"Located next to the resort entrance, the cafe is recommended as the place to fuel up before a big day on the slopes. It offers caffeinated beverages of all kinds — including seasonal specialty drinks — plus bagels, croissants, muffins, scones, and yogurt parfaits." - Lydia Mansel
Lydia Mansel
Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com.
Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
It was my first time back to this coffee shop since it was transformed into First Chair Coffee — and I absolutely loved it! The two girls behind the counter were incredibly helpful and friendly, guiding me to the perfect drink. They answered all my questions with a smile and made the experience feel so welcoming. The coffee quality was outstanding, the music perfectly matched my taste, and the vibrant artwork added so much character to the space. I’ll definitely be back — a 10/10 experience all around!
Olga Q.
Google
I was happy to find this coffee place right under the mountain. You can purchase caffeine drinks, scones, cold brew, and pastries. The baristas are great, and the atmosphere is wonderful. My kids loved this place, especially since they offer sugar-free drinks. We went there for brunch and later returned for lunch. It was still day light when we left, I wish we can stay longer. The only thing I would suggest adding is hand lotion in the women’s bathroom. It’s very friendly place!
They run specials and have very yummy croissants. I love this coffee shop way more than Starbucks! The coffee is much tastier and of better quality. Thank you!
April W.
Google
My husband and I stopped in this morning, a Thursday. Right now they are open Thursday - Sunday, 7-3. Soon they will be having a grand opening and expanding their hours. It is great to once again have a coffee shop on Beech. This is the same location where Poppy's was located. My husband had their dark drip coffee and I had their light drip. We both enjoyed our coffee. It was very good. I appreciated they had a light version available. We also got a few of their scones. They get pastries locally. They are working on an indoor seating area now. There are a couple of chairs inside. Outside, there are a number of tables and chairs. Make sure you come and support the new coffee shop!
Margaret Edmunds P.
Google
First Chair is a gem in our Beech Mountain community. They offer coffee, (better than any Starbucks) bagels and other baked goods. Their customer service is outstanding! Service is friendly, kind, accurate and timely. First Chair offers cozy and comfortable indoor seating as well as a large covered outdoor deck to enjoy the beautiful mountain air. Special shout out to Barista Kristen- always greets us with a smile and knows our coffee preferences! If you’ve not been there yet, you need to try it!
Lori K.
Google
After several attempts to get a good latte, I’m giving up. Multiple times the drink has come half full, so strong it’s hard to drink. If all I wanted was an espresso, I would have ordered that. So sorry.
Amy B.
Google
I enjoyed getting coffee from first chair. The coffee was exceptionally good and the service was even better!
Veronica B.
Google
The barista was very nice and attentive to timely service.He Let us know that it's was going to take a little while before we got our drinks, which we appreciated. I loved the local crafts for sale in the shop and the hamemade pastries were delicious! They made us feel very special. I loved the decor and art in the shop. What a great place to chill out!!
Thomas N.
Google
This was a great spot for some quality coffee and nice, outdoor seating. The barista was very nice and let us try one of her creations she was trialing, a blackberry muffin concoction. She also gave us several places to check out in Boone! Definitely check it out if you're in the area and want some coffee!
Angela M.
Yelp
Super convenient coffee shop right next to Beech Mountain. They have quick grab and go breakfast foods including bagels, quiche, pastries. Their coffees are also pretty darn good - I always get their cold brew and my husband enjoys their drip coffees.
They have a covered porch area as well as indoor seating. Service is quick and always friendly!
Lexi G.
Yelp
We visited a few months ago for the first time, and while I can't remember what flavor I got (I'm guessing vanilla almond with oat milk), I do remember being very surprised with it and loving it! Service was fast and the space was very relaxing.
Onvara A.
Yelp
We came to First Chair for coffee and breakfast pastries as it was conveniently located to where we were staying.
They carry some delicious baked goods from Stick Boy bakery in Boone which are worth checking out!
On our first trip here, I got a pumpkin spice latte and a cheddar spinach scone. My husband got a butter toffee latte and a blueberry scone.
Everything was SO good and I'm not exaggerating. The lattes were flavorful without being overly sweet. The cheddar spinach scone in particular was so good that we went back the next day to get some more. It was super buttery and decadent like a biscuit.
They have their own parking lot and a spacious indoor seating area which includes some nice couches and board games.
Erica S.
Yelp
We visited today for the first time and I'm soooo pumped that we have a good coffee shop on the mountain now! They carry many different syrup flavors, have seasonal flavors, and a flavor of the week! I had the pumpkin latte of course and it was delicious! Staff was super friendly and they have plenty of seating inside and out. We just might go every time we're here!
Chris W.
Yelp
Went with my family to First Chair over holidays. The Coffee and food were affordable and delicious and the location was convenient (near the entry to Beech Mountain resort). We were able to have our entire group site in the cozy dining room to the right of the counter. The staff was friendly and kind. Go to the First Chair if you want a coffee or treat on Beech Mountain.
This is a good place to eat and have a coffee compared to some other options on Beech Mountain (e.g., White Wolf Lodge/Holy Smokes). The WWL/HS had pricey food that was poor fare and the management made errors by losing receipts for rentals and then made harassing phone calls to our group. They then refused to admit when we complained.
Have a coffee, treat and bread at the First Chair (or
Fred's for barbeque). They are friendly, affordable, convenient, and tasty.
M H.
Yelp
Highly recommend
Super kind baristas who were helpful with all of my questions - including non-dairy options. It's a local coffee shop near the ski slopes with special seasonal coffee / espresso options. There is an open room where you order a long bench area to wait, and a second room if you want to sit at tables, eat, chat, work on a laptop, people-watch, etc. There is also outdoor seating but it was snowing when I was there, so we were all inside.
Denise A.
Yelp
This has become the nicest coffee shop there is. The staff is extremely kind and friendly, which is a big difference from the previous owners. They have spinach, scones, chocolate chip scones, blueberry scones, bagels, and my favorite Frappuccino's. They have many other things too many to mention.
Denise yes
Kristy B.
Yelp
Visiting from FL and needed some hot chocolate and coffee after snow tubing. Found this place just around the corner. It is a super cute place with great coffee and hot chocolate.
Alisha W.
Yelp
Amazing fresh roasted coffee. A must before a hike. Clean and cute inside. Nice mountain service too.
Morgan S.
Yelp
The bagels are really good! Coffee wasn't for me. If you like it really sweet then i wouldn't recommend it.