Asheville, North Carolina is a city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its vibrant arts scene and historic architecture. But today, we’re here to explore something equally enticing – the thriving world of Asheville’s coffee scene.
We are on a quest to unearth the best coffee shops in Asheville. From artisan roasters in the bustling downtown to quirky coffee shops in the artsy River Arts District, Asheville is a coffee lover’s paradise.
In Asheville, coffee shops serve more than just your morning brew. They are community hubs, artistic spaces, and portals to the city’s local vibe. These are the places where the aroma of fresh roasts blend with the spirit of Southern hospitality, and where the art of coffee making comes to life.
Stay tuned, and prepare to indulge in the diverse world of Asheville coffee shops. Let’s set off on this flavorful journey in the Land of the Sky!
Best Asheville Coffee Shops
We take a look at the 15 best coffee shops in Asheville, North Carolina, so you know the best places to fill up with your favorite coffee.
1. PennyCup Coffee Co.
PennyCup Coffee shops in Asheville have the feel of a community hub where locals come to relax, work or meet friends.
There are four in Asheville, so you’ll never be far from great coffee and good times.
There’s plenty of space to enjoy an espresso and pastry or for digital nomads to get some work done.
PennyCup Coffee Co. is a small coffee roasting company that focuses on green coffee and sustainability.
They’re open Monday through Friday till 6pm and till 3pm on the weekends.
Address: 39 S Market St, Asheville, NC 28801(click for map)
2. Double D’s Coffee & Desserts
You can’t miss Double D’s Coffee & Desserts, it’s a big red double-decker bus. And no, you’re not in Piccadilly Circus, this is still Asheville, NC.
Aside from all the Instagram shots you’ll want to check out their coffee which is some of the best in town. Enjoy it on the top deck or out front on the patio.
Pick up the Wi-Fi to upload those photos to social media while you enjoy one of their sweet treats. Typically open 10am till 8pm depending on the day and the season.
Address: 41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
3. Summit Coffee Co.
Summit Coffee is a coffee franchise that is found across the state of North Carolina. Their coffee shop in Asheville is cozy and intimate, with a great outdoor seating area.
This is a great place to plan your day of exploring Asheville as it is close to several tourist attractions including the Cultivated Cocktails Distillery and Asheville Pinball Museum.
Check out their location in the River Arts District too.
Summit is committed to sustainability, and you can take away a bag of coffee beans to enjoy at home.
Address: 1 Page Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
4. Trade And Lore Coffee
Trade and Lore coffee shop is a gorgeous place to enjoy good coffee. It has a great ambiance and the decor is wonderful.
It also happens to be dog-friendly so that’s a big plus in our book.
They support local businesses by using locally sourced honey, milk, baked goods and coffee beans. You can also get craft beer, ciders and seltzers.
Open seven days a week from 8am till 7pm you’ll have lots of chances to check out their drinks, sweet treats and serene surroundings.
Address: 37 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
5. Malaprop’s Bookstore & Café
Be warned! Once you enter Malaprop’s bookstore and café you may find it hard to leave.
Between the great coffee, fantastic books, and wonderful gift items you could spend an entire afternoon here.
They also support local authors and if you are touring the area there are plenty of guides to help you find the best places to visit around Asheville and the wider NC state.
The café is open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday and from 9:30 am to 3 pm on the weekends. The bookstore has slightly different opening hours.
Address: 55 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
6. Rowan Coffee
A newcomer to Asheville’s coffee scene is Rowan Coffee. Having spent years selling their wares from pop-up stands they are now a firm and permanent fixture in the town.
They are located in a beautiful brick building in the heart of downtown.
The interior is refined and serene and the coffee is exceptional. Rowan Coffee has one of the best lattes in town, they offer alternative types of milk and lots of delicious add-ins.
Check out their decor at Halloween when they have candles floating from the ceiling.
Address: 66 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
7. Green Sage Cafe
You’ll find a Green Sage Cafe in downtown Asheville, and you’ll be glad you did. This is an organic café serving local food and drinks.
Their menu includes vegan and gluten-free options, so there is something for everyone.
Sustainability is key, and you will get 10 cents back every time you reuse a mug or bottle.
Everything about this café is healthy, food, coffee, and water. Even the cookware is PFC-free.
Green Sage has two other locations in Asheville all committed to the goal of delivering healthy food and beverages in an ecologically sound way.
Address: 5 Broadway St., Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
8. Old Europe Pastries
This café is Asheville’s oldest, having opened its doors in 1994. Although it’s changed locations the commitment to great quality food and delicious coffee has never wavered.
Old Europe Pastries delivers exactly that, pastries and desserts from the European country of Hungary.
The owner immigrated to the US bringing his talent for creating amazing baked goods with him. You can order custom cakes for any occasion.
This café is open all week from 7am till 10pm and till 11pm at the weekends when you can enjoy an espresso and a slice of decadent cake.
Address: 18 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
9. Izzy’s Coffee Den
Izzy’s Coffee Den is as cozy as it sounds and the perfect place to indulge in a specialty latte while enjoying the art that fills this space.
This is a favorite with locals too and all the art on the walls is by local artists.
Serving delicious baked goods, bagels, and snacks to enjoy with your caffeine cocktail Izzy’s is a great place to chill with friends.
For those who need alternatives, they are happy to serve you lactose-free or soy-free milk options in your beverage.
Address: 74 N. Lexington Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
10. Vortex Doughnuts
Coffee and doughnuts? You don’t get a more classic combination than that. And Vortex Doughnuts in Asheville is the best place to rekindle that partnership.
This is an airy space to hang out with friends and enjoy Vortex’s delicious doughnuts and signature drinks. You’ll also find the famous Dobra tea here as a refreshing alternative to coffee.
Handmade doughnuts freshly made on a daily basis use a variety of local and regional ingredients supporting businesses in Asheville and surrounding areas.
Vortex Doughnuts are open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm.
Address: 32 Banks Avenue, Suite 106, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
11. Bean Werks Coffee & Tea
Bean Werks offers some of the highest quality roasted coffee in Asheville, with many true artisan blends.
They have an extensive range of drinks including teas and seasonal specialties.
This is also a perfect place to work from and keep yourself focused all day long with Bean Werks selection of coffee choices.
And you can always grab some of your favorite beans to take home too.
This café only uses the highest quality environmentally friendly coffee beans that are ecologically sourced.
These blends are wonderfully complimented with Monin, Hollander, and Torani syrups.
Address: 753 Haywood Rd, Asheville, North Carolina 28806 (click for map)
12. French Broad Chocolate Lounge
One of Asheville’s most popular attractions, French Broad Chocolate Lounge offers sumptuous chocolates, and some great coffee too.
It’s not hard to see why this place is so popular, and it’s not just because of the chocolate.
They are located in the heart of downtown Asheville and have something for everyone, homemade ice cream, cakes, brownies, cookies, and artisan caramels.
Unsurprisingly they also have an entire menu of drinking chocolate.
Keeping it local, the French Broad Chocolate Lounge makes all the chocolate they use right here in Asheville.
Address: 10 S Pack Square, Asheville NC 28801 (click for map)
13. Well-Bred Bakery & Café
If you are feeling peckish, a great place to go for lunch is Well-Bred Bakery and Café. They serve a gourmet selection of sandwiches and pastries.
And the locally roasted coffee is the perfect accompaniment to this delicious food.
This bakery has been voted Best Bakery in Western North Carolina every year since 2014. So there’s no denying the quality of their fare.
They also offer a vegan and gluten-free menu as well as a selection of different breads for their sandwiches.
Well-Bred has four different locations in Asheville including a food truck in Reems Creek.
Address: 6 Boston Way Suite 20, Asheville, NC 28803 (click for map)
14. Asheville Chocolate
If you thought one chocolate shop in Asheville wasn’t enough, you’d be right.
Asheville Chocolate certainly gives French Broad Chocolate Lounge a run for their money. Inside the café there’s comfortable seating and great art on the walls.
But the real star here is the chocolate. From truffles, gelato, drinks and desserts the decadence will pull you in and keep you here.
The reason for this is the high quality of the ingredients, including local Jersey cow milk and pure Belgian chocolate.
Open 7 days a week from noon till 9pm weekdays and 10pm at the weekends.
Address: 25 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
15. High Five Coffee
High Five Coffee is a family-owned business that operates across multiple locations in Asheville.
At each one, you can get all the classic coffee you want as well as some blends from Counter Culture coffee out of Durham.
You can also find Dobra tea and enjoy some tasty pastries at any of their coffee shops.
Relax on the patio at their flagship shop or visit their Riverside Drive café and chill by the French Broad River with a latte or a smoothie.
Address: 190 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801 (click for map)
Final Thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed our guide to Asheville’s many wonderful coffee shops and that you get a chance to visit them soon.
Remember, the next time you get your phone out to search for the best coffee Asheville NC has to offer just come back to this page instead and try out another of our recommendations.
Check out our selection of the best coffee shops in North Carolina in the other places we cover in the state.
What to see in Asheville
My name is Dana Dupree and I am an avid coffee lover. Since I began college and realized what a heavy load writing majors took on, I have been a fan of the bean juice.
My job has taken me all over the US on book tours and press conferences, and my favorite part about the trip is exploring the best places to grab my cup of Joe.
