The votes are in and Asheville has spoken!  Your favorite downtown restaurant is Laughing Seed Cafe. This poll was very interesting, because Laughing Seed started out running away with the vote, but it looked at the end like it might be overtaken by Mela Indian Restaurant.  The vote broke down like this:

Laughing Seed Cafe: 30%
An exclusively vegetarian and vegan restaurant located on Wall Street, the Laughing Seed has been serving up delectable healthy food here in Asheville for as long as I can remember.  Most of their menu items come in vegan options, and many even come gluten-free.  I have eaten there many times, and their Low Country Rollups are a staple of my diet.  I’m no vegetarian, but I can tell you that you don’t have to be to enjoy what Laughing Seed has to offer.  In fact, unless you’re paying attention, you probably won’t even notice that there’s no meat on your plate!  Not the least expensive restaurant on our list, but certainly among the most delicious, in my own humble opinion.

Mela Indian Restaurant: 26%
Mela’s is one of the places on our list that I have never been to, but judging from the response to the poll, I will be checking it out soon.  Since I’ve never been there personally, I can’t really review it, so I’ll just leave this snippet from the New York Times (yes, that New York Times):
“This sumptuous ethnic hideaway blends imported spices with local ingredients. The dark, wood-paneled space of the Indian restaurant draws a mixed crowd with dishes like Chowpatty ragada, potato patties topped with curried chickpeas, tamarind yogurt and mint chutney, and shrimp bhuna, cooked with ginger, tomatoes and green chilies. Wash it down with a Chimay beer, brewed by Belgian Trappist monks, or a glass of Champalou Vouvray. After 10, dining tables are cleared to make way for a salsa club.”

Doc Chey’s Noodle House: 20%
Doc Chey’s serves an outstanding mix of Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Indian dishes.  If you like it spicy, you’ll love Doc Chey’s, although they have plenty for the more delicate palate as well.  Doc Chey’s has been a local favorite since they opened their Asheville location several years ago.  They use primarily locally grown ingredients, and the things they do with them will make your mouth water.  Many of their dishes are vegetarian or can be prepared that way on request.  From their site: “Our approach to food is simple – prepare it fresh; make it from scratch; and only use the freshest, finest ingredients. When you dive into one of our noodle bowls or stir-fries, you’ll be enjoying food prepared from the freshest vegetables and meats, and sauces that are made-from-scratch in our kitchen. When you eat a dim sum appetizer, you will be enjoying a spring roll or dumpling that has been hand-made in our kitchen.“

Rosetta’s Kitchen: 17%
Rosetta’s is another vegetarian/vegan-only restaurant.  Billing itself as “Farm Fresh Eclectic Vegetarian and Vegan Soul Foods”, Rosetta’s has something for everyone.  Like Laughing Seed, you’ll never miss the meat.  The word Eclectic describes everything about Rosetta’s, from the atmosphere to the food to the clientelle.

Bouchon: 17%
Bouchon is another restaurant that I’ve unfortunately never been to, but will have to do so as soon as possible.  Their tagline is “French Comfort Food”.  Looking over their menu makes me glad I took French in high school, and it makes my belly rumble and my mouth water.  Le Croque Monsieur Frites?  Le Poulet Roti au Thym?  Le Lapin a la Moutarde en Cocotte? Mais oui! Mais oui!

The Noodle Shop: 11%
The Noodle Shop is your downtown noodle destination.  Focusing primarily on Chinese quisine, the Noodle Shop provides an inexpensive, yet delicious option for your next meal.  I was unable to find a website for The Noodle Shop, but this Mountain XPress article should tell you all you need to know, especially this quote from near the end: “Our bill for this sizable meal was only 20 dollars, which illustrates one of the best features of the Noodle Shop. Hearty, healthy home or street-style food can be had at minimal cost – the way it should be.”

Mamacitas: 8%
Tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas.  There are so many places you can find them, but you can’t find them like Mama makes them!  “Mamacita’s serves up fresh, made from scratch Mexican cuisine in a casual, convenient downtown location. Right beside the Orange Peel, a great place to catch live music, Mama won’t let you go hungry: from fish tacos, honkin’ huge burritos, to the best nachos this side of Cucamonga, and pulled pork that converts vegetarians daily. A wide beer selection, ass kickin’ margaritas, and all sorts of tasty salsas at the free salsa bar. Mamacita’s is a locally owned, independent restaurant. There are plenty of burrito joints out there, but Mama knows best, so remember, COME TO MAMA!”

Honorable mentions go to some of the nominated restaurants that didn’t make the poll: Salsa’s (my personal fave), Mediterranean Restaurant (aka The Med), Early Girl.  Long story short, there are plenty of choices for lunch or dinner in downtown Asheville and most of them are pretty darn good.  Also, because of the nature of the town, most of these places have some great dishes available for vegetarians and vegans.

Don’t agree?  Have another fave?  Let us know in the comments!

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