Once upon a time, the South Slope of downtown Asheville was a hustling and bustling automotive hub. Unless you needed repairs on your Oldsmobile, you didn’t venture there much. Now, few remnants of this greasy past are still visible on some of the old lots not yet bought up for development but, if things keep moving the way they are, they will most likely be gone with the rest.

Fast forward to 2019 and the scene is hoppin with hops and culinary delights fueled by residential lofts, crowds of foodies, and beer go-getters. This grungy, historic section of downtown Asheville has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike who are beer lovers, noshing foodies, craft cocktail enthusiasts, and now art crawlers. Thanks to our tasty food trucks and accomplished local chefs, this square mile block, now known as the South Slope Brewing District, is the place to eat morning, noon, or night. Savor every bite along the way using our culinary map!

Let’s break it down by streets.

Hilliard Avenue

Ben’s Tune-up

Searching for that truly unique, friendly space to share plates and pound drinks? Ben’s Tune-up Beer & Sake Garden is that vibrant, trendy spot you’ve been dying to find. Ben’s menu and space have evolved since first opening in 2015 becoming Asheville’s notable Sake Brewer and Asian-American fusion food spot. Their grub always hits the right note for late night munchies (serving food till 2am) and is the hip local music venue for dancing and drinks with friends, especially on Sunday’s.

Ben’s Tune-up
Ben’s Beer & Sake Garden
195 Hilliard Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 424-7580
Hours:
Monday 4 – Midnight
Tuesday – Sunday 4 – 2am

Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro

Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro has a modern approach to classic American fare and drinks situated at the top northeast corner of the South Slope District. Storm continues to exceed all expectations from their exceptionally unique small plates to their belly-filling comfort food dishes. With great outdoor seating, it’s the perfect scene for a lazy Sunday afternoon with your sweetie.

Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro
125 South Lexington Avenue (Corner of Lexington & Hilliard Avenue)
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 505-8560
Hours:
Every day 4 – 2pm

Bhramari Brewing

Just on the cusp of the South Slope sits another local brewing favorite Bhramari Brewing. The location for ‘Hive Minded’ people where the beer list and food menu will have you buzzing for days. Don’t bee-afraid to hit up this brewery for Sunday Brunch, they have some of the juiciest burgers and memorable egg plates in town.

Bhramari brewing
101 South Lexington Avenue (Corner of Lexington & Hilliard Avenue)
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 214-7981
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11 – Midnight
Friday & Saturday 11 – 1am

Hi-Wire Brewing

Need a place to wet your whistle before exploring the South Slope District? Hi-Wire Brewing is liquid gold at the end of the rainbow where they continue to crank out easy sipping beers. This South Slope Specialty location is where the magic happens for exploring and experimenting with barrel-aged sour and wild ales. For a higher experience with Hi-Wire, head to the Biltmore Village area to the Big Top location where the taps are always hopping and you can also enjoy eats by Foothills Meats Food Truck.

Hi-Wire Brewing
197 Hilliard Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 738-2448
Hours:
Sunday 1 – 10pm
Monday – Thursday 4 – 11pm
Friday 1 – 1am
Saturday Noon – 1am

Coxe Avenue

Cultura

The newest expansion to the Wicked Weed empire is Cultura and is easily spotted next door to their sour-tasting room Funkatorium. Agrarian feasting at its finest, spear-headed by local chef extraordinaire Jacob Sessoms of Table and All Day Darling, Cultura is pushing the limits on the dining experience and exceeding all expectations on the South Slope for a fun filled food adventure.

Cultura
147 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 417-6970
Hours:
Sunday – Monday 5 – 10pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday – Saturday 5 – 10pm

Wicked Weed Funkatorium

Yes, I love sours and one of my favorite places for this tart beverage is Wicked Weed’s sour beer tasting room best known as Funkatorium. Also praised for their small bites menu, Funk has created a perfect snack selection to encourage the sipping momentum moving forward. You’ll find everything from delightful small plates, to unique tapas, and flavorful flatbread options all ideal for sharing.

Wicked Weed Funkatorium
147 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 552-3203
Hours:
Monday – Thursday Noon – 10pm
Friday Noon – Midnight
Saturday 10 – Midnight
Sunday 10 – 10pm

High Test Deli and Sweet Shop

The new kid on the South Slope block is High Test Deli and Sweet Shop. Although an already established eatery to Western North Carolina, the original location for this sweet sandwich joint is located in Bryson City where it was such a big hit they felt the need to share their sammie goodness with downtown Asheville. Some of our suggested menu items? Their take on the pressed Cuban sandwich or the tangy Reuben sandwich, both are impressive.

High Test Deli and Sweet Shop
134 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 552-3801
Hours:
Monday – Saturday 11 – 6pm
Sunday Closed

Twin Leaf Brewing
144 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 774-5000
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 3 – 11pm
Friday 2 – Midnight
Saturday Noon – Midnight
Sunday 1 – 10pm

Antidote

Need a break from all the hops? Make a stop at Asheville’s newest gin distillery, Chemist Gin for a distilling tour followed by a test drive of fresh gin cocktails at Antidote. Craft spirits come to life at Antidote, a private club with a historic 1900’s vibe and an adorable, botanical rooftop overlooking Coxe Ave. Don’t let the private club mentality deter you from visiting any of Asheville’s cocktail oases, just cough up a dollar or two and get sipping.

Antidote
151 Coxe Avenue, Suite 20
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 505-2882
Hours:
Monday – Friday 4 – Midnight
Saturday Noon – Midnight
Sunday 2 – Midnight

The Chemist
151 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(855) 525-6260
Hours:
Friday 2 – 9pm
Saturday 1 – 9pm
Sunday & Monday Closed
Tuesday – Thursday 2 – 7pm

Tasty Beverage Company (corner of Coxe and Buxton)
162 Coxe Avenue #101
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-7120
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 11 – 9pm
Friday & Saturday 11 – 10pm
Sunday Noon – 6pm

Short Coxe Avenue

Adam Dalton Distilling

Short in nature, this street has two very different ways to enjoy a day of drinking. One old and one new, the first of two establishments, Dalton Distillery opened to the public as downtown Asheville’s first legal distillery with Caribbean influence, they mainly focus on Rum Spirits with an Appalachian flair.

Dalton Distillery
251 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 785-1499
Hours:
Everyday 5 – 2am

Eurisko Brewing

Eurisko is brewing for the traditional styles of beer, everything from West Coast IPA’s to Belgian-style Saisons focusing on a wide variety of tastes from around the globe using modern methods with delicious liquid results. A great spot for relaxing with friends and family, dog-friendly with chill vibes.

Eurisko Brewing
255 Short Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 774-5055
Hours:
Monday – Friday 4 – 10pm
Saturday Noon – 10pm
Sunday 2 – 8pm

Banks Avenue

Vortex Doughnuts

The cold war of doughnut making in Asheville is for real! With so many options of finding and exploring this sweet doughy fried cake, there is only one stop you’d have to make when stomping the paths of the South Slope District and it’s called Vortex Doughnuts. Whether it’s for breakfast or an afternoon break between sipping beer, stop in for a powerful espresso drink by 1,000 Faces Coffee and that whirlwind confectionary treat. For a high quality, tasting experience, be sure to refuel at Vortex!

Vortex Doughnuts
32 Banks Avenue, Suite 106
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 552-3010
Hours:
Sunday – Friday: 7 – 5pm
Saturday: 7 – 7pm

Buxton Hall Barbecue

If you haven’t eaten at Buxton Hall Barbecue by now, you’re not following the proper food guides or you’re living under a rock. Serving whole-hog Eastern Carolina BBQ since 2015, this barbecue joint was built in one of Asheville’s historic roller-skating rinks with original floors and murals for everyone to admire. This whole-hog eatery in the heart of the South Slope serves some of the best BBQ in Asheville coupled up with scrumptious Southern sides and almost too many barbecue sauces to choose from. And not to mention – amazing appetizers! I personally recommend the Mussels Cooked Under the Pig, perfectly cooked in a tangy sauce made from a rotating beer selection, burnt lemon, and jowl bacon. You’ll be shamelessly tempted to pick up the bowl up and slurp the magic just like you would at home.

Not in the mood for BBQ? If there was one item on the Buxton menu you must order it’s Elliot’s version of the perfect Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich. In 2017, Bonappetit Magazine said it was one of their favorite sandwiches in the country. Open wide and sink your teeth into this sandwich if you can, it’s a biggin!

Aside from the actual food, the Cheerwine-bourbon slushie will have you buzzing for days. Then, if it’s possible, save room for one of Ashley Capps award-winning traditional pies. They are berry good just like your grandmother made and I recommend taking a slice or two to go!

Buxton Hall Barbecue
32 Banks Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-7216
Hours:
Everyday 11:30 – 3pm, 5:30 – 10pm

The Barksdale
42 Banks Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
Hours:
Everyday 3:30 – 2am

Banks Ave.
32 Banks Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 785-1458
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday 6 – 2am
Wednesday – Friday 4 – 2am
Saturday 2 – 2am
Sunday 1 – 2am

Catawba Brewing
32 Banks Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 552-3934
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 2 – 10pm
Friday & Saturday Noon – 11pm
Sunday Noon – 10pm

Rotating food trucks: Deli Llammma, El Querubin, Purple People Feeder, Deli Volv, Brinehaus Meat & Provisions, & Food Stop.

Buxton Avenue

Green Man Brewing

Green Man Brewing
27 Buxton Avenue (corner or Buxton Ave and Church Street)
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252-5502
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday Noon – 9pm
Friday & Saturday Noon – 11pm

Dirty Jack’s is Green Man’s original tasting room and remains, just as it always has since they opened in 1997, a locals favorite way to sip Green Man brews, visit with familiar faces while snacking on pretzels and Lusty Monk’s famous mustard, and mouthwatering, rotating food truck bites. Back to back Soccer games play, on loop, on the small screen televisions, which is one reason why I’ve always loved the grungy, European vibe that Dirty Jack’s brings to Asheville.

Urban Orchard Cider Company

The cideries in Asheville are bringing their A-game to our beer city and Urban Orchard Cider Co. continues to be one of the local’s favorites. They began with an intimate location in West Asheville and outgrew that spot quickly. Urban is best known for consistently creating unique, dry ciders where the flavor profiles always remain in check and are never overbearing to the overall beverage. Urban took over the old Eno Nest Hammocks space on the South Slope which was a perfect move for hosting bigger events, live outdoor music, and overall hanging with friends. Cider suggestions? Urban is really good at mixing more than one cider flavor together, kick it up a notch by adding Diablo to any of them.

Urban Orchard Cider Company
24 Buxton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 505-7243
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 2 – 9pm
Friday & Saturday Noon – 11pm
Sunday Noon – 9pm

French Broad Chocolate Cookie & Creamery

Too much tart, not enough sweet? You’re in luck! Something sweet is across the street at the newest addition to the French Broad Chocolate empire bringing their famous desserts, cookies, and ice cream to the South Slope District directly across from Urban Orchard. Talk about double fisting it!

French Broad Chocolate Cookies & Creamery
21 Buxton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 348-5323
Hours:
Every day 11 – 10pm

Collier Avenue

Burial Brewing Taproom & Kitchen

Since the day they opened on the South Slope I’ve been hooked on Burial Brewing. The days of plastic walls in the middle of winter may be long gone. I reminisce about the days of sipping beer with shivering teeth, shoulder to shoulder with other’s, clinching the Surf Wax West Coast IPA in my gloved hands.

Burial Brewing has been built literally from the ground up and watching them grow has been one of the most Ashvillian experiences. Chef Brian Capinelli of Cucina 24 is the new talent overseeing the food program in the Burial Kitchen and it is a must do on your food bucket list.

Burial Brewing Taproom & Kitchen
40 Collier Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 475-2739
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 2 – 10pm
Friday & Saturday Noon – 10pm

Southside Avenue

TakoSushi

This unique eatery is properly located at the five-point intersection on the south slope where east meets west! There is something for everyone at TakoSushi! A dynamite menu featuring the far east and the Southwest in a collision course of east meets west or guacamole meets wasabi. Too weird for you? Don’t let this concept steer you away. The sushi is seriously fresh and buttery and the crunchy taquitos are bursting with flavor that will have your eyes rolling to the back of your head.

Perfect for that date night when you can’t decide on taco or sushi, Taksushi’s yin and yang menu will blow your mind!

Takosushi
63 Southside Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 785-1991
Hours:
Sunday & Monday Closed
Tuesday – Thursday 11 – 10pm
Friday 11 – 11pm
Saturday 11:30 – 11pm