Eat The Best

Asheville, NC frequently ranks among the top U.S. cities for foodies. With over one hundred restaurants in downtown Asheville alone, fine food is a dime a dozen for this mountain town. New restaurants pop up like carbonated bubbles in craft beer. So, what does it take to become one of the best places to eat in Asheville NC?

  Plenty of places nail fine American cuisine with the best of barbecue and bar food. Whereas few are brave enough to embark on the risky culinary sea of International dishes. Enter Mela. Mela is an authentic Indian restaurant that has served Asheville for over a decade. From its chicken tikka masala to its highly addictive mint-cilantro chutney and papadum, Mela defines fine flavor.

Honoring Traditional Techniques Sets Us Apart

  Mela is considered one of the best places to eat in Asheville NC. The local newspaper recognized it with the prestigious Mountain X best Indian restaurant in Asheville award. Perhaps what sets Mela apart is its style of cooking. They use a tandoori oven, which heats the food in ceramic walls to intensify the heat and create a cooking environment that easily reaches 600 degrees F.

Sourcing Fresh and Local

  Mela’s culinary approach is not only tasty, but conscious. They exclusively use hormone-free, all-natural chicken. Their lamb comes from clean, green New Zealand; and they use local organic ingredients whenever possible. Yogurt, chutney, sauces, and pickles are handmade in-house. Even their dough is hand made and prepared in the tandoor oven.

Customized for Your Diet

  Are you vegan? Gluten free? Mela’s got you covered. Most menu options can be tailored to dietary restrictions. Plenty of menu items including the punjabi chole, bhindi masala, and vegetable vindaloo are already prepared as both gluten free and vegan. After all, it wouldn’t be one of the best places to eat in Asheville NC if they left the animal lovers out in the cold.

  In a town flush with restaurants, you can’t go wrong with Mela. Enjoy fine cuisine at their Lexington Ave. location in the heart of downtown Asheville.

  -Lauren Guillroy