Where to sit, sip and slow down in Asheville.
Coffee shops, bakeries with seats and the places Asheville lingers in over a cortado.
High Five Coffee on Broadway Street has been Asheville's flagship High Five since 2009. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours, address and the work-friendly.
Signature drink: Macadamia milk latte
Tip: Counter service. Outdoor patio takes laptops on warm days; outlets are limited inside.
High Five Coffee's downtown Rankin Avenue location opened in 2015 next to Tops for Shoes. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours, wifi and outlets for 2026.
Signature drink: Honey latte
Tip: Counter service. Walk-in only; queue moves fast even at peak.
PennyCup Coffee Co on Depot Street in the River Arts District is the roastery and flagship cafe of the small-batch Asheville roaster. Editor pick.
Signature drink: Single-origin pour-over
Tip: Mon-Fri 07:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-15:00. Bagels and bagel sandwiches from a local baker; gluten-free pastries.
Rowan Coffee on Battery Park Avenue in Asheville is the specialty espresso bar with a no-laptop policy. Multi-roaster pour-overs, retail beans from Counter.
Signature drink: Espresso-tonic
Tip: No-laptop rule on weekends. The kava and tea selection is the deeper bench than just coffee.
Summit Coffee inside the Grove Arcade on Page Avenue pours the Davidson, NC-based roaster's beans in a downtown Asheville cafe. The Foundy Street River Arts.
Signature drink: Single-origin pour-over
Tip: Inside the Grove Arcade arcade; pair with a stop at the makers' market or the second-floor architecture.
Old Europe Pastries on Broadway Street has run since 1994 as a Hungarian-Austrian coffeehouse and pastry shop. Owner Melinda Vetro is the Esztergom-born head.
Signature drink: Hungarian-style espresso
Tip: Open daily until late (Mon-Sat 23:00, Sun 22:00). One of downtown's only late-night cafe options.
The Times Bar and Coffee Shop inside the historic S and W Market on Patton Avenue runs as a daytime third-wave coffee bar and evening craft cocktail room.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso, classic cocktail
Tip: Coffee mornings give way to cocktails after 16:00. The S and W Market food hall around it handles the food.
Double D's Coffee and Desserts on Biltmore Avenue serves espresso, drip and cakes from a converted 1960 English double-decker bus. A downtown landmark since.
Signature drink: Espresso from a double-decker bus
Tip: Order at the bus window, take a seat upstairs on the open top deck. Cash and card accepted.
Izzy's Coffee on North Lexington Avenue is the small-batch local roaster's downtown cafe. Vegan-friendly menu, longtime work-friendly format with multiple.
Signature drink: Lavender latte
Tip: Open early 07:00 Mon-Fri, 08:00 weekends. Lavender and chai lattes are the local-cult drinks.
BattleCat Coffee Bar on Haywood Road in West Asheville pours specialty espresso and pour-overs with a punk-leaning aesthetic. The Tunnel Road East Asheville.
Signature drink: House espresso, single-origin pour-over
Tip: Open early; the patio takes laptops. Cash and card accepted; vegan milks at no upcharge.
The West End Bakery and Café on Haywood Road in West Asheville scratch-bakes pastries and bread. Editor pick on TableJourney with hours, wifi and outlets.
Signature drink: Latte, scratch pastry
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Friday and Saturday nights add small plates, beer and wine until late.