High Five Coffee Riverside (Asheville, NC Area): Coffee by the River

Sometimes you stumble upon the most magical places completely by accident. And that’s exactly how I found what is now one of my top 5 all-time favorite coffee shops in the world – High Five Coffee (the Riverside location). This adorable coffee shop is located steps away from the French Broad River and is one of the most peaceful and unique coffee shops I’ve ever visited.

Gorgeous latte art at High Five Coffee Riverside location

Off the beaten path for most Asheville, NC tourists, this spot is beloved by locals. And having now survived both a hurricane and fire, this resilient little spot keeps showing it’s long time supporters and new visitors that it has us in its heart as much as it lives in ours.

At a Glance

Line to order at High Five Coffee Riverside — Order at the coffee truck and then find a seat on the grounds. Almost all seats have a great view of the French Broad River.

Before we jump into the many reasons I love High Five Coffee Riverside, here are some quick bits you might be interested in knowing.

Here’s what I observed from my visit in October 2026:

Diana’s Parking Anxiety Rating: 1/4 (Easy Breezy)
Seating: Outdoor only
Wi-Fi: Available (but I didn’t try it)
Dog-friendly: Outdoor area
Local Sourcing & Partnerships: I spotted bags of Counter Culture coffee beans on the truck

A quick note: Details are based on my experience and information available when this article was written or updated. Hours, menus, prices, parking rules, and other policies can change. Please confirm important details with the business or property operator before your visit, and always follow posted signs and restrictions.

The Atmosphere: A Peaceful Coffee Spot by the River

Do you ever feel like the energy of a place is just special? Like you walk into it and immediately feel different in your body? That’s what I think every time I visit High Five Coffee Riverside.

From the first time I visited, I sensed a beautiful, positive, relaxed energy that made me want to stay forever. Literally – every time I go I have to pull myself away because I feel like I could get lost in the vibes there for hours. And I have. I think the longest I’ve stayed there is 4 hours!

Seats next to the French Broad River on a beautiful sunny day. — Peaceful and positive vibes always – I can feel my stress levels dropping just looking at this.

It would be easy to say that the atmosphere is great because of it’s location on the French Broad River. And whilst I do think Blue Mind Theory (that being near water relaxes your mind) is totally a thing, High Five Coffee Riverside takes many steps to solidify this.

From the friendly team, welcoming culture, and happy regulars, I believe that this atmosphere is less happy accident and more intentional cultivation.

On this visit, I chatted with a lovely regular who was waiting for a friend. She was telling me about how she was so glad this location re-opened after the devastating fire that destroyed the original building in May 2026 (which mind you survived Hurricane Helene in September 2024). A sentiment I wholeheartedly agreed with. It was cool to see we were both there for similar reasons – to experience the peaceful coffee shop on the river in all of its recently re-opened glory.

Come Here For…

Seating & Setup

Tables and chairs next to the French Broad River — People love reading books and catching up with friends right next to the river whilst sipping their delicious coffee and / or tea.

All seating is outdoors. You can expect casual patio furniture with chairs, small tables, and picnic tables sprinkled throughout the property.

Picnic tables near the coffee cart at High Five Coffee — For goal setting, journaling, and art, I especially love the three picnic tables next to the coffee truck.

There are three picnic tables with large umbrellas located in a gravel area closest to the coffee truck. These are my faves for journaling, doing art, and working on my goals since you get a nice flat, stable surface and there’s room to spread out.

Outdoor seating area next to the High Five Coffee Riverside shop — The barstools facing the river have a great view of the flowing water.

There’s also a cool pavilion area with more seats & tables and and bar with stools that overlooks the river.

Best For…

I personally come to High Five Riverside when I’m looking to disconnect, immerse myself in nature, and work on creative & deep thinking projects. But there are many reasons to love this place.

Personal development tools and a hot latte - enjoyed riverside on the French Broad River — My mind feels so much more at ease and therefore clear here, so I get some of my best goal setting done at High Five Coffee Riverside!

On this visit, I opted to let my mind relax and open so I could spend some quality time with my Q3 & October goals.

Doing digital art on the French Broad River — My creativity really skyrockets here, so I also love doing art – digital and physical. On this trip, I did some hand-lettering on my iPad. Last trip I did some drawing in my sketchbook with colored pencils. It’s such a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

And I even did a mini break to work on some digital art. I’ve actually drawn quite a lot of my art stickers at this very location.

When I visit, I often see people here for the same but also different reasons. It seems like most of us are here to disconnect – from the internet and even the world. Many friends and loved ones gather here to catch up and chat. This is a great spot for book lovers too since who wouldn’t want to read next to a river with a great cuppa joe?

What to Order / Staff Faves

What to Order

Pretty latte art, flowers, and a flowing river in the background — I always get the seasonal latte – they have some fun ones here!

My personal favorite thing to order here is whatever the seasonal latte is. But I’m a latte girly, as you know. From my many visits, the latte quality here is always impeccable – consistent texture, latte art, and taste.

One thing I noticed is that the lattes aren’t usually super hot, which I like. But if you like super hot lattes, you may want to ask for that as a customization, which I imagine they can accommodate (though I’ve never personally tried).

The team comes up with fun flavors for every season. You can check their Instagram for their latest creations.

Staff Fave

Salted maple orange latte - a fall special at High Five Coffee — I just happened to order the barista’s current fave – the Salted Maple Orange Latte. It was so good!

On this visit, I had the good fortune of chatting with the barista, Nathan. He was super cool and very friendly. I asked him what his current favorite drink is, and he said he’s really been enjoying the Salted Maple Orange Latte, which happens to be what I got.

Nathan said he thinks the orange flavor cuts through nicely and that he’s a fan of anything salt and coffee.

What to Know Before You Go

Cute little bug on the picnic table outside of High Five Coffee Woodfin — I usually see a few bugs and spiders when I visit, which isn’t surprising given the entire area is outdoors! You also get the benefit of butterflies, birds, and visiting dogs!

Here are some things to keep in mind before you visit:

All seating is outdoors, so check the weather before going and make sure you can handle it whilst being 100% outside.
Expect insects and spiders here and there because of the outdoor setting.
There is a grassy area, but it isn’t fenced, so supervise children and keep dogs under control / safe.
Restrooms are elsewhere in the mill complex; I usually go elsewhere before arriving.
Wi-Fi is available, but I personally enjoy the opportunity to unplug here for most visits.

High Five Coffee Riverside is very pet friendly since all seating is outdoors - here's a cute dog at the coffee truck — I always see so many dogs here! Look at this cutie!

Location & Parking

High Five Coffee Riverside is located at The Mill at Riverside. So, it may feel a little overwhelming / confusing when you first arrive.

When driving in, there are two entrances to the mill, and High Five is located roughly mid-way between both at the back – closest to the river. Even with my parking anxiety, I found the shop pretty easily.

City: Woodfin, NC (but basically Asheville area)

Whilst not technically in the city of Asheville, I consider this an Asheville-area find. It’s a short 15-minute drive from downtown Asheville. Tip: Turn highways off to take the scenic route – it’s usually almost the same trip duration anyway!

Diana’s Parking Anxiety Rating: 1/4 (Easy Breezy)

Parking at High Five Coffee Riverside in Woodfin, NC — I’ve always found easy parking in the gravel lot in front of the coffee shop.

From the dozens of trips I’ve taken to High Five Riverside, I’ve never struggled to find a spot in the free, flat lot parking right in front of the shop.
The parking area is non-paved / gravel.
Note: there are some flat lots in other areas of the Mill, however I’m not sure if those are reserved for Mill employees, so please double-check before parking in those lots.

This is one of my top 5 coffee shops of all time. When I haven’t been here in awhile or when I’m feeling like I want to disconnect or when I want to recharge, I find myself pulled to visit Asheville just to come here.

There are so many reasons to love High Five Coffee Riveside:

Unique experience being able to enjoy gourmet coffee and river / nature QT
Beloved by the community
Amazing and consistent high quality coffee / drinks
Where I go to recharge my soul (I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true lol)
The perfect place to disconnect and step into creativity, deep thinking, and analog connection with yourself and others

When I chatted with the barista, Nathan, he mentioned that he thinks the Riverside location is great for someone’s dopamine and that he loves seeing guests disconnecting. In a world where people are so glued to their screens (myself included sometimes!), I agree!

Come for the coffee, stay for the peaceful river vibes, and settle in.