is a crafted rooftop venue that is set on top of the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Asheville. The rooftop bar has a stylish and bright indoor lounge that leads out to a comfy and cozy rooftop terrace with fire pits and fine views over the Asheville skyline. The menu features Southern fusion small plates from the ground floor kitchen, such as:
– Fried chicken biscuit sliders with honey butter and pickles
– Pimento cheese dip with bacon jam and house-made chips
– Shrimp and grits with smoked gouda grits and Cajun cream sauce
– Brisket nachos with queso blanco, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapenos, and barbecue sauce
Pillar Rooftop Bar also offers seasonal and well-crafted cocktails, local brews, wine, and more. The rooftop bar also hosts local live music regularly. The rooftop bar is open daily from 5 pm to 11 pm (12 am on Fridays and Saturdays) and does not take reservations. You can find more information on their website: https://pillaravl.com/
## Social Lounge
Social Lounge is a rooftop restaurant that offers a laid-back atmosphere of a speakeasy with the full menu and wine list of Strada Italiano, the ground floor restaurant. The rooftop restaurant has a nice and interesting ambiance, with booths, high top seats, and a convertible, heated rooftop patio. The menu features Italian dishes, such as:
– Margherita pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil
– Spaghetti carbonara with bacon, egg, cream, and parmesan cheese
– Chicken parmesan with breaded chicken breast, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and spaghetti
– Lasagna with beef, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and tomato sauce
Social Lounge also has a large cocktail menu with top-shelf drinks, as well as beer, wine, and more. The rooftop restaurant is open daily from 3 pm to 10 pm (11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays) and takes reservations online. You can find more information on their website: https://www.socialloungeasheville.com/
## Summary
As you can see, rooftop dining in Asheville is a great way to enjoy the city’s culinary scene and its beautiful scenery. Whether you want to sip on a craft cocktail, savor a Cuban dish, or indulge in a pizza, there’s a rooftop restaurant for you. So next time you’re in Asheville, don’t miss the chance to dine on one of these amazing rooftops.
## References
– https://wheninavl.com/rooftop-restaurants-in-asheville/
– https://www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-asheville.html
– https://www.travelguidesasheville.com/allguides/bestrooftoprestaurantsinasheville
– https://www.allamericanatlas.com/rooftop-bars-restaurants-in-asheville/
– https://www.exploreasheville.com/stories/post/the-best-outdoor-dining-patios-in-asheville/
