The Best Coffeeshops in Downtown Asheville
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Since moving to the Asheville region, Mike and I have been exploring the downtown on a regular basis. There is a lot to do here including: local bookshops, restaurants, galleries, and an ongoing lineup of interesting events. The nationally acclaimed foodie scene isn’t limited to just restaurants and breweries though – this is also one of the best cities for coffee lovers (although I must say we have had a great time eating our way through the city).
I love sipping a perfectly made Americano in a non chain shop. The great thing about this charming mountain town is that you will find more independent roasters than Starbucks. I find that independent businesses are more laid-back and friendly and tend to serve better food and drinks. There are numerous fantastic local options whether you are seeking top notch drinks, a hipster hangout, an eclectic local art scene, farm-to-table food, or freshly made pastries.
From beignets, to doughnuts, to homemade croissants, muffins, and bagels, each shop offers its’ own interesting lineup of treats to go along with that cup of joe. While the vibrant culinary scene tends to draw all the attention, there’s nothing more satisfying than finding a new favorite coffeehouse to lounge around in. Mike and I have spent many weekends enjoying an energizing cup of coffee before hitting the beautiful trails in the Blue Ridge mountains. Here is my guide to the best-of-the-best.
1. City Bakery Cafe
- Highlights: Homemade pastries, serves top rated Dynamite coffee, cozy spacious setting, homemade artisan breads & bagels, opens early
- What I recommend: Chocolate croissant, cinnamon roll, maple brown sugar poptart, veggie bagel, quiche, golden milk
This fantastic local bakery has 2 convenient locations including a downtown cafe which opens earlier than most other businesses (7:30am), so you can fuel up bright and early prior to any outdoor adventures.
They serve coffee from local NC roaster Dynamite, a full lineup of specialty drinks, and most importantly, a huge menu of delicious made from scratch pastries. If you have a sweet tooth, you are sure to be impressed with the selection here.
Tantalizing daily treats include chocolate croissants, cinnamon rolls, maple sugar poptarts, danishes, and more. I rarely crave sweets, but if I do, this is the place I go. Mike likes their cinnamon rolls and I like the croissants. If you are craving something a bit more savory, try the quiche of the day or a bagel sandwich.
The interior is spacious with plenty of room to handle the bustling crowds. The vibe is casual with a cozy, clean and modern appeal. During the warm season, you will want to sip your caffeinated beverage of choice on the quaint outdoor patio. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a treat and cup of joe on a mild summer or spring morning.
2. Double D’s
- Highlights Eccentric ambiance, trendy, central location
- What to try: Americano, fruit smoothie, peppermint bark mocha, lavender honey latte
You really cannot miss the huge red London style double decker bus as you make your way around downtown. If you want to explore what is left of the “weird scene” in this city, this is a good place to start.
The coffee here is quite delicious although they only serve in paper cups which is a major bummer for me. Nevertheless, all the drinks I’ve tried have been delicious. The food menu is not as enticing here, although they do carry a small selection of locally baked goods with several GF options.
The eclectic ambiance is what sets Double D’s apart. If you are looking for something unique to do, stop by for a drink in a really cool setting. It is located in the center of all the action, and thus, a perfect stop in between popping in and out of shops.
3. Bebette’s
- Highlight: New Orleans style beignets, nice location inside the historic Grove Arcade building
- Must try: Beignet with chocolate dipping sauce, house coffee, masala chai tea
Craving a little bit of New Orleans culture? No need to book a flight. Head right over to Bebette’s inside The Grove Arcade to indulge in some classic beignets. While the house coffee is delicious, the beignets are what I come here for.
Beignets are basically airy pillow shaped dough pieces which are lightly fried with a soft center. As soon as you walk in you can see the staff hard at work rolling out the dough by hand for a true authentic experience. I recommend the indulgent chocolate dipping sauce.
It’s a small space, although the vibe is still warm and inviting. Bonus – it’s located inside the Grove arcade so you can browse the shops before/after your visit. On one negative, they don’t offer mugs (only paper cups) and it can be quite a wait even early on in the morning (I can’t imagine the wait on a busy day!). Arrive at opening (7am) to shorten your wait time a bit!
While you are at The Grove, I recommend a relaxing foot soak at Wake Foot Sanctuary (a real treat after a lot of hiking!) and browsing the shops.
4. High Five
- Highlight: Excellent coffee, nice ambiance, exposed brick walls
- What to try: Americano, house coffee, mocha, everything bagel with housemade hummus
This is a beautiful coffeehouse located in a historic building with hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. Overall, it’s my favorite coffeehouse in town although I do prefer the Five Points location which is a bit more relaxed (and they have a nice covered patio).
Like many places in town, High Five serves Counter Culture coffee, a top rated roaster based out of Durham, NC. All of their drinks are delicious, whether you go with a classic drip, a double shot of espresso, or a mocha which is made using chocolate from local chocolatier French Broad. For anyone who is not a fan of coffee, treat yourself to a Matcha Latte or a Golden milk latte made with immune boosting turmeric and warming spices. This drink is a real treat on a cold fall or winter’s day.
Food choices include: bananas, bagels, hard boiled eggs, macaroons, chocolate chip cookies, and GF/vegan granola. This is the place to go if you like bagels (and I do!). Their double seeded everything bagel (try with their delicious homemade veggie cream cheese) is so good. We come here at least once a week for the best bagels in town.
Overall, the nice historic vibe and cozy ambiance makes Hive Five one of the best places to linger over a cup of joe on a rainy day. Definitely stop by if you are seeking a pick me up in the downtown region.
5. Times Bar
- Highlight: Trendy, classy elegant vibe, fun specialty drinks
- What to try: Matcha Love latte, Lavender mocha
Times is a beautiful place to stop for an afternoon drink, cup of coffee, or specialty espresso drink. The vibe is trendy and bustling. The decor is elegant and classy as it is located in the historic S&W Cafeteria building.
It’s located in the center of all the action, and thus, the perfect stop after an afternoon of exploration. Locals beers, import wines, specialty and classic cocktails, plus craft coffee from Seattle favorite Caffe Vita Coffee Roasters are all on the lineup.
Times is most known for their specialty drinks, both cocktail and non alcoholic. Their matcha green tea latte is delicious. The Lavender mocha featuring white chocolate, cinnamon, honey, lavender, milk, and a double shot of espresso is another fantastic choice. All drinks can be made dairy-free using oat milk. It’s a bit pricey, but I don’t mind paying more for the refined presentation and beautiful ambiance every once in a while.
A few more to check out
I recommend checking out the local gems I already mentioned first. However, if you run out of options, you may want to consider checking these decent cafes as well. You can never have enough coffeehouses to choose amongst in my opinion.
Old Europe: Delicious pastries, although the drip is a bit bitter for my taste. Also, there is not much seating and It’s always super busy. I say – come for the quiche and sweets and go elsewhere for your cup of joe.
Battery Park: This is a beautiful place to browse old books and enjoy wine and champagne. It’s dark and cozy with a lot of character – I love the old-school vibe.
Outside of the downtown limits, there are a number of fantastic coffeeshops worth driving for. Check out my complete guide for more details.
