If there’s something we believe in here at AVLtoday, it's never apologizing for treating yo'self. In Asheville, it's easy to get in easy your fruits + veggies in, but it is also a mecca for carbohydrate enthusiasts. It's all about balance. 👏

From classic bakeries and lunch locations to spots to satisfy your sweet tooth, we rounded up 15+ places to carbo-load. ⬇

Rise to the days' occasion 🍩

Old World Levain (OWL) Bakery 📍295 Haywood Rd.

🕑 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday
8 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday–Saturday

Pastries are made with local grass-fed milk, organic sugar + butter, and Lindley Mills organic flour.

Hole donuts📍168 Haywood Rd.

🕑 7:30 - 2, closed on Tuesdays
Donuts created with a single yeasted dough recipe containing organic stone ground flour from Lindley Mills, unrefined organic cane sugar, sea salt, cage free eggs and whole butter, and are fried in non-GMO rice bran oil.

Vortex donuts 📍32 Banks Avenue

🕑 7 - 5 Sun. - Fri; 7 - 7 Sat.

Unique flavors daily (including gluten-free options). Check in with their Instagram for the days' selections.

Geraldine’s Bakery📍840 Merrimon Ave.

🕑 7 a.m.–3 p.m every day

New York Deli Style breakfast sandwiches on handmade bagels. Plus cakes + more.

BimBeriBon 📍697 Haywood Rd.

🕑 8 a.m.- 11 a.m. Mon. to Fri.; 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

Largely gluten-free donuts, pastries + pies. Plus, fresh coffee + juice.

Just the rye lunch elections 🥪

City Bakery 📍 88 Charlotte St. + 60 Biltmore Ave.

🕑 7 a.m.–5 p.m. (Biltmore Ave. stays open til 6)

A North Asheville staple since 1999 (and now downtown staple) with sandwiches, parfaits, quiche, bagels + more.

West End Bakery📍757 Haywood Rd.

🕑 7:30–6 p.m. on weekdays, 8–3 p.m. on weekends

Classic bakery + cafe with sandwiches, pastries & brunch.

The Rhu 📍10 S. Lexington St.

🕑 8 a.m. –6 p.m., closed on Tuesdays

Protip: The Rhu offers a picnic basket featuring their pastries, local cheese and fruit, and other bites for up to 6 people. Order in advance and take it up to the parkway to catch the sunset. Perfect summer night. 👌

Liberty House Cafe 📍221 S Liberty St.

🕑 Mon - Fri 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat. - Sun. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Bonus: Homemade pancakes + waffles. 🥞

Great Harvest Bread Co.📍 1838 Hendersonville Rd. #102

🕑 7 a.m.–6 p.m., closed on Sundays

Well-Bred📍 6 Boston Way + 26 N. Main Street, Weaverville

🕑 8 a.m.–7 p.m., closes at 6 on Sundays

Try one of their many chicken salads on their homemade croissants. Plus, try their famous giant cookies.

Cafe Yuzu📍 191 Lyman St.

🕑 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Saturday

European baking traditions enhanced by Japanese ingredients such as matcha, satsumaimo, and yuzu.

The Sweet Stuff🎂

Baked Pie Company📍50 Merrimon Ave.

🕑 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tues - Thurs, Friday + Sat 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Monday.

Two magical words: pie flights.

Karen Donatelli Bakery + Cafe 📍57 Haywood St.

🕑 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday

9 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday + Saturday

Cakes, pastries, tarts, mini-desserts + more. Specializes in weddings.

Short Street Cakes📍225 Haywood Rd.

🕑 8 a.m.–6 p.m., 10 a.m. on Sundays, closed Mondays

Cupcakes, wedding cakes, and birthday cakes for the people of Asheville and Western North Carolina made to order, or grab while in West Asheville.

SmallCakes📍33 Town Square Park.

🕑 Mon. -Thurs. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Cupcakery and Creamery

Cakes by Jane📍55 Monticello Rd.

🕑 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday

Cream cheese pound cakes in the southern tradition

Tiffany’s Baking Co📍1570 Patton Ave.

🕑 9 a.m.–5 p.m. every day

Did anyone say dessert buffet? 🙌

What local bakeries did we miss? Comment below. ⬇