Cool Coffee Shops In Asheville Locals Fuel Up With
Enjoy the best coffee shops in Asheville with books, baked treats, and beans for the road from locals. Hop in a vintage double-decker red bus and catch an author talk. Devour decadent desserts in historical buildings or grab lunch at a cafe. Get some work done.
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Although known for its craft beer, the coffee scene in Asheville is just as happening. As locals, we have our regular spots for great outdoor seating, strong espressos, and herbal tea. You might also enjoy our Downtown Asheville coffee shop guide featuring great options like The Rhu and The Times Bar & Coffee Shop.
What You'll Find In This Guide
The Best Asheville Coffee Shops For Dessert
These are our favorite places serving vegan blondies and delicious chocolate cupcakes along with the best coffee in Asheville.
Odd’s Cafe
A local favorite with a great selection of GF and vegan baked goods
West Asheville is a quirky neighborhood for book and plant shopping, mural spying, award-winning and memorable restaurants, and craft beer. Leash up your cat for Odd’s Cafe, which boasts pet-friendly indoor seating and delicious cold brews under the eyes of a dinosaur. Find baked goods, smoothies, tea, coconut water, and steamed milk. Odd’s Cafe represents Asheville’s hipster vibe at its best.
Odd’s Cafe | 800 Haywood Rd Suite A-110, Asheville, NC 28806
As a half-Celiac household, gluten-free goodies are extra important to us. Since we are also lactose-intolerant, we’ll share plenty of vegan options on this list.
Old Europe Pastries
Late-night option for Downtown Asheville Hungarian treats
Old Europe is one of Asheville’s longest-running cafés (1994) and a Downtown staple. Along with herbal tea and coffee, we head here for the best pastries and desserts, including Tom’s coveted gluten-free, vegan cupcake. Find pies, muffins, cookies, macarons, and light breakfast items like ham & cheese or chocolate croissants, cheese Danish, and quiche. Old Europe always lands on our Downtown Asheville itinerary.
Old Europe Pastries | 18 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
An Asheville must for newbies with unforgettable bonbons
One of the hottest attractions and most popular coffee shops in Asheville, French Broad Chocolate is for chocolate lovers. We always grab a box of bonbons (the vegan collection). I love their vegan hot chocolate and affogatos.
The Pack Square Park location might have a quickly moving line out the door during peak visitor season weekends and festivals. The wait is worth it. Or, head to their River Arts District location, which offers factory tours and has a quieter cafe, perfect for digital nomads and locals. See where else you can grab ice cream.
French Broad Chocolate | Downtown – 10 South Pack Square, Asheville NC 28801 & River Arts District Factory – 821 Riverside Dr #199, Asheville, NC 28801
Downtown Asheville is full of happening restaurants. Chai Pani and Cúrate are two more foodie “attractions.” We have an entire dining guide dedicated to the “must” Asheville restaurants.
Vortex Doughnuts
Donuts in happening South Slope
For delicious Asheville donut shops serving coffee, tea, and juice, Vortex Doughnuts is a sweet option, especially if you are spending the day exploring Downtown. Grab a beverage to-go or hang out in their airy warehouse space perfect for families traveling with kids.
Vortex Doughnuts | 32 Banks Ave #106, Asheville, NC 28801
While in South Slope, check out Asheville’s famous craft breweries. Along with Catawba, head to Green Man, Twin Leaf, the Funkatorium, Hi-Wire, and Asheville Brewing Co. Or, take a popular guided tour.
Asheville Chocolate
Avoid the French Broad Chocolate lines to “Get chocolate sauced”
Asheville Chocolate stays quieter for digital nomads with tucked-away seating ensconced by Benjamin Walls photography. Here, find gourmet truffles (we’ve seen Scotties and Egyptian pharaohs), gelato, hot and cold drinks, and desserts. Choose from mochas with homemade ganache or tea. Asheville Chocolate is one of Asheville’s most tempting chocolate shops.
Asheville Chocolate | 25 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801
Most Unique Spots In Town
These are the cutest and quaintest Asheville coffee shops sure to leave an impression.
Pollen Coffee & Flower Shop
Shop for flowers and treats on the outskirts of Downtown
It always feels like spring at Pollen. Brighten your day with gorgeous blooms for purchase paired with a flowery herbal tea or locally sourced roaster. I love their bright space with nooks and corners filled with hanging plants. The simple menu draws a local crowd. For food, find pastries and bagels.
Pollen Coffee & Flower Shop | 45 S French Broad Ave SUITE 150, Asheville, NC 28801
Rowan Coffee
The most romantic spot in a gorgeous historic space
Rowan is one of my personal favorites, not only for serving the best coffee in Asheville but also for having the most intimate space. I love their lattes. Find a simple menu and beans to go. At Halloween, they might float candles from the ceiling… I get serious Harry Potter vibes here.
Rowan Coffee | 66 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 2880
Double D’s Coffee & Desserts
Instagrammable Downtown icon with delicious treats
Double D’s is one of the most touristy coffee shops in Asheville; it’s a vintage double-decker bus just screaming to Instagrammers. Don’t let the crowds deter you, though. It’s cool, and they serve delicious iced drinks, frappes, smoothies, milkshakes, and desserts. Double D’s only accepts cash, and they surprisingly have Wi-Fi.
Double D’s Coffee & Desserts | 41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Izzy’s Coffee
Quick and easy with baked goods and snacks
Along with the best coffee in Asheville, Izzy’s makes my favorite opossum shirt. For treats, find bagels, breads, and cookies. The Downtown location is great if you are grabbing drinks on the run.
Izzy’s Coffee | Izzy’s Coffee Den Downtown – 74 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 & Izzy’s Coffee House (West Asheville) – 976 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Next door to Izzy’s Coffee Den, tea drinkers can dip into Dobra Tea. Across the street, peruse the shelves of Downtown Books and News – Malaprop’s sister bookstore.
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
One of the best indie bookstores with a cafe
The best bookstore in Asheville, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe is great for bookish gifts, fabulous staff book recommendations, indie titles, translated literature, and local Asheville author events. They send out a kick-butt newsletter (sign up!). Grab a coffee and baked goods in their cafe before perusing their endless stacks. I dare you to leave empty-handed.
Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe | Address: 55 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
For Digital Nomads & Meet-Ups
Get some work done or meet up with friends and loved ones at these great spots.
Summit Coffee Co.
Deliciously strong coffee in terrific locations
A specialty franchise across North Carolina, Summit’s River Arts District location is my favorite with indoor and outdoor seating. We grab a coffee to go and walk the RAD Riverwalk. Or, head to the artist studios, including European-style design and home decor market, Marquee.
Summit Coffee Co. | River Arts District: 4 Foundy Street, Suite 20; Downtown Asheville: 1 Page Avenue, Suite 148
Along with vibrant murals and endless art shopping, enjoy some of RAD’s top restaurants like 12 Bones, The Chop Shop, and RosaBees.
Penny Cup Coffee Co.
Small-batch roaster; the Merrimon location is great for digital nomads
One of the best coffee shops in Asheville to pick up stellar beans for home and get work done, head to PennyCup Coffee. Because of its residential location and large back workspace, we frequent PennyCup’s North Asheville location. Grab a beverage on the run and stroll Beaver Lake. There is so much to do in North Asheville.
PennyCup Coffee Co. | River Arts District – 362 Depot Street; Downtown Asheville – 39 S. Market Street; East AVL – 6 Beverly Road; North Asheville: 857 Merrimon Avenue
Nearby, you might also appreciate Green Sage Cafe on Merrimon Ave. Avoid busy peak dining times if you are trying to get work done. Green Sage promises my favorite juice in town and great smoothies. Discover more top restaurants north of the city.
Best Cafes Serving Food & Coffee In Asheville
For more than just baked treats and chocolates, order a green tea latte and a bite to eat, including breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Read more about our top places for lunch around Asheville.
Liberty House Cafe
Local North Asheville hot spot perfect after the Asheville Salt Cave
My love runs deep for this residential area; we live nearby. Liberty House Cafe and its Pulp & Sprout (vegan cafe; smoothies!) neighbor are great places to grab food and coffee in Asheville. At Liberty House Cafe, devour breakfast platters, avocado toast, salads, and burgers. Enjoy plentiful outdoor seating and yoga is next door.
Liberty House Coffee and Café | 221 S Liberty St, Asheville, NC 28801
Ultra Coffeebar
Early morning local favorite with a Nitro Cold Brew
From mugs with funny sayings like, “Live, Laugh, Fart,” to delicious breakfast and lunch options with well-defined vegan sections, we love RAD’s Ultra Coffeebar. With outdoor seating overlooking train tracks and a bustling indoor space filled with digital nomads, Ultra is the best of all worlds, coffee and food.
Ultra Coffeebar | 242 Clingman Ave Ext, Asheville, NC 28801
Yellow Mug Coffee Lounge (Weaverville)
Hipster local cafe in a residential Asheville suburb
Less than 15 minutes from Asheville by car in Weaverville, Yellow Mug is our favorite coffee shop near Asheville for budget-friendly and casual breakfast, weekend brunch options, and lunch. Think bagels, French Toast, breakfast burritos, soups, salads, and sandwiches. I cannot resist their chicken salad sandwich. We always finish with a baked treat.
Yellow Mug Coffee Lounge | 113 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787
Gemelli
As Asheville residents, we do a lot of our shopping at Earth Fare (it’s amazing). This means we fuel up next door at Gemelli. A casual but boutique Italian eatery from Chef Cerrato, the owner of Strada and Social Lounge, they serve great coffee in Asheville as well as delicious brunch, lunch, and dinner. I love the London Fog, vegan risotto, and homemade pasta. Tom is in heaven with all of the GF options.
Gemelli | 70 Westgate Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28806
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
A great coffee shop option before or after touring Biltmore Estate
Popular Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe has a jumping Historic Biltmore Village location (close to Biltmore Estate). I enjoy their chai latte with oat milk. They also serve breakfast and lunch, including pastries, breakfast burritos, quiches, and sandwiches. Their Weaverville cafe is great for lunch, not far from Yellow Mug.
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe | Biltmore Village – 6 Boston Way, Asheville, NC 28803; Grove Arcade Downtown AVL – 1 Page Avenue, Ste. 112G, Asheville, NC 28801; Weaverville – 26 North Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787; Food Truck – 232 Reems Creek Rd, Weaverville NC, 28787
If you can’t decide which coffee shop to try, tour a few with a guided coffee tour.
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Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.
Earthling Coffee! Most out of this world and creative coffee shop in asheville!!
Though I certainly won’t be in Asheville anytime soon, I love reading about coffee shops & seeing pictures of them!! So many of these sound lovely x
I knew that you’d love all of the Asheville coffee shops! I hope your summer is going well! xxx