North of downtown along Merrimon Avenue and into Montford: Plant on Merrimon, North Asheville Tailgate Market, Sovereign Kava. Quiet residential streets, neighbourhood cafes and restaurants.
Plant on Merrimon Avenue has run innovative organic plant-based cuisine in Asheville since 2011. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours and the must-order.
Signature: Coconut ceviche, Mushroom risotto, Raw chocolate torte
Order: The coconut ceviche to start, then the seasonal risotto and the raw chocolate torte.
Tip: Book on OpenTable. Wednesday and Sunday are the easiest nights. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
High Five Coffee on Broadway Street has been Asheville's flagship High Five since 2009. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours, address and the work-friendly.
Signature drink: Macadamia milk latte
Tip: Counter service. Outdoor patio takes laptops on warm days; outlets are limited inside.
OWL Bakery's Charlotte Street second location runs as a sit-down bakery and cake shop, the wedding cake and special-occasion arm of the West Asheville.
Tip: Whole cakes need 72 hours' notice; the operator site takes the order. Walk-in pastry counter Tue-Sun.
Worth the queue: Whole celebration cake
High Five Coffee has roasted small-batch beans in Asheville since 2009. The Broadway flagship in Montford is the original; three downtown cafes pour the line.
Tip: Cupping sessions hosted monthly at the roastery. The Rankin Avenue location is the downtown rush hour spot.
Sources from: Honduras, Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Mountain Air Roasting is a micro-roaster of single-origin specialty coffee based in Asheville, distributed through North Asheville Tailgate Market.
Tip: Find them Saturday mornings at the North Asheville Tailgate Market on Charlotte Street. Wholesale at partner cafes.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Burundi, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Filter, Whole bean retail, Wholesale, Subscription
North Asheville Tailgate Market at UNC Asheville Lot P34 is the city's main Saturday-morning farmers and craftspeople market, April through November.
Tip: Saturdays 08:00-12:00, main season April 4 to November 21. Bring cash for some smaller vendors.
The Asheville Kitchen on Merrimon Avenue runs hands-on cooking classes for all desires and skill levels in a dedicated classroom kitchen. Editor pick.
Tip: Public classes calendar runs Tue-Sat; private classes and team-building bookings via the operator site. Entrance is behind the green house, parking in the rear.
Cottage Cooking Asheville runs collaborative cooking-and-dinner-party classes from a restored 1950s ranch home in the UNCA area of North Asheville. Guests cook and eat together.
Tip: BYOB-friendly. Six classes per month; calendar opens 90 days out. Email info@cottagecookingasheville.com to book a private group.
Weaverville, 10 miles north of Asheville, is the quiet downtown alternative with a tight food scene anchored by Blue Mountain Pizza. Editor pick.
Tip: Blue Mountain Pizza pours small-batch craft beer with wood-fired pies and live music. Pair with a North Asheville Tailgate Market morning on Edgewood Road.