ASHEVILLE – A breakfast and lunch restaurant is introduced downtown; a pair of beer and cider makers prepare to open an infused mocktail distillery and eatery; a new coffee shop opens in Biltmore Village.
Introducing The Refinery at Foundry Hotel
The Foundry Hotel said farewell to Benne on Eagle at 35 Eagle St. last September, making way for a new restaurant concept, The Refinery.
The Foundry Hotel in downtown Asheville has introduced a new restaurant concept, The Refinery.
In 2018, Benne on Eagle opened at The Foundry, a former steel foundry, as an homage to the once-thriving, historic Black business district, The Block. The restaurant celebrated Black and Appalachian foodways and the neighborhood’s history, businesses and trailblazers.
The Refinery debuted this spring, offering breakfast and brunch under the direction of Executive Chef Shawn Cameron. The menu features dishes inspired by Cameron’s Southern roots and global culinary training, such as blueberry ricotta fritters, breakfast sandwiches with meat or vegetable options, classic Sirloin steak and eggs with Lusty Monk demi-glace, and a vegan chai pudding parfait.
Coffee, tea, cocktails, beer and nonalcoholic beverages are available.
The Refinery’s hours are 7-11 a.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Hours will be extended later to include dinner service. View the complete menu at foundryasheville.com.
Benne on Eagle was the original restaurant concept at The Foundry Hotel. In spring 2025, it reopened as a new concept, The Refinery.
Now open: Dripolator in Biltmore Village
The Black Mountain-founded coffee company, Dripolator, has expanded again in Asheville.
In May, Dripolator opened at 760 Biltmore Ave., the former location of TreeRock Social Cider and Mead Bar and Shop in historic Biltmore Village. It’s the business’s fifth location.
For more, visit dripolatorcoffee.com and follow @dripolatorcoffeehouse on Instagram.
Joshua Valdes and Amy Vermillion, owners of Dripolator, with Nana the pup at their newest coffee house location at 760 Biltmore Ave. in Biltmore Village in Asheville.
Coming soon: Modern Alchemist Distillery & Restaurant
Nathan Kelischek and Chris Zieber, co-founders of Appalachian Mountain Brewery, are slated to open Modern Alchemist Distillery & Restaurant this summer in Old Fort.
It’s inspired by the craft beverage producers’ Modern Alchemist brand, which launched with THC-infused mocktails.
AMB’s beer and cider-focused brewpub, which opened in June 2023, is at 46 North Mills River Road in Mills River.
For more, visit modernalchemist.com and follow @drinkmodernalchemist on Instagram.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: The Refinery restaurant, new Dripolator coffee shop open in Asheville NC
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