Lisa's Guidebook
Food scene
Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian
641 Merrimon AveZen Sushi
640 Merrimon AvePlant
165 Merrimon AveCecilia’s Kitchen
870 Merrimon AveAvenue M
791 Merrimon AveDel Vecchios
333 Merrimon AveMOD Pizza
873 Merrimon AveNorth Asheville Tailgate Market
275 University Heights
Cousins Cuban Cafe
108 Broadway Avenue
Jargon
715 Haywood RdCucina24
24 Wall StThe Bull and Beggar
37 Paynes WayJettie Rae's Oyster House
143 Charlotte St
12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StThe Admiral
400 Haywood RdRendezvous
184 New Haw Creek RdForestry Camp Bar & Restaurant
10 Shady Oak DrEarly Girl Eatery
8 Wall StHaywood Common
507 Haywood RdTaqueria Muñoz
1438 Patton Ave
A Taste Of El Salvador
1565 Patton AveMela Indian Restaurant
70 N Lexington AveWasabi Japanese Restaurant
19 Broadway St
Heiwa Shokudo
87 N Lexington AveWhite Labs Kitchen & Tap
172 S Charlotte St
Cúrate
13 Biltmore AvePro-Tip: avoid the long wait. Try dropping in during the week at lunch time.
311 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chai Pani Asheville
22 Battery Park AvePro-Tip: avoid the long wait. Try dropping in during the week at lunch time.
Pro-Tip: avoid crowds-join them for lunch on Friday’s. Open at 12noon Friday.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Leo's House of Thirst
1055 Haywood RdPro-Tip: avoid crowds-join them for lunch on Friday’s. Open at 12noon Friday.
ELDR Restaurant
111 Grovewood Road
Daddy Mac's Down Home Dive
161 Biltmore AvenueCheck them out for weekend brunch
Mehfil
5 Biltmore AvenueBear's Smokehouse Barbecue
Guajiro
No reservations accepted. Expect to wait. Great bar. Daily: 50% off apps 4-5pm. Sunday: 25% off wine bottles
Tall John's
No reservations accepted. Expect to wait. Great bar. Daily: 50% off apps 4-5pm. Sunday: 25% off wine bottles
Tastee Diner
575 Haywood RdUkiah Japanese Smokehouse
Little D's
Five Guys
The Pure & Proper
Pro-Tip: check out their “cease and desist” dining experience offered only on Sunday’s.
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Cultura
147 Coxe AvePro-Tip: check out their “cease and desist” dining experience offered only on Sunday’s.
Little Chango
mother bakery & cafe | south slope
Neng Jr.'s
Fourth-generation chef Paul’s Filipino comfort food truck has been popping up around town, and as of February 2024 he has permanently parked behind brewery, Zilliacoah.
Master BBQ AVL
Fourth-generation chef Paul’s Filipino comfort food truck has been popping up around town, and as of February 2024 he has permanently parked behind brewery, Zilliacoah.
Yummy foods like Mikey’s Meatball, Johnny’s Italian, Reubens, corn beef on rye, and egg sandwiches on a kaiser roll. Zella’s moved to a more expansive space in Swannanoa, expanded the sandwich board, and added Sunday brunch and dinner service, Thursday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m
Zella's Deli & Restaurant
Yummy foods like Mikey’s Meatball, Johnny’s Italian, Reubens, corn beef on rye, and egg sandwiches on a kaiser roll. Zella’s moved to a more expansive space in Swannanoa, expanded the sandwich board, and added Sunday brunch and dinner service, Thursday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m
Soprana Rooftop Cucina is Asheville’s newest place to drink in the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Brick oven pizza is the menu's centerpiece, loaded with locally sourced products like pepperoni from Chop Shop Butchery and Asheville Bee Charmer’s Smokin’ Hot Honey.
Soprana Rooftop Cucina
Soprana Rooftop Cucina is Asheville’s newest place to drink in the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Brick oven pizza is the menu's centerpiece, loaded with locally sourced products like pepperoni from Chop Shop Butchery and Asheville Bee Charmer’s Smokin’ Hot Honey.
Laila, is the newest Indian restaurant in town. The owners — who also run the popular Andaaz in Biltmore Village — have curated a menu that pops with dishes showcasing the coastal regions of the vast country of India.
Laila Asheville
Laila, is the newest Indian restaurant in town. The owners — who also run the popular Andaaz in Biltmore Village — have curated a menu that pops with dishes showcasing the coastal regions of the vast country of India.
The signature hot fish sandwich — lightly-breaded, golden-fried, flakey AF North Carolina catfish fillets tucked between two slices of white bread and smeared with tangy buttermilk tartar sauce — is the calling card to Ashleigh Shanti’s feverishly anticipated homage to fish camps and the bad-ass fish frying women in her family.
Good Hot Fish
The signature hot fish sandwich — lightly-breaded, golden-fried, flakey AF North Carolina catfish fillets tucked between two slices of white bread and smeared with tangy buttermilk tartar sauce — is the calling card to Ashleigh Shanti’s feverishly anticipated homage to fish camps and the bad-ass fish frying women in her family.
A century-old former cereal factory in the RAD — Asheville’s funky River Arts District — has been reclaimed and reimagined into the Radical boutique hotel with food and beverage destinations conceived by visionary chef/restaurateur Jacob Sessoms (Table and All Day Darling). Golden Hour’s wood-fired menu sources heavily from local farms for produce and proteins. Overlooking the French Broad River, the Roof proves there are never too many rooftop bars in Asheville, Land of the Sky.
Golden Hour
A century-old former cereal factory in the RAD — Asheville’s funky River Arts District — has been reclaimed and reimagined into the Radical boutique hotel with food and beverage destinations conceived by visionary chef/restaurateur Jacob Sessoms (Table and All Day Darling). Golden Hour’s wood-fired menu sources heavily from local farms for produce and proteins. Overlooking the French Broad River, the Roof proves there are never too many rooftop bars in Asheville, Land of the Sky.
The team behind popular Indian restaurant Chai Pani has opened street food cafe Botiwalla in West Asheville. The new spot offers many of the same flavors of Chai Pani, but in a family-friendly, fast-casual setting. Look for okra fries, lamb sliders, Desi salads, and grilled hot buttered naan wrapped around chicken tikka, malai chicken tikka, boti lamb kofta balls, or paneer tikka.
Botiwalla by Chai Pani
The team behind popular Indian restaurant Chai Pani has opened street food cafe Botiwalla in West Asheville. The new spot offers many of the same flavors of Chai Pani, but in a family-friendly, fast-casual setting. Look for okra fries, lamb sliders, Desi salads, and grilled hot buttered naan wrapped around chicken tikka, malai chicken tikka, boti lamb kofta balls, or paneer tikka.
Park/Walking
Beaver Lake
Ipharki yaseLake Louise
Lake Louise DriveWeaver Park
200 Murdock Ave
I-Botanical Gardens e-Asheville
151 W T. Weaver BoulevardMontford Park
345 Montford AvenueE.W. Grove Park
Biltmore Lake
Music Venues
Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville
87 Haywood StThe Orange Peel
101 Biltmore AveRabbit Rabbit
75 Coxe AveDiana Wortham Theatre
18 Biltmore AveAsheville Community Theatre
35 E Walnut StSalvage Station
468 Riverside DrAsheville Music Hall
31 Patton AveThomas Wolfe Auditorium
87 Haywood StThe Grey Eagle
185 Clingman AveHazel Robinson Amphitheatre
92 Gay StSummer Event: Shakespeare in the Park
Off the Wagon Dueling Piano Bar
22 N Market StIsis Music Hall
743 Haywood RdExercise
Woodfin YMCA
40 N Merrimon AveAsheville Community Yoga
8 Brookdale RdScorch Fitness
408 Depot St
Summit Crossfit
21 McArthur LaneAntiques
The Antique Tobacco Barn
75 Swannanoa River RdScreen Door Asheville
115 Fairview RdAtomic Furnishings
124 Swannanoa River RdThe Regeneration Station
26 Glendale AveSweeten Creek Antiques & Collectibles
115 Sweeten Creek Rd
Marquee
36 Foundy StreetSightseeing
Isithili saseRiver Arts
3 River Arts PlI-Mile High Swinging Bridge
2050 Blowing Rock HwyGrocery
Trader Joe's
120 Merrimon AveHarris Teeter
136 Chestnut StWhole Foods Market
70 Merrimon AveIngles Market
29 Tunnel RdThe Fresh Market
944 Merrimon AveMetro Wines
169 Charlotte St