Affordable Restaurants to Try in Asheville

Brunch
Brunch | Photo by Davey Gravy on Unsplash
Shawndra Russell

Asheville is a town filled with creatives, entrepreneurs and working artists who rely on affordable restaurants to stretch their working dollars. While fine dining options abound, plenty of quick, tasty choices can be found in Asheville, too. 10 of those affordable restaurants to try in Asheville can be found below. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

White Duck Taco Shop

Delicious shrimp tacos

White Duck has a taco so popular, the owners trademarked it: their Bangkok shrimp taco. The counter-order design, small footprints and a la carte menus all help keep White Duck affordable for locals on lunch break and tourists who want a quick meal between sightseeing stops. Individual tacos can be ordered at prices starting at $3.50.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Chai Pani

Chai Pani, home to arguably the best Indian food in Asheville, offers several ways to save. Go for its street snacks menu to enjoy the savory Indian goodness that Chai Pani is known for at prices starting at $6.99, or split one of its traditional Thali meals as they are hearty. To-go rice and curry are also affordable options.

Rosetta’s Kitchen

Those who get creative with Rosetta’s menu can walk away with a small bill and a full stomach. Its soups, salads and small plates hover around the $6 mark. Its amazing and hearty cornbread and greens provide plenty for one meal. Going a la carte can also be a frugal way to enjoy flavors like coconut curry or Korean BBQ tempeh.

Biscuit Head

A trip to Biscuit Head means eating half there and the other half for another meal later because their biscuits are humongous. It also has a help-yourself butter, jam and jelly bar, which is so inventive and addictive that it doesn’t seem right not paying extra. But the real steal is its gravy flight, which comes with your choice of three gravies out of its 7+ choices (including a gravy of the day) for only $7. Breakfast sandwiches do go up to $10, but plenty of $6-or-under items can be found on the menu, too.

Mamacita’s Taco Temple

A mixed taco plate served with an all-natural-flavored Jarritos Pineapple Mexican Soda.

It’s not surprising another taco joint has made our list because tacos pack a lot of flavor for a small price. Here, customers order at the counter and choose between a burrito, pair of tacos, burrito bowl or salad for their base then select their filling of choice that runs the gambit of proteins with a few vegetarian options thrown in the mix as well. Nothing on the menu is over $10, and a pint of its house margarita will only set you back five bucks.

HomeGrown

More than a few locals will name this off-the-beaten-path their favorite restaurant, and perhaps part of the reason why is its home-cooked deliciousness being so affordable. “Breakfast Samiches” ring in under $5, while a soup-and-salad combo can also keep your bill around that much. HomeGrown’s burgers and other more substantial items will cost between $7–10 typically.

12 Bones Smokehouse

One of Asheville’s longstanding favorite barbecue joints, 12 Bones takes a no-nonsense approach to delivering smoked meats and classic sides Monday through Friday and only until 4 pm. That’s right, this place does so well it doesn’t see the need to stay open on the weekends at the River Arts District location, an example of its commitment to being part of the local community more than catering to weekend crowds. Sandwiches are the cheapest way to go, but prices for a plate with two sides and cornbread hover around $10 and will more than fill you up.

The Mediterranean Restaurant

Authentic Greek salad

Known as just “The Med” to locals and the many regulars who frequent this Greek American diner, a dollar goes a long way at The Mediterranean. Breakfasts hover between the $5–7 mark, including three-egg omelets that come with hash browns or grits and toast or a biscuit. Sandwiches and its gyros stay in this range too, while hearty, grandma’s-home-cooking style dinners clock in at $7–10 bucks.

Food Truck Court

Asheville has quite the food truck community, and these brick-and-mortarless restaurants on wheels tend to have very affordable pricing. Many breweries have a regular food truck schedule, like Green Man Brewery and Twin Leaf Brewery, but a new food truck court has recently been approved downtown where several food trucks can now be found every day, usually opening around 11 am and closing after the lunch rush or sometimes as late as 9:30.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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