Answer Woman: With COVID-19 on the rise where are Asheville's outdoor heated patios?

Tiana Kennell, Asheville Citizen Times
Updated ·4 min read

ASHEVILLE - A reader seeks retreat from the blustery fall and winter weather on heated restaurant patios. Got a question for Answer Man or Answer Woman? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com, and your question could appear in an upcoming column.

Question: Would you please do some research on which local restaurants have covered, heated outdoor seating? COVID is on the uptick and cold weather makes it harder to dine out.

Answer: It’s true that COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in recent weeks, as have cases of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, according to Buncombe County Public Health Director, Dr. Ellis Matheson.

Winter cabanas at Hemingway's Cuba are available for reservations beginning in December 2023.
Winter cabanas at Hemingway's Cuba are available for reservations beginning in December 2023.

Five adult flu-associated deaths and one pediatric death were reported in the state this season, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Matheson said some increase is expected as fall transitions to winter, and more people congregate inside due to the cooler weather, which is normal for this time of the year.

“Seasonal influenza is circulating in our community,” Matheson said in an email on Nov. 27. “Health officials advise preventative measures such as covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when ill, washing your hands, and masking up in public places if you are sick or concerned about being exposed to illnesses that are currently circulating.”

As strong as the urge to hibernate gets with every loss of degree on the thermometer, I can relate to the need for human interaction and the craving for a meal and beverage that doesn’t require me to prepare it.

Posana, 1 Biltmore Ave., has a covered, enclosed patio with side panels and overhead heated lamps.
Posana, 1 Biltmore Ave., has a covered, enclosed patio with side panels and overhead heated lamps.

The good news is that there are many local eateries with heated patios. Many were introduced amid the pandemic and have allowed businesses to continue operations in the colder, slower traffic season, and offer customers concerned about being in enclosed spaces the comfort of an open-air venue.

More: Answer Woman: Do North Carolina alcohol laws prohibit picking up a friend's bar tab?

More: Answer Woman: Why are downtown patios still taking up parking, sidewalk space?

Patio amenities vary from place to place with some offering portable, standing heaters on an uncovered patio to others with enclosed, covered areas with permanent heating units that warm the whole space.

Then there are venues that keep customers warm while adding a touch of ambiance with fireplaces and firepits. Or in the case of the downtown rooftop Cuban restaurant, Hemingway’s Cuba, luxury lounge and dining winter cabanas made from repurposed greenhouses.

Here are some restaurants, breweries and bars offering enclosed or open-air heated patios for the 2023-2024 winter season.

This list will be updated. Send heated patio recommendations to tkennell@citizentimes.com.  

Hemingway's Cuba, a Cuban restaurant on the 4th floor of Cambria Downtown Asheville, has added winter cabanas made from greenhouses that offer warmth and views of the city through the winter season.
Hemingway's Cuba, a Cuban restaurant on the 4th floor of Cambria Downtown Asheville, has added winter cabanas made from greenhouses that offer warmth and views of the city through the winter season.

Covered and/or enclosed patios

  • Hemingway’s Cuba.

  • Burial Beer Co. South Slope and Forestry Camp.

  • Terra Nova Beer Co./Loott House.

  • All Souls Pizza.

  • RendezVous.

  • Bouchon.

  • Wicked Weed Brewing Brewpub.

  • Wicked Weed Funkatorium.

  • Sunny Point Café/Rabbit Hole.

  • Posana.

  • Jettie Rae's Oyster House.

  • Jargon.

  • Tupelo Honey.

  • Plant.

  • Vinnie's Italian.

  • Pack’s Tavern.

  • Farm Burger.

  • Strada Italiano/Social Lounge.

  • Gemelli.

  • Copper Crown.

  • Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack.

  • Voodoo Brewing.

More: Asheville holiday meals: Which restaurants are open, taking Christmas, New Year's orders?

The Whale’s patio in West Asheville.
The Whale’s patio in West Asheville.

Patios with heat lamps

  • Corner Kitchen.

  • The Montford Rooftop Bar.

  • The Exchange at The Restoration Hotel.

  • The Admiral.

  • Eldr.

  • The Whale/Haywood Common.

  • Rhubarb.

  • The Golden Hour at The Radical.

  • Liberty House.

  • Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse.

  • Archetype Brewing and Kitchen and West taproom.

  • Ben’s Tune-Up.

Rhubarb is a Appalachian restaurant at 7 SW Pack Square in downtown Asheville.
Rhubarb is a Appalachian restaurant at 7 SW Pack Square in downtown Asheville.

Firepits and fireplaces

  • The Roof at The Radical.

  • The Observatory at The Restoration Hotel.

  • Bottle Riot.

  • Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ.

  • Capella on 9.

  • The Omni Grove Park Inn.

  • Leo’s House of Thirst.

  • Pillar Rooftop Bar.

  • Antidote at Chemist Spirits.

Hemingway's Cuba has introduced winter cobanas to the rooftop restaurant and bar.
Hemingway's Cuba has introduced winter cobanas to the rooftop restaurant and bar.

More breweries and bars

  • Cellarest Beer Project.

  • Frazier’s Tavern.

  • Brew Pump.

  • Crucible Bar.

  • Dssolvr.

  • Highland Brewing.

  • New Belgium Brewing.

  • River Rhapsody Beer Company.

  • Zillicoah Beer Co.

  • Outsider Brewing.

  • Wedge Brewing at Wedge Studio.

  • Hi-Wire Biltmore Park and RAD Beer Garden.

NCDHHS’s precautionary tips against spreading viruses:

  • Regularly clean your hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water to prevent the spread of viruses to others.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated

  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly

  • Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home, including:

  • Staying in a separate room from other household members, if possible

  • Using a separate bathroom, if possible

  • Avoiding contact with other members of the household and pets

  • Not sharing personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils

  • Wearing a mask when around other people

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Where are Asheville heated restaurant patios?