Working Remotely in Asheville: The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops
Asheville’s food scene is fantastic. We have nationally awarded restaurants and an abundance of excellent places to eat every meal (and snack during the day). Asheville coffee shops, of course, keep up with the curve, and it’s no surprise that we have tons of great ones!
Ashevillians crave good food and wellness – and it’s no secret that this city loves its coffee. According to Randy Talley (the owner and founder of the Green Sage cafe described below), Asheville consumes more natural food per capita than anywhere else. I wonder if he’s right, but we are fortunate to enjoy so many cafes featuring food and drinks made with organic, whole, local, and seasonal ingredients.
If you’re on a quest to find the coolest cafes in Asheville where you can get your caffeine fix and get a little work done, you’re in luck. Here is a list of the best coffee shops in Asheville to set up shop.
We’ve chosen them because of how comfortable they are for setting up your temporary workstation but also based on the quality of the food and drinks and the ambiance!
Don’t forget to check out our web story: Working Remotely in Asheville
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).
1. Green Sage
Green Sage is one of the best coffee shops in Asheville and my favorite cafe to work from. I usually go to the one downtown because I’m a city girl, but the others are great too (and they have parking!).
They all have free Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, lots of space, and comfortable seats (not only table and chairs but comfy lounge furniture). Plus, they all offer tons of natural light. The menu is so broad, and everything is made with local, organic ingredients.
They serve organic coffee and tea (plus juices, smoothies, wine, and beer!), and it’s a pioneer business of the healthy, farm-to-table food scene Asheville is known for today.
These cafes are so roomy you can even have a work meeting there (in person or online). There is plenty to eat and snack on all day, and you can even end your successful workday by drinking a glass of wine!
From salads and sandwiches to bowls and breakfast plates, the menu has something for everyone, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. They have a small but good selection of baked goods and seasonal specials. I’ve tried most things on the menu, and I still have to find something I don’t like. Check out their menu.
There are three locations (Downtown, North, and South Asheville):
Open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Read our comprehensive review of Green Sage Cafe here!
2. Old Europe Pastries
Old Europe Pastries has been “making Asheville sweeter since 1994” with its decadent cakes, pastries, and desserts. This multi-awarded place is a Downtown Asheville classic. I love it because it’s the only cafe open until 10:00/11:00 pm.
I’m a night owl, and I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where coffee shops are open until very late or even all night, so I welcome a place where I can drink coffee (or wine!), satisfy a sweet craving after dinner, and work in a vibrant downtown ambiance.
Old Europe Pastries is one of the best places to eat dessert in Asheville (try the tiramisu and the macaroons!), but their quiches and savory croissants are also delicious. So, you’ll have plenty of food and drink options to keep you going for hours.
This is a popular Asheville cafe, and while it gets busy during the weekends, I always find a place to sit with my laptop. Check out their gallery.
Location: 18 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Mon-Thu: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
Fri-Sun: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
(828) 255-5999
Read our comprehensive review of Old Europe Pastries here!
3. BattleCat CoffeeBar
BattleCat CoffeeBar is one of the hippest Asheville cafes and one of the best coffee shops in Asheville. It represents our unofficial slogan, “Keep Asheville Weird,” beautifully.
BattleCat was recently voted by locals as the “Best Coffee House for Its Vibe” in the Mountain Xpress Best of WNC Awards (Odd’s Cafe and Liberty House Café, described below, were second and third), and it’s the spot in West Asheville. It’s eclectic, artsy, funky, and welcoming to all the diverse people that form the Asheville tribe.
There are many potential workstations indoors and outdoors, and the menu has many food options. The ambiance is so cool and friendly that I always end up making a new friend (and working less than I was expecting!).
I love the paninis and PennyCup Coffee Co.’s coffee (see the description below). Their merchandising is so fun, too!
Location: 373 Haywood Rd, West Asheville, NC
It opens daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (it closes at 8:00 pm on Fridays)
4. Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe is one of Asheville’s most beloved independent bookstores. It’s in the heart of downtown and has a small cafe inside.
While it’s not a place to sit down and work for four hours straight, I still love to go there, grab a tea and a pastry, and work for some time while I take breaks to watch locals and tourists walk by the floor-to-ceiling window.
Downtown Asheville offers unpredictable fun, and Malaprop’s location is the best place to witness it all. Be ready for street performers, pet pigs walking around, dogs riding skateboards, or even bears hanging out at the small square across the street.
There are outlets and Wi-Fi, and I feel like words and ideas flow more easily if I work surrounded by books. I also love supporting a business that supports local authors and non-profits so much (don’t miss its Asheville and North Carolina reading sections!).
They have fun gift options for book lovers. The cafe is not open during the events, so please check the calendar before you go. They serve organic coffee, teas, kombuchas, and locally made baked goods and croissants.
Location: 55 Haywood Street, Asheville NC
Contact No.: (828) 254-6734
Read our comprehensive review of Malaprops here!
5. High Five Coffee
High Five Coffee is a family-owned small business that exclusively serves Counter Culture Coffee, roasted in Durham, NC. The first High Five opened in 2009 in Five Points, my neighborhood.
The Broadway (North Asheville) and the downtown locations are fantastic for work. They serve the best coffee in Asheville, and while they don’t offer a lot, they have some good stuff to eat (I love the Breakfast Biscuit). Unfortunately, their guest Wi-Fi is only free for two hours.
The Broadway location is a favorite spot for neighbors from Five Points and Montford, who can get there by walking to enjoy some of the best coffee in Asheville while sitting outdoors with their dogs (the outdoor seating area is one of the best features of the cafe).
It also has an adjoining parking garage and plenty of parking space on the neighborhood’s side streets. I love the exposed brick and hardwood floors and huge windows of the downtown cafe. It makes for a very calming atmosphere, perfect for working.
The Rankin parking garage across the street is free for the first hour. Follow them on Instagram to check out the specials!
There are three locations (the Riverside one is lovely but not good to work from):
The North Asheville and Downtown cafes are open daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Read our comprehensive review of High Five Coffee here!
6. Dobra Tea
Well, Dobra Tea is not a coffee shop but a teahouse. It’s a fantastic Eastern tea room with small, charming workspaces. The tea selection is superb, sourced from farms worldwide, and carefully curated. The preparation is also authentic.
As an Argentinian, I appreciate that I can drink yerba mate the traditional way (with the gourd and the straw) while I get things done on my laptop. Dobra Tea has two locations in downtown and West Asheville, and it’s about to open a new one in East Asheville.
They only offer a little to eat. Still, they have savory and sweet items to fuel your work session. I love the Miso Soup in the summer with one of their wonderful yerba mate-based iced teas. Or the Pistachio Rose Cardamom Cookie with a strong, plain Oolong tea. Dobra tea is a fantastic place to buy tea-related gifts for yourself and others.
There are two locations in Downtown and West Asheville:
Open daily from 10:00/11:00 am to 8:00/9:00 pm.
7. Liberty House Cafe
Liberty House Cafe is within walking distance of Downtown Asheville and my house, so it’s been one of my regular haunts since it opened in 2016. It’s set on a one-acre property in a 1920s cottage that was repurposed, and I’ve loved seeing their garden grow since then.
They offer plenty of delicious food made with high-quality ingredients. You can work indoors or outside while you sit by fruit trees, gigantic sunflowers, and an abundant vegetable garden (you are allowed to take one or two pieces of fruit with you!).
The menu has something for everyone, and everything is good. I love the hamburgers, the salads, all the breakfast options (especially the Sourdough Pancakes and the Farmhouse Skillet), and their Cubanito coffee.
Liberty House is next door to the nationally renowned yoga studio Asheville Yoga Center. You might want to combo a work shift, good food, and a yoga class! Check out the menu.
Location: 221 S. Liberty Street Asheville, NC 28801
Mon-Sun: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Contact No.: (828) 505-2236
8. All Day Darling
All Day Darling is my go-to place and one of the best cafes in Asheville to work from. It’s open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm (all day, darling!), and the menu offers a variety of market-focused foods. It’s in Montford, just a few blocks from Downtown Asheville, and it has plenty of indoor and outdoor places to work, depending on your preferences.
All the items on their menu are served all day, and there are many excellent options. The Fried Chicken Biscuit, the Lox Plate, and the Shakshuka are the best! The pastries and cakes are also delicious.
Their beverage menu is extensive. They offer Counter Culture coffee, unique house tonics, signature cocktails, smoothies, draft wines, and craft beers. One of my favorite things about All Day Darling is that it’s in a quiet neighborhood, but still, plenty of people and doggies are walking around to keep me entertained when I need a break from the screen.
Location: 102 Montford Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
It’s open every day from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Contact No.: (828) 505-3701
Read our comprehensive review of All Day Darling here!
9. Penny Cup Coffee Co.
Penny Cup Coffee Co. is a small-batch coffee roaster with four cafes in Downtown, North, East, and West Asheville. Many Asheville cafes sell this coffee. There is room to set up a working station in the four locations (PennyCup’s North Asheville has a larger room perfect for digital nomads).
Still, the Downtown Asheville location (39 Market Street) is my favorite because it’s packed with local history, and history inspires me. It’s located in the YMI Cultural Center, one of Asheville’s national historic landmarks commissioned by George Vanderbilt in 1893.
Today the refurbished center houses art galleries, classes, and performances in African-American cultural art and history. The decor is also very eclectic, fun, and inspiring (the bathroom has penny floors!).
Here you can drink the best coffee in Asheville while eating savory and sweet treats. I love the Lox Bagel with homemade cream cheese and the Banana Bread. The best thing? If you’re visiting Asheville and love this place, you can start ordering its coffee once you return home!
It opens daily (check the schedules here).
Read our comprehensive review of Penny Cup here!
10. Trade and Lore
Trade and Lore is on the historic Wall Street in Downtown Asheville, known for its beautiful ginkgo trees (such a lovely sight in the fall!), the Flat Iron sculpture, and the cobblestone road.
It’s probably one of the most touristy streets in Asheville, but it’s also one of the best to grasp our city’s local vibe and history. There is always something going on in this part of town.
They have coffee from Asheville Cooperative Coffee Roasters and tea from Dobra Tea. They also sell wine and local beer. Their menu is small but good. I love the croissants from The Rhu (my favorites are the ham and cheese and the chocolate ones). The quiches are good too.
They have indoor and patio seating where you can easily set up your laptop and get to work.
Location: 37 Wall Street Asheville NC
It is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
11. The Rhu
The Rhu is the little sister of Downtown Asheville’s famous Rhubarb restaurant. It’s located on Lexington Street, named in 2015 as one of five great streets in the United States. (Please don’t leave Asheville without taking a stroll on Lexington Street and checking out its shops!) The Rhu is a cafe, bakery, and pantry celebrating local foods and producers.
It serves breakfast and lunch, and everything on the menu is so good. I love the Bacon Braised Collards, their sandwiches, pastries, and bread (the sweet potato brioche!), and they have the best biscuits.
Be sure to check out the artisanal goods made by the producers of Appalachia, the Blue Ridge, and the greater Southeast, which you can buy at the “pantry.” If, after your work session, you want to surprise a loved one with a hike and a view, make sure you order one of The Rhu’s picnic baskets!
Location: 10 S Lexington Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
Wed-Mon from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
12. Vortex Doughnuts
While it’s not exactly a coffee shop and the menu only includes one (spectacular) thing, everyone has those work days when the only possible option is donuts and coffee.
Voted as one of the best donut shops in Asheville (alongside Hole Doughnuts and Duck Donuts), Vortex Doughnuts has been serving delicious handmade, gourmet donuts since 2014.
They brew 1000 Faces Coffee from Athens, Georgia, and offer a menu of espresso drinks alongside a signature drink menu. Ninety percent of their donuts are vegan, with a few exceptions. They also have gluten-free donuts.
They have the same flavors offered in both a yeast or cake donut. Their flavors are so unique! Imagine a sweet potato curry donut with green curry coconut and lime. Or one made with local beer and pretzels.
Location: 32 Banks Avenue, Suite 106, Asheville, NC 28801
Tues-Sun from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
13. Owl Bakery
Owl Bakery is not a coffee shop but has excellent coffee and space to set up your laptop and get work done. At the same time, you will enjoy the delicious goodies of one of the best cafes and bakeries in Asheville.
I love the naturally leavened bread and the beautifully presented European-inspired pastries made by hand using local, seasonal ingredients. The cardamom buns and the croissants are the most delicious!
The menu varies seasonally. Owl’s bread selection is broad, so make sure you take some loaves with you to enjoy after your work session (I love the sourdough and the baguettes). You can follow Owl Bakery on Instagram to check out their specials.
Location: 295 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806
Tues-Sun: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
14. City Bakery
City Bakery is known and has been awarded for its artisan bread, sold in markets all over the Western Carolinas and used in many local restaurants. It has two locations in Downtown and North Asheville. Both sites have indoor and outdoor seating, but the Downtown Asheville one gets busier with tourists.
In contrast, the other one’s atmosphere is more relaxed and has a neighborhood vibe (this part of North Asheville is within walking distance of downtown, and more shops are coming to life in this part of town).
By the way, this City Bakery is located across the street from Owl Bakery. Both are on historic Charlotte Street. So, you could split your work sessions between these two excellent Asheville bakeries.
City Bakery’s breakfasts and sandwiches are amazing. Try the Breakfast Torta! Check out the rest of their menu.
There are two locations in Downtown and North Asheville:
Tue-Sat: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Contact No.: (828) 254-4289
15. Odd’s Cafe
I love their slogan: “A little different, just like you.” Odd’s Cafe was voted second “Best Coffee House for Its Vibe” by locals in the Mountain Xpress Best of WNC Awards (BattleCat was first, and Liberty House Cafe was third!).
The owners define it as a “cozy coffee bar for the crazy local folks, the fast-paced commuter drive-byes, and the late night/date night crowd.” They serve locally roasted coffee by Cooperative Coffee, loose-leaf teas, locally baked goods including gluten-free and vegan options, NY bagels, and tasty evening desserts.
In addition, Odd’s Cafe features the art of local artists on its wall, and customers can leave the coffee shop with a piece of art! Check Odd’s menu.
Location: 800 Haywood Road, Suite 110 Asheville, NC
It opens every day from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
16. Ultra Coffeebar
One of the definitions of the word “ultra” is “beyond what is usual or ordinary.” And this is what this coffee shop is all about: ultra-good coffee and food and a cozy atmosphere for working.
Ultra Coffebar is near the River Arts District (RAD) and offers indoor and outdoor seating making it one of the best coffee shops in Asheville to work from. It has a full espresso bar serving Counter Culture Coffee, and its coffee flavor shots are made in-house using only natural ingredients.
If you’re searching for the best coffee in Asheville, they claim the Nitro Cold Brew as their pride and joy, and customers agree! It’s infused with a heavy nitrogen load, creating a creamy brew with a foamy head.
The menu is extensive, and it offers vegan and gluten-free options. I recommend the Dirty Chai Latte, the Joey Bagel, and the Fig and Brie Sandwich. My vegan friend shouts out for the Viva La Vegan bagel sandwich.
Location: 242 Clingman Ave Asheville, NC
It opens every day from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (3:30 pm on Sat and Sun).
There you have it! The 16 best coffee shops in Asheville to work from. What are your favorite cafés in Asheville to hunker down with your laptop? Let us know so we can check them out!
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Laura Bernhein
Born in Argentina, Laura is a journalist who's lived in Asheville for 10 years. She loves all things Asheville, from the vast business scene to the beautiful nonprofits, magical people, and marvelous nature. She loves being involved in projects that are the change she wants to see in the world.