Guidebook for Asheville
Essentials
This local chain has both regular and organic selections, with a super salad bar!
42 locals recommend
Ingles Market
1865 Hendersonville RdThis local chain has both regular and organic selections, with a super salad bar!
Earth Fare
66 Westgate PkwyGreat selection of organic foods, plus a buffet and eating area.
Food Scene
Papa's & Beer
17 Tunnel RdThe best guacamole you'll ever taste, prepared fresh at your table.
French Fryz
2109 Hendersonville RdRumored to have the best shakes/malts in Asheville. Their burgers are pretty good too.
Certified "green" organic restaurant; yummy selections. Open 8am - 7pm.
24 locals recommend
Green Sage Café South
1800 Hendersonville RdCertified "green" organic restaurant; yummy selections. Open 8am - 7pm.
Stone Bowl Korean Restaurant
1987 Hendersonville RdKorean fare in a classically simple setting.
Authentic East Indian cuisine - one of my favorites!
15 locals recommend
Cinnamon Kitchen Indian Cuisine
1838 Hendersonville RdAuthentic East Indian cuisine - one of my favorites!
Located in Biltmore Park, you can enjoy a sumptuous meal before or after exploring the shops.
11 locals recommend
P.F. Chang's
26 Schenck PkwyLocated in Biltmore Park, you can enjoy a sumptuous meal before or after exploring the shops.
Carolina Mountain Bakery
1950 Hendersonville RdWhat's not to like? Great reviews.
Iannucci's Pizzeria and Italian
1981 Hendersonville RdGreat Pizza!
Reputed to be among the best for BBQ, and sister to the 12 Bones that President Obama frequents on his visits to Asheville.
91 locals recommend
12 Bones Smokehouse SOUTH
2350 Hendersonville RdReputed to be among the best for BBQ, and sister to the 12 Bones that President Obama frequents on his visits to Asheville.
Sol Y Luna
1636 Hendersonville RdCali-Mex cuisine and bar with a 92% approval rating.
Panera Bread
1843 Hendersonville RdGreat selection of paninis and soups.
Great place to watch the world go by as you enjoy one of their 80+ local brews. Food's good too!
478 locals recommend
Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
91 Biltmore AveGreat place to watch the world go by as you enjoy one of their 80+ local brews. Food's good too!
No visit to Asheville is complete without checking out this unique bar/restaurant, with great pizza besides!
81 locals recommend
Mellow Mushroom
50 Broadway StNo visit to Asheville is complete without checking out this unique bar/restaurant, with great pizza besides!
Mayfel's
22 College StAwesome food and right downtown.
Twisted Crepe
62 Haywood StThis little shops features both savoury and sweet crepes, yummm.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareChocolate!
Bouchon
62 N Lexington AveFrench comfort food, elegantly served.
You should at least step inside to see the lovely stonework and art displays. This is a hotel/bar/restaurant.
7 locals recommend
Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Autograph Collection
11 Boston WayYou should at least step inside to see the lovely stonework and art displays. This is a hotel/bar/restaurant.
Dobra Tea
78 N Lexington AveWonderful tea house right downtown.
Authentic and delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Owner Farouk Badr brings recipes from his homeland- allowing you to transport your senses to faraway lands.
Serving lunch and dinner six days a week plus Saturday and Sunday brunch! Live music and bellydancing every Friday and Saturday night!
74 locals recommend
Jerusalem Garden Café
78 Patton AveAuthentic and delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Owner Farouk Badr brings recipes from his homeland- allowing you to transport your senses to faraway lands.
Serving lunch and dinner six days a week plus Saturday and Sunday brunch! Live music and bellydancing every Friday and Saturday night!
Known for farm to table cuisine; awesome hamburger, among other things!
151 locals recommend
Farm Burger Asheville
10 Patton AveKnown for farm to table cuisine; awesome hamburger, among other things!
What's more awesome than enjoying a great cup of coffee with something sweet - in a double-decker bus downtown! A must see in Asheville. Bring CASH.
40 locals recommend
Double D's Coffee & Desserts
41 Biltmore AveWhat's more awesome than enjoying a great cup of coffee with something sweet - in a double-decker bus downtown! A must see in Asheville. Bring CASH.
Small cafe nestled in a corner of the River Arts District. Local hangout.
71 locals recommend
Ultra Coffeebar
242 Clingman Ave ExtSmall cafe nestled in a corner of the River Arts District. Local hangout.
Vegetarian/vegan for lunch. Food doesn't come quickly, but it's almost always worth it.
161 locals recommend
Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall StVegetarian/vegan for lunch. Food doesn't come quickly, but it's almost always worth it.
Moderatly priced, great views of square, right in the heart of downtown, and the foods always good.
27 locals recommend
The Noodle Shop
3 SW Pack SqModeratly priced, great views of square, right in the heart of downtown, and the foods always good.
Arts & Culture
Carolina Cinemas
1640 Hendersonville RdJust down the road if you've a hankering for a movie out.
An Asheville must-do! Friday evenings, weather permitting, experience the African-drumming circle that's been going since 2001. 6 - 10pm.
73 locals recommend
Pritchard Park
67 Patton AveAn Asheville must-do! Friday evenings, weather permitting, experience the African-drumming circle that's been going since 2001. 6 - 10pm.
For the more "artsy" films visit this lovely old downtown theater.
113 locals recommend
Fine Arts Theater
36 Biltmore AveFor the more "artsy" films visit this lovely old downtown theater.
Tour the warehouses where dozens of local artists have their studios.
700 locals recommend
River Arts District
3 River Arts PlTour the warehouses where dozens of local artists have their studios.
Nostalgia returns to one of Asheville's historic landmarks, "F.W. Woolworth," established in 1938 and restored in 2001 as an extensive local artist gallery. It now also boasts a fully operational Old Fashioned Soda Fountain built to resemble the original Woolworth Luncheonette.
103 locals recommend
Woolworth Walk
25 Haywood StNostalgia returns to one of Asheville's historic landmarks, "F.W. Woolworth," established in 1938 and restored in 2001 as an extensive local artist gallery. It now also boasts a fully operational Old Fashioned Soda Fountain built to resemble the original Woolworth Luncheonette.
Sightseeing
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayA lovely place to walk the trails.
This is a must see for a view of the many art forms from local artists, in a setting right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
255 locals recommend
The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyThis is a must see for a view of the many art forms from local artists, in a setting right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Visitors are welcome at this moorish-looking cathedral right on the edge of Biltmore Village.
Cathedral Of All Souls
9 Swan StVisitors are welcome at this moorish-looking cathedral right on the edge of Biltmore Village.
At the Visitor Center, pick up a map for a walking tour of Asheville. Guides you to over a dozen historic spots, each marked with a plaque plus a piece of statuary. A great way to explore the town!
31 locals recommend
Asheville Visitor Center
36 Montford AveAt the Visitor Center, pick up a map for a walking tour of Asheville. Guides you to over a dozen historic spots, each marked with a plaque plus a piece of statuary. A great way to explore the town!
"Completed in 1909, the Basilica of St. Lawrence D.M. is one of Asheville's architectural treasures and spiritual anchors. Designed by Rafael Gustavino and Richard Sharpe Smith, renowned architects on the Biltmore House, this Catholic church has the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the country. Located at 97 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville, it is open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM. Designated as a pilgrimage site by the Diocese of Charlotte."
53 locals recommend
Basilica of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
97 Haywood St"Completed in 1909, the Basilica of St. Lawrence D.M. is one of Asheville's architectural treasures and spiritual anchors. Designed by Rafael Gustavino and Richard Sharpe Smith, renowned architects on the Biltmore House, this Catholic church has the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the country. Located at 97 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville, it is open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM. Designated as a pilgrimage site by the Diocese of Charlotte."
The bookstore itself is beautiful. Floor to ceiling books and open spaces and quiet nooks for socializing and reading. And the furniture is mixed and matched and very comfortable. PLUS dogs are welcome, and there's a champagne/wine/dessert bar. You can spend hours exploring.
191 locals recommend
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AveThe bookstore itself is beautiful. Floor to ceiling books and open spaces and quiet nooks for socializing and reading. And the furniture is mixed and matched and very comfortable. PLUS dogs are welcome, and there's a champagne/wine/dessert bar. You can spend hours exploring.
A 19th-century planned community with English ambience near the Biltmore Estate. Its charming outdoor setting presents a delightful assortment of shops proffering everything from yarns to antiques to jewelry
225 locals recommend
Biltmore Village
A 19th-century planned community with English ambience near the Biltmore Estate. Its charming outdoor setting presents a delightful assortment of shops proffering everything from yarns to antiques to jewelry
Historic elegance from an older era. Book a day at the spa and stay in the historic section of the inn, or just park and explore this stunningly beautiful stone hotel, located just north of Asheville.
37 locals recommend
Grove Park Inn at Sammons Building station
Historic elegance from an older era. Book a day at the spa and stay in the historic section of the inn, or just park and explore this stunningly beautiful stone hotel, located just north of Asheville.
Shopping
Discount Shoes
1263 Brevard RdGreat selection of name brand shoes, in sizes to fit most.
Aside from a fine collection of drums, rattles, and other musical instruments, the owner has a marvelous collection of Tibetan music bowls and will give you a private concert if you've never heard one.
Skinny Beats Drum Shop
4 Eagle StAside from a fine collection of drums, rattles, and other musical instruments, the owner has a marvelous collection of Tibetan music bowls and will give you a private concert if you've never heard one.
For a great selection of lightly used clothing, jewelry, art pieces, etc.
8 locals recommend
LuLu's Consignment Boutique
3699 Hendersonville RdFor a great selection of lightly used clothing, jewelry, art pieces, etc.
On the small size, but a great selection of used items, mostly clothing, in a bright and well-organized space.
Serendipity Consignment
2292 Hendersonville RdOn the small size, but a great selection of used items, mostly clothing, in a bright and well-organized space.
Lots of specialty shops and art and fine craft galleries join with restaurants to create an easily walkable mall of sorts, right downtown.
203 locals recommend
Grove Arcade
1 Page AveLots of specialty shops and art and fine craft galleries join with restaurants to create an easily walkable mall of sorts, right downtown.
Smiley’s Flea Market is located in Fletcher, North Carolina and is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. This flea market, which has about 100,000 square feet of retail space, attracts hundreds of dealers and thousands of visitors from the Mid-Atlantic area. Smiley’s Flea Market features new and used merchandise as well as antiques, vintage collectibles, paintings, artwork, vintage pottery and glass.
9 locals recommend
Smiley's Flea Market
5360 Hendersonville RdSmiley’s Flea Market is located in Fletcher, North Carolina and is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. This flea market, which has about 100,000 square feet of retail space, attracts hundreds of dealers and thousands of visitors from the Mid-Atlantic area. Smiley’s Flea Market features new and used merchandise as well as antiques, vintage collectibles, paintings, artwork, vintage pottery and glass.
Everything Else
This park runs for several miles along the French Broad River - great for bicycling or walking.
110 locals recommend
French Broad River Park
508 Riverview DrThis park runs for several miles along the French Broad River - great for bicycling or walking.
Parks & Nature
Check out the arboretum at Warren Wilson College on the north side of town. Bonsai, trails with labeled native plants, and several original log cabins can be seen here.
50 locals recommend
Warren Wilson College
701 Warren Wilson RdCheck out the arboretum at Warren Wilson College on the north side of town. Bonsai, trails with labeled native plants, and several original log cabins can be seen here.
Paths run along the French Broad River, under lovely old trees. There's also a track for jogging.
159 locals recommend
Carrier Park
220 Amboy RdPaths run along the French Broad River, under lovely old trees. There's also a track for jogging.