Café Ah Roma

Skip Panera, go here instead! I was in Berea for a few days and needed a place to do remote work on my laptop for several hours. This place came up with my search for coffee shops and I'm so glad it did. Right from the start I knew I'd found myself a local gem!

The staff here are clearly well-trained, very friendly, and enjoy what they do. Lots of young people who know what they are doing and know a lot of the regulars who come in daily or weekly. The man who I assume is the owner/manager is also behind the counter in the morning, serving customers and chatting up everyone.

The coffee here reminded me of the coffee from my favorite place back home, so naturally I approve of that! While here I had a breakfast sandwich on a tomato-basil bagel, as well as a turkey wrap with fire feta, a ham and cheese on brioche, and a chicken salad wrap (which is a specialty recommended to me by the owner/manager). All of it was delicious! Everything was light and fresh and ready in 5 minutes.

For three days in a row I took up a window seat with an outlet, working on my laptop for about 6 hours. Lots of people came and went, lots of locals, lots of students and professors (who the staff knew from the college). Some people worked, did homework, others just chatted or grabbed their stuff to go. At peak business around 11-12, they had two people taking orders and were still churning them out in 5-10 minutes.

I'm not sure when I'll be in Berea next, but I'm coming here when I am. I love this place and I wish there was a place like it in my hometown!