For richer or pour over, Asheville’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. Asheville may be known as Beer City, but we’ve also got an impressive coffee scene brewing.
Take inspiration from our guide, which features local roasters, tours, and other specialty coffee experiences. If you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, these 35+ establishments are sure to get your mind percolating.
Specialty drinks
Gallivant, 126 Elkwood Ave., #102, Woodfin | Stop by this plant-based cafe for oat milk lattes, bagels, and housemade vegan cream cheese.
Bridge & Tunnel Coffee, various locations | Track down the truck for unbelievable nitro cold brews that come in seasonal flavors, or head to A-B Tech’s campus for a cafe with the full coffee menu and food.
Grind AVL, 346 Depot St. | This is a go-to spot for dalgonas and super creative latte flavors (think: toasted marshmallow), plus a co-working space so you can stay on your grind.
Summit Coffee Co., various locations | Choose from a variety of creative cups on its rotating seasonal menu — although you can never go wrong with a no-nonsense cup of drip.
The Times Bar & Coffee Shop, 56 Patton Ave. | Indulge in lots of seasonal picks or opt for a boozy coffee, like the Persephone Returns, with lemon, almond, vanilla, espresso, milk, amarula, vodka, and amaretto.
Rite Rite, various locations | Enhance your espresso-based drink of choice with a uniquely flavored house-made syrup, like rose vanilla, at the downtown spot or the shop north of the city.
10th Muse Comfort Food, 1475 Patton Ave. | Sweet treats are the name of the game here — try lattes with everything from Reese’s Cups and cookie dough to bananas foster and s’mores.
Espresso yourself
Odd’s Cafe, 800 Haywood Rd., Ste. A-110 | Grab a seat and let the extensive menu of coffee, tea, and seasonal options fuel your workday.
Pollen Coffee + Flower Shop, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Ste. 150 | Brighten your day with a colorful bouquet and an espresso tonic at this aesthetically pleasing cafe.
Retro Coffee, 2619 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Hit up this community coffee shop for delicious pastries, good vibes, and a rotating seasonal menu.
Rowan Coffee, 66 Broadway St. | From expertly crafted pourovers to espresso-based mocktails, there’s something for every palate in this moody space.
The Daily Grind, 100 District Dr., #216 | This Biltmore Village shop is owned by Asheville natives, serving up coffee classics and specialty drinks using Dynamite Roasting Co. beans.
Kota Kai, 753 Haywood Rd. | The cozy new space in West Asheville features delicious beverages, fresh beans roasted by Coffee Library, and cold brew growlers you can take to go.
Best bites
Battlecat Coffee Bar, 373 Haywood Rd. | Get your caffeine fix, then head to the back of the shop to order a breakfast bagel or panini from Tiger Bay Cafe.
Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffeehouse, 1 Page Ave., #111 | The only thing sweeter than a latte is a latte paired with pillowy, made-to-order beignets — or better yet, a sandwich with beignet buns.
Double D’s Coffee & Desserts, 41 Biltmore Ave. | Satisfy your sweet tooth with an affogato or opt for a classic brewed coffee to go alongside one of its decadent treats.
Liberty House Coffee and Cafe, 221 S. Liberty St. | This 1920s cottage-turned-cafe is a neighborhood favorite for simple + delicious breakfast and lunch fare.
Ultra Coffeebar, 242 Clingman Ave. | Bagels, sandwiches, and wraps are on the menu, with plenty of options for plant-based folks — the Sunrise is City Editor Molly’s favorite.
Vortex Doughnuts, 32 Banks Ave., Ste. 106 | A latte or cold brew is a perfect pairing with one of the shop’s creative doughnut flavors.
After/glow, 95 Roberts St. | Specialty drinks and breakfast favorites will start your morning right — but keep your seat, because the cafe in The Radical Hotel will switch to cocktails at night.
Recess Coffee and Baked Goods, 107 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain | The aroma of baking breads and striking pastries fill the air at this nostalgia-inducing shop, so don’t fill up on coffee — you’ll want room for a snack.
Session, 14 O. Henry Ave. | This light and airy cafe offers a menu of creative breakfast favorites, like a mushroom tartine and a seasonal frittata, as well as pastries, coffee drinks, and cocktails.
On-the-go joe
Bad Manners Coffee, 697 Haywood Rd. G,| Settle at one of the little pink shop’s seats or take your coffee + treats to go around West Asheville.
Chaunie’s Coffee, 22 Stoner Rd. | Pay the coffee truck a visit for a classic cold brew or seasonal bev — you can also book them to roll up to your next private event.
Dripolator, various locations | Swing through the drive-thru at the Candler location, pop by the South Asheville cafe for java with freshly roasted beans, or make your way to Black Mountain for a cozy cup.
Earthling Coffee + Espresso, various locations | Go to the food court at the Asheville Mall for an out-of-this-world coffee to fuel your shopping trip, or take a trip to the drive-thru in Candler for a quick cup.
High-Five Coffee, various locations | Stop by one of three locations for a brew made with Counter Culture Coffee — or ask for the barista’s choice if you’re feeling spontaneous.
Sage and Spice Market, 1056 Patton Ave. | Grab a hot or iced espresso-based beverage while browsing the market’s offerings of cheeses, olives, candles, and other locally made goods.
Roasts to boast
Cooperative Coffee | This West Asheville roaster sources green coffee beans that finish with a sweet, bright, and clean flavor profile. Sample a cup for yourself at Odd’s, Haywood Common, or Liberty House Cafe.
Penny Cup Coffee Co., various locations | This small-batch roaster and coffee shop has four local cafes and also sells its beans wholesale. It offers single-origin roasts, as well as custom blends + espresso beans.
High Noon Coffee Roasters, 191 Charlotte St., #101 | This women-owned business places special importance on ethically sourced beans, such as the Sumatra Ketiara batch from a women-run cooperative in Indonesia.
Dynamite Roasting Co., 3198 US Highway 70, Black Mountain | Located just outside Asheville in Black Mountain, this organic fair-trade coffee shop + roaster is a local favorite. It sells beans by the bag and also offers wholesale.
Asheville Coffee Roasters, 85 Weaverville Hwy. | Many locals swear by this Woodfin roaster, which has offered fresh beans for 15+ years. Its signature product is a French roast named the “Pitbull on Crack.”
Round Earth Roasters, 518 Hendersonville Rd. | Find beans from Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Peru, and six other countries at this quaint spot near Biltmore Village. We’ve also heard great things about the Colombia Decaf blend.
Dynamite Roasting also makes a mean iced coffee.
Photo via @dynamitecoffeebar
Tours and tastings
Coffee Curious Workshops | Learn more about the wide world of tasting notes, roasters, and how to make the perfect pourover at this educational workshop with Toni Oreck.
Asheville Coffee Tours | Join barista Jarika Johnson on a walking tour featuring six local coffee shops that highlight micro-roasters, independent cafes, and historic Asheville landmarks.
Be the barista
Shop our favorite coffee essentials to turn your house into our city’s next great coffee destination.
- It all starts with the beans — for the best coffee (and tea), skip the big brands and shop this collection of coffee from local roasters. For a whole bean coffee, try Methodical Coffee’s Pink Lady, while these Loveland Coffee K-Cups are a great Keurig option.
- For a French Press that lasts, avoid breakable glass options and opt for stainless steel — this Secura French Press is highly rated and comes in multiple colors.
- Bloom pourovers like a pro with elegant gooseneck design of the COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle.
- These double walled glass espresso cups or these handmade ceramic espresso cups will set your home cafe apart.
- Hide coffee stains under espresso makers with this absorbent drying mat that sucks up coffee drops like magic.
- For the sleekest coffee accessories imaginable, shop the Fellow collection for coffee bean grinders, kettles, and carafes.
- Ready to go all in? The Breville Barista Espresso Machine is a best-selling espresso machine that makes coffee shop-worthy lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso at home.
