Asheville: Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack
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 ...
38 cheap eats places in Asheville, editor-picked. the best low-budget spots in Asheville: the places editors actually return to. All Asheville food.
OWL Bakery ★ 4.8
west-asheville · 295 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
OWL Bakery (Old World Levain) on Haywood Road in West Asheville is the city's flagship sourdough and laminated pastry bakery, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Tip: Pastries land first, breads come out by 11:00. The Charlotte Street second location handles cake orders Thu-Sun.
Rowan Coffee ★ 4.8
downtown · 21 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Rowan Coffee on Battery Park Avenue in Asheville is the specialty espresso bar with a no-laptop policy. Multi-roaster pour-overs, retail beans from Counter.
Tip: No-laptop rule on weekends. The kava and tea selection is the deeper bench than just coffee.
Mother ★ 4.7
south-slope · 244 Short Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Heidi Bass's Mother on Short Coxe earned a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand, one of the few US bakeries to receive the distinction in the inaugural Michelin guide.
Tip: Sourdough loaves sell out by lunch on weekends; arrive at opening. Wine bar opens Wed-Sat evenings.
High Five Coffee Broadway ★ 4.7
north-asheville · 190 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
High Five Coffee on Broadway Street has been Asheville's flagship High Five since 2009, a counter-service room with a patio that takes laptops on warm days.
Tip: Counter service. Outdoor patio takes laptops on warm days; outlets are limited inside.
Good Hot Fish ★ 4.7
south-slope · 10 Buxton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Ashleigh Shanti's Good Hot Fish upstairs at Burial Beer's South Slope campus runs counter-style as a Black Appalachian fish fry. Catfish, hush puppies, slaw.
Tip: Order at the counter upstairs, take the basket to Burial's beer garden below. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Good Hot Fish ★ 4.7
south-slope · 10 Buxton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Ashleigh Shanti's Good Hot Fish at Burial's South Slope runs a $14 fried catfish basket as standard. Hush puppies, slaw dog and Carolina mustard included.
Tip: Order at the counter upstairs. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Beer downstairs at Burial.
OWL Bakery Charlotte Street ★ 4.6
north-asheville · 197 Charlotte St, Asheville, NC 28801
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.
PennyCup Coffee Co River Arts ★ 4.6
river-arts-district · 362 Depot St, Asheville, NC 28801
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.
Tip: Mon-Fri 07:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-15:00. Bagels and bagel sandwiches from a local baker; gluten-free pastries.
Old Europe Pastries ★ 4.6
downtown · 18 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Old Europe Pastries on Broadway Street has run since 1994 as a Hungarian-Austrian coffeehouse and pastry shop. Owner Melinda Vetro is the Esztergom-born head.
Tip: Open daily until late (Mon-Sat 23:00, Sun 22:00). One of downtown's only late-night cafe options.
Chai Pani ★ 4.6
south-slope · 32 Banks Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Meherwan Irani's Chai Pani lays out a snack menu starting under $7 from its 32 Banks Ave South Slope home (moved 2024), three snacks landing under $20.
Tip: Lunchtime walk-in moves fastest. Order three small snacks for under $20; skip the thalis if you're keeping it cheap.
Old Europe Pastries ★ 4.5
downtown · 18 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Old Europe Pastries on Broadway Street since 1994 is the city's Hungarian-Austrian patisserie, run by Esztergom-born head pastry chef Melinda Vetro.
Tip: Open late, 22:00-23:00 nightly. Coffee from Dynamite Roasting alongside scratch-made pastries.
High Five Coffee Rankin ★ 4.5
downtown · 13 Rankin Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
High Five Coffee's downtown Rankin Avenue location opened in 2015 next to Tops for Shoes, a walk-in counter where the queue moves fast even at peak.
Tip: Counter service. Walk-in only; queue moves fast even at peak.
Biscuit Head ★ 4.5
west-asheville · 733 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Biscuit Head on Haywood Road in West Asheville builds full breakfasts around $7 cathead biscuits with house preserves at the jam bar. The under-$15 Asheville.
Tip: The biscuit-and-gravy plate is the value play; the Mimosa Fried Chicken biscuit pushes over $12.
Short Street Cakes ★ 4.4
west-asheville · 225 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Short Street Cakes on Haywood Road in West Asheville is the family-owned cake shop running 100 percent natural Southern-style scratch cakes and cupcakes.
Tip: Whole celebration cakes need a 48-hour pre-order; the walk-in cupcake case rotates daily.
BattleCat Coffee Bar ★ 4.4
west-asheville · 373 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
BattleCat Coffee Bar on Haywood Road in West Asheville pours specialty espresso and pour-overs with a punk-leaning aesthetic. The Tunnel Road East Asheville.
Tip: Open early; the patio takes laptops. Cash and card accepted; vegan milks at no upcharge.
Buxton Chicken Palace ★ 4.4
downtown · 56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Buxton Chicken Palace inside S and W Market on Patton Avenue is Elliott Moss and Meherwan Irani's spinoff dedicated to the Bon Appetit-anointed Buxton Hall.
Tip: Counter service inside S and W Market. Hot honey is the cult condiment. Take it to the upstairs bar.
White Duck Taco Shop ★ 4.3
downtown · 12 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
White Duck Taco's downtown Asheville location on Biltmore Avenue runs globally inspired soft tacos: Korean bulgogi, Bangkok shrimp, jerk chicken, smoked duck.
Tip: Order at the counter and take a seat. The Riverside Drive River Arts location is under reconstruction in 2025.
Rosetta's Kitchen ★ 4.3
downtown · 68 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Rosetta Star's Rosetta's Kitchen on North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville has run vegan and vegetarian comfort food since 2002. Editor pick.
Tip: Counter service. Cash and card both fine; The Buchi Bar in the building serves Buchi kombucha on tap, natural wine and the full Rosetta's vegan menu.
Biscuit Head ★ 4.3
west-asheville · 733 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Jason and Carolyn Roy's Biscuit Head on Haywood Road since 2013 is the cathead biscuit benchmark for West Asheville, serving Southern breakfast until 14:00.
Tip: Walk-in counter service. Arrive before 09:30 on weekends to beat the line spilling out the door.
Summit Coffee ★ 4.3
downtown · 1 Page Ave Ste 148, Asheville, NC 28801
Summit Coffee inside the Grove Arcade on Page Avenue pours the Davidson, NC-based roaster's beans in a downtown Asheville cafe. The Foundy Street River Arts.
Tip: Inside the Grove Arcade arcade; pair with a stop at the makers' market or the second-floor architecture.
White Duck Taco Shop ★ 4.3
downtown · 12 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
White Duck Taco's downtown Asheville room on Biltmore Avenue runs counter-service globally inspired soft tacos: Korean bulgogi, Bangkok shrimp.
Tip: Counter service. The Riverside Drive River Arts location is under reconstruction in 2025.
Botiwalla by Chai Pani ★ 4.3
downtown · 22 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Botiwalla by Chai Pani on Battery Park Avenue is Meherwan Irani's tribute to the late-night sigri (grill) cart culture of India. Counter-service grilled.
Tip: Order at the counter, take a seat. The 697 Haywood Road sister room is the West Asheville extension.
White Duck Taco Shop ★ 4.3
downtown · 12 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
White Duck Taco's downtown room on Biltmore Avenue runs counter-service soft tacos $4-6 each, the Korean bulgogi and crispy fish among the strongest.
Tip: Counter service. The Korean bulgogi, crispy fish and lamb gyro are the strongest under-$5 tacos.
Rosetta's Kitchen ★ 4.3
downtown · 68 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Rosetta Star's Rosetta's Kitchen on North Lexington Avenue runs vegan comfort plates under $14. The Peace Burger with mac and cheese on the side is the cult.
Tip: Counter service. The Buchi kombucha on tap is a useful pairing; cash and card.
Pie.zaa Pizza ★ 4.3
south-slope · 46 Millard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Pie.zaa on Millard Avenue in the South Slope runs $5-8 NY-style slices and late-night pies. The default Asheville late-night cheap eat for service industry.
Tip: Open until 01:00 Fri-Sat. Two slices and a soda lands under $14 even at midnight.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge ★ 4.2
downtown · 10 S Pack Sq, Asheville, NC 28801
French Broad Chocolate Lounge on Pack Square in downtown Asheville opened in 2008 as the bean-to-bar chocolate maker's customer-facing room.
Tip: The factory and cafe at 821 Riverside Drive runs bean-to-bar tours daily; book on the operator site.
The Times Bar and Coffee Shop ★ 4.2
downtown · 56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
The Times Bar and Coffee Shop inside the historic S and W Market on Patton Avenue runs as a daytime third-wave coffee bar and evening craft cocktail room.
Tip: Coffee mornings give way to cocktails after 16:00. The S and W Market food hall around it handles the food.
Double D's Coffee and Desserts ★ 4.2
downtown · 41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Double D's Coffee and Desserts on Biltmore Avenue serves espresso, drip and cakes from a converted 1960 English double-decker bus. A downtown landmark.
Tip: Order at the bus window, take a seat upstairs on the open top deck. Cash and card accepted.
Mikasa Criolla ★ 4.2
downtown · 56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Mikasa Criolla inside S and W Market on Patton Avenue serves Peruvian-style stews, empanadas and paninis, counter service in the downtown food hall format.
Tip: Counter service. Empanadas and a stew make a good pairing with a Highland Brewing pour from the mezzanine.
The West End Bakery and Café ★ 4.1
west-asheville · 757 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
The West End Bakery and Café on Haywood Road in West Asheville scratch-bakes pastries and breads, serves breakfast all day and lunch seven days, plus Fri-Sat.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Friday-Saturday evenings shift to small plates, beer and wine.
Izzy's Coffee Den ★ 4.1
south-slope · 74 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Izzy's Coffee on North Lexington Avenue is the small-batch local roaster's downtown cafe. Vegan-friendly menu, longtime work-friendly format with multiple.
Tip: Open early 07:00 Mon-Fri, 08:00 weekends. Lavender and chai lattes are the local-cult drinks.
Farm Dogs at S and W ★ 4.1
downtown · 56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Farm Dogs at S and W Market is Farm Burger's grassfed-sausage and hot dog concept, counter service in the downtown food hall. Local soft pretzels too.
Tip: Counter service inside S and W Market. The local pretzel-and-mustard combo is the move on a beer walk.
Farm Burger ★ 4.1
downtown · 10 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Farm Burger on Patton Avenue serves Hickory Nut Gap grassfed burgers and farm fries counter-style, under $15 for a single cheeseburger and side.
Tip: The build-your-own with a single patty is the value play. Counter service; order pickup ahead online.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen ★ 4.1
downtown · 12 College St, Asheville, NC 28801
Tupelo Honey's original College Street location in Asheville keeps breakfast plates and biscuits under $18, with sweet potato pancakes and fried chicken.
Tip: Weekday breakfast 09:00-11:00 is the calmest. Weekend brunch climbs over $20 with sides.
Asheville Brewing Company ★ 4.1
south-slope · 77 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Asheville Brewing Company on Coxe Avenue in South Slope runs $13-18 wood-fired pizzas alongside house beers in a family-friendly brewpub with a heated patio.
Tip: Walk-in. Family-friendly; the Coxe Avenue patio takes the overflow on warm evenings.
Baked Pie Company ★ 4.0
south-asheville · 4 Long Shoals Rd, Arden, NC 28704
Baked Pie Company in Arden, just south of Asheville, runs daily-changing whole pies and by-the-slice service. The signature pecan and chocolate-chess pies.
Tip: Whole pies need 48 hours' pre-order for guarantee; the slice case typically holds 12-15 varieties daily.
The West End Bakery and Café ★ 4.0
west-asheville · 757 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
The West End Bakery and Café on Haywood Road in West Asheville scratch-bakes pastries and bread, adding small plates, beer and wine on Friday and Saturday.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Friday and Saturday nights add small plates, beer and wine until late.
Twisted Crepe ★ 4.0
downtown · 62 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Twisted Crepe on Haywood Street runs sweet and savoury French-style crepes and buckwheat galettes from $8. A solid downtown breakfast or light-lunch budget.
Tip: Closed Wednesdays. The buckwheat ham-and-Gruyère galette is the most-filling savoury option.
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