Mouthwatering Cafes in Columbus

Hall of Fame Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (11)

"I was in town for work and ate at this restaurant for breakfast. I thought the food and service were excellent.I had the Spinach and Feta Omelette with Marble Rye and a cup of coffee. The omelette was delicious. The rye was good, but maybe a tad dry. It didn't bother me and wasn't work knocking off a star. The coffee was normal.My waitress was personable and prompt with anything I needed. It was obvious that a lot of locals patronize this restaurants as the waitress would greet the patrons by name (almost all of them as well.)Things that can improve (but not deserving of removing stars):1. The map directions bring people to the door to the bottom section of the restaurant and not to the corner entrance. I almost walked away thinking the restaurant was closed until I kept walking. I am not sure if this is a fix the restaurant can handle, but it is worth noting.2. The seating arrangement is a bit perplexing as there is a big round table and some bar seating. I think this could be changed to provide more traditional seating."

Java Central Cafe and Roaster

★★★★☆ 4.2 (175) • $

"We've stopped here multiple times and always have delicious coffee. They have regular coffee and unique flavors like cardamon rose. You can order them iced, warm or frozen. Definitely worth a stop to grab a drink while you shop down Main Street"

Alchemy Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (103) • $$

"How have I sat on this place for so long? I'm seriously kicking myself. I haven't been in years but I found myself craving a good salad one day and decided to try Alchemy again. They were offering delivery, it was within my budget, and they had several good options to choose from. I ordered the green goddess salad and got it vegetarian. To do that, they subbed out the chicken for avocado. Yum! The salad also had green apples, snap peas, delicious pickled onions, goat cheese, an interesting matcha granola, all tossed in a refreshing lemon vinaigrette. I legit ate every single bite. And I'm already itching to order it again. While I used to always come from the smoothies and bowls, I will now be coming for their house favorites and handheld items. Can't wait to try more... especially that salad."

Cafe Elena

★★★★☆ 4.3 (168) • $$

"I cannot believe it took me so long to finally try breakfast here. I am already thinking about going back! It has a very homey, cozy atmosphere and the staff makes you feel welcome. The service is European style - a bit more leisurely and food takes a bit longer. It is so worth it. Food was served piping hot and is like true home cooking at its finest. The vegan skillet was loaded with lots of fresh veggies and was big enough for two meals. The almond buckwheat pancakes were served with a homemade berry compote and delicious coconut cream. The coffee was not my favorite, but it did get me caffeinated for the day.The sweets case was full of goodies and I have my eye on the Russian honey cake for a future visit."

Giant Eagle Market District

★★★★☆ 3.6 (167) • $$

"Well dang! I usually go to the Ge on Sawmill or the one in Dublin near Perimeter. Lovely stores on their own, but I was advised to go to this one as it was supposedly the best on in Cbus. They weren't lying!!! I felt my inner bougie rising up while perusing the store. The mushroom station caught my eye immediately as I had not seen that in the other GE's. Clean store and really nice and helpful staff (shout out to Heidi at the door and Bonnie at the register). I think it is worth it yo check out this location for your shopping needs."

Chocolate Café

★★★★☆ 4 (278) • $$

"This is the place that you'll definitely need to stop by if you have a sweet tooth. I don't drink coffee or anything related to that, but the snacks are definitely a must-have. I loved their selection of milk chocolates with sea salt on it. Friendly staff and great atmosphere."

JoyHouse Coffee

★★★★★ 4.8 (9)

"Fantastic coffee and a great vibe. Will definitely be going back and recommending to friends who are in the area!"

Ted & Ali's Corner Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (37) • $

"Pretty descent food & atmosphere in small town America: Shelby Ohio. I plan to return as I arrived near closing time & they were still gracious to serve me so kudos to this cafe; I purposefully chose eggs & link sausage since that would be quick to make but really wanted to country fried steak n' eggs so may choose that next time"

Alpha Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (10) • $

"When you walk into a bar, and it turns out to be more than 100 years old with an authentic Brunswick (made in Cincinnati) carved wooden bar, massive drink selection, and friendly staff - you know you've hit a homerun. And what's this? The place has the highest health department inspection rating year after year because they are so diligent about cleanliness and food safety? Yes! What's that? A Touchtunes jukebox? Indeed it is. Pool tables, electronic darts...if this place had cots or hammocks, we'd never leave. We got here too late in the evening for food, but based on the looks of their menu, I wish we had eaten dinner here. If you never been here, try it. If you have been here, come more often. If you're a regular, congratulations. You knew all along."

Pete's Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3 (7)

"Well...this is a little town bar, but the drinks....wow!! Lol...the most stingy pours I have ever witnessed in my life!!!! A double is still a WAY smaller pour than what you would get almost anywhere else I have EVER been!! My aunt warned me that theirpours were small, but my gosh!! It was likeDrinking water!! We got a good laugh...as we walked out the door! We would have stayed, but between it being so quiet in there, and the pours being so weak, we decided to leave. I would go back, but stick to wine or beer where your drinks are already "pre-measured!" Also, the bartender wasn't very friendly at all, so boo to that!"

Kittie's Cakes

★★★★☆ 4.3 (85) • $$

"I should have given Kitties five stars my first time around. I don't know what I was thinking!I keep coming back every few weeks to enjoy a sweet treat and coffee at their outdoor dining area. Each time I come, I order a different baked good, and this most recent time was the cinnamon scone. It tasted just like a cinnamon poptart in the best way! And I do keep ordering the Nashville Hoodie for my drink; it's just that good.The service is always great. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Keep it up!"

First Watch

★★★★☆ 3.7 (66) • $$

"I cannot believe we stumbled upon this gem. How anyone wouldn't give this 5 starts is something I cannot explain. The staff was kind and attentive. The restaurant was clean and had really nice decor. The food came out quickly and correct. This may seem odd to you but what stood out the most was the fact that the ketchup and Cholula bottles were not crusted up and sticky. This attention to detail goes a long way with me (see pics) Abby thank you so much for such great hospitality. We're not from the area and am sad that we can't come back but if you are in this areas it's as my mom said a 10+!"

South Of Lane

★★★★☆ 4.3 (346) • $$

"Very delayed review but didn't realize I never posted! Came back in June. Very very cute spot. The inside is small but cozy. Maybe 5 tables total? You order at the counter then wait for your food. The menu is very interesting, some nice different options for breakfast mixed in with classics. My only gripe is that we waited nearly an hour for food. It was fairly busy and their kitchen was small. Also not sure if maybe they do delivery as well so that could have been taking up some of the orders. Food was pretty good from what I remember. Everything tasted hot and fresh. I'd come back but probably not on a weekend."

Bloch Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (11)

"Hospital cafe with real food This cafe is located on the 14th floor of the new James Cancer Hospital building at the Ohio State medical center. I was pleasantly surprised to see how clean and orderly everything was. The entrees are cooked to order right in front of you and they also have grab and go options. I tried the Hummus as well as the chicken sandwich entree. The hummus did not taste out of a can but rather made in-house. It even had some spice going on. The chicken sandwich was tasty as well as the small arugula salad on the side of it. I am considering giving this place a 4, maybe if my next visit is just as good."

A Proper Garden

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (36) • $$$

"I have driven by this place for years and planned to stop by..I finally did yesterday. A charming, quaint unique nursery and much much more..I was greeted by a pup (adorable) the sales people knowledgeable yet give you space to browse. What an eye the owners have with displays, merchandise and ambience. Love it I will be back... check hours as the cafe is limited with Covid!"

Trotters Pub & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.5 (10)

"Food was very good. Had to ask for dirty table to be washed off. Had to ask three times for silverware after the food was delivered. Absolutely freezing in here and it's 33 outside Don't care to come back"

Casa Cacao

★★★★★ 4.5 (6)

"This newer cafe has such a cool vibe, with various seating areas, a huge collection of displayed artifacts (mostly arrowheads), and a large patio. The vanilla latte was tasty. A great addition to the neighborhood!!"

Cafe Carmenton

★★★★★ 4.5 (2)

"So glad this cafe is open. Located inside OSU's brand new Energy Advancement and Innovation Center (EAIC), this is an open-air setting where everything is done via their kiosk or Grub Hub, no cash is exchanged. The menu is concise; do I wish it had a bit more than sandwiches for the main meals, yes, but this just opened today, so hopefully in due time their menu will develop and change for clientele. I've tried the Quinoa and Chickpea Salad and. Build Your Own breakfast bowl with chia base. The quinoa salad was very good, with no visible dressing to weigh it down. It does have sort of mild vinaigrette notes, which pairs well with the crumbled feta cheese. The BYO breakfast bowls come with 4 toppings (you pick): I picked apples, banana, pistachios and coconut. Great breakfast filler. There's plenty of new, nicely crafted wood tables and chairs in the cafe area with floor to ceiling windows all around - a great spot to work or meet and destress with friends before heading back to work (lots of vitamin d)!"

New System Bakery

★★★★☆ 3.9 (30) • $

"I've had the pleasure of enjoying bakery items from New System many times and I have never been disappointed. Great business owned by awesome people. Definitely a must-have when in Chillicothe."

Fox In the Snow Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"I was in town visiting Columbus and this spot had a lot of reviews. I love having a savory breakfast and I am a sucker for baked goods. They only had one hot breakfast sandwich which was disappointing, I was hoping to have a few hot sandwich options. Parking was easy to find when we got there, it is a small little spot. It seems it's a popular place for students to study or meet up. You order at the register and seating is first come, first serve. The back patio area is comfortable and lots of little birds like to lounge around. Pros: a good selection of baked goods and drinks. Their baked goods are a huge portion. Cons: I wasn't a fan of the cold ham sandwich. It wasn't anything special about it."

Dough Mama

★★★★☆ 4.2 (246) • $$

"Dough Mama is the best! When someone suggests brunch, it immediately comes to mind. They are famous for their pies but their breakfast and lunch menu should not be overlooked. My all-time favorite is the avocado biscuit with the side salad (you can even buy a jar of the amazing umami soy sauce-ish dressing to take home!). I also have enjoyed many a seasonal quiche. Unique to DM is a wall to the left when you walk in that has slips of pre-paid items you can tear off and present at the ordering counter. If you can't afford a meal or need a little pampering, this is a great opportunity to care for the Clintonville community. Cute gifts adorn their entrance area and the vibe is eclectic and homey."

Winn Winn Cafe

★★★★★ 5 (21)

"Very good quality. Definitely rec the coffee. Only sweets and no savory portions for food. The chicken salad in the fridge is incredible and lasted a few meals."

Rebecca's Bistro

★★★★★ 4.6 (169) • $$

"Wonderful food, cozy ambience, quick and cheery service. Overall a wonderful meal had! Would love to see more vegetarian options on the menu!"

Red Sea Cafe & Deli

★★★★★ 4.9 (7)

"Small cafe and deli on Columbus Ohio, really really fresh and delicious food! Got rice with chicken and goat and it was amazing! The owner suggested to get Somali tea so I did. It was also excellent!! If you want to try something new try this place out!!! Yum"

River Roasters Coffee Co.

★★★★★ 4.6 (25)

"I'm willing to cut some slack because we went on a busy morning, but I definitely have mixed feelings on our breakfast. My drip coffee was perfect and I liked the dark roast. My husband had a hot cocoa. The chocolate was nice and the drink was very creamy but the steamed milk was pretty cool. It was more of a slightly warm cocoa and not hot. I ordered a loaded avocado toast no tomatoes and it came with tomatoes. Luckily I could pick them off. My husband got a bacon and egg croissant no cheese. They even confirmed no cheese and it came covered in cheese. He could scrape it off but lost the egg with it. So food was good but the accuracy of the orders was an issue."

Twisted Whisk Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (8)

"This is a great small town cafe!!! If you're driving by on I-75 it's well worth the few extra minutes off the highway. It's charming inside, staff is friendly and the coffee is outstanding. I enjoyed their "red eye" with the bold coffee and couldn't resist a side of cake donut holes. Perfect!"

Cafe Paradiso

★★★★☆ 4.3 (90) • $$

"We spent the early afternoon at the local flea market and were ready for a good meal. Cafe Paradiso delivered in every way.Walking in, the atmosphere is charming and welcoming. Staff is extremely attentive and accommodating, as well as friendly. The beautiful smell of garlic hits you immediately and wakes up all of your senses.We had no wait. We were there late afternoon. We were waited on immediately. The server offered many good suggestions. I was craving garlic and ordered the roasted garlic soup combined with the tomato soup (recommended by our server). And it was delicious! The bread was tasty and fresh. We asked for a second round. My "build your own" pasta with spicy Italian sausage and creamy pesto satisfied every one of my food cravings. It was seriously one of the most delicious pasta dishes I've ever had. My husband was very happy with his Fettuccine Alfredo. It's the first time in a LONG time I finished an entire meal on my own.Stuffed full with amazing bread, creamy delicious pasta, and a nice chianti, the server asked if we were interested in dessert. I mean, I'm STUFFED.Of course I'm interested in dessert! The tiramisu is SPOT ON! So delicious and very worth the calories!Overall, we will make the 1.5 hour drive just to eat here and shop to charming downtown. Do not miss Cafe Paradiso when you're in the area. Better yet, make Urbana a destination!"

German Village Nutrition

★★☆☆☆ 2 (1)

"If you're looking for a healthy smoothie spot, this is not it. service and ambiance were very nice but there are no normal smoothie flavors here. They are all super rich, sugary flavors filled with syrup, which is not what i'm looking for when getting a smoothie. I couldn't even pick one off the menu and I just wanted a simple berry smoothie. The açaí bowl was very disappointing. I paid about $15 for it and it wasn't even filled up halfway in the little container they give you. I lived in NYC for the last few years and spent $15 on açaí bowls all the time that gave you a real serving, way more than this. I was hopeful i'd find my new go to spot, but I won't be returning*to clarify I did get a smoothie for my boyfriend and I did try it. My bowl was also $15 since I added extra toppings."

Big Apple Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (73) • $

"How can one not love a diner?!?! This location was very clean. Small, but big enough to hold a decent amount of people. Tables seemed to turn pretty fast as well, so I am sure they cater to a lot of people. Decor had pictures of the New York skyline and subway signs. A little cheesy to me, but with the place called Big Apple Cafe, I understood. Our server was great! Very attentive and answered any questions we had. I got a ham and cheese omelet, and it was way big enough that I almost didn't finish it. Nice chunks of ham and not too much cheese. It came with the traditional hash browns and toast. My son got French Toast. It was perfectly cooked and the pieces were nice and thick. Price was inexpensive to me. We were less than 25 bucks with tip for two big breakfasts."

Carroll Cup Coffee House

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"Enjoying all the fall feels with a delicious hot beverage at Carroll Cup coffee house. Locally owned and operated, this coffeehouse offers a very large dine in area, a good selection of specialty drinks in addition to the standard brews, and local sweet treats. They have a variety of milk/non dairy options, regular and sugar free syrups, and even ice cream some evenings. Whether enjoying some time to yourself, getting to know someone new, catching up with an old friend, and fueling up for your fun filled day, check out the Carroll Cup coffee house and sip local!"

BayLobsters Cafe & Fish Market

★★★★☆ 4.2 (37) • $$

"Hands down the best seafood in Wooster. Is it Boston or any other coastal town worthy? Well, no. But, for where you are geographically it's really, really good. They treat seafood properly here. The preparation of the fish, from the cuts to the cooking are dead on. The fried foods are crisp while keeping the fish light and flaky without saturating the entire thing in grease and oil. The essence of each dish is the fish. I have yet to try anything on the dinner menu that isn't fantastic. BayLobsters is perfect for seafood lovers any time of the day. Expect prompt, courteous service."

Bada Bean Bada Booze

★★★★☆ 4.4 (35)

"What a great spot to grab a latte while visiting the area! Great service and I enjoyed my latte and the poptart too. Will definitely return the next time I'm in the area."

Local Roots Market and Café

★★★★★ 4.8 (47) • $$

"We love this healthy market for their organic and gluten free options, with products that are difficult to find elsewhere. The meat from local farms is especially appreciated. Friendly team as well - everything about this place is great."

OK Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (36) • $$

"Stopped in here while taking a motorcycle ride and wasn't disappointed! I had the smoked bologna sandwich and the fries ! Very good and a very cool place to eat and grab a cold beer! Service was friendly and food was served pretty fast all though they wasn't super busy on a Sunday afternoon.Had a lot of cool guitars hanging on the wall and I imagine it would be a great place to watch a college football game or a Sunday game !! Meet the owner and he was a nice guy and suggested a few drinks and food ! If you're a local and haven't been here stop in. It may end being your hangout spot !"

Prost Beer & Wine Café

★★★★☆ 4.1 (209) • $$

"Popped in for a drink before dinner. Nice patio. Great service. Nice selection of beers, wines and seltzers. We didn't order any food. The bruschetta flights sounded really good. Maybe we will stop in again to try that. They were doing Christmas in July so they had my husbands favorite Christmas ale on tap. That was cool. They had some fruity sours that I would drink, since I'm not really into beer. Our friend said the old fashioned was alittle watery but it wasn't terrible."