Who has the best coffee in Columbia?
Posted on 25 October, 2009 | 2 Comments
by Erin Riley
At the beginning of this article, I thought it would be easy to write. Like any caffeine addict, I need to have my daily energizer in the morning to get through the day (more like two or three cups of coffee). I set out to find the best coffeehouse in Columbia. It seemed like it would be an easy walk, but this turned out to be a marathon.
When most people describe coffee I used to think of the generalization of a cup filled with dark liquid, that distinctive smell and somewhat bitter taste. After living in Columbia for over four years, I’ve become a self-proclaimed “coffee snob.” I know how I like my various types of coffee – cappuccinos, espressos, iced or double shots. It was going to be difficult for a place to impress me.
After surveying 15 different restaurants and cafes, I finally narrowed it down to my top five.
1. Kaldi’s Coffeehouse – 29 S. Ninth Street
Kaldi’s started out as a St. Louis based chain that slowly made it’s way out to Columbia. It’s named after the ninth century Ethiopian goat herder who discovered coffee. This is my favorite place in Columbia because that atmosphere is very open and the staff is very friendly. Unlike Starbucks, they took their time getting the drink orders and making them. I ordered an iced coffee and bought a bag of Highlander Grogg, which has a taste of hazelnut and a hint of rum. Some of the perks at Kaldi’s is that there is free wifi for the customers and a lot of room. The downside is that Kaldi’s becomes packed very quickly with students and can get expensive if one is ordering drinks and food. Even if Kaldi’s is a bit more expensive, I’d gladly pay the extra money because of the extra attention received by the baristas and the cozy environment.
2. It’s a Grind – 4603 John Gary Drive
It’s a Grind began in Long Beach, California. I wasn’t sure where to put this coffee shop at first, but after going there twice, it became my second favorite place in Columbia. Their iced coffee is amazing! It’s cold and smooth tasting with a nutty aftertaste. There’s not too much ice or too much milk. The mixture is just right. On the second visit, I ordered a double cappuccino (12 ounces) that tastes sweet. There was a bit too milk for my taste, but still was very delicious. It’s a Grind has a blues and jazzy feel to the décor. The shop features free wifi, a patio and a fireplace for those cold nights. They’re moderately priced with great coffee.
3. Rendezvous – 3304 W. Broadway
Rendezvous has quaint feeling once one goes inside. I was very impressed with their wide variety of coffee types and teas. It was very difficult to decide to what to get. In the end, I ordered an Americano. The drink was very strong with little milk. The barista asked at what temperature I wanted the drink to be. It was searing hot – perfect. Rendezvous serves sandwiches, soups and pastries. I strongly suggest getting a bowl of soup. I sampled the potato bacon soup and it was fantastic! Rendezvous has free wifi for customers, but there are very few outlets for laptops.
4. Lakota – 24 S. 9th Street
Lakota first opened in Columbia in 1992. At first stepping into the place, one feels like walking through a rustic, woodsy building. The furniture is mostly made of wood that resembles logs. I had the feeling of being in Canada and not the Midwest. Lakota offers the widest variety of coffee types and drinks I found in Columbia. They also feature four different types of drips. I had a cup of their house blend coffee that was very strong. No milk or sugar this time. Lakota has very good coffee, but I didn’t care for their customer service. The first time I was there was a few weeks ago. I sat down waiting for a few friends to order their drinks so a place could be saved for them to sit. An employee came to me and gave me a negative attitude stating I needed to leave if I wasn’t going to order anything. After saying I was going to buy something after my friends were purchasing their orders, he still said I needed to leave. I became quite flustered, but stayed. I went back last week and again I was treated rather rudely. They know what they’re doing with their coffee, but their customer service needs improvement.
5. Starbucks – 304 S. 9th Street
Many people scorn the very name of Starbucks because it is there. All of the Starbucks are genuinely the same and have the same products. Every time I go there I know they will have what drink I want and they are very quick. I chose Starbucks as my fifth choice because of the convenience. Not only is there the location downtown, but there is a drive through off Broadway and Barnes & Noble sells it. When I go to Starbucks I know exactly what I’m getting, including the free wifi.
2 Responses to “Who has the best coffee in Columbia?”
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October 26th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Kaldi’s made the cut in GQ’s “Where to get the best coffee in America” story. Pretty cool: http://www.gq.com/food-travel/restaurants-and-bars/200911/best-coffee-in-america#slide=7
Also–it’s Highlander Grogg
My fave
December 30th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Kaldi’s might have a decent atmosphere, but considering their extremely high prices, I think it’s a little stingy that they limit you to 2 hours on their wifi. I also have big problems with their unfair business practice of developing a supplier relationship with the Artisan (now Underground Cafe) right across the street for YEARS, then backstabbing them and opening a competing coffee shop across the street. Sure, it’s a free country, but alongside the 2-hour wifi thing, I’m a little bit wary to shell out for their mediocre coffee and pastries.