ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — One of Asheville’s premiere vegan and vegetarian eateries will close its doors after 32 years at the end of the month.
Laughing Seed Café, located at 40 Wall St. in downtown Asheville since 1993, has cited Hurricane Helene, Covid-19 and a changing Asheville landscape as reasons that May 31, 2025 will be the last day for the restaurant.
“We have made the difficult and very bittersweet decision to permanently close our beloved Laughing Seed,” the café wrote on social media. “As many of you know we are a family-owned restaurant, and we no longer have the time, energy, or motivation to continue to operate such a demanding business in these challenging times.”
When it opened, the restaurant was greeted with immediate praise from plant-based diners.
“The newest addition to the natural foods scene in downtown is the Laughing Seed Cafe at 40 Wall St.,” wrote lifestyle writer Carole Currie in a July 4, 1993 column.
“The foods at Laughing Seed, while essentially quite simple, have a gourmet touch in their flavor combinations and presentations. Sandwiches are served on home-baked bread, salads are large and attractively served in clear glass bowls, and there will likely be some flavor combinations here you haven’t tried before such as the spinach roll-ups (toasted coconut, peanuts, fresh ginger, lime and scallion rolled in fresh spinach leaves) with lime chutney.”
Three decades later, the spinach roll-ups are no longer on the Laughing Seed menu, but the interesting flavors and plant-based meals of 1993 haven’t budged an inch in 2025.
Take, for instance, the Laughing Seed smash burger – “a beet, mushroom & hemp seed patty topped with sharp cheddar, tomato, grilled onions, pickles, lettuce & garlic aioli on a house-baked sesame bun” – or the restaurant’s signature Harmony Bowl, comprised of “your choice of marinated grilled tofu OR tempeh with basmati rice, black beans, seasonal steamed veggies, and a side of our addictive sesame ginger sauce.”
In their post, the restaurant owners expressed gratitude to the staff members and customers who have supported them over the years.
“It is so hard to know we will not be there for you when you next crave a Harmony Bowl or Hempnut Burger, but we strongly feel that now is the right time for us to move on. We hope you will stop by for a last Laughing Seed fix and to say goodbye,” Laughing Seed wrote. “To our current staff, thank you so much for coming back after Helene, in spite of the uncertainty, and making the best of a changed world. We are so sorry to bring things to a close and will do our best to assist and support you during this transition.”
While Laughing Seed will be moving on, they are looking for a successor to move in. The café invites inquiries about the space to be sent by email to laughingseed.joan@gmail.com.
“We love you, Asheville. It’s been a great run. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years,” the restaurant concluded. “Peace, love, and harmony bowls to all!”