Golden Hour

C Catherine Wright 35 reviews · Local Guide 29 August 2026

My husband and I finally got to try Golden Hour last month, and I’m a little late posting about it — but it was such a memorable experience that it deserves a review! We had 6:30 reservations, and our experience started on such a great note. When we walked in, the host had briefly stepped away from the stand, but Executive Chef Kevin Chrisman spotted us from the expo line, came over himself, and checked us in. I loved seeing someone from the kitchen notice what was happening in the dining room and immediately step in to take care of guests. That kind of hospitality and initiative made an impression right away. Brent, the FOH manager helped to get us seated and was warm and conversational. Our server, Alexandra, was top-notch — warm, genuinely friendly, knowledgeable, and wonderful at guiding us through the menu. She recommended that evening’s special to start: Fish Collars, lightly breaded and fried and served with an incredibly savory, slightly spicy sauce. Hands down, this was the standout of the meal. The contrast of the crispy breading with the incredibly tender, mild fish was unexpectedly heavenly. I even told Chef Kevin that these deserve a permanent spot on the menu! They set the tone for the entire meal and are still the dish I think about most. We also ordered the Heirloom Tomatoes with tonnato and pangrattato. The tonnato — essentially a tuna and anchovy aioli — added a subtle savory richness without overpowering the tomatoes, while the garlicky, herbed breadcrumbs brought just the right amount of texture and crunch. For our entrées, my husband ordered the Whole Grilled Fish, which was prepared a little differently that evening and served filleted. It was simply delicious, with a beautiful wood-grilled flavor complemented by blistered tomatoes and greens. I ordered the Smoked Half Chicken. It had that same wonderful wood-fired flavor, but the chicken itself was a little drier than I prefer. The salsa verde helped, but I still found myself wishing the meat had been a bit juicier. We also shared the Cast Iron Mushrooms, and if you’re a mushroom lover, don’t skip these. They were outstanding — deeply savory, earthy and packed with an incredible amount of umami in every bite. One of those deceptively simple sides that ends up being one of the things you remember from the meal. We finished with the Popped Corn Tart, one of the more creative desserts we’ve had in a while. The corn-husk tart crust and popcorn-infused crème filling were really interesting, and we appreciated it for its originality. It probably isn’t something we’d find ourselves craving enough to order again, but I’m glad we tried it. What stayed with me most from the evening was the warm hospitality, excellent service, beautiful atmosphere — and those fish collars! Golden Hour feels thoughtful and special without being stuffy, and it’s definitely a place we’d recommend for a date night or special occasion. And seriously… put those fish collars on the permanent menu!

L Lauren Reinagel 17 reviews · Local Guide 22 July 2026

We came in for a girls night and everyone left so happy. The food was amazing but the service was outstanding. Caitlin was absolutely fantastic. Her recommendations and attention to detail were exceptional. 10/10

S sharie rice 64 reviews · Local Guide 20 July 2026

Lovely anniversary dinner. We were greeted by a friendly host and seated at a window table, which we had requested. Offered us a complimentary splash of bubbles to celebrate, nice touch. Server was knowledgeable about the menu and wine selections. We enjoyed the ash roasted beets with smoked yogurt as a starter. Then the Carolina fish filet, which was blue tile fish for that evening, with hoppin john, fantastic! And the hangar steak with Evans vegetables, grilled summer squash, delish! Cool atmosphere, highly recommend for a nice evening out.

I Israel 2 reviews 19 June 2026

the food was incredible, everything was timely and hot witch made my little sisters birthday wonderful. the server nehemiah was a compliment to the food and my experience was extraordinary.

S Sayali Marathe 51 reviews · Local Guide 7 June 2026

Went to Golden Hour for a work dinner with a set menu. It was my first time trying cornbread in a restaurant and it was so delicious. It was sweet, slightly burned and caramel-like. Melted straight into your mouth. The hanger steak was probably the best steak I've had in a restaurant. The smoky flavour was so intense, I could smell it the moment our amazing server set the plate down. Absolutely no notes! This place is worth every penny. The rooftop bar is awesome with views of beautiful Asheville spreading out as far as the eye can see.