My ideal morning will always include a fun drink, and I’ve learned that there is no shortage of those in Columbus. I’ve spent countless hours camped out in coffee shops writing, working on school work, or meeting up with friends. Here are five of my favorite cafes in Columbus!
Stauf’s Coffee Roasters (Victorian Village)
If you are a student at Ohio State, chances are you’ve already had a study session or two at Stauf’s. It’s definitely the most popular cafe close to campus, but for good reason!
They have four locations: Grandview Heights, German Village, the North Market, and my favorite, Victorian Village. Located a short walk from campus down Neil Avenue, Stauf’s in Victorian Village is housed inside a building that used to be an old church. With a unique stone exterior, high ceilings, and stained-glass windows, it creates the perfect atmosphere for getting work done.
They roast all of their coffee and ship it to their locations within 48 hours to ensure freshness– and you can tell! Their espresso is so amazing that you don’t really need to add anything to it, in my opinion. If you do choose to add flavor or like your coffee sweeter, some of my favorites are the salted caramel, raspberry, and marshmallow. They also have a variety of pastries to choose from. This fall, I have been obsessed with their pumpkin chocolate chip muffin!
Emmett’s Cafe (Open Air)
This summer, I think I went to Emmett’s at Open Air at least once a week. It’s very accessible to students, as it is only a few minutes from campus and has free parking. They have plenty of natural light, friendly staff, and lots of plants, which creates a relaxing vibe for studying.
They have creative seasonal drinks– I’ve tried the lavender matcha, blueberry upside-down latte, and the maple latte– that are both aesthetic and delicious. Along with their coffee, their breakfast is really popular. I’ve had their “TK” and avocado toast, but they are known for their banana bread and tots, which are on my bucket list to try!
One Line Coffee Roasters
My favorite cup of coffee will always come from One Line. The first time I tried their coffee, I went with my dad, and it was the first time I ever actually considered buying a second latte in the same sitting. They have the best espresso I’ve ever tried, which is not a surprise considering how much care they put into their roasting.
They have three locations: Short North, Capital Square in the Huntington Centre, and Franklinton Cafe at River & Rich. They recently renovated their Short North location, and I really need to check it out! Along with these cafe locations, they also do wholesale, providing coffee and support for new businesses!
If the fact that they roast their own coffee alone doesn’t prove One Line’s quality, they also make their own syrups in-house! They have mocha, maple, and honey syrup year-round, and they also have seasonal flavors. I’ve tried their apricot, orange, maple, and banana bread lattes, and they were phenomenal.
Bada Bean Bada Booze (Quarry Trails)
If you need a break from the city to focus, Bada Bean Bada Booze at Quarry Trails is the place to go! Only about a 15-minute drive from campus, this Bada location overlooks Quarry Trails Metro Park– home to Milikin Falls. You can sit outside and get work done with a naturistic view, or you can stop in and grab a drink before heading out onto the trail for a walk.
Their Saturday Morning Latte made with fruity pebbles-infused oat milk is one of the best lattes I’ve ever had! Their Holy Mole cold brew and seasonal matchas are also really popular.
Ravello’s
What used to strictly be a coffee catering company just opened a location at The Daily Bar this summer. Every morning, this bar turns into Ravello’s Coffee! Their opening was a hit this summer, attracting coffee lovers with their aesthetic cafe space and Biscoff Latte. When the weather is nice, they open the garage-style door on the front of the building, creating a refreshing space to get work done. The staff was so friendly and definitely made me want to go back!
Columbus has an amazing coffee scene, so no matter where you decide to go, you’re bound to enjoy your drink!