Chestnut

I have 1.9 million views of restaurants I've eaten at across the United States and rank in the top 10% of restaurant reviewers on Google. If I could give this place place a 10 out of a five rating score I would. When I tell you every single detail was perfect, it was perfect. A big shout out to Stuart who took care of a very diverse section of customers dining earlier in the evening. What I appreciated about his service as a 66-year-old woman dining by herself on a weekend night is that the level of attention he gave every single table was exactly the same. That doesn't happen often in my experience. His recommendations and the food were exceptional! I left it to the bar to choose the best glass of wine for dinner once again exceptional. The restaurant was gorgeous. The teamwork I saw displayed by the manager on call that night was refreshing. A gentle touch at my table to make sure everything was okay, made my evening. Even the bus boy was off the charts, courteous. I cannot wait to go back and take my guest that will be visiting me this year. I give this one a 10 10 out of a five-point system. Oscar nominated for me in the restaurant world!

We very much enjoyed our dining experience at Chestnut. My partner got the lobster bisque and he loved it as much as he did 4 years ago. We also got the pimento cheese balls as our other starter and they were delicious as well. For our mains, my partner got the eggs Benedict special and I got the shrimp and grits. Both were tasty. And good size portions! We had a lot of leftovers! My partner had the banana pudding four years ago and has dreamed about it almost daily since then. It was a travesty to find out they no longer serve that banana pudding!! They were also out of all desserts except ice cream when we went. If the chestnut brings back their banana pudding, we would quite literally drive back from Florida just for that dessert! Or if someone has the recipe for it we’d take that too! Our waitress was Grace and she was lovely! P.S. they have the most perfect silverware!

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

We visited Asheville to tour the Biltmore Estate, and to celebrate a special birthday, we decided to dine at Chestnut. From the moment we walked in to the very last bite of dessert, the entire evening felt like a true Michelin Star experience. I can honestly say it was the best meal I have ever had. We started with cocktails, and I ordered the "Sweater Weather" — a dark-chocolate, slightly spicy Old Fashioned that was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. Perfectly balanced, rich, and creative. My boyfriend had a gin and ginger beer cocktail that was crisp, refreshing, and equally impressive. To begin our meal, we shared a cup of the scratch-made lobster bisque, and it was heavenly — velvety, deeply flavored, and full of gorgeous lobster richness. We both looked at each other immediately and said, “Wow.” For entrées, we chose the Butter Poached Lobster Tail served over a cheesy risotto, and the Shrimp & Grits. Both dishes were absolute perfection. Dessert continued the magic with the incredibly delicious Chocolate Caramel Tart with homemade ice cream and Bananas Foster's Bundt Cake. The tart was decadent, smooth, and expertly prepared, while the Bananas Foster was warm, nostalgic, and full of buttery caramel flavor. Every single bite throughout the evening was fabulous. Beyond the food, the service provided by Jessica was outstanding — warm, polished, and attentive without ever feeling rushed. The entire evening felt special, elevated, and celebratory, which is exactly what we were hoping for. If you're in Asheville — whether you’re visiting the Biltmore or just exploring the city — do NOT miss Chestnut. This is a restaurant that exceeds expectations on every level. We will plan to return next year simply to experience this restaurant again - that's how stellar it was! A Big Thank You to the chefs and great staff that made this birthday experience truly memorable!

We loved Chestnut so much we went back the next night. The bar is the place to be — amazing bartenders and gorgeous cocktails (the spicy margarita, Sweater Weather, and espresso martini were all perfect). The food was equally incredible. The Kale Caesar with shrimp was so good I ordered it twice, and the short ribs were melt-in-your-mouth with the perfect sweet-savory mix. Dessert (the chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream) was the best finish. Great vibes, great service — can’t wait to come back.

Chesnut has a wonderful vibe, perfect for dates. We got the crispy tofu pad thai which was good, but seemed like it was dried out a bit, but the tofu was splendid. The lamb chops were alright and so were the shrimp and grits. Nothing out of the ordinary. Overall, if we were visiting Asheville again, we wouldn’t come back.

Had a wonderful experience at Chestnut in downtown Asheville. The ambiance is warm and inviting — perfect for a relaxed dinner out. Our server, Danielle, was absolutely top-notch! Super knowledgeable about the menu and spot-on with her wine pairing recommendations, which really elevated the meal. Highlights: The Lobster Bisque was sublime — creamy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The Pimento Cheese Tots were a fun surprise — really tasty and beautifully presented. The Pork Schnitzel was easily my favorite dish of the night. Incredible flavor and presentation — I’d come back just for this alone. I also tried the Scallops, and while they didn’t quite hit the mark for me this time, I’m looking forward to giving them a second chance. As for drinks, I sampled a popcorn-infused tequila cocktail — creative, but not my thing. Luckily, Danielle’s wine pairing more than made up for it. Overall, while there were a couple of small misses, the exceptional service and staff professionalism made this a truly enjoyable dining experience. Can’t wait to go back!

Atmosphere: Rustic modern. Very intimate and inviting Food: Frog legs were great. The sauce had a little kick, but wasn't too spicy and really elevated the flavor. My husband and I split the grilled pork chop. It was huge and easy to split. Highlight of the night. The peace glaze was incredible and the fatty ends were mouth watering. I was a little worried about grilled romaine, but it was actually super tasty. highly recommend