7 Coffee Shops You Need to Visit in Boone, NC
Waking up in the High Country with the sunshine rising over the Blue Ridge Mountains and the crisp mountain air already feels like a gift. Add a warm cup of coffee from one of Boone’s best local shops, and the day only gets better. Whether you’re a student needing a cozy study corner, a hiker fueling up for the trail, or someone looking to meet friends or enjoy a moment alone, Boone’s coffee scene has a little something for every taste and schedule.
Here are 7 standout coffee shops in Boone, NC that we keep coming back to:
1. Higher Grounds
Located in the New Market Shopping Center, Higher Grounds is a cozy, eclectic spot offering house blends, rotating specialty brews, and a full espresso menu. It’s the kind of place where regulars know the baristas by name and where coffee meets creativity. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, their Cinnabon or Crème Brûlée lattes are worth the trip alone.
Bonus: They also offer “grind your own beans” to brew your favorite Higher Grounds blend at home. Great for meetings, casual chats, or solo work sessions.
2. Espresso News
Espresso News, a long-standing local favorite, is located in downtown Boone on Howard Street behind Footslogger’s. They feature fair trade coffee beans roasted in small batches daily making for a great cup of joe. When strolling through downtown Boone, stop in and grab your favorite brew, take a seat in their 2nd floor seating or grab a seat outdoors to get the perfect view of Boone and a great local experience.
3. Hatchet Coffee
Hatchet Coffee, another local favorite in Boone, is located beside Center 45 Climbing and Fitness on Den Marc Dr. The shop started out as a small roaster, selling their own coffee beans packaged on site. Today, their space includes their famous roasted coffee beans but also an expanded menu of Nitro brews and specialty coffee drinks with several of their own seasonal creations and a menu of breads and spreads and my favorite – avocado toast.
4. Local Lion Espresso Bar and Homemade Doughnuts
Local Lion Espresso Bar and Homemade Doughnuts is the place to go for the best homemade doughnuts in Boone. The doughnuts are made fresh daily with a variety of glazes and fillings. But you can’t have doughnuts without a cup of fresh brewed coffee. The coffee starts with their own roasted beans and is served any way you like it and the best part – they have a drive through which sure helps when you don’t have time to sit and enjoy on their covered patio.
5. Drip Coffee Bar
One of Boone’s newer additions, Drip Coffee Bar brings a minimalist, modern aesthetic to the downtown scene. It’s a bright, calm spot where the quality of the coffee takes center stage. Their emphasis on pour-overs and precision brewing attracts both purists and casual drinkers.
Whether you’re meeting a client or just need a quiet corner with your laptop, Drip is the kind of place where less is more—and it’s done really, really well.
6. Talia Espresso on King
Originally from Wilkesboro, Talia Espresso brought their coffee game to Boone in early 2020. Located across from the Turchin Center, just a short walk from App State, Talia takes espresso seriously. Beans are weighed and pulled through an Italian La Marzocco machine to get just the right flavor—never sour or bitter.
They also serve up creamy cold foam creations and iced lattes that hit the spot on sunny afternoons. It’s a warm, welcoming shop that always feels just right—no matter the season or your coffee mood.
7. Bald Guy Brew
Bald Guy Brew is a great coffee shop new to downtown Boone but not new to the area. They started out in Valle Crucis until the shop was destroyed by fire several years ago. They have stayed strong as they found a way to start over while keeping their values intact. They focus on empowering coffee growers through sustainability practices and proudly serve organic coffee beans roasted and brewed daily. Delicious coffee and specialty coffee drinks with a conscious. Bald Guy Brew is located across from our own 828 Real Estate near the Boone Fire station. They also have a sister location in the Martin House on Main St. in Blowing Rock.
Final Sip
Boone isn’t just a stop along the Parkway—it’s a community that cares about craft, connection, and really good coffee. From hand-pulled espressos to family-roasted beans and locally famous doughnuts, these coffee shops capture the heart and soul of the High Country.
So next time you’re in town, skip the chain cafés and try one of these local favorites. You’ll get more than just a caffeine boost—you’ll find a new favorite place to start your day.