YOU MUST TRY IT.Our favorite Asheville spots
There are so many great things to do, see, eat and drink in Asheville. We hope you can build your own adventure while you visit. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started.
We’d love to meet up with you while you’re in the area, too! Check out our itinerary to see where we will be, and reach out if you’d like to do something else together.
NOTE!
Asheville and Western NC are suffering from major destruction from Hurricane Helene. Many of these businesses and sites are in current recovery efforts. Please check their websites and social media before making plans.
BREAKFAST/COFFEE-
Fabulous breakfast, coffee and smoothies in the historic Montford neighborhood. Website.
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Come for a latte, leave with a bouquet. Website.
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THE place to get donuts in West Asheville. The line is always long - great to order online and pickup. Website.
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Delicious bread, pastries and baked treats. Prepare for long lines. Website.
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Perfect spot to cozy up with some tea. We like the downtown location. Website.
CASUAL FOOD-
Funky spot for Indian street food. Chai Pani is extremely popular and they don't take reservations - prepare to get there early, or stand in a line that goes around the block. Website.
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You can't visit western NC without trying some western-style BBQ. Luella's is great for a quick lunch. Try the banana pudding! Website.
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Bear's BBQ is also great! The portions are huge. They have two locations in Asheville. Website.
FANCIER FOOD-
2024 Food & Wine Best New Chef! The food and drinks are incredible. It's a popular and small spot - reservations open up 30 days in advance. Website.
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Yummy food. Plant-y atmosphere. Part of a great brewery group. Go on a Sunday night for their "Cease and Desist" dinners where they riff off popular restaurant chains. Website.
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Delicious tapas in Spanish style. Their "Spanish Experience" tasting menu is so so good. Definitely get the sangria. Website.
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Fun and cozy spot in West Asheville. Website.
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Super sophisticated Italian food in downtown Asheville. Website.
BREWERIES-
We love this ginger beer brewery. They craft very tasty seasonal flavors. Website.
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New Belgium has a huge location that overlooks the French Broad river. Tons of space to hang out. You can book brewery productions tours, too. Website.
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Great neighborhood bar right in the River Arts District. We like stopping in for a drink and snack between wandering the art studios. Website.
COCKTAILSATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO-
The River Arts District is a large collection of artist studios, shops, and breweries along the French Broad River. This area was hit hardest from Hurricane Helene and some parts were completely destroyed. For the studios and shops that are still open, it’s worth exploring the area to support the artists and find some art to take home as a souvenir! Website.
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Visit America's largest home created for George Vanderbilt. Tickets are required to visit any part of the estate, but there are many options of different pricing or home/grounds access. Riley and Sophie are taking the Candlelight Christmas tour on 12/28 at 6:15pm if you'd like to find tickets close in time! Website.
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This trolley tour is a fantastic way to see the major sites of Asheville and learn more historic background. You can either ride once from start to finish, or for $5 more, get a hop-on/hop-off ticket that lasts two days. Great way to get around Asheville! We are taking the overview tour on Saturday, 12/28 - Join us! Website.
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See the participants of the National Gingerbread House Competition! The Grove Park Inn is a historic hotel also worth visiting. Public viewing is open after 6pm Monday-Thursdays and Sundays.
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Citizen Vinyl is a great record shop with used and new vinyl. They also offer tours of their pressing factory and studio. Website.
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Still beautiful in the winter! Website.
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Right in the middle of downtown Asheville. Main collections are 20th and 21st century American art. Website.
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Beautiful historic church in downtown Asheville. Visiting hours (outside of mass times) are on Mondays from 11am-12pm. Join us for Sunday mass! We'll be there Sunday, 12/29 at 9am. Website
SHOPPING-
Asheville is filled with talented artisans in many trades - custom glass blowing is a big one! Lexington Glassworks has a great set up for watching the artists create glass, and talking to them about their process. Highly recommend stopping in. Website
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Small Batch Glass is another great glass studio - we love their drinkware! Right across the street from New Belgium Brewery. Website
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Awesome vintage shop with a lot of midcentury art and decor. They just reopened into a new location after the hurricane. Website
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Amazing records store. Great staff!! Website
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Beautiful historic building in downtown Asheville. Definitely visit for a walk through. There are lots of little specialty shops within it for browsing! Website