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    Parable Cafe

    4.3 (208 reviews)

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    PARABLE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Parable Cafe

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    Sweet Lattes and Pesto Croissant
    Julia G.

    Another really lovely dinner at Parable! Caesar salad is a little heavy on anchovy but I love it that way- just a warning in case you don't prefer that. Best time to come for dinner is during happy hour for $10 wine pours, super generous and interesting wines. We had the Burger, fried chicken sandwich, and the cauliflower Reuben. All were delicious but actually the cauliflower Reuben really stuck out to me- super delicious and flavorful, not something I would have ordered initially but after tasting my friend's I would definitely order. I've been loving coming here for meals, service is always friendly and fast, food exceeds expectations, and I always have great drinks! Yay parable!

    Nafisa H.

    Really inventive and creative drinks at Parable. This downtown gem is a bit hard to get to. We only found paid parking right next to it but from other reviews saw you could get a parking voucher from a garage nearby. What I noticed right away were the locals working, reading, and others at the bar enjoying a drink. It was a very lively space which is always a good sign. Pretty simple decor and had a cool minimalist style. The person helping us was great and so friendly. They helped us with our drinks and we ended up getting the Amma's Chai and the Koyo. They asked us if we were visiting and we had a short chat about Sey Coffee in Brooklyn. I was so intrigued by the Koyo as it had gochuang listed in the ingredients. The spice kick was appreciated and delicious. Parable Cafe is a must visit spot for me, if you're staying downtown.

    Brendan H.

    This place seems to be a higher end cafe. I went on Sunday at 10:00am and every seat was filled. Great unique pastry options and nice lattes. I like that the sesame miso latte was not too sweet and has subtle flavors that hit just right. The prices were high but the quality matched. $40 for a cappuccino, latte, 2 pastries. I loved it and would go back. Must note the men's room being Overtly progressive, the only time I have actually seen female sanitary pads in a bathroom marked "men's". Just an interesting side note.

    Jon N.

    Super cool vibe and a very friendly staff highlight this spot. I dropped in for a macha latte and it was good, but at $10, I wouldn't do it again.

    Miso caramel latte
    Christina C.

    I loved Parable overall. I would definitely go back, however I do think the breakfast sandwich was overpriced. $15 is a lot for a breakfast sandwich with bacon I feel. The coffee was so good!

    Pastries
    Kudakwashe T.

    The pastries were mouthwateringly good. They were soft, sweet, and creamy. The service is fast, friendly, and warm. They pick pastries to fit the flavors and pallet you've got at the time. They also give amazing recommendations and are very kind. The matcha is also tasty. It's creamy and well blended. The ambiance is warm, airy, and pleasant. There's lots of greenery inside and a nice open layout with big windows and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating.

    Maigen R.

    First time visiting and can't wait to go back! The salted Carmel miso latte was incredible! The chocolate croissant was as big as my head and soooo flakey and delicious. Not pictured but you must get the egg sandwich! The service was great - the gentleman taking orders was so fun. Ambiance = amazing. Can't wait to visit again.

    Monday Morning Madness helps with some local coffee and pastries
    Moe A.

    Decided to try the nearest cafe next to my hotel and was not disappointed. Good selection of pastries and drinks. Decent seating. Helpful staff. I got the iced vanilla latte it was really good and well balanced between espresso flavor and their house made vanilla syrup. I also ordered their leek cheese croissant. That one was ok but nothing too special. Overall would come again for sure at least for their coffee!

    Carla F.

    Parable Cafe is a must try if you're in the area! I was excited to see they have the croissants that have been on social media! It is on the pricier side for a coffee shop though - a pour over was $8! - it's worth it if you want to treat yourself. When we came, they had a line out the door! I had a strawberry croissant and it was worth the wait. The inside was a mix of customers - some were working (they have WiFi), some couples were on dates/outings, and others were enjoying a drink with their books.

    "6 more weeks of winter" seasonal drink, sipping chocolate with banana, sesame, and ruby chocolate
    Emily Z.

    Expensive but worth. I tried the "6 more weeks of winter" seasonal drink, a sipping chocolate with banana, sesame, and ruby chocolate. The ingredients were high quality and the drink was very smooth. I'll be sad to see it leave the menu, but I'm excited for the spring drinks. It's an okay place to study if you don't mind noise--it gets very crowded and the music is loud. Service is good--the cashier kindly recommended me some options when I was looking at the menu. Overall would come back for the quality of the drinks!

    Sally L.

    I was here twice during my trip in Columbus. The first time I went there at 10 something. There was already a long line and a lot of pastries was already sold out. They have a lot of different unique lattes. I got the onion and mushroom danish and wham bam thank you yam to go. All of the tables were filled. The mushroom danish cheese was very good. The outside is flaky and rich like a croissant. The latte was very good just the right amount of sweetness of the yam. The second time, I went there extra early I ordered the pistachio croissant and the sesame miso caramel latte. This time there was a lot of empty tables. I got to sat down and enjoy. The staff is super nice and if you are eating there,they would bring the drinks to your table. The cafe is beautiful and clean. It have lots of plants all over the cafe. It is not too loud in there to sit down and enjoy your drinks. The coffee and pastries are a little on the expensive side, but it is worth to try it if you are in Columbus.

    Angela D.

    I have friend who has been doing the marketing for cafe and bakeries around Columbus lately. Decided to give this place a try aside from my regular spots... you guys this place is so cute!! Really loved it from the moment I walked in. From the ceiling design to the lighting fixtures and to the full length windows this place has all the vibes! When I got there, I was greeted promptly and nicely. The coffees took a little longer than usual for a cafe but the presentation was super cute. I had a cheesy scone and a cortado, not much left for baked goods at 3:30 on the afternoon so I will definitely be back. Lots of options for types of seating; lounge, high bar top, table and chairs, and of course the bar top. Others were either working on their computers, meeting with friends or co-working. It's pretty open space so sound does bounce, but I didn't think it was too loud or disruptive. They had a cute glass fireplace in the center. Lots of plants hanging around. For the short while I was there I loved the entire experience!!

    oh snap! ginger cap!
    Shubha A.

    Absolutely love Parable!! My friend and I came in on a Saturday morning and the place was decently packed but were able to find a table. When you walk in you can order and then find a table to sit and they will bring your drinks to the table. There is a good amount of indoor seating, as well as bar seating! I got a drink from their winter seasonal menu and if you like ginger I highly recommend it! It was called oh snap! ginger cap! And was so yummy. They have oatmilk as their only non dairy milk. My friend got their masala chai latte and really enjoyed it as well. We also got a pistachio croissant that was so delicious!! it was a bit on the sweet side so just keep that in mind, but I'd suggest it if you're looking for a pastry! Overall a phenomenal experience, just think it was a tad expensive but would come again :)

    Sesame miso carmel Latte, egg danish, cappuccino, croissant morning bun, miso carmel blondie

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    Ask the Community - Parable Cafe

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    The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Wright bros

    The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge

    4.5(102 reviews)
    1.4 miShort North
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    I really, really, really love the drink menu of the Alibi. Like, a lot. Their visual chart is a…read moregodsend for cocktail explorers, and all of the drinks came out delicious and exactly as described. It's so creative, and the drinks are really the stellar stand out here. However, the atmosphere of those drinks is what gives me pause when thinking about coming back. The limited table situation, tiny cramped space, and loud music means that it doesn't feel particularly relaxing. People are constantly brushing up against you (even at 5PM), and holding a conversation at a normal distance is nearly impossible. NOTE: This place is covered in dust. No shade to the ownership as it doesn't appear to be anywhere near food prep areas (it's on the decor, on/around shelving, all over the faux plants, etc.), but if you're someone who's sensitive to dust, this is probably not a good fit. PROS: -I loooooooove how they've done their drink menu. As someone who is still exploring the potential of cocktails, their nerdy "chart" that places all of their drinks on a sweet/bitter and alcohol-forward/approachable visual chart is SUCH a help. As such, everything I ordered was absolutely amazing for me. I knew exactly what to expect from a drink because of its position on the chart, and it delivered. -Their drinks are really unique. Aqua faba? Fat washed alcohols? Lollipops or toasted marshmallows as garnishes? Super cool. Don't let some of the weirder descriptions creep you out of trying them. -All of their drinks were delicious. Everything I ordered was exactly as described. I often go places where the taste is barely related to its namesake, but they were entirely on-point here. CONS: -I'm not sure if someone called off that night as other reviewers are in love with the service, but our service was really really slow. No real rapport with the staff; just stating the name of a drink as they rushed past and then they were off to try to clean a table or take someone else's order. The drinks they made were great, but this isn't somewhere we'd go if we were in a hurry. -The pictures do not accurately convey how small this place is. Like, it's small. I'd guess less than 1000 square feet. My apartment is bigger by a lot. This isn't necessarily an issue, but it means people pile up quickly as they wait for seating (there's like 4/5 tables and then bar seating). The human walkways are small enough that the bartenders and other guests will brush against you a lot - even while seated. -I get the vibe they were going for here, but with the smaller space, I think a lot of the potential decor options had to "go" in order to fit more humans. It's giving me hardcore The Hearth Room (in Cincinnati) vibes, and I think it could honestly pull it off if it simply had more space. The "relaxed, sophisticated bourbon bar" doesn't quite come through as well when things are so focused on simply fitting in more bodies. -It's loud AF. Like, really, really loud. Between all the people and the blasting pop music, it required leaning into someone's ear in order to speak at normal volumes. We'd regularly have to pause the conversation if something in the music was building to a drop. This is not a place I'd take someone I wasn't very very comfortable with because it really requires being in someone's space to talk. -There's a single all-gender toilet here for everyone in the establishment. It's basically a revolving door of people in and out of it. The door auto-closes, however, so it's really difficult to figure out if it's open or not. There was usually a queue of people waiting in front of the door.

    I never leave Alibi disappointed. They always have such a creative menu with something for…read moreeveryone. It always amazes me how quickly they crank out such creative drinks. I'm sure some of them are batched, but they don't taste like they are. Service was excellent, as always. Endlessly knowledgeable. Small place, but never feels crowded even when full.

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    Fresh, handmade seasonal cocktails

    The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Smoked old fashioned (Buffalo Trace)

    Smoked old fashioned (Buffalo Trace)

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    The Oracle - Entrance

    The Oracle

    4.3(26 reviews)
    1.7 miOlde Towne East
    $$

    Fun and funky but only been there once so I'd need to go back a few times and want to know if there…read moreis a happy hour

    Hubs and stopped in the Oracle yesterday on our way to visit our oldest daughter. It's the first…read moreweek in September, so the pandemic is still looming and of course we respect all the precautions every business is taking to stay safe and prevent the spread. That being said, upon opening the door we were told we couldn't come in without masks. Mine was in my pocket, no problem. I haven't left my home (in Tennessee) often enough since the beginning of the virus for it to become habit to automatically put on a mask when I get out of my vehicle. But 9/10 times I remember before entering a public place. The male bartender just seemed rude in the way he told us to put one one. I had read the raving reviews, and being a Yelp Elite myself I know I can and do trust their reviews above others. So....I was really looking forward to trying something new and enjoy watching a bartender do their thing. The bartender pointed to two framed menus on top of a cooler containing seltzer's and canned drinks, and some glass bottles of pre-made cocktails, I think. I would've appreciated the bartender ask me what I liked, and help me decide, but it was easier for him to point to the sign. Customer service absolutely sucked hippo balls. I asked if I could just order a Knob Creek and Coke in a short glass, and a Blanton's for my hubs. Sure!! What I got was a shot of each in a to-go plastic condiment container with a lid, and two big paper go cups (like Burger King) of ice, and a can of Coke, which I told him never mind I had a soda in the truck. We also got two bags of Cheeto's, to make the sale legal. So....we poured our bourbons over the ice in the paper cups. I drank a few sips of mine, yum, even in paper. My husband was just about to take a sip and noticed something stuck in his ice that looked just like a maggot. He walked back across the street and told/showed the bartender, who vehemently denied it came from the ice because it was a brand new bag. Then I noticed 3 of the maggot looking things in my ice, so I went back in and showed my husband and then the bartender. He told my husband it was probably from the citrus he was cutting on a board near the ice bin. They were frozen INSIDE the ice cubes. I'm upset with myself that I didn't take a picture of it, it was gross. I'm upset that a bartender would try to make it seem like it was nothing. After seeing it all in my ice my husband just asked for our money back, and the bartender said, "But I've already poured another." Ummm, sorry, but no thank you. He did give the refund, but I most assuredly won't give them a second chance when I visit Columbus.

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    Goodnight sweet prince

    The Oracle - French Pop

    French Pop

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    The bar

    Parable Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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