5 Best Coffee Shops in Columbus
Ok, so let’s establish something right off the bat: I am not the kind of coffee drinker that evaluates a place based on the exotic nature of their beans, nor am I a girl who orders their coffee black to savor the different notes of fruit in every sip.
When it comes to coffee shops, I’m all about the vibe. My ideal morning is sipping on something a little sweet (bonus if it’s seasonal) out of a real mug surrounded by gorgeous, aesthetic decor.
If you’re looking for that type of experience in Columbus, keep reading.
Parable Coffee
pictured: the brown butter maple latte
Parable Coffee recently moved to a new brick-and-mortar location from their shared space with Comune and let me tell you: they’ve outdone themselves. When you walk in, you’re immediately welcomed by live botanicals with wooden details sprinkled throughout the simple, clean interior.
On the Parable menu, you’ll find all of your favorites with an impressive (not to mention creative) list of seasonal offerings. I’ve recently had the absolute pleasure of sipping on their Brown Butter Maple Latte which was nothing short of divine. In their seasonal concoctions, the staff’s talent shines through using unconventional ingredients, like tonic, fresh herbs and more to create unique flavor profiles.
While their space is dreamy and their menu does not disappoint, perhaps the best thing about Parable is its emphasis on supporting its staff and showing kindness to the Columbus community. Parable is the first gratuity-free cafe in the city, ensuring that their staff doesn’t have to rely on customer tips to make a living wage and they also embrace a “pay what you like” pricing model making great coffee accessible to all.
Parable’s new space is located at 149 S. High Street just passed the Ohio Statehouse - an advantageous move to capture some of downtown’s morning foot traffic. Learn more about Parable, here.
The Roosevelt Coffee House
If you live in downtown Columbus, you’ve probably heard of Roosevelt Coffee House. With three locations, they quickly became a hometown favorite for coffee meetings, study groups and gatherings of all kinds.
The location we frequent the most is the Long Street Studio where they take the vibe seriously: see their colorful mugs, hand-painted wall art and vinyl spinning in the background.
Perhaps the best time to visit Roosevelt is in mid-September when they release their fall menu (easily one of the best in the city). Our favorites include the Cinnamon Roll Cappuccino and the Instagram-worthy Smoretado complete with roasted marshmallows on the side.
A common thread in the Columbus coffee scene is the idea of giving back. Roosevelt’s charitable initiatives include clean water, fighting global hunger and ending human trafficking. You can learn more about their work, here.
You can visit Roosevelt at 300 E. Long Street in downtown Columbus, 462 W. Broad Street in Franklinton, or inside Olentangy River Brewing in Lewis Center. Learn more about The Roosevelt Coffee House, here.
The Rainy Day Coffee from Bottoms Up in Franklinton, Columbus.
Bottoms Up Coffee
Nestled in a small corner of Franklinton lies Bottoms Up Coffee.
Bottoms Up is owned by Chakeyla Anderson, a Columbus transplant and businesswoman who realized a childhood dream when she opened in 2020. Her three pillars are craft coffee, community and creativity. Bottoms Up serves up and nurtures all three with their large menu, private study rooms, couches and tables for guests to make themselves comfortable.
Perhaps the most noteworthy thing on the menu is their Rainy Day Coffee: a standard (or flavored) drip coffee served with a “cotton candy cloud” that melts into your mug. This Instagram-worthy drink has frequently be referred to as the most creative coffee drink in Columbus.
One thing that always keeps us coming back to Bottoms Up is their ongoing diaper drive serving the surrounding community. Bottoms Up collects diapers of all sizes for Franklinton parents to request without cost or judgment.
You can visit Bottoms Up at 1069 W. Broad Street and take advantage of their free parking lot right behind the building. Learn more about Bottoms Up here.
Kitties Cakes
Kitties Cakes started out in German Village with their bakery serving all your favorite pastries and sweets. Capitalizing on their success, Kitties was able to open another location adding their take on great coffee.
The location we frequent the most is on the east side of Columbus in Bexley. Although it’s small, Kitties Cakes is decorated with intention with colorful decor and bright wooden accents. Kitties has a few tables inside, but their patio is definitely the main event overlooking Main Street Bexley and the surrounding neighborhood.
The most unique item on the menu has to be the Nashville Hoodie; a latte made with honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Out of all the shops in this post, Kitties Cakes hosts my favorite food items. From their Cheddar Jalapeno Biscuit Sammy to their Cinnamon Rolls (recently named the best in the city), Kitties is the perfect place for a breakfast meeting or light brunch.
You can visit Kitties Cakes at 2424 E. Main Street in Bexley or 495 S. Third Street in German Village. Learn more about Kitties Cakes, here.
Crimson - Easton
Crimson is a well-known name in the Columbus coffee community. In the fall of 2020, they opened their flagship store at Easton Town Center.
Crimson represents everything you look for in a coffee shop; a light and airy atmosphere with welcoming staff and delicious drinks. You consistently find a mix of regulars and out-of-town guests enjoying the low-key ambiance and sipping on their award-winning roasts.
And I know I said that I’m not into basic drinks, but Crimson easily serves the best drip coffee in Columbus. They’re gaining recognition for their emphasis on supporting small entrepreneurs in some of the most remote areas of the globe. For a while, they were offering what they called, “Side Bar Sessions” where they showed you different brewing methods and how they impact the flavor of the coffee - I so hope they bring these back!
You can visit Crimson at 4066 Worth Avenue at Easton Town Center. Learn more about Crimson, here.
Honorable Mentions:
Cafe Kerouac - this quaint little shop gives a nod to the bookstore side of its business by naming its drinks after famous authors and characters. Located in the OSU Campus area, Cafe Kerouac sells everything from novels to comics.
Upper Cup Coffee - this place holds a special place in my heart and is widely thought of as the best coffee in Olde Towne East. Owner and founder Micael G. Habte founded Upper Cup in 2010 and has invested in the community making it all the better to support his small business.
Third Way Cafe - I’ve only visited once, but it left an impression. Located in the Hilltop, Third Way is a dreamy little oasis serving up tasty, seasonal sips.
This list isn’t finished as I’m always on the hunt for my new favorite spot, but I hope these places inspire you to get out and explore the coffee scene in Columbus. For a fun way to start your journey, hit the Columbus Coffee Trail where you can check in and get rewarded.
XO,
Meg