Tall John's

Tall John's A Very Good Restaurant Tall John's is a neighborhood tavern serving outstanding food and drink for daily dinner and Sunday brunch.
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Chef/Owner Trevor Payne's menus focus on familiar dishes prepared with care and precision. Menus are updated regularly (often multiple times a month), inspired by seasonal ingredients, the culinary team’s interests, and Trevor’s extensive library of cookbooks. It's elevated dining with a laid-back twist. Reservations are available, but walk-ins are always welcome! Tall John’s was recommended by the MICHELIN Guide in 2025 and voted Asheville's 2023 Best New Restaurant by Mountain Xpress readers.

08/03/2026

We’re closed tonight, Monday, August 3, for an urgent plumbing repair. We apologize for the inconvenience. We look forward to feeding you again soon.

07/26/2026

Oranžna literally means orange — and this Slovenian natural wine delivers exactly that. Three weeks of skin contact gives it that gorgeous amber hue and a flavor profile packed with tangerine, floral aromatics, and a peppery finish. Third-generation winemaker, minimal intervention, maximum character. Available by the glass now! Plus all bottles are 25% off every Sunday for Dinner and Brunch!

"Trevor Payne grew up in Asheville, cooked in Portland, then came home to open the neighborhood tavern he’d been thinkin...
06/29/2026

"Trevor Payne grew up in Asheville, cooked in Portland, then came home to open the neighborhood tavern he’d been thinking about since childhood. The restaurant took over a former Montford Avenue church, and the menu sticks to the kind of food that sounds simple until it shows up exactly right: steak tartare, roast chicken, frosty martinis, a good burger, and whatever seasonal dish Payne’s team has worked into the rotation, like this dynamite dish from a few nights ago of fresh veg with peaches and green goddess dressing. Reservations here are tough to come by, but luckily bar seating is often open early—and it’s also a spot where locals and tourists get talking, mostly about the incredible plates coming out of Payne’s kitchen." - Eric Barton, The Adventurist Magazine

From tapas and chaat to wood-fired plates and raw bars, these Asheville restaurants—new hits and stalwarts—show the city’s dining scene thrives.

06/22/2026

Plan the ultimate East Coast road trip with this Blue Ridge Parkway guide to stops for everything from local kombucha to specialty grocers with snacks to enjoy on a blanket at an overlook. Here's where to pull off for cafes, country stores, Appalachian menus, the oldest cheese factory in the Carolin...

02/28/2026
“When chef Trevor Payne opened Tall John’s in 2022, his goal was to create a cozy neighborhood tavern where guests could...
02/17/2026

“When chef Trevor Payne opened Tall John’s in 2022, his goal was to create a cozy neighborhood tavern where guests could drop in to relax with the simple pleasures of an ice-cold martini and perfectly roasted chicken. Nestled in an art-filled, historic wooden building at the edge of North Asheville’s tree-lined, residential Montford neighborhood, Payne’s restaurant delivers all that and more. In addition to the martinis and chicken, the menu of satisfying American-European classics feels like a warm hug with straightforward but beautifully executed options like pillowy Parker House rolls, grilled quail, and a quintessential Caesar salad.” - Gina Smith, Eater Carolinas

Where to find shish*to-cheddar biscuits, mussel and peach tartines, sinigang smoked wings, matchstick okra fries, and cider-braised pork osso buco in Asheville.

02/01/2026

We’re back open tonight after our snow day, and we’d love to welcome you in. As always, we keep plenty of room for walk-ins — or you can call ahead to join our waitlist at 828-782-5514 or book a table.

If you’re feeling cooped up, cold, or just ready for someone else to cook, come get warm and cozy with us at Tall John’s. Let us take care of the food and the dishes while you relax and enjoy a good meal in good company.

We’re so happy to be open and to see familiar faces again.

Stay safe, and we hope to see you tonight,
The Tall John’s Team

ww.talljohns.com/reservations

Reminder that we're closed for Sunday brunch today

02/01/2026

Closed for brunch Sunday Feb 1 ❄️ check back for updates on Sunday dinner service

01/31/2026

We're closed Saturday January 31 ❄️ check back for updates on Sunday service

We’re feeling festive with lots of warm, bright & beautiful winter flavors on the menu right now! Pictured here:    ✨SPE...
12/18/2025

We’re feeling festive with lots of warm, bright & beautiful winter flavors on the menu right now! Pictured here:  
  
✨SPECIAL✨ NC Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio w/Grapefruit, Pomegranate & Yuzu Oil  
  
Radicchio Salad w/Persimmon, Candied Pecan & Smoked Bleu Cheese Dressing  
  
Mussels w/Sausage, Fried Potato & Dark Lager  
  
Cara Cara Orange & Beets w/Pistachio Dressing 
 
✨SPECIAL✨ from the Holiday Cocktail Menu: Alpine Sour, a deliciously herbaceous drink 
 
✨SPECIAL✨ from the Holiday Cocktail Menu: Boozy Hot Chocolate topped with house-made marshmallow fluff and toasted to perfection, a perfectly whimsical treat 
  
Everything but the specials are on the current menu on the website, which is up to date at the time of posting (but can change at any point; the kitchen never sleeps) 
 
Hope everyone is staying warm and feeling jolly 💚

Address

152 Montford Avenue
Asheville, NC
28801

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 9pm
Tuesday 4pm - 9pm
Wednesday 4pm - 9pm
Thursday 4pm - 9pm
Friday 4pm - 9pm
Saturday 4pm - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 2pm
4pm - 9pm

Telephone

+18287825514

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