Discover the heart of Asheville's coffee culture in our latest roundup of the best coffee shops around town.
From artisan roasters to cozy nooks, each spot brews up its own unique blend of local charm and expert craftsmanship. Whether you're seeking the perfect pour-over or a comfortable corner for your afternoon break, Asheville's vibrant café scene has something special waiting for you.
Green Sage
One of Asheville's greenest cafes, Green Sage serves up organic coffee and a great list of healthy menu items. All of its locations (downtown, north Asheville and south Asheville) offer plenty of comfortable seating.
PennyCup
Now with four cafes in Asheville, PennyCup Coffee has established itself as a staple of the Asheville coffee scene. PennyCup roasts its own coffee at its location in the River Arts District. In the past couple years, PennyCup added the artsy downtown location and an especially family-friendly east side location in the Haw Creek neighborhood. Locals love to take advantage of the opportunity to buy PennyCup Coffee by the pound.
Vortex
There are few more classic combinations than coffee and doughnuts! Vortex has fantastic offerings of both. Located in the South Slope Brewery District, Vortex brews "1000 Faces" coffee to go with its sweet treats.
Ultra Coffee Bar
This is a local favorite in the River Arts District. At Ultra Coffee Bar, the coffee is organic and food is top notch. It's a great place to stop while you explore the many galleries and studios in this artsy district.
Rite Rite
This cafe is known for being a beautiful space that has preserved much of the original features of the building in which it's housed. From the exposed brick to the tables made of the building's original doors, Rite Rite, formerly known as Trade and Lore, is an Instagrammer's dream. The shop sources as much locally as possible for use in its creative drinks.
Summit
With a high-peaked roof and lots of natural light, Summit Coffee is a great hangout. It's located at The River Arts District's "The Foundation"—a group of buildings covered in colorful street art and murals. Asheville favorites 12 Bones BBQ and The Wedge Brewing are just steps away. Summit sources its coffee direct from communities around the world, roasting beans in small batches at its North Carolina roastery. There's lots of seating and free Wi-Fi.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Enjoy fine coffee and espresso from Mountain Air Roasting at this cozy lounge that's often described as a dessert-lover's dream. While you'll love the delicious coffee and expert latte art, you'll find it hard to resist the sweet treats French Broad Chocolate Lounge is known for serving. Choose from house-made ice cream, artisan truffles, cakes and even drinking chocolates (like the Liquid Truffle!).
Old Europe
Old Europe serves up signature European desserts to go with its hand-crafted coffee drinks. For more than 20 years, people have flocked to this cafe in Asheville to try favorites such as French Creamy, Hazelnut Napoleon and Tiramisu.
Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe
Grab a cup of coffee in one of the area's top independent bookstores. Malaprop's Cafe offers locally-roasted coffee and delicious treats from local bakeries. While you are there, go on a "blind date" with a book from the bookstore. Malaprop's has a section with books wrapped individually in brown packaging paper. You can't unwrap the book until you buy it, so it's a surprise!
The Dripolator
In the beautiful, nearby town of Black Mountain, the Dripolator is a community gathering spot in downtown. You'll enjoy free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating. The Dripolator serves up freshly-roasted organic and fair trade beans. They also have fresh baked pastries and desserts.
High Five
Hand-crafted goodness is what High Five is all about. High Five now has three locations in Asheville. It's newest location is located in Woodfin, just north of town on the banks of the French Broad River.
Double D's
Coffee served out of a bright red, double-decker bus? It's an iconic Asheville experience at Double D's in the heart of downtown Asheville. Sip your coffee inside the bus or out in the courtyard.
Izzy's
Izzy's is an Asheville classic. It's no wonder this cozy, art-filled cafe receives such high praise from visitors and locals alike. Izzy's serves a variety of specialty drinks, a curated beer and wine selection and house-baked goods and snacks. You can experience Izzy's Coffee Den in downtown Asheville or Izzy's Coffee House in West Asheville on Haywood Road.
But Wait, There's More
We are so lucky to be home to a wealth of great coffee shops right here in Asheville. Here are some more shops to satisfy your caffeine cravings.
Round Earth Roasters — After a long day of touring the Biltmore, you’re gonna need a little pick-me-up. Round Earth Roasters uses freshly roasted organic and fair-trade coffee, so you can make your afternoon java as guilt-free as possible.
Filo — Offering fresh breads, pastries, and handcrafted chocolates, along with a diverse selection of coffees and teas, Filo is a must-visit. Don’t skip their locally-loved chocolate cake and timeless Greek classics.
BattleCat — This west Asheville favorite serves up fresh PennyCup coffee and is the perfect spot to write your next novel. Don’t miss the food from Tiger Bay Café, conveniently located in the same building.
Liberty Coffee House — If you’re looking for quality eats, Liberty is your spot. Simple plates that offer big taste and locally sourced ingredients are on the menu. Check out their Instagram for their most up-to-date weekend brunch menu.
Grind — Grind is Asheville's first black-owned coffee shop and co-working space. Grind, located in the River Arts District, features specialty coffee and house-made pastries from The Rhu.
Forage at Flora — Located inside one of the most gorgeous floral shops you'll find, Forage is the perfect place for a coffee and/or an impromptu Instagram photo shoot.
Yellow Mug Coffee — This relatively new shop in downtown Weaverville has quickly become a local favorite. In addition to great coffee, Yellow Mug is known for its amazing brunch meals. And don't miss the tempting array of sweet treats next to the register!
Battery Park Book Exchange — Discover thousands of books while you enjoy a refreshing beverage from the espresso bar or wine bar. The shop is also known for being especially dog-friendly.
Odd's Cafe — Just as the name suggests, Odd's is a great place for experiencing the true vibe of West Asheville. The shop specializes in high-quality, all natural products.
Rowan — Located in downtown Asheville, Rowan originally started out as a mobile espresso cart, popping up in different retail spaces around town. Their mission is focused on "striving for balance" and creating a more sustainable future for the coffee industry. Reflective of a cocktail bar/speakeasy, Rowan is a cozy spot that blends modern and early 20th century design elements.
Gallivant — This spot located in Woodfin, just north of Asheville, has a strong focus on sustainability and of course, quality. Don't miss The Forager - one of their top signature drinks that features wild-foraged pine with crushed flowers, a hint of maple, two shots of Four & Twenty Blackbirds espresso roast with steamed oat milk, then topped with pine sugar and spice.
Pollen — This downtown cafe will certainly take you on a journey of the senses. Not only does this shop serve up noteworthy coffee but it also acts as a flower shop, too! Pollen is focused on uncompromised self-expression through flowers, coffee, design, art, and music.
Farewell — With a focus on quality, this coffee joint is a multi-roaster cafe that carries two to three national or international roasters in rotation monthly. In addition to coffee, this Instagram-worthy shop offers natural wine, plants, sweet treats and more. Enjoy your cup of joe al fresco on their outdoor patio or post up along their open-air bar area.
