The Best Local Coffee Shops In Asheville NC

Asheville is known for eclectic culture, friendly locals, and a wide range of gourmet food options. Luckily, their reputation as a foodie heaven extends to coffee shops. Finding an amazing local coffee shops in Asheville NC is not hard to do. The many options for high-end coffee often come with surprisingly delicious extras like doughnuts, chocolate, and even champagne.

Every time I go to Asheville, I always experience something new. I’ve developed quite a list of coffee shops in the area. I have some old standbys, as well as some new favorites! Here are the best local coffee shops in Ashville, NC I have found in Asheville, and what to get when you go there.

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Nothing goes better with coffee than chocolate! The bean-to-bar, locally processed chocolate treats at French Broad are well-matched with superior drip coffee and espresso drinks. Their coffee tends towards the fruity and acidic side, which cuts perfectly through a rich chocolate truffle or a velvety chocolate mousse. There is always a line out the door, so prepare for a wait, but it is well worth it!

I could sit here for hours with a simple mug of medium roast and a delicate truffle (or two!). The seats lining the window in the heart of downtown Asheville offer a pleasant spot to watch visitors, businesspeople and Asheville’s famous street performers go by. 

Summit Coffee Co.

Summit Coffee is a locally owned shop, serving its own brand of coffee roasted in Davidson, NC. They are a perfect casual stop for a coffee and a light lunch in the heart of Asheville’s trendy River Arts District. Locals bring their dogs over from the nearby dog park and visitors bring their shopping from the many independent studios nearby.

I stopped by after doing some shopping of my own to rest my feet and soak in the industrial-cool vibe and the drip coffee they served me was a perfectly balanced medium roast blend. Their espresso drink options are phenomenal, and they also sell their beans by the bag, so you can take some Summit Coffee home with you when you go.

Double D’s Coffee & Desserts

Double D’s is an Asheville icon, housed inside an old, red double-decker bus. Lightly British Invasion themed, they play songs by the Beatles and the Kinks, and serve up cheeky specialty drinks like the Kick in the Bum. Don’t plan on staying long here, because the seating is quite limited, but take your cup to go and wander the downtown streets through art galleries and shops.

They serve gourmet, organic coffee, and locally baked desserts. I highly recommend an espresso drink in one of their seasonal flavors and a heavenly cookie for an afternoon treat.

Odd’s Café

Odd’s Café is a funky coffeeshop in artsy West Asheville, specializing in promoting local artisans. They serve locally roasted Summit Coffee Co. coffee, and they source the majority of their menu items from local distributors. The industrial vibes are offset by the art from local artists featured hanging on the walls, which is also for sale.

Odd’s has a very social atmosphere, and while it might not be the best place to hole up and catch up on work, the energy and individuality is infectious. A cup of perfectly brewed drip coffee from a friendly barista and a surprisingly good bagel will really get my creative juices flowing before a day of shooting. I would definitely go back for the cool atmosphere and the convenient location.

City Bakery

Often underrated, City Bakery makes the list for being the best coffee shop for freelancers, work from home-ers, and anyone else looking for mellow coffee house vibes and plenty of table space and outlets for charging. The coffee is also mellow in the best way, and it goes as well with a freshly baked biscuit as a scone or a club sandwich. I come back to City Bakery time and time again while in Asheville to get some work done on my laptop and treat myself to the best biscuit in town.

OWL Bakery

This classic French bakery is Asheville’s best for light, delicious pastries and perfectly balanced espresso drinks. OWL Bakery is the worst kept secret of West Asheville, and the pastries go fast, so get there early for your pick of flaky croissants, savory quiches and daily specials!

For me, the best test of a quality coffee shop is a croissant and a cappuccino, and OWL Bakery aced this test. The cappuccino was perfectly foamy, the croissant buttery and light, and the setting reminiscent of your favorite Parisian patisserie. 

Izzie’s Coffee Den

Izzie’s Coffee Den holds probably the best real estate of all the coffee shops in Ashville NC, situated at the end of Lexington Avenue, in the middle of boutique heaven in downtown Asheville. Start from one side of Lexington and work your way down to stop at Izzie’s then head back on the other side to visit local handmade gift shops, stores selling custom screen-printed T-shirts, high-end boutiques featuring local and international designers, and used bookstores.

Izzie’s serves great coffee and bakery items from another favorite, City Bakery. They also serve wine and beer, turning Izzie’s into an all-hours hang out for date nights and social gatherings. The lavender latte came highly recommended here, and it did not let me down. Izzie’s is definitely worth the trip, especially for the location and the selection of drinks and treats.

Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

Another unique Asheville NC location, this adorable shop is part bookstore, part coffee shop, and part cocktail lounge. Shelves of rare and eclectic books line the walls of the two-story space, part of the historic Grove Arcade downtown. A large lounge area features live music in the evenings and is often occupied during the day by book clubs, hobby groups, or local business organizations. Winding away from the lounge are passageways full of reading nooks to take your coffee (or champagne!) and grab a book or work on a laptop.

Another big draw for me is the Book Exchange’s pet-friendly policy that has many dog owners bringing loveable, well-behaved pooches who are always looking for pets. I love to be adventurous with a specialty drink, and the Book Exchange’s options did not disappoint. I got a turtle latte with caramel and chocolate and treated myself to a new (used) book to sit and read in between enthusiastic greetings from dogs passing by.