Need a Recharge or a Caffeine Boost? Here Are the Top 3 Spots in Boone

Sofia Peviani, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

After hours of staring at the same wall, it’s hard to remember to get out of autopilot, relocate, and just breathe. With school back in session, seniors are buried in college applications, juniors are in tunnel vision and sophomores and freshmen are grinding through assignments. While it might seem like the only option, slamming on the gas doesn’t guarantee anything but burnout. Sometimes, in the marathon that is high school, a change of scenery or a bite to eat is the best way to give yourself a well-deserved break.

Hatchet

A Cold Brew Protein Smoothie from Hatchet, 150A Den Mac Dr, Boone. Photo by Sofia Peviani

Situated near Watauga High School, this coffee spot is almost too good to be true. From lattes to burritos, Hatchet has plenty of variety. Its proximity to campus makes it the ideal place to stop during off periods or grab a bite before or after class. As one of the most popular options, Hatchet Coffee has been a gathering spot for many, creating a deep sense of community. For senior Fiona Russell, Hatchet is a place where connections happen naturally.

 “Every single time I go into Hatchet I see someone I know, whether it’s a friend from high school or one of my friend’s moms,” said Russell.

By partnering with local bakery Stick Boy, Hatchet offers fresh goods daily, making it a perfect place to pair a snack with their drinks. 

“Hatchet is a sister business owned by Stick Boy,” sophomore Lily Pearce, who works for Stickboy, said.  “We get fresh deliveries every day from local farms and businesses. The pastries and bread are baked daily.” 

A bird’s eye view of a Cold Brew Protein Smoothie from Hatchet, a Brown Butter Chocolate Toffee Cookie, and a Chai Spiced Coffee Cake from Stick Boy at the table outside of Hatchet Coffee. Co.150A Den Mac Dr, Boone. Photo by Sofia Peviani

Sylvia Afanador, a senior at Watauga, thinks the layout of the coffee shop makes it an easy place to settle in, despite the full seats and noise during rush hour.

“Even though a lot of times when I go there it seems to be really busy, it’s honestly a very open space so it doesn’t feel like it,” said Afanador.

Whether you’re a syrup latte lover, or a dark coffee fan, Hatchet has it covered. The drinks are varied, but their quality is never sacrificed. With seasonal items coming in, it’s hard to get tired of their menu. 

“They have a huge variety, especially right now I like getting their fall items. Their pumpkin chai is really good, and I feel like their Matcha is unique compared to other places,” Russell said.

Inside and out, Hatchet is one of the cutest little coffee shops around Boone. With warm lighting, relaxing music, and several outdoor tables,  it’s the perfect place to knock some things out of the to-do list.  

“I really like Hatchet to go do homework,” Afandador said. “It's always very warm and welcoming.”

Whether you are powering through assignments, or just looking for a place to relax, Hatchet offers more than caffeine, it offers a recharge

Wildwood Community Market

Outside the Wildwood Community Market on a sunny day Photo by SmokyMountains.com 

If you are craving more than coffee and pastries, The Wildwood Community Market is just a few minutes away from campus. This is a place unlike any other. This once hybrid deli supermarket has become a favorite eating spot for many. According to Joe Mager, Wildwood’s owner, the pivot made perfect sense for the success of the business.

“Wildwood started really more as a natural foods market. We had a lot more grocery items and retail sales,” said Mager. “We realized pretty quickly we didn’t have the buying power to be competitive with our groceries, so we kind of phased out and pivoted more into the deli and the food prep, which is what people were coming in for anyway.” 

The move paid off. With locally sourced ingredients and an extremely talented kitchen, it has become an amazing option for a healthy meal. 

“We’re buying predominantly local and organic produce, hormone free and clean meats. We want to sell good quality food,” Mager said.

 From salmon filets to pimento cheese sandwiches, the menu has something for everyone. The restaurant has great options for people who are gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian with no extra cost.

The atmosphere is calm yet lively, with plants, warm decor and natural lighting. Students, locals and friends gather for meals and study sessions which creates a distinct sense of community. 

“We mostly see App Students, followed really closely by locals, and then more and more in the last couple years, we’re seeing tourists,” said Mager.

Between their fast service and consistently high-quality food, Wildwood is the perfect spot to grab a quick lunch between classes, or a snack while running errands. This market makes it easy to enjoy healthy, fresh, locally sourced meals on your schedule. Mager emphasizes this convenience.

“Most of the restaurants downtown, you have to go and wait for a table,” said Mager. “Here you can come in and get a little side of potato salad if you want, you know, and it’s just quick service.” 

Between their speed, accessibility, and top notch ingredients it’s now a welcoming spot where students, locals, and visitors can all feel at home.

Venture

A view from the street outside of Venture Chocolate and Wine. Photo by: SmokyMountains.com

Venture is an espresso bar and chocolate lounge in downtown Boone. It is the perfect place if you are looking for a little sweet treat. They make their chocolate in-house, which includes everything from the cacao roasting to hand filling each bon bon. 

At $2.25 per piece it’s a splurge, but worth every bite. Each bon bon is a little piece of art that comes with an explosion of flavor. With fillings like passion fruit and malika chai, it’s easy to find new favorites.

The whole atmosphere carries a sense of craftsmanship. Each bon bon is painstakingly filled and decorated by hand. You can sense someone took their time in each piece, and looking at the glass case has a similar feeling to looking at an art gallery. That attention to detail isn’t lost on regulars. Fiona Russell says she loves stopping by Venture for their rich sipping hot chocolate and wide variety of chocolates, calling it “high quality.” For Russell, Venture is reserved for moments that deserve to feel celebrated. 

“I like going to Venture for special occasions, I feel like it’s a good place to hang out with friends before or after a cool event or if you have people visiting from out of town,” said Russell.

The aesthetic matches that sentiment. Up-scale but relaxed, it’s chic and classy enough to know that this place cares about branding and image, yet not so posh that it feels unwelcoming. It’s a place that makes any night feel just a little more special- whether it’s celebrating milestones, catching up with friends, or just soaking in the energy of downtown.

Whether you are in need of a homemade meal or just a quick chocolate pick-me-up, Boone has local gems that do more than satisfy hunger, they give your body a reset and your mind a break. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away, clear your head, and take a moment before tackling the chaos of to-do lists.