Guidebook for Asheville
Food Scene
My favorite place in Asheville, hands down. Their slogan is "the way of the mindblast" and it's so true. Try the fried okra, the bombay chili cheese fries, the sloppy jai, any of the thali plates, and if you happen to be there on a day they have Pav Bhaji, GET ON IT.
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Chai Pani Asheville
22 Battery Park AveMy favorite place in Asheville, hands down. Their slogan is "the way of the mindblast" and it's so true. Try the fried okra, the bombay chili cheese fries, the sloppy jai, any of the thali plates, and if you happen to be there on a day they have Pav Bhaji, GET ON IT.
Locally owned coffee shop that a few of my friends work at. It's small, it's quiet, it's very all about getting the caffeine juice into your system and not much else. And they always play the best music.
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Izzy's Coffee Den
74 N Lexington AveLocally owned coffee shop that a few of my friends work at. It's small, it's quiet, it's very all about getting the caffeine juice into your system and not much else. And they always play the best music.
Best Sunday brunch? Best brunch. You have to get there right as it opens (10:30 am) or there's a hellacious wait. It's tucked away off the main drag downtown, but maaaan their food? Spectacular.
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Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StBest Sunday brunch? Best brunch. You have to get there right as it opens (10:30 am) or there's a hellacious wait. It's tucked away off the main drag downtown, but maaaan their food? Spectacular.
Chocolate that is worth the wait. Don't skip the liquid truffle.
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French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareChocolate that is worth the wait. Don't skip the liquid truffle.
Can't get anything wrong on their menu. Good margs, definitely try a Zia Rita if you're into that kinda thing.
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Zia Taqueria Asheville
521 Haywood RdCan't get anything wrong on their menu. Good margs, definitely try a Zia Rita if you're into that kinda thing.
My family's from Texas, therefore I am a Texas-style BBQ fanatic. Luella's has got the best BBQ in town, hands-down, AND you don't have to wait an ungodly amount of time like you do at *cough*12 Bones or Buxton Hall*cough*. PLUS they have regular restaurant hours and a parking lot and are open for more than just lunch AND open on weekends. Imagine!
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9Round North Asheville
61 North Merrimon AvenueMy family's from Texas, therefore I am a Texas-style BBQ fanatic. Luella's has got the best BBQ in town, hands-down, AND you don't have to wait an ungodly amount of time like you do at *cough*12 Bones or Buxton Hall*cough*. PLUS they have regular restaurant hours and a parking lot and are open for more than just lunch AND open on weekends. Imagine!
Try the bangkok shrimp taco, you'll be glad you did. You can also hit up the White Duck in the RAD.
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White Duck Taco Shop Downtown
12 Biltmore AveTry the bangkok shrimp taco, you'll be glad you did. You can also hit up the White Duck in the RAD.
The first full-on vegetarian restaurant in Asheville, and still going strong. Really amazing dishes, I've been going here since I was a wee one, and it's never disappointed.
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Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall StThe first full-on vegetarian restaurant in Asheville, and still going strong. Really amazing dishes, I've been going here since I was a wee one, and it's never disappointed.
Mexicali burrito joint real close to the house. If you want a burrito the size of a newborn, this is your spot. Also try the fiesta chicken salad, it's so good!
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Urban Burrito
640 Merrimon AveMexicali burrito joint real close to the house. If you want a burrito the size of a newborn, this is your spot. Also try the fiesta chicken salad, it's so good!
I've been going here since it was an actual movie theater. Best place to hang out as a tween/teen/underager because of the game room and cheap movies. Best pizza. Best local beer in a can. Best everything. AND THEY DELIVER TO MY HOUSE. APBC is a staple of my Asheville life.
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Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co
675 Merrimon AveI've been going here since it was an actual movie theater. Best place to hang out as a tween/teen/underager because of the game room and cheap movies. Best pizza. Best local beer in a can. Best everything. AND THEY DELIVER TO MY HOUSE. APBC is a staple of my Asheville life.
Standard Pizza Co.
631 Haywood RdCHEAP AF PIZZA SLICES. Need I say more?
Our first and only Ethiopian restaurant. It's not as good as Dukem in DC, but it'll cure what ails ya.
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Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant
48 Commerce StOur first and only Ethiopian restaurant. It's not as good as Dukem in DC, but it'll cure what ails ya.
The only Japanese restaurant in town owned and operated by a Japanese person. It's really small and intimate but very delicious and during the week they have 1/2 off saké .
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Heiwa Shokudo
87 N Lexington AveThe only Japanese restaurant in town owned and operated by a Japanese person. It's really small and intimate but very delicious and during the week they have 1/2 off saké .
It's like Voodoo Doughnuts in PDX, but better, because there's not a horrific wait AND all the flavors actually taste spectacular.
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Vortex Doughnuts
32 Banks AveIt's like Voodoo Doughnuts in PDX, but better, because there's not a horrific wait AND all the flavors actually taste spectacular.
Drinks & Nightlife
I'm not biased because my friend owns this joint. It's the small little private goth bar that could, since the Jolie Rouge has gone the way of the dinosaur. It's a great place to read a book in peace & quiet in the early afternoon. It's a nice little home for us weirdos.
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The Crow & Quill
106 N Lexington AveI'm not biased because my friend owns this joint. It's the small little private goth bar that could, since the Jolie Rouge has gone the way of the dinosaur. It's a great place to read a book in peace & quiet in the early afternoon. It's a nice little home for us weirdos.
Great people work there. Cheap beer, cheap drinks, loud music. Guy who owns this place also owns the Double Crown in west Asheville. Dirty cheap hipstery punk anti-establishment crowd.
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Lazy Diamond
4 Woodfin StGreat people work there. Cheap beer, cheap drinks, loud music. Guy who owns this place also owns the Double Crown in west Asheville. Dirty cheap hipstery punk anti-establishment crowd.
Owned by the same guy who owns the Lazy D downtown. They gots the county music night, the karaoke night, good bands, really unique groups that come through, cheap beer, cheap mixed drinks.
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The Double Crown
375 Haywood RdOwned by the same guy who owns the Lazy D downtown. They gots the county music night, the karaoke night, good bands, really unique groups that come through, cheap beer, cheap mixed drinks.
Nightbell
32 S Lexington AveWhen you wanna feel fancy AF and hurt your wallet.
Amazing cocktails, amazing small plates, really unique apothecary-cum-upscale bar. I'm just sad Thistle the bartender is gone.
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Sovereign Remedies
29 N Market StAmazing cocktails, amazing small plates, really unique apothecary-cum-upscale bar. I'm just sad Thistle the bartender is gone.
My favorite brewery that has my favorite beer a few times a year. Big outdoor space, dog-friendly, delicious food trucks, did I mention phenomenal beer?
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Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayMy favorite brewery that has my favorite beer a few times a year. Big outdoor space, dog-friendly, delicious food trucks, did I mention phenomenal beer?
Parks & Nature
A real simple in-and-out hike that provides stunning views of North Fork Reservoir and the surrounding area. If I get married, it's gonna be up here.
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Craggy Pinnacle Summit
A real simple in-and-out hike that provides stunning views of North Fork Reservoir and the surrounding area. If I get married, it's gonna be up here.
Moderate-to-a teeny bit strenuous hike, depending. Views as far as the eye can see. My secret wild blueberry picking spot is up here too.
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Black Balsam Knob
Art Loeb TrailModerate-to-a teeny bit strenuous hike, depending. Views as far as the eye can see. My secret wild blueberry picking spot is up here too.
Waterfalls! Three of them, to be precise. Good wide trails, awesome water views.
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Dupont State Forest
Staton RoadWaterfalls! Three of them, to be precise. Good wide trails, awesome water views.
A bit of a haul in and out, but daaaang. Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls are amazing.
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Rainbow Falls
A bit of a haul in and out, but daaaang. Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls are amazing.
You can walk to the French Broad River and back, and it's relatively level because it follows the Big Laurel. Good swimming holes! Good for deggos!
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Laurel River Store
You can walk to the French Broad River and back, and it's relatively level because it follows the Big Laurel. Good swimming holes! Good for deggos!
Shopping
I mean, like half of my wardrobe is from here. A little boho chic, a little witchy, a little earth mama. BUT THE JEWELRY. Most of it's locally made. I have a small fortune of stuff from there and I do not regret it at all.
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Elementality
4 S Tunnel RdI mean, like half of my wardrobe is from here. A little boho chic, a little witchy, a little earth mama. BUT THE JEWELRY. Most of it's locally made. I have a small fortune of stuff from there and I do not regret it at all.
Essentials
The Fresh Market
944 Merrimon AveTrader Joe's
120 Merrimon AveHarris Teeter
136 Chestnut St24 hours, yeeeeaaaah.
Entertainment & Activities
The Champagne Bar, as we call it. It's a 2-story labyrinthine bookstore with little places to sit tucked all throughout, so you can sit by yourself, sit with a few friends, or have a get-together with 20+ people. They also serve wine and champagne and light fare. You can also bring your dog. This place is super unique and amazing and I love it as a place to hang out with a few friends to talk and drink and feel very cultured and fancy.
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Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AveThe Champagne Bar, as we call it. It's a 2-story labyrinthine bookstore with little places to sit tucked all throughout, so you can sit by yourself, sit with a few friends, or have a get-together with 20+ people. They also serve wine and champagne and light fare. You can also bring your dog. This place is super unique and amazing and I love it as a place to hang out with a few friends to talk and drink and feel very cultured and fancy.
Arts & Culture
Go see some local crafts by great artisans here in the region. Quilts are a big thing, as well as pottery. They've always got a neat exhibition upstairs.
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The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyGo see some local crafts by great artisans here in the region. Quilts are a big thing, as well as pottery. They've always got a neat exhibition upstairs.