Guidebook for Asheville
Food Scene
If your hangry and need a breakfast sandwich or donut on the run...
19 locals recommend
Geraldine's Bakery
840 Merrimon AveIf your hangry and need a breakfast sandwich or donut on the run...
Old Europe Pastries
18 Broadway StExactly like Europe- no joke! Open late too. Don't miss it.
Don't leave Asheville without stopping here... after 5:00, two for one (don't tell anyone- this has been dinner!)
88 locals recommend
Vortex Doughnuts
32 Banks AveDon't leave Asheville without stopping here... after 5:00, two for one (don't tell anyone- this has been dinner!)
Breakfast! Cozy, second floor overlooking Patton Ave. downtown-
223 locals recommend
Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall StBreakfast! Cozy, second floor overlooking Patton Ave. downtown-
Universal Joint
784 Haywood RdGreat patio, yummy burgers...
Best kept secret- absolute BEST burgers in Asheville (even though it's in Weaverville) Not fancy, just yum.
39 locals recommend
Main Street Grill
5 S Main StBest kept secret- absolute BEST burgers in Asheville (even though it's in Weaverville) Not fancy, just yum.
Taco Temple
132 Charlotte StFun, casual place with killer queso!
Everything- I mean, everything- we have tried is delicious. Cool patio for downtown people watching too.
76 locals recommend
Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas
82 Patton AveEverything- I mean, everything- we have tried is delicious. Cool patio for downtown people watching too.
An old Asheville favorite that's been around for many years and for good reason- some of the best middle eastern food we've had anywhere! Plus, very cool vibe, tented walls, fun.
74 locals recommend
Jerusalem Garden Café
78 Patton AveAn old Asheville favorite that's been around for many years and for good reason- some of the best middle eastern food we've had anywhere! Plus, very cool vibe, tented walls, fun.
Okay, best restaurant in town... tapas... let the chef send you your meal and wine. Definitely, a place to splurge and definitely a place to make reservations way ahead of time!
518 locals recommend
Cúrate
13 Biltmore AveOkay, best restaurant in town... tapas... let the chef send you your meal and wine. Definitely, a place to splurge and definitely a place to make reservations way ahead of time!
Excellent food, very cool atmosphere, in the heart of Biltmore Village.
155 locals recommend
Corner Kitchen
3 Boston WayExcellent food, very cool atmosphere, in the heart of Biltmore Village.
As Dean likes to say, SN is like Disney World for beer drinkers! It is HUGE and the wait for a table (excellent bar food) is usually long but you won't mind- really! Go for a self-guided or guided tour, listen to live music, place some bocce and of course sample some beer. Definitely worth the drive from Asheville- and a GREAT place to stop after hiking in Dupont Forest or up Pisgah!
726 locals recommend
Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WayAs Dean likes to say, SN is like Disney World for beer drinkers! It is HUGE and the wait for a table (excellent bar food) is usually long but you won't mind- really! Go for a self-guided or guided tour, listen to live music, place some bocce and of course sample some beer. Definitely worth the drive from Asheville- and a GREAT place to stop after hiking in Dupont Forest or up Pisgah!
Best ribs and sides in town, plus it's next to the Wedge Brewery- what could be better?
330 locals recommend
12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StBest ribs and sides in town, plus it's next to the Wedge Brewery- what could be better?
Well, it's pretty much the only Italian place around... fun music, good drinks and great "Sunday Gravy."
91 locals recommend
Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian
641 Merrimon AveWell, it's pretty much the only Italian place around... fun music, good drinks and great "Sunday Gravy."
Very yummy, limited menu, but fresh- fresh- fresh and inexpensive... go there then catch a movie at Grail Movie House.
59 locals recommend
Little Bee Thai
45 S French Broad AveVery yummy, limited menu, but fresh- fresh- fresh and inexpensive... go there then catch a movie at Grail Movie House.
Worth the wait (and you WILL wait!) but have an amazing Bloody Mary in the meantime- sorta an appetizer in itself!
587 locals recommend
Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdWorth the wait (and you WILL wait!) but have an amazing Bloody Mary in the meantime- sorta an appetizer in itself!
Cool bar, excellent oysters and brews. Don't miss the étouffée! Great brunches too.
This is our go-to spot ;-)
104 locals recommend
Oyster House Brewing Company
625 Haywood RdCool bar, excellent oysters and brews. Don't miss the étouffée! Great brunches too.
This is our go-to spot ;-)
Very cool interior, amazing food- seriously, everything we have tried is delicious.
92 locals recommend
Jargon
715 Haywood RdVery cool interior, amazing food- seriously, everything we have tried is delicious.
Oh my! Don't miss this amazing bakery. They also have a location near the Biltmore in the village. You won't believe the size of the cream puffs!
195 locals recommend
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
232 Reems Creek RdOh my! Don't miss this amazing bakery. They also have a location near the Biltmore in the village. You won't believe the size of the cream puffs!
Tons of fun, live music, cool vibe, great pizza... AND they deliver to our address ;-)
213 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Pizza
55 N Main StTons of fun, live music, cool vibe, great pizza... AND they deliver to our address ;-)
Yes, the locals are here! The owners have a place downtown (Bouchon) but this one has French lawn bowling, Petanque, and usually live music outside in the summer.
Get the mussels and frites!
21 locals recommend
Rendezvous
184 New Haw Creek RdYes, the locals are here! The owners have a place downtown (Bouchon) but this one has French lawn bowling, Petanque, and usually live music outside in the summer.
Get the mussels and frites!
Love this spot in Montford! Lots of flavor, lively atmosphere. The cilantro-lime dressing is amazing.
589 locals recommend
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveLove this spot in Montford! Lots of flavor, lively atmosphere. The cilantro-lime dressing is amazing.
Excellent, eclectic food, not to mention the decor (you'll seen when you get there)
194 locals recommend
Stoney Knob Cafe
337 Merrimon AveExcellent, eclectic food, not to mention the decor (you'll seen when you get there)
They know us here. Once a week take-out, close to home. Try the Drunken Noodles or Green Curry. When they say "hot" they mean it.
12 locals recommend
Siam Thai Restaurant
100 Stone Ridge BlvdThey know us here. Once a week take-out, close to home. Try the Drunken Noodles or Green Curry. When they say "hot" they mean it.
Asheville Proper
Excellent food, top to bottom. Wood fired steaks. Pricey but worth the splurge.
Top Drinks & Nightlife
My absolute favorite place in Asheville. Lots of outdoor seating- and now a new rooftop deck with views, great food truck, and the beer? Just go!
331 locals recommend
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveMy absolute favorite place in Asheville. Lots of outdoor seating- and now a new rooftop deck with views, great food truck, and the beer? Just go!
Go because you should see it... the hotel is gorgeous and the bar is dark and swanky.
7 locals recommend
Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Autograph Collection
11 Boston WayGo because you should see it... the hotel is gorgeous and the bar is dark and swanky.
Asheville's first- indoor stage, outdoor venues in the summer, food trucks, rooftop bar with gorgeous views and a distillery next door... but go for the BEER!
349 locals recommend
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyAsheville's first- indoor stage, outdoor venues in the summer, food trucks, rooftop bar with gorgeous views and a distillery next door... but go for the BEER!
Love this place too (a regular) great outdoor and indoor seating and delicious food from the Rise Above Deli (killer kale salad, no really!)
166 locals recommend
Hillman Beer
25 Sweeten Creek RdLove this place too (a regular) great outdoor and indoor seating and delicious food from the Rise Above Deli (killer kale salad, no really!)
Don't miss Green Man! Very cool second-floor room above the brewery with a covered outdoor patio for rainy days. Have a beer here then step a few west to Dirty Jacks- the original location where the locals go!
182 locals recommend
Green Man Brewery
27 Buxton AveDon't miss Green Man! Very cool second-floor room above the brewery with a covered outdoor patio for rainy days. Have a beer here then step a few west to Dirty Jacks- the original location where the locals go!
Sovereign Remedies
29 N Market StOur favorite for cocktails. Go and you'll see why- very cool.
Love the beer AND it's adjacent to Gan Shan West and Pizza Mind for when you get hungry... and you will.
106 locals recommend
Archetype Brewing
265 Haywood RdLove the beer AND it's adjacent to Gan Shan West and Pizza Mind for when you get hungry... and you will.
Just get one look at the notebook they have for a beer menu... you will be here for a while! Beer drinker's heaven.
75 locals recommend
The Whale
507 Haywood RdJust get one look at the notebook they have for a beer menu... you will be here for a while! Beer drinker's heaven.
Must go! Love the outdoor spaces, especially the deck overlooking the French Broad. Live music and food trucks- tons of kids!
450 locals recommend
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StMust go! Love the outdoor spaces, especially the deck overlooking the French Broad. Live music and food trucks- tons of kids!
Ginger's Revenge
829 Riverside DrNot a beer brewery, but a ginger beer brewery! Try it. Love it.
Wine, beer, snacks, and live music-with large windows that open onto Walnut Street when it's warm making it great for people watching, or cozy and romantic when it's chilly outside. Love this place.
176 locals recommend
5 Walnut Wine Bar
5 W Walnut StWine, beer, snacks, and live music-with large windows that open onto Walnut Street when it's warm making it great for people watching, or cozy and romantic when it's chilly outside. Love this place.
Excellent cocktails (right above the beer)... you must join (for $1) but the intimate outdoor rooftop and the key you receive with every cocktail that opens a tiny door for a little nosh or sweet treat is worth it!
43 locals recommend
Top of the Monk
92 Patton AveExcellent cocktails (right above the beer)... you must join (for $1) but the intimate outdoor rooftop and the key you receive with every cocktail that opens a tiny door for a little nosh or sweet treat is worth it!
Don't miss this place. Excellent beer (but they have a bar too) great food, fun spot- indoors and out.
169 locals recommend
The Funkatorium
147 Coxe AveDon't miss this place. Excellent beer (but they have a bar too) great food, fun spot- indoors and out.
Dark, good music, great wine, and small bites... even a patio!
Love the charcuterie boards.
The name is now BOTTLE RIOT.
35 locals recommend
District Wine Bar
37 Paynes WayDark, good music, great wine, and small bites... even a patio!
Love the charcuterie boards.
The name is now BOTTLE RIOT.
Super cool bar. It's easy to walk right by, so look out for the gas lights. Incredible mixed drinks
86 locals recommend
The Crow & Quill
106 N Lexington AveSuper cool bar. It's easy to walk right by, so look out for the gas lights. Incredible mixed drinks
Awesome spot for watching sports, especially what the rest of the world calls football. Pool table, food truck, Guinness on tap!
Olde London Road English Pub
Awesome spot for watching sports, especially what the rest of the world calls football. Pool table, food truck, Guinness on tap!
Parks & Nature
Go to the lodge after your hike for excellent food or just grab a drink and a seat in a rocker with the best view around!
70 locals recommend
Mount Pisgah
Go to the lodge after your hike for excellent food or just grab a drink and a seat in a rocker with the best view around!
The highest point east of the Mississippi, a beautiful hike up through the balsam forest, or drive to the top, Mitchell is worth the drive up the Blueridge Parkway.
414 locals recommend
Mount Mitchell State Park
2388 NC-128The highest point east of the Mississippi, a beautiful hike up through the balsam forest, or drive to the top, Mitchell is worth the drive up the Blueridge Parkway.
Our favorite, go-to and close-by for everyone who visits us... the photo ops are amazing.
143 locals recommend
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
3641 Blue Ridge PkwyOur favorite, go-to and close-by for everyone who visits us... the photo ops are amazing.
Very beautiful hikes... peaceful, lovely gardens. Easy to navigate and not strenuous.
582 locals recommend
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayVery beautiful hikes... peaceful, lovely gardens. Easy to navigate and not strenuous.
Dupont State Forest
Staton RoadBeautiful hiking trails...
Historic home, hiking trails, friendly goats... lots of fun on a beautiful property.
94 locals recommend
Carl Sandburg Home
Historic home, hiking trails, friendly goats... lots of fun on a beautiful property.
Looking Glass Rock
Quite a hike, but what a pay-off view!
Another vigorous hike with an amazing pay-off view at the top (once you find it!)
48 locals recommend
John Rock
National Forest RoadAnother vigorous hike with an amazing pay-off view at the top (once you find it!)
Interior woodland trail, see ruins of an old homestead, lots of switchbacks, cool in the hot summer!
28 locals recommend
Bull Gap Trailhead - Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
667 Ox Creek RdInterior woodland trail, see ruins of an old homestead, lots of switchbacks, cool in the hot summer!
Easy hike over old railway easement is deceiving- that's not even half of it! Wide open, amazing views!
168 locals recommend
Black Balsam Knob
Art Loeb TrailEasy hike over old railway easement is deceiving- that's not even half of it! Wide open, amazing views!
Interior woodland hike, but dare to climb to the top of the falls- wow!
216 locals recommend
Catawba Falls
530 Warren Mountain DrInterior woodland hike, but dare to climb to the top of the falls- wow!
Worth the drive out- incredible views, plus, be sure to see some of the oldest visible rock in the world!
85 locals recommend
Linville Gorge Wilderness
Worth the drive out- incredible views, plus, be sure to see some of the oldest visible rock in the world!
Sightseeing
Biltmore
1 Lodge StDon't miss it!
Shopping
Grove Arcade
1 Page AveHistoric, indoor, unique shops, and restaurants...
An eclectic mix of resale and repurposed furniture, antiques, and stuff. They even have beer (and motorcycles in the summer.)
52 locals recommend
The Regeneration Station
26 Glendale AveAn eclectic mix of resale and repurposed furniture, antiques, and stuff. They even have beer (and motorcycles in the summer.)
The Antique Tobacco Barn
75 Swannanoa River RdHUGE selection!
Very cool selection of antiques, retro and repurposed items.
71 locals recommend
Screen Door Asheville
115 Fairview RdVery cool selection of antiques, retro and repurposed items.
Hip Replacements
72 N Lexington AveMixture of way-cool new and excellent vintage- love the shoes!
Like honey? Even if you think you are not a huge fan, go, visit the tasting bar and you soon will be. Excellent local honey and more.
42 locals recommend
Asheville Bee Charmer
32 Broadway StLike honey? Even if you think you are not a huge fan, go, visit the tasting bar and you soon will be. Excellent local honey and more.
Do NOT miss this bookstore. Period. (says the English teacher)
133 locals recommend
Malaprop's Bookstore / Cafe
55 Haywood StDo NOT miss this bookstore. Period. (says the English teacher)
Large, indoor market with a collection of artists and artisans, some who have studios in the River Arts District, vintage items, and of course, beer on tap.
Marquee
Large, indoor market with a collection of artists and artisans, some who have studios in the River Arts District, vintage items, and of course, beer on tap.
Everything Else
The Appalachian Trail marches right through town... be sure to take the hike across the river and up, the views are spectacular. The town is cute with some good food too!
158 locals recommend
Hot Springs
The Appalachian Trail marches right through town... be sure to take the hike across the river and up, the views are spectacular. The town is cute with some good food too!
Because Scott lodged there when Zelda was in the hospital in Montford... because you can walk through the halls and see the photos of the famous, along with Fitzgerald, who stayed there, because the two stone fireplaces in the lobby are large enough for many people to stand in, and the westward views are unparalleled- especially at sunset!
573 locals recommend
The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa
290 Macon AveBecause Scott lodged there when Zelda was in the hospital in Montford... because you can walk through the halls and see the photos of the famous, along with Fitzgerald, who stayed there, because the two stone fireplaces in the lobby are large enough for many people to stand in, and the westward views are unparalleled- especially at sunset!
A community yoga center, welcoming to all and all levels of practice, that also has a great little eatery, Karma Cafe and one of the best resale clothing shops in town, Zen and Now.
Kelly is one of the best yoga teachers I have ever had (in twenty years of practice!)
35 locals recommend
Asheville Community Yoga
8 Brookdale RdA community yoga center, welcoming to all and all levels of practice, that also has a great little eatery, Karma Cafe and one of the best resale clothing shops in town, Zen and Now.
Kelly is one of the best yoga teachers I have ever had (in twenty years of practice!)
Essentials
Publix Super Market at Weaverville Plaza
165 Weaver BlvdIngles Market
29 Tunnel RdThere's a Starbucks inside!