THE BAKER’S BOX

1508 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville

thebakersbox.net

Calling all Lego fans! Located just a few minutes north of downtown Hendersonville, The Baker’s Box is a fun and charming space for families—and has some 200-odd Lego sets around the café. Run by husband-and-wife team George and Mara Nicholas, who met at Johnson & Wales Culinary School, this cute café offers tons of scratch-made burgers and sandwiches—all served on housemade buns and breads—and the kids menu gives a giggle with dishes like the “Are We There Yet” PB&J sandwich and the “I’m Not Hungry” cheeseburger.” There’s also a wide selection of fresh desserts, with assorted tarts, pies and brownies, and both indoor and outdoor seating.

LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE

501 Merrimon Ave, Asheville

33 Town Square Blvd, Biltmore Park

luellasbbq.com

There’s no denying the universal pull of Southern BBQ, and Luella’s Bar-B-Que (named after founder Jeff Miller’s grandmother) is a local hot spot for families. Both Asheville locations have outdoor patios and a relaxed atmosphere. With a curated menu of tender and flavorful meats—including chopped pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket and vegetarian tempeh—and sides that make you swoon, Luella’s is hopping for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The kids’ menu has scaled-down portions of meats, and the “Mac n’ Hoop Cheese”—made with a scratch-made sauce using Hoop Cheddar from nearby Ashe County—is always a home run.

NINE MILE

Multiple Locations in Asheville

ninemileasheville.com

Good vibes and good eats at this Asheville staple, with colorful decor and a menu of Caribbean-inspired pasta and rice dishes. Adults will gravitate toward flavorful plates of proteins and veggies like the signature “Nine Mile” plate of grilled jerk chicken or tofu with fresh ginger, fire-roasted tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, squash and zucchini, sautéed with white wine and butter and served on linguine or basmati rice. Kids, meanwhile, are welcome to broaden their palates with pasta dishes that come with seafood options like shrimp and salmon, or they can check out the kids’ menu for simple classics like linguine with Parmesan or black beans and rice. And don’t forget the selections of locally made desserts!

SWEET PLANTAIN GRILL

2317 Hendersonville Rd, Arden

sweetplantaingrill.com

This charming food truck in Arden brings Miami’s beloved ventanitas, or “tiny window” cafés, to life with its iconic Cubano sandwiches and coffee, which means there’s something for everyone. The popular “Classic Cubano” features oven-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on authentic Cuban bread. And with broader menu options like pork or chicken, the menu caters to diverse tastes. Kids enjoy the classic grilled cheese, along with fresh mango juices that cater to younger palates. Adults can indulge in velvety coffee drinks, making this food truck a hit for the whole family.

TASTEE DINER

575 Haywood Road, West Asheville

tasteedineravl.com

Don’t let the “dive bar” label fool you. This West Asheville gem, now owned by award-winning chef (and father) Steven Goff, welcomes families with a menu of Southern-inspired comfort food, a dog- friendly patio and generous hours. Check out burger nights on Tuesdays, when the hearty specialty “burgs” are $10 with a side—we like the “Aux Burger” with crispy Brussels sprouts. For the younger ones, a kids’ menu offers the popular $8 “Brekkie Plate” with a pancake, eggs and bacon, along with cheeseburgers, grilled cheese and hot dogs, to fuel a busy weekend day. This place oozes old-school rock ’n’ roll diner vibes, which the kids love, and it’s got plenty of grown-up food too.