#7: Asheville is open for business
An insanely good fish sandwich, actual steak frites, and a secret wine bar
A few weeks ago, one of my favorite spots in Asheville, Baby Bull, posted a photo of a sign that read, “We are open and we need your business now more than ever”.
It’s a sentiment being echoed across the entire Asheville small business community right now, nearly 5 months since Hurricane Helene.
I spent 24 hours in Asheville this past weekend and can confirm that they are open and ready for your business.
My husband and I love Asheville. We even got married there. It’s by far one of our most frequented weekend destinations, not just because it’s beautiful, but because it’s home to some of the best food and drink spots in the state.
I put together a list of some of our favorites. They’re places we recommend to friends and family. They’re places we come back to time and time again because they are genuinely great. Do yourself a favor and check them out. In turn, you’ll be supporting some really amazing businesses.
Where to eat
Baby Bull
Neighborhood: River Arts District
Good for: A casual lunch in between browsing shops
Go-to order: Lobster roll ($25.95)
Know before you go: Baby Bull is a colorful diner in the River Arts District serving up a small menu of handhelds. I often plot trips to Asheville for the sole purpose of eating their lobster roll. For selfish reasons, please go support this restaurant.
Good Hot Fish
Neighborhood: South Slope
Good for: Hot fish that is extremely good
Go-to order: Good Hot Fish Sandwich ($18) with potato salad ($6)
Know before you go: This fish fry shop was named one of America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2024 by a small, niche publication called The New York Times (!!). It’s owned by Top Chef contestant Ashleigh Shanti and, if you stop by, you’ll probably catch her manning the fryer. I’ve been impressed by everything I’ve tried here but the Good Hot Fish Sandwich is truly magical. They don’t skimp on spices. Be prepared to go to Flavortown™.
Chai Pani
Neighborhood: South Slope
Good for: A long dinner with lots of courses
Go-to order: Smoky Appalachia ($15), SPDP ($9.99), Butter Chicken Thali ($20.99)
Know before you go: If you’re a fan of Botiwalla in Optimist Hall, you’ll love Chai Pani because they’re owned by the same people. They have some of the same dishes but Chai Pani has a more expansive menu, including cocktails and thali-style dishes. I’m slightly bitter that they took over the old Buxton Hall BBQ space, but I’m holding out hope that Buxton will return in some capacity.
The Admiral
Neighborhood: West Asheville
Good for: An old school steak dinner with a MCM feel
Go-to order: Oysters on the half shell ($22/half dozen), Steak Frites with the Filet ($65)
Know before you go: This is a newer addition to my Asheville favorites. It’s giving Don Draper if he was slightly more hipster. They offer a kind of build-your-own steak frites option on the menu and it really hits. The filet cut is pricey but worth it if you’re treating yourself. Get reservations.
The Rhu
Neighborhood: Downtown
Good for: Hangover brunch
Go-to order: Quiche ($12) and a mimosa ($9)
Know before you go: This little cafe is kind of tucked away in downtown Asheville and it’s a great stop before you head out of town. I love the quiche because it comes with a lovely side salad, but I also co-sign their BEC on a everything bagel.
Where to drink
Citizen Vinyl
Neighborhood: Downtown
Good for: Coffee and reading a book
Know before you go: Citizen is one part cafe & bar, one part record store, and one part vinyl pressing factory. The space also happens to be an old newsroom, so it’s just layers upon layers of cool. If you’re there while they’re pressing records, you can watch through a big window.
Farewell
Neighborhood: South Slope
Good for: Coffee + natty wine
Know before you go: Farewell is reminiscent of Stable Hand or Not Just Coffee in Charlotte. They don’t have much of a food menu, beyond some pastries, but the coffee and aesthetic are similar IMO. Order the Honey Rose Latte and you won’t regret it.
Antidote
Neighborhood: South Slope
Good for: Craft cocktails and old-timey apothecary vibes
Know before you go: Antidote is essentially the “taproom” for Chemist, a local distillery specializing in gin. The menu has a lot of classic-style cocktails as well as some more experimental seasonal options. I haven’t tried a bad cocktail here but I especially love anything with their barrel-aged gin.
Anoche
Neighborhood: River Arts District
Good for: Mezcal & tequila heads
Know before you go: This spot is sort of off the beaten path but it’s a worth a stop. They specialize in agave spirits and their menu offers a nice mix of favorites (think margarita, horchata, etc.) and more adventurous options. If you like spicy cocktails, go with the Verde IV ($15).
Burial Beer
Neighborhood: South Slope
Good for: Day drinking to heavy metal
Know before you go: The best brewery in Asheville IMO based on the atmosphere alone. It’s less bro-y than other breweries, so you’re less likely to run into bachelor parties. Go on a nice day and you can take full advantage of their huge outdoor space.
Pink Moon
Neighborhood: West Asheville
Good for: Sipping natural wine under the radar
Know before you go: The word “speakeasy” has basically lost all meaning at this point but Pink Moon is the closest you’ll find. You need a passcode to get in, which you can find posted in their IG stories. It’s got a really dive bar feel but the wine selection is on point. If you’re not familiar with natural wine or vermouth, they’ll guide you on your journey.
Crocodile Wine
Neighborhood: Downtown
Good for: Wine bottles to-go
Know before you go: Ideal if you need some bottles for back at the hotel or Airbnb. They have a huge natural wine selection you won’t find at other places. Their winter hours are a little weird so check their IG before you go.
5 other ways to support WNC ❤️
Food & drink roundups are fun and all but I don’t want to downplay the real need throughout Western North Carolina, not just in Asheville. Here are some other ways you can continue to support the people in those communities without even leaving Charlotte.
Donate to MANNA Food Bank. This non-profit food bank serves 16 counties throughout Western NC, helping fight food insecurity. You can make a monetary donation online or drop-off food donations at their Mills River headquarters.
Donate to BeLoved Asheville. BeLoved is currently dedicating all of their resources to hurricane relief efforts. This winter, they’ve been helping displaced people in Asheville and surrounding areas, find safe and warm housing.
Support artists through Arts AVL. Donate and help provide relief to musicians, painters, and other local artisans and creatives affected by Helene. Your money will go to fund emergency grants and other relief for artists in need.
Support culinary workers through WNC Tip it Forward. This organization is providing relief grants for culinary & creative workers throughout Western North Carolina. Their goal is $1M in donations and they’re currently at $365,000. Help them hit it.
Sponsor a pet at Asheville Humane Society. Tons of pets were displaced during Helene and you can give at least one of them a second chance (without bringing them home). Sponsor a pet with a $100 minimum donation and you’ll receive a card with a photo and story of an animal currently at AHS.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. If there are other organizations you know about who are helping provide relief in WNC, please drop them in the comments!
To the new subscribers this week, welcome! I’m honored that you’ve made the bold commitment to subscribe to a long form newsletter in this economy. I’m doing a little bit of travel content this week and next, but I’ll get back to yapping about Charlotte soon.
c u next tuesday,
the hag herself
All of the food and drinks reviewed in QCH are paid for by the author. This newsletter does not feature any ads or sponsored content.