Disclaimer: I had to take a deep breath before I wrote this review as thinking about this coffee shop makes my blood pressure skyrocket. Impero is a crappy establishment masked in delicious coffee, simplistic design and Harry Potter books gracing the magazine rack. I want so badly for this place to be good but time after time, they have fallen short. As of last weekend, I will officially be adding them to the list of Short North local businesses I will forever boycott due to atrocious customer service. I went there on a blustery Saturday morning and was greeted with the typical aloof employees. They can barely mutter a "how are you" or make eye contact but yet when a regular walks through the door, they perk right up - making their indifference with me that much more insulting and personal. I had my order ready, didn't dilly dally at the register and was smiling the entire time. But nope, not good enough for the employees at Impero. The sad part is that this business made me asking myself WHY I wasn't good enough to treated with friendly service - little backwards eh? The coffee I had was on par (they never miss a beat there) but the food situation was just odd. I received my egg sandwich right away. My fellow diner had ordered a plain, toasted bagel and soup. We waited..and waited..and waited. My friend went to inquire about the food status and was assured it would be out soon. The soup finally came out with the context that it had taken awhile to heat - except it was ice cold. So yeah. Awkward. The bagel never came out. We were so fed up with the service at this point that we just left. Any establish that can't give me half a smile and pull off putting a bagel in the toaster is not worth spending a penny on. There are so many great local businesses the Short North is blessed with, and I'm done wasting my time at a place that doesn't appreciate their customers. I realize full well this review will make little difference to the loyal Imperoists but I hope someone venturing from out of town will stumble across this review and think twice before stopping in. read more

I think Impero might actually be my favorite coffee place in the Short North. That's a controversial opinion, and I can certainly respect people who go to One Line or Mission. They're both fine establishments. But Impero is just as good, has better music, and has a better seating situation overall. Trying to get a table in One Line these days is only slightly less difficult than waiting on opening night for a Star Wars film, and the space doesn't allow for very much seating. The same goes for Mission. I miss the doughnuts they used to carry, but honestly, until my fellow man loves this place to death, I'll be getting my work done here. read more

I am pretty much destined to love any coffee shop that's worth a damn - be warned. Impero is definitely worth a damn. Walk in and that aroma hits you, BAM - tractor beam. They have a great rotating selection of coffees and speciality beverages. They even boast some tasty treats to nom while you sip your liquid magic. I love the urban rustic feel and the people were nice, busy but nice. read more

Great coffee, and fair prices for the quality. I don't know as much about Impero overall, as I've only had regular hot coffee here. I will say this -- they support local art, have tables to hang out and work, and currently have DONUTS! Lyric Donuts, to be exact. My coffee was good; a Guatemalan blend, I believe. Now, let's talk about that donut! I had the Purple Glaze donut (get it?? Purple GLAZE??) and it was pretty tasty. All of the donuts have a musical name, as the owner/baker is the drummer for Bummers. BUMMER DRUMMER. Anyway, I really liked the citrusy lavender glaze on the top of the donut. It kept trying to crumble away from the donut though, so that made it a little more difficult to eat. The donut itself was actually a lot lighter than it looked. Great place to grab a cup of coffee (and a donut) in the Short North! read more

Nice coffee shop. I ordered a regular latte and my friend ordered a honey latte. We both found the lattes to be average. The shop has a nice space to work and I'm sure it's a go to for some. Just not my favorite. read more

Roaming Goat Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Talk about your extreme makeover! It's like Ricki Lake took the trashy teenager that was Cuppy's Coffee and transformed the space into the beautiful debutant that is now Impero. Gone are the leopard print lamps and trashy eyeliner! Now we have white clean walls, dark leather sofas, and classy frosted window doors. Now Impero needs to find their own style while taking away what they've learned from their magical makeover. May I suggest some rotating gallery space on the walls? Alright, looks aside, what about the substance? My latte was amazing! I took a long sip, turned to my friend and said, "Now that's good". Ordering in gets you a big beautiful white mug full of your favorite latte with a beautiful example of latte art staring you straight in the face. The taste is smooth and not bitter at all. Impero's price points are reasonable, and like Melanie B. said, pick up an SBB card and get your drink upgraded! Impero has small plates and baklava provided by the equally delicious Lavash Cafe. Hummus with warmed pita, stuffed grape leaves, and salads make Impero a lunch spot, not just a coffee spot. The atmosphere was a little sterile, but I stayed for 2 hours without feeling like I was intruding. I noticed a few folks working out of Impero on their laptops. I've got to give Impero mad props for their music selection as well. Definitely conducive to staying all day! read more

To be clear: My three-star review has much to do with customer service/atmosphere, which was definitely three stars. The coffee at Impero, as the previous reviewers have stated, is excellent. However, there are other places to get excellent coffee and not feel like you are intruding (on what? I'm not sure...). I stopped in to Impero tonight on the way to Phia because I got my Small Business Beanstock discount card in the mail (omg! Sign up! Google it, central Ohioans, it's FREE!) and this is one of the participating local businesses. I was all super psyched because I love coffee - I (excitedly) explained this to the barista, who seemed unimpressed. Not mean or anything, just... unimpressed. Apparently I had interrupted his convo with a friend/patron. Oh noz. :P I asked about the SBB card, and he explained it to me - it's a good deal, whatever you order gets one up-ed in size fo' free. So I ordered a small Americano and got a medium for the same price! Yeah! And it was definitely a well made cup of coffee, fine people of Columbus. I recommend the coffee whole heartedly. I had some questions about beans (looking for a non-gross decaf... not for me, don't worry!), but our man wasn't super into having a convo with me about this, so I didn't end up purchasing what could have been a $15/lb bag of coffee from him. The decor and affect are really nice in here, though one thing I noticed was that it was all men in the coffee shop. Now yes, I KNOW this is the Short North (although wow I just made a blanket generalization), I get it, I get it, but like the Boystown location Caribou Coffee in Chicago which is a gay guy pick-up spot (which is totally cool with me - except that women are looked at with Death Gaze, as though we're ruining what's going on), I felt like Impero risked losing me as a patron simply because I am a lady. Everyone else was chatty and pleasant to each other, but as I said, the barista made me feel a little like I was intruding. Now, this may not be true, I may just be traumatized by previous similar experiences, but I'm just saying this is how it felt to me tonight. I do, however, recommend this coffee shop, and because the coffee is so excellent, and because they're part of the SBB, I'd like to go back in the very near future, preferably in the daytime, to update you on the aforementioned situation. read more

As a grad student and caffeine addict, I spend a lot of my time scoping out coffee shops. I definitely feel like there are more inviting places in the area to get coffee that are also good quality and reasonably priced than Impero. There's very little seating in Impero, and the people hanging out there mostly seemed to be friends with the baristas, constantly wandering in and out. The baristas...well, let's just say they weren't the most friendly people I've ever met. My soy latte was good, but it wasn't standout. I've had a lot of good lattes and I don't think there's anything special about Impero's that would make me choose this place over Cup o' Joe or other coffee joints in the area. One of Impero's perks is that they do serve Lavash appetizers and foods. read more

Solid coffee - nicely balanced and mellow with good high notes of chocolate, but a bit earthy on the finish. Great price at $1.75 for a medium and much better than Stauff's, IMO. Nice location with a much less contrived and lame interior than when it was "Cuppy's" Competent Baristas - they aren't going to rewrite your mental notebook on bean sourcing and quality like the folks at Intelligentsia or Blue Bottle - but they also don't come off as condescending hipsters like the folks at Intelligentsia or Blue Bottle. Nice sourcing on the baked goods selection - why make your own half-assed pastries when you can use Simple Sweets and Pattycake? I like it - they should be open on Sundays, though. read more

My boyfriend and I decided to spend our Saturday morning getting some exercise and walking to Impero to try their coffee. I had read somewhere that they were the new coffee roasters in town and I was excited that, perhaps, there might be a place closer to my home than Brioso (downtown) to get a really good coffee/coffee drink. When we arrived, there were two-three people in front of us in line. We proceeded to what appeared to be the end of the line near the dessert case. Our plan was to walk further down and try le Chocoholique, however, after waiting five or so minutes to order, I was tempted to try the baklava with our coffee. I surveyed the prices on the menu board and decided at four dollars and some change, that I would "splurge" and get the "large" cappuccino. My beau chose the macchiato (also large). I chose the cappuccino and to drink our coffee in the shop to see their presentation and to experience the mood of this new place of business. When we finally ordered, the female "barista" showed us the size of the ceramic cups for our drinks (the large) but did not seem to indicate whether we would think that was small or large - just that we might not be aware they were that size. Personally, I considered staying quite a while, and would have taken a larger coffee, but could see that they were offering a "traditional" size coffee selection and thought I'd try it before forming opinions. I said "for here" while ordering our food, and asked them to give us a piece of baklava to split while waiting for our drinks. The baklava was two dollars and maybe an inch and one half square. It was like most of the baklava I've tried before, not great, not bad. It was handed to me on a small plate and I searched for silverware and/or napkins and found five cocktail napkins next to the individual sugar/sweetener packets (in plastic restaurant wholesaler caddies) - no silverware. The walls were covered in photographs from a local photographer, mostly of young "hipster" looking 20-somethings with flannel shirts and trendy glasses. A church hymnal was placed on the coffee table with the pages bent to create a fan-effect as it lay open - that was probably my favorite piece of "artwork." We sat down, ate the baklava slowly and I heard my double cappuccino called out from the counter. When I went to retrieve it I was confused at the paper to-go cup sitting next to the barista station. I mentioned to the male barista that my drink was for-here and was very sad that I would not get to survey the "foam art" as he took the lid off in preparation to pour it in to a ceramic cup. I tried to stop him and asked if he could just place my boyfriend's coffee in a to-go cup as well and he proceded to pour mine into the ceramic cup, then back into the paper cup and put the other drink into a paper cup. I was frustrated by our initial impression of Impero Roasters because I saw little to no information about what makes them special, where their coffee comes from or what they value. When my drink was given to me in a half-full to-go cup, lukewarm, I was offered no apologies, no offering suggestions/solutions to me, and the staff didn't seem phased. I had the impression from the reviews that I had heard that this was going to be a new local business that I could support in its youth, recommend to others and have a sense of pride in my neighborhood. I had expectations of friendly and educational customer service regarding what a cup of coffee at Impero is about; the service, the presentation and the product itself left a lot to be desired. I cannot say that I will not return to Impero in the future, but I will not be paying for it if I do. I would suggest (on the menu) that Impero inform customers where their coffee is roasted, and that they serve "traditional" size coffee drinks and offer smaller size to-go cups and/or larger "double" size drinks to fill the cups they have. Whether we are Americans in that we expect everything to be "supersized" or not, serving food or drink on plate/cup that is too large leaves anyone feeling that the proverbial cup is "half empty." A little more thought into green practices and sustainability of the business might include using single sugar/creamer/sweetener containers at the sidebar rather than paper packets as well as choosing the dishware to complement the portion sizes and final presentation of the menu items. read more

Their Coffee is overpriced but great. The customer service at Impero is hopelessly awful. Really f***ing awful. Every time I walk in here the employees treat me like I'm wasting their time. I'm a young guy, I'm used to a coffee shop employee, someone-pissed-in-my-cheerios, attitude but if you don't even make eye contact or say something human you don't get a tip. Do you know how many coffee shops there are in this city? Plenty better, I'll take my money elsewhere. And another thing, $19 for a bag of coffee beans is criminal. There's no way to justify it. I've bought beans, I've roasted my own beans, I've sold coffee before- there's no way its worth that. I can get more Tanzanian Peaberry at a different shop. read more

If there was a way to do zero stars, I would - Holly's previous review is dead on. Dreadful service by completely overwhelmed staff - seriously, you don't want coffee that bad. Go next door to Whit's and have ice cream instead! read more

My girlfriend stopped by here with her best friend to get a coffee for our neighborhood friends who were participating in the Columbus Day parade. They were treated to condescending talk from a barista because they did not know what 'wet or dry' coffee was...he assumed they only drank at Starbucks before coming there. Everyone may have a bad day but apparently other friends of ours upon mentioning this recalled a male barista also speaking to them rudely because of their lack of coffee terminology. Rather than explaining to them after they asked he went about making the coffee with no comment. I spoke to a female barista and hope that management will be reaching out to me. I spend most days talking to store managers for my company for these kinds of things and hope they are open to improvement. We will give the place one more chance after I have talked to management. read more

Columbus Coffee Tour, edition 1, included Impero. I'd never been, but some of my friends had and thought the more-established shop would be a good inclusion. The space seems very Cup-of-Joe-ish to me, and quite cramped, as already described. We got one espresso to taste (we were a little wired already) and I really liked it- it was a darker roast and well brewed (and a super long pull, I'm not sure if that's standard or an accident). They have a menu of classic, simple coffee drinks but also offer flavored stuff and a pumpkin menu and all sorts of non-coffee stuff. They also have a few quirky things- we watched someone drink a weird thing in a shot glass and I asked them what it was, and they told me it was a 'John Wayne', a layered shot of flavor, espresso and cream, to which I responded, 'sort of like a tiny, quick-drinking flavored latte?'. The dude behind the bar chimed in with a, 'no, absolutely nothing at all like a latte' and a visible, pronounced scoff. Psh. So a friend ordered one to try- she actually loved it... I'd suggest a round of these next time we're out and about in the area, just for fun. But... it is exactly like a tiny flavored latte, if you don't count the temperature differences. Dude continued to throw eye-rolls and sarcastic smirks at everyone with a question or comment and won the award for most annoying staff member of the day, but his coffee was good so I guess you can write it up to ambiance. read more

Cute, cozy and located in the heart of the Short North, Impero is a great local coffee shop. They have a pretty fair selection of foodstuffs - from hummus and soups to decadent desserts. Furnished with two couches and a handful of tables, it's a nice place for a meeting or to chill out and read a book. Their lattes are DELICIOUS, and they make them beautifully. Aaaand echoing Lisa and Mel - get an SBB card if you don't have one already (thesbb.com) and whatever you order will get up-sized for free! read more

The last time I was there the owner was very distracted and treated me as if I was annoying him by ordering coffee. I didn't order pastry because it was oddly wrapped in plastic making me think it might not be fresh. In addition, the manager was loudly complaining about customer feedback he did not appreciate. Bad coffee, cheesy decor and angry manager. I live nearby, but I will never go there again. read more

I haven't had a good experience at Impero. I've been here several times, and the service has always been sub par. It seems like they are understaffed or don't communicate well. Side note- they advertise using Snowville milk (big sign hanging on the wall), but they are clearly not when I see them making my drink order. Not a fan. read more

I get, at least, two cups of coffee a day at Impero. Their drinks and beans are priced exceptionally well and the staff is knowledgeable. They used to do Lavash (which was great) but have more recently started to do an in-house menu which I think is way better and allows them to be a little more versatile. I also think a bagel sandwich is a way better compliment to a cup of coffee than shwarma. There is a pretty solid host of regulars so grabbing a place to work or hang out can be tough, but you could also look at that as an indication that there are 20 people that like the place enough to spend their time and money there every day. read more

Superb coffee. Delicious roast. One of the best in Columbus. I always order a Cortado, and it is sheer perfection. The staff is very knowledgable and shared some interesting history with me regarding the origins of my drink. I always enjoy my experience at Impero and would highly recommend it. They are currently expanding into the space next door which bodes well for this gem in the Short North. If you are looking for excellent coffee, look no further. read more

Man, I can't believe the bad reviews some people have left. I LOVE this coffee house. Very pretty interior very open and sunny with a cozy lounge area. Delicious food always made with good detail and the coffee is Awesome! Whoever says it tastes like mud is probably used to drinking the hot water at McDonalds in the morning. This coffee is grounded and brewed fresh right in front of me and tastes great, you just need to find the blend you like (I prefer Guatemala). The baristas are always knowledgeable and laid back chill type and so far I've never noticed a bad vibe from them. Sure, they don't have that huge fake smile and yell "WELCOME TO STARBUCKS" when you walk in but I never appreciated false enthusiasm at those places. These guys are more legit and relaxed not fake and awkward. Music playing is always nice and the wifi is hassle free. Oh and I definitely recommend the vegetarian sandwich it's egg tomato spinach and pesto tastes fantastic on your favorite bagel. So kudos, Impero Coffee Roasters for being my favorite coffee house on High St and probably all of Columbus! read more

Roaming Goat Coffee - Lounge area looking out at high st - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Impero Coffee is a nice place in downtown Columbus to get a delicious coffee/tea beverage. So far I have tried the Cubano Coffee and the Chai Iced Tea. The Cubano is unlike any coffee I've ever had, it's a must try! The Chai Iced Tea is very flavorful and yummy. Its peaceful atmosphere seems to be more fitting for someone who is studying or getting work done on their laptops. The place isn't too spacious, so everyone would probably end up eavesdropping on your conversations if you were to go there to chit chat and hang out with friends. The walls are decorated with pretty artwork which I believe are also for sale. The service is great too. When it got busy, the barista was able to take my order while making drinks for 5 other customers. Overall, I am very happy with my experience here! read more

Roaming Goat Coffee - Cubano Coffee to go - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Okay here's the deal: If you're looking for the most high-end coffee in Columbus, or the hippest spot to Instagram, or the place your friends will be jealous that you "checked in" at, this isn't it. What Impero is, however, is the best spot in the Short North to grab a cup of excellent coffee or tea, eat a surprisingly good sandwich, and hang out or get some work done. This is where it really excels. I've been in too many coffee shops that pump their music way too loud; Impero has a single record player playing a well-curated selection of LP's at a modest background volume. Some shops are too pretentious for drip coffee, meaning a $4 pourover is the only option; Impero has really great pourover if you want it, but they also have delicious house-roasted drip coffee for $2 (with 25-cent refills). And finally, gone are the days of fake smiles from baristas, or worse, bougie attitudes scoffing at your choices; Impero's staff is chill, friendly, and patient. If 'Cheers' was a coffee shop, this would be it. read more

knocking off a star because I finally tried the espresso, and it was not up to snuff. I've pulled comparable shots at home on my found-in-the-trash repaired-at-home starbucks-brand espresso machine. but! they know how to steam milk. and they carry pattycake cookies. and their normal coffee is still good. so they get to keep four of their stars. I noticed when I was here on a Sunday afternoon that it was really busy. my previous visits were weekdays and it was pretty deserted. because of the crowds, the single employee was not enough to get through customers at a reasonable pace. I would say Impero needs to figure their shit out - they have great potential, but really need to work on some their execution. I overheard that they recently held an educational class on coffee for their employees, so hopefully their espresso improves. read more

Meh... The place itself is kinda cool, but the baristas were some of the most rude unfriendly baristas I've encountered. My cappuccino was just like the baristas, bitter and lacked art (far too much foam). One of them even went so far as to vaguely make fun of it. Yes, decaf soy isn't very pure, but I don't do dairy and I limit my caffeine. And I was planning to go to Mission Coffee shortly after for some much better coffee. If you're in the area, definitely go around the corner to Mission. read more

Decent tea selection- Though no white tea. Had a fine experience, though was interesting that all the staff and customers that were there when I went were male presenting. Customer came in and sat at the bar and started chatting (bragging?) with the barista about his great corporate lunch. Almost felt more like a bar, like the kind of neighborhood bar you see in movies where the bartender knows everyone. read more

Coffee - Some of the best in Columbus. Staff - Friendly. Competent. Efficient. Environment - Very similar to that of a coffee shop. Based on those factors I very much want to award Impero 5 stars. Unfortunately there are some downsides. Hours - Lame. A real coffee shop stays open 24/7 so the pseudo intellectuals (like me!) have somewhere to go after the bars close or after their lousy 2nd/3rd shift jobs are over so they can play chess, make lame passes at the baristas, and wax philosophic about how the world has wronged them. I guess when you type it all out like that it becomes more obvious why a business might choose not to cater to that demographic but we live in a city that used to house Insomnia and Idiot Boy; we know what a coffee shop is supposed to look like and we will not settle! Clientele - Ultra Lame. You're going to a place where they roast their own beans. They use the highest quality ingredients in conjunction with state of the art equipment operated by highly trained professionals. The result is one of the best cups of coffee I've ever tasted. And *you* have them dump half a gallon of milk and sugar syrup in it. Sacrilege. Why can't you admit that you just don't like coffee? Why don't you take a couple snickers bars, use the microwave and melt them down to a liquid and drink that? You'll save yourself 3 dollars and everyone in line behind you, people who actually like the taste of coffee, 15 minutes. Maybe they should just set up an honor system where there's an air pot full of coffee and you come in, self serve, and leave your money in the jar. It would save you the trouble of waiting in line behind 8 people who don't know that what they really want is a slice of cake not a cup of coffee. So yeah, that should be minus 2 stars but since the staff is so good to me and they've never served me a bad cup of coffee I still want to give them 5. It's a conundrum. read more

Staff was very rude and coffee/latte wasn't that good. Very noisy music played too loud. Wished we would have kept walking

I stopped in Impero today to get an Americano after a heavy lunch and before a long drive. The Americano was good. It wasn't great, but it was completely decent. I've had better shots from a few other places in town, but not many. The shot wasn't bitter, but the body was a little weak and the flavor was, overall, underwhelming. To me, good espresso should be sweet -- almost cloying even -- and this just didn't deliver. If the flavor had been really complex, I'd have gotten over the lack of sweetness but it wasn't. That said, there are some compelling reasons I would go back to Impero. The shot was basically good and they offer a variety of brewing methods. They have both a V60 and vacuum pots -- both of which I'm curious about. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to go back to Impero (my heart still belongs to Luck Bros) but, next time I want coffee in the Short North I'd be happy to give Impero another shot. read more

Dragging from an early wake up call I decided it was time to venture out of the office and find a coffee shop to refuel. I couldn't have found a better place than Impero. Great beverages, fair prices, yummy snacks and a perfect work environment will have me coming back soon. The staff was refreshingly friendly to everyone. The warm pita bread and hummus made a great snack. Iced tea was just what I needed on a hot summer day. I loved the relaxed atmosphere that created a perfect place to escape to and work for a few hours. Basically, Impero has all the qualities I want in a coffee shop. read more

My companions loved the hot chocolate and iced chai. I had the Nicaraguan in a V60 pour over. It was quite good, not too light, not too dark for my tastes. The staff was incredibly friendly, fast, and efficient. read more

Taking the place of Cuppy's Coffee, Impero goes above and beyond what its predecessor offered with much better coffee, espresso, food, desserts, music, and an improved ambiance. It's also local to boot. Yet another bonus is the fact that the food and desserts they carry come from Lavash Cafe in Clintonville. If you've been to Lavash and live in the area that means you don't have to drive, bike, or bus all the way up there. Among those options offered are some vegan items. Back to the coffee: it's good without any half and half (I usually prefer at least a little) and while I'm no expert I like the espresso. The only aspect that kept me from giving it 5 stars is the ambiance; it's in a retail space of an expensive condo building. Even though it's a small space it doesn't feel crowded when full, which is a plus, but it lacks a great coffee shop/house feel. I think the blank walls are the main culprit. Impero is another coffee shop that recently popped up in the Short North and with the quality products they offer I hope they'll stick around. read more

I got a Carmel latte. It was the perfect temperature, not too sweet and just the right amount of froth.

I can't disagree much with the previous reviews. The coffee here is some of the best in Columbus. Only Luck Bros. in Grandview beats them, and I've heard Cafe Brioso is good too, but I haven't been there yet. They offer French presses and other special brewing methods if you're feeling fancy. It all comes down to the beans, though. I'm not clear on the connection, but these people are associated with Crema Cafe in Grove City. That's where the roasting happens. The food is good - Mediterranean stuff from Lavash, reasonably priced. The aesthetics are much improved over Cuppy's, and honestly it's fine for what I usually do, which is stop in for a short time. Nicer lighting, some comfortable couches, and different size tables for different size groups. I'll be interested to see if they have small tables set out on the sidewalk in warmer months. Check it. read more

Impero serves a great cup of coffee, and the baristas that run the place are all very talented and skillful. The overall quality of the coffee, espresso, and mediterranean cuisine-options are exceptional for a cafe'. Independent businesses in general have a heightened passion for people, quality, and service and often see the importance of community, arts, and improvement of local economy. Impero Coffee continually reminds me why independent business and coffee houses are worth supporting. However, last I ventured into Impero, there was no art on the walls? Hopefully they're in transition, and reaching out to CCAD, or other local artists to enhance the vibe and community experience of their cafe'? I'll keep you posted. read more

I love this place!!! I have searched the whole city for the best latte and environment. I found both at Impero! Not only do you get the best coffee beverage in the city, but you served by the city's best latte artists. They have a great selection of pastries and small meals too. read more

Roaming Goat Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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As good as it gets! Coffee selection is one of the best in the nation! From Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Kochere to Fair Trade Organic coffee like Ethiopian Sidamo Oromia. There are also rumors of the best coffee you can get from the last harvest coming to Impero! I'm so excited about this shop finally getting all the pieces to the puzzle together, and addressing any faults in the past years! You can also order your coffee online now and have it delivered for FREE! On a recurring monthly order with a Coffee Club! They even do coffee equipment service now! Check it out for yourself www.ImperoCoffee.com Full service coffee shop, and top notch to say the least! Thanks for hanging in there, and creating a top tier coffee experience! read more

Just paid $2.75 + tip for a lukewarm, weak pour over. Coffee was room temperature, and resembled earl grey tea in color. Service is consistently and exceptionally slow. It's difficult to imagine baristas showing greater disdain for their clientele. read more

Great location and great coffee - but the wait time was a bit much. I came by on a Sunday morning and only 2 other people were in the shop. We ordered two lattes and for some reason, the drinks were all mixed up because they only put the drink name and not the name of the person. I really love the look and feel of the shop and the various beans they offer but the barista even had an attitude when we asked about our coffee. I came in from out of town and tried several other coffee shops in the area and they were all great. Maybe it just wasn't the right time to try them out for the first time. Oh well, next time! read more

I haven't written a middle of the road review in a long time. I just felt so-so here, and I wanted to love it! I will admit I ordered the completely wrong thing for my tastes the first time I went there...the Cubano. Very, very strong, and the sugar and creamer did nothing to cut it. I also got a breakfast sandwich, the Vegetarian, which was delicious...until I got to the second half and noticed that the whites of the egg weren't cooked through. I can't stomach that, and had to throw it away. The sandwich itself was on a bagel, with egg, muenster, pesto and tomato. I haven't had enough time to get over the gross out from that to venture having the sandwich again, I keep thinking about the snotty looking egg every time I comtemplate breakfast there. /sigh. I did go back again and that time got a plain pour-over. I wasn't feeling the beans selected for me by the counter person. It was a very fruity coffee, and unbelievably strong. I'll keep persevering, as I think half the issue is my inability to describe what I like in a coffee. The atmosphere is cramped, but clean and modern. read more

I liked coming here, liked my sencha iced tea. I went on a weekday afternoon, when the traffic was sort of medium, with only one person working behind the counter. Impero seems to receive mixed reviews where service is concerned, but for me it was solid: the worker was friendly and helpful. He even opened the door for me on my way in. I could see myself coming here with the laptop on a regular basis. I was not as satisfied with the food I ordered as I was the rest of the experience. I got the tofu peanut wrap. The tofu and peanuts were both fine, but there were beets in the mix, too, that were kind of overwhelming, and the avocado was under-ripe. Trying to bite through a firm avocado is always disappointing. Nonetheless, i don't want to judge too harshly on a single menu item. They also listed soup ("Always vegan") that I'll probably try out next time and a couple of other interesting-looking options. But in the end, it's a coffee place with food, not a food place with coffee, so if worst comes to worse, I'll just settle for the hot-n-steamy. read more