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Cozy cafe interior with customers

Emmett's Cafe in Columbus, Ohio

I keep it simple here. A flat white and The Emmything sandwich, then I add a side of tots because they always hit the salty-crispy spot. The Emmything stacks pulled chicken, white cheddar, crispy prosciutto, tomato confit, arugula, and rosemary aioli on an everything roll, so it eats like a full lunch but still pairs well with coffee.

There are two spots to find it. One is on South High Street and the other is at Open Air on Neil Avenue. Both run daytime hours and both stick to a modern cafe routine with a steady coffee line and a menu that covers breakfast through lunch.

If I’m in a brunch mood, I swap to the Breakfast Burrito. It’s loaded with scrambled eggs, Monterey Jack, avocado, and yes, actual tots inside, with chipotle aioli and fresh salsa on the side. Lighter days, the South High Salad works, built with house greens, falafel, turmeric cauliflower, roasted beet, goat cheese, and a lemony dressing that brightens everything. The TK is another regular rotation for me, a messy-good egg-and-avocado situation on matija focaccia with a little mustard bite.

Coffee is the throughline. The board lists flat whites, an Aussie capp, and espresso-and-tonic alongside matcha and a house S. High Chai. If you’re not in a coffee mood, there’s kombucha, juices, and a few seasonal refreshers that show up when the weather warms.

Both locations keep things moving during the morning rush and settle into an easy lunchtime rhythm. The Neil Avenue cafe sits inside the Open Air building, so it’s a convenient meet-up spot when you want a table and a longer catch-up. The South High address feels like a neighborhood cafe day in and day out. One practical thing to know before you go: they are cashless, so bring a card or your phone wallet.

  • Locations: 744 S High St (43206) and at Open Air, 2571 Neil Ave (43202), both in Columbus.
  • Posted hours: Mon–Fri 7 am–2 pm; Sat–Sun 8 am–3 pm.
  • Price signal: $$ with breakfast staples generally in the single digits to low teens, bowls and sandwiches in the low-to-mid teens.
  • Known for: flat whites and Aussie-style espresso drinks, the Breakfast Burrito, The Emmything, the South High Salad, and tots.
  • Policy: cashless.

If you want a daytime cafe where you can grab a proper coffee and a satisfying breakfast-or-lunch plate without overthinking it, Emmett’s fits that lane nicely.

Published: September 3, 2026