All Day Darling to Open Second Asheville Location in Oakley Neighborhood

All Day Darling, the Montford café that landed on the Michelin Guide's recommended list in 2025, is breaking ground Thursday on a second Asheville location at 567 Fairview Road in the Oakley neighborhood. The public ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 19 at the site, with the project now projected to open in 2027.

Chef Jacob Sessoms, the two-time James Beard Award nominee who founded All Day Darling in 2018, said the expansion reflects the restaurant's foundational commitment to the city's neighborhoods. "All Day Darling is meant to be an eatery where neighbors can come by sun up to sun down, any day of the week. At our core is a love for Asheville and supporting local, and we can't wait to bring this place to another community in the city, now with a more expansive beverage program, including great cocktails, wine and beer, and nightly dinner specials," Sessoms said in a news release.

The Oakley site occupies the former Filter Supply building adjacent to Asheville Fire Protection Company. The design, developed in collaboration with architect Michael McDunnough, calls for adaptive reuse of the existing metal structure alongside construction of a new building for guest spaces. Plans filed with the city include a 1,200-square-foot addition to the front of the existing structure. A Level 1 planning application was submitted to the City of Asheville on May 21, 2025. Early projections had targeted a 2025 opening, but the timeline has since been revised to 2027.

The Oakley location will expand on what Sessoms has built at 102 Montford Ave., where counter-service breakfast, lunch and dinner have anchored the menu since opening. The new spot will add a full bar featuring classic and brunch cocktails made with house-made tonics, a curated wine list, beer selections, nightly dinner specials and coffee from Counter Culture. Both locations will carry snacks, baked goods and a kid-friendly menu. The Montford flagship's market-driven lineup includes the fried chicken biscuit, frittatas and the "Darling" burger.

The groundbreaking comes as All Day Darling continues to build its profile beyond Asheville's food scene. The Montford location's placement on the Michelin Guide's recommended list last year marked a notable milestone for a counter-service neighborhood café. More information is available at alldaydarlingavl.com and through the restaurant's Instagram at @alldaydarlingasheville.