The days are longer, the sun is brighter, and spring is settling into town.
With summer right around the corner, we’ve put together our 2019 Guide to Asheville Food + Adventure.
CUISINE:
1.) Shrimp & Grits at Sunny Point Café
Sunny Point Café is a family owned, independent restaurant serving upscale comfort food.
With 1,557 reviews on Yelp, it is also the highest rated restaurant in Asheville!
It is difficult to describe just how good their shrimp & grits are in words. A combination of grilled shrimp, chipotle cheddar grits, maple smoked bacon, and a white wine cream sauce make this dish unbelievable.
2.) Lo-Fi Burger at Copper Crown
Copper Crown is an East Asheville favorite with influences from the American South, Italy, & New Orleans.
Try their Lo-Fi burger (a thin double patty burger with homemade Copper Crown burger sauce) and be ready for the future cravings to set-in.
3.) Anything Chocolate at Old Europe Pastries
For over 20 years Old Europe has been making authentic European desserts in downtown Asheville.
I can vouch for most of the menu here!
Choose any of the homemade cakes or pastries and you will not be disappointed.
4.) Wanderlush at Highland Brewing Company
Founded in 1994, Highland Brewing Company is the original Asheville craft brewery. With a refreshed brand, a fantastic event space & rooftop, and a friendly and engaging staff, Highland is a can’t miss.
If you are in Asheville in the fall, be sure to check out the tasting room to try the most coveted beer around – Cold Mountain.
If you visit in the summer, don’t miss out on the recently released Wanderlush.
5.) Brunch at Vivian
I trust any restaurant that Katie Button recommends. Vivian is a small restaurant in the River Arts District that not many people know about (which is rare here in Asheville!)
Try to go to brunch on a Saturday or Sunday morning and try the fried pork loin. With sausage gravy, a buttery biscuit, and fried eggs, this dish is write-home worthy.
ADVENTURE:
1.) Take a Hike!
It’s tough to find a better spot to hike than the Blue Ridge Mountains!
One of my favorite trails is Black Balsam Knob and Graveyard Fields.
Located in the Pisgah National Forest (just a few miles apart), these miles of hiking trails offer spectacular views of the Southern Appalachians, and even a few waterfalls. Be sure to visit in the early fall to witness the famous changing of the leaves.
2.) Discover the Biltmore Estate
You can’t mention Asheville without mentioning the Biltmore Estate.
Outside of being the largest private residence in the United States, the Biltmore has an extensive network of walking, hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.
Enjoy touring the house in the morning, then head over to Antler Village for a bike rental to wrap up your afternoon.
3.) Visit Lexington Glassworks in Downtown
One of the most interesting downtown shops is Lexington Glassworks.
Lexington Glassworks is an independent working studio. Pop in any day of the week (except Tuesdays) to see the glass blowers creating hand-blown pieces.
4.) Catch a Show at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Asheville is known as a musical city, so why not catch a show in town!
The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium is located in downtown Asheville and is a great spot to see a performance.
Over the next 6 months, Thomas Wolfe will host Leon Bridges, Kacey Musgraves, and The Head and The Heart.
5.) Take a Drive Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Stretching from Virginia all the way to Western North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the nation. If you are looking for breathtaking views, take an afternoon drive up to Mount Pisgah and Craggy Gardens.
These are only a handful of the great adventure and food options Asheville has to offer! There are many more throughout the city, so don’t hesitate to pop into a local restaurant, or checkout another local event.
Do you have others recommendations that are Asheville must-trys? Let us know in the comments!
We hope to see you in Asheville very soon.
