Many Bexley residents crowd in Kittie’s to stay warm.
On Columbus’ frigid winter days, college students often find themselves in the mood for a hot coffee in a cozy, heated shop. Here are the best coffee shops near campus:
1. Kafe Kerouac (2250 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201)
Located about 15 minutes from Bexley on The Ohio State University’s campus, Kafe Kerouac is one of the coziest coffee shops in Columbus.
The store is split into two parts; one side is where you get your coffee, and the other contains several shelves filled with a variety of used books. Not only can customers enjoy their coffee, but they can also find original hardcovers of Stephen King novels and vintage trade paperbacks of pulpy science fiction novels.
What makes Kafe Kerouac unique is that all of its featured lattes are named after famous writers, from the Toni Morrison, a chocolate and caramel latte, to the titular Jack Kerouac, a peppermint and hazelnut latte.
2. Stauf’s Coffee Roasters (627 S. 3rd St. #1060, Columbus, OH 43206)
Of the four Stauf’s locations in the greater Columbus area, the German Village cafe has proven to be a favorite among residents. It is also the closest Stauf’s to the university at just about ten minutes away.
Although it doesn’t look like it from the outside, Stauf’s is a fairly large store with lots of seating both inside and outside. There is ample seating by the windows with beautiful natural lighting on a sunny day and a few seats by a fireplace to keep customers warm on cold days.
The menu is standard for a coffee shop and includes a wide variety of flavors to add to drinks, including several sugar-free ones.
3. Roosevelt Coffee Roasters (300 E. Long St., Columbus, OH 43215)
Roosevelt Coffee Roasters is another great downtown Columbus coffee option. There are several large tables that can fit many chairs around them, making it an excellent group study location.
Like Stauf’s, the menu is that of a standard coffee shop. While Roosevelt doesn’t offer as many syrups, there are still plenty of options, opting customers to try a different drink each visit.
Although the menu is fairly standard, the experience is not. All of the music the employees play throughout the store is by turntable. Customers can browse their record selection that includes hits like The Cranberries’ “Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?” and Radiohead’s “In Rainbows,” as well as records across a range of genres and decades.
4. Kittie’s Cakes (2424 E. Main St., Bexley, OH 43209)
By far the closest to campus, at just a 10-minute walk, Kittie’s is perhaps the most popular option for university students. This is a great option for students who would like to grab a quick cup of coffee before class.
The menu features a few drinks you can’t find at other coffee shops, like the Nashville Hoodie and Salted Maple Latte, along with ever changing “staff pick” drinks.
Kittie’s also has a strong breakfast and bakery selection.
5. One Line Coffee (471 W. Rich St., Columbus, OH 43215)
Lastly, One Line Coffee, also about a 15-minute drive from campus, takes more of a modern approach to coziness.
The interior walls are painted a calm purple and there is a TV that often plays “Modern Family.” Like Stauf’s and Roosevelt, there are lots of windows that let the winter sunshine in.
Their menu is another that mostly features typical coffee shop drinks, but they also serve a Milligan’s Maple Latte, which is made with Milligan’s Maple Syrup from Amesville, Ohio.
