This area a little south of downtown is undergoing a big transformation from a sleepy industrial and warehouse district to a vibrant home of restaurants, breweries, shops, and apartments. South Slope's district is roughly bounded by Asheland, Biltmore, Southside, and Hilliard Avenues. You'll find many of the newest spots along Coxe, Banks, and Buxton Avenues (see map below).
Many are calling this the "Brewery District" since there are eight breweries located in the area. Biltmore Estate is just a couple of miles away. Since the South Slope is in a major transformation, expect construction and don't expect pristine streetscapes complete with fully restored buildings (yet).
Parking is a challenge, especially on weekends. But there is an eight-story county parking deck at 40 Coxe Avenue with 664 spots, which is great for after 5 PM. Enter from Sears Alley.
Here are the top places to visit in the South Slope.
Stop at Vortex Doughnuts for hand-made yeast and cake doughnuts throughout the morning with fresh, high-quality ingredients and topped with creative glazes, toppings, and fillings. They source many ingredients locally and responsibly (check their board for the current local, seasonal ingredients). They are open from 7 AM until 5 PM daily. 32 Banks Avenue.
Next door to Vortex, Buxton Hall barbecue restaurant transformed a former skating rink, created by Chef Elliott Moss with plenty of accolades. Amazing pies too!
Also at 32 Banks Avenue, Catawba Brewing sports a seven-barrel system, a bottling line, two bars, and a courtyard. They have 24 taps at the front bar and another six at the back bar. They are open every day (pic at top of page).
Another at 32 Banks Avenue is the second location of Ginger's Revenge—a brewery specializing in craft aclcoholic ginger beer. Open Thursday-Monday, this lounge offers 18 taps to boast several well-loved ginger beer flavors.
Open close by at 39 Banks Avenue is the third location for local Asheville brewery Archetype Brewing. This location features a full restaurant, as well as a rooftop bar overlooking bustling Banks Ave.
Asheville’s Burial Beer Co. at 40 Collier, has a ten-barrel system and taproom for up to 200 guests, plus an outdoor deck and beer garden.
Nearby Wicked Weed Brewery has its Funkatorium barrel and sour brewery at 147 Coxe Avenue. They have an old-world Belgian-style tasting room plus seating outdoors. Read more about them. Inside the Funkatorium is Cultura, a restaurant that showcases a collaborative dinner series from regional chefs each month. You must buy tickets for each series ahead of time.
Across the street, Twin Leaf Brewing at 144 Coxe Avenue features a dozen beers made in their ten-barrel brewing system.
The Chemist at 151 Coxe Avenue is a craft distillery that pays homage to prohibition era chemists who turned contraband bars into happy-hour science labs. Their tasting room at Antidote next door resembles a 1920s apothecary. Sample their citrus forward American Classic Gin and Eau De Vie, their un-aged apple brandy. Open Tuesday-Saturday afternoons until 9 PM.
Eurisko Beer Company at 255 Short Coxe Avenue opened in early 2018 with a taproom and outdoor seating. Sample their West Coast IPAs, dry Belgian-style saisons, traditional German styles, luscious imperial stouts, barley wines, and modern hop experiments. Open Wednesday-Sunday.
Urban Orchard Cider Co.'s second location at 24 Buxton Avenue is also located in the South Slope district, featuring creative and tasty hard ciders made with local and regional ingredients.
Green Man Brewery at 27 Buxton Avenue is one of North Carolina’s oldest breweries. They produce iconic ales, loyal to traditional English styles, with an evolution of innovative flavors. Their three-story building has a store, a tasting room overlooking the production floor and an outdoor beer garden with views of the mountains.
Dirty Jacks at 15 Buxton Avenue is Green Man's original tasting room. Watch specialty brewers in action that enjoying a pint.
Hi-Wire Brewery at 197 Hilliard features five year-round beers plus rotating craft lagers and sours.
Twin Leaf
Asheville Brewing at 77 Coxe Avenue has a big and popular outdoor covered patio. Enjoy pub food and their famous pizza, along with fresh brews. Play a game of giant Jenga or a round of cornhole.
Ben's Tune-Up at 195 Hilliard Avenue is an American sake brewery and "Ameriental" restaurant with an urban beer garden.
Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro at 125 South Lexington Avenue is an American bistro with great cocktails.
South Slope is also becoming a place for art. Tracey Morgan Gallery (188 Coxe Avenue) specializes in contemporary photography, painting, works on paper, sculpture and video.
Also see: Top 50 Beer Guide | River Arts District | Downtown Asheville Guide
