Best Local Hangouts in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian W.
- Dec 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 12
Between the Biltmore Estate, the South Slope, and the timeless beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's no wonder why Asheville NC’s long been a prime vacation destination for travelers across the southeast.
We’ve got luxury cabins, awesome spas, primo nature, and even award-winning restaurants. But in between all these high-profile locales, there are a few places off the beaten path. Places where locals like to hang. Small-town cafes and tearooms. Restaurants where Ashevilleans go to feel at home. Bars where, proverbially, everybody knows your name.
I’m talking about places, in short, that I like to take my friends when they’re in town. And today, dear reader, you are taking the role of that out-of-town amigo.
How could I start this article anywhere else? Asheville’s Dobra Tea has long been my favorite spot to catch up with friends and family. Some of the best conversations of my life have taken place with the assistance of their unbeatable teas and pastries. I think you’ll find similar attestations from any Ashevillean you ask.
I’ve come around to enjoying Dobra’s east Asheville and west Asheville locations the best. The west Asheville Dobra has the advantage, of course, of being in one of the hippest parts of town, close to a slew of awesome local restaurants. East Asheville’s Dobra is a little further away from the heart of things, but if you’re driving into or out of town from the east, it's the perfect spot for a break from the road.
What both have in common is just how peaceful they are. Like little oases, far from the bustle of downtown.
For beginners, I recommend flipping to the back of the tea menu, and choosing something under the “Specialty” section. Hard to go wrong there. And for you tearoom veterans, they’ve got just about every variety under the sun, from pu-er to yerba mate.
This one’s a frequent flier when it comes to my movie theater recommendations in Asheville. From the moment I stepped in here, at fourteen years old, ready for my first watch of Spirited Away, I knew they had something cooking.
Pizza, specifically. Plus quesadillas, chicken wings, cheese curds, and mozzarella strips. Roll all that up with a healthy supply of local craft beers , and you have yourself an undeniable smash-hit hangout.
As far as the movies, they play a blend of blockbuster releases, with some smaller cult-films and throwback hits mixed in for special occasions. Tickets sell out fast, so be sure to plan your visit here ahead, and note that they don’t show previews here. Movies actually start at the advertised time.
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some brews with a local crowd, then west Asheville’s Universal Joint is just what you need. Just about every time I sit down here I end up running into somebody I know. It's just that much of an institution for us Ashevilleans.
Their menu’s nothing to sniff at either. Dynamite burgers, awesome shareables (a la spicy egg rolls and loaded tots), as well as serviceable salads and other vegetarian options. In fact, if you hit the crowds right, visiting for lunch early in the week, you may find it's a great place for a chill family meal, out on their open-air patio.
Truly, no matter the occasion, if you’re looking for a no-frills place to enjoy good food, good drink, and good company, then west Asheville's Universal Joint is the place to be.
Barbecue’s always a matter of debate among us southerners. Carolina-style, Texas-style, and so on. I don’t see the point in wasting my words on these things. You take a visit to 12 Bones, you’re gonna find all the evidence you need to see that the fact is, Asheville’s at the top of the game.
Personally I prefer 12 Bone's south Asheville location. Shorter lines, faster service, and enough seating for your family, friends, friend’s friends, and their family too.
Now this is a popular place we got here, so you got to time it right. Sundays and Mondays are typically pretty quiet. Tuesdays, not so bad. But visit on say a Friday or Saturday afternoon, and you can expect a wait.
It's all worth it though, once you sink your teeth into a platter of their famous baby back ribs. I recommend the brown sugar and blueberry chipotle rubs, but that’s just my taste. If you got the opportunity, it’s worth it to come back and try them all.
Local lore : their brisket ought to be listed as an attraction all its own, but it's only on the menu Wednesday through Saturday. Plan accordingly.
And finally, we get to one of the oldest and most substantial contributors to Asheville’s status as a cultural powerhouse. Live music and Asheville have long gone hand-in-hand, like hops in an IPA. It's simply a part of what makes this town what it is.
So when you come on down to Asheville, if you really want to experience it like a local, you’ve got to take a look at what’s playing at the Orange Peel. Big acts and small acts alike will find their way onto this South Slope venue’s stage. But what’s really awesome, first off, is that you won’t be paying big-city prices. And second, you’ve got your choice of locally-made brews, served at their full bar downstairs.
Start your afternoon with a little shopping downtown, get some dinner at the South Slope, and conclude it with a show at the Orange Peel. Then you will truly be living like a local.
Now that you're equipped with all that local lore, the final piece of your visit to Asheville is finding a great, locally-owned place to stay.
Here at Asheville Cottages, we've got your perfect base for exploring Asheville, all the while offering every top-of-the-line private amenity, you could think of, including full kitchens, hot tubs, grilles, and even heated bathroom floors.
Book a stay yourself and see just why Asheville Cottages is rated number one on trip advisor, with plenty of five-star reviews.
Businesses Mentioned
Dobra Tea (East)
(828)-774-5088
1011 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Dobra Tea (West)
(828)-505-4307
707 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co.
(828)-254-1281
675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Universal Joint
(828)-505-7262
784 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
12 Bones (South)
(828)-687-1395
2350 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC 28704
The Orange Peel
(828)-398-1837
101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
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