The crispy chicken salad is my go-to. It&#39;s always fresh, and the dressing has this nice tang. The whole place just feels cozy and lived-in, like you&#39;re eating in someone&#39;s kitchen.

This little spot in Waynesville is a real find. You can tell the chef cares about what they&#39;re making. The quality is just so steady&mdash;no wonder it&#39;s always busy with regulars and new faces.

The Wakey Wakey sandwich on sourdough was just right. That soft, buttery bread with the crispy bacon... it&#39;s the kind of simple thing that makes a morning feel good. The yogurt cup was fine, but honestly, I was just focused on that sandwich.

I was impressed they slice the cold cuts fresh right in front of you. My turkey sub tasted so much better because of it. You can really tell the difference.

The broasted chicken. That&#39;s it. Perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. It&#39;s the only reason I come back.

Alexi was super attentive and explained the specials really well. Made our visit smooth.

Pimento cheese tots were a solid pick. They came out fast, which I needed. Good for a quick bite. Presentation was nice, a little fancy for tots maybe.

Been coming here for years. It&#39;s always quiet enough to actually talk, even on busy nights. That&#39;s what keeps me coming back.

The lamb sloppy joe here is a real standout. The spice mix on the meat is fantastic, not something you see everywhere. Really enjoyed it!

The build-your-own burger is the way to go. You pick the patty, cheese, toppings, and sauce for a set price. Ended up with a huge, juicy double cheeseburger loaded up for less than I&#39;d pay at a chain. Got exactly what I wanted, no extra charges for add-ons. Solid deal.

The fudge-dipped cookie was a great way to end the meal.

Had our rehearsal dinner here with a big group. The staff really made it work - they were on top of everything all night, which was a huge relief.

The ranch dressing here is something else. It&#39;s got this fresh, herby flavor I haven&#39;t tasted before. Really made the burger and fries feel like a better choice. The staff was nice and everything came out quick.

Stopped by for a quick bite at the bar. Cassie was fast and friendly. The Tombstone Tea is massive and hit the spot. Onion rings were seriously good. Burger was solid. Got in and out fast, perfect for a lunch break.

Just moved to the area and this bakery is a real find. Their whole grain English muffin with my morning coffee is a daily ritual now.

The outdoor tables by the fireplace are so cozy, especially as the sun goes down. It&rsquo;s a really nice spot to just sit and relax with a drink. The view is stunning.

Shrimp and grits were on point. Creamy grits, perfectly cooked shrimp. That chocolate-mint espresso martini was a fun twist. Solid spot for Southern food.

Stumbled on this place wandering the River Arts District. The coffee was solid, and the breakfast sandwich was exactly what I needed. It&rsquo;s a nice, low-key spot to pause between galleries.

Been coming here for years, and the vegan cheese on the &#39;Fig-et About It&#39; pizza is always spot on. It&#39;s the main reason I keep coming back&mdash;they never change it, and it&#39;s consistently good.

Cozy little place in Black Mountain, love the vintage vibe. The grilled trout was spot on. But the wine list is pretty limited, had to settle for a basic Pinot Grigio with it. Key lime pie was fantastic though.

So many flavor options, even for my vegan friend! The staff let us try a few before ordering, which was super helpful. We ended up sharing a few different ones and it was a fun way to hang out.

The turkey Reuben was solid, and their gluten-free bun held up great. A nice glass of red was the perfect pairing for it.

First time here, and our server was super patient explaining the menu. My fish and chips were spot on - crispy batter, flaky fish. My friend loved her flounder too. Drinks were never empty. Nice chill spot for an early dinner.

A solid spot for brunch with friends. The online pickup is super easy, so we didn&#39;t have to wait around. Menu&#39;s always reliable.

Huge variety of flavors, even some dairy-free ones. Got the large cone and it was basically a pint of ice cream. Ate the whole thing, no regrets.

Been coming here for years, and that patio view over the lake never gets old. Just a peaceful spot.

Megan was super attentive, really made the evening. The fried pickles had this unique, crispy batter that stood out. A solid spot for a casual dinner.

Felt like walking into a neighborhood spot where everyone knows each other. The regulars at the bar and the server chatting with them gave it a really warm, easy vibe. We were just passing through but didn&#39;t feel like outsiders at all.

The turkey Reuben is huge! Perfectly toasted rye, really generous with the meat. The sauce had a nice tang without being too heavy. The potato salad was super creamy, a great side. Just a heads up, it&rsquo;s a two-handed operation for sure.

Planning a Arden trip? Discover the best restaurants in Arden with traveller reviews, ratings, menus, photos and exclusive dining deals. Book tables instantly on Trip.com.

The best restaurants in Arden

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Blue Sky Cafe

Chef's Table

Panacea CoffeeHouse, Cafe and Roastery

Lennys Grill & Subs

Little Pigs BBQ

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

Chestnut

Limones Restaurant

Chai Pani Asheville

The Bier Garden

Phil's Bar-B-Que Pit

The Market Place

Cedar Mountain Cafe

Binion's Roadhouse

Bracken Mountain Bakery

Edison, Craft Ales + Kitchen

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

Ultra Coffeebar

Pi-Squared Pizza

Que Sera

Village Scoop

Twisted Laurel Weaverville

Maggie's Galley | Seafood Restaurant

Sand Hill Kitchen

Jack the Dipper Ice Cream

La Strada At Lake Lure

Riverwatch Bar & Grill

Bogart's Restaurant and Tavern

Smoky Mountain Sub Shop by Sandwich Mamas