Sure it's serious business and tough negotiations when the world's top financial minds gather this weekend for a G20 planning and policy meeting, but surely there's one thing everyone can agree on: We've all got to eat.
G20 organizers have been tight-lipped about the elite group's visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Ministerial conference in Asheville, scheduled from Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
However, The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, a historic landmark that opened in 1913 and has a rich history of hosting U.S. presidents, is 100% booked for the dates of the summit. The property's restaurants are unavailable for online booking until Sept. 2.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa's award-winning restaurants can
be expected to cater to world leaders. The property features several dining concepts, each with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
But to those world finance greats, we say don't stop there. Asheville has a wealth of restaurants beyond the inn that are worth traveling the globe to visit.
Chef William Dissen, owner of Appalachian farm-to-table restaurant The Market Place, which has been open downtown for 47 years, said that though dining and traveling plans for the G20 dignitaries are sure to be clandestine, he encourages those visiting to go deeper into the local food culture to enjoy what more the city has to offer.
"Asheville's an internationally renowned tourist destination and mountain town, and our culinary scene has a pedigree that's as great as any other city on the planet," he said. "The access to ingredients, the local farms, the wild ingredients put us on the caliber of any other food city around the world."
While visitors may seek cuisine that reminds them of their home countries, the esteemed chef said the fun of traveling lies in discovering local foodways and fresh heirloom ingredients.
"That's part of the beauty of going to a new destination. You get to learn about the identity and the soul of an area you're in through the food you eat because food tells stories," said Dissen, who has served as a culinary diplomat in the Middle East.
For G20 attendees hungry to break away from the pack to find new experiences and get a true taste of the local food, we've got you covered with a quick study guide to the city's food and beverage scene, beginning with one of the city's treasures, The Omni Grove Park Inn.
Dining at The Omni Grove Park Inn
The Omni Grove Park Inn's Vue 1913, an American brasserie, has famously served U.S. presidents, including Obama and FDR, with their photos displayed at the restaurant, which has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in consecutive years from 2016 to 2025.
The Presidents Lounge, near the Heritage Ballroom in the Sammons Wing, offers an upscale bar but is a casual place to unwind while fitting in a round of pool.
Edison, Craft Ales and Kitchen (a favorite in times past of Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford) is ideal for dining and taking in the cityscape and mountain landscape.
Be sure to stick around for breathtaking evening views at the aptly named Sunset Terrace.
Michelin Award-winning and recommended restaurants in Asheville
Several Asheville restaurants earned Michelin Guide recognition in the inaugural year of the American South's inclusion.
Little Chango (Latin American) and Mother (bakery and cafe) received Bib Gourmand awards, a recognition program that honors restaurants offering the best value for the money. Luminosa (Appalachian-Italian) earned both the Bib Gourmand and Green Star Award for its sustainability practices.
Blind Tiger Asheville, a boutique hotel on East Chestnut Street, was awarded a Michelin Key for the second consecutive year.
Michelin Guide also recommended Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant, All Day Darling, Cúrate Bar de Tapas, Golden Hour at The Radical, Good Hot Fish, Leo's House of Thirst, Soprana at Embassy Suites, Sunny Pointe Café, Table, Tall John's, The Admiral, and Ukiah.
James Beard Award-winning restaurants and chefs
The James Beard Foundation's prestigious national awards program, known as the "Oscars of the food world," has recognized many Western North Carolina restaurants and chefs since 2010, with several rising to the top and earning medals.
This year, Taylor Montgomery, co-founder and executive chef at Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, won the regional honor of Best Chef: Southeast. The rustic-meets-chic, fine dining farm-to-table dinners are ticketed, or guests may book a private dining experience.
In 2025, Ashleigh Shanti, chef and owner of Good Hot Fish restaurant, won a James Beard Media Award for her debut cookbook, "Our South: Black Food Through My Lens.”
In 2022, Chai Pani won the Outstanding Restaurant award, and Cúrate, a Spanish tapas bar, won the Outstanding Hospitality award.
World culinary leaders in Asheville
Asheville also is home to chefs who have represented the United States at high-level political events and international platforms.
In 2021, Dissen served as a U.S. culinary diplomat, introducing Southern cuisine and U.S. customs to the people of Doha, Qatar's capital. He also participated in the Arts Envoy Program, a cultural diplomacy initiative, to showcase Appalachian foods and Thanksgiving traditions.
In 2023, Chef Meherwan Irani, cofounder of the Chai Pani Restaurant Group, was invited by Vice President Kamala Harris to prepare the State Department Luncheon in Washington in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and his Indian delegation.
In the same year, Chef Katie Button, cofounder of Cúrate, was invited to prepare the meal in honor of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australia State Dinner at the White House, hosted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.
Wine Spectator Award-winning cellars
Wine Spectator's 2026 restaurant awards program, recognizing outstanding wine collections, featured 11 Asheville establishments. They're also places that excel for their food and hospitality.
Best of Award of Excellence, two-wine-glass, for the second consecutive year, was granted to:
- The Dining Room, a fine dining American restaurant at the historic Biltmore Estate.
- Bargello, an Italian and Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of downtown.
- Posana's flagship downtown and Biltmore Park/South Asheville modern American restaurants.
The Award of Excellence Award, one-glass rating, was presented to:
- Cúrate Bar de Tapas, a James Beard Award-winning and Michelin-recommended Spanish tapas restaurant downtown.
- The Blackbird, a Southern Appalachian farm-to-table restaurant downtown.
- The Market Place, an Appalachian farm-to-table restaurant operating for 47 years downtown.
- Red Stag Grill, in the Grand Bohemian Asheville in the historic Biltmore Village.
- The Corner Kitchen, a Southern comfort farm-to-table restaurant in Biltmore VIllage.
- Jargon, a modern American restaurant, in West Asheville.
More award-winning restaurants, bar and breweries
Several Asheville establishments have been featured in USA TODAY's annual Restaurants of the Year and Bars of the Year lists since 2024.
The Crow & Quill, Little Jumbo and Potential New Boyfriend were named among the Bars of the Year, ideal for craft cocktails, wine, desserts and entertainment from live jazz to curated vinyl album DJ sets.
Neng Jr.'s (Filipinx), Luminosa (Appalachian/Italian) and Bear's Smokehouse (barbecue) were featured on the Restaurants of the Year lists.
One would be remiss if they missed an opportunity to taste the local craft beverages, including the award-winning craft beer that earned Asheville the name "Beer City."
A few places to begin are at the city's pioneer brewery, Highland Brewing, established in 1994, and the 2026 World Beer Cup-winning breweries: Diatribe, Wicked Weed and Hi-Wire.
There is no shortage of outstanding destinations to get a taste of local mountain traditions and modern innovation or a plate that reminds one of home, far away.
"I hope they come here and see how hard we've all worked to revitalize our city after Hurricane Helene, and they go home and tell everyone about it, and it helps shed a light on some of the recovery still needed here financially," Dissen said. "And to let people know how beautiful our community is, and to come visit for themselves."
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Co., covering the food and beverage industry, including the James Beard Awards, Michelin Awards, restaurant openings, closings and other hospitality industry news and events. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: A guide to Asheville's world-class restaurants ahead of the G20 summit
