My name is Beth, and I’m a North Carolina resident who delights in discovering hidden gems throughout the state. I’ve enjoyed spending time in many different regions of the Tar Heel State, but have to admit there’s something especially captivating about Asheville. It’s scenic, sure, but it’s the way the local community celebrates both food and farmers that’s truly remarkable. Below you’ll find my first-hand experience visiting one of the city's newest offerings: Harvest Pizzeria.
To be clear, Asheville has no shortage of delicious pizza to enjoy. Whether you're craving New York-style slices, Neapolitan pizzas, or downright massive pies, you're bound to find just the thing within a square mile of downtown. Harvest being the newest addition to the pizza scene meant it had to bring something special, and we're here to tell you that it does. From the renovated building it inhabits to the creative, fresh menu and the breathtaking mountain views from the rooftop, this local North Carolina restaurant has so much to offer that you'll need to return multiple times to appreciate it all.
Harvest Pizzeria fits seamlessly into Asheville's South Slope neighborhood, a region famous for its endless breweries, coffee shops, and eclectic bars.
Approaching the restaurant, you'll notice firsthand the creative Wonder Woman mural on the side of the building. The work is by Dustin Spagnola, an Asheville-based contemporary artist famous for his larger-than-life works. It's the perfect nod to Asheville's artistic, hyperlocal community.
After a friendly greeting by the hosts, you'll step inside and find yourself surrounded by a light-filled, industrial space. Your eye will be drawn to the lengthy bar and open kitchen firing up delicious pizza after delicious pizza.
The building dates back to the 1920s, and during the renovation process, the owners were careful to reuse and upcycle as much of the materials as possible.
During our first visit to Harvest, we ordered the Margherita Pizza. This seemingly simple pie impressed us with its fresh and complex flavor.
Every element of pizza-making at Harvest is intentional. As noted on the website, the mission of the restaurant is "to provide guests with the freshest, tastiest food possible through partnerships with local farmers." But it doesn't just stop there. Eco-friendly, biodegradable products are used for all of the to-go materials, and cooking grease is recycled via Blue Ridge Biofuels.
On a later visit, we opted for one of the house specials, a pepperoni pizza topped with a mozzarella and provolone blend, red onions, and pepperoncini.
If you don't mind a little spice in your pizza, this is one to try! For vegetarians, the Quattro Formaggi, Vegetable, and Almond Pesto all make for incredible options.
We were also thoroughly impressed that nearly every ingredient is sourced locally, which makes a big difference in both taste and freshness.
Some of the farms that Harvest is currently working with include Sexton Farm in Hendersonville and Orchard Valley Farms in Georgia.
The location of Harvest is another one of its winning qualities. The rooftop, known as Alta 39, features a full-service bar and a Mediterranean-inspired tapas menu.
On a beautiful Asheville day, there's no better place to be. Whether you're feasting on house-made hummus or sipping on some drinks — we opted for a local Pale Ale and Ginger beer — you'll be enchanted by those Blue Ridge Mountains.
And while we haven't had a chance to try any of their signature cocktails, we hear they're equally as praise-worthy.
One of the most popular is the House Margarita, crafted with Sauza silver, Dekuypr O3 liqueur, and house-made hibiscus and habanero sour. Alta 39 also has an extensive mocktail menu. There's even a non-alcoholic margarita crafted with traditional Appalachian herbs and remedies. It's important to note that after 7 p.m., Alta 39 is only open for those 21 years and older.
On a clear day, you can spot Mt. Pisgah, one of the Asheville area's most famous peaks.
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Mount Pisgah sits at an elevation of 5,721 and is the inspiration behind many other Asheville-based businesses, such as Pisgah Brewing and Pisgah Coffee Roasters.
There's just so much to love about this local restaurant. It's the mouthwatering pizza, sure, but it's also the commitment to sustainability and the local community that make this place truly special.
If you're anything like us, you'll be planning your return trip to Harvest Pizzeria in no time!
So, the next time you find yourself visiting Asheville, we would absolutely recommend stopping over for a quality pizza at Harvest. It's the perfect way to enjoy everything that the city is so famous for -- delicious food, community, and the stunning mountain landscape. For more information and to take a peek at the menu, head to the Harvest Pizzeria website. You can also follow Harvest Pizzeria on Facebook for exciting updates and more.
To discover more incredible boots-on-the-ground adventures across America from our team of local travel experts, check out all of the articles in OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers series. What destinations would you like to see featured next? Tell us where we should go on our nominations page.
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