Tom and I fuel up with caffeine just as much as the Gilmore Girls. Maybe even more. If you do too, the coffee shops in Downtown Asheville, like The Rhu, Rowan, French Broad Chocolate, and Bebette’s, won’t disappoint. Heck, even Mandy Moore couldn’t resist them. Plus, who doesn’t love that vintage double-decker bus, rich bonbons, creamy affogatos, and a warm latte while cozy book shopping?
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When I say “Downtown Asheville,” this includes the main areas around Pack Square Park, Lexington Ave., and Biltmore Ave., along with the surrounding walkable areas from paid parking lots and garages. Pick any garage, and head out for a day full of shopping, eating, and drinking your way through Downtown Asheville.
📸 I’ve been writing about the Asheville coffee scene since 2019, and all photos and experiences are our own of what we love and order. đź’™ Christine of Uncorked Asheville
Old Europe Pastries – Coffee with the best European desserts
One of the best places for both early morning and late-night coffee in Downtown Asheville, Old Europe Pastries has been a city staple since 1994. Open daily, this is your go-to for some of the best desserts in AVL, paired with a delicious cup of coffee. We’ve been here more times than I can count.
Along with traditional Hungarian treats, devour cheese & meat-filled croissants and lemon poppyseed bread (it’s amazing) for breakfast – or a cupcake; we won’t judge. I know who I married.
More delicious Old Europe baked goods you should try include their muffins, cakes, cookies, shortbread, and macarons. Order online or grab a box to go. Park in any of the lots and garages around Broadway, Pack Square, or even Rankin Ave.
Old Europe Pastries | 18 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
The Rhu – Iced lattes with breakfast or lunch
One of our personal favorite Downtown Asheville coffee shops, and open daily, The Rhu is your go-to for coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Start with their delicious specialty coffee selections, smoothies, and kombucha. I’ll take anything iced.
Then, for a low-key breakfast in Asheville, select from items like biscuits and gravy, quiche, a vegan breakfast sandwich, and bagels. For lunch, try their salads and classic sandwiches, including Reubens, chicken salad, and turkey. They also sell specialty items, including pickled beets, cold drinks, and more to-go pantry goods.
Even better, The Rhu is more spacious than it looks from the outside, offering both downstairs and upstairs seating, perfect for digital nomads looking for a little more space and peace versus the bustling street-level seating. It’s gorgeously decorated.
Find parking at the Biltmore Garage or numerous pay lots around Lexington Ave.
The Rhu | 10 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Rowan Coffee – Cozy, magical coffee bar with all the feels
Another one of the coziest coffee shops in Downtown Asheville, we were stoked when Rowan Coffee opened a brick-and-mortar shop (they now have two). Don’t let the limited seating and smaller menu turn you off, either. The ambiance is perfect if you enjoy historic buildings and intimate conversations. One Halloween, they even hung Harry Potter-like candles all over the ceiling.
Find classic coffee beverages and alternative milk options. I love a hot latte here. Open daily, dip in while window shopping or mural hunting along Broadway. Chicken Alley, the tiny houses, and a yoga mural are all fairly close by.
Their newer West Asheville coffee shop has an outdoor covered patio, coffee, and wine. And, you know that we love Asheville’s wine bars…
Rowan Coffee | Downtown: 66 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801 & West Asheville: 785 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Bebettes – New Orleans-style coffeehouse with Beignets
Did someone say coffee and handcrafted beignets? You will definitely spy sugar-coated fingers all around Bebettes in the Historic Grove Arcade. Just look for the purple monster.
Open daily, Bebettes is your go-to for coffee, lattes, beignets, and beignet sandwiches, including items like a beignet Monte Cristo. Plus, you know my second favorite order is a tea latte, which they have plenty of.
I suggest metered street parking or parking in the Wall Street Garage. While here, get a heavenly foot soak at Wake Foot Sanctuary, one of our favorite things to do.
Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffee House | 1 Page Ave #111, Asheville, NC 28801
The Times Bar & Coffee Shop – Coffee, espresso martinis, mocktails, and cocktails
The classiest coffee shop in Downtown Asheville – with cocktails and mocktails – head to The Times Bar & Coffee Shop. It’s centrally located near shopping, food, and the Asheville Museum of Science.
The Times Bar & Coffee Shop promises not only a mix of our favorite libations, but they are also a bit jazzy, atmospheric, and unforgettable. I just love the liquor ladders, boozy books, red curtains, and overall ambiance.
This is your go-to for fun specialty coffee beverages filled with spices and flavors like toasted coconut, cardamom, orange zest, and mango. Think terrific seasonal lattes. Of course, Tom and I cannot resist a handcrafted cocktail (or mocktail). Tough choices, here.
I meet up with my friends at Times for a day of Asheville boutique shopping. Just keep in mind that they are typically closed on Mondays.
The Times Bar & Coffee Shop | 56 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Double D’s Coffee & Desserts – Iconic coffee and dessert bus
You might not expect the most “touristy place” for coffee in Downtown Asheville to serve up some of the best drinks – but they do! If you have ever been to Downtown AVL, we are sure you’ve seen that double-decker, Instagrammer dream’s red bus. It’s pretty centrally located.
Should you stop in for delicious Asheville coffee and desserts? You bet! Double D’s serves coffee, tea, frappes, iced drinks, pastries, and ice cream. Select from milkshakes and smoothies, too.
Open daily, they have free wifi, but please know that they are one of the few cashless Downtown Asheville coffee shops. And, we promise, Double D’s isn’t just a pretty bus/tourist trap. We go here as locals.
Double D’s Coffee & Desserts | 41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe – Coffee cafe with pastries in a terrific indie bookstore
Before becoming a tipsy travel writer, I was first and foremost a rogue public librarian and book lover. In fact, my sister site, The Uncorked Librarian, is all about books and movies to inspire travel.
And, Asheville is quite the bibliophile’s dream, filled with literary and historic sites, famous North Carolina authors, local Asheville authors, gorgeous bookstores, and The Hunger Games waterfalls at DuPont State Forest.
Head to Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe for coffee and book shopping. You won’t leave empty-handed. Along with terrific local book displays, staff favorites, translated literature, and books by genre, Malaprop’s boasts a small cafe filled with baked treats and simple but delicious to-go coffee beverages.
This is your chance to try that local and sustainable Counter Culture Coffee (Durham-based) with West End Bakery and Dolci di Maria (one of our GF/vegan favorites) baked goods.
Consider parking around the Rankin/Civic Center lots. And, for similar vibes, you will love Battery Park Book Exchange. Sip a literary cocktail or latte as you shop for used books. These are both Asheville attractions.
Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe | 55 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
High Five Coffee – Coffee good enough for Mandy Moore
I owe you a better picture… While there are multiple High Five Coffee locations across the city – including Montford and the River Arts District (temporarily closed due to a fire) – we especially enjoy their Downtown spot; in fact, Mandy Moore stopped here while in town.
This coffee shop promises a comfy workspace where digital nomads love to meet up on a weekday. Along with coffee classics, find a smaller menu of tea, shakes, and smoothies and a display of treats, including gluten-free and vegan options.
Open daily, park in the Rankin Garage. While out this way, try one of the best burgers in town at the Rankin Vault; it’s got a lot of character.
High Five | Downtown Asheville: 13 Rankin Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 & Montford/5 Points: 190 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801
French Broad Chocolate Lounge – Another icon with coffee, hot chocolate, and bonbons
Sometimes, we save the best for last: French Broad Chocolate Lounge is a must. I love their affogatos and hot chocolate.
Although a visitor hotspot – and their River Arts location offers factory tours – we cannot get enough of their mouthwatering treats, even as locals. They make decadent chocolate desserts, and we always leave with a box of truffles for home. Holiday gifts, anyone?
Plus, for vegan and dairy-free options in Asheville, French Broad Chocolate rocks: vegan affogatos, hot chocolate, bonbons, ice cream, and more. We’ve taste-tested it all over the years.
Order at the counter – the line moves quickly – and sit in one of their multiple cafe areas. If it’s nice, head outside and people-watch around Pack Square. Next door, don’t miss one of the best museums in Asheville, the Asheville Art Museum.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge | Downtown Asheville: 10 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801 & River Arts District Factory: 821 Riverside Dr #199, Asheville, NC 28801
More Great Coffee Shops In Downtown Asheville
Along with our favorites above (and our comprehensive Asheville coffee guide), these are a few more equally terrific places in Downtown Asheville for coffee, baked foods, bubble tea, and more:
- Pollen (45 S. French Broad Ave., Suite 150) – A flower and coffee shop on the edge of Downtown near Bee Thai Kitchen (one of our favorite Thai food restaurants). They have huge cookies, strawberry matcha lattes, and delicious tea and coffee. We usually drive here, as it’s just a few blocks past the main downtown area.
- Sweets & Seats (81 Patton Ave) – This Downtown Asheville cafe is hella cute, and along with coffee and bubble tea, they serve afternoon tea.
- Summit Coffee Grove Arcade (1 Page Ave #148) – With locations across the city, these guys are one of our favorites for strong coffee and fun seasonal flavors. Don’t miss their equally cool River Arts District location.
- Izzy’s Coffee Den (74 N Lexington Ave) – I bought my favorite possum shirt here. Think the best matcha and seasonal lattes with funky local art.
As always, let us know your favorites and what you order in the comments. đź’™ Christine of Uncorked Asheville
Before You Go, Enjoy More Of Downtown Asheville
🍽️ Best Restaurants in Downtown Asheville
🥂 Is it early? Hungry? Why not get brunch in AVL?
🥪 Or, how about these lunch spots?
🎨 See what other Asheville neighborhoods should be on your itinerary