French Onion Soup

La Guinguette
105 Richardson Blvd, Black Mountain

Literally the best French onion soup we've ever had. Get yourself a charcuterie board and try a Noble chai cider. 

Lake Tomahawk Park

At Sunset
401 Laurel Cir Dr, Black Mountain

On the shortlist of what makes Black Mountain so special. Beautiful and magical during the autumn sunset. 

Antiques 

Tobacco Barn Antiques
75 Swannanoa River Rd, Asheville

Plan on spending quite a few hours. This place is big. Really big. They have everything from the really cheap trinkets to the really expensive pie safe. 

Shopping

Marquee Asheville
36 Foundy St, Asheville

When you go the River Arts District save time for Marquee. This is a good choice if the weather isn't great because it's huge and inside. 

Itto Curry Ramen

Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas
3 Biltmore Ave, Downtown Asheville

Kathryn's favorite: Original yellow curry broth, fresh ramen, with ground pork, seasoned boiled egg, bamboo shoot,
and scallions.

Frozen Cheerwine

White Duck Taco Shop
Multiple Locations

The tacos are great. Sit out by the water at the Riverside Arts District location and get a frosty frozen Cheerwine 

Breakfast or Lunch

Blue Ridge Biscuit Co.

601 W State St, Black Mountain

In the south, there are a ton of places to get biscuits. These are the bomb... a butter bomb. This place is in downtown Black Mountain, and must use 1000 pounds of butter every day. Go simple with Bacon Egg and Cheese or eat like a local and get the Seven Sisters: Three Grit Cakes Topped with Fried Green Tomatoes and Pimento Cheese; Fried Chicken with Spiced Honey and Country Ham with Aged Sharp Cheddar.

Scent of Blue Creek Cottage

The Laundry Refinery & Essentials

120 E State St, Black Mountain

The Sea & Salt scent is sold exclusively at this little downtown shop. The laundry invites customers to bring their own containers while shopping for home goods and eco-friendly cleaning products, offering local residents an efficient alternative to single-use plastic. Plus they have some cool finds and glass bottles are supplied for anything you may need. 

Apple Cider Doughnuts

Mountain Fresh Orchards
2887 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC

(Only open in season)

Take the scenic route. Ask for them hot. Get a 1/2 dozen and eat them there. 

Scorpion Pepper Chocolate Bar 

French Broad Chocolate
10 S Pack Square, Downtown Asheville

Our favorite thing here. The bright fruit flavor
of the scorpion pepper is perfectly paired with a fruity cacao, followed by a
crescendo of heat.

Long Pull Cortado

Dynamite Roasting Co. 
3198 US-70, Black Mountain

Patrick's favorite drink. The best coffee in Black Mountain hands down. Opens at 7am and a bean vending machine outside.

Bologna Melt

Foothills The Grange
120 Broadway Ave, Black Mountain

When a butcher makes a bologna sandwich - you eat it. Two Thick Slices of House-made Bologna Topped with American Cheese.

Black Mountain Gear

Take A Hike Outfitters
100 Sutton Ave, Black Mountain

There are a bunch of places to buy "touristy" teeshirts and hoodies, but if you're looking for quality and cool designs look no further. Represent Black Mountain back home with a sweatshirt, cap or PJ's

Nashville Hot Chicken

Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack
1455 Patton Ave. West Ashville

Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack -If you're in the West Asheville area check out Rocky's. All the food is made to order and from scratch. It's delicious and spicy and worth it!

Fancy Dinner

Cúrate

13 Biltmore Ave, Asheville

Make a reservation! Reservations are required, and can be made up to 60 days in advance - Try a sipping vermouth with your tapas. This James Beard award winner is worth a trip. For those who have visited Spain, the Cúrate menu will bring back memories of the country’s best jamón Ibérico, vermuterías, and lively tapas culture. In recognition of the restaurant’s all-Spanish wine list, Cúrate was listed as one of America’s 50 Wine Restaurants We Love in 2021 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.