Five Lakes Coffee — Restaurant in Columbia City

Five Lakes is one of the newer coffee spots in Columbia City, and while it has potential, it doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. The location is convenient, and the service has been friendly enough, so no complaints there. The space itself has a clean, modern feel, making it a decent place to grab a quick cup or settle in for a bit—if you’re not too particular about what’s in your cup.

My main issue is with the menu. It’s not that a smaller selection is inherently bad, but when the limited options seem to funnel customers toward expensive lattes that don’t deliver on flavor, it raises some questions. A solid coffee shop should be able to balance quality and variety, and unfortunately, Five Lakes leans more on the side of upselling rather than offering a truly standout coffee experience.

As You’ve Got Mail so perfectly put it, “The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people who have no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee.” The problem here is that Five Lakes doesn’t even give you that many decisions—just a handful of choices, with the most expensive ones being the most pushed. If they reassess their approach and put more focus on making those pricey drinks worth the cost, they could become a real...

☆☆☆☆☆ I recently visited Five Lakes in Columbia City, and it was fantastic! You can tell these people know coffee! It was served hot, fast, and tasted like heaven. The cost was comparable to other coffee shops, which are all a little pricey, but that's just inflation. What is important is that you get value for your money and you do here!

The staff was friendly and helpful, making useful recommendations. I met the owner, a friendly man, who you can tell is passionate about his business and the quality of the coffee and service.

The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for hanging out or getting some work done [outlets at every table]. I've tried a couple of other places in town, but you can't beat the friendly atmosphere at this place. Plus, there’s a nice outdoor patio to enjoy a beverage and a bagel.

Overall, I highly recommend Five Lakes for anyone looking for great coffee and an altogether great experience. I have visited several times and can’t...

Columbia City's Five Lakes Coffee is wonderful! The owner and staff are kind and very welcoming. I've had quite a few items on the menu and various drinks and all of them were fantastic! My favorite so far has been the caffè breve and French toast muffin! The interior is well decorated, comfortable and is conducive to meeting with friends, enjoying a book, or working remote. All around a...