20 Amazing Coffee (and Tea) Shops
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
High Five Coffee (Asheville, NC)
Asheville, a gorgeous town within the North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains, is well-known for its’ thriving food and coffee scene. With many independent coffee shops all throughout town, the coffee scene is just as exciting as the highly publicized food scene. While living in the region for 2 years, I explored the majority of indie shops and found a few regulars that I came back to most frequently.
One of the best local coffeehouses is High Five. Three locations include: a scenic riverfront cafe, a bustling downtown cafe, and a quieter cafe in historic Montford. The Montford neighborhood cafe features a beautiful brick patio. Whichever location you visit, you are assured a fabulous cup of coffee (they brew renowned Counter Culture beans). Do treat yourself to an amazing bagel (from a local bakery) with homemade cream cheese. Best bagel I’ve ever tried!
Before exploring the wonderful hikes and waterfalls, stop by for a quality cup of coffee and delicious bagel at High Five. I have yet to find a more delicious bagel and that veggie cream cheese!
Location: 190 Broadway St #102, Asheville, NC 28801
What’s nearby?: Take a drive along the gorgeous Blue Ridge parkway. Check out my list of the most scenic overlooks near Asheville.
Buddy Brew (Tampa, Florida)
Buddy Brew is one of many great local coffeehouses in Tampa. It’s my favorite place for an expertly crafted drink. I also love their delicious biscuit and homemade pastries. This one is located in Hyde Park Village, a gorgeous outdoor shopping and dining complex. There is a small outdoor seating area where you can people watch and enjoy the greenery. It gets busy on weekend morning so arrive early to score a seat.
Not only does Buddy Brew offer some of the best coffee in the area, but their pastries are also great. They offer seasonal specials throughout the year including the most delicious pumpkin bread and a Pumpkin Spice Latte that rivals Starbucks.
Sit back, relax, enjoy your drink, then check out the shops of Hyde Park Village.
Location: 1605 W Snow Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
What’s nearby?: Take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6 mile path home to some of the city’s top tourist attractions.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe (Greenville, South Carolina)
Greenville, South Carolina is home to one of the South’s most exciting foodie scenes. The city is home to a bustling Main Street with many local restaurants and shops. I lived here for a year and by far my favorite amenity was the easy access to so many wonderful local businesses. They offer a nice patio which I enjoyed the majority of the year thanks to the mild 3-4 season climate.
One local gem to add to your bucket list is the Swamp Rabbit Cafe. This organic cafe/farmers market serves delicious local coffee and makes their own pastries. Their daily homemade breads are delicious too – try the Stecca! They also offer a large patio which you can enjoy during the milder months. As far as pastries go, their croissants, vegan donuts, and blueberry slab pie are all worth a try!
If you happen to be visiting in the fall, do try the amazing Pumpkin Spice Latte made using real pumpkin. It truly is incredible.
Location: 205 Cedar Lane Rd, Greenville, SC 29611
What’s nearby?: Conveniently, this coffeeshop is located adjacent to the Swamp Rabbit trail, a popular paved biking trail that runs a scenic 20+ mile course. From here, you can easily bike into beautiful downtown Greenville.
NU Cafe (Worcester, Massachusetts)
NU Cafe is a cozy little casual eatery and coffee bar in Worcester, the 2nd largest city in the state. The cozy ambiance makes this a great place to relax, sip a steaming hot espresso, and/or enjoy a light healthy meal. The NU in the name stands for nude, as in free from processed junk. NU Cafe serves organic, fair trade coffee and fresh produce for smoothies and salads.
The cozy couches, free wi-fi, and large selection of books and games makes it a relaxing choice for just about anything -whether catching up on some work, holding a meeting, or just relaxing for the afternoon with friends. At night, you can enjoy live entertainment, along with a craft beer or delicious glass of wine.
There are 5 different blends offered daily. I recommend the dark roast, a rich blend of South American and Indonesian coffees.
Location: 335 Chandler St, Worcester, MA 01602
What’s nearby?: Check out the Worcester Art Museum, featuring an impressive collection of more than 35,000 works of art. It’s home to the largest floor mosaic. I love the stained glass art collection.
Coffee Underground (Greenville, South Carolina)
Greenville has become the new “It” city of the South due to revitalization efforts of the gorgeous downtown. A beautiful waterfall and many independent businesses draw locals and repeat tourists. Coffee Underground is one of the longest running cafes found on beautiful tree-lined Main Street.
This laid-back coffeehouse serves excellent coffee, plus an assortment of bagels, quiche and sandwiches. Also be on the lookout for their seasonal specials including a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
The best part about Coffee Underground is the cozy, casual setting. The interior is dark and spacious with plenty of cozy couches. This is a great coffeehouse to meet up with friends or enjoy a coffee date. The interior is sort of “Friends” like with many cozy nooks to kick back for a while.
Location: 1 E Coffee St, Greenville, SC 29601
What’s nearby?: Check out beautiful Falls Park, the oasis of downtown Greenville.
