Best of the Best in Asheville, NC
Gab Bonfiglio
Use this guide to eat and drink like a local while avoiding tourist traps. As always, use the map feature to see what spots are nearby one another!
20 Places • 6 Saves • ago
Free

Coffee Shops

Rowan Coffee
@gabdrinksbeer
This new kid in town is not joking around!! Coffee snobs rejoice.
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Grind AVL
@gabdrinksbeer
A cafe I admire for its commitment to support Black businesses in AVL
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Details
BattleCat Coffee Bar
@gabdrinksbeer
Perfectly grungy.
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Details

Bakeries

OWL Bakery
@gabdrinksbeer
Voted best in Western North Carolina and nominated for a James beard— get ready to wait in line!
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Details
Whisk Avl
@gabdrinksbeer
This drive through only gem is worth the 12 min drive west of the city. Hit this on your way to a hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway! Just be warned, they’re closed on Sundays.
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Details

Brunch Spots

HomeGrown
@gabdrinksbeer
Just note that this cozy, casual spot opens at 11!
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Details
Taco Billy
@gabdrinksbeer
True Austin style breakfast tacos. Order the migas!!
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Details
Vivian
@gabdrinksbeer
This James Beard award nominated spot throws down for weekend brunch.
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Tall John's
@gabdrinksbeer
Everything at Tall John’s is reliably delicious.
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Details

Breweries

I have a whole guide built around my favorite spots! Linked here:

Free
Where to Actually Drink Beer (and wine) in Western North Carolina
Among the 50+ breweries in and around Beer City, USA, these are my top picks. Click into each place for tips on what to order while you’re there! Let’s let no great beer go unsipped. Asheville, WNC, North Carolina
Curated by Gab Bonfiglio
13 Places • 2 Saves • ago
Details

Dinner Spots

Nine Mile
@gabdrinksbeer
An Asheville institution with incredible Caribbean food. Go early because they don’t take reservations. You can grab a drink at tall John’s down the street if you have to wait for a table.
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Details
Baby Bull
@gabdrinksbeer
Unanimously regarded as the best burger in town. A great casual option.
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Details
White Labs Brewing Co - Asheville Kitchen & Tap
@gabdrinksbeer
White Labs is one of the world’s leading producers of brewers’ yeasts. And Asheville houses one of their three brick and mortar locations! At this one, they make delicious pizzas using their own yeast in the crust.
Add to
Details
Jettie Rae's Oyster House
@gabdrinksbeer
I doubted that seafood could be good in the mountains until I tried Jetti Rae’s.
Add to
Details
Mehfil
@gabdrinksbeer
We love an Indian-owned and run Indian restaurant. Skip the line at Chai Pani for this spot, or for the more casual sister restaurant next store, Dilbar.
Add to
Details

‌Cocktail Bars

The Bar at Table
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

The Golden Pineapple
@gabdrinksbeer
A whimsical cocktail list with delicious and creative bar snacks to match.
Add to
Details
Little Jumbo
@gabdrinksbeer
Unbelievable cocktails, dance parties every Saturday and jazz on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Add to
Details
Crucible
@gabdrinksbeer
If they ask if you’re a member, don’t be alarmed. You can sign up for $1! Catch me here at least once a week drinking a Negroni with mezcal. Or a high life.
Add to
Details
Anoche Asheville
@gabdrinksbeer
A vibey yet education mezcal bar with delicious house cocktails.
Add to
Details
Imperiál
@gabdrinksbeer
Asheville’s older mezcal bar, with a dj every night :)
Add to
Details

As always, thanks for reading, and please do leave a tip if you found this helpful! For further recommendations, check out my complete Asheville shop page.

Free
Asheville, North Carolina Travel Shop
I live here, so I know :) My guides reliably and consistently steer you away from the tourist attractions. That isn’t to say you should not go to the Biltmore! But use the guides below to experience Asheville like a local.
Curated by Gab Bonfiglio
3 Saves • ago
Details

* * *
CURATED BY
Gab Bonfiglio
📍Asheville, NC Your certified beer expert specializing in culinary, road trip, and budget travel. Beer, coffee, mezcal, and natural wine guides to come! Follow me on IG for photos of my latest adventures. Click the website icon to book a virtual beer class with me!
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Support Gab Bonfiglio’s work.
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Best of the Best in Asheville, NC
Gab Bonfiglio
Use this guide to eat and drink like a local while avoiding tourist traps. As always, use the map feature to see what spots are nearby one another!
20 Places • 6 Saves • ago
Free

Coffee Shops

Rowan Coffee
@gabdrinksbeer
This new kid in town is not joking around!! Coffee snobs rejoice.
Add to
Details
Grind AVL
@gabdrinksbeer
A cafe I admire for its commitment to support Black businesses in AVL
Add to
Details
BattleCat Coffee Bar
@gabdrinksbeer
Perfectly grungy.
Add to
Details

Bakeries

OWL Bakery
@gabdrinksbeer
Voted best in Western North Carolina and nominated for a James beard— get ready to wait in line!
Add to
Details
Whisk Avl
@gabdrinksbeer
This drive through only gem is worth the 12 min drive west of the city. Hit this on your way to a hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway! Just be warned, they’re closed on Sundays.
Add to
Details

Brunch Spots

HomeGrown
@gabdrinksbeer
Just note that this cozy, casual spot opens at 11!
Add to
Details
Taco Billy
@gabdrinksbeer
True Austin style breakfast tacos. Order the migas!!
Add to
Details
Vivian
@gabdrinksbeer
This James Beard award nominated spot throws down for weekend brunch.
Add to
Details
Tall John's
@gabdrinksbeer
Everything at Tall John’s is reliably delicious.
Add to
Details

Breweries

I have a whole guide built around my favorite spots! Linked here:

Free
Where to Actually Drink Beer (and wine) in Western North Carolina
Among the 50+ breweries in and around Beer City, USA, these are my top picks. Click into each place for tips on what to order while you’re there! Let’s let no great beer go unsipped. Asheville, WNC, North Carolina
Curated by Gab Bonfiglio
13 Places • 2 Saves • ago
Details

Dinner Spots

Nine Mile
@gabdrinksbeer
An Asheville institution with incredible Caribbean food. Go early because they don’t take reservations. You can grab a drink at tall John’s down the street if you have to wait for a table.
Add to
Details
Baby Bull
@gabdrinksbeer
Unanimously regarded as the best burger in town. A great casual option.
Add to
Details
White Labs Brewing Co - Asheville Kitchen & Tap
@gabdrinksbeer
White Labs is one of the world’s leading producers of brewers’ yeasts. And Asheville houses one of their three brick and mortar locations! At this one, they make delicious pizzas using their own yeast in the crust.
Add to
Details
Jettie Rae's Oyster House
@gabdrinksbeer
I doubted that seafood could be good in the mountains until I tried Jetti Rae’s.
Add to
Details
Mehfil
@gabdrinksbeer
We love an Indian-owned and run Indian restaurant. Skip the line at Chai Pani for this spot, or for the more casual sister restaurant next store, Dilbar.
Add to
Details

‌Cocktail Bars

The Bar at Table
@gabdrinksbeer
Add to
Details

The Golden Pineapple
@gabdrinksbeer
A whimsical cocktail list with delicious and creative bar snacks to match.
Add to
Details
Little Jumbo
@gabdrinksbeer
Unbelievable cocktails, dance parties every Saturday and jazz on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Add to
Details
Crucible
@gabdrinksbeer
If they ask if you’re a member, don’t be alarmed. You can sign up for $1! Catch me here at least once a week drinking a Negroni with mezcal. Or a high life.
Add to
Details
Anoche Asheville
@gabdrinksbeer
A vibey yet education mezcal bar with delicious house cocktails.
Add to
Details
Imperiál
@gabdrinksbeer
Asheville’s older mezcal bar, with a dj every night :)
Add to
Details

As always, thanks for reading, and please do leave a tip if you found this helpful! For further recommendations, check out my complete Asheville shop page.

Free
Asheville, North Carolina Travel Shop
I live here, so I know :) My guides reliably and consistently steer you away from the tourist attractions. That isn’t to say you should not go to the Biltmore! But use the guides below to experience Asheville like a local.
Curated by Gab Bonfiglio
3 Saves • ago
Details

* * *
CURATED BY
Gab Bonfiglio
📍Asheville, NC Your certified beer expert specializing in culinary, road trip, and budget travel. Beer, coffee, mezcal, and natural wine guides to come! Follow me on IG for photos of my latest adventures. Click the website icon to book a virtual beer class with me!
Send A Tip
Support Gab Bonfiglio’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Feeling overwhelmed?
Thatch can help.
Send a request and we'll handpick a list of Thatch-verified travel creators who would love to help with your trip.
No request is too big or small...
"Research places for beach trips this winter."
"Help me plan a romantic getaway to Milan."
"Find and book kid-friendly activities in Paris."
"Curate a walking tour of historic Berlin."
"Suggest wineries worth visiting in Napa."
You can relax now :)
Person laying on a bed relaxing
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Gab Bonfiglio Privacy Terms