Guidebook for Asheville
Food Scene
Best coffee in town and what I consider my "remote" office. If you are walking around downtown, duck in for a lovely coffee pick-me-up.
186 abantu bendawo batusa
High Five Coffee
190 Broadway StBest coffee in town and what I consider my "remote" office. If you are walking around downtown, duck in for a lovely coffee pick-me-up.
One of my all time favorites in town. It's a lovely Italian farm-to-table restaurant with fresh pastas, whole fish, house made burrata, wood fired pizzas and beautiful house cured meats. Donnie, the bar manager is a knock out bartender. Tell him Mary sent you!
85 abantu bendawo batusa
Cucina24
24 Wall StOne of my all time favorites in town. It's a lovely Italian farm-to-table restaurant with fresh pastas, whole fish, house made burrata, wood fired pizzas and beautiful house cured meats. Donnie, the bar manager is a knock out bartender. Tell him Mary sent you!
Wonderful restaurant sourcing local food. Very creative and delicious! Warren Wilson Grads.
73 abantu bendawo batusa
Eating Asheville
18 N Lexington AveWonderful restaurant sourcing local food. Very creative and delicious! Warren Wilson Grads.
James Beard Award winner for best hospitality program. Great Spanish Tapas restaurant and sherry bar. Katie Button, the chef/ owner is really one of the best chefs in the country. She trained at El Bulli in Spain. If you can get a reservation, I highly recommend this place. Sit at the bar, if you can and watch the chefs do their magic.
518 abantu bendawo batusa
Cúrate
13 Biltmore AveJames Beard Award winner for best hospitality program. Great Spanish Tapas restaurant and sherry bar. Katie Button, the chef/ owner is really one of the best chefs in the country. She trained at El Bulli in Spain. If you can get a reservation, I highly recommend this place. Sit at the bar, if you can and watch the chefs do their magic.
Michele, the French chef/ owner calls his style "French Redneck". Enjoy fabulous mussels and pomme frites with one of their great wines or with a PBR. Usually a wait, but it's fun.
145 abantu bendawo batusa
Bouchon
62 N Lexington AveMichele, the French chef/ owner calls his style "French Redneck". Enjoy fabulous mussels and pomme frites with one of their great wines or with a PBR. Usually a wait, but it's fun.
High-end Mexican. Great for dinner or Sunday Brunch. Lot's of fresh margaritas to choose from also.
279 abantu bendawo batusa
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StHigh-end Mexican. Great for dinner or Sunday Brunch. Lot's of fresh margaritas to choose from also.
John Fleer, the chef/owner is a James Beard Award winner. Local and fresh. Spencer, the bar manager is a sweetie pie and knows his stuff. Tell him Mary sent you.
116 abantu bendawo batusa
Rhubarb
7 N Pack SquareJohn Fleer, the chef/owner is a James Beard Award winner. Local and fresh. Spencer, the bar manager is a sweetie pie and knows his stuff. Tell him Mary sent you.
Avoid the downtown congestion and have dinner or brunch down on the French Broad River in the famed, River Arts District. This restaurant is made from old shipping containers and has a huge deck to enjoy the weather. Thursday's early evening, they have music in the boat house, just off the deck.
95 abantu bendawo batusa
Smoky Park Supper Club
350 Riverside DrAvoid the downtown congestion and have dinner or brunch down on the French Broad River in the famed, River Arts District. This restaurant is made from old shipping containers and has a huge deck to enjoy the weather. Thursday's early evening, they have music in the boat house, just off the deck.
Great place with stellar food in the River Arts District. Known for their Sea food towers. Hip, fun place to eat and drink.
159 abantu bendawo batusa
The Bull and Beggar
37 Paynes WayGreat place with stellar food in the River Arts District. Known for their Sea food towers. Hip, fun place to eat and drink.
Fantastic Restaurant in West Asheville! It takes a long time to get a reservation, but if it's just 2 of you, you can try your luck at the bar. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but you'll love it!
316 abantu bendawo batusa
The Admiral
400 Haywood RdFantastic Restaurant in West Asheville! It takes a long time to get a reservation, but if it's just 2 of you, you can try your luck at the bar. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but you'll love it!
These people have the BEST Brunch! Their dinner is also wonderful. This young, creative couple have created a wonderful restaurant.
62 abantu bendawo batusa
Vivian
348 Depot StThese people have the BEST Brunch! Their dinner is also wonderful. This young, creative couple have created a wonderful restaurant.
Fabulous tacos with lots of outdoor seating. Multiple locations, but I love the one in the River arts District. Very affordable and fun!
440 abantu bendawo batusa
White Duck Taco Shop
388 Riverside DrFabulous tacos with lots of outdoor seating. Multiple locations, but I love the one in the River arts District. Very affordable and fun!
Great BBQ on the South Slope. Chef Elliot Moss has gotten national attention for his BBQ skills.
144 abantu bendawo batusa
Buxton Hall Barbecue
32 Banks AveGreat BBQ on the South Slope. Chef Elliot Moss has gotten national attention for his BBQ skills.
Great BBQ in the River Arts District. Barack Obama's favorite!
330 abantu bendawo batusa
12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StGreat BBQ in the River Arts District. Barack Obama's favorite!
This is a great place to enjoy a good meal outdoors and just outside of downtown Asheville. Good Gluten free options.
120 abantu bendawo batusa
All Day Darling
102 Montford AveThis is a great place to enjoy a good meal outdoors and just outside of downtown Asheville. Good Gluten free options.
This is a great restaurant just outside of Downtown Asheville. It's sister restaurant is in Key West. Great Seafood/ Oysters. The chef is amazing. This is our go-to, especially when Asheville is busy.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Little Pearl
15 Peaks Center LaneThis is a great restaurant just outside of Downtown Asheville. It's sister restaurant is in Key West. Great Seafood/ Oysters. The chef is amazing. This is our go-to, especially when Asheville is busy.
OWL Bakery
295 Haywood RdBest bread/ pasteries- hands down.
Hole Doughnuts
168 Haywood RdBEST doughnuts ever!
Great coffee shop on the east side of town! It turns into a bar/ restaurant at night...
87 abantu bendawo batusa
Filo Pastries & Post 70 Indulgence Bar
1155 Tunnel RdGreat coffee shop on the east side of town! It turns into a bar/ restaurant at night...
Chai Pani Asheville
22 Battery Park AveJames Beard Award winner!! Great Indian street food.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a high functioning cocktail bar, folks. The food is spectacular as well. It is a beautiful space with a little outdoor seating on nice days. Most of the food served is grown by the owner of Patchwork Urban Farms. Charlie Hodge, the owner has tended bar and learned from the best in LA, Portland and San Francisco. If you like your cocktails, this place is not to miss. They will also listen to your preferences and make up a cocktail just for you! Ask for a "Bartender's Choice". Tell them Mary sent you!
203 abantu bendawo batusa
Sovereign Remedies
29 N Market StThis is a high functioning cocktail bar, folks. The food is spectacular as well. It is a beautiful space with a little outdoor seating on nice days. Most of the food served is grown by the owner of Patchwork Urban Farms. Charlie Hodge, the owner has tended bar and learned from the best in LA, Portland and San Francisco. If you like your cocktails, this place is not to miss. They will also listen to your preferences and make up a cocktail just for you! Ask for a "Bartender's Choice". Tell them Mary sent you!
This is a new spacious outdoor venue with a great covered area to hear music and a wonderful bar. It's my new favorite place this summer. It's right on the river. Never a cover. A laid back atmosphere, but they have paid attention to the details! Great food 'truck' there too.
175 abantu bendawo batusa
Salvage Station
468 Riverside DrThis is a new spacious outdoor venue with a great covered area to hear music and a wonderful bar. It's my new favorite place this summer. It's right on the river. Never a cover. A laid back atmosphere, but they have paid attention to the details! Great food 'truck' there too.
Lazy Diamond
4 Woodfin StBest dive bar. Great Bourbon Selection!!
Good Cocktails on a little side street. GREAT Burgers! Bustling with the characters of Asheville.
70 abantu bendawo batusa
Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge
7 Rankin AveGood Cocktails on a little side street. GREAT Burgers! Bustling with the characters of Asheville.
Civilized wine bar with live music every night. Through huge open windows, you can watch Asheville go by as you enjoy your glass. Good Charcuterie.
176 abantu bendawo batusa
5 Walnut Wine Bar
5 W Walnut StCivilized wine bar with live music every night. Through huge open windows, you can watch Asheville go by as you enjoy your glass. Good Charcuterie.
Drink some bubbles nestled in one of the many nooks, leather chairs along the maze of bookshelves. Beautiful old books for sale and a great wine list. Quiet and romantic. You'll feel smarter just for going.
191 abantu bendawo batusa
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AveDrink some bubbles nestled in one of the many nooks, leather chairs along the maze of bookshelves. Beautiful old books for sale and a great wine list. Quiet and romantic. You'll feel smarter just for going.
We have so many breweries, I couldn't possibly name them all. Burial is, however, my favorite. So flippin' good!
331 abantu bendawo batusa
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveWe have so many breweries, I couldn't possibly name them all. Burial is, however, my favorite. So flippin' good!
The Grandfather of NC brewing and very close to Mountain Glow. Great Beer and a great place to catch some bands. I believe it closes on the early side.
349 abantu bendawo batusa
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyThe Grandfather of NC brewing and very close to Mountain Glow. Great Beer and a great place to catch some bands. I believe it closes on the early side.
Great brewery in the same spot as Bull and Beggar and Bottle Riot. Tons of outdoor seating and great beer.
285 abantu bendawo batusa
Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayGreat brewery in the same spot as Bull and Beggar and Bottle Riot. Tons of outdoor seating and great beer.
This place is now called Bottle Riot. Not sure why it won't let me change the name.... This is one of my favorite places. It is in the River Arts District just next door to Bull and Beggar. Their wine list is top notch and the staff is so welcoming and helpful. It is truly happy place. When the weather is good the will fling open the garage door and you can bask in the sun with your vino. It is just outside of down town and you can always find parking!!
35 abantu bendawo batusa
District Wine Bar
37 Paynes WayThis place is now called Bottle Riot. Not sure why it won't let me change the name.... This is one of my favorite places. It is in the River Arts District just next door to Bull and Beggar. Their wine list is top notch and the staff is so welcoming and helpful. It is truly happy place. When the weather is good the will fling open the garage door and you can bask in the sun with your vino. It is just outside of down town and you can always find parking!!
Entertainment & Activities
You could spend 2 days on the Biltmore Estate and not do everything. The house is amazing. I recommend getting the headset tour. They have an Outdoor center, bike trails, beautiful gardens, a winery and many nice eateries. It's 8000 acres right in the city limits.
1485 abantu bendawo batusa
Biltmore
1 Lodge StYou could spend 2 days on the Biltmore Estate and not do everything. The house is amazing. I recommend getting the headset tour. They have an Outdoor center, bike trails, beautiful gardens, a winery and many nice eateries. It's 8000 acres right in the city limits.
This is a great experience! Kasey and her team will arrange scavenger hunts or just an itinerary of fun for your group, highlighting the best of Asheville.
74 abantu bendawo batusa
Asheville Detours
85 W Walnut StThis is a great experience! Kasey and her team will arrange scavenger hunts or just an itinerary of fun for your group, highlighting the best of Asheville.
Arts & Culture
The Center is the only organization functioning as a catalyst for scholarly research in American craft.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Center for Craft
67 Broadway StThe Center is the only organization functioning as a catalyst for scholarly research in American craft.
You could walk to the Folk Art Center from here. At the end of Upper Grassy, take a right and immediately after you go under the parkway, turn into the back service entrance. This way, you don't have to go a couple of miles around the way of the Parkway entrance.
255 abantu bendawo batusa
The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyYou could walk to the Folk Art Center from here. At the end of Upper Grassy, take a right and immediately after you go under the parkway, turn into the back service entrance. This way, you don't have to go a couple of miles around the way of the Parkway entrance.
Head down to the RAD and check out all the cool artists where they create. Glass blowers, potters, painters, metal workers, etc... Check out my favorite shop- Splurge. Right next to the Wedge Brewery.
700 abantu bendawo batusa
Isifunda saseRiver Arts
3 River Arts PlHead down to the RAD and check out all the cool artists where they create. Glass blowers, potters, painters, metal workers, etc... Check out my favorite shop- Splurge. Right next to the Wedge Brewery.
This is a great museum paying homage to this great author who called Asheville home.
110 abantu bendawo batusa
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
52 N Market StThis is a great museum paying homage to this great author who called Asheville home.
Newly renovated world class art museum. We are so proud of this place. Go get inspired!
158 abantu bendawo batusa
Asheville Art Museum
2 S Pack SquareNewly renovated world class art museum. We are so proud of this place. Go get inspired!
Essentials
Ingles Markets Inc
550 NC-9Ingles is great for the staples.
Whole Foods Market
70 Merrimon AveParks & Nature
I-Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyGreat views. Right on the Parkway.
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayWaterfalls! It's a long drive, but lovely places to hike and bike.
624 abantu bendawo batusa
Dupont State Forest
Staton RoadWaterfalls! It's a long drive, but lovely places to hike and bike.
Bent Creek
Great for hiking and biking! Hit the HardTimes Trail head.
INorth Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayGreat walking trails and beautiful gardens.
Sightseeing
Gorgeous Basilica with the largest unsupported dome in the country. Beautiful.
53 abantu bendawo batusa
Basilica of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
97 Haywood StGorgeous Basilica with the largest unsupported dome in the country. Beautiful.