Our Local Go-Tos
Coffee
Odd's Cafe
800 Haywood RdNearby coffee shop, one of our favorites. NY bagels.
Ultra Coffeebar
242 Clingman Ave ExtCloseby and will get you driving through River Arts District.
Special place with beignets, food, and coffee right at the gorgeous Grove Arcade. (Long-ish wait if busy)
12 locals recommend
Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffeehouse
1 Page AveSpecial place with beignets, food, and coffee right at the gorgeous Grove Arcade. (Long-ish wait if busy)
Izzy's Coffee Den
74 N Lexington AveNice little spot will get you downtown on Lexington.
Liberty House Coffee and Café
221 S Liberty StNice outdoor area.
Starbucks
62 Charlotte StDrive-through!
HomeGrown (West)
219 Amboy RdWest End Bakery & Café
757 Haywood RdBreakfast
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdThe original. Go early to avoid the line.
Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall StGreat breakfast spot nearby.
Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdLegendary and very popular spot.
West End Bakery & Café
757 Haywood RdAmazing fresh pastries, bread, and Espresso drinks!
Lunch & Dinner
Make reservations for dinner!
Nine Mile West is close by in West Asheville. Vibrant dinner environment but lunch is a better bang for the buck. Their signature dish at the West Asheville location is called Rock Steady - go for it!
589 locals recommend
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveNine Mile West is close by in West Asheville. Vibrant dinner environment but lunch is a better bang for the buck. Their signature dish at the West Asheville location is called Rock Steady - go for it!
Great atmosphere, absolutely delicious ramen and tapas! Professional waitstaff.
49 locals recommend
Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas
630 Haywood RdGreat atmosphere, absolutely delicious ramen and tapas! Professional waitstaff.
Foggy Mountain Brew Pub
12 Church StAward winning wings.
Big time local favorite. Rocky's features high quality chicken and plentiful sides. It looks like a chain from its great branding but it's totally local.
137 locals recommend
Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack
1455 Patton AvenueBig time local favorite. Rocky's features high quality chicken and plentiful sides. It looks like a chain from its great branding but it's totally local.
The Admiral
400 Haywood RdCement block hovel from the outside, world class food inside!
Legendary downtown Asheville gem, a Carribean-Mexican fusion. House made hot sauces and combinations you never knew possible. Try the Slow Roasted Pork in a Wooden Pilon bowl.
170 locals recommend
Salsa's
6 Patton AveLegendary downtown Asheville gem, a Carribean-Mexican fusion. House made hot sauces and combinations you never knew possible. Try the Slow Roasted Pork in a Wooden Pilon bowl.
Cúrate
13 Biltmore AveFood so great, Gordon Ramsey would blush!
Hemingway's Cuba Restaurant & Bar
15 Page AveAmazing view, huge outdoor patio!
12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StThis place is well known!
The Original Papa Nicks
15 College St20 mins north in Mars Hill but absolutely worth it!
Taqueria Muñoz
1438 Patton AveNo frills authentic Mexican restaurant – teleport to Mexico!
Greenteasushi Japanese Restaurant
2 Regent Park BlvdBest sushi in Asheville. Not saying much!
Simple Cafe & Juice Bar
643 Haywood RdFresh fresh fresh!
Like a locally owned Whole Foods, has lots of food, including prepared food.
172 locals recommend
Earth Fare
66 Westgate PkwyLike a locally owned Whole Foods, has lots of food, including prepared food.
Island Pan
3 South Tunnel RoadAmazing Jamaican food at the Food Court at the mall. Who would have known?
Haywood Common
507 Haywood RdAwesome Cobb salad, food, and great drinks!
Dessert
Good luck picking just one item from all that is created in this tiny space. All outstanding but the key lime pie is tops.
102 locals recommend
Old Europe Pastries
18 Broadway StGood luck picking just one item from all that is created in this tiny space. All outstanding but the key lime pie is tops.
Vortex Doughnuts
32 Banks AveDark chocolate CAKE STYLE donut is divine.
Intense chocolate indulgence. Busy at night – always a line!
363 locals recommend
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareIntense chocolate indulgence. Busy at night – always a line!
Legendary confectionary – see the incredible sweets made right in front of you. Highest quality candy apples, fudge, ice cream, and more.
10 locals recommend
Kilwin's Chocolates Fudge and Ice Cream
26 Battery Park AveLegendary confectionary – see the incredible sweets made right in front of you. Highest quality candy apples, fudge, ice cream, and more.
Probably the best locally made ice cream. Belgian Chocolate is the star. Freshly made cones and friendly workers.
73 locals recommend
Ultimate Ice Cream Company
195 Charlotte StProbably the best locally made ice cream. Belgian Chocolate is the star. Freshly made cones and friendly workers.
Amazing donuts in the basement of a gorgeous historic skyscraper! When all the breakfast places in Asheville have hour long waits - Underground Café is a solid choice.
6 locals recommend
The Underground Cafe with DoughP Doughnuts
22 S Pack SquareAmazing donuts in the basement of a gorgeous historic skyscraper! When all the breakfast places in Asheville have hour long waits - Underground Café is a solid choice.
Famous place, I have been asked to add it to my guidebook. See how you like it!
231 locals recommend
Hole Doughnuts
168 Haywood RdFamous place, I have been asked to add it to my guidebook. See how you like it!
Carnival-tier unhealthy indulgence at this drive-through. It is not Frostbite anymore, it is called 10th Muse Comfort Food.
Frostbite Ice Cream
1475 Patton AveCarnival-tier unhealthy indulgence at this drive-through. It is not Frostbite anymore, it is called 10th Muse Comfort Food.
Breweries
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveBest brewery, maybe anywhere.
Great outdoor seating at this nearby popular brewery. Usually a food truck, too.
285 locals recommend
Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayGreat outdoor seating at this nearby popular brewery. Usually a food truck, too.
Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WayThe big daddy!
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StThe bigger big daddy!
Super popular with travelers – a tad too crowded for this local!
478 locals recommend
Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
91 Biltmore AveSuper popular with travelers – a tad too crowded for this local!
The Whale
507 Haywood RdThe Whale has all the best local beer and is nearby.
French Broad Brewery
101 Fairview RdLocal pizza and beer in a relaxing environment.
Haven’t been there in a while but closeby location and great beer!
49 locals recommend
One World Brewing
520 Haywood RdHaven’t been there in a while but closeby location and great beer!
The Funkatorium
147 Coxe AveSour beer aged in barrels. Wow!
Dssolvr
63 N Lexington AveIndustrial looking brewery/bar downtown. Cool!
Bold Rock Hard Cider
72 School House RdLittle further out, more like a country spot!
Original Asheville Brewery – also a new location downtown in the S&W Cafeteria.
349 locals recommend
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyOriginal Asheville Brewery – also a new location downtown in the S&W Cafeteria.
Sightseeing
Chimney Rock State Park
431 Main St
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyPisgah National Forest
Incredible view and feeling from the highest point east of the Mississippi! Drive all the way up the mountain and a quick hike takes you to the top. There are other gorgeous trails up there, too.
414 locals recommend
Mount Mitchell State Park
2388 NC-128Incredible view and feeling from the highest point east of the Mississippi! Drive all the way up the mountain and a quick hike takes you to the top. There are other gorgeous trails up there, too.
Max Patch
Max Patch RoadThe one and only.
Parks & Nature
Check the web listings for park and waterfall closures before taking a voyage – summer floods did a number on some places!
Awesome company rents out kayaks and such, has three locations along the river and will shuttle you around as needed. This Hominy Creek location is right down the road, has food, drink, music, and a chill vibe!
23 locals recommend
French Broad Outfitters - Hominy Creek
230 Hominy Creek RdAwesome company rents out kayaks and such, has three locations along the river and will shuttle you around as needed. This Hominy Creek location is right down the road, has food, drink, music, and a chill vibe!
Huge local park near the river with velodrome, hockey rink, beach volleyball, basketball, more.
159 locals recommend
Carrier Park
220 Amboy RdHuge local park near the river with velodrome, hockey rink, beach volleyball, basketball, more.
Check the web first – recent flooding closed off the path (though you can still see the waterfall from the road)
320 locals recommend
Looking Glass Falls
U.S. 276Check the web first – recent flooding closed off the path (though you can still see the waterfall from the road)
Panthertown Valley Trailhead - Public Access
Breedlove RoadHooker Falls Access Area
Hard Times Trailhead
375 Wesley Branch RdEasy and relaxing trail close to home!
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayPearson's Falls
Quick hike to some truly special private falls.