I’ve been to Asheville a few times and love love love the small-town hippy feel of the cute, buzzing city surrounded by gorgeous mountains.
Here are some of our favorite Asheville Finds (which I’ve updated over the past few years):
Asheville Brewery Tours
I didn’t think I liked draft beer until I went on this 3-hour walking tour of three different amazing breweries (Lexington Avenue Brewery, Wicked Weed Brewing and Green Man Brewing) with Asheville Brewery Tours. Some of the beers we tried included chili coconut ale, saisons and orange ale. I would highly recommend this tour because you really get to explore a few (of the 15 plus) craft breweries in the area, learn about beer making and all of the cool stuff that’s happening with brews in Asheville.
Wicked Weed Brewing
I mentioned this above, but I didn’t mention how great their food AND their beer is. This place has it all. Pretzels with local mustard, Green Curry Chicken Salad on Naan Bread and a glass of Mosaic Saison…yes, please!
The Funkatorium
Whenever this Wicked Weed sour beer spot opened a year or so ago, we just happened to be in Asheville and got to go on opening day. Since then, it’s been one of my favorite places to get a fruity, puckery and complex beer. Aaaah!
Sierra Nevada Brewery
This is the somewhat-new brewery on the scene, and boy has it made an entrance. The massive brewery is 20 minutes or so outside of Asheville, tucked in the mountains with a beautiful Willy Wonka-like brewing area, taproom, huge outdoor area with an amphitheater and trails. The food, beer and atmosphere are a great combo!
Hole
Bon Appetit magazine recently named Hole’s glazed donut their favorite donut of the year, and I can’t argue with that. It’s worth the trek to West Asheville to check out this hipster hole in the wall where you can see your donut go from flour to dough to fried and glazed sweetness right before your eyes. Think donut meets funnel cake with a good mix of sweet and salty. They have a few creative flavors in addition to the classic glazed.
White Duck Taco Shop
From Thai tofu tacos to the most delicious fish tacos to homemade queso, this place always knocks our socks off. The prices are good, the salsas are homemade and the combinations of flavors in the tacos are incredibly creative and tasty.
Buxton Hall BBQ
There’s a new BBQ place in Asheville, and it’s got some pretty great eats and drinks (and desserts). From the massive fried chicken sandwich with pimento cheese, American cheese, white bbq sauce and pickles to the tasty sides of mashed root vegetables and gravy and collards, Buxton Hall has your BBQ favorites with a modern flare.
Edison at the Omni Grove Park Inn
The food, beer and views at this special bar and restaurant at the beautiful and unique Omni Grove Park Inn were quite a treat. Eating here also offers a fun excuse to snoop around the hotel, as well.
FILO Pastries
We had a nice, sweet breakfast at FILO and a great cup of coffee and tea when we visited a few years ago. Jason tried the beignets, and I dug into a homemade blueberry muffin.
Empire Lounge
We stopped at this snazzy but comfortable bar/lounge to enjoy their fabulous wine selection, creative cocktails and yummy bites. I might be embarrassed to admit that I had a glass of red wine and homemade banana chocolate chip ice cream.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
This place is probably exactly what you’re picturing, if you’re imagining a fancier coffee shop with lots of seats for people to eat and drink a variety of handmade chocolate and sweet concoctions. Recent update: They’ve got a new fancy location in downtown (with a separate ice cream shop if there are long lines at the main location).
Curate
Our feast at Curate tapas bar, whose chef has been nominated for a James Beard Award, was one of our favorite meals. The friendly service, fun atmosphere and dozens of mouthwatering choices at affordable prices made this a fabulous dining experience. We picked 5 tapas that were delivered to us throughout our meal; these included an amazing Spanish cheese plate (along with a cherry compote), olives, patatas bravas, shrimp with garlic and lamb skewers with Moorish spices.
I’m SO glad that I only live four hours away from this town!
Do you have any favorite places to go or eat in Asheville?