Best of Biltmore Park—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian Wasserman
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
Its many a year since the first ground was broken in Biltmore Park. Some still remember when this place was nothing but pastureland and scrub. No longer. Now, here in South Asheville, we’ve got one of the finest shopping and dining centers in town, combining downtown-style quality with easy parking and a quieter, less bustling tone.
Over my many articles, I know I have touched on Biltmore Park, here and there. Sitting only ten minutes away from the luxurious Asheville Cottages, it is certainly conveniently located. But nothing in this world is immune to change. New restaurants, stores, and special events are always cropping up out here. So right now, I’d like to take the time to talk about my latest favorites: the best of Biltmore Park.
Right off the bat we’ve got one of those special breakfast places that sets my mouth to watering just writing about it. When people ask for my writing advice, I always say: write hungry. It sharpens your imagination to a razor’s-likeness, compelling you to delve into your topic, especially the topic of food, with the enthusiasm it deserves.
And what else but enthusiasm could you have for a menu like theirs? Another Broken Egg serves breakfast and brunch prepared to the epitome of Southern comfort. Their biscuit beignets have long been a favored appetizer of mine, followed by one of their indulgent omelets, a crispy-chewy English muffin, and inevitably, a cup of coffee.
And of course, they’ve got all those other specialties that make a Southern breakfast so dang good: chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and fresh-baked biscuits, as well as a full spread of refreshing brunchy cocktails.
There’s not a ton of breakfast joints out here in Biltmore Park, so the weekend brunch crowd usually facilitates a wait. That said, I’ve never felt abandoned by Another Broken Egg; it's typically only about fifteen minutes at worst. Plenty of time to sit out and breathe in that fresh mountain air.
Hours: 7am to 2pm, Monday through Friday. Open until 3pm Saturdays and Sundays.
If I had to pick one thing I love the most about Asheville, it would be the mountains. But if I had to pick a second thing, then it would be our splendid proliferation of farmer’s markets.
Growing up, Biltmore Park’s summer market was the closest to me, and so it's become one of my favorites. Open from late May into October, there’s simply nothing better than coming out here for lunch, followed by a stroll through the vendor’s stalls, picking up ingredients with which to cook dinner at home (or at your home-away-from-home’s fully-equipped kitchen, if you’re so lucky to land one).
Some of my favorite vendors include Riverview Farms for fresh fruits and vegetables and French Broad Pastries for the perfect final course to your farmer’s-market feast.
Hours: Thursdays, 3pm to 6pm.
One of the latest-and-greatest new restaurants in Biltmore Park, Taco Boy is a prime pick for casual get-togethers and relaxed family meals, setting up there with Brixx Pizza and the Hickory Tavern.
The main event here are the tacos, encompassing both traditional setups like carnitas and birria, as well as cross-cultural fusions like the kimchi beef and chicken-bacon-and-ranch. Myself, I’m partial to the quesabirria quesadilla. Its the side of guacamole that does it for me.
Now the real kicker here is all the great deals. Happy hour every day from 3pm to 6pm, with free chips and salsa. Tequila Tuesdays and half-price wings on Mondays. You can’t do much better than that.
Hours: Noon to 8pm Sunday through Thursday. Open until 9pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Moving right along, just around the corner from Taco Boy, you'll find one of Biltmore Park’s many answers to that great and longstanding question: “What’s for desert?”
We’ve long had great ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, on the way to the Regal cinema. And then you’ve got your build-it-yourself fro-yo at Sweet Escape. So I for one would not have guessed that Biltmore Park could handle one more chilled-sweets kind of venture, but then along came Dolly Lama, pairing their ice cream with hot and crispy waffles.
Its a killer combination. So now we’ve got yet another stellar dessert place here in Biltmore Park. And with a mouthful of ice cream and waffles, I for one could not be happier.
Hours: 2pm to 7pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Biltmore Park has gone and brought back their signature outdoor summer concert series, filling this great part of town with music every second Friday from June to August. Just like Downtown After Five, there’s few better ways to get out and enjoy some real local fun than an evening of live performances like this.
Most of the acts play southern rock, souls and blues, and many of them are in fact populated by locals. It's all got that small-town charm that just can’t be beat. Food can be purchased from the concerts sponsored vendors, as well as, of course, all of Biltmore Park’s finest restaurants.
Tickets not required. Just grab a lawn chair or a blanket, and come out early to grab your spot out front of the Hickory Tavern.
Hours: Second Fridays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Businesses Mentioned
Another Broken Egg Café
(828)-676-2823
27 Schenck Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28803
Taco Boy
(828)-829-8226
2 Town Square Blvd #120, Asheville, NC 28803
The Dolly Lama
(828)-713-8270
2 Town Square Blvd #130, Asheville, NC 28803
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