Asheville Downtown Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Local Stories
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Discover Asheville's hidden food scene on this 3-hour Downtown Food Tour with 6 tastings. You'll walk a scenic loop through the city’s core, sampling local favorites that many visitors miss. From a chargrilled Indian street food roll wrapped in warm flatbread to a hearty Appalachian ham biscuit, each bite offers a taste of Asheville’s unique culinary culture.
Along the way, your guide—who lives in Asheville—will share fascinating stories about the city’s history, like how a planned 14-storey arcade was never built and how Asheville’s refusal to default on its Great Depression debt saved its historic buildings. You’ll also visit two secret artisanal shops for exclusive tastings, making this experience both delicious and insightful.
End your tour with a sweet treat: a quarter-pound ice cream cookie sandwich. Small groups, a relaxed pace, and a guide with strong opinions about where to eat next make this tour a memorable way to explore Asheville’s vibrant downtown.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Asheville food tour last?
The tour runs for approximately 3 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the tastings and explore the city.
What’s included in the food tastings?
You’ll enjoy a pressed panini on ciabatta, two secret artisanal shop tastings, Benton’s biscuit with Appalachian ham, a chicken tikka roll from an Indian street grill, and a half of a delicious ice cream cookie sandwich.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, the tour is suitable for infants (0–2), children (3–11), and youth (12–17). It’s also wheelchair accessible, and small children can ride in strollers or prams.
Do I need to tip the guide?
Tipping is not included. If you enjoyed the experience, gratuities are appreciated but entirely at your discretion.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are non-refundable.
Free cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reserve now
Check a date here, then finish booking with our partner. Payment options are confirmed at checkout.
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see start times.
Live tour guide
English
Key facts
What's included
Included
- Pressed panini on ciabatta, split two ways, at a downtown chip café
- Two secret tastings at local artisanal shops, revealed on the day
- Benton's biscuit at a chef-run bakery and pantry
- Chicken tikka roll at an Indian street grill
- Ice cream cookie sandwich, halved, at a downtown cookie shop
Not included
- Gratuities
Itinerary
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Stop 1
Meet at the Battery Park Avenue entrance of this 1929 landmark, originally a grand indoor market now home to independent shops and food vendors.
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Stop 2
Inside the arcade at the meeting point, visit a two-storey bookshop and wine bar that guests often return to after the tour.
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Stop 3
A short walk from the meeting point to North America’s largest self-supporting elliptical dome, designed by the same architect who worked on Biltmore.
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Stop 4
Pass through a small downtown square known for its Friday night drum circle.
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Stop 5
Cross a narrow lane of independent shops marked by an oversized flat iron sculpture on the Asheville Urban Trail.
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Stop 6
Visit a former five-and-dime turned art gallery, still featuring its 1950s soda fountain counter.
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Stop 7
Follow a self-guided trail of 30 bronze sculptures and plaques, several highlighted by your guide.
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Stop 8
End at Asheville’s historic public square, a hub since 1797, at the eastern end of the tour route.
Meeting point & pickup
Meet at the starting point
Meet the guide at the Grove Arcade entrance on Battery Park Drive
Open in Google MapsCancellation & confirmation
Free cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- 100% refund if cancelled at least 1 day before
- 0% refund if cancelled within 0–1 day
Instant confirmation
Your booking is confirmed immediately after checkout.
From $107.99 per person
- Free cancellation
- Secure checkout with our booking partner
