Every year, local alt-news weekly Mountain Xpress holds a massive online poll. Western North Carolina residents collectively take to their digital devices to vote on all their local faves, from fitness studios to pet kennels. While in no way scientific, and certainly not without controversy among those with strong local loyalties, the Best of WNC is a great place to start your search for a new dentist or tattoo artist. Or, if you’re feeling thirsty, it’s a great source for a great cup of coffee.
Our regional coffee shops make dazzling drinks all year round. But they get particularly creative in the fall, mixing their inspiration with top-quality ingredients, some of which are locally roasted. That makes them the perfect places to celebrate International Coffee Day, recognized in the U.S. on September 29 and internationally on October 1.
Ready for a fall beverage that you’re going to like a latte? If you’re new to the area, or if you’re just looking for something new, here are WNC’s top-voted coffee houses of the year.
Best Asheville Coffee Shops
1st: High Five Coffee
High Five makes handcrafted goodness from three Asheville locations every day. Beans are sourced and roasted by their partner, Counter Culture Coffee. They are then brewed attentively by High Five. Try a classically prepared espresso drink or one of their own creative concoctions prepared with house-made syrups.
190 Broadway, Asheville | (828) 398-0209
13 Rankin Avenue, Asheville | (828) 713-5291
2000 Riverside Drive, Asheville | (828) 785-8272
2nd: Izzy’s Coffee
74 N Lexington Avenue, Asheville | (828) 258-2004
976 Haywood Road, Asheville | (828) 258-2004
3rd: PennyCup Coffee Co.
362 Depot Street, Asheville
39 S Market Street, Asheville | (828) 505-3609
6 Beverly Road, Asheville | (828) 582-7980
857 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville | (828) 582-7980
Best Asheville Coffee Roaster
1st: Bean Werks Coffee & Tea
Since 1996, Bean Werks has been making artisan coffee, one small batch at a time. They endeavor to use the most environmentally friendly, ecologically sourced beans available for retail and wholesale purchases. Find their coffee shop in the heart of West Asheville on Haywood Road and discover a brew that “werks” for you.
753 Haywood Road, Asheville | (828) 785-1430 | beanwerks.com
2nd: Dynamite Roasting Company
3198 US Hwy 70, Black Mountain | (828) 357-8555 | dynamiteroasting.com
3rd: PennyCup Coffee Co.
362 Depot Street, Asheville
39 S Market Street, Asheville | (828) 505-3609
6 Beverly Road, Asheville | (828) 582-7980
857 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville | (828) 582-7980
Best Asheville Coffee/Tea House in which to Read a Book
1st: Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
Does anything pair better with a quality used book than a glass of champagne (or cup of coffee)? At Battery Park Books, you can peruse their thousands of available books while sipping your drink. Or stay after you made your purchase and read for awhile with your coffee and a decadent pastry. It’s no wonder this bookstore has been featured in national publications, including GQ and The New York Times.
Grove Arcade, 1 Page Avenue, Suite 101, Asheville | (828) 252-0020 | batteryparkbookexchange.com
2nd: Dobra Tea House
78 N Lexington Avenue, Asheville | (828) 575-2424
707 Haywood Road, Asheville | (828) 505-4307
3rd: High Five Coffee
190 Broadway, Asheville | (828) 398-0209
13 Rankin Avenue, Asheville | (828) 713-5291
2000 Riverside Drive, Asheville | (828) 785-8272
Best Brevard Coffee & Sweets
1st: Quotations Coffee Cafe
Looking for exceptional coffee in a comfortable and cozy setting on Main Street? Quotations Coffee Cafe makes the perfect starting point for a day of hiking, biking, shopping, or your adventure of choice. Enjoy free wifi with your coffee, homemade pastry, or dessert. Come to work, study, pass the time, or simply enjoy the warm and welcoming environment.
147 E Main Street, Brevard | (828) 883-8966 | quotationscoffeecafe.com
2nd: Bracken Mountain Bakery
42 S Broad Street, Brevard | (828) 883-4034 | brackenmountainbakery.weebly.com
3rd: Blue Ridge Bakery
86 W Main Street, Brevard | (828) 883-8444 | blueridgebakery.com
Best Hendersonville & Flat Rock Coffee & Sweets
1st: Black Bear Coffee Co.
Black Bear Coffee Co. has been serving Main Street Hendersonville since 1993. Over the years, it has grown to include a breakfast and lunch menu, as well as specialty wines and beers. In 2019, new owners began their vision of renovating the space and adding a bakery kitchen. Swing by to enjoy excellent coffee on the best patio in town.
318 N Main Street, Hendersonville | (828) 692-6333 | blackbear.coffee
2nd: McFarlan Bakery
309 N Main Street, Hendersonville | (828) 693-4256 | mcfarlanbakery.com
3rd: Flat Rock Village Bakery
2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock | (828) 693-1313 | villagebakerync.com
Best Sylva & Cullowhee Coffee & Sweets
1st: City Lights Cafe
City Lights Cafe was created as a community gathering place and eatery in the heart of Downtown Sylva. Bean Werks serves as their local coffee partner, providing organic beans and espresso. Choose from daily coffee options, as well as an array of lattes, cappuccinos, and other frothy drinks. Come in and enjoy comfy indoor seating and an outdoor patio.
3 E Jackson Street, Sylva | (828) 587-CAFE (2233) | citylightscafe.com
2nd: White Moon Cafe
545 Mill Street, Sylva | (828) 331-0111 | whitemoonsylva.com
Best Waynesville Coffee & Sweets
1st: Panacea Coffee Co.
Since 2002, Panacea Coffee Co. has been a full-service espresso bar and coffee roastery that serves a wide variety of coffee and tea beverages. For late risers, breakfast is available all day. Choose a lox and bagel plate, quiche, fresh fruit and yogurt, or crunchy granola with steamed milk. Find your panacea and find a meeting place, a celebrating place, and a sharing place.
66 Commerce Street, Waynesville | (828) 452-6200 | panaceacoffee.com
2nd: Kandi’s Cakes and Bake Shop
200 S Main Street, Waynesville | (828) 246-0180 | kandiscakesandbakeshop.com
3rd: Smoky Mountain Roasters
444 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville | (828) 452-1212 | facebook.com/SmokyMountainRoasters