After living in Australia for over 4 years, Brent and I became full-on, self-declared coffee snobs. On our return to the States, we are always on the hunt for quality espresso drinks that can at least somewhat live up to our Aussie standards. Though it’s no Melbourne, quality coffee in Boone does exist… you just have to know where to find it.
Here are my top picks for the best coffee in Boone, NC.
Runner Up for Best Coffee in Boone, NC:
Here are the coffee places in Boone that I would skip:
The Best Coffee in Boone, NC
Hatchet Coffee Roasters
150 Den Mac Dr., Boone, NC 28607
Best for: A coffee chat and a snack with a friend
Pros: Coffee Quality, Innovative drinks, Free and ample parking, Indoor and outdoor seating, Vegan treat and meal options
Cons: Secluded from the rest of town
The Coffee
Hatchet's beans are top notch. Be sure to grab yourself a bag to take with you to really elevate your at-home coffee experience. Because their beans are roasted to such perfection, that also makes their espresso brewed to perfection.
A cappuccino is my go-to drink of comparison between cafes in the States. Unlike other cafes, Hatchet's go-to size of their cappuccino is in an 8oz cup. Any bigger and, to me, cappuccinos start to taste like hot milk with a hint of coffee. Not here. I get a quality, perfectly brewed cappuccino.
Hatchet usually offers a variety of non-dairy milk options. They used to make their own, but these days they use milks you would find at the grocery store. For their oat milk, they do use Minor Figures, which I enjoy more so than other brands.
They also always offer some specialty, seasonal lattes and drinks. But that doesn’t just mean a shot of flavored syrup. They make their own flavorings. In the winter, I got a Sweet Potato Latte. Not only was it delicious, but when I got to the bottom of my cup, there were actual chunks of sweet potato resting at the bottom.
In addition to their seasonal drinks, they also offer cold coffee drinks on Nitro, much like Grateful Brew in Greenville, SC.
The Food
Hatchet Coffee offers both treats as well as a few breakfast options on their menu. They always have vegan options, like an Avocado Toast, and a gluten-free granola. Elsie’s favorite treat is a gluten-free, vegan cookie that is about the save of her head.
Check out their menu here.
The Place
First of all, parking. There is ample, free parking, which makes quality coffee in Boone easy and relaxing. It is off the beaten path. So when visiting Hatchet, your main agenda is the coffee. You won’t be able to walk around with your coffee anywhere.
Picnic tables are placed throughout the space, and there are a few cosier tables placed in the corners. Along one wall, you'll also find a tall counter for those working or studying.
Much of their outdoor seating remains available for when the weather is looking nice. Be sure to check any random grassy bits around the building and parking lot. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the area.
For those with young kids, there is a nice changing table in the restroom. To me, that says, "Children and families are welcome here!" Which is not always the case with hip coffee spots.
Bald Guy Brew
714 Old US 421 S, Boone, NC 28607
Best for: Geeking out over beans and brewing methods
Pros: Quality coffee, laid back, off the beaten path, free parking
Cons: Not close to anything else, few food options
The Coffee
If you like organic coffee beans, this is your place. If you like freshly roasted beans, this is your place. If you like geeking out over those beans and all different brewing methods, this is your place! Bald Guy really brings you into the coffee experience. Watch the roasters roast away, or even take a coffee roasting class and take home your freshly roasted beans!
So it doesn't come as any surprise that their coffee tastes amazing. They just know what they're doing, and wouldn't want ruin their artfully roasted beans with a less than stellar brew.
The Food
Bald Guy does offer a few food options from the case. Nibbles like bagels and muffins. Personally, I don't have much to say about their food, as coffee is really the main event. But they do have something available if you find yourself arriving with an empty stomach.
The Place
You're really hanging out inside the roastery at Bald Guy. It makes for an intimate experience, where you feel like you're geeking out over the latest brewing method in your buddy's log cabin. With kids, you'll want to make sure little hands stay back safely. If you're really concerned about keeping the little ones safe, they also have a covered front porch, complete with wooden rockers.
Bald Guy in Boone is off the beaten path, so its porch is peaceful and takes you away from the hustle of life. Since it's so out of the way, there's ample free parking. And few tourists find their way there, so you'll never find it overly crowded.
The atmosphere is all incredibly laid back, friendly, and of course it smells amazing!
Blue Deer on King
352 West King St., Boone, NC 28607
Best for: When you’re looking to study or get some work done with a quality coffee
Pros: Quality espresso drinks, free parking spaces close to downtown, variety of work spaces
Cons: No vegan food, Can be busy during the school year
The Coffee
The barista at Blue Deer knows what he’s doing. I got an Oat Milk Cappuccino. There was plenty of froth and I could actually taste the coffee. Just a good, solid coffee.
I’ve also gotten a chai latte at Blue Deer on a day when I didn’t want quite as much caffeine. Their chai mix came from a carton, and it was good. Nothing to go running back to, but acceptable. If you can, I’d stick to their coffee.
They offer almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk as dairy free alternatives. So you have your pick depending on your preference!
The Food
Blue Deer is actually a cookie company. They even have a camper between Boone and Blowing Rock where they sell just cookies. But I'm talking about their coffee shop in Boone on King St.
Unfortunately, they don’t offer any vegan cookie options. Or any vegan food options really. So I haven’t tried any of their treats. Come on, Blue Deer! I appreciate your gluten-free cookie… but it’s 2021… can I have a vegan cookie… please?
The Place
The perks of the King St location is one of my favorite parts of Blue Deer.
It’s close to downtown Boone. Some may even consider it to be downtown? And there are a few free parking spaces! They are tight spots, but worth the careful door opening for a free spot in my opinion.
Inside, there are a variety of work spaces. There are couches and comfy chairs. There are regular tables and chairs. And there are tall counters with the option to stand or stool sit.
It has a relaxed, friendly vibe. Their free Wi-Fi reliably works. And it’s a great place to get some work done while enjoying some quality coffee in Boone.
Espresso News
267 Howard St., Boone, NC 28607
Best for: Grabbing a coffee on the go when you’re already downtown
Pros: Quality espresso drinks, vegan treat option, seating for working
Cons: Lack of free parking, Can be busy if you’re in a hurry or looking for a place to sit
The Coffee
Espresso News roasts their own beans. And they know what they’re doing. And that means a quality espresso drink.
Brent was able to get a triple-espresso americano in an 8oz cup, and they didn’t bat an eye at that request. I got an oat milk cappuccino in an 8oz cup. Quality foam, quality coffee taste, and absolutely nothing to complain about.
I’d be interested in trying their beans at home. If I do, I’ll be sure to update this post.
The Food
Espresso News doesn’t offer much as far as food goes. But they do consistently have house-made muffins available. And usually a vegan option as well. That works for us, as Elsie happily eats the icing off the top as we sip on our coffees.
The Place
Espresso News has a few dedicated parking spaces available. But it’s pretty rare that they’re available. That means that you’ll likely have to pay for metered marking, unless you happen to be visiting town on a Sunday. If you’re already in town, it’s not a big deal. But if you’re only after coffee, that can greatly add to the cost of your drink.
As of August 2021, the downstairs is open for seating. The upstairs is still closed. It can get pretty busy with a line out the door. And seating can go quickly as well. If you can find a spot, it’s a nice buzzy place to work or have a chat with a friend.
The Runner Up: The Local Lion
791 Blowing Rock Rd., Boone, NC 28607
Best for: Setting up camp for a while working or chatting with a friend
Pros: Quality coffee, buzzy and friendly atmosphere, free parking, plenty of seating
Cons: Not close to anything else, parking lot can be full, no vegan food, coffee not as top notch as my top picks
The Coffee
The look of The Local Lion from the road seems a little old school to me. So I didn’t expect much from their coffee. But I was pleasantly surprised!
They roast their own beans in small batches every day. The quality flavor really comes through in the espresso drinks.
My cappuccino did come in a 12oz cup. But somehow, I could still taste the coffee and it didn’t just taste like hot milk with a hint of coffee. When I asked what kind of non dairy milks they had available, I was basically told they have anything you can think of.
The espresso drinks aren't quite as impressive as Hatchet, Espresso News, or Blue Deer, but it definitely gets a pass in my book!
The Food
The Local Lion’s food specialty is doughnuts. And I think that’s what draws a lot of their customers. Unfortunately, they don’t have any vegan doughnuts available, so I can’t speak for the food at all.
The Place
The ambiance of The Local Lion is really its biggest draw. Very unassuming from the road, the inside features exposed wood and brick mixed with industrial metal. The small coffee roaster works in the corner amidst canvas coffee bags.
It is filled with a nice background buzz of entrepreneurs, families, and retired regulars. It’s the perfect place to set up for a while and get some work done.
Since it isn’t downtown, they have their own (free) parking lot. Sometimes, though, the parking lot can be full as this place is popular! They do have a drive through. But then you don’t get to enjoy the fun atmosphere inside.
Coffee in Boone to Skip
Talia Espresso
444 West King St., Boone, NC 28607
Best for: Those seeking a large, sugary coffee or smoothie on the go
Pros: Convenient if you’re downtown
Cons: No parking, Lack of seating, Over-roasted beans, Artificially flavored drinks, Poor cappuccino, No vegan food options
The Coffee
Brent was happy to see something called a “Jim Dandy” on the menu, which was basically an Americano in an 8oz cup. Perfect, right? Well he was less than impressed with the beans they used and reported that they tasted over roasted.
The over-roasted beans weren’t a problem for my cappuccino because all I tasted was hot milk with a hint of coffee. At least it wasn’t sweetened.
They offer a lot of specialty flavored lattes, and I imagine Talia Espresso appeals to college students that don’t enjoy the taste of coffee but want to be able to stay awake for class.
The Food
They do have some baked goods, but nothing vegan. With nothing to eat, Elsie got a smoothie. Their smoothies are just a concentrate blended with ice. Elsie chose strawberry. It tasted like a melted, artificially flavored popsicle. Even Elsie didn’t like it. Almost the entire drink was thrown away and it was a waste of money and the plastic cup it came in.
The Place
Since Talia Espresso is convenient to downtown Boone, there are no dedicated parking spaces. You’ll need to pay metered parking unless you’re visiting on a Sunday.
That being said, there are only a few bar stools for seating inside. And it looked as though you’d have people bumping into your back the entire time. So you won’t be in the shop for long, and won’t need to pay for much time on the parking meter! If you're looking for coffee in Boone close to downtown, I'd go down the block to Blue Deer.
Kovu’s Coffee
869 NC-105 Extension Suite 1, Boone, NC 28607
Best for: A friendly place to study with a black coffee
Pros: Friendly, Free Parking, Good Place to Study or Work
Cons: Lack luster cappuccino, No vegan food options
The Coffee
I wanted to like this place. I really did. They were so friendly, and the ambiance was really nice. But the coffee just fell short for me.
I got a cappuccino and a small came in a 12oz cup. It was alright. It was very milky, had very little foam, and was not at all a cappuccino.
They do have a lot of flavor options and specialty lattes. So if that’s your thing, this could be a good place for you to work or study.
They have drip coffee available, and I would maybe even get that in the future when I want to get out of the house to work. I like the feel of the place so much, that it’s almost worth the mediocre coffee!
The Food
There weren’t any vegan options in the cabinet, so I wasn’t able to try any of their food options
The Place
The outside of Kovu’s Coffee appears to be an outdated strip mall. There are a lot of dark brown colors, and it didn’t seem very promising. The inside, though? The inside is contrastingly modern, white, and bright!
They were incredibly friendly, and there are some really nice tables and chairs that would be the perfect, quiet spot for studying or working.
Oh yeah, and since it’s in an old strip mall, there is ample free parking.
Higher Grounds Coffee Shoppe
201 New Market Centre #10, Boone, NC 28607
Best for: If you like sweet, flavored drinks that cover the coffee flavor
Pros: Plenty of free parking, some tables for working or studying, convenient to Lowe’s Foods and Big Lots
Cons: No vegan treats, mediocre coffee
The Coffee
Don’t get me wrong. When I was in college, this place would’ve been my JAM. Flavored coffee beans were definitely my thing. And Higher Grounds has plenty for you to take home.
Their shop-brewed drinks tend to be on the milky, flavored, sweet side of things. Just really not my thing. I can’t attest to the quality of the coffee because the actual coffee flavor is covered by all the other ingredients in the cup.
The Food
They do have a treat case, but nothing vegan. So I can’t speak on the taste of what they have to offer.
The Place
Higher Grounds has a pretty “mom and pop” vibe. Friendly enough. A bit of seating that tends to be packed with students. And their outdoor table usually has friends meeting up for a chat. It certainly is a popular destination. Just not my preference for vibe and coffee.
It’s located in a strip mall, which allows for plenty of free parking. It’s a convenient stop if you’re also looking to hit up Lowe’s Foods or Big Lots. But other than that convenience, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit here if you're after quality coffee in Boone.
If you’ve visited these coffee shops in Boone, let me know your thoughts! Have I missed any?
Also, if you happen to be headed to Greenville, SC, check out these Greenville coffee recommendations.