Cafe Azalea

Tried to call in a to go order based on the online menu (which looked delicious) and was informed that the online menu was incorrect. So I asked the girl who answered to give me suggestions of sandwiches/​salads that were vegetarian or had fish on them (I’m a pescatarian). The first sandwich she suggested was a BLT…
I probably should’ve hung up then, but I allowed her to continue reading the menu to me and I eventually settled on an apple walnut salad with a honey mustard dressing. She never asked me my name or gave me a total.
I arrived at Café Azalea 10 minutes later and, while I was waiting, I asked for a Togo menu to take with me. A man (who I assume was the owner) informed me that they did not have Togo menus, to which I replied that he ought to update the online menu if he’s not going to offer Togo menus. He said that the website was being worked on, but did not offer a solution or an apology. I paid for my salad (not a bad price, $ 6 for a large salad), and as the waitress handed it to me she said «oh I’m sorry, but we’re out of walnuts.» Wait, what? You decide to tell me that a key ingredient is missing from my salad AFTER I paid for it and as I’m about to leave? Not after I ordered it? Not when I entered? She didn’t offer a suggestion of a substitute topping either.
And yes, I used my 30 minute lunch break to write this review and eat my «apple and onion» salad…

I had been hesitant to try Azalea due to reviews of it changing from amazing to so-​so. Im glad I gave lunch a try today. I ordered a salad with added blackened chicken and my girl ordered a burger. Everything was amazing. Made me want to eat another meal immediately. The pricing is EXTREMELY fair and due to that and the high quality of flavors and ingredients, we will make Azalea a regular spot for us from now on. The service was friendly and accommodating — Our server made us made-​to-​order americanos and offered to make us simple syrup from scratch when requested. Its the little things that add up to a wonderful experience. Food was top notch quality and the portions are large. And hey, the cook was incredibly good looking to boot. Whats not to like?

Under new ownership, the menu while a bit different, remains creative with a local ingredient focus. Prices while in the moderate range are still high for the area, but portions are large enough now and the food is all very very good. I live nearby and often go for lunch for the wild mushroom soup — which is just incredible — best I’ve had anywhere. The quinoa salad is just gingery enough and the hamburgers, are made with an excellent quality of beef, cooked precisely to order. I have only tried dinner once — but the meat loaf and shrimp and grits were both great. The atmosphere seems upscale casual — very friendly and comfortable. Outside seating for brunch is very pleasant.

We were in the area and tried dinner at Azalea and we were all so impressed with the presentation and the quality of food. I highly recommend…

Just finished visiting Asheville and went to the Café Azalea which has opened up under new ownership. Everything was fabulous from the lobster appetizer to the mushroom risotto ending with the chocolate mousse and pairing it all with excellent wines. I would definitely recommend checking this place out.

Used to be great. The owner appears to have sliced the budget while maintaining the high prices. Too bad. The food is not nearly as fresh, the portions a little smaller and the great ingredients sparse. Have been going there for a long time, but no more. Very sad.

This is the best kept secret in Asheville. The cuisine is unique, creative,. and healthy. Great atmosphere and very affordable.

Have had both good and not so good meals here. Have had good and not so good service here. Love the inside/​décor. The best thing I ever ate there was a lobster bisque soup.

A unique restaurant with great food, friendly service and out of this world desserts. If you’re looking for a restaurant that you’ll remember, this is your place.

Local, organic, unbelievably creative fresh food. The chef has a way with wild dishes that totally work… watermelon gazpacho (no tomato) with local feta crumbles, chilis, and mint. Astonishing. A salmon dish with a blueberry sauce and wild sauteed kale… a high-​wire act that somehow works, beautifully. And the bread, also organic, is worth a trip.

Café Azalea is Café Amazing.
My husband and I are driving from Chicago to Savannah and stopped in Asheville for the night and the Biltmore. The hotel recommended this restaurant and as the only negatives mentioned were price we decided to give it a try.
Wow! What a great introduction to North Carolina, almost makes up for UNC beating the Illini in 2005. Almost.
I had the swordfish special and I have never had such delectable fish in my life. It was served with a basil rice and the whole dish was so flavorful and fresh that I couldn’t believe anyone has ever complained about the prices. I felt like I got tremendous value, at home this meal would cost double.
My husband loved the pork chops, we adored the lobster soup and finished off a great meal with nice strong coffee and a clever flavorful strawberry shortcake.
Great service, wonderful food and comfortable place, I am liking Asheville, y’all!

In the past, I’ve eaten breakfast and lunch here and liked it just fine, so I wanted to try it for dinner. I would not go here again for dinner because for the money, it’s not that good. I like their concept of buying and serving local foods and I realize this will usually mean a little more money, but $ 19 for shrimp and grits, and all their other entrees were the same price. That’s a bit overpriced for a place that gives you the impression it’s a neighborhood-​type eatery that’s not supposed to be fancy. I always believe that if I’m going to pay $ 15 or more for an entrée, a small dinner salad should come with it. Also, the dinner menu didn’t have much to choose from. The shrimp and grits were good, but kind of lukewarm. We also ordered a roasted chicken plate, okay, but again not worth the $ 18. Always look forward to eating breakfast here.

This a great little restaurant. Their lobster bisque is awesome! The atmosphere is ok. We have eaten there five or six times and it is always special.

On a past visit, I really enjoyed lunch here. That made the most recent stop for dinner all the more disappointing. So many of the larger plate items are overpriced for what you receive. A steak was overcooked. A pork chop was undercooked. The service was extremely slow. Maybe it was a bad night. But we have no plans to go back and see if it’s any better.

This is a nice, cozy place. We came for breakfast. Great coffee! We all got the french toast with the cream cheese in the middle and it was really good. Orange juice here is fresh squeezed and very good. The only bad thing about this place was the slow service and the slow cooking — everything took FOREVER!

Healthy hedonism. Good fresh food. I schedule lunch meetings at Café Azalea when ever I can. Great atmosphere. I always get treated well. Nice selection of tea and local beers.