Leslie’s Guidebook for Asheville
Dining Recommendations - Best Date Night Spots
Having lived here in Asheville for over 27 years, I certainly can recommend some of my favorite spots!
I have also provided a booklet at the house called “The Best Of” which is a publication from our local free events paper, The Mountain Xpress. Take a look through this and see what the other locals in Asheville recommend while you're here!
Spanish tapas. Reservations needed most of the year, but sometimes you can snag a bar seat. Menu is more limited at the bar though.
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Cúrate
13 Biltmore AveSpanish tapas. Reservations needed most of the year, but sometimes you can snag a bar seat. Menu is more limited at the bar though.
Modern traditional mexican cuisine. Again, reservations needed most of the year, but sometimes you can snag a bar seat.
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Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StModern traditional mexican cuisine. Again, reservations needed most of the year, but sometimes you can snag a bar seat.
Bouchon
62 N Lexington Ave French comfort food. Reservations highly recommended.
Best seafood in town! The atmosphere and the cocktails are excellent. Reservations highly recommended!
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Jettie Rae's Oyster House
143 Charlotte StBest seafood in town! The atmosphere and the cocktails are excellent. Reservations highly recommended!
A must visit spot, great food and cocktails, reservations highly recommended!
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The Bull and Beggar
37 Paynes WayA must visit spot, great food and cocktails, reservations highly recommended!
Opened by the owner of The Bull and Beggar, Leo’s is an intimate neighborhood wine bar and restaurant. Cozy go-to spot whether you are looking for a glass, a snack, wine or a full dining experience.
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Leo's House of Thirst
1055 Haywood RdOpened by the owner of The Bull and Beggar, Leo’s is an intimate neighborhood wine bar and restaurant. Cozy go-to spot whether you are looking for a glass, a snack, wine or a full dining experience.
Rotating menu of local seasonal vegetables, always fresh!
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Rhubarb
7 N Pack SquareRotating menu of local seasonal vegetables, always fresh!
Dining Recommendations - Best Casual Date or Family Spots
Here's some places I like to go with the kids, or just to grab a quick bite. Asheville has some amazing food that won't break your wallet.
Indian street food, usually pretty packed but the wait goes quick. The Butter Chicken Thali or the Desi Salad are my faves.
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Chai Pani Asheville
22 Battery Park AveIndian street food, usually pretty packed but the wait goes quick. The Butter Chicken Thali or the Desi Salad are my faves.
Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian
641 Merrimon Ave Family style italian comfort food.
Homestyle southern cooking. There’s something for everyone here.
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HomeGrown
371 Merrimon AveHomestyle southern cooking. There’s something for everyone here.
This is a great spot to get some ah-mazing food to go to take on a picnic or back up to the house!
Nani's Rotisserie Chicken
1 Page AvenueThis is a great spot to get some ah-mazing food to go to take on a picnic or back up to the house!
Dining Recommendations - Vegetarian / Vegan
Many of Asheville's restaurants have vegetarian or vegan options, and if they don't, many are happy to make small changes to existing dishes. However, we do have some strictly vegetarian and vegan spots too. If you want lots of options on your menu, try these places out.
Creative all vegan cuisine with craft beers and biodynamic wines. Definitely a date night spot. Open for dinner only. Please check their website out for open days and times.
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Plant
165 Merrimon AveCreative all vegan cuisine with craft beers and biodynamic wines. Definitely a date night spot. Open for dinner only. Please check their website out for open days and times.
A great all vegetarian / vegan spot for lunch or dinner right downtown in the heart of it all, on beautiful Wall Street. They have a covered patio too, perfect for people watching.
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Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall StA great all vegetarian / vegan spot for lunch or dinner right downtown in the heart of it all, on beautiful Wall Street. They have a covered patio too, perfect for people watching.
Family style casual, Rosetta's Kitchen is the birthplace of her famous peanut butter tofu. Also downtown nestled among the Lexington Avenue shops. Perfect place for lunch after shopping!
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Rosetta's Kitchen
68 N Lexington AveFamily style casual, Rosetta's Kitchen is the birthplace of her famous peanut butter tofu. Also downtown nestled among the Lexington Avenue shops. Perfect place for lunch after shopping!
Best Breakfasts
Huevos Rancheros to die for and much more. Pint size mimosas too!
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Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdHuevos Rancheros to die for and much more. Pint size mimosas too!
Great quick breakfast (and lunch!) deli spot. Organic meats and veggies.
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The Rhu
10 S Lexington AveGreat quick breakfast (and lunch!) deli spot. Organic meats and veggies.
A long time Asheville establishment and visitor favorite!
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Tupelo Honey
12 College StA long time Asheville establishment and visitor favorite!
Best Dessert Spot
A chocolate lover's dream! Their delcious variety of hand-crafted artisan chocolates and pastries features superb local and organic ingredients. It's a great spot for dessert after dinner at a nearby downtown restaurant since they are open late. Sip a glass of wine paired with your chocolate. Or see how perfectly a creamy stout pairs with vanilla ice cream and their dark, dense cacao nib brownie.
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French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareA chocolate lover's dream! Their delcious variety of hand-crafted artisan chocolates and pastries features superb local and organic ingredients. It's a great spot for dessert after dinner at a nearby downtown restaurant since they are open late. Sip a glass of wine paired with your chocolate. Or see how perfectly a creamy stout pairs with vanilla ice cream and their dark, dense cacao nib brownie.
Things to Do - In Town
If you don't have time for some adventures outside of town, there's plenty to do in it! Check out some of these places just a few miles away from the house.
Explore the country’s largest private residence, check out the winery, or explore the grounds by horseback. You could spend at least two days here!
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Biltmore
1 Lodge StExplore the country’s largest private residence, check out the winery, or explore the grounds by horseback. You could spend at least two days here!
Stroll through this artist’s area and watch glass blowers and potters at work, grab a bite to eat at Pizza Pura and check out The Wedge brewery too.
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Isithili saseRiver Arts
3 River Arts PlStroll through this artist’s area and watch glass blowers and potters at work, grab a bite to eat at Pizza Pura and check out The Wedge brewery too.
Check out the historic Grove Arcade or Lexington Avenue for a unique shopping experience.
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Downtown
Check out the historic Grove Arcade or Lexington Avenue for a unique shopping experience.
Take a walk through downtown’s South Slope and visit Burial, Twin Leaf, Wicked Weed Funkatorium, or the Chemist Gin Distillery. (Stop in and eat at Buxton Hall BBQ while you’re down there!)
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South Slope Brewing District
Take a walk through downtown’s South Slope and visit Burial, Twin Leaf, Wicked Weed Funkatorium, or the Chemist Gin Distillery. (Stop in and eat at Buxton Hall BBQ while you’re down there!)
We recommend Sauna House, or Shoji Spa. In town and close to town, either one will melt your troubles away.
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Sauna House
230 Short Coxe AveWe recommend Sauna House, or Shoji Spa. In town and close to town, either one will melt your troubles away.
Asheville Golf Course is a true gem and one of the oldest courses in Western North Carolina. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this classic layout was designed by famed course architect Donald Ross in 1927 and it accomplishes the difficult double task of being challenging and fun.
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Asheville Municipal Golf Course
226 Fairway DrAsheville Golf Course is a true gem and one of the oldest courses in Western North Carolina. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this classic layout was designed by famed course architect Donald Ross in 1927 and it accomplishes the difficult double task of being challenging and fun.
Check out some of our beautiful local flora here just on the outskirts of town in the 434 acre arboretum and botanical garden.
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I-North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayCheck out some of our beautiful local flora here just on the outskirts of town in the 434 acre arboretum and botanical garden.
A museum of Appalachian arts and crafts located at milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and admission is free. One of the Center's main attractions is the Guild's century-old Allanstand Craft Shop, changing exhibitions in galleries from its permanent collection of 3,500 pieces of craft objects dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The Center also features an exhibition of traditional and contemporary southern Appalachian crafts.
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The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyA museum of Appalachian arts and crafts located at milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and admission is free. One of the Center's main attractions is the Guild's century-old Allanstand Craft Shop, changing exhibitions in galleries from its permanent collection of 3,500 pieces of craft objects dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The Center also features an exhibition of traditional and contemporary southern Appalachian crafts.
Be sure and check out our amazing farmer’s market for everything from local produce and cheeses, to handmade blown glass, pottery and jewelry!
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North Asheville Tailgate Market
275 University HeightsBe sure and check out our amazing farmer’s market for everything from local produce and cheeses, to handmade blown glass, pottery and jewelry!
Things to Do - Outside of Town
If you have the time to explore, there are so many adventures to enjoy here in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Here are a few of my favorites!
There are many spots around town you can jump on the Parkway, cruise for miles, and enjoy fantastic views and overlooks. Sunset Mountain Retreat is less than 4 miles from the Craven Gap entrance to the Parkway.
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Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayThere are many spots around town you can jump on the Parkway, cruise for miles, and enjoy fantastic views and overlooks. Sunset Mountain Retreat is less than 4 miles from the Craven Gap entrance to the Parkway.
If you're looking to do a bit of hiking, this elevated trail off of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a gem. With nice wide trails and spots to jump in the water for a quick dip too....providing it's warm enough! This water is cold! If it's the right season, you might find some blueberries too.
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Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
Blue Ridge ParkwayIf you're looking to do a bit of hiking, this elevated trail off of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a gem. With nice wide trails and spots to jump in the water for a quick dip too....providing it's warm enough! This water is cold! If it's the right season, you might find some blueberries too.
Another great hiking and viewing spot, sometimes it seems you can almost see the end of the world from here.
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I-Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyAnother great hiking and viewing spot, sometimes it seems you can almost see the end of the world from here.
Take a zipline tour through the temperate rainforests surrounding Asheville.
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Navitat Canopy Adventures
242 Poverty Branch RdTake a zipline tour through the temperate rainforests surrounding Asheville.
Rent a private hot tub in the town of Hot Springs, just 45 minutes outside of Asheville. The hot springs themselves are naturally hot mineral waters, renowned for their healing abilities, and are nestled right along the French Broad River. Check out the Iron Horse Pub for a bite to eat and brew.
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Hot Springs Resort And Spa
315 Bridge StRent a private hot tub in the town of Hot Springs, just 45 minutes outside of Asheville. The hot springs themselves are naturally hot mineral waters, renowned for their healing abilities, and are nestled right along the French Broad River. Check out the Iron Horse Pub for a bite to eat and brew.
While you’re in Hot Springs you may just want to do some whitewater rafting if you’re the more adventurous type! There are several companies to choose from, and you can make it a half day or an all day adventure.
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Hot Springs Rafting Co.
81 Bridge StWhile you’re in Hot Springs you may just want to do some whitewater rafting if you’re the more adventurous type! There are several companies to choose from, and you can make it a half day or an all day adventure.
Another adventure awaits you, as a section of the Appalachian Trail runs right through the town of Hot Springs itself. Stop in Bluff Mt Outfitters in downtown Hot Springs for a trail guide map.
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Appalachian Trail
Appalachian National Scenic TrailAnother adventure awaits you, as a section of the Appalachian Trail runs right through the town of Hot Springs itself. Stop in Bluff Mt Outfitters in downtown Hot Springs for a trail guide map.
If you want to stay close to town but still do a water adventure, tubing might be just for you. Try Zen Tubing with their outpost right outside of downtown.
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Zen Tubing
608 Riverside DrIf you want to stay close to town but still do a water adventure, tubing might be just for you. Try Zen Tubing with their outpost right outside of downtown.