Every stomach processes food a tiny bit differently due to a ton of factors, but every person deserves to get to try the incredible tastes available in the many restaurants, bakeries, and shops in Asheville, NC.  Luckily, the restaurant community here is very attuned to the needs of diners, offering options to cater to plant-based diets, modify dishes to avoid allergens, and also keep gluten, which are particular proteins primarily found in wheat and similar grains, out of foods.  While the exact source of gluten sensitivities is unknown, many people find that the stomach pain and gastrointestinal illness that they experience while eating wheat products go away when they switch…

Most people know Asheville as Beer City, and for good reason – there are literally dozens of micro and even nanobreweries in the area, creating a wide variety of incredible lagers, sour beers, IPAs, and every other imaginable variety.  But when it comes to drinking local on the cocktail side, did you know that Asheville has a great craft distillery scene? Since many spirits spend time aging in barrels or in other kinds of time-consuming processes, many craft distilleries emerge on a small scale at first, only to grow rapidly as their products hit the market and people discover the delicious flavors. Whether you’d prefer your locally distilled whiskey on…

I’ll be honest with you – I was not much of a tea fan until I started visiting tea houses in Asheville with a friend of mine. I’m a coffee drinker through and through, and she was only able to win me over because the atmosphere of Asheville’s tea shops is such a lovely and inviting one.  Whether you’re looking to lounge on floor cushions while sipping a tasty oolong at Dobra Tea or want to learn about the complex and fascinating history of pu-erh teas at High Climate, the tea shops in Asheville offer a wide variety of teas for both on-site consumption and for taking home with you. …

To some, sushi is associated with delicate rolls made of cold, packed rice and various fish and vegetables, all wrapped in delicate nori (edible dried seaweed paper). But at some of the very best Asheville sushi restaurants, sushi is truly an art form, combining skill at creating rolls with delicate sauces and toppings.  Some fans of Japanese food prefer sashimi, the high-quality raw fish variety of sushi that is sometimes served without the rice and seaweed, while others favor rolls that contain only cooked items, like shrimp tempura.  No matter which kind of sushi offering you prefer, you’ll find many varieties in Asheville, from classy Asian fusion places to sushi…

Whether you’re taking a break as you focus on your health or just want to feel a little better after an indulgent holiday season, many of us consider the idea of “Dry January,” a 31-day break from consuming alcohol.  While Dry January may not be quite as popular in Asheville as other places, since we are “Beer City,” it might be just as welcome among both locals and visitors who want to discover new options for nights out and ways to enjoy a beverage with friends without the accompanying effects of alcohol.  When you’re looking for the best mocktails in Asheville or a chance to try non-alcoholic beers, you’re in…

Indian food in Asheville is rather plentiful, given the fact that this isn’t that large of a community. While the tourism in Western NC does swell the dining public a bit, we’re really spoiled for choice around here, and some of the best restaurants in Asheville serve up incredible Indian cuisine. Some of the best Indian restaurants in Asheville are truly making waves, winning major food awards, and gaining praise nationally, not just here in town.  What’s great is that you don’t have to eat Indian food just one way: there are simple restaurants with great lunch buffets that allow you to sample different curries and sauces as you get…