Tupelo Honey Cafe Asheville: Southern Roots and Sweet Surprises
Intro
During a recent trip to Asheville, NC to tour the magnificent Biltmore Estate, we explored a little of downtown. We didn’t have a lunch plan—just happy to stroll, browse, and see where the day led. That’s when we stumbled upon Tupelo Honey Cafe, a name that immediately caught our eye for very personal reasons.
Downtown Asheville has a charm all its own—historic buildings, vibrant art, and a wonderful mix of old and new. Tupelo Honey Cafe, with its welcoming patio and modern Southern branding, fits right in. It felt like the perfect stop for a relaxed, flavorful lunch.
🍽️ Why It Caught Our Attention
Living near Tupelo, Mississippi—Elvis Presley’s birthplace—the word “Tupelo” always stands out to us. Naturally, we wondered if the cafe had any connection to our hometown. Turns out, the name comes not from the city, but from Tupelo honey, a light and rare honey harvested from the blooms of the white tupelo tree. We may not have seen those trees ourselves, but we have definitely tasted the honey—and that was enough to draw us in.
Southern Hospitality, One Glass at a Time
It was a beautiful spring day, so we grabbed a table outside to enjoy the sunshine. One of the first things our waiter brought out was a big glass of ice cold water—which, let’s be honest, not every restaurant does these days!
What really stood out were the fun little glasses our water came in. One said “Bless Your Heart” and the other “Mind Your Beeswax”. Only in the South, right? It was such a cute and quirky detail, and it immediately made us feel at home.
To top it all off, there was a street musician nearby playing smooth jazz. It added just the right background music—relaxing, cheerful, and totally fit the mood of the day. Great food, Southern charm, and live jazz? Can’t beat that combo.
We kicked things off with a tasty appetizer—pimento cheese dip served with crunchy tortilla chips. I didn’t think to snap a photo in the moment (too busy digging in!), but here’s a stock image from the Tupelo Honey Cafe. It tasted great and the chips were spicy HOT!
We kicked things off with a tasty appetizer—pimento cheese dip with crunchy tortilla chips. I was too busy enjoying it to take a picture (you know how it goes!), but here’s a stock photo from Tupelo Honey Cafe that shows it off. It was every bit as good as it looks—and let me tell you, those chips brought the heat! 🔥 Spicy and addicting.
🍹 Sippin’ Southern Style
To cool things down, I went with a classic Mimosa—light, bubbly, and perfect for a warm spring day. Lena ordered a Bloody Mary, and it was dressed to impress with a crispy piece of bacon, a lemon slice, and a crunchy pickled okra spear. Southern flavor, right down to the garnish!
🧀 Comfort Food at Its Finest
I must’ve been really into my lunch—a classic grilled cheese paired with rich, flavorful tomato soup—because I honestly can’t remember what everyone else ordered! It hit the spot and brought all the comfort food vibes. Sometimes the simple things are the best things, especially when they’re done right.
🍨 A Sweet Walk Down Memory Lane
We skipped dessert at lunch and took a stroll down the street, where we found an old Woolworth store. It’s no longer a dimestore, but it still has the classic lunch counter—complete with stools and a menu full of ice cream, milkshakes, and retro charm. It felt like stepping back in time.
🌺 Southern Charm, Continued
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Asheville, NC, and our lunch at Tupelo Honey Cafe was definitely a highlight—delicious food, friendly service, and that unforgettable Southern charm. But our adventure didn’t end there! I’ve still got more to share from our trip, including a look at the breathtaking Biltmore Estate gardens and a stop at the vibrant Asheville Farmer’s Market. Stay tuned—there’s more to come!
