Recess Coffee’s pastries are as attractive as they are appetizing. | Photo by AVLtoday
For richer or pour over, Asheville’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning — and what goes better with a cup of coffee than a bite to eat?
Take inspiration by checking out these shops that have some of the best bites, but don’t worry if you’re mind is still percolating. AVLtoday’s City Guide to local coffee shops features 30+ more spots that will have you buzzing.
Liberty House Coffee and Cafe
This 1920s cottage-turned-cafe is a neighborhood favorite for simple + delicious breakfast and lunch fare.
Battlecat Coffee Bar
Tiger Bay Cafe is no longer situated in the back of the West Asheville shop, but Battlecat has four hearty breakfast bagels available, including a Muffaleta bagel topped with four Italian meats and an olive tapenade.
Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffeehouse
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.
Ultra Coffeebar
Bagels, sandwiches, and wraps are on the menu, with plenty of options for plant-based folks.
Recess Coffee and Baked Goods, 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.
Winter Tales | 4-5 p.m. | West Asheville Library | Free | Storyteller Carolina Quiroga tells kid-friendly, heartwarming, and humorous tales with a touch of winter magic and puppetry.
“Jeeves Saves the Day” | Wednesday, Jan. 22-Sunday, Feb. 16 | Times vary | North Carolina Stage Company | $10+ | It’s opening night for the play set in 1927 that follows Bertie as he deals with misfortune at the heads of his relatives.
Thursday, Jan. 23
Golden Folk Sessions | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | Pay what you can | Six artists perform three-song sets that celebrate the origins of folk music.
Yarn/Wire | 7 p.m. | Black Mountain College Museum | $8+ | The quartet performs compositions from Annea Lockwood and Katherine Young.
Friday, Jan. 24
“Soup-er” Bowl | 2-5 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center | Free | Competition is stewing — show off your soup-making skills and score other recipes.
Mountain Raise | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co. | $25 | Celebrate WNC’s resilience and recovery and hear local entrepreneurs discuss strategy and growth efforts.
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
56%. That’s the percentage of full-time employees in the US who want a new job in 2025. Of this, 27% have already started searching. What’s more, the first part of the year sees the largest uptick in job postings + submitted job applications online.
If you’re hiring this year, don’t let your job posting get lost on over-saturated job sites. We created 6AM City Job Board to help you cut through the noise and find top local talent. Share your opportunity with the most connected locals, AVLtoday readers.
Keep your coat, hat, and gloves handy; the National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory in Asheville through 12 p.m. today. While in effect, wind chills could reach -7°, so take precautions when heading outside.
Community
Still waiting for your trash to get picked up? This week’s waste collection services in Asheville and other parts of Buncombe County have been delayed by one day due to snowy and icy roads on Monday. Collections are expected to get caught up by Saturday, assuming no further delays.
Award
Americans for the Arts awarded Mayor Esther Manheimer with the 2025 Public Leadership in the Arts Award — a distinction given to leaders for art advocacy. Manheimer was recognized for her dedication to the arts, especially to promote economic recovery after Hurricane Helene.
Sports
The Chicago Bears’ new head coach has Asheville ties. The team hired coach Ben Johnson — an AC Reynolds High School graduate who was quarterback for the Rockets and helped them win a 2002 state championship. Since then, he graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and coached with the Miami Dolphins + Detroit Lions. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Eat
Hungry for a deal? Select Chick-fil-A locations in Asheville + Upstate SC are offering free sandwiches through Saturday, Jan. 25. The saucy offer can be redeemed in the Chick-fil-A app for an original, grilled, or spicy sandwich. (WSPA)
Featured
Gotham Magazine published its “Ultimate Guide to Asheville,” a short list of local spots for an “unforgettable Asheville experience.” Among the must-see places, the publication included Biltmore Estate, The Horse Shoe Farm, and The Market Place.
Number
1,000+. That’s how many people attended the Aid for Asheville event in Key West. The benefit was hosted by the Key West Friends of Asheville and featured silent auctions on art, excursions, and other items to raise money to support Asheville’s recovery.
Finance
Financial grace periods are few and far between these days. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day — time speeds by between them. But these credit cards allow you nearly two years to pay them off (with zero interest), allowing you flexibility in 2025.*
A really good beanie. With 4,000+ five-star reviews, this warm winter beanie is a favorite for a reason: the inside is lined with satin, which absorbs less moisture and causes less friction than other materials, keeping hair nourished and frizz-free.
I hope you’re staying warm today. The chilly weather has me thinking about sipping a cup of tea, and I’m longing for a cup from Asheville Tea Company. The business is rebuilding after Helene, but you can place pre-orders to help with the recovery and ensure you have bags ready for a future chilly day.
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