Asheville’s River Arts District: A Local’s Guide

Most people discover Asheville’s River Arts District the same way – by accident. Maybe you took a wrong turn looking for downtown, or someone mentioned “checking out the RAD” and you had no idea what they meant. Either way, once you stumble into this cluster of old warehouses and industrial buildings turned artist studios, you’re hooked.

The River Arts District isn’t trying to be quaint or polished. It’s a working art district where actual artists create actual art in actual studios, and you get to watch the whole process unfold. Between the studios, you’ll find some of the best food, coffee, and beer in Asheville. No pretense, no tourist traps – just creativity, community, and damn good biscuits.

Here’s your local’s guide to making the most of the RAD.

Small Batch Glass: Where Fire Meets Art

Walk into Small Batch Glass on Craven Street and you might catch artist Asher Holman turning molten glass into something extraordinary right before your eyes. This isn’t a demonstration for tourists – it’s a working studio where you can watch the ancient art of glassblowing happen in real time.

Holman specializes in pieces inspired by topographical maps and lighthouse Fresnel lenses, creating intricate glass artwork that bridges scientific innovation and artistic craftsmanship. The gallery showcases everything from hand-blown sculptures to functional lighting pieces, all created on-site. You can even sign up for a hands-on glassblowing experience if watching isn’t enough.

The studio sits within walking distance of New Belgium Brewing, making it easy to pair art appreciation with craft beer sampling. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Small Batch Glass proves that some of the best art happens when you least expect it.

ButterPunk: Biscuits That Live Up to the Hype

Beth Kellerhals spent years building a cult following at farmers’ markets with her butter bomb biscuits before opening ButterPunk on Depot Street in May 2025. The wait was worth it. This isn’t your grandmother’s biscuit shop – think colorful, whimsical decor (Betsey Johnson was the design inspiration) meets serious pastry craft.

The biscuits themselves are crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and served with soufflé eggs that locals can’t stop talking about. Try the O.G. Breakfast Sammie with its signature soufflé egg, cheddar, and house-made mayo, or go bold with the BBLT featuring candied bacon, bibb lettuce, tomato jam, and Duke’s mayo. The strawberry cheesecake scone has achieved near-legendary status, and the double chip cookie (which includes potato chips) is the perfect treat for those who like their sugar with a side of salt.

ButterPunk serves breakfast and lunch Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arrive early on weekends – the best items sell out fast, and by “fast” we mean sometimes by noon. Pro tip: The iced vanilla latte with oat milk pairs perfectly with just about everything on the menu.

Wedge Brewing: The Original RAD Brewery

Since 2008, Wedge Brewing has anchored the River Arts District as the neighborhood gathering spot where locals actually hang out. The original location at Wedge Studios feels like a proper biergarten – bistro lights strung overhead, outdoor seating scattered across the lot, and a dirt parking area that somehow adds to the charm.

With 14 beers on tap ranging from IPAs to pilsners, wheat beers to lagers, there’s something for every taste. The Iron Rail IPA has a devoted following, as does The Golem for those who like their beers robust. Wedge rotates food trucks Tuesday through Sunday, so check their Instagram for the latest lineup. The brewery sits on Paynes Way with ample parking, though you can also access it via stairs from Roberts Street.

This is where you’ll find artists grabbing a beer after work, families hanging out on weekend afternoons, and visitors discovering that Asheville’s brewery scene extends well beyond downtown. The vibe is relaxed, the beer is solid, and the community feel is authentic.

Marquee: The Marketplace That Came Back

When Hurricane Helene submerged Marquee under 15 feet of water in September 2024, many wondered if this 50,000-square-foot marketplace would ever reopen. One year later, in September 2025, Marquee proved that resilience isn’t just a talking point in the RAD – it’s a way of life.

This design-centric marketplace houses over 300 artists, antique dealers, and small businesses selling everything from vintage finds to original artwork, home decor to handcrafted jewelry. It’s the kind of place where you walk in planning to browse for 20 minutes and emerge two hours later with armloads of treasures you didn’t know you needed.

Located just off Lyman Street, Marquee is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The space combines the energy of a European street market with Asheville’s creative spirit, creating an experience that’s part shopping, part art appreciation, and entirely unique. Monthly events like the Uncommon Market add another layer to the experience.

The Grey Eagle: Where Music Lives

The Grey Eagle isn’t technically in the River Arts District – it’s across the street – but locals consider it part of the neighborhood’s fabric. This music venue books the kind of acts that make you text your friends immediately: emerging artists you’ll brag about seeing before they blew up, and established musicians playing intimate shows in a room that holds maybe 400 people.

The venue gets intimate music right. You’re close enough to actually see the performance, not just a distant figure on stage. The sound system is dialed in, the staff knows music, and the crowd tends toward people who came to listen, not just be seen. Between sets, grab a beer and strike up a conversation – the Grey Eagle attracts music lovers who actually want to talk about music.

Check their schedule online because shows vary widely, from indie folk to blues legends, punk to alt-country. Tickets sell out for popular acts, so don’t wait.

Ultra Coffeebar: The RAD’s Caffeine Headquarters

Located at the roundabout on Clingman Avenue, Ultra Coffeebar serves Counter Culture coffee alongside a full menu of breakfast and lunch items. This is where locals fuel up before gallery hopping, where remote workers camp out with laptops, and where you can actually get a proper espresso drink without the downtown prices.

The space offers both indoor seating and outdoor tables, with free Wi-Fi for those who need to work. Ultra makes their coffee flavor shots in-house using real ingredients – no chemical syrups here. Their nitro cold brew is a point of pride, infused with nitrogen for a creamy, smooth brew with cascading bubbles and a foamy head.

The food menu runs from bagel sandwiches to paninis, with vegan and gluten-free options available. The sunrise bagel sandwich with pickled onion and garlic herb cream cheese has a following. Open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ultra serves as the RAD’s de facto community center, the kind of place where you start to recognize faces after a few visits.

Akira Satake Ceramics: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

On Clingman Avenue Extension, Gallery Mugen showcases the work of Japanese potter and artist Akira Satake, whose unique interpretation of traditional techniques has earned him international recognition. Born in Osaka and trained as a musician before discovering clay, Satake brings a distinctive perspective to his ceramic work.

His signature kohiki technique – painting white porcelain slip onto dark brown clay, then stretching it to create organic cracks and ripples – produces patterns that look like they’ve grown from within the clay itself. The results are functional pieces and sculptures that bridge Japanese tradition with contemporary expression. From tea bowls to sculptural works, each piece reflects Satake’s philosophy of embracing mistakes and unexpected possibilities.

The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You might catch Satake working in the studio or have the chance to discuss his process. For those wanting to dive deeper, he offers internationally renowned workshops that draw students from around the world.

Mark Bettis Gallery: Contemporary Art in Working Studios

Mark Bettis Gallery at 123 Roberts Street showcases contemporary art from multiple artists working in diverse mediums – paintings, mixed media, glass, ceramics, and sculpture. But what makes it special is that you’re visiting a working studio, not just a gallery. You might meet artists, watch them work, and talk directly about their process and inspiration.

Bettis himself works with oils and cold wax medium, building up thick layers on wood panels to create fields of texture enhanced with marble dust and sand. His bold, energetic style makes his work instantly recognizable. But the gallery represents a curated group of local and regional artists, ensuring variety in both style and medium.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday), with Sunday and Monday by appointment. The gallery also has a second downtown location on Broadway Street, but the RAD location captures the working artist studio vibe that makes the district special.

Anoche: Mezcal Bar with Soul

This tiny bar on Clingman Avenue specializes in one thing: agave spirits. Anoche offers more mezcal options than any other bar in Asheville, with a staff that can talk you through the varieties and origins with genuine knowledge and enthusiasm.

The space is small, dark, and cozy – the kind of corner bar you’d find in Philadelphia or New York that Asheville somehow lacked until Anoche opened. One wall opens garage-door style to a fenced-in side yard with picnic tables and plants, perfect for warmer weather. During the day, Anoche serves coffee sourced directly from a small family-owned farm in Oaxaca, along with pastries.

Try the Jamaica (hibiscus, ginger, citrus, and tequila) or explore their extensive mezcal list with a knowledgeable bartender guiding you. The cocktails are Instagram-worthy but, more importantly, they taste great. A taco truck often parks out front, solving the food situation. The combination of carefully crafted drinks, intimate atmosphere, and genuine hospitality makes Anoche the kind of place you return to again and again.

Piccolina: Italian Comfort in 22 Seats

Husband-and-wife team Nathan and Elana Pearlman bring their Culinary Institute of America training to this cozy Italian restaurant at 375 Depot Street. After a decade in Austin’s restaurant scene and a transformative trip to Italy in 2021, they opened Piccolina in late 2025 with a simple mission: authentic Italian food made with Appalachian ingredients.

By day, Piccolina serves scratch-made Neapolitan sandwiches, pizzas, and pastries. The menu draws inspiration from the freshness and simplicity they fell in love with in Italy – think quality ingredients treated with respect rather than fussy preparations. Elana’s pastry background shines through in the baked goods and desserts.

With only 22 seats, Piccolina offers an intimate dining experience that feels more like visiting friends who happen to be exceptional cooks. The space is part of the Depot Street revitalization, joining ButterPunk and other businesses bringing new energy to the upper RAD. Check their Instagram for current hours and menu offerings.

Your River Arts District Home Base

The River Arts District rewards exploration. Wander down side streets, duck into studios that look interesting, strike up conversations with artists, and let yourself get a bit lost. That’s how you discover the hidden galleries, the perfect breakfast biscuit, or the glassblower creating something extraordinary.

River Row Suites sits in the heart of the River Arts District, putting you steps away from all of this creativity, community, and culture. Our modern, spacious suites feature full kitchens, king-size beds, and room for the whole family – including pets. With free parking and flexible check-in, we make it easy to settle in and explore the RAD like a local.

Ready to experience Asheville’s creative soul? Book your stay at River Row Suites and discover why the River Arts District is where Asheville’s real magic happens.