Mountain Mama's Coffee Lounge — Restaurant in Blue Ridge

We went to Mountain Mama’s Coffee to grab some mid morning coffee. Arriving there were plenty of open parking spots directly in front of the door but all were marked for the inn. With the spots for the inn open and a plan to grab coffee and be gone in 10 minutes, I took the risk to park in the spots marked for the inn. As we walked up the steps, the front porch was nicely decorated with couches and rockers but also with more ‘for the use of inn guests only’ signs. Once inside we were told our dog wasn’t allowed in and we needed to move our truck or risk getting a ticket. I voiced my frustration that there should be some parking for the coffee shop in front or close to the shop but was told to pay for parking or park across the street. From the tone of the clerk, this wasn’t the first time she had to explain the parking situation. When we ordered the shop didn’t prepare the coffee I like but they were able to make coffee for my wife. I left my wife to order while I went to move the truck. Not wanting to pay for parking, I moved my truck to the street and made the hike back to the store. Not wanting to bring my dog through the store again, I went up the back steps to the porch to find the screen door was locked but luckily there was someone to let me in. My wife thought the coffee and pastry were very good although she didn’t get to enjoy them on the nice porch out front and wasn’t willing to sit in the back. There are huge opportunities for improvement for working with the inn to get 2-3 spots for multi use of check-in and coffee shop with a 15 minute max so people on the go can grab coffee.

Update: Thanks for the feedback from the location and clarifications. Your staff did provide guidance on parking as noted previously. There still remains the opportunity to work with the inn to improve the parking situation. As noted, from the interaction with your staff, we are not the first customers to bring up the parking issues. The pet restrictions vary greatly in Blue Ridge. Over the last 15 years we have been in numerous coffee shops, sandwich shops and restaurants similar to yours where our dog is greeted with treats while we get coffee or food. If there was a ‘no pets allowed’ sign on the door, I did not see it but when informed I promptly took my dog out to be in compliance for your location. Regarding the seating, your staff directed us and pointed to your back porch for seating when we were ordering without mentioning the opportunity for the front which is much more appealing. The observed signage on the front porch was for the inn with verbiage of ‘for inn guest only’ very similar to the overwhelming number of signs for the inn in the parking area. If there are signs indicating where your seating is allowed, I did not see it and made the assumption based on the observed signs and directions from your staff to the back porch that the front porch was not permitted. My apologies if I misunderstood anything at your location and I appreciate your clarification. My review is to provide my experience which highlights the opportunity for improvement whether it be in signage, communication, or working with the inn to provide a better...

We parked for free on the Main Street just a few steps away from this bustling microcosm of the town where the aroma of freshly ground beans mingled with the chatter of locals and tons of tourists were catching up over steaming mugs of coffee and small bites.

The smallish space was constantly packed, with wooden tables crammed together. The restaurant was cut down the middle with a constant flow of hungry customers waiting to place their orders. Of course it is the holidays, it may have a better feel during less hectic time.

We found a long table made for 6 which was overflowing with trash. We cleaned the table ourselves (shame on those who left it that way). The baristas, a friendly bunch with perpetual smiles (I could not have been that nice with some of those folks), expertly navigated the chaos behind the counter, calling out orders over the hum of the espresso machine as they frothed milk for the latest creative holiday lattes and cappuccinos.

We ordered from both the seasonal and all year menus: The Woodsman Latte ($7) with espresso, maple, milk and roasted pecan syrup and a Hikers bagel ($10) with avocado, red onion, cream cheese and micro greens on a everything bagel. My mom had drip coffee ($3.50) you serve yourself and a blueberry muffin and hubby just had drip coffee and shared my bagel. The food was tasty and hot, coffee on the stronger side but good, for my latte I did ask for the syrup to be light, if you like it sweeter you can ask for more, they are very accommodating.

And of course, adding to the cozy holiday feeling, Christmas music played overhead. So, whether it is a quick caffeine fix on the way to work or a lengthy catch-up with friends,...

When I say this is my 'happy place', I mean it! My husband and I started an annual trip to Blue Ridge in 2022, and visited Mountain Mama's when it was a brand new, small corner of the Blue Ridge Inn. From that first visit we were hooked. The warm, friendly service, the vibes that make you want to stay awhile, not to mention the smoothest, most delicious coffee we've ever had. (And we're coffee people!) Fast forward 2 years, Mountain Mama's has grown into a gorgeous, sprawling, BUSTLING spot in the heart of downtown. We visited for the 3rd year in November, and visited this coffee shop every day for the 8 days we were there, it's that good. Not to mention the owner, Mo, remembered us and treated us like old friends, as we noticed she does to all the customers she interacts with. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about their craft. The new spot is gorgeous and sleek but still maintains the coziness and 'stay awhile' vibe. My only complaint about Mountain Mama's is it's an 8 hour drive from my house! When you spend money on a cup of coffee you expect it to be as fresh, as homemade, as carefully crafted as you receive from this place. (The food is also DELISH, we recommend the hiker bagel and the mama's granola.) Definitely make this a stop on your next trip to the mountains! The reviews speak...