I have lived in the Columbus area all my life, but have only recently found a love for coffee. I know Columbus has a wide variety of great coffee shops and this was a great excuse to visit some of them. Along the way, I also completed the Columbus Coffee Experience for which I received a free t-shirt!

 Cup O’ Joe

Cup O’ Joe was a very convenient walk from where I live on campus in Morrill tower. This specific shop was at Lennox, although they have multiple locations. The giant coffee mug on the top of the shop is hard to miss. The cafe itself is an average size with a cozy atmosphere. There are a couple booths and tables inside and outside as well as a fireplace on the inside. The walls have pictures drawn by young children. Since the cafe is close to campus many customers are students who come to study as well as have a good cup of coffee. I have been to this location multiple times since the beginning of the semester and I have always had a good drink. I generally enjoy an espresso drink at coffee shops; the photo above is a vanilla latte that I ordered. Although not captured in the photo, some baristas will draw a design in the foam of the lattes, possibly a heart or a leaf. I thought the drink was well crafted, and as stated before I have yet to have a bad cup of coffee or espresso drink from Cup O’ Joe.

Stauf’s Coffee Roasters

Stauf’s is very similar to Cup’ O Joe in the way of taste in coffee and espresso. This is because the stores were once one in the same. The location I went to was on Grandview avenue. There is also a location in German Village.  My trip to Stauf’s was made into a coffee date with my boyfriend, so I was able to get there by car instead of by walking or bus. The trip was very easily navigated and wasn’t too far from campus. Stauf’s has an outdoor seating section as well as seating indoors. Half of the building inside has tables, chairs and the barista station while the other half has barrels of their coffee beans for anyone to purchase. They also sell appliances to make your own coffee like french presses, pour over sets, and espresso machines. During the day, they also sell cafe food such as small sandwiches and bagels. I purchased a vanilla latte here as well. Stauf’s, like Cup O’ Joe, made a design in the foam of the latte, which I always like! Overall, I thought Stauf’s did the best foam design. The drink overall was also well crafted.

Mission Coffee Co.

Mission Coffee is off of High street in the Short North, which makes it very accessible to students especially by bus. The building itself used to be an old garage and the overall layout was kept when it was converted to a coffee shop. The glass garage door is opened during nice weather, but works as a nice wide window as well during the colder weather when it is kept shut. They have also kept the original concrete floors and brick walls to preserve the historic value of the building. I thought Mission had the overall best atmosphere out of all of the coffee shops. Yet again, I purchased a latte which I thought was wonderful as well. Mission stands for educating their customers on how to make a great cup of coffee. There are multiple seats around the barista bar and the employees are very open to questions about any drink they offer and different ways they can prepare it.  Overall, the best part of Mission was the environment. They had an interesting venue with friendly people.

Impero Coffee Roasters

Impero was also found in the Short North, which is very accessible by bus. There is also a location in Grove City which is where I grew up. I have had many drinks from Impero before at home, but I found the Short North location better overall. Although the process of making the drinks are the same, the people were much more sociable on High street. Every time I have gone the barista working has started a conversation with me. They are not forced or awkward conversations, but genuine and genial conversations. I have gotten coffees as well as espresso drinks, both of which were excellent. Impero also makes small designs in the foam of their lattes like the other coffee shops have done. I have noticed this is also a popular student stop. I have not been to Impero when there isn’t at least one person studying there. Overall, the drinks Impero serves are excellent. However, it is their baristas and welcoming environment that set them apart as a great shop in my opinion.

The Roosevelt Coffeehouse

Roosevelt was a little bit farther of a commute than the others. By car it was a fifteen minute drive; although the atmosphere and coffee was worth a few more minutes of travel. The space itself is very open and there are large branch rooms. After talking with one of the baristas, I learned that these rooms are available for meetings or events. As for the drink, per usual I ordered a latte. If you like your espresso and coffee a little stronger sometimes, like I do, The Roosevelt is a great place to go. The baristas were also very friendly and open to questions and conversations. My favorite part of this coffee shop though is what they stand for. They have three symbols over the barista counter: a drop of water, a stalk of grain and wrists in chains. Their slogan is ‘good coffee for good’ – that is good for clean water, good for fighting hunger and good for fighting human trafficking. The Roosevelt partners with organizations that help these three issues across the world. By buying their coffee and their products, you support these causes with them. I would happily return to The Roosevelt when their baristas are friendly, their drinks are great and they stand for something important.