The Best Restaurants and Breweries in Asheville, North Carolina- When on a trip we usually are always looking for some of the best affordable and quick places to eat in the location, and this past fall it was Asheville. We also had in mind COVID-19 dinging options as we ate and drank, so we looked for the best outdoor and Covid safe dining places in Asheville. We got lucky and the weather was beautiful during our time there in November, we did get to enjoy a lot of outdoor dining and the best breweries and cocktail bars. The article will cover the best, dining, breakfast, breweries and cocktail bars in Asheville, North Carolina.
Overview
Other Things To Do In The Area
Breakfast
We did a few days of hiking in the morning during our time in Asheville. So we didn’t get a chance to try too many breakfast and brunch spots, but what we did try was delicious.
Hole Doughnuts
Hole Doughnuts is definitely worth the visit while in Asheville. I love a freshly fried yeast doughnut, and this place hit the spot. They have 3 staple flavors, Vanilla Glazed, Toasted Almond Sesame Cinnamon, and Cinnamon Sugar. They have one flavor that rotates seasonally and offer fresh brewed coffee. The doughnuts range from $2-2.75 per doughnut. It is a small shop so we got ours to go to eat along the river before walking the River Arts District. I loved all the flavors but it was fun trying the sesame one!
*During the pandemic they are only where accepting online ordering for pick up, they were whipping them out but it did end up being longer than said. Order ahead if you can!
Penny Cup Coffee Company
As we ate our doughnuts from above at the River Arts District area we sipped coffee from the Penny Cup Coffee Company (they have a few other locations throughout the Asheville area). I love trying a coffee that I might not make at home, so I got the Cayenne Latte and it was great!
*Again a place that is only offering carry out, but you can come in one at a time to order.
Others Recommended
Lunch/Dinner
Curate
The first time I went to Asheville I was so bummed we didn’t go to Curate, so I made sure that we did this time. Curate is known for their tapas style meals, my favorite type of meal! I could have gone back to eat a second meal here. We did all tapas dishes for our lunch/early dinner. Our favorites were the chicken fritters (croquetas de pollo), the chorizo wrapped in potato chips, the mushroom soup, and the octopus dish (pulpo a la gallega).
They also have a bodega shop where you can order sandwiches and paella to go.
If coming with a bigger group I would have loved to have shared the paella.
*This was the only place we ate inside during our weekend there. Make sure you make reservations several weeks ahead as they have their tables very spaced out, so not too many diners can be in there at once.
Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
Our first night there we were looking for a place to for a later dinner and it was hard to find on a weeknight. We ended up at Wicked Weed Brewing Pub. In which we wanted to try their beers anyways so it was a win. Not looking for a big meal we got the burger, and two appetizers (the tartar and the pork rinds) the share. They also have a bottle shop in which we purchased a few beers to take home.
Wicked Weed Funkatorium
Originally going to the Funkatorium for a flight or sour beers we ended up staying for a late night snack. After sampling some beers I looked at the menu and saw pizza, anyone who knows me knows I LOVE pizza. I debated getting a slice and was sold when I saw people around me ordering some. This is no normal piece of pizza, it is a Roman Style Pizza slice, so a thick large cut. The bread is crusty on the outside and soft in the middle, my perfect type of slice.
Ben’s Tune Up
Ben’s Tune Up is a great place to go for late night drinks but they also serve Asian food! We went for a drink and a snack. They have a funky designed outdoor area. We got a sake flight, some dumplings and a kimchi hot dog. We were pleased with everything and enjoyed the mismatched decor and space.
White Duck Taco
Before heading back for our last night we went to the well known White Duck Taco. They also have a few locations but we went to their Riverside location, I loved being able to sit by the river. They have endless options of wild taco varieties. We had such a hard time choosing, and we definitely choose WAY too many tacos. The tacos are pretty large and stuffed very full. But everything we had was great and hit the spot.
Others Recommended
Breweries
It would be hard to go to Asheville and not go to a brewery, they are everywhere. So you shouldn’t have any issue finding one. Here are some we got to visit the past few trips.
Green Man
Green Man Brewing, also known as Dirty Jack’s had a small outdoor beer garden on the side. Their inside is closed per COVID-19 cautions. I loved this quaint place and we really enjoyed their beers. If there were not so many breweries to try in Asheville then we would have had a second round here.
Catawba
We didn’t have beers at Catawba this time but got crowlers to go. Last time we went to Asheville we got a flight here. They always have a lot of different varieties to choose from, something to please any type of beer drinker.
Burial
Burial had a lot of great outdoor spaced out seating, even some cute spots inside antique vans that looked fun for a small group. We really enjoyed their beers, they also had a walk up food window. All the food coming it looked and smelled amazing but we didn’t eat here.
Wedge Brewing
While visiting the River Arts District we stopped at Wedge Brewing. Another Asheville brewery with a great outdoor space, and dog friendly! Enjoy the artisan shops near by and take a break for a beer at Wedge!
Twin Leaf
Twin Leaf was one of my favorite breweries in Asheville. I really love their beers and wished I got more to go, so many interesting varieties. We ordered a Rosemary IPA and loved it! I would go back here to sit in their beer garden many more times.
Hi Wire
We have visited Hi-Wire before and can often purchase their canned beers at a nearby grocery store at home. But seeing some seats available on the edge of their open garage we decided to go for it. They have a variety of beers but still love their brown ale.
Wicked Weed BrewPub
Wicked Weed is a popular place to go in Asheville, it almost always seems to have a crowd and fan following. The Wicked Weed Brew Pub is their original location serving up tons of different styled beers. And they even have a bottle shop to purchase beers to take home. If you like sours and farmhouse ales check out their sister shop “The Funkatorium”.
Wicked Weed Funkatorium
If you like sour and farmhouse ales Wicked Weed Funkatorium is your place to go. You can get cocktails and other beers here as well, but the majority of their taps are sours, and they are funky. But I love trying sours so I will always stop here while in Asheville. Make sure you get a slice of their Roman styled pizza while there.
Sierra Nevada
We have only visited Sierra Nevada during their annual Oktoberfest. I love Oktoberfest so I was pleased although it was not at their main building. But I hear great things about the outdoor space, the building, beers and food at Sierra Nevada. Next time we go to Asheville it will definitely be on our list of places to check out.
Others Recommended
*We felt like if the location was too crowded we got crowlers or beers to go to drink in the evening at our cabin. That is also a great way to experience the breweries without going inside to drink. Surprisingly Asheville was pretty quiet that weekend and we got to enjoy a lot of drinks outside.
Bars/Cocktails
Ben’s Tune Up
As mentioned before we went to Ben’s Tune Up for lunch. But if not in the mood for food I will still go to try a flight of their in house made Sake.
Antidote/Chemist Spirits
Chemist Spirits is a distillery, you can purchase bottles, take a tour or schedule a tasting in their bottle shop. But if just looking for a cocktail you can visit their neighboring building next door, Antidote. I really loved this cocktail bar, if we didn’t have other plans I could have stayed to try a few.
Ginger’s Revenge
My husband and I love ginger ale and ginger beer varieties. So when I saw Ginger’s Revenge on a list of places to try I knew we have to go try all the ginger beers, and we did. We ordered two flights in which was the whole menu. It was so hard to choose which one we liked the best,they were all delicious and unique. We went home with a pack of their Cranberry Herb and Original.
Others Recommended
Where Did We Stay?
We stayed about 15 minutes outside of the city at the “Gather Around the Fire Pit AirBnB“. We wanted something in between the mountains and the city as we were seeing both. And we definitely wanted something with an outdoor fire pit so we had the option to sit outside and enjoy our to-go drinks. Check out this article on The Best AirBnB’s in Asheville, both in the mountains and near the city.
Other Things To Do In The Area
Visit The Blue Ridge Parkway
There are lots of hikes in the Blue Ridge Parkway area, but even just driving and spotting at the pull offs would be worth it. We hiked the Black Balsam Trail and Graveyard Fields Loop.
Hike in Mt. Pisgah National Forest
Mt. Pisgah National Forest is another great area for some day hikes. Lots of families and even people fly fishing here. We hiked to Moore Cove Falls and loved this waterfall. A easy day hike.
Walk and Shop at the River Arts District
If you like to observe and purchase handmade items and art make sure to check out the River Arts District. They have anything from paintings, sculptures, pottery, woodworking and more. And I loved the view of the river along the walk.
Biltmore
The Biltmore is a place that I still have not been to. I think the price tag for a ticket and our short time there always turns me away. But from everyone that I have talked to that has been raves about it. Definitely on my to do list on our next visit.
Other Articles That You May Be Interested In
The Best AirBnB’s in Asheville, North Carolina
1 Week Out West: Utah, Arizona, Nevada
Ten Day in Washington State Itinerary
Where To Eat and Drink on Sanibel Island, Florida
