Check out the best coffee shops in Asheville, NC from locals, including Asheville coffee shops with food, books, baked treats, and more.
If you are utterly exhausted after a day of touring Western North Carolina or are just getting on the road, where can you get the best coffee in Asheville?
And, which Asheville coffee shops use local coffee roasters? Which carry gluten-free and vegan treats? We are a half Celiac and lactose-intolerant household, so this is important to us.
Plus, where are all of the decadent desserts, and who also serves up breakfast, lunch, and late night treats?
“Best” is, of course, subjective. However, we are experts in three things: coffee, books, and booze. OK, and maybe Asheville. We live here, after all.
So, where can you buy delicious coffee in Asheville? We are pretty sure everyone already knows about that vintage double-decker red bus, Double D’s.
Trade & Lore will transport you to a magical oasis in a bustling city. Malaprop’s Bookstore serves up books and brews, including author talks and endless bookish schwag.
For locals and digital nomads, PennyCup Coffee Co. has a gorgeous North Asheville coffee shop. Even Biltmore Estate has plenty of coffee options.
Grab donuts with your coffee at Vortex and beer next door at Catawba. Be sure to pick up a bag of coffee beans at Summit Coffee Co., and say hi to RBG; well, her portrait, at least.
From a tipsy travel writer and her pilot hubby, keep reading for our favorite coffee shops in Asheville – touristy and off the beaten path. Let’s get started!
Still thirsty? Explore all of our Where To Drink in Asheville Guides.

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Our Top 6 Spots For The Best Coffee In Asheville:
- Summit Coffee – RAD
- PennyCup Coffee Co. – North AVL
- French Broad Chocolate – Downtown
- Odd’s Cafe – West AVL
- Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe – Downtown
- Rowan Coffee – Downtown
P.S. If you can’t decide which coffee shop is right for you, take a guided Asheville coffee tour.
17 Best Coffee Shops In Asheville, NC
1. PennyCup Coffee Co.
Small-batch, local coffee shop, great for digital nomads
Locations – River Arts District: 362 Depot Street
Downtown Asheville: 39 S. Market Street
East AVL: 6 Beverly Road
North Asheville: 857 Merrimon Avenue
Website: https://pennycupcoffeeco.com/

One of the best coffee shops in Asheville to pick up stellar beans and get work done, head to PennyCup Coffee.
PennyCup is also one of the small-batch roasters in Asheville that focuses on sustainable and green coffee.
They have various locations in each of Asheville’s unique neighborhoods, including North, East, and Downtown AVL as well as the River Arts District.


We love PennyCup’s North Asheville location, which added a larger room perfect for digital nomads. Because of its residential location, this particular shop stays much quieter than bustling Downtown.
Plus, North Asheville is home to Beaver Lake, UNC – Asheville, and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville. Nearby, visit the historic Omni Grove Park Inn or Grovewood Village.
To us, PennyCup is more local and less touristy than all the Asheville coffee shops.
Discover even more great North Asheville restaurants while out this way, including Rye Knot (beer/distillery/pub grub), Cecilia’s Kitchen (French & Spanish), The Hop (ice cream), and Zen Sushi (sushi).
2. Double D’s Coffee & Desserts
Instagrammable and unforgettable Downtown coffee shop with delicious treats
Address: 41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: http://www.doubledscoffee.com/

Unlike PennyCup, Double D’s is one of the most touristy coffee shops in Downtown Asheville. However, don’t let this or the Instagrammers out front scare you away.
Double D’s still serves up the most delicious coffee beverages, and it’s one of the city’s coolest-looking “food trucks” – or buses.
You’ll know that you’ve arrived at Double D’s when you spot the vintage double-decker red bus. Sit upstairs – when it’s open – or outside on their closed-in patio.
Double D’s accepts cash only, and they have Wi-Fi. Along with coffee and tea, order iced drinks, frappes, smoothies, and milkshakes.
They make their own signature drinks, and their desserts involve ice cream.
Before or after coffee, be sure to grab some grub in Downtown Asheville; Wicked Weed (pub/beer), Limones (Cali-Mex), Posana (GF), Manicomio (pizza), Itto (Asian tapas), Mehfil (Indian), and Chestnut (American) are all nearby.
For the best Asheville coffee shops, Double D’s promises location, a unique and quirky atmosphere, treats, and convenience while eating and shopping your way around Downtown AVL.
As foodie locals, read more about our overall top picks for the best restaurants across the city for all budgets, cuisines, and types of diners.
3. Trade and Lore Coffee
Whimsical and convenient Downtown Asheville coffee shop
Address: 37 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: https://www.tradeandlore.com/

Did we just enter a magical fairy world in the middle of Downtown Asheville?
Trade and Lore is one of the prettiest and most serene coffee shops in Asheville. The ambiance and decor are everything.
It’s also the perfect Asheville date spot with those romantic indoor vibes.
Trade & Lore focuses on specialty coffee and craft beer. They work with other local AVL businesses for their milk, baked goods, beans, and honey.
Trade and Lore is also located across the street from one of our favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurants, Laughing Seed Cafe. We usually go here for lunch or an early dinner.
See where else you can grab lunch in and around Asheville, including Taco Temple (tacos), 12 Bones (BBQ), Jerusalem Garden Cafe (Moroccan & Mediterranean), and Red Ginger (Chinese dimsum/tapas).
4. Rowan Coffee
Small and cozy Downtown coffee shop opened in 2021
Address: 66 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: https://www.rowancoffee.com/


Rowan is one of the newer coffee shops in Asheville (2021), and it might just be one of our favorites for ambiance.
Previously, Rowan Coffee had been selling its coffee via pop-up stands. However, they now have a stellar brick-and-mortar coffee shop in the heart of Downtown.
The menu is simple, and the historic building is absolutely beautiful. Rowan serves one of the best lattes we’ve had in Asheville.
They also have alternative milk options and deliciously flavored add-ins. At Halloween, they float candles from the ceiling.
Read more about the best Downtown Asheville coffee shops – with even more places not on this list.
5. Summit Coffee Co.
Deliciously strong coffee in terrific locations & one of our favorites
Locations- River Arts District: 4 Foundy Street, Suite 20
Downtown Asheville: 1 Page Avenue, Suite 148
Website: https://summitcoffee.com/


Summit Coffee is a specialty coffee franchise across North Carolina. For coffee in Asheville, they are conveniently located in both RAD and Downtown.
Summit Coffee in Downtown Asheville is tiny and tucked into Page Avenue in the Historic Grove Arcade, which houses the Battery Park Book Exchange and Huli Sue’s BBQ, which is new in 2022 and delicious.
Their outside seating is perfect for people-watching.
The Asheville Pinball Museum is nearby along with Cultivated Cocktails Distillery, one of our favorite Asheville distilleries for cocktails and great liquor/spirits and home bar shopping.


If you enjoy hipster street art, though, head over to Summit’s River Arts District (RAD) location.
Enjoy artists’ studios, shops, the Marquee – Asheville’s European-style local design and home decor market – and the newly renovated riverwalk.
One 12 Bones location is over here, which is Asheville’s most famous BBQ joint since the Obamas dined here.
See what else you can do in the River Arts District, including skating, biking, and watching indie films at Grail. It’s one of the Asheville neighborhoods we most frequent.
6. Odd’s Cafe
Sip coffee with your leashed cat as a dinosaur looks over you
Address: 800 Haywood Rd Suite A-110, Asheville, NC 28806
Website: https://www.oddscafe.com/

Along with the River Arts District, West Asheville is one of our top neighborhoods for book and plant shopping, murals, food, and beer.
It’s here you’ll find Odd’s Cafe, one of the best coffee shops in Asheville if you are traveling with your leashed pet or are craving vegan and gluten-free treats.


We are a lactose-intolerant and part-Celiac household, so we are pros at navigating dairy-free as well as gluten-free Asheville spots.
Odd’s Cafe boasts pet-friendly indoor seating, delicious coffee, and an eclectic selection of baked goods.
Along with those famed Asheville coffee beverages, select from smoothies, tea, coconut water, and steamed milk.
Asheville is an extremely pet-friendly city; read more about pet-friendly AVL breweries here.
7. Old Europe Pastries
Delicious Hungarian treats in one of the oldest Downtown coffee shops (new space)
Address: 18 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: https://www.oldeuropepastries.com/

Old Europe is one of the longest-running cafés and coffee shops in Asheville since 1994 – and they recently located to a larger, swanky space just down the road.
Along with coffee, dip in here for some of the best pastries and decadent desserts in all of Asheville. You won’t regret it.
Think traditional Hungarian desserts along with light breakfast items, including ham & cheese or chocolate croissants, cheese Danish, and quiche.


For desserts, select from pies, cheesecakes, muffins, macarons, eclairs, and cakes. They also serve cookies, bars, and shortbread.
Or, order online, including food delivery. Who doesn’t love AVL takeout, especially when it’s chocolate?
And, if you are vegan, lactose-intolerant, gluten-free, or a combination, they will have something for you.
For late-night coffee in Asheville, Old Europe Pastries closes between 10 and 11 PM, depending on the day. This is perfect after ending an early night of bar-hopping.
8. Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
One of the best indie Asheville bookstores with coffee Downtown
Address: 55 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: https://www.malaprops.com/


One of our top bookstores in Asheville, be sure to visit Malaprop’s Bookstore – it’s iconic and one of the best spots for bibliotourists.
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe is infamous for its bookish gifts, fabulous book recommendations, indie titles, and local Asheville author support.
They host endless author events and send out kick-butt newsletters. Grab a coffee and baked goods in their cafe, and peruse their endless stacks.
Just know that unlike the other coffee shops in Downtown Asheville on this list, Malaprop’s only has to-go coffee – there is no dine-in seating.


Lastly, be sure to check out Malaprop’s Bookstore’s local Asheville and North Carolina reading sections too. It’s pretty hard to leave empty-handed.
P.S. If you are looking for great book recommendations, our sister site, The Uncorked Librarian, showcases books and movies to inspire travel along with an annual reading challenge. We’d love to have you in our bookish travel community.
More Uncorked Asheville reading lists to enhance your Asheville coffee and bookstore experience:
- Favorite Books Set In Asheville
- Best Southern Gothic Books
- Famous North Carolina Authors
- Great Books About Tennessee
9. Vortex Doughnuts
The city’s most tempting donuts with coffee in South Slope/Downtown Asheville
Address: 32 Banks Ave #106, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: https://vortexdoughnuts.com/


For delicious Asheville donut shops with coffee, tea, and juice, Vortex Doughnuts is a sweet option, especially if you are spending the day exploring Downtown.
Located in the hipster South Slope district – home to Buxton Hall BBQ – Vortex promises regular as well vegan and gluten-free donut options.
Plus, enjoy Dobra Tea options and a series of signature coffee drinks.


Grab a coffee to-go or hang out in their airy warehouse space, which is perfect for families traveling with kids.
South Slope is also a must for Asheville’s famous breweries – in a largely condensed area. Along with Catawba, which is right next door, enjoy Green Man, Twin Leaf, the Funkatorium, Hi-Wire, and Asheville Brewing Co.
Discover even more of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Asheville.
10. Battery Park Book Exchange
Literary cocktails, coffee, and wine in a champagne used bookstore
Address: 1 Page Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: http://batteryparkbookexchange.com/

For Asheville coffee shops serving alcoholic beverages, head to Battery Park Book Exchange.
We love their wine selection and literary cocktails. In fact, it’s one of our favorite wine bars in town along with Bottle Riot and Leo’s House of Thirst.
You can even order delicious charcuterie and snacks perfect for weekend brunch.
Heck, this entire gorgeous establishment factored into our moving to AVL (we really aren’t kidding here).
Like Malaprop’s, Battery Park Book Exchange is also one of the best coffee shops in Asheville if you love books.




Explore endless rooms of used books. Meet up with friends, attend a poetry reading, listen to live music, and sit ensconced within the stacks with a beverage.
Close to Summit Coffee and Well-Bred locations, Battery Park Book Exchange is located in the Historic Grove Arcade in Downtown Asheville.
Shop for clothes, jewelry, candles and art while you are on this side of town. Or, head to nearby rooftop bars like The Montford and Hemingways.
11. French Broad Chocolate
A popular Asheville coffee shop for truffles, affogatos, hot chocolate, and more
Locations: Downtown – 10 South Pack Square, Asheville NC 28801
River Arts District Factory – 821 Riverside Dr #199, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: https://www.frenchbroadchocolates.com/


One of the most popular dessert, hot chocolate, and coffee shops in Asheville, French Broad Chocolate is a favorite amongst travelers and locals.
In fact, it’s one of Asheville’s hottest attractions/things to do.
Grab a box of truffles and some freshly brewed coffee. Select from bonbons, cakes, custards, mousses, brownies, cookies, and delicious ice cream.
French Broad Chocolate has vegan and gluten-free treats too, including a vegan affogato, hot chocolate, ice cream, and truffles.




With one location in Pack Square, you might find a line out the door, but it moves pretty quickly. Plus, the wait is worth it.
The Asheville Art Museum is right next door. Then, stroll around Pack Square, one of AVL’s quaint parks.
Or, head to their River Arts District location, which offers factory tours and has a much quieter cafe, perfect for digital nomads.
Both French Broad Chocolate locations are great for all of your local shopping, especially for holiday gifts. We love to get our family members boxes of truffles.
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12. Izzy’s Coffee
A quick and easy coffee stop with baked goods and snacks
Locations – Izzy’s Den Downtown: 74 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
West Asheville Coffee House: 976 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Website: http://izzyscoffee.com/


Are you looking for a cozy, art-filled coffee shop in Downtown Asheville?
Izzy’s is perfectly quaint with regular, lactose-free, and soy-free milk options. This is a great stop if you are grabbing coffee on the run while exploring Downtown.
Next door, tea drinkers can dip into Dobra Tea, and across the street, peruse the shelves of Downtown Books and News – Malaprop’s sister bookstore.
Izzy’s Coffee’s West Asheville location sits just on the outskirts of the more congested parts of Haywood Road.
Along with some of the best coffee in Asheville, they make our favorite opossum shirt. For treats, find bagels, breads, and cookies.
13. Bean Werks Coffee & Tea
Lesser-known, local spot for coffee in West Asheville
Address: 753 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Website: https://beanwerks.com/

For lesser-known Asheville coffee shops, head to Bean Werks – it’s not one that always lands on all of the “best of” lists, which keeps it more of a local gem.
Close to West Asheville’s best restaurants like Thai Pearl, Nine Mile, Neng Jr’s, and Jargon, Bean Werks has been around since 1996.
They boast the highest quality and artisanally roasted small-batch coffee and tea. They also focus on environmentally friendly practices.
Along with coffee-making and drinking schwag for purchase, enjoy a small but delicious menu of your favorite drinks.
We usually grab coffee on the run here.
14. High Five Coffee
Sip coffee in Asheville like Mandy Moore
Locations – Downtown Asheville: 13 Rankin Avenue
Montford: 190 Broadway Street
Woodfin/Riverside: 2000 Riverside Drive
Website: https://highfivecoffee.com/

High Five Coffee has multiple locations across the city and is a family-owned Asheville coffee shop.
They serve up coffee classics plus a few of their own specialties with beans roasted from Counter Culture Coffee in Durham.
High Five’s flagship coffee shop sits in the Montford and Five Points neighborhoods on Broadway Street.
Relax on the patio or maybe stroll nearby Riverside Cemetery to pay tribute to famous local author Thomas Wolfe.
You can catch Shakespeare in the Park out this way on spring and summer weekends too.
If you are Downtown, head to their Rankin Ave. location, which is close to the Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge, one of the best spots for burgers in town.
Or, head toward the French Broad River with your pups to grab a coffee-to-go.
15. Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
Grab coffee in quieter Weaverville or on your way to Biltmore Estate
Locations – 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
Website: https://www.wellbredbakery.com/

For the best Asheville coffee shops in Biltmore Village and around Downtown Asheville and Weaverville, Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe is extremely popular.
We enjoy their chai latte with oat milk. They also serve breakfast and lunch, including a variety of pastries and sandwiches, depending on location.
A few breakfast items you might find at their Biltmore Village/Boston Way location include breakfast burritos, quiches, eclairs, and croissants.
For lunch, select from soups and sandwiches, although their vegan and GF options are a bit limited. Desserts include cookies and cakes.


Their Biltmore Village location is a convenient restaurant stop before or after visiting Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home and one of Asheville’s largest tourist attractions.
Across the street, don’t miss another popular Biltmore Village restaurant for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, Corner Kitchen.
If you visit Well-Bred Bakery’s Weaverville location, find delicious Weaverville restaurants like Stoney Knob Cafe and Glass Onion along with jumping Weaverville breweries, including Leveller and Eluvium.
Afterward, explore Weaverville: head to the lake for a walk or visit WagBar for local brews with the dogs.
Discover more great mountain cities and towns to add to your Asheville itinerary, including Weaverville, Black Mountain, Brevard, and Hendersonville.
16. The Kitchen Cafe
Drink coffee like a Vanderbilt at the largest home in America
Address: Dairy Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Antler Hill Village | Biltmore Estate | 1 Lodge Street
Website: https://www.biltmore.com/

For more of the best coffee in Asheville, head to our favorite Biltmore Estate restaurants. Just know that you will need a ticket, annual pass, or property reservation to enter the grounds.
Two places we frequent on the estate include The Creamery and The Kitchen Cafe – although the Library Bar is great too.
Both The Creamery and The Kitchen Cafe are located in Antler Hill Village, which is home to Biltmore Winery and Wine Bar, Cedric’s Tavern, multiple shops, the Bike Barn, Biltmore Farmyard & Playground, live demonstrations, and Village Hotel.


For Asheville coffee shops, The Kitchen Cafe makes the best lattes around next to Rowan Coffee.
Find them in the lobby of the gorgeous Village Hotel, which we enjoy staying at for discounted prices during Passholder Appreciation months (January into March).
The Creamery is next door with indoor and outdoor seating, and of course, has ice cream treats too. Biltmore is quite kid-friendly, after all.
Grab coffee at either, and people-watch in Antler Hill. Or, take a coffee to go and walk one of Biltmore’s numerous trails – the main reason we’ve been Biltmore annual passholders for years.
P.S. See why we think that ticket price is worth it, and explore all of our well-experienced Biltmore guides here.
A few highlighted Biltmore guides include:
17. Asheville Chocolate
More coffee and chocolate treats in Downtown Asheville
Address: 25 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801
Website: https://www.avlchocolate.com/




“Get chocolate sauced” at Asheville Chocolate. And, get ready for a little blasphemy.
We might prefer these guys just a tad more for Asheville coffee shops than the infamous French Broad Chocolates; both are equally delicios and amazing, but Asheville Chocolate stays a tad quieter for coffee drinkers and digital nomads.
The inside seating is fabulous. Sit tucked away at a wooden table among Benjamin Walls photography.


Asheville Chocolate features gourmet truffles, gelato, hot and cold drinks, and desserts. Think affogatos or hot chocolates. Choose from mochas with homemade ganache or tea.
Asheville Chocolate boasts of seasonal and ever-changing flavors along with decadent vegan options. If you don’t see vegan items on the menu, just ask too.
Discover even more of Asheville’s best chocolate shops.
3 Top Tours & Experiences You Might Enjoy Pairing With These Asheville Coffee Shops:
- Asheville Coffee Tours – If you can’t decide which coffee shop to try, why not tour a few with a guide?
- Asheville Literary Tour – Learn more about Asheville’s robust literary history with this specialized tour.
- Brewery Walking Tour – Are you boozy and foodie travelers like us? Take a popular guided brewery walking tour.
Discover all of the great Asheville tours you can book.
Save These Asheville Coffee Shops For Later:

Who has the best coffee in Asheville?
Which coffee shops in Asheville do you love? Who makes the best iced coffee, latte, and espresso? Let us know in the comments.
And, if you are planning your Asheville trip and still can’t decide, consider taking an Asheville Coffee Tour.
Before you go…
If you are looking for coffee shops near Asheville, Hendersonville/Flat Rock has a stellar coffee scene, including places like Black Bear Coffee Co. and ShareWell Coffee. Many people travel to and around Hendersonville – a great AVL day trip – for DuPont’s waterfalls and the delicious wineries – think Stone Ashe, Point Lookout, and Souther Williams. Read about all that you can do in Hendersonville before you go here.
Related Articles:
- Wineries In & Around Asheville
- Craft Cideries (And Meaderies) In AVL
- Best Pubs & Taverns
- Romantic Restaurants For Couples
- Top Fine Dining Establishments

Christine
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner and lead writer of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina their 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.
Christine has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. She also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.
Sally
Sunday 31st of July 2022
Earthling Coffee! Most out of this world and creative coffee shop in asheville!!
Macey @ Brine & Books
Wednesday 23rd of June 2021
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
Christine
Thursday 24th of June 2021
I knew that you'd love all of the Asheville coffee shops! I hope your summer is going well! xxx