Across the French Broad River: Wedge Brewing at Wedge Studios, Hi-Wire RAD Beer Garden (reopened May 2025 after Helene), All Souls Pizza, Crusco and The Bull and Beggar. Working artist studios meet warehouse-conversion brewpubs.
Crusco in the River Arts District opened in summer 2025 from Kat Kearney and former Cucina 24 staff, cooking hand-rolled pasta and wood-grilled meats.
OrderWhatever pasta the kitchen is running, plus a glass off the food-friendly wine list.
TipBook on the restaurant's site. Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday from 17:00. Bar walk-ins for cocktails.
The Bull and Beggar at Wedge Studios in the River Arts District has run a French-American kitchen with raw bar since 2013. Tuesday burger night is the local.
OrderThe steak frites with bone-marrow butter, or the burger if you can land a Tuesday seat.
TipBook Tuesday burger night three weeks ahead on the operator site. Walk-in raw bar seats open at 17:00.
All Souls Pizza in the River Arts District has run wood-fired pies on Clingman Avenue since 2013. Daily-changing seasonal pies, a large patio with kitchen.
OrderWhatever the seasonal pie of the week is, plus the soft serve for dessert.
TipWalk-in only; arrive at opening or after 20:30 for the easiest seats. Closed Mondays.
Crusco in the River Arts District opened in summer 2025 from Kat Kearney and former Cucina 24 staff, serving pasta Wednesday to Sunday from 17:00.
OrderWhatever pasta the kitchen is running, plus a glass off the food-friendly wine list.
Book10 days ahead
TipBook on the restaurant's site. Dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 17:00. Bar walk-ins.
The Bull and Beggar at Wedge Studios in the River Arts District has run French-American fine dining with raw bar plateau since 2013. The Tuesday burger night.
OrderThe steak frites with bone-marrow butter, or the burger if you can land a Tuesday seat.
Book3 weeks for Tuesday burger night ahead
TipTuesday burger night books out 3 weeks ahead. Raw bar walk-ins open at 17:00.
All Souls Pizza in the River Arts District has run wood-fired pies on Clingman Avenue since 2013. Daily-changing seasonal pies, a large patio with kitchen.
OrderWhatever the seasonal pie of the week is, plus the soft serve for dessert.
TipWalk-in only; arrive at opening or after 20:30 for the easiest seats. Closed Mondays.
PennyCup Coffee Co on Depot Street in the River Arts District is the roastery and flagship cafe of the small-batch Asheville roaster. Editor pick.
DrinkSingle-origin pour-over
TipMon-Fri 07:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-15:00. Bagels and bagel sandwiches from a local baker; gluten-free pastries.
PennyCup Coffee Co's roastery on Depot Street in the River Arts District is the home of the small-batch Asheville roaster, with monthly public cuppings.
BeansEthiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Burundi
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Wholesale
TipThe roastery cafe runs cupping sessions monthly; book on the operator site for the public Friday cuppings.
Ultra Coffeebar at the Five Points corner in the River Arts District pours a rotating bench of guest-roaster espresso and a tight in-house bean line.
BeansEthiopia, Brazil, Colombia, Burundi
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
TipOutdoor patio takes the morning sun. The Five Points corner takes both River Arts and downtown foot traffic.
Hi-Wire's RAD Beer Garden on Lyman Street is the third Asheville location, an outdoor beer garden built from up-cycled shipping containers covered in murals.
TipOutdoor-first; rainy days move under the container roof. Food trucks rotate weekends.
Wedge Brewing's Wedge Studios taproom on Paynes Way in the River Arts District opened in 2008. Beers travel through Belgian, German and American ale.
TipThe Foundy Street brewing space, destroyed by Helene 2024, reopened October 2025 with a rebuilt beer garden.
New Belgium Brewing's Asheville campus on Craven Street opened in 2016 as the Colorado Fat Tire brewery's second campus, 18 acres on the French Broad.
Tip90-minute brewery tours run free with reservation; tours leave every half hour from the Liquid Center.
Zillicoah Beer Company on Riverside Drive in Woodfin, just north of Asheville, opened in 2018 as the first brewery in Woodfin. Open-fermented farmhouse ales.
TipRiverside outdoor seating with a great sunset view. Food truck rotation Wed-Sun; bring a dog.
The River Arts District Farmers Market sets up Wednesday afternoons at New Belgium Brewing on Craven Street, the mid-week year-round ASAP market post-Helene.
TipWednesdays 15:00-18:00 year-round, the only weekday tailgate in Asheville. EBT/SNAP accepted with Double SNAP matching; free on-site parking.
French Broad Chocolates' Bean-to-Bar tour at their Riverside Drive factory walks the full chocolate process: cacao bean arrival, roasting, grinding, molding.
TipReserve on operator site or email [email protected]. Arrive 10 minutes early; late arrivals not admitted. Ticket carries a 10% same-day discount.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover downtown Asheville on a guided food tour with 6 tastings. Learn about the city's history and architecture as you savor local flavors, including a chargrilled ...
Guided tour · 4 hours
Experience the perfect introduction to Asheville's world-renowned craft beer scene on a guided behind-the-scenes tour to 3 local breweries or cider houses. Enjoy beer ...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Experience a guided sunset rooftop tour in Asheville. Enjoy panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and skyline, with a handcrafted cocktail or mocktail at each stop.
