A fall picnic in Asheville is a truly magical experience: the crisp air, the red and orange foliage, the picturesque views and, of course, the delicious local foods and drinks. And packing that perfect picnic is an art in itself—pulling together all of the charcuterie, sandwiches, sides, beverages and utensils can be both enjoyable and labor intensive. 

Luckily, many local spots now offer great grab-and-go dishes to help you assemble everything in minutes. Whether you are in search of an elaborate charcuterie board or a simple sandwich, these places will help make your picnic plans effortless. 

La Bodega by Cúrate 

32 S Lexington Ave, Asheville 

Planning an extra-special picnic? La Bodega’s Spanish Market is the perfect place to pull out all of the stops for a picturesque celebratory Blue Ridge Parkway picnic. Stop by the Spanish Market to select some of their outstanding charcuterie, baguettes, cheese and wine. From the richly spiced sobrasada sausage to fresh Spanish manchego cheese to bright Valencian orange preserves, you can’t go wrong with any of these unique, mouthwatering flavors. If overwhelmed by the options, be sure to ask their staff to help curate the perfect cheese board. 

Mother 

20 Artful Way, Asheville | 244 Short Coxe Ave, Asheville 

For such a petite storefront, this wonderland in the River Arts District boasts a wide variety of offerings, including coffee, toasts, sandwiches and daily bread and wine selections. Pick up one of their daily focaccias showcased on social media (but be sure to get there early to ensure these are still available). These focaccias can definitely serve as the star of the show in your picnic spread, with exceptional flavors such as Tetsu squash, elote or broccoli rabe. If you want something heartier, go for the jambon-beurre, a sandwich made with Parisian ham and salted butter on a crusty baguette. We propose finding a spot by the nearby French Broad River for a truly memorable meal. If looking to pick up a larger spread for lunch, check out their new location on South Slope. 

Red Fiddle Vittles 

1800 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville 

This South Asheville catering business is well-known for its heatand-eat meal options, but we highly recommend grabbing some of its prepared refrigerated foods. Whether you want to make sandwiches or use them for dips, you can’t go wrong with the pimento cheese, smoked trout mousse or chicken salad. Red Fiddle Vittles also offers a rotating selection of local cheese and charcuterie at its storefront. The biz sources from 20+ local companies and farms, ensuring the eats are as farm-to-picnic-blanket as possible. 

South Slope Cheese 

11 Southside Ave Ste 110, Asheville 

If you’re craving a killer cheese board, look no further than South Slope Cheese. In a rush? Choose from its pre-prepared charcuterie boards. Want to create your own? Select cheeses from seven local creameries, as well as a highly curated international selection. Dairy free? They also have several types of vegan cheese and spreads. If you want to pair your cheese with wine, staff are happy to offer informed suggestions. 

West Village Market and Deli 

771 Haywood Rd, Asheville 

Tucked between two local restaurants along bustling Haywood Road, West Village Market and Deli is a tried-and-true spot for picking up all of your picnic needs. This local grocery store can provide all of your general picnic ingredients like crackers, chips and sparkling beverages, and their grab-and-go section is ideal for pre-made picnicking staples. With picnic classics such as turkey wraps and egg salad and tuna salad sandwiches, you can definitely save yourself the hassle by picking up your items here before securing picnic space at nearby Carrier Park. This spot is also a stellar stop for those with dietary restrictions as they offer several vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options that are perfectly at home on a traditional picnic menu.