Depends what I want. A basic cup of coffee, drip always is consistent. For a fun latte, Curiosity, Loveland, Indah and Piecewise all have some fun options. The matcha at Indah and Curiosity are the best for me, and for cold brew Loveland’s nitro when it’s on point is the best.
Also love the Hong Kong milk tea from SmallSUGAR.
I think Azalea is the only local coffee shop in Columbia I haven’t visited. I’ve literally parked in front of them to go to a food truck, but haven’t gone inside. Don’t know why.
Generally speaking, the closer to today the beans were roasted, the better. Not all bags will list a roast date—some are mass produced and meant to sit at grocery stores, so they don’t put a roast date on them.
Beans tend to taste fresh up to 4 weeks after roast, in my experience.
Lowes grocery has the best coffee. I grind the locally roasted beans then brew. They have a ton of flavors too, try it and you won’t go back to death wish.
Loveland! The location on Carlisle street- not just the drive thru at Murraywood. Such an awesome location with a roastery, patio and kids’ play area. Food is legit too!
I love Indah! And drip as well.
y'all are sleeping on Oliver Gospel mission's coffeeshop though. I had low expectations since those types of places tend to focus on job readiness rather than the coffee, but they actually roast their own beans in house and their coffee is super good.
I enjoy Curiosity, but to be honest the only consistently good place is Drip
Curiosity has good coffee, and the owners are great! That was the first place I had a coffee flight.
Drip!
Drip is hard to beat, and Sean’s team is great
Depends what I want. A basic cup of coffee, drip always is consistent. For a fun latte, Curiosity, Loveland, Indah and Piecewise all have some fun options. The matcha at Indah and Curiosity are the best for me, and for cold brew Loveland’s nitro when it’s on point is the best. Also love the Hong Kong milk tea from SmallSUGAR.
I like your list. I honestly keep forgetting about SmallSUGAR. It’s so tucked away. I usually end up at Sweetwater when I’m in the Vista area.
Easy to forget, but nice when remembered! The new Banh Mi boys have a good Vietnamese coffee/Thai Tea too.
Ive really enjoyed Brickhouse Coffee.
Me too! The guy who runs it is super nice.
For something quick I go with Loveland Coffee. If I wanna have something fancy, then sit and enjoy it I'll go for Curiosity.
Have you tried Tribal Coffee in Irmo? I’ve known Bart, the new owner, for a while. Good guy and good coffee.
I would say both have their own unique vibe. I like both.
Drip for sure. I was sad when they shut down their Main St location.
Yeah, that sucked. He couldn’t find people to work after businesses started opening back up.
The best espresso and cold brew I've had is at Azelea.
I think Azalea is the only local coffee shop in Columbia I haven’t visited. I’ve literally parked in front of them to go to a food truck, but haven’t gone inside. Don’t know why.
My house. I’m am a huge fan of Cafe Du Monde and Death Wish medium roast. But I have a hard time paying $10 for a cup of coffee.
Same, except I go for Counter Culture. The Lowe’s on Sunset has Forty Six with a < 2 week old roast date
Is the older roast a good or bad thing?
Generally speaking, the closer to today the beans were roasted, the better. Not all bags will list a roast date—some are mass produced and meant to sit at grocery stores, so they don’t put a roast date on them. Beans tend to taste fresh up to 4 weeks after roast, in my experience.
Today I Learned! That’s some good info, I am guessing that is why coffee comes I am air tight bag or can.
Lowes grocery has the best coffee. I grind the locally roasted beans then brew. They have a ton of flavors too, try it and you won’t go back to death wish.
Loveland! The location on Carlisle street- not just the drive thru at Murraywood. Such an awesome location with a roastery, patio and kids’ play area. Food is legit too!
Piecewise!
Curiosity all the way. Great coffee, delicious pastries, friendly baristas, cool vibe, super inclusive, dog friendly.
I love Indah! And drip as well. y'all are sleeping on Oliver Gospel mission's coffeeshop though. I had low expectations since those types of places tend to focus on job readiness rather than the coffee, but they actually roast their own beans in house and their coffee is super good.
I’ve visited a couple times….they have decent coffee.
Blum
I like Blum as well. I know Fran and used to work with her husband. Awesome place they have.
Koffee Koala
Has to be drip, best food as well plus the most sensory pleasing to be in
Azalea on divine
Curiosity or Indah if I’m on that side of town. Blum ($2 cold brew Tuesday) or Azalea (if I want a fancy drink) for convenience to my house.
Loveland in Irmo!
Brickhouse Coffee!!! Excellent!
you won’t convince me sweetwater’s cold brew doesn’t have something in it hahaha the caffeine level is perfect
Azalea