Asheville Proper

We love visiting Proper when we are in town! The service is excellent and the food is incredible! Well worth it!

WOW!! One of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time. Though the steaks looked amazing, we decided to explore their small plates. Could not have been happier with the decision. Each plate was well composed, creative, and balanced. The service was prompt, and offered useful insights into the menu. The open kitchen with the roaring wood fire grill made for a cozy and intimate setting. There are a lot of great restaurants in asheville, but this was next level. Our budget won't allow us to eat here all the time, but it is now on our short list of go-to restaurants for special occasions.

We were just passing through, had such a wonderful dinner! We did the chefs tasting menu and it was so well worth it. Amanda B was our server and she was absolutely amazing explaining everything, no waiting! We sat outside, such a nice evening!

We were downtown and had heard great things about Asheville Proper. It did not disappoint! We were encouraged to have a reservation ahead of time but gut lucky and we’re able to get seated. Once we were seated the wait staff first and foremost were all fantastic. Our server Eric was attentive friendly and had great suggestions. The atmosphere was well decorated and cozy. All the menu options really were just great but our group favorites for were dinner portions were the Waygu Flat Iron steak which was just exceptional and for a small plate the starter charred octopus was delicious. Dessert was phenomenal and we really enjoyed Golden Milk Panna Cotta but devoured the elevated S’mores with frozen chocolate mouse. You won’t regret eating here it’s the perfect spot for smaller groups looking for tasty options with drinks and deserts all worth getting into. Cheers!!

I came here for my birthday dinner, and it did not disappoint! I got a cocktail that was good, but I can't remember the name of it. We also got the Parker house rolls. These were fine, but I might skip them if I were to go again. This place specializes in steak, and our waitress described each one to us, which was very helpful in determining what to order. I ended up getting the petite tender. It was nice and seared on the outside but tender on the inside. The mashed potatoes were very good as well. I enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. It was great for a birthday celebration, and I would definitely go again!

Hands down best meal and dining experience I've ever had. Every single thing we ate was impeccable and the service was perfect. There was even a guy playing music on the corner that added to our experience. We had the charcuterie platter as well as the cheese plate. I discovered that I've missed out on pate my whole life among other things I would have never tried. We decided to get lots of small plates to try, grilled octopus was amazing. The buttermilk fried oysters were divine. Steak tartar was also excellent. We also had bone marrow, which was a first for my 75 year old father, who loved it. We couldn't resist trying dessert even though we were stuffed since everything else had been so delicious and weren't disappointed with deconstructed smores and a flan dish. After dinner they invited us up to see the live fire kitchen where everything is cooked to perfection on wood fire. If you are traveling, save this place for your last meal, it was so great that it ruined all other places we went because we were comparing them to this very high bar. Dinner for 3 with dessert and drinks ran us a little over $250 (including tip and all) worth every penny!

My girlfriend and I were visiting Asheville for the weekend and this place was fantastic. We didn’t have a reservation so sat at a high top table by the bar. The bartender, Zoey took great care of us. The cocktails were great and Zoey made sure we were never thirsty. She was very knowledgeable about the menu, other spots in Asheville and had a fun and engaging personality. We started with the lemon grilled calamari steak. We had never had grilled calamari before and it was very good. For entrees, my girlfriend got the Petite Tender steak while I got the dry aged NY Strip. Both were off the charts and so tender, you didn’t really need a knife. Also the autumn chimichurri that my girlfriend got with her steak was fantastic. For a side, at Zoey’s suggestion we got the corn fritters. Fantastic! We also got two dinner rolls and they were so good. For dessert we got the Malt Chocolate Cheesecake with carmelized bananas. Simply wonderful and the candied pecans were a nice touch. This was the best meal we have had together. Highly recommend this place. Would suggest making a reservation. We will most certainly be back!

We showed up about 30mins prior to our reservation and sat at the bar for a pre dinner cocktail. The bartender Brady was very engaging, and attentive. During our cocktail we looked over the menu and opted to do the Chef's Tasting option. Once we moved to our table, Brady informed us that he would be our server for the evening. Brady walked us through each course, not missing a single detail. We were served 8 courses, all of which were very unique and flavorful.

Sometimes, you just need a Proper meal. And tonight at Asheville Proper, I had exactly that. ✨ Bone marrow so rich it was butter all the way through—followed by a bourbon marrow shot for the full experience. 🥩 A 30-day aged steak cooked to absolute perfection, paired with a lineup of incredible sides. 🍰 And of course, dessert that didn’t disappoint—because every great meal deserves a sweet ending. If you’re in Asheville and craving a next-level dining experience, this is it. #AshevilleProper #ProperlyIndulgent #FoodieFinds #SteakLover

Decided to give this place a shot, got there without a reservation and sat in the bar area. The Bone marrow was a very tasty appetizer, went with the Tri-til and was very flavorful and tender. Service was fantastic. A must try Downtown Asheville.

This is the best steak in Asheville hands-down. If you're looking for a good steak they have dry-aged Wagyu ribeye, they have tri-aged ribeye, The bone marrow is spectacular. Literally can't go wrong with anything on the menu and Johnny the bartender on Sundays is not only an amazing bartender but also great conversation. Always 10/10.

Loved it here. I found bone marrow to be greasy at places that did not know how to prepare it. But it was one of the most delicious items I ever tasted here at Asheville Proper. Amanda our server, and Jason the chef were very personable. As was all the staff.

We felt so special at Proper! It was my husband’s birthday and I asked on my OpenTable reservation if they did anything special. When we arrived we found a branded card and inside was a hand drawn “Happy Birthday” and signatures. My husband felt so special and I’m so grateful for that attention to detail. We enjoy the food, our server Tess 444 was the exact vibe we needed. I tried the beets and if you love the hell out of beets, this might be for you! Thank you for the excellent experience. We will think fondly of Proper.

Dined here last evening. Was an absolutely fantastic food experience. Bone marrow and tuna crudo was extraordinary. Wagyu ribeye was delicious and cooked perfectly. Cauliflower side was so good. The s'mores dessert was to die for...not to mention the homemade ice creams!! We will definitely be back on our next visit to Asheville. Kudos on establishing a wonderful restaurant!

On our last night in Ashville we dined at PROPER. We loved it. Everything was delicious. This small restaurant is definitely run by a good chef at the helm of the kitchen. Flavor First! It was one of the best dinner experiences in Ashville. Bone Marrow was fire. Steak was also on point. Scallops where perfect. Highly recommend.

My experience from start to finish was perfect, perfect, perfect. I made a dinner reservation, but because parking is so bad, I was late. The hostess was kind and did not make me feel bad about it and sat me right away. My server Eric was an absolute gem! Perfect amount of attention and had good knowledge of the menu. I got the grilled octopus to start which was off the chain!! Eric recommended the wagyu and I cannot say enough good things. Perfectly salted, cooked rare over a wood fire.. the flavor, texture, everything was amazing. My standards for steak are even higher now. I got their Up In Smoke cocktail which was not overly sweet and could still taste the bourbon..perfect balance (shout out to the bartender!) I also got the creme brule which was a mandarin and pumpkin seed flavored that night, paired with an espresso martini. Hands down best dessert/ cocktail combo I've ever had. The service, food and drink at Asheville Proper are top notch! Worth every penny! Thank you for an amazing dinning experience!

Our dinner at Asheville Proper was one of the best dining experiences we have had as locals to Asheville for several years. Our server Brady was welcoming, attentive, and thoughtfully addressed any questions we had about the menu. The cocktails we ordered to start were reasonably priced, quickly served, and promptly offered another when they got low. For our meal, we elected to share an array of small plates between my husband and I. Choosing was not easy - the menu was extremely well-curated and left us debating between several items. We ultimately ordered the wagyu tartare, pumpkin gnocchi, roasted bone marrow, grilled octopus, and lamb with red wine risotto. The plates were well-paced and artfully presented. All were remarkable and offered beautifully balanced flavors. The roasted bone marrow and grilled octopus left us speechless they were so savory and indulgent. We cannot wait to see what else Executive Chef Jason Sweeney has in store and will certainly keep Asheville Proper on our list. It was an incredible date night and a must visit for anyone who appreciates excellent food and service.

If you are looking for an upscale modern chic decor restaurant with made from scratch ingredients from local farmers made to perfection from a master chef this is the place right here. 🤗 Every dish is Prep, cooked, designed, and served to perfection. As I came to the front doors I saw outdoor seating for warmer temperatures to the right with tables with umbrella. As I opened the door I could immediately notice the modern chic decor especially the proper sign lite up in lights with green leaves surrounding with a blue couch. When I say blue it is a royal blue that just pops out behind the gold table infront. To the left corner I see stacked wood nicely stacked all the way up next the a tall table and seating. Turn to the right and you see two cloth chairs. Next the long bar with seating is straight ahead slightly to the left with a fine selection of wine, whiskey, and a assortment. Last but not least the check in podium with not one but two welcoming smiles from staff. I did not have a reservation which I highly recommend doing at this newly opened hot spot but I was well taken care of with minimal wait. I absolutely choose the blue couch to chill and relax while sipping on a nice glass of wine. After looking at the menu throughly for tonight's venue they have many gluten free options that can be made to accommodate most everyone. The best part of having a master chef is they can use their creativity/skills to make amazing food for the toughest allergy accommodation. I settled on the duck , mushroom 🍄soup, with red velvet cake for dessert. The mushroom soup came first as you can see from the photos it looks good. The taste was the best mushroom soup I have had to date. The soup was prepared with three different locally picked shrooms then added nuts with white cream sauce. It is well worth a try trust me. Then the main dish came 😋. The appearance alone made my mouth water. Look at the eye popping colors of the medium rare duck with propaganda seeds bustering with flavor. Next is the thinly slides carrot with cooked greens that are salted. The meal was absolutely delicious leaving me with every taste buds satisfied. Last the red velvet cake came with crunchy chocolate granula surrounding the brownie cake shape with cream on top. This was not made in this restaurant but the bakery made it very well and was tasty. I highly recommend this restaurant and I looked forward to seeing how this restaurant grows after only being open 6 months. It is nice to see businesses thriving during covid. Tell them I sent you.

Service. Awesome. Food. Outstanding. The steaks were cooked perfectly the drinks were spot on. So you might be asking why only 4 stars? Honestly no other reason than a few architectural sound panels would not solve. The building is gray but with the high ceilings inside it can get noisy when it’s full. If they spent a few $$ on some panels for the high walls and even the ceiling the sound level would be greatly reduced and make the ambiance so much better. Maybe they wanted the noise I don’t know but I’ve seen these panels used in similar buildings with amazing results. Otherwise go there. Eat well and enjoy the drinks it’s worth it :). I hope the review helps. 9/15/23 Update: So we came back tonight and what’s the first thing I noticed? Sound absorbing panels!!! Kudos to the owner and yes I’m taking credit for it :)

Johnny was an AMAZING waiter, great suggestions. The bone marrow appetizer was phenomenal. The American wagyu was melt in your mouth. Best crème brûlée I have ever eaten (white chocolate). Will be back - for sure!

Expensive but good cuts of meat that are predominantly imported so the price is justified. Wanted medium because they were chefs not cooks but came out medium well, like no pink. Didn't want to send back cuz of time restraints. Server forgot to put in our appetizers. We mentioned it when dinner was served. We ordered deserts and nothing was comped. I worked in the industry for many years and that is the first thing that I would go it. If they didn't want desert I'd bring one out anyways. Again, must have been an off night altogether because Iknow a couple people that have been and had a much smoother and better experience.

Incredible. They easily rival any restaurant in any major city we've been to at reasonable prices. Delightful food with excellent service in a wonderful setting in a great area. All of our steaks were cooked to perfection with accurate temps as ordered. Robust flavors all around with wonderful cocktails. Noted some other reviews referencing their sauces - cool, don't use them, I didn't. The sauces served come on the side. The steaks punched above their weight alone. I did not find a single thing I could complain about aside from not living in the area and not being able to come back more often.

We had a party of four and chose the chef's tasting menu along with the wine pairings. We had a lovely evening and enjoyed different seasonal flavors. Emma was our server and she was fantastic! Remembered what each dish was and explained the wines as they paired to the dishes. Enjoyed the steak and duck courses the most, along with the s'mores dessert. Will definitely be back!

This was a great evening out with family after picking them up at the Asheville airport. We were greeted by a very friendly host and sat at a wonderful table near the kitchen and impressive open flame fire pit. There is a beautiful bar as well so come early and have a cocktail before your table is ready. The menu is fantastic! Lots of wonderful cuts of beef to choose from. Appetizers and shared plates were wonderful. All our steaks were cooked to perfection and the house made sauces were fun as well. The waiter was very helpful with menu questions and suggestions. He was very friendly and provided great service. Will definitely be back and make sure you check them out.

My husband and I went here to celebrate our anniversary and had a great dinner. John was our server and he was amazing. He even created a new bourbon cocktail for me, based on my preferences. All of our food was great: steaks, corn brulee, potatoes. The pumpkin creme brulee is in the top 5 desserts I've ever had. We also enjoyed watching the fire!

Asheville Proper is our favorite restaurant. Not a single dish has ever been not worth the price. Every meal is different from the last and memorable each time. We will always continue to come back.

I’m pretty sure this is the best fine dining establishment in Asheville now. There are other great places, but most are so inconsistent that it’s impossible to have two good experiences in a row. I just enjoyed my second amazing dinner at Proper, and would recommend it to absolutely anyone. Steaks are their specialty, but they also have seafood, duck, and a variety of small plates if you want to share or eat light, and the variety is excellent. I don’t think there’s a bad option on the menu. You should expect to pay $100-ish per person for a typical dinner, especially if drinks are involved. The ambience is nice and it always smells so good inside too.

The food was great, all cooked over an open fire that was visible. The service and atmosphere were all up to par for this kind of restaurant. Perfect for a date night and pricing is what you would expect. I took off a star as their whiskey sour was technically a "trash sour" as it had no egg white shaken and the pairing/selection of wine by the glass was minimal and neither of them really went with the steak I had or the duck my partner ordered.

came in with high hopes and left rather disappointed. Place is great looking on the inside and has a good and diverse menu, I saw my waitress 2 times throughout my hour and a half or so dinner, so once my drink became empty shortly after I got my food I didn’t see anybody back until I was finished. I got the 10oz dry aged ny strip -$60, for it to taste great however it was quite tough even for the thickness and for the money and not even offered sides up-charge aside I think is pretty ridiculous. First time in the Asheville area, don’t think I’d make this a stop to check out again

Great atmosphere but a little too niche menu offerings. I met some friends here a couple weekends ago for dinner and drinks around 7pm on a Saturday. It's a very inviting spot in downtown AVL and definitely has a great ambience/atmosphere. We were seated at a high top near the host stand. Our waitress was super friendly and personable. She took our orders and returned promptly for refills and to check in on us. I had the dead man's handle (blanco tequila, Aperol, lime, orgeat, Tajin) while my friends ordered a classic martini and old fashioned. Food wise, there wasn't too much standard fare (lots of octopus, bone marrow, more exotic things) other than steak (which I didn't feel like indulging in) so I actually ended up just getting a bread roll, which in all fairness, was pretty good. One of my friends ordered the tomato gnocchi, and the others shared the bone marrow, octopus, and steak tartare. I did have a couple bites of their dishes and everything was pretty good. I think I was just disappointed that I couldn't get anything a little less fancy, pricy, and just more ordinary! I would have gotten a salad and was craving caesar, but they didn't even have that. I think this menu changes frequently so I'd be willing to give it another shot, but I would definitely review the menu before committing.

We wanted to like this place and it was so-so. The small plates were very good. The Hanger steak was fine, nothing special. We ordered the Wagyu special. It is priced at $150 and the waitstaff will not tell you that up front. So the check is a surprise. We eat in fine dining restaurants often and this is the first time this has ever happened to us. It is fraud not to tell customers that their special is 3x the price of anything else on the menu. The other issue was the fruit flies. One ended up in my drink and two in my spouses drink. The waitstaff was unconcerned when brought to their attention. We do not feel the need to return.

Food was okay, not very warm and lacking flavor but was presented beautifully. Atmosphere with good. I did have kids with me eating adult meals but server avoided table and forget my sons drink. Overall it wasn’t horrible but not one we would return to.

We decided to give Asheville Proper a shot on our last night in Asheville, because they were one of the few fine dining restaurants downtown that offered a kids menu. The food was decent, but way overpriced for what you actually get (we got 2 10 oz T Bone steaks that appeared to be 7 oz, but had good flavor. The Oven Baked Meatballs and Tallow Confit Potato Medley were both delicious, and our 3 year old loved his Mac N’ Cheese. Unfortunately, the bathrooms were disgusting, and no one bothered to clean them (not something you expect to see in an upscale restaurant). Fortunately, our server was very kind and made it a more pleasant experience. Overall, there are so many amazing restaurants around the area that I would rather visit next time. We more than likely will not be returning to Asheville Proper, but I feel it’s worth checking out at least once.

We had a good experience at Asheville Proper and would go again. Service was great, beverages were great, atmosphere was great. So, why only 3 stars? Restaurants like this should expect to be graded against a higher standard. My ribeye was $60 for the steak alone, and both my wife and I thought it was more like a sirloin. A little chewy and not at the flavor level I expect from a ribeye. It was cooked perfectly but overseasoned, and the sweet potato tots were overseasoned for my taste also. A Texas Roadhouse ribeye would have been much better at half the price. Will definitely try again but just expected more at this price level. Would maybe ask them to cut back on the seasoning. Ie so much salt and pepper.

We’ve been big supporters of Asheville Proper, and Little D’s. Ever since we moved to Asheville five years ago. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, promotions… you name it. And to be fair, the kitchen still knows how to cook a steak. The dry-aged ribeye, the wagyu coulotte, the bavette, the pork chop, all spot on. The tartare is always a treat. The appetizers were mixed. The stuffed heirloom squash was actually our favorite bite of the night, even though it came to the table and he added to the dish by covering it in Bordeaux. The spill happened when our server was trying to push the pace a little too aggressively. He wasn’t slammed. He was spending plenty of time watching the room, but he still swung by our table at least seven times during appetizers asking about mains. Accidents happen, but what threw us was that he never apologized or even acknowledged the wine spill. The octopus was bland, but overall the food coming out of the kitchen was solid. What really changed the tone of the night was something we’ve never experienced here before. We brought a sealed birthday cake for a surprise. Something we’ve done in other restaurants and Proper for years. The manager wouldn’t allow it in the door. No cake-cutting fee option, no “we can hold it in the back,” no workaround. Just a hard indignant no. We fully understand that restaurants have policies. We’ve all worked in the industry in one way or another. A simple conversation or an attempt at a solution would have gone a long way, especially for a celebration we planned carefully. The steaks were great, as always. But the hospitality didn’t match the level we’ve come to expect from Proper. After five years of bringing friends and family here, it was a disappointing way to end what should have been a special night.

Willa our server was great. We had some issues with several of our dishes, and she worked hard to rectify it. We ordered many small plates to share. Some were so salty we couldnt eat them. The shrimp wasnt cooked fully through. At the end of evening, I stepped up to the manager on duty to tell him our server was great. His snarky reply was so unprofessional ,” I’ll be sure NOT to tell her that”.

We came here for my birthday. Had high hopes. My family and I ordered 3 filets medium rare and they were all full of tendons and extremely tough. Its very unfortunate as we came from Tennessee to celebrate. Would not recommend. With a ticket almost $500 and the waiter aware of our experience nothing was adjusted to the check. Left hungry and disappointed.

We were looking forward to Dinner, flying in from Jacksonville, FL. I had an 8:30 reservation. At 3:00 pm I was advised of a flight delay to Asheville. I called the restaurant to cancel the reservation. They advised me that I could move my reservation to 10:00 pm. We were very happy to be able to save our dinner plans. We arrived at the restaurant at 9:45 as there last customers seemed to be leaving and were refused seating. I guess everyone was in a hurry to go home. So much for superior service. We will never return.

Terrible service from the host - tried to go to dinner here last night with my husband. We didn’t have a reservation and were told they were booked for the night. When we pulled up OpenTable, there were 3 reservations available (within 20-30mins), which I showed the host. He then told me to “book it but it wouldn’t be guaranteed”. When I tried to go book it, all of them magically had disappeared, aka he took them off right in front of our eyes. Truly disappointing as this was my birthday dinner and he clearly just did not want us to dine there and potentially stay later on a Sunday night. Terrible service overall. Will not be returning, ever.

We were here for dinner the service was phenomenal the food was really underwhelming. If you're going to say you're serving a ribeye it better be a whole ribeye and not a square out of the tough end of a rib eye. Ordering the sides separately is another price gouging. I don't mind spending money for a wonderful meal but don't part me out for different things! Highly dissatisfied also had to pay for a roll🥴 Wine and creme brulee was great only problem the serving was made for a child😞