Guidebook for Asheville
Food Scene
HomeGrown
371 Merrimon AveIt's delicious and well priced!
They have the best lunch buffet available for about $13. this place is gorgeous and full of delicous food and drink options.
191 locals recommend
Mela Indian Restaurant
70 N Lexington AveThey have the best lunch buffet available for about $13. this place is gorgeous and full of delicous food and drink options.
When I first started visiting Asheville five years ago, this was almost an immediate stop soon after entering Buncombe County. It's true that there's almost always a wait at both of their AVL locations, but I think it's worth it. Even if all you get are biscuits, you won't be disappointed with it or their jam and sauce bar. But you gotta get there before 2 and they're closed on Mondays. Their Biltmore Ave location is closer to us, a two minute drive, but their Haywood spot is group and family friendlier, and you can walk West Asheville area attractions.
472 locals recommend
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdWhen I first started visiting Asheville five years ago, this was almost an immediate stop soon after entering Buncombe County. It's true that there's almost always a wait at both of their AVL locations, but I think it's worth it. Even if all you get are biscuits, you won't be disappointed with it or their jam and sauce bar. But you gotta get there before 2 and they're closed on Mondays. Their Biltmore Ave location is closer to us, a two minute drive, but their Haywood spot is group and family friendlier, and you can walk West Asheville area attractions.
This place has a mix of South Asian foods. They're super friendly, very low key and reasonably priced. It's also just a beautiful venue.
25 locals recommend
Kathmandu Kitchen
90 Patton AveThis place has a mix of South Asian foods. They're super friendly, very low key and reasonably priced. It's also just a beautiful venue.
Definitely authentic Mexican food options and that is a lot harder to find than you would think here in Asheville. Leave your attitudes at the door, this is a no frills kind of place, but well maintained, absolutely delicious food and generally helpful and friendly service. The prices are always low for their caliber of food and plates are well portioned. We always have leftovers.
9 locals recommend
Tacos Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
1328 Patton AveDefinitely authentic Mexican food options and that is a lot harder to find than you would think here in Asheville. Leave your attitudes at the door, this is a no frills kind of place, but well maintained, absolutely delicious food and generally helpful and friendly service. The prices are always low for their caliber of food and plates are well portioned. We always have leftovers.
This is an employee owned coffee lounge and bookstore. People here are always happy and friendly, and able to guide you to great books and delicious drinks or snacks. Many of their food options are vegan or vegetarian, but just as good as regular folks food
21 locals recommend
Firestorm Books & Coffee
1022 Haywood RdThis is an employee owned coffee lounge and bookstore. People here are always happy and friendly, and able to guide you to great books and delicious drinks or snacks. Many of their food options are vegan or vegetarian, but just as good as regular folks food
These guys are the greatest. Their food is made with love and handled with care. The Cuban breakfast sandwich ... Yes, please. Great smoothies and juices, always greeted with a warm and friendly smile and their pricing is excellent for someone on a budget.
This is not a touristy place. This is a locals local spot so please keep that in mind before trying to turn it into something else.
20 locals recommend
Tiger Bay Cafe
373 Haywood RdThese guys are the greatest. Their food is made with love and handled with care. The Cuban breakfast sandwich ... Yes, please. Great smoothies and juices, always greeted with a warm and friendly smile and their pricing is excellent for someone on a budget.
This is not a touristy place. This is a locals local spot so please keep that in mind before trying to turn it into something else.
Excellent coffee, great atmosphere, no frills and super laid back. Free wifi and a good amount of seating options both indoors and out.
109 locals recommend
BattleCat Coffee Bar
373 Haywood RdExcellent coffee, great atmosphere, no frills and super laid back. Free wifi and a good amount of seating options both indoors and out.
Best specialty wood fired pizza in town. Everything is spot on! And dog friendly! This is walking distance to us, less than five minutes.
17 locals recommend
Fresh Wood Fired Pizza West
342 Depot StBest specialty wood fired pizza in town. Everything is spot on! And dog friendly! This is walking distance to us, less than five minutes.
They've got a nice bar area and great food. It's a bit pricey, but the food is good and the location itself is stellar. A minutes walk from us!
21 locals recommend
The Junction
348 Depot StThey've got a nice bar area and great food. It's a bit pricey, but the food is good and the location itself is stellar. A minutes walk from us!
Standard Pizza Co.
631 Haywood RdNine Mile
233 Montford AveThe Hop West
721 Haywood RdOdd's Cafe
800 Haywood RdBuffalo Nickel
747 Haywood RdDel Vecchios
333 Merrimon AveBest Brooklyn style pizza around.
King Daddy's Chicken and Waffle
444 Haywood RdWest Asheville Lounge and Kitchen
401 Haywood RdWNC Farmers Market
570 Brevard RdRiver Arts District Farmers Market
350 Riverside DriveChina Taste
202 State StFrench Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareBen's Tune Up
195 Hilliard AveTwin Leaf Brewery
144 Coxe AveAsheville Brewing Company
77 Coxe AveDrinks & Nightlife
They have great snacks and bar food. They have a second level with games and family fun stuff along with two outside areas with seating and lounging.
It's an experience :).
23 locals recommend
Pour Taproom: Closed For Repairs
2 Hendersonville RdThey have great snacks and bar food. They have a second level with games and family fun stuff along with two outside areas with seating and lounging.
It's an experience :).
One of the gayest bars and clubs in town! I love this place. Everyone is usually warm and friendly with just a dash of worldly cynicism. Perfect.
The bartenders, Lisa and Alicia, are super sweet and just rad. Tip your bartenders! They host different events most nights and have a club space in their back room. Pool tables (3), skeeball (yes!), darts, and a back-in-the-day Mrs.Pacman arcade game!
O. Henry's
237 Haywood StOne of the gayest bars and clubs in town! I love this place. Everyone is usually warm and friendly with just a dash of worldly cynicism. Perfect.
The bartenders, Lisa and Alicia, are super sweet and just rad. Tip your bartenders! They host different events most nights and have a club space in their back room. Pool tables (3), skeeball (yes!), darts, and a back-in-the-day Mrs.Pacman arcade game!
Awesome, just awesome. An unintentional dive bar with great tunes, artsy people and a great outdoor space.
Warning: many of their regulars are pro-natural body odor ...
21 locals recommend
Lazy Diamond
4 Woodfin StAwesome, just awesome. An unintentional dive bar with great tunes, artsy people and a great outdoor space.
Warning: many of their regulars are pro-natural body odor ...
Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayThe Grey Eagle
185 Clingman AveThey have good food, too!
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StSalvage Station
468 Riverside DrThe Mothlight
701 Haywood RdThe Orange Peel
101 Biltmore AveThe Millroom at Asheville Brewing Co.
66 Asheland AveUrban Orchard has quickly become a favorite spot of ours. The caprese sandwich is hands down the best I've had in Asheville. We also had a cheese and meat plate to go with our flight of four cidar and drinks ... So good!
This is a very laid back kind of place. Great for a solo travel or, groups or a family, and if you have dogs, they're welcomed! There's a side yard with picnic tables, corn hole and a couple of hammocks. There's also a large outdoor seating area and plenty of indoor seating as well.
This place is simply great.
118 locals recommend
Urban Orchard Cider Co. - West
210 Haywood RdUrban Orchard has quickly become a favorite spot of ours. The caprese sandwich is hands down the best I've had in Asheville. We also had a cheese and meat plate to go with our flight of four cidar and drinks ... So good!
This is a very laid back kind of place. Great for a solo travel or, groups or a family, and if you have dogs, they're welcomed! There's a side yard with picnic tables, corn hole and a couple of hammocks. There's also a large outdoor seating area and plenty of indoor seating as well.
This place is simply great.
Parks & Nature
There are a ton of obvious parks and natural settings to go to. This one is sweet and offers a lot for a low cost. There's a nice swimming lake, a bunch of little trails that are family friendly. You can camp with yours kids or dogs or both and still enjoy this gorgeous setting. They also offer free entrance to the NC Arboretum if you hike in. And it's close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
15 locals recommend
Lake Powhatan
There are a ton of obvious parks and natural settings to go to. This one is sweet and offers a lot for a low cost. There's a nice swimming lake, a bunch of little trails that are family friendly. You can camp with yours kids or dogs or both and still enjoy this gorgeous setting. They also offer free entrance to the NC Arboretum if you hike in. And it's close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Carrier Park
220 Amboy RdFrench Broad River Park
508 Riverview DrArts & Culture
They change it up every couple of weeks. I love this place. It's free and has three gorgeous levels of varied art and artists. You can easily spend a couple of hours here or walk through while you're walking the downtown areas.
63 locals recommend
Blue Spiral 1
38 Biltmore AveThey change it up every couple of weeks. I love this place. It's free and has three gorgeous levels of varied art and artists. You can easily spend a couple of hours here or walk through while you're walking the downtown areas.
Shopping
Westgate Regional Shopping Center
Asheville Outlets
800 Brevard RdAsheville Mall
3 S Tunnel RdGetting Around
You can walk there from our place, about a 15 min walk. Any direction you go from our house, you'll eventually get to a bus stop within 10 minutes of walking.
16 locals recommend
ART Station
Asheland AvenueYou can walk there from our place, about a 15 min walk. Any direction you go from our house, you'll eventually get to a bus stop within 10 minutes of walking.
Sightseeing
Biltmore House
78 Starnes Ave