casa cacao — Restaurant in Columbus

I had an absolute culinary, visual, and social blast from my first trip to Casa Cacao! I will definitely be going back to this gem! I adore kombucha. Kombucha lovers absolutely must try the acai and house kombucha smoothie!

I indulged my sweet tooth on two gluten free scones and a gluten free brownie. The most texture and tastes of each were delectable. I have used kava capsules and a tincture in the past as needed for my most anxious moments, so I had prior experience with kava. I decided to top of my trip with a plain kava drink. Plain kava has a strong taste that can be off putting if you haven't tried it in any form before.

However, I was told the plain kava is your best "getting kava" drink for your money, because there's nothing else in it. If you don't feel up to a strong taste of plain kava, I would try one of their kava elixirs mixed with other flavors. The intriguing decor of Native American artifacts, sociable staff who went out of their way for me, fun patrons at Karaoke Night, and incredible outdoor garden and new second story deck made this a Date Night I won't forget! They have a bustling event calendar if you are looking for extra excitement. I can't wait to go back at a different time to try different drinks and treats!

We had to find a parking space and walk a slight way. Be viligant to ensure that you park where you are allowed to park. There are a few parking spaces reserved for ciao, but they were taken by the time...

I was looking for new coffee shops near the OSU campus that would provide a quieter more peaceful environment for studying on the weekends, and Casa Cacao came up. Holy cow. This place is INCREDIBLE! Easily one of my top favorite places for coffee, if not my new no. 1, as someone who has been to over 10+ coffee shops in Columbus. I was so so impressed by the coffee- I got an iced agave latte, and the quality and taste were SO good. Super strong espresso, yet also just the right amount of sweetness with the syrup. The price is reasonable- $5.75 for a 12oz and I believe they use oat milk for their drinks which would account for the slightly higher price, which is honestly still a very good deal. Their price is lower than every other shop I’ve tried of similar caliber in quality, such as Parable and Park Service, which makes this a more affordable option for quality coffee!

The outside of the building is also beautiful, and the interior is super calm and earthy. The staff were so kind and welcoming, even offering me a glass of water while I explored the menu. You can tell they really thought out every detail, from the building design, aesthetics, furniture, the presentation of drinks (reusable wooden/bamboo straw in a pristine glass jar), service, and even a patio when the weather is nicer. I highly recommend this unique, one of a kind spot to everyone, and cannot wait to come...

Casa Cacau is a one of a kind cafe that Columbus and vicinity are lucky to have, and a destination for sure. With an espresso machine, and talented staff that know how to use it, matcha 🍵 of Japan, kava and many other herbal steeps to choose from for tea, plus uniquely flavored house made sweetening syrups and Ohio honey, this cafe is a real local treasure. Trust me when I say that I’ve tasted through the creative menu of both hot and cold drinks, and everything is delicious! With seating in its warm interior ambiance, drenched in Ohio history, the second story exterior deck, rain and pollinator gardens, and colorfully painted outdoor furniture, you’d be hard pressed not to find a seat to match your mood seven days a week! And what I love about the staff is that everyone is happy to be there, glad to see me and Mila dog, and always happy to explain and help me explore all of the liquid possibilities I’ve never before encountered. No pretense, just effortless bang on descriptions. The only thing keeping me from going MORE than twice a week is distance, because even the locally made baked goodies are as addictive...