This guide to coffee shops in Asheville, NC highlights the many places to grab 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, local roasters, coffee shops with beer, a vegan coffee shop and even a coffee truck with breakfast tacos.
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.
Hurricane Update: Rowan Coffee reopened on 10/21/24 from 8am to 2pm for coffee and pastries.
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.
Hurricane Update: Pollen is closed following Hurricane Helene. They are collecting money for their staff, some of whom were displaced from extensive damage.
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.
Summit Coffee
Hurricane Update: Summit Coffee in downtown Asheville is reopening 10/12/24 from 7am to 5pm daily.
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.
High Five Coffee
2000 Riverside Drive | Woodfin
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.
Our favorite High Five location is in Woodfin on the French Broad River. There are picnic tables along the river and it’s the perfect destination on a warmer day.
Don’t miss their Barista’s Choice program for unique, limited-edition coffee creations dreamt up by their talented baristas!
Hurricane Update: BattleCat is offering $5 cold brew daily from 9am to 1pm. Cash preferred!
Laidback coffee house in West Asheville
You’ll find coffee, breakfast and local artwork served up in the cozy and eclectic BattleCat Coffee Bar. It’s a spot loved by its regulars and does a great job keeping West Asheville caffeinated.
BattleCat has a few pastries and small bites available or you order food from Tiger Bay Cafe– it is co-located inside BattleCat. Not only is Tiger Bay’s food delicious, but they take online orders.
We typically order from Tiger Bay on the way, get coffee from BattleCat and then pick up our food. Try their breakfast panini and bagel sandwich.
Hurricane Update: Farewell reopened on 10/23/24 from 7:30 to 3PM daily.
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.
Hurricane Update: Luckily, Rite Rite did not receive any damages at either of their locations, but they can’t re-open until the city has water.
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.
Hurricane Update: Cooperative Coffee Shop reopened from the front window on 10/14/24 (8am to 12pm) serving espresso drinks, chai, and matcha. You can support them from afar by buying coffee directly from their online shop.
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.
West Asheville coffee shop with a great whole bean selection
Kota Kai is new to the scene in West Asheville, though the owners have long been a part of the Asheville coffee world. They own local roastery Coffee Library.
It’s a pretty cool spot located in the former Bean Werks space. There’s some seating at the front and additional seating hidden behind a telephone booth door in the back.
Kota Kai has a full wall of Coffee Library whole beans available for purchase.
Former coffee cart turned West AVL coffee shop
Bad Manners is another coffee shop new to the scene in West Asheville. They were first a coffee cart at Provisions Mercantile.
Enjoy a full espresso menu with seasonal drinks alongside pastries from Back Porch Bake Shop.
Keep an eye on their social media for pop-ups and events.
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.
Hurricane Update: Liberty House reopened on 10/21/24 with a limited menu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hurricane Update: Ultra Coffeebar reopened in the River Arts District on 10/13/24.
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.
Ultra was formerly Clingman Cafe but rebranded in 2016 if you were wondering.
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!
Permanently closed June 2024
126 Elkwood Avenue | Woodfin
Plant-based coffee shop just north of Asheville
Gallivant Coffee near North Asheville offers a fully vegan menu with house-roasted coffee, seasonal nitro brews, and delicious pastries. You truly won’t believe everything is vegan!
Grab a breakfast empanada or a cinnamon roll and enjoy the cozy atmosphere (indoor & outdoor seating).
Gallivant is a roaster and you can buy their beans in the shop. There are a couple of tables inside and a few more right outside in front of the building.
Hurricane Update: Retro Coffee reopened 10/9/24 at 8am. They have a limited menu and are only accepting cash or Venmo.
South Asheville coffee shop with Counter Culture
Retro Coffee in South Asheville is known for its unique seasonal lattes. Think: Peep lattes in spring a campfire chai with a toasted marshmallow in the fall.
They also offer smoothies as well as pastries from Back Porch Baking Co. Don’t miss their cardamom buns – they’re legendary!
What really sets Retro Coffee apart, though, is their commitment to inclusivity, whether it’s their choice to not upcharge for milk alternatives or their welcoming vibe for all.
Hurricane Update: Dripolator in South Asheville reopened on October 10, 2024 at 7am. They have Wi-Fi
Coffee shop in South Asheville with great food
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 and South Asheville. Dripolator is planning a fourth location in East Asheville for 2024.
Their South location has a great patio on the side, excellent coffee, and an awesome selection of pastries. Try the buckeye brownie if they have it!
Hurricane Update: Grind has not yet reopened following Hurricane Helene.
Black-owned coffee shop in the heart of the River Arts District
Grind is a great coffee shop nestled amongst galleries in the River Arts District. They make excellent coffee and have the popular TikTok dalgona espresso drink with whipped coffee on the menu.
Grind is the only Black-owned coffee shop in Asheville and they host pop-up events for local Black-owned businesses and events for Black Wallstreet AVL. Check their Instagram to stay in the know on the next pop-up!
Coffee, pastries and pickleball in South Slope
Asheville Sports Club in South Slope isn’t just for sports fanatics! Grab coffee, pastries, or drinks (including cocktails) while watching the game on TV.
They even have pickleball and basketball courts (reservations available online) for some friendly competition.
It’s a great place to meet new people and have fun. Asheville Sports Club opens daily at 8am.
Izzy’s Coffee House: 976 Haywood Road | West Asheville
Izzy’s Coffee Den: 74 North Lexington Avenue | Downtown
Laidback coffee shop with two Asheville locations
Izzy’s is a locally loved coffee shop that feels very ‘Asheville.’
They have two locations in town– Izzy’s Coffee Den is downtown and has a hole-in-the-wall feel and Izzy’s Coffee House is just that, a small house with a coffee shop.
Both locations serve great coffee and we can’t get enough of their bagels!
Izzy’s Coffee House in West Asheville is just across from Augusta Barnett Playground.
Iconic double-decker bus coffee shop in downtown Asheville
While Double D’s isn’t your typical coffee shop, it’s a fun place to visit in downtown Asheville. The red double-decker bus is permanently parked on Biltmore Ave and serves coffee, frappes, smoothies, milkshakes and desserts.
While you can’t sit in the bus, you order at a window and can pop in the bus to get your drinks. Seating is available just to the side of the bus. And one last thing- it’s cash only!
Coffee, beer, wine and people-watching in downtown Asheville
Asheville Club is a coffee, beer, and wine bar that offers a relaxed environment and a perfect place to hang out in downtown Asheville.
They serve espresso drinks, Counter Culture coffee, and have a great beer selection, as well as locally brewed ginger beer and ciders.
European pastry and dessert cafe
If you fancy an espresso in downtown Asheville, head to Old Europe.
Not only are their espresso drinks strong, but you can enjoy them with one of their many treats. Choose from French macarons, key lime pie, peanut butter mousse cake or one of their 2 daily quiches.
Enjoy your drinks on-the-go or grab a seat at the window bar. They also have sidewalk seating when the weather permits.
A local favorite doughnut shop with an awesome cup of coffee
Don’t let the name fool you! Vortex Doughnuts isn’t just about heavenly donuts (which they arguably have the best in Asheville, in two dough varieties!)
They also boast a full espresso menu, brewing some of the city’s finest coffee. Plus, they offer 1000 Faces beans and their own Vortex mugs.
While the atmosphere isn’t ideal for extended work sessions, it’s the perfect spot to grab a delicious coffee and a sweet treat.
Counter service breakfast + coffee at an Italian restaurant
If you’re familiar with Gemelli as a destination for Italian food in Asheville, you may be surprised to hear they have a daily breakfast and coffee service.
It’s actually a great spot to meet friends for coffee or to work remotely. The interior is beautiful and it’s a pretty calm and quiet spot.
They have a full breakfast menu and you’ll even spy a few cannoli in the pastry case.
22 Stoner Road | near Biltmore Village
Coffee truck near the Biltmore Estate
Chaunie’s is a fantastic spot to grab a coffee on the go in Asheville. It’s located near Biltmore Village and offers online ordering.
Their menu includes espresso drinks, housemade cold brew and matcha. They also have a few breakfast tacos and a small outdoor seating area.
Coffee shop cafe with outstanding nitro cold brew (and 2 food trucks!)
We couldn’t have a list of Asheville coffee without including Bridge and Tunnel. They were first a food truck (and van) but opened a brick-and-mortar shop in early 2024.
The new coffee shop cafe is located on AB Tech’s campus, but don’t worry– it’s publicly accessible.
Bridge & Tunnel is known for their outstanding nitro cold brew. They also have a great plant-based breakfast and lunch menu at the cafe. It’s an excellent spot for vegan fare in Asheville.
