If you truly love coffee, you won’t settle for Starbucks — there are just too many magnificent Asheville brews waiting to be sampled. Begin your caffeine tour at High Five Coffee, where you’ll find delectable drinks and a relaxed vibe.
The baristas at the Broadway location take their craft seriously. Scan the walls for a moment, and you’ll notice a myriad of framed certifications. It’s inspiring to see professionals so passionate about their work.
High Five’s baristas brew Counter Culture Coffee. Any Asheville coffee enthusiast can tell you that Counter Culture is a North Carolina staple. The Durham-based roasting company primarily purchases from small cooperatives.
Highly accommodating of dietary restrictions, High Five offers a variety of modifications. For example, lactose-intolerant coffee drinkers can opt for oat, almond, or soy milk. Other drink options include locally-brewed kombucha and loose leaf tea.
While regulars appreciate the tried and tested items on the coffee shop’s menu, they’re more impressed by the constantly changing Barista’s Choice. Examples include the Teddy Graham garnished Hunny-Bear (featuring washed Ethiopian Rafisa espresso and honeysuckle-infused honey) and the Blue Velvet (featuring sundried Burundi espresso, blueberry ginger white vinegar shrub, and fresh ginger of the glass rim). If you love the concept of a fancy cocktail but prefer caffeine to alcohol, the Barista’s Choice is for you.
Quality coffee and pastries are just two key elements of a satisfying coffee shop visit. Ambience is just as important — and High Five Coffee has it in spades. The coffee shop offers the perfect blend of chill and hip, with freelancers and students gathering to complete important projects over glamorous coffee cocktails. Keep in mind that workspace may be limited during peak hours; finding a seat can be tricky at times. Arrive during a busy period, and you could wait a full fifteen minutes to order your drink. The good news? You don’t have to worry about parking while you wait — High Five is one of few locations in such close proximity to downtown Asheville to provide free parking.
Another important consideration: complimentary use of the coffee shop’s WiFi lasts just two hours. This is perhaps the only point of contention among regulars, who would happily spend all day studying or working at High Five if they could score unlimited internet access.
A few of our favorite beverages include:
Vanilla Latte
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a hot or iced vanilla latte. It’s even better with an extra shot (or two) of espresso.
Cold Brew
During the summer months, few beverages satisfy more than a High Five cold brew. Order one to enjoy onsite — and a growler to take home.
Up-High
If you’re in the mood for a smoothie, you’re in luck: High Five offers three excellent choices. The Up-High provides a nice boost of protein and healthy fats with almond butter and soy milk. It also features peaches, banana, and the perfect amount of honey.
Our favorite non-beverage menu items include:
Hummus Bagel Sandwich
Featuring fresh-baked bagels from Asheville favorite The Rhu, this amazing sandwich features High Five’s house-made hummus.
Lox Bagel
Another bagel favorite, this High Five classic comes loaded with smoked salmon, onion, and capers.
Granola and Milk
Don’t underestimate the power of a simple bowl of granola and milk in the morning. Not a dairy drinker? Not a problem — High Five’s granola tastes best with oat milk.
Whether you’re in desperate need of a caffeine fix or craving a bagel sandwich, you’ll find something to love at High Five Coffee.
Insider Tips
-In an age of gift cards and restaurant apps, the old-fashioned punch card seems like a relic. At High Five Coffee, however, it’s a sign of commitment. Score sixteen punches, and you’ll receive a free coffee drink. This surprisingly popular punch card is accepted at all High Five locations.
0Keep an eye on the coffee shop’s Instagram and Facebook pages for event updates; the Broadway location regularly hosts special events such as succulent shopping and the Thursday Night Throwdown latte art competition.