Best of the Best in Asheville, NC

Coffee Shops

Farewell

@gabdrinksbeer

Doubles as a wine and cocktail bar at night.

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Rowan Coffee

@gabdrinksbeer

This new kid in town is not joking around!! Coffee snobs rejoice.

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Grind AVL

@gabdrinksbeer

A cafe I admire for its commitment to support Black businesses in AVL

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BattleCat Coffee Bar

@gabdrinksbeer

Perfectly grungy.

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Bad Manners Coffee

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Bakeries

Hole Doughnuts

@gabdrinksbeer

Say hi to Laurie for me! You’ll know who she is.

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OWL Bakery

@gabdrinksbeer

Voted best in Western North Carolina and nominated for a James beard— get ready to wait in line!

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Whisk Avl

@gabdrinksbeer

This drive through only gem is worth the 12 min drive west of the city. Hit this on your way to a hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway! Just be warned, they’re closed on Sundays.

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Brunch Spots

HomeGrown

@gabdrinksbeer

Just note that this cozy, casual spot opens at 11!

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Taco Billy

@gabdrinksbeer

True Austin style breakfast tacos. Order the migas!!

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Tall John's

@gabdrinksbeer

Everything at Tall John’s is reliably delicious.

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Breweries

I have a whole guide built around my favorite spots! Linked here:

Gab Bonfiglio

Where to Actually Drink Beer (and wine) in Western North Carolina

Among the 50+ breweries in and around Beer City, USA, these are my top picks. Click into each place for tips on what to order while you’re there! Let’s let no great beer go unsipped. Asheville, WNC, North Carolina

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Quick Bites

Good Hot Fish

@gabdrinksbeer

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Baba Nahm - Middle Eastern Street Food

@gabdrinksbeer

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Baby Bull

@gabdrinksbeer

Unanimously regarded as the best burger in town. A great casual option.

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Dinner Spots

Casual

Mehfil

@gabdrinksbeer

We love an Indian-owned and run Indian restaurant. Skip the line at Chai Pani for this spot, or for the more casual sister restaurant next store, Dilbar.

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Nine Mile

@gabdrinksbeer

An Asheville institution with incredible Caribbean food. Go early because they don’t take reservations. You can grab a drink at tall John’s down the street if you have to wait for a table.

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White Labs Brewing Co - Asheville Kitchen & Tap

@gabdrinksbeer

White Labs is one of the world’s leading producers of brewers’ yeasts. And Asheville houses one of their three brick and mortar locations! At this one, they make delicious pizzas using their own yeast in the crust.

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Nicer and Worth It

Jettie Rae's Oyster House

@gabdrinksbeer

I doubted that seafood could be good in the mountains until I tried Jetti Rae’s.

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Cucina24

@gabdrinksbeer

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Cocktail Bars

The Bar at Table

@gabdrinksbeer

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The Golden Pineapple

@gabdrinksbeer

A whimsical cocktail list with delicious and creative bar snacks to match.

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Little Jumbo

@gabdrinksbeer

Unbelievable cocktails, dance parties every Saturday and jazz on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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Crucible

@gabdrinksbeer

If they ask if you’re a member, don’t be alarmed. You can sign up for $1! Catch me here at least once a week drinking a Negroni with mezcal. Or a high life.

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Anoche Asheville

@gabdrinksbeer

A vibey yet education mezcal bar with delicious house cocktails.

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Imperiál

@gabdrinksbeer

Asheville’s older mezcal bar, with a dj every night :)

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As always, thanks for reading, and please do leave a tip if you found this helpful! For further recommendations, check out my complete Asheville shop page.

Gab Bonfiglio

Asheville, North Carolina Travel Shop

I live here, so I know :) My guides reliably and consistently steer you away from the tourist attractions. That isn’t to say you should not go to the Biltmore! But use the guides below to experience Asheville like a local.

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