Best latte I’ve ever had. Out of the 23 other coffee shops I’ve tried in Columbia this place takes the #1 spot. Barista’s actually care about the quality of coffee they serve, and very reasonably priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
RYAN BYRNE
My 2 star review isn't really fair to this establishment. I'll explain. The coffee here is excellent. Some of the best I've ever had, but the last three times we've been, there is an extremely creepy looking homeless man there with huge, and I mean HUGE bags under his eyes. Every time he just stares at my wife with his mouth open and almost drooling. Its very off putting. She, and now I refuse to go there. This man is that scary!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Moomaw
I stopped by Oliver Gospel Roastery with my son because we wanted to find and taste coffee from a local roastery for our coffee at home. The place is very clean and welcoming when you walk in, and the staff couldn’t have been nicer. We explained what we were there for, and they happily let us sample the two coffees they had brewed, along with their espresso blend. They answered all our questions without rushing us and even suggested another local spot to check out.
I bought a cup of coffee and a bag of their espresso beans, while my son decided he wanted to try the other place first. We drove the mile down the road, walked in, and instantly noticed the difference — it didn’t even smell like coffee. We bought two double espressos there and ended up tossing them because they tasted like burnt tar. My son turned right around and went back to Oliver’s to get his own bag of beans!
What stood out most at Oliver’s was how balanced the coffee tasted. Every roast we sampled — including the espresso blend — had great flavor without any bitterness or overpowering notes. The caramel macchiato I ordered was perfect. Normally, I have to ask for light caramel and an extra shot because most places make them too sweet, but this one was spot on — I could actually taste the coffee.
I’m looking forward to trying the espresso beans I bought at home in my Philips 5400 (it grinds beans fresh for every drink). If they taste as good as they did in the shop, I’ll definitely be buying my beans from Oliver’s instead of the grocery store or Amazon.
One last thing that really impressed me: while we were sitting there, a homeless man came in. Instead of being turned away, the employee greeted him by name, asked how he was doing, and made him a bagel — no hesitation, just kindness. You could tell it wasn’t a one-time thing; they really care about people here.
Great coffee, great atmosphere, and genuinely good people. This will definitely be our go-to spot from now on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beth
We've been going to OGR since it opened, and it's the only place I buy my roasted beans . The warm, friendly folks behind the counter always take the time to make the customer feel welcome. The drinks, whether brewed coffee or an Earl Gray latte or hot chocolate, never fail to be just the way we like them. And on Soda City day, it's a lovely place to step just outside the rush for a moment of quiet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
brickzy
this place is sooo good the coffee is great and the inside is so pretty will definitely go again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tatiana O
I had the best coffee in Columbia, SC! The space is clean and welcoming, and Oliver’s mission to support and provide resources for the homeless is truly inspiring. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Sonia Donnelly
Loved this coffee shop and the ambience. Quiet place to work and supporting a great mission at the same time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Whitney Schuler
The best coffee I’ve had in columbia hands down. Staff was super friendly and talkative! Plus my large specialty latte was only $6 AND HAD COLD FOAM. This is my new regular coffee shop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M D
Never ate here but the owner doesn’t tip delivery drivers but it’s a nonprofit that helps the homeless. Seems out of character for a nonprofit. Like cmon now I saw an order she placed today for 12 cases of 50 count water bottles & not a single dollar left for the driver. I’ve personally never delivered here but I see her orders sitting in the app everyday till a newbie takes it not realizing they’re allowed to decline offers without penalty. Online it says the CEO makes over $150k a year. Maybe a $3 tip per order for the delivery driver should come out of their check 😂
N McL
For me, a basic coffee should be the gold standard for a good coffee shop. If your brand aren't good on their own - not a good foundation. This place has it right! I certainly wouldn't be a coffee snob but coffee shield taste good on its own. To be honest, they have great snack treats too so I had to indulge. Great spot right off Main Street.
Best latte I’ve ever had. Out of the 23 other coffee shops I’ve tried in Columbia this place takes the #1 spot. Barista’s actually care about the quality of coffee they serve, and very reasonably priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My 2 star review isn't really fair to this establishment. I'll explain. The coffee here is excellent. Some of the best I've ever had, but the last three times we've been, there is an extremely creepy looking homeless man there with huge, and I mean HUGE bags under his eyes. Every time he just stares at my wife with his mouth open and almost drooling. Its very off putting. She, and now I refuse to go there. This man is that scary!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
I stopped by Oliver Gospel Roastery with my son because we wanted to find and taste coffee from a local roastery for our coffee at home. The place is very clean and welcoming when you walk in, and the staff couldn’t have been nicer. We explained what we were there for, and they happily let us sample the two coffees they had brewed, along with their espresso blend. They answered all our questions without rushing us and even suggested another local spot to check out.
I bought a cup of coffee and a bag of their espresso beans, while my son decided he wanted to try the other place first. We drove the mile down the road, walked in, and instantly noticed the difference — it didn’t even smell like coffee. We bought two double espressos there and ended up tossing them because they tasted like burnt tar. My son turned right around and went back to Oliver’s to get his own bag of beans!
What stood out most at Oliver’s was how balanced the coffee tasted. Every roast we sampled — including the espresso blend — had great flavor without any bitterness or overpowering notes. The caramel macchiato I ordered was perfect. Normally, I have to ask for light caramel and an extra shot because most places make them too sweet, but this one was spot on — I could actually taste the coffee.
I’m looking forward to trying the espresso beans I bought at home in my Philips 5400 (it grinds beans fresh for every drink). If they taste as good as they did in the shop, I’ll definitely be buying my beans from Oliver’s instead of the grocery store or Amazon.
One last thing that really impressed me: while we were sitting there, a homeless man came in. Instead of being turned away, the employee greeted him by name, asked how he was doing, and made him a bagel — no hesitation, just kindness. You could tell it wasn’t a one-time thing; they really care about people here.
Great coffee, great atmosphere, and genuinely good people. This will definitely be our go-to spot from now on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We've been going to OGR since it opened, and it's the only place I buy my roasted beans . The warm, friendly folks behind the counter always take the time to make the customer feel welcome. The drinks, whether brewed coffee or an Earl Gray latte or hot chocolate, never fail to be just the way we like them. And on Soda City day, it's a lovely place to step just outside the rush for a moment of quiet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
this place is sooo good the coffee is great and the inside is so pretty will definitely go again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had the best coffee in Columbia, SC! The space is clean and welcoming, and Oliver’s mission to support and provide resources for the homeless is truly inspiring. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Loved this coffee shop and the ambience. Quiet place to work and supporting a great mission at the same time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best coffee I’ve had in columbia hands down. Staff was super friendly and talkative! Plus my large specialty latte was only $6 AND HAD COLD FOAM. This is my new regular coffee shop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Never ate here but the owner doesn’t tip delivery drivers but it’s a nonprofit that helps the homeless. Seems out of character for a nonprofit. Like cmon now I saw an order she placed today for 12 cases of 50 count water bottles & not a single dollar left for the driver. I’ve personally never delivered here but I see her orders sitting in the app everyday till a newbie takes it not realizing they’re allowed to decline offers without penalty. Online it says the CEO makes over $150k a year. Maybe a $3 tip per order for the delivery driver should come out of their check 😂
For me, a basic coffee should be the gold standard for a good coffee shop. If your brand aren't good on their own - not a good foundation. This place has it right!
I certainly wouldn't be a coffee snob but coffee shield taste good on its own. To be honest, they have great snack treats too so I had to indulge. Great spot right off Main Street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I love this new coffee shop. It's very eclectic and the staff is always so warm and inviting to the customers when they walk in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great building, and coffee
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Their coffee actually tastes like coffee and not brown water. Thank you. Look forward to potential nitro cold brew.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great prices, good atmosphere and friendly service :) all for a good cause!
Great coffee shop. Excellent customer service. Awesome coffee ☕. Cool vibes.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: White Mocha Frappe, Butterscotch Caramel Chai Cherry Cupcake Creme De Banana, Pumpkin Swirl, Topped with Whipped Cream
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