This is one of our favorite breakfast cafes in the Banner Elk area. We make it a point to stop here at least once when we're in high country. The husband and wife team do a fantastic job from top to bottom here. Coffees, teas and drinks galore with tons of variety. Every drink we've had has been fantastic. And the food options are plentiful as well. Not just your typical bakery items, but a full menu with savory options, wraps, bagels, sandwiches, you name it. My all time favorite here...the piled high turkey club on an everything bagel. You can't take small bites on this one. Full of flavor, fresh and delicious. If you have time, make a morning pit stop here. You won't regret it. read more

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This is a great spot for breakfast and coffee before skiing! I went three days in a row last week! They have the best selection for breakfast, from bagels to sandwiches and toast. Their Matcha is very good, as well as all of their lattes! I definitely recommend, as the food is good, the staff is friendly, and there's plenty of room to just go and relax! read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Food, Drinks, and staff were so nice but I'm worried about working conditions. seemed to be understaffed and overworked and it was extremely hot inside, did not seem to be any air conditioning. Hope staff/baristas will be treated better in the future read more

Friendly and welcoming atmosphere, delicious food choices and beverages! This is my second time here, I'm from KY and just vacation in the area, but both times it has been consistent service and quality! If you're looking to grab a coffee or a bite to eat coming through town, this is a must stop coffee shop! The inside also has plenty of seating and a nice set up to hang out. read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Turkey club - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

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Everything here is so good! The coffee is always strong and not too sweet, the scones are homemade and absolutely amazing - we keep coming back for the apple cinnamon one. They will heat it up for you if you ask, too! And the sandwiches are really good, on par with or better than a brunch restaurant in quality and flavor, and they come out quickly! The owners are super sweet, and all the employees are so attentive and kind and seem to be having a great time! Space is always clean with just enough tables for the happy flow of customers. We love the local items in the gift shop section, feels so good to support local artists and shops. Best coffee shop ever! read more

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We come here every year on our way through towards a camping trip. This place is great! Good food, good drinks and great service. It's awesome! I hope it stays the same every year. read more

Came to Mountain grounds coffee while on a trip. They had a neat coffee shop and wonderful selection of seasonal drinks. I chose the eggnog latte and a lox bagel. Both were delicious! You totally must check out Mountain grounds! read more

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Cool little spot by sugar mountain. Coffee is delicious and the lattes are well made and not overly sweet. Definitely recommend the campfire latte. If you want a bite to eat they have breakfast sandwiches and burritos and some good looking combine if you want something sweet. Plenty of space to sit down and relax and enjoy the mountain vibes. Staff is friendly and fast! Will be back when we are in town. read more

This was a hopping place! And for good reason: they had lots of fun seasonal drinks! I got the peppermint mocha which was delightful! I also got a spinach and feta lattice (pastry) which was super good and fresh. (I'm honestly not sure if they make their baked goods there or not.) The workers were friendly and it was a nice place to sit and drink coffee while watching other people do the same. The only "issue" I had was with the barista who called out customer's names when their beverage was ready; she was very soft-spoken and hard to hear. read more

10/10. Iced americano and a homemade cinnamon roll was my choice this morning. The rest of the pastries looked fabulous as well. This is a popping place if you're visiting Sugar Mountain - stop! Will be returning. read more

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Was visiting the area and was very excited to try Mountain Grounds because of the great reviews I saw here. For the positives- it was a cute space, the staff seemed quite nice, and the coffee was delicious. But the negatives began once we got to the counter to order. We were informed that they were out of bacon. A few of us in my group primarily wanted a breakfast sandwich with bacon in it, so we had to figure something else out quickly. I asked if I could substitute sausage on the same sandwich and was told yes, great. I get the sandwich and it is hot except for the sausage. It's ice cold, like they forgot it and then just took it out of the fridge last minute to throw on the sandwich. I was really disappointed but we were on a time crunch, so I wasn't able to ask for it to be reheated. Everyone who ordered sandwiches were underwhelmed but my friend who ordered a breakfast burrito did enjoy that. We also ordered 2 cinnamon rolls to split amongst the group; they tasted ok but seemed to be a bit overcooked and were very stuck to the bottom on their containers. read more

Absolutely awesome local coffee shop! The inside was very clean with walls covered in local art and local merchandise for sale. The baristas were very nice and helpful. The lattes (we got the campfire and the log cabin) were incredible - so delicious. And all the food was perfect. This place is a must visit if you are visiting or skiing in the area read more

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Awesome spot with great coffee and super friendly staff! Lots of Gluten Free options!

Cute place in Linville. We enjoyed the coffee/lattes!.. No egg sandwiches but they have some muffins, scones and bagels.. Our muffin and scone was just fair .. probably a day too old.. Staff is kind and friendly We would still go back to coffee as it is a small town with no larger chain coffee shops read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Cool mugs for sale - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Cute coffee shop with some good gluten free & dairy free dessert options. No gluten free bread options for sandwiches at this time. They are trying to source some, but ya know it's hard to find gluten free bread that doesn't fall apart as you bite into it. Friendly service and free wifi. This is a cute little town that attracts people from around the world. Definitely a great place to stop for tea/coffee/sandwiches/sweet treats. read more

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This is a great coffee spot in the banner elk area. It's cozy, it's clean, it's friendly and it's good. This is your local coffee spot in town. There are a few others too, but this place has your choice of tables, coaches and chairs and a nice fireplace area too. I can see this being the perfect place to go in the winter to warm up after hitting the slopes, but also a great place to unwind and relax and stay cool in the summer. The coffee is good the drink options you wont be disappointed with. They have checkers and some other fun games too that with 3 little boys we appreciated. This place is so good you can tell even the locals enjoy it. If you enjoy coffee this may be one if not your best option in the area. Keep up the good work Mountain Grounds read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Sticker - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

We were in Banner Elk to escape the heat I Greenville SC. Mountain Grounds became our go to for coffee every morning while we were there! I ordered a Vanilla Latte with 1/4 of the sweetener every morning! Couldn't wait for the next day for another cup! I would def recommend! And it will be the first place we hot next time we are there! The staff was always friendly, and it was always clean! Try it! You'll love it! read more

Sidney was so incredibly kind and thorough with our orders. * The group of ladies working this morning triple-checked the ingredients on every bottle (oat milk, almond milk, flavorings, etc) to ensure that there weren't any unsafe ingredients (that i would be allergic to). * The coffee is the best tasting I've had in my entire week long trip to banner elk. * Found out they brew their own beans from down the street in Boone. * Wonderful service, cutest atmosphere, kindest people, art work for sale, yummy coffee, allergy friendly 100/100 read more

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So happy this place came up when I was searching coffee shops around the area. They had a huge array of gluten free and dairy free treats and I was thrilled to try the coffee and the sweets! read more

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Really enjoying my visit to Mountain Grounds coffeeshop! My friend needed a place to finish some work and I needed to just sit back and recharge after a long drive to the mountains. I ordered a chai latte with a shot of expresso and it tastes really creamy and gives me the right amount of caffeine to go about my day. Moreover the seating is very comfortable. A good majority of the place has well positioned and orderly seating for people working remotely, but I am currently sitting at a couch in the back that is super comfortable for lounging and reading a book. This place is super clean (restroom included) and the employees are friendly and happy to provide food and drink suggestions and just have a chat in general. Definitely the perfect place to either recharge like me or hyper focus on work like my friend! read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Food is just okay and the drinks are average. Can't go wrong with a quick drink but don't expect anything special.

The staff is incredibly kind, personable, and patient! I was visiting from New Jersey and am so glad I made the time to stop in. The shop itself is so cozy and the coffee and pastries were delicious! Definitely want to come back before I head home :) read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Beautiful, warm atmosphere, featuring art from local artists, a fireplace to relax and great seating for families. The service was welcoming, the gentleman told us about the baked goods but also helped us navigate our day locally with recommendations of places to go. So very helpful, knowledgeable and personable. I ordered a caramel cappuccino (very good), my children had hot cocoa with marshmallows, gluten-free pumpkin & chocolate chip muffins, the bagels are so fresh and flavorful. Definitely coming back the next time we are in town! Thank you Mountain Grounds! read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Everything bagel with cream cheese, caramel cappuccino with whole milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

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The atmosphere is darling. The coffee is delectable. And they have so many gluten free desserts--including biscotti! We had a very hard time making a decision! read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Going to venture out at say that this was probably my favorite avocado smash on rosemary sourdough that I have had. Had a lavender honey latte with oat milk was delicious. We were greeted by all the employee around us and everyone was so helpful. Highly recommend. read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

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The Daily Grind stands out as the best coffee shop I've discovered. Cozy ambiance, friendly baristas, and killer breakfast sandwiches and pastries make it a must-visit spot for caffeine lovers. 5/5 stars! read more

A great spot for friends, couples, or by yourself. The prices are comparable to "Starbucks" so I would rather come here are the staff is awesome, they aren't afraid to look up and make conversation. Out of the few local coffee shops around here this one has so far taken the care for having best atmosphere and best customer service, they definitely love what they do. read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - 16oz White Chocolate Latte and Plain Bagel w/ Nutella - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Such a precious cafe / coffee shop right outside of grandfather mountain! We stumbled upon this and dined on an incredible lox bagel, ham and cheese croissant, and ordered an iced vanilla and lavender latte and mocha frappe. Everything was delicious, staff was friendly, and there is so much merch to choose from! (T shirts, mugs/tumblers, stickers, snacks). Would happily return and recommend! read more

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We were greeted right away and the staff was so sweet. I previously messaged before going asking if they had gluten allergies and they had a ton! Everything was prepackaged from a gluten free/dairy free place. The place was adorable and I had a great time going. read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Good coffee! And everyone was super nice. The croissant with ham & cheese is delicious. Will definitely be back!

My favorite spot to visit when we travel to Beech Mountain! Everything I have tried has been amazing, specifically their pumpkin latte. It was so fresh and taste like true pumpkin, they don't use artificial flavoring for this latte. The goat cheese and apple butter toast is also amazing! Super friendly staff and great seating options. read more

Stopped in while on a ski trip at Sugar Mountain- this place will be on our go to list every trip now! Reasonable prices, the best service with kind baristas, and a clean coffee shop vibe. The coffee is delicious and the food is unique and tasty. You've got to try the chicken salad croissant. Definitely recommend! read more

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My favorite coffeehouse in the mountains! The cortado is fantastic and the espresso is consistently balanced flavorful. The coffeehouse is welcoming, friendly and personable. Make sure you try any (or all) of the delicacies. read more

Mountain Grounds is an exceptional coffee shop, offering traditional coffee and espresso drinks with quality and professionalism, along with a variety of sandwiches, baked goods and other edible treats--many sourced from local purveyors. The mountain-cozy vibe is perfect for working on a laptop or chatting with friends, and the staff goes above and beyond to maximize your experience. Only at Mountain Grounds could I convince my mom to take the plunge into coffee, and now she can't stop talking about lattes. read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Vibe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

New owners have updated the look and made More seating options. There's high tops to work, comfy couches for casual conversation and bar seats to converse with the staff. They are hoping to add draft beer soon. Waiting on the licensing to move forward. read more

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This coffee shop was such a welcome find on our way out of Banner Elk after our vacation! The light roast coffee is excellent, and the savory scone was one of the best I've ever had. We also got blueberry bagels - not too sweet and very wholesome. My fiancé had a mocha which is the only thing we thought to take a picture of. We devoured our bagels right away! read more

Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea - Mocha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Service was the best!! Coffee was fenomenal and just the best place to eat breakfast and just enjoy the scenery of the mountains.

I like the location and the staff was friendly, but we were disappointed in the drinks and the 75 cent up-charge per drink for non-dairy milk. I struggled to taste any coffee in our oat milk cappuccinos. They were pretty much all milk. My daughter's dirty chai latte tasted watered down, with very little chai spice. For nearly $6 per drink, I was hoping for better. read more

I came here with a group of friends and it was amazing. We tried the smashed avocado on rosemary bread with micro greens. Very fairly priced and totally worth it. We also got a cream cheese frosting covered cinnamon roll, homemade. Both the avocado and cinnamon were our fan favorites. We had a double chocolate muffin and banana nut muffin which is good but they seem store bought which is understandable. The drinks we ordered were s'mores latte, vanilla latte(iced), maple syrup latte, and lavender london fog. We got milk ranging from whole to skim to oat. London fog needed some honey but absolutely slapped once's added. Honey available to add for free of course. Many tables available, plants and natural light. There's a Public restroom, free magazines and newspaper about the area around too. They also have games like chess and scrabble to play there as well if your kids need entertainment while you answer emails. Many family's were there and they have lots of hot cocoa. Water for free is available as well. Cashier was super friendly and helpful and suggested the maple syrup latte to me. They have 12oz to 20oz with the 20oz lattes having 4 shots of espresso but you can customize it yourself. Overall a slay day stop. read more

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Pretty close to coffee shop perfection: great space, excellent coffee, and a variety of baked goods, including plenty of vegan, dairy free, and gluten free options. The chai tea was maybe the best I've gotten in an American coffee shop, and the muffins were delicious too. All the staff were friendly, welcoming every customer as they entered but somehow managing not to be annoying doing so. This will be our go-to coffee stop when we are in the area. read more