Downtown Asheville, NC
Up in the foothills of the great smokey mountains lies a neat city that starkly contrasts southern culture.
(Be advised that this review is only for the downtown/cultural region of Asheville, and not for any outdoor recreational activities in the area.)
Food (or should I say, ‘Pho’d’)
Upon initial arrival into downtown Asheville, you’d believe you were in a small ski town within Colorado or Utah, rather than just northeast of Georgia. Small business, local restaurants, and native microbreweries span the streets. It really creates a local flare of mountain culture; different from what you’d expect to see in the southeast US.
There’s plenty of diversity in food here, first of all. Also, from the initial looks of it, it’s hard to go wrong. The Noodle Shop on the corner of Patton and Biltmore had some decently priced pho for a sit-down restaurant; that was the mood for the night. The wait times may get a bit long since it’s a small place, but it’s well worth it. Also, there are a lot of nearby store fronts to check out while you wait, so take the leisurely option and get a chance to stop through them.
…& Drinks
While I’m not sure how the math plays out, I am convinced there’s a direct positive correlation between city elevation and desire to grab a local beer. Fortunately, like many mountain towns, downtown Asheville doesn’t disappoint. There’s a handful of quality venues here, from the size of a warehouse all the way down to the local hole in the wall pubs.
If you’re a fan of Sours, The Funkatorium is far and beyond the way to go. Equipped with an extensive menu of drinks with their own designated PH level, the list ranges from black tea-peppermint to watermelon-basil infusions and fermentations. There are some curiously risky recipes for the adventurous, and some safe bets for the less inclined.
If sours are not your thing, there are a couple other breweries ten minutes away. Catawba, another wearhouse microbrew (it’s throughout the Carolinas, but we’ll give it to them), has a similar vibe as the Funkatorium, but with a much larger range of every other kind of beer, and live music on many nights. Lastly, Green man is a local recommendation for those looking for a smaller, quieter setting, and Wicked Weed (The Funkatoriums not-so-sour cousin) brings a livelier atmosphere.
And if drinks in general don’t appeal to you, there are plenty of shops downtown with collections not often seen elsewhere. You may have to do some digging, but past the tourist trap gift shops lie some unique fashion choices and home good tastes that could make you scratch your head. Treat it as a museum with price tags, and you’ll walk away reasonably satisfied. A personal favorite was the ever so stylish Indo; a bit upbeat-hippie, a bit new-age-y, a bit world-perspective-y, and overall wholesome.
Can’t Pass Up the Biscuits
If you’re just coming through for breakfast or lunch, check out Biscuithead, equipped with incredible vegan and non vegan cathead biscuits (we’ll let you ask them why they’re called that). Try the lavender peach jam from the self serve, or grab a gravy flight, which includes four biscuit halves for your smearing pleasure. Both of these were personal favorites.
INTERESTS AND ODDITIES
Downtown Asheville’s Catawba Brewery has some intriguing beer recipes on tap, including the Spicy Margarita Gose, which tastes like if you could liquidize a Cinco de Mayo celebration. If a full pint of that doesn’t sound appealing, check out the staff favorites flight. The other three beers served with it are all great for the adventurous.
And as always, thanks for reading!