On an early morning recently during the holiday season I decided to take a day road trip and coffee shop hop in Columbus, Ohio. While there I Instagramed my coffee consumption in the Buckeye state capital.
My first stop, in the early morning, was at Yeah Me, Too in the Clintonville neighborhood. Their store front is simple with the one word that will always grab my attention. Coffee! I grabbed a coffee to-go which is the norm there. They are cash only and there is no wi-fi or indoor seating. They have a menu of one: french press coffee, hot or cold, large or small. Very simple and yet very good. Was a great way to get the day started. The place to go to grab a coffee on the way to work. :)
It was time to go to a place with atmosphere within to do some travel writing. There isn’t a better place in town for that then Stauf’s Coffee Roasters in the Grandview Heights neighborhood. Upon entering you’ll notice their space is divided evenly between a cafe and a retail storefront, both offering plenty of seating options. For coffee, I went with appropriately named “The Buckeye”. Peanut butter and chocolate coffee deliciousness.
The place was hopping with locals, people on their laptops and holiday shoppers. I setup my #coffice in the retail store front and soaked in the holiday atmosphere. Along with my coffee beverage, I bought some beans from amongst the dozens of choices. The customer service throughout my stay there was exceptional, offering me tips on the best beans and coffee to get based on my interests. :)
Tip: The place fills up fast and there are not a lot of outlets, so if you’re looking to get work done, get there early. Their wi-fi is great even with the traffic.
Right after lunch I moved right down the street, staying within the Grandview Heights neighborhood, to Luck Bros’ Coffee House. It’s off the beaten path and provides a quieter alternative to Stauf’s. It little longer to get my pour over, but that was because of the great care they took in making an individualized coffee. I enjoyed the Guatemala Pour Over while also checking out the neighborhood right outside. Each person there made sure I was satisfied with my coffee choice.
The perfect true neighborhood coffee stop I found on this day. It’s where I would go to read the Sunday morning paper and relax. :)
Whenever traveling, no matter the itinerary, I always seem to wind up somewhere random and unplanned. This day was no exception. Later in the afternoon I decided to take a coffee break and visit the foodie paradise known as North Market. Whether buying food for home or looking for something local to eat, this market in the Short North section of town is the place to be. Passing one delicious food stand after another I wound up at, surprise, surprise, a coffee shop stand within the market called A Touch of Earth. The java and I always seem to find each other.
I sat on a stool at the counter and went seasonal enjoying a Pumpkin Cappuccino while people watching. Lots of conversion was also had with the baristas about coffee, the market, the weather and whatever else was going on that day. Other customers were ordering pumpkin and other various types of lattes. Something for next time! You’ll also find a good loose tea selection along with chocolates, candy and other snacks.
Throughout the year of 2013 my goal was to visit one-hundred non-chain independent coffee shops. My last stop of the day in Columbus happened to be stop #100 for the year. Cafe Brioso was the lucky spot right in the heart of Downtown. The lucky drink was the Ohio Maple Latte, just one of the many unique coffee drinks on the menu. A delicious way to complete the day and year in coffee drinking.
I sat on a stool looking out into downtown, watching business people come-and-go. During my stay at Cafe Brioso I also had my eye on the bags of beans that were just outside the door. You better not leave anything coffee related unattended around me haha! :)
When Cafe Brioso is brought up, their salads and lunch are often mentioned, along with coffee. I should start a series on the food of coffee shops. Hmmm. I consumed food from home on this day.
The evening rush was beginning and it was getting darker outside, so it was a good time stop the coffee flow and start the several hour drive back home. Of course I would have no issues staying awake with the amount of caffeine consumption.
It was a great day in the Buckeye state capital and I look forward to getting back and exploring more of their thriving coffee scene.
Any coffee shop recommendations in Columbus or through out the state of Ohio? What cities would you say are coffee shop hopping worthy that you have come across in your travels?
