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Asheville, North Carolina
Nestled in the leafy Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville's cultural cachet has been on the rise in recent years. Here, renowned chef, entrepreneur, and TV personality Katie Button, whose downtown Asheville tapas bar Cúrate and café, wine bar, and market La Bodega by Cúrate have become synonymous with the local food scene, shares recommendations for dining, lodging, and activities in this lively North Carolina destination.
Asheville’s music scene, galleries and studios, independent shops, and artisanal dining and drinking spots make it a destination worth exploring. Whether you're strolling through the arts district and downtown or hiking one of the nearby cloud-draped peaks, Asheville, North Carolina—aptly known as the Land of the Sky—offers near-limitless things to do.
Read on for chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur Katie Button’s curated itinerary that will help take the guesswork out of your next visit.
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WHERE TO EAT
Cúrate Tapas Bar
13 Biltmore Ave.Award-winning chef Katie Button's restaurant, which she co-owns with husband Felix Meana, specializes in small plates and a robust Spanish wine list. Its menu, largely locally sourced, changes with the season and includes creative twists on tapas favorites like chistorra & chips (that’s chorizo wrapped in potato chips) inspired by José Andrés, a renowned chef who Button trained with. For dessert, tarta de queso (Basque-style cheesecake with a blueberry tarragon compote) offers a culinary delight.
La Bodega by Cúrate
32 S. Lexington Ave.Cúrate's cousin property, recently remodeled and expanded, offers a Spanish-influenced café, market, and wine bar. With brunch, lunch, and dinner service, the property offers daily specials including paella, "bikini-style" sandwiches (the Croissant Bikini with a griddled croissant, French omelet, Curaté jamon casero, caramelized onion, sherry-sauteed mushrooms, Manchego, and aioli is a must-try!), and more.
Hole Doughnuts
168 Haywood Rd.Made-to-order and served piping hot, the donuts at this local favorite—vanilla glazed, toasted almond, sesame cinnamon—are baked from single-yeasted dough mixed from quality ingredients (cane sugar, sea salt, whole butter) and fried in rice bran oil.
French Broad Chocolates
10 S. Pack Sq.Bonbons, brownies, cakes, cookies, custard, ice cream, and more—most, of course, featuring ingredients derived from the cocoa bean—are the main draw at this choco-centric bakery and confectionery.
Liberty House Cafe
221 S. Liberty St.This northside neighborhood hangout in a refurbished historic homestead offers creative spins on breakfast and brunch, and handpicked coffee varieties from local sources.
WHERE TO STAY
Applewood Manor
62 Cumberland Cir.A 1912 New England Style Colonial Revival home and one of the longest-serving B&Bs in the area, the manor offers luxuriously appointed ensuite rooms, themed with modern flourishes that also pay tribute to the home's original owner, Captain John Adams Perry. In addition, visitors can enjoy unforgettable culinary events and guest chef experiences with top chefs during select weekends.
Grand Bohemian Hotel
11 Boston WayIts bold furnishings inspired by a modern twist on a rustic 19th Century hunting lodge, the Grand Bohemian's half-timber-and-stag-head decor more than lives up to its name. After your champagne at check-in, explore its Grand Bohemian Art Gallery or rejuvenate at the Poseidon Spa.
Kimpton Hotel Arras
7 Patton Ave.Located downtown, this sleek and stylish modern outpost offers easy access to the bustling shops, restaurants, and bars of this very hip city. If you prefer to stick closer to your room, dine at the hotel's Mediterranean-inspired Bargello restaurant or sip a craft cocktail at its District 4 bar.
Omni Grove Park Inn
290 Macon Ave.A bit further outside of downtown, this historic property has a lot to offer: stunning views of the mountain scenery (perfect for leaf-peeping trips), a classic 18-hole course, and, perhaps most remarkably, its renowned 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa featuring waterfalls, hot tubs, eucalyptus steam rooms, and more.
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WHERE TO EXPLORE
Graybeard Mountain Overlook
Blue Ridge Pkwy., BarnardsvilleThis 5,592-foot perch, accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway or, for more experienced hikers, an eight-plus mile round-trip hike, offers commanding views of the Seven Sisters range and access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
The River Arts District
3 River Arts Pl.This walkable (and cyclable) creative hotbed provides an up-close glimpse of artists at work. In their studios and galleries—many in repurposed warehouses and mills—they showcase endless creativity, exhibiting a colorful array of basketry, ceramics, jewelry, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and more.
Highland Brewing
12 Old Charlotte Hwy.Dating back to the early days of the craft brew revolution—1994!—this local staple has kept with the times by offering an array of fine ales and lagers: Gaelic Ale ("Asheville's First Beer"), Oatmeal Porter, High Pines Imperial IPA, and others are frothy and cool after a day of hiking the brewery’s trails or sightseeing. With its disc golf course, volleyball courts, and more on site, you can easily spend a lot of time here.
Biltmore Estate
1 Lodge St.America's largest estate—an ornate, 250-room French-style chateau set on 8,000 sprawling acres—was owned by the Vanderbilt family before being added to the National Register of Historic Places and now is visited by more than one million people each year who are eager to tour the house and gardens, attend a wine tasting, or hike the grounds. If you'd like to stay at this Gilded Age marvel, there are three properties on the estate: a moderately priced hotel, a four-star luxury inn, and private cottages.
Asheville Yoga Center
211 S Liberty St.Flexibility, stress relief, and inner peace are all attainable at this popular regional spot. The yoga center offers in-person and virtual classes, and beginners are always welcome.
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