Dining on Downtown's Patton Avenue (Part One)—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian Wasserman
- Aug 30, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 4
When it comes to dining in downtown Asheville, I toss Patton Avenue into the ring time and time again. I figure it's high e time to break down exactly what manner of restaurants lie on this storied street, with all the expert analytics and juicy details that you’ve come to expect from Asheville Cottages.
For my purposes, I’m discussing a section of Patton comprising only two blocks, from the intersection with Asheland in the west to Pritchard Park in the east. Wander beyond these limits and your fate is in your own hands.
With the navigational specifications out of the way, I’d like you to consider this piece a sort of gustatory travel-guide; a menu of menus. And by golly, there’s a lot of ground to cover here, folks. I’m feeling a two-parter. Today, we focus on the south side of Asheville’s Patton Avenue.
A frequent flier on my food-themed articles, Red Ginger serves an impressive spread of Asian-fusion, with a specialty in succulent dumplings. Recently, I’ve been branching out into their rice and noodle dishes. Although served tapas-style, these entries punch above their deceptively small size, both in terms of flavor and fortification.
The best way to enjoy a meal with Red Ginger is via coordination with your dining companions. Borrow a little shrimp dumpling here, sample a slice of honey-glazed pork there, steal a spoonful of won ton soup, and you’ve got yourself as fine a dining experience as you can expect anywhere in downtown Asheville.
Hours: 11:30am to 9pm. Open until 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Last time I visited Jerusalem Garden, it was a night of torrential rain. After a half-hour hiding under cover, we braved the moisture, came down Patton, and found a seat in the warm indoors. We ordered a couple cups of steaming mint tea, sat back, relaxed, and drank in the spectacular ambience in this one-of-a-kind restaurant.
Here at Jerusalem Garden they serve up rich Mediterranean fare: roasted lamb, creamy hummus, stuffed olive-leaves, and for my money, the best baba ghanoush in town. Also, weekend brunch, starring ribeye kabobs, potatoes harra, and plenty of eggs.
Hours: 11am to 8pm, Tuesday through Thursday. 11am to 8:30pm Fridays, 10am to 8:30pm Saturdays, and 10am to 8pm Sundays. Closed on Mondays.
Time to do a little off-roading. Although technically not on Patton Avenue, I could scarcely brush so close to downtown Asheville’s premier Ethiopian restaurant without giving them a very special mention. Walk west along the avenue, take a left onto Coxe, another onto Commerce Street, and you’ll find this hidden gem nestled behind a brick façade.
At Addissae, you can find traditional Ethiopian cuisine, served family-style atop a platter of injera bread: spiced meats, rich sauces, and sprays of fresh vegetables. They have an an eye for vegetarian options, offering a meat-free rendition of their family-platter, as well as tempeh libb and red lentils. Top it all off with a pot of splendid Ethiopean coffee and you're good to go.
Note: Addissae's got a reputation for an erratic schedule, with owners and staff frequently taking months-long breaks. Be sure to check out their website and socials for the latest news. But should you be so lucky as to visit Asheville while Addissae's got their kitchen a'cooking, then it's well worth checking out.
Hours: 5pm to 9pm, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Time for a little refreshment. The Thirsty Monk is one of the most iconic Asheville breweries, with its jolly mascot adorning signs both in Biltmore Park, and right here at the corner of Patton Avenue.
This triple-decker location consists of their ground-floor watering-floor, the open-air "Top of the Monk" rooftop bar, and a basement lounge, designed for maximum relaxation. Getting on up top of the ol' Monk when they're at their busiest can be difficult, on account of limited seating. But if you visit at a slower time of week, it's a great place for a casual drink with friends, under the open Blue Ridge sky.
Not strictly a place to eat her, per se. But it's a heck of a nice place to hit up after dinner on the town, and conveniently located right here on one of Asheville's best streets for restaurants.
Hours: 4pm to 10pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. 2pm to 9pm on Sundays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
I daresay this art-deco food hall single handedly doubled the variety of eats on Patton Avenue, which is no mean feat. On the bottom floor, you’ll find the Buxton Chicken Palace serving chicken-sandwiches with a spread of colorful sauces, Bun Intended Thai-inspired street food, Farmdogs (Farm Burger’s sausage-loving spinoff), and a counter occupied by none other than Hop Ice-cream. I hope your visit coincides with their bourbon-Cheerwine flavor. It is delightful.
Upstairs, on the mezzanine, you’ll find plentiful seating with which to survey the lower floor, and Highland Brewing’s eighteen taps of local, small-batch brews. Their charging stations and loung-y seating provide inviting alcoves for those seeking hangout spots, or a place to do some work.
Next door, joined by a shared patio, you’ll find the Times Bar and Coffee Shop, with a variety of cocktails, mocktails, and such signature coffees as a raspberry mocha and a hot pecan late.
It’s a lot to process, I know. I suggest you make up your mind only once you’re on-site, letting the spur of the moment guide you.
Hours: 8am to 8pm. Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Businesses Mentioned
Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas
(828)-505-8688
82 Patton Ave Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28801
Jerusalem Garden Café
(828)-254-0255
78 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant
(828)-417-7189
48 Commerce St, Asheville, NC 28801
Thirsty Monk
(828)-254-5470
92 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
S&W Market
(828)-575-1500
56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
