Brevard is known for their white squirrels, abundance of area waterfalls, and perfect location for outdoor recreation in the western North Carolina mountains. What they are not known for, however, is coffee. When I did a little digging it turned out there were only two places to get a coffee in Brevard, but those two places were absolutely perfect.
I visit Brevard on a pretty regular basis these days, but I haven’t really stepped out into town and explore much yet. When I visit it is to spend time with the grandmother. We hang out, watch silly movies on the Hallmark Channel, and find local places to eat. During my most recent trip, though, I finally decided to explore a vital travel topic in Brevard: where to find great coffee?
Co-owner Elisabeth was very friendly and knew how to make an excellent mocha latte!
Cup & Saucer
Owners Molly Wilcox and Elizabeth Bowling met at Camp Ridge Haven in nearby Rosman. It was “best friend” at first sight as they immediately decided to partner on a venture to build a coffeeshop in downtown Brevard. Pretty soon a former art gallery on Main Street became available and they jumped at the chance to start Cup & Saucer.
As I sat at a comfortable square table with my back against the wall Elisabeth gleefully explained how the cute coffeeshop was built. Molly’s dad built the tables and her mom contributed hundreds of plates, bowls, and mugs purchased from a diner that closed years ago. Even the live edge bar along the glass windows overlooking Main Street had a story, but I’m leaving that to you to discover on your own!
The mocha latte, my standard go-to when I travel, was one of the best I’ve ever had. I feel the wonderful coffee had a lot to do with Elisabeth’s background in the coffee industry but probably more to do with the amount of attention she gives to every coffee she makes. Fresh beans are ground for every cup and local milk is frothed for the ultimate coffee creation.
Cup & Saucer 36 East Main Street | 828-884-2877 | www.cupandsaucernc.com/
Fresh baked goods are put out every day and if you’re lucky you can snag one of those comfy armchairs.
Quotations Coffee Café
Every time I order food and someone asks for my name I tell them, “Master of the Universe.” Bonus points if you know that reference. At Quotations Coffee Café the polite barista was too embarrassed to say it out loud, though, so I waited a few steps back from the counter until she finally belted it out.
In hindsight I guess I could’ve been nicer because that was one of the best lattes I’ve ever had. After asking about it I realized they did two things that I think made a huge difference: they used Counter Culture’s Big Trouble espresso coffee beans and Ghirardelli’s Premium Chocolate Syrup. The result was an amazing mocha latte I’ll never forget.
The large coffeeshop had plenty of tables and a few armchairs off to one side. It was busy, though, with a steady stream of people coming and going. A trio of bicyclists, dressed with their form-fitting suits and clacking their special shoes on the floors, rode 20 miles just to get this coffee. I just sat back with my mocha latte, a fresh muffin, and took my time at this comfortable coffeeshop.
Quotations Coffee Cafe 147 East Main Street | 828-883-8966
