19 Best Cafes in Columbia

“Finally Made it to La Calle 8 Cafe and it was amazing! Staff is super friendly and accommodating. I had a no sugar request and Rafael went above and beyond to meet my dietary needs. I also had a empanada Toscana and it was so tasty! 10/10 would recommend!“

“LOOOOVVVEEE HA. I’ve enjoyed every time I’ve visited. We’ve had great experiences there on many occasions. Perfect for a night out with adult friends or an outing with rambunctious kids, Colleen, Nathan and the rest of the team go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. Ownership is always looking for new ways to attract new game lovers. I cannot say enough about how much fun we’ve had at The Hex since they opened last year. So glad to have them as a part of our Columbia community!“

“Came in for the 1st time today with my daughter. We were going to try and come in my last visit out here back in January, buy because of the weather it wax closed. The staff and the cats were phenomenal and my daughter enjoyed every one of them. She made sure to pet and play with every cat there, lol. Had a snack afterwards and picked up some freeze dried candies on the way out.“

“Amazing breakfast and our server not only provided awesome service but she was super friendly!“

“Food was great. Service was poor. Waitress was hateful when we motioned to have someone take our order. Waitress seemed put out!“

“Wonderful product and service and atmosphere ! Thoroughly enjoyed !

Vegetarian options: Muffins, bagels , croissants, wraps all can be made vegetarian

Parking: Very accessible

Kid-friendliness: Calm environment

Wheelchair accessibility: Very accessible“

“The cafe was able to get me setup with 10 bagels and a coffee pot at 8:30 am :)I reached out the previous day to setup the request for the next day.The ladies were awesome, friendly and got the order ready right after opening the cafe at 8 am.“

“The open kitchen promotes a casual family atmosphere, as the owners alternate as chefs and hosts. With only one other table at service as 6:00 came on a Sat night, we weren't surprised by prompt delivery of lemon'd waters and a tostones app. Orders for classic arroz con pollo and aporiadio de pescado were placed; as we waited we chatted with regulars doing takeout. Accidentally, we learned of a red snapper entree not on the menu - vastly preferable to the tilapia I'd ordered. A well, chaulk one to growing pains! The orders arrived at proper temp, with sides proportional to the entree. Those not familiar with Cuban cooking might imagine a spice profile or complexity of flavors simply not borne of the Caribbean. Neither Jamaican nor Puerto Rican with their West Indian influence, Cuban rolls more in tune with Haiti. Subtle happy flavor blends rule. Savor the fine details, rather than expecting a body blow! These guys are doing it right!“

“I’ve eaten at the cafe and gotten take away multiple times and every time it’s delicious. The mac and cheese is amazing!!“

“It is one of the few places to get breakfast in central and western Columbia. Ernie's and the Broadway Diner are the other two.“

“So glad while traveling I changed my search from breweries to healthy options. The brekky wrap was so amazing. I love that all the items are gluten free. It’s nice to enjoy a meal and not feel awful after eating. The turmeric latte was also so tasty. The staff was so nice and helped us pick something tasty!“

“First off, this is an amazing spot for brunch. Their biscuits & gravy is my fav! They specialize in helping people with allergies with being able to enjoy food again, which isn't a big deal to most, but for those affected, this is HUGE! If you are lucky and don't have this issue like myself, you'll still enjoy the food as Head Chef/Owner, Anna, has spent years perfecting her recipes to mirror the flavors of standard foods. Best of all, the prices aren't out of line with standard cafés, which makes the decision to support this local small business that much easier!“

“Had brunch with my son today and I typically don’t write reviews. However, my experience was fantastic. The server we had was sweet and efficient. The restaurant was clean and welcoming. I loved the decor it was very modern mixed with rustic elements. The food was so good and I could feel the difference in my body afterward.. not the crappy fast food feeling but energizing! The server I had was named Alyse and I want to give her a shoutout for an all-round amazing job! She was very sweet to my son and was attentive to our needs! Love this location and will come back!!“

“Stayed with family for November and December 2022 in Columbia Missouri . Had never been to a First Watch restaurant . This breakfast and lunch restaurant became my new favorite restaurant. Everything I have ordered has been amazing from French toast ,waffles, omelettes , tacos ,sandwiches and salads . Very healthy and fresh food . Would eat at First Watch three times a week during my two month stay in Columbia Missouri. Always asked to seated in Melany's section . But all the wait staff was great !!! Took my 9 year old grandson for breakfast and he rated the restaurant a 10 . He had a waffle and sausage links and hot chocolate. I had the Italian sausage omelette with roasted potatoes. Food is always amazing . Great place to go by yourself with a friend or family . Highly recommended this place .“

“JJ Cafe in Columbia, MO, is a delightful spot known for its welcoming atmosphere and delicious fare. The cafe offers a diverse menu featuring hearty breakfasts, flavorful sandwiches, and fresh salads, all made with quality ingredients.

The coffee is excellent, providing a perfect start to your day or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. The ambiance is cozy and comfortable, making it an ideal place to relax or catch up with friends.

The staff is friendly and efficient, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Whether you're in for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, JJ Cafe stands out as a great choice in Columbia for tasty food and a warm, inviting environment.“

“Vegan / vegetarian place, nice little college town style café.
I'm a bit over-due to visit and update my review, I haven't had cause to drive through town for a while.

The Rueben is delicious... one of my favorites - I think I've only been to maybe one place that tops it. Although its maybe not so traditional with lettuce and tomato, but has a nice fresh touch, with strong sauerkraut, nice thin slices of tempeh, and a strong house made sauce - great balance of flavors. Seriously, I go out of my way just for this one sandwich.

Has assorted other things, smoothies like their peanut butter and banana smoothie, typical old school hippie style food - like black bean burritos, Buda Bowls and the like.

Staff have always been friendly, generally appear to be local college students.

Café hours have been a little iffy on occasion, always good to have a backup plan. There have been some negative reviews about some issues - I don't get through often enough to verify but have always had a good experience myself.

Vegetarian options: Kind of old school hippie style food, black bean burritos, Buda Bowls, they do a great tempeh Reuben!

Vegetarian restaurant, I don't recall offhand - they might have dairy cheese options - double check when ordering, but definitely worth checking out.“

“We stopped for breakfast after visiting the farmers market at Glenn’s. The interior was very classy and casual and the menu was fantastic. They served a great crab cake hollandaise with very attentive and friendly service“