Co-owners and partners Brian and Laura Smith announce that Baba Nahm will open this spring, bringing the popular local concept to downtown Asheville’s historic food hall The S&W Market. Known for its fresh, vibrant, wholesome Mediterranean street food, Baba Nahm has built a loyal local following with salads, hummus bowls, wraps, house-made beverages and desserts. The addition brings a healthy, flavorful new option that complements the market’s existing mix of local vendors, craft beverages and community-driven experiences inside Asheville’s Art Deco S&W building. 

This opening marks the next step in enhancing the guest experience at The S&W Market, as ownership continues to thoughtfully evolve the food hall as an elegant yet approachable and affordable destination for locals and visitors in downtown Asheville. 

“The S&W Market brings together so many great local businesses under one roof, and we are excited to be a part of it,” says Brian Smith. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with both longtime customers and new guests in the heart of downtown.”

“Baba Nahm is a strong local business with a loyal following, and they bring something new and distinctive that will fit naturally with the experience we’re continuing to build here,” says Ryan Israel, owner/operator of The S&W Market. “Locals and visitors are drawn to The S&W Market for the variety and quality our vendors offer, and Baba Nahm will fit right in with its flavorful Mediterranean menu. As we look ahead, we’re focused on continuing to elevate the overall experience at The S&W, creating a space that feels welcoming and affordable.”

“It’s a meaningful next step for us,” says Laura Smith, co-owner and pastry chef of Baba Nahm. “We’re thrilled to bring our vibrant menu to The S&W Market and be part of a place that celebrates local food, community and shared experiences.”

With a focus on whole, minimally processed foods with roots in Mediterranean cuisines, Baba Nahm will serve lunch and dinner at The S&W. The menu has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Highlights include:

• Mezze: shareable snacks like chicken tawook kabobs with mango amba; hanger steak kabobs with thoum; and Baba falafel kabobs with lemon tahini sauce

• Salads like Greek salad with cherry tomato, cucumber, kalamata olive, sumac onion, feta, olive and oregano vinaigrette; Mediterranean salad with cucumber, avocado, sumac onion, roasted sweet peppers, crispy chickpeas and lemon tahini 

• Baba hummus bowl with creamy hummus, choice of salad and a warm pita

• Fresh pita wrap with choice of salad, chicken shawarma or crispy falafel, and hummus 

• Kabobs: chicken tawook, Baba falafel or hanger steak

• House-made Mediterranean-inspired beverages and local craft beer

• Sides like Baba fries, lentil salad, feta orzo salad and chickpea fries

• Staple desserts like baklava and chocolate tahini brownies (gf, vegan) 

• A catering menu for office lunches and after-work events

The Baba Nahm team will reveal a new concept at 60 Biltmore Avenue this spring. In 2015, Brian and Laura Smith took ownership of Rezaz, a Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant in Historic Biltmore Village, which permanently closed in July 2020 due to the effects of COVID-19. They then shifted their focus to Baba Nahm, which they opened with chef Reza Setayesh in 2017 to fill a need in downtown Asheville: a quick, healthy, vibrant and affordable meal. Baba Nahm will be located in the rear-right space of The S&W Market, in the former location of Bun Intended. 

Baba Nahm is one of several updates planned for The S&W Market in 2026, with additional announcements to come as the team continues to build on its mix of local vendors and overall guest experience. 

Source: The S&W Market.