***Originally Published May 14th, 2023

If you’ve ever met me I’ve probably talked to you about coffee (sorry).

But that’s because I fucking love coffee.

It’s like wine. There are so many subtleties of flavor that vary by region, roast, preparation, pairing, etc.

It's also much cheaper.

And instead of getting me drunk and a lil’ sleepy it gets me MANIC.

My eyes get wide, my heart beats faster, I start saying random shit, I move faster, I’m more focused if I have a task at hand, but if I don’t I’m like an octopus fighting a bear.

Tentacles and blood. Everywhere.

I also love the introverted paradise that is coffee shops, where I spare those around me and channel my mania into my laptop.

After spending 2.5 years in Columbus with a car (the years without one don’t count) I’ve connoisseured many of the local spots.

Here are a few of my favorite places to sit down with a cup of hot bean water:

Stauf’s on Neil Avenue

Photo of inside of Staufs—high white ceilings, polished blonde wood floors, espresso bar in the back center, and plenty of tables and open space.
Taken from a google review by Heidi Liou

Built in an old church, this Stauf’s location has high ceilings, stained glass windows, and well spread out tables with a couple cozy couches in the middle. There’s plenty of natural light, and the high ceilings and layout give an open feel.

It’s just south of Ohio State campus in the Victorian Village, so you’ll find a lot of young grad students/professionals doing work or studying here.

All of the tables have outlets nearby, and they don’t wobble. Some of the tables have pews for seats which are not comfy. If it’s busy, there’s a functioning standing table no one ever uses, and I personally love it.

Apparently Stauf’s coffee roaster only likes dark roasts, which checks out with my experience. Even the medium roasts I’ve tried there have all been darker than I like.

If you like Starbucks you’ll probably love Stauf’s.

They do pourovers too, so you can get a complex musty burnt cup of coffee if you so desire.

The location on Neil has fewer selections of beans than in Grandview or the German Village. And the people in those locations are always pretty knowledgeable and helpful if you have questions.

You can park on Neil or 6th Ave. It says paid parking, but I’ve never paid and also never been ticketed ;)

Brioso

Brioso is another local coffee roaster. Their main roastery is downtown on Long Street, but I chose a picture from their smaller coffee bar a few blocks away on High.

I had a Mexico Chiapas pourover here two years ago and I’ve been in love with their coffee since. It was the first time I had a light roast with that kind of bouquet: citrus bitters, toasted pecan, and tart cherry flavors. Blew me away.

They have a rotating variety of roasts from Mexico, Ethiopia, Guatemala, along with some blends and darker stuff and special varieties here and there.

I’ve only been to their shops a couple times because I don’t live downtown. But I did like them. The pictured location on High Street was nice and quiet with a sizable patio, and a staff who knew about coffee and how to make a good pourover.

Their coffee bags and branding is really colorful and I kinda wish the location reflected that some more. Like look at these bags.

A Bag of Brioso coffee. Brightly colored splotches of purple, pink, red, and yellow, with the name and flavor notes of the coffee in a circle in the middle.

I likey.

Anywho, I really recommend trying their coffee and ordering a pourover of something that sounds interesting. These fellas do it right.

You can also find their coffee served at Honey Cup Coffee inside the Rambling House if you live up north of the city, like I did.

Yeah Me Too!

Open only once a week on Saturdays, I’d usually stop by here after doing yoga at Wild Root a couple doors down.

Despite not having any seating (it’s open only as a pickup counter), I had to highlight this place because the coffee is damn good and pretty unique.

It’s a delicious roast more on the medium/darker side of the spectrum. It has a flavor that tastes similar to what you get with home-roasted Ethiopian coffees. Like a toasted dark chocolate nut butter ish kinda thing is how I’d describe it. I’m sure a sommelier would use different words, but fuck ‘em.

It won’t be super complex and fruity, but also not burnt or musty. A really solid and reasonably priced option for a daily morning cup of coffee.

Highly recommend, and of course you’ll be supporting a (very) small business so that’s a plus.

Parking on Indianola is free, just make sure you’re not parked on the wrong side of the street during rush hour.

Coffee Underground

An dark image of the interior of the store, long black tables, up front, bookshelves on the back wall, and the espresso bar on the right side of the image.
Taken from Erin B on Google Reviews

A hidden gem tucked among student housing north of Ohio State Campus in the basement of the Indianola Church.

It’s non-profit, so the coffee is very cheap, but still high quality.

The space is really really large, with ample seating, a few private rooms, and a lounge area with some comfy chairs and board games, and even a stage where they’ll host events sometimes.

For example, on a quiet, empty, morning, I decided it would be the perfect space to take my final online.

As I started a couple people filed in but I paid no mind. My camera was on with the professor proctoring, and I had to focus on the problems in front of me.

As it continued a lot more people came in, and I was smack dab in the middle of a senior citizen clarinet recital. They did a wonderful job :).

Coffee Underground sources beans from local roaster One-Line. They have a board with rotating pourovers of light, medium, and dark roast. If you ask the barista their favorite they’ll usually be able to recommend something good.

They also have high quality teas and matcha if that’s more your leaf.

Incredibly friendly and helpful staff. It’s a great place to be a regular and find a little community for yourself.

The only knock I have is the lack of natural lighting and scarcity of outlets.

Huge parking lot out back, so you’ll never not have parking (unless there’s an OSU football game).

Upper Cup

Small, crowded, warmly lit interior, with brick walls covered in eclectic art and sculptures.
Photo from Gerold Miller on Google Reviews

A cozy, black-owned cafe on parsons across the street from Headies Hideout. Their beans are roasted in house so you’re getting fresh and tasty coffee.

Their iced latte is the best I’ve had in Columbus, maybe in my entire life. They make that coffee flavored milk so scrumptiously coffee-ey. If I were you I wouldn't ruin that masterpiece with flavors or sugar or anything, but alas, I am not you. I am me. And will always be…

I think they have food here as well which I’ve heard is also good, but I’ve never tried it.

A very unique spot with a brickyard artsy aesthetic and tasty coffee.

There’s parking right behind the cafe, so go try it out. And buy a bong at Headies while you’re in the area.

Florin

A well lit interior taken from the inside looking out at the door—full wall window decorated with plants—white walls and floor with a high-top table on the right and “Enjoy the Ritual” the only decoration.
Taken from Bill Montgomery on Google Reviews

I am a snob, so when I get coffee I rarely order drip unless my sole intention is to be caffeinated. Drip coffee all tastes the same: it’s bean water that's sometimes sour, or musty, or burnt, or watery. Like cheap wine you drink to get drunk and not to sip with a meal.

I actually enjoy McDonalds and Dunkin’ quite a bit as far as drinkable drips go.

The drip coffee at Florin tastes like it was made as a pourover, and I’ve really never been anywhere like this before.

You can actually tell the difference between the drip options they have–and I don’t mean that one tastes like burnt pretzel and the other diluted mud–but there’s actually distinguishing flavor profiles highlighted by a bright, fresh, acidity.

Florin not only has my favorite coffee in the city, but also my favorite storefront.

Wood floors, white walls, a light pink touch, and simple decorations combined with the plants and natural lighting make sitting there a very comfortable and warm experience.

The staff is also some of the kindest I’ve met. They love to chat with regulars, meet new customers, and serve tasty coffee. It’s a great community spot, and I’ll often hear people unexpectedly running into each other here.

Florin doesn’t have any darker roasts, which suits my taste but maybe not yours (you plebian). Definitely recommend buying your beans here if you enjoy making pourovers at home with a more vibrant flavor profile.

There's parking on the street right in front, or around the corner on the West side of the plaza.

”I Feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface…”

Columbus has a really vibrant coffee culture.

I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface of all the different roasters and cafes there are.

I failed to mention The Roosevelt, Parable, Crimson Cup, One-Line (storefronts), Global Gallery, Two Tigers, Thunderkiss, Grandview Grind, The Roaming Goat, and so so many others mainly because I haven't spent much time there or drinking their coffee and this post already feels too long.

Let me know your favorite spots! And where I still need to go check out whenever I’m back in the city!

Go support a local business and get JAZZED.

-Andy

A Short List of my Favorite Coffee Shops in Columbus, OH