The Best Spots in Asheville, NC
Things to do in Asheville, North Carolina. The best restaurants and bars in a beautiful mountain escape.
Dear Asheville,
I fell in love with everything about you.
For a moment, I felt that I had been whisked away to a cozy European town. This hidden gem is located right outside of the Appalachian Mountains, in the beautiful state of North Carolina.
The city offers everything you want in a destination: quality restaurants, top-notch cocktails and scenic views.
My husband and I traveled to Asheville from our home in the Raleigh area, with our dog, Jax. We met up with two of friends who drove in from Tennessee.
Although the options are endless, here are my top recommendations for this stunning mountain escape:
Restaurants
· The Bier Garden (Lunch/Dinner) – A laid back, pub-style restaurant that has a never-ending list of bier and food. We ordered the charcuterie board and split it four-ways.
· Red Ginger Dim Sum and Tapas (Lunch/Dinner)– The dim sum options here are endless. My husband and I shared the Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, Shu Mai and their homemade pot stickers.
· Liberty House Coffee and Café (Brunch/Lunch)– This quaint and cottage-style brunch spot was out of a storybook. It is surrounded by large trees, beautiful greenery and they even have their own garden. I am a big sucker for the garden-to-table movement. They had a saxophone band playing live music, which paired perfectly with our iced lattes and sourdough pancakes.
· Chai Pani (Dinner)– My husband and I have an infatuation for Indian food. We love the bold spices, the creaminess of the curries and the always generous portions. Chai Pani delivered. Not only do they have delicious traditional options, but they also offer Indian food with a unique twist, like sandwiches and wraps. They also offer delicious and one-of-a-kind cocktail options. Three words: Pineapple Tumeric Margarita. The Bier Garden
Drinks
· The Times Bar – This location is a perfect way to start your trip. The Times Bar is both a coffee shop and the most charming bar. If you’re like me, I am a sucker for a delicious cocktail that looks too-pretty to drink. This was my favorite cocktail bar on our trip.
· Asheville Brewing – After my friend Sonia and I chose the Times Bar, we let the boys make the next pick. They wanted… beer! Not surprisingly. We walked to Asheville Brewing and I was immediately drawn to the nacho fries on their menu. The portion was large enough to where we split it between us four and it was the perfect size to tie-us over before dinner. They also sell a variety of other items here too and it’s a great location for outdoor drinks and casual eats.
· Top of the Monk | Thirsty Monk- If you are wanting a quality cocktail with a view, this is your spot. Grab a drink and sit on their rooftop patio to soak up the incredible downtown views.
Settle Your Sweet Tooth
· Eclairs at Old Europe Pastries – You truly can’t go wrong with anything you order here. At the moment, they offer take-out. We picked up or sweets and ate at the nearby park. Between the four of us, we ordered a slice of coconut cake, tiramisu, an éclair and a slice of chocolate cake. No regrets.
For Next Time:
· SW Cafeteria – This location was a missed opportunity for us, because we could only eat and drink so much. They have a list of different food vendors in the building, so it’s perfect for larger groups who can’t decide on a restaurant — you have options! You can see a list of their vendors here.
· Biltmore Estate - As much as we wanted see the Biltmore, we wanted to eat and drink our way through Asheville. We also had some rainy weather that weekend. So it’s on our list for next time!
To watch a video of my trip on my Instagram, click here.