Emmett’s Cafe | Facebook | IG: @emmettscafe
744 S. High St. (map it!)
Columbus, OH 43
(614) 826-0679
Open 8a-2p daily
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free? Y/Y/Y
Kid-friendly? Y
Visited: Monday, November 2, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.
Amongst a number of restaurant openings in 2020, Emmett’s Cafe has been at the top of our most-anticipated list. It joins that growing strip of South High Street that’s gone quickly from law offices to Kolache Republic, Dough Mama, Antiques on High, Ambrose & Eve, Lawbird (and its biscuit sidekick Boxwood), and other stops. And we’re fans of the culinary team behind it, from Lara Pipia crafting the menu to Robin Myers on coffee service.
Find Emmett’s on High Street just south of Frankfurt, next to Lawbird cocktail bar. The clean and modern cafe feels warm and welcoming. They’re all geared up for online ordering and carryout, but they sport a few seats in the front and a spacious back patio.
Up front you’ll spy the bakery case full of treats like choco-tahini crispies, golden bars, PB&J cookies.
While it’s getting chillier out, they still have a giant patio perfect for social distancing, with patio warmers stationed throughout.
Note the tiny picnic table for the kiddos! They have a kid’s menu, too.
I started our meal with the breakfast shot, a chilled specialty with espresso, maple syrup, and oat milk that’s dusted with cinnamon. It’s like breakfast in a glass.
Beth ordered the espresso and tonic. I don’t always go for this combination, but when it’s done well (like this one), it has a refreshing bite to it.
I also tried the Aussie Cap. It’s a nod to the Australian roots of the cafe. Before getting to know Emmett’s, I didn’t fully appreciate Australian coffee culture, and how it’s focused more on good food, staying and relaxing, compared to the more grab-and-go nature of American coffee shops. (Columbus Monthly has a great piece about it here.)
Oh, and the Aussie Cap is a little lighter on the espresso and dusted with chocolate.
We ordered up a small feast to savor on the back patio.
Breakfast gets off to great start with the One-Handed: a well-composed little sandwich of egg, cheese, crispy prosciutto, and rosemary aioli in an English muffin.
Perfect if you’re grabbing-and-going with a cappuccino.
The larger breakfast burrito rolls together scrambled eggs, Monterey Jack cheese, prosciutto, crispy tater tots, avocado, and chipotle aioli, with a side of lovely fresh salsa. I especially liked the texture of the tots.
The menu includes a handful of sandwiches and pitas, too. We ordered the Prosciutto Press, which marries griddled focaccia, prosciutto, white cheddar, miso-maple mustard, pickled onion, and side of house pickles, plus those crispy tater tots. It’s well composed, and that miso-maple mustard gives it decided umami flare.
And while we don’t usually go for breakfast bowls, we dug into the chorizo bowl on the recommendation of the employee at the counter. It layers quinoa, chorizo, roasted mushroom, tomato confit, avocado, pickled onion, a poached egg, and chipotle aioli. It’s a very colorful and wholesome breakfast!
It goes without saying that Emmett’s is a terrific addition to the Columbus dining. It’s innovative, creative, and offers something not found elsewhere.
