This guide to coffee shops in Asheville, NC highlights our top picks for coffee, espresso, cold brew, cappuccino and everything in between.
Our list of the best coffee shops in Asheville includes everything from new-wave coffee shops to flower shops with espresso drinks. Instead of listing all 25+ coffee shops in the area, we are focusing on the handful that rise above the rest.
For other coffee needs, check out our guides to coffee shops with great outdoor seating and coffee shops with the best food in Asheville.
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COFFEE SHOPS IN ASHEVILLE
Below you’ll find our roundup of awesome coffee shops in Asheville. For the most part, our list is unranked, though we did include our top picks toward the beginning.
The best coffee craft in Asheville
Rowan Coffee is an absolute gem of a coffee shop in downtown Asheville. Expect a perfectly designed coffee shop and even better coffee.
They typically have a few pour-overs on the daily menu in addition to seasonal specials, batch brew, and classic espresso drinks.
As for food, Rowan Coffee has a small selection of daily pastries available.
If it’s your first trip to Asheville, plan to grab some Rowan merch and a bag of their in-house roasted beans.
Part coffee shop, part flower bar in downtown Asheville
Tucked away from the downtown bustle, Pollen offers a hidden-gem vibe despite being a local favorite. This charming coffee shop is perfect for savoring delicious coffee, fresh pastries, and browsing beautiful flowers.
You can build your own bouquet and shop from their selection of various home goods. They also sell whole bean coffee from various roasters, including local ones like Rowan.
Botanical coffee shop located inside a West Asheville plant shop
If you are a plant lover, you will absolutely fall in love with Forage and Flora. Forage is a botanical coffee shop and it’s located inside Flora, a local West Asheville plant shop.
People are often surprised to find a coffee shop with cozy seating inside Flora, and even more surprised to discover the garden out back. It’s paradise!
New coffee shop in West Asheville by a local roaster
It seems West Asheville gets a new coffee shop every few months, the latest being the flagship Cooperative Coffee Roasters location. It’s tucked on Haywood just across from Short Street Cakes (near Hole and Taco Billy.)
We’re absolutely smitten with the outdoor seating options at Cooperative. You can either sit under a covered area with cafe-style tables or head down a flight of stairs to a more casual area. Here you’ll find a handful of picnic tables and even a few hammocks.
High Five Coffee
190 Broadway Street | North Asheville
Local coffee shop serving Counter Culture (with a location on the river!)
High Five is a great coffee shop with three locations in Asheville. They brew with Counter Culture coffee beans and have a variety of baked goods and light bites to choose from.
Their Woodfin location closed following Hurricane Helene but their other two locations remain open.
Don’t miss their Barista’s Choice program for unique, limited-edition coffee creations dreamt up by their talented baristas!
South Slope coffee shop (with wine!)
Farewell is an excellent stop if awesome coffee and beautiful plants are your love language. They also have natural wine if that’s more your style. Either way, Farewell is a gem!
We love their batch-brewed coffee. They rotate their offering frequently but it’s always perfectly brewed. Their espresso drinks are also great, especially when paired with housemade syrup (honey rose, lavender, vanilla, simple.)
You’ll also find a matcha latte, chai latte, various teas and even wine by the glass on the menu.
Charming spot with brick walls, coffee, wine and beer in downtown Asheville
Bistro lights and outdoor seating, local art on the walls and fun drinks combine to make the magic that is Rite Rite.
It’s a great place to meet a friend and enjoy an espresso drink, wine or beer. They have multiple beers on tap daily as well as a few options for wine.
Rite Rite has excellent drink specials and a small market section with local favorites Poppy Popcorn, Cooperative Coffee and Everyday Oil.
295 Haywood Road | West Asheville
197 Charlotte Street | North Asheville
Must-visit bakery with exceptional pastries and coffee
OWL Bakery is a neighborhood gem, renowned for its incredible pastries (think: cardamom buns & almond rose croissants) and exceptional coffee brewed with Methodical Coffee beans.
They might be our most recommended Asheville eatery!
OWL has two Asheville locations– one in West Asheville with excellent outdoor seating, and a second in North Asheville.
Daily brunch spot with garden seating and great coffee in North Asheville
While Liberty leans more towards breakfast/brunch these days, it still deserves a shout-out for coffee lovers seeking a delightful experience.
They have a picture-perfect garden area with seating and an exceptionally delicious sourdough pancake.
Heads up: Wi-Fi is not available, so it’s not the best spot for remote work. But if you’re looking for a charming place to savor a delicious coffee and a satisfying meal outdoors, Liberty won’t disappoint!
Hidden gem coffee, cafe and record shop (and more!)
Sharing is caring, and in the case of Session Cafe, it’s a must! This hidden gem isn’t so hidden anymore, and for good reason: it’s one of Asheville’s best coffee shops for food.
Located in the historic Citizen Times building, Session shares its space with Citizen Vinyl record press, a recording studio, an art & record store, and even a plant store!
The interior is unique and modern and there’s great seating both downstairs and in a lofted area. There are also a few tables out front.
20 Gala Drive | South Asheville
811B Tunnel Rd | East Asheville
221 West State St | Black Mountain, NC
909 Smokey Park Hwy | Candler, NC
Local coffee shop with 4 locations (and another on the way!)
Dripolator is slowly but surely going to take over Asheville. And that’s totally fine with us because they are awesome!
They started in Black Mountain and have since expanded to Candler, South Asheville and East Asheville. Dripolator is planning a fifth location in Biltmore Village for 2025.
Dripolator is a roaster and has a great whole bean program.
Summit Coffee
Coffee roaster out of Davidson, NC with a downtown location
While not Asheville-born (they’re out of Davidson, NC), Summit Coffee feels perfectly at home downtown.
Their creative drinks like the Summer Camp with marshmallow cold foam and citrusy “Dreamsicle” are a hit. Plus, any whole coffee bean purchase comes with a free cup of coffee – a steal you won’t want to miss!
Summit previously had two locations in Asheville, but their River Arts District coffee shop was flooded after Hurricane Helene.
Pastries, sandwiches, coffee and a small local market in downtown Asheville
The Rhu is an excellent stop for coffee and a bite in downtown Asheville. It’s in the heart of downtown, though it has a very hidden gem feel to it.
They are known for their pastries, the world’s best brownie, creative sandwiches and espresso drinks. The Rhu actually supplies several Asheville coffee shops with their pastries, so you may already be familiar!
The Rhu has a small marketplace featuring a curated selection of local market goods, from jams and coffees to teas and spices – perfect for grabbing souvenirs or pantry staples.
Great cafe and coffee shop in the River Arts District
Ultra Coffeebar is an excellent destination for delicious food and coffee in the River Arts District.
They truly have some of the best breakfast sandwiches in Asheville and lots of options for a vegan breakfast. We especially love Ultra’s sunrise bagel sandwich with pickled onion!
Their coffee drinks are also great. All of their syrups are made in-house and you can really taste the difference. And they have multiple versions of cold brew on tap.
Coffee shop in West Asheville that’s open late
Odd’s Cafe is a local favorite on the edge of West Asheville’s Haywood corridor.
There you’ll find a cozy atmosphere with outdoor seating in the back. They also have a large garage door-style window in the front that’s open during nicer weather.
Odd’s feature unique lattes and teas alongside classic coffee. As far as food goes, Odd’s Cafe has a variety of pastries, bagels and even cake slices. They partner with several cottage food bakers, so you can always expect something delicious.
Open daily from 7am to 8pm, Odd’s is a great spot for a late-in-the-day coffee.
PennyCup Coffee
Local Asheville roaster with locations in every part of town
PennyCup is a local Asheville roaster with four locations in Asheville:
- 362 Depot Street | River Arts District
- 39 South Market Street | Downtown
- 857 Merrimon Avenue | North Asheville
- 6 Beverly Rd | East Asheville
Our favorite of the bunch is their downtown location. It’s a bit off-the-beaten path just down from The Foundry Hotel. We love their location here because it’s bright and has a colorful graffiti wall.
You’ll often see PennyCup’s coffee on the menu at various Asheville restaurants. Like, the famous Hole Doughnuts and brunch favorite Vivian.
The Rhu also brews and sells PennyCup whole beans.
