Great place to go to get away from the crowds. It's a cute little coffee shop with nice ambiance tucked away in a shopping center. The gal at the counter was young and friendly--another gal came in and brought more milk and seemed to possibly be the owner? The young gal looked like she could be her daughter. They were both very friendly and welcoming. I had a latte that was good. I wish they had heavy cream, but I had to settle for breve. Everyone in our party enjoyed their drinks. They were playing oldies music that day and it took me back to my young childhood days! Very nostalgic! read more

This place is amazing! The baristas are always great and the decor is the best place in Boone!

Real espresso!! Shots pulled by human hands! Take that Starbucks! Great place. read more

Their creme brûlée coffee is delicious. Small town feel with a large menu. Baked goods available for purchase.

We stopped by after exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway for a warm drink. Hoping they had a cider drink, they did not. So we opted for the caramel apple chai tea (by Big Train) - and it was so yummy. A good twist on the traditional chai latte! Lots of whole bean coffee to chose from, as well as samplers of many, if not all, of the coffees. Some yummy sounding flavors were toasted marshmallow and snicker doodle! Service was quick, and the young lady was very nice. I'd stop by again! read more

Will definatly be back, nice relaxing atmosphere. Great flavored lattes! My husband and I like the raspberry mocha latte

Stopped in last night to get some whole bean coffee. Wonderful selection. Helpful staff. Drinking the Tanzanian this morning. Nice smooth coffee. I've had coffee here before. Well done Great atmosphere for study, conversation. read more

Great coffee! Cute interior. They had some holiday drinks I wanted to try but I decided to go with their caramel latte called "The Caramel Thing". Had a pleasant time talking with my boyfriend and the barista was super friendly which I always appreciate in a coffee shop. Would definitely come again! read more

Higher Grounds Coffee Shoppe - The Caramel Thing - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boone, North Carolina

The aroma of this coffee shop is exquisite, and they have excellent coffee. If you are looking for a frappe, they have the best in town - I get the Kona Mocha plus a shot of espresso! The staff here are super friendly, and it has a nice cross section of Boone residents, unlike other very pretentious establishments I have been to in the area. read more

Higher grounds is my favorite spot in Boone. It's a great place to hang out or just get some work done. The staff is friendly and the coffee is some of the best in my opinion. The only problem is that it is so great that everyone loves it so it can be hard to find a place to sit sometimes, but other than that Higher Grounds is a must visit if you are coming to Boone! read more

I cannot come to Boone and not stop here. Coffee roasting in the dining area and the aroma. The Pumpkin Cake Donut is so good.

If your looking for a nice quiet coffee shop with great coffee, then this is the place to go. Fast and friendly service. Cafe mocha was a little sweet bcz I like Starbuck style but it was better than McD or Krispy Kreme. We will come back when in Boone!! read more

Nice atmosphere, but the coffee is watery and weak (maybe specialty coffees are tastier). There are only two outlets in the entire coffeeshop, so not a great place for work. One of those outlets was in a corner where, on the day I visited, three 40-something guys were talking about how much they drank the night before so . . . May or may not try again. A lot of parking, unlike other coffeeshops in Boone. read more

The people that work here really make this place awesome. The coffee is average but the seating and welcoming smiles make us come back!

In vacation, checked it out due to fabulous reviews... They weren't lying. This place is fantastic! We got the flavored espresso drinks, super chill atmosphere, a little pricy but worth the money, its a little tucked into a shopping center if your not looking for it you will miss it! read more

When you start seeing a lot of "flavored" drinks offered it's usually a pretty bad sign for good coffee lovers. Great pulls of espresso already have incredible subtle flavors ranging from caramel to hibiscus. In town fir a few days. Hit Espresso News yesterday, pretty solid, not spectacular but very good (and inexpensive). Moved hotels closer to this joint. Got high ratings but I'm dubious. Vibe is "homey strip-mall". Espresso was bitter, beans don't taste fresh, over extracted. Very Starbucks tasting. Almost wish I ubered over to the other place. Don't mean to be negative, but...not good read more

This place is outstanding. Such a relaxing atmosphere every time I'm in there. Excellent coffee quality too. This in not your average coffee shop. The employees are extremely friendly and hospitable too. Keep up the good brewing! read more

This place has friendly staff and good java. I had the "caramel thing" drink and a hot chocolate. They have good pasteries and plenty of seating. Good location near the main drag and the movie theatre. read more

Amazing chai lattes! And love the different flavors of chocolate covered espresso beans

This is the best yet somehow the most underrated coffee shop in Boone. It may not have the location and atmosphere of ENews or Local Lion, but let the drinks speak for themselves. Their selection of coffee beans is expansive, they have a variety of desserts (including chocolate covered espresso beans of all sorts of flavors, yum!), and the drinks include coffee, smoothies, and Italian soda. Oh, and they have ice cream so you can get affogato! Baristas are pretty friendly and the inside is cute and feels friendly. Highly recommend the cinnamon roll latte or frappe. read more

Very peaceful and relaxed- great Coffee- as well as many yummy sweets Free Wifi is great as well. The Owners and staff are as warm and friendly as you will ever meet a awesome place to relax read more

Staff is really friendly. The coffee and muffins at great. Try the tuxedo mocha it is one of my favorites.

Nice place to sit and read and chill. Lots of variety, I tried their daily brew of coffee and I wasn't impressed. Will return to try others though and see if I can be a fan. read more

I come to Boone for this Coffee. Best fraps you'll ever have and the muffins are very yummy too.

Great selection of coffee. Cozy atmosphere. Some tables and sofas to seat. Friendly staff. My daughter loved the vanilla steamer and red velvet cup cake. Reasonable prices. read more

Not a fan of places with metal canisters where you have to serve yourself. Mediocre coffee.

This was a nice surprise on a rainy Sunday. Great music, friendly and upbeat barista, and good coffee. They have a flavored option, rotating blend, house (dark) and decaf. My only complaint is that there are limited non-table options and everything is served in a to go cup. I love mugs if I'm sticking around for a while. Bit I will certainly be back. read more

Great service here! The young lady that waited on us was wonderful. The coffee was also very good! Glad we chose them instead of Starbucks!

Here from out of town and wanted to try a local coffee place. Higher grounds definitely did not disappoint. Very glad we stopped in!

Great place...coffee, service, even the blues rock this morning were just right. Support local, independent business! Starbucks has enough loot read more

Wasnt that impressed with the place. My latte tasted burnt and the muffin that was recommended by the barista wasnt that great either. I def would recommend bald guy brew or espresso news over this place. read more

Convenient location for a cup of coffee, that is not fast food , as you enter the east side of Boone. Coffee is OK, not a fan of the chai they make. Taste like a powdered drink mix. Staff friendly. read more

This place is great! It was my go-to coffee shop for the many years that I lived in Boone. Service is always above and beyond.

Ended up spitting the coffee out in the parking lot. No exaggeration. Needs some serious work. The espresso was pulled incorrectly resulting in a revolting concoction. Place needs some serious upkeep, was a wreck. If you can even get in through the pack of obnoxious tweens crowding the cash register. Trash can was overflowing. Smoothie was good though. In other words if you like good coffee steer clear. read more

Super fast service, always helpful when you're in a hurry! Offer a cup holder every time ( I'm usually buying for more than myself) and have a cars where after you buy 9 coffees, you get one free! read more

I absolutely love love love this coffee shop. It has been around for a long time and I was a customer all through my college years. When Starbucks moved to Boone, it moved out a couple of the other coffee shops and I was really worried this one would go out of business too, but they have held strong so far. I make sure I go back every time I am there. They have a wonderful staff as they are family-owned, and a great interior that is perfect for relaxing. They always have a great selection of coffee and specialty drinks, but they also sell chocolates, espresso beans, and ice cream, among some other small candy items. They are such a wonderful business that I will go back to every time I am in Boone and I hope everybody can discover this wonderful place. read more