John’s guidebook
Breweries
This is where I go when I want a beer and good food.
This is a great, pet-friendly brewery in the Lumber Arts District. We love ordering take-out from Magpie Meat & Three and bringing across the courtyard. Upcountry is usually a bit more peaceful than Oskar Blues
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
UpCountry Brewing Brevard
212 King StThis is a great, pet-friendly brewery in the Lumber Arts District. We love ordering take-out from Magpie Meat & Three and bringing across the courtyard. Upcountry is usually a bit more peaceful than Oskar Blues
Certainly the largest brewery Brevard has to offer. There is usually an event happening or upcoming, and it can get pretty crowded. Pets allowed at the outdoor bar.
204 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Oskar Blues Brewery Taproom - Brevard
342 Mountain Industrial DrCertainly the largest brewery Brevard has to offer. There is usually an event happening or upcoming, and it can get pretty crowded. Pets allowed at the outdoor bar.
Ecusta specializes in sour beers, but the rest of their selection is fantastic as well. Pets are allowed on the patio. Ecusta sits right at the entrance to Pisgah Forest, and is a great pit-stop after a day in the woods.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ecusta Brewing Company
451 Pisgah HwyEcusta specializes in sour beers, but the rest of their selection is fantastic as well. Pets are allowed on the patio. Ecusta sits right at the entrance to Pisgah Forest, and is a great pit-stop after a day in the woods.
If you're headed by Hendersonville, this German-style brewery is wonderful. They have great games, a stellar food truck, and host a comedy night that shouldn't be missed.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Guidon Brewing Company
415 8th Ave EIf you're headed by Hendersonville, this German-style brewery is wonderful. They have great games, a stellar food truck, and host a comedy night that shouldn't be missed.
This taproom is mere minutes up the road from our rental. Bring your own glass for $1 off your first beer. Very pet friendly, and hosts stellar food Trucks Mama Bear's makes the best burger around, and the brisket at Blue Smoke is to die for.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Forks of the River Taproom
25 Parkway RdThis taproom is mere minutes up the road from our rental. Bring your own glass for $1 off your first beer. Very pet friendly, and hosts stellar food Trucks Mama Bear's makes the best burger around, and the brisket at Blue Smoke is to die for.
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveOne of the top breweries in Asheville.
Food
I usually try and figure out where the food trucks are in town through the breweries' facebook pages, but we've got some good brick-and-mortar spots as well...
This basement pub hosts great events. If you're looking for the best pub food in town, go no further.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
DFR Room
44 E Main StThis basement pub hosts great events. If you're looking for the best pub food in town, go no further.
Their ribs (available after 5:30) and pulled-pork are unparalleled, though the cornmeal-crusted catfish is pretty great too. We inevitably order the hushpuppies, and sharing a meat & 3 order is usually enough. Pet-friendly patio.
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Magpie Meat & Three
170 King StTheir ribs (available after 5:30) and pulled-pork are unparalleled, though the cornmeal-crusted catfish is pretty great too. We inevitably order the hushpuppies, and sharing a meat & 3 order is usually enough. Pet-friendly patio.
Vescovo is new to the area, and is a slightly more elevated Italian option.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vescovo Neighborhood Eatery
175 King StVescovo is new to the area, and is a slightly more elevated Italian option.
You can't really go wrong in picking any of the many, many mexican spots in town. This one is our favorite, though.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Ranchero
76 N Caldwell StYou can't really go wrong in picking any of the many, many mexican spots in town. This one is our favorite, though.
Hikes
This is a favorite, moderately-difficult day hike with a killer payoff. This 5-ish mile out-and-back takes you to the top of looking-glass rock. It's probably a bit much for younger kids.
Going during the week or earlier in the morning will help avoid the crowds and get your doggo some time off-leash.
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Looking Glass Rock
This is a favorite, moderately-difficult day hike with a killer payoff. This 5-ish mile out-and-back takes you to the top of looking-glass rock. It's probably a bit much for younger kids.
Going during the week or earlier in the morning will help avoid the crowds and get your doggo some time off-leash.
This is the trail I take my 7-year-old on. It's about 1.5 miles round trip, and leads to a great waterfall he can splash around under.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Moore Cove Falls
This is the trail I take my 7-year-old on. It's about 1.5 miles round trip, and leads to a great waterfall he can splash around under.
Another favorite hike out in Gorges State Park. It's an out-and-back hike totalling about 5 miles, but there isn't too much climbing involved.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Trailhead
Another favorite hike out in Gorges State Park. It's an out-and-back hike totalling about 5 miles, but there isn't too much climbing involved.
Cafes
CUP & SAUCER
36 E Main StThis is the best coffee shop in town.
If you're looking for coffee and a great menu while in Asheville, here's where we like to stop. Sure, the avocado toast is like $11, but it's so good I end up ordering it anyways. Their sourdough pancake is also a favorite.
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Liberty House Coffee and Café
221 S Liberty StIf you're looking for coffee and a great menu while in Asheville, here's where we like to stop. Sure, the avocado toast is like $11, but it's so good I end up ordering it anyways. Their sourdough pancake is also a favorite.
Cocktails
Antidote
151 Coxe AveDelicious cocktails and a very cool old-time vibe.
Top of the Monk
92 Patton AveStop for a craft cocktail at this rooftop bar.