Parable Cafe (& Bar)
Review! Columbus, Ohio // coffee + bakery + libations // a creative menu well-executed
the ELEVATOR PITCH
Being a Columbus native, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t come here sooner! Parable Cafe (& Bar, which it technically is but no one talks about that piece for some reason) was and is the type of establishment that receives the kind of hype that doesn’t seem to ever disappear. Which, is possibly the highest praise a place can ever get, amiright?
My many loves: the natural elements in the space that give me a hanging-out-in-the-heart-of-a-rainforest feeling, the various seating options you can choose from depending on your occasion, the fact that they validate your parking (which really helps in keeping those navigating-downtown-parking cortisol levels under control), the pleasing-to-the-eye menu typography, the pastry offerings you just can’t find anywhere else!
But there IS one heartbreak…the price point is sky-high and (dare I say it) even beats the prices in New York City!? If you’re shocked reading this, better now than when the register rings up your $9.00 latte. 🥴 (I just can’t imagine rent in downtown Columbus being THAT high, but what do I know)
Heartbreak aside, on Parable Coffee’s About Page you can read more on their mission to make their menu accessible to all, and they do this by offering a “community card” amenity. The Community Card is funded by mutual aid, where people have the opportunity to give what they can and those who are in need are able to put their order on the Parable Community Card. My hunch is their pricing motivation goes towards supporting this cause, but unconfirmed!
A couple of the menu offerings…
Reviews on the munchies & sips pictured above:
Pain au Chocolat: basically two pain au chocolat croissants in one... this guy has 4 chocolate bars and has SO much rise. Impressive to look at, but wouldn’t order again only because for $8.00, I’d rather have a more flavor-packed croissant unique to Parable. (rating: 7/10)
Ham & Cheese Croissant: very filled out and flavorful; would be my fall-back order if there isn’t a new item that catches my eye! (rating: 9.5/10)
Cheddar Chive Biscuit: on the drier end of biscuits; the flavor profile could also have been prominent. Overall a little disappointed; this may be better heated up in the oven. (rating: 4.5/10)
Sweet Corn Scone: slightly more moist than the cheddar chive biscuit, but not by much… the raspberry icing on top sort of overtook the sweet corn, so I couldn’t make out the “sweet corn” part of the scone (rating: 4.5/10)
Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread: okay, so this was decent! Lots of volume for the order, and a good amount of cinnamon-sugar flavor in every nook and cranny of the pull apart bread. This would 100% have benefited from a toast in the oven, but still not bad at room temp (rating: 8/10)
Raspberry Ruby (Suprême) Croissant: this thing is DECKED to the brim with raspberry cream. True to flavor, but a little one-note. (I’m learning Suprême-style croissants aren’t my favorite…I like croissants for their buttery flakiness, which is lost on Suprême’s) (rating: 7/10)
Vanilla Latte: great flavor balance between house made syrup + espresso + milk; the milk texture was also velvety. Only thing is…not stand-out enough to be worth the $8.00 price 💀 (rating: 6.5/10)
The highs and lows have been dished, the menu has been explored, my final verdict is this: Parable Cafe is totally a place I’d go for pastries (their offerings are unique enough to warrant the price), but not necessarily a beverage (great latte, but comparable to a $5.00 latte). It’s a great place to keep in your back pocket to work from if you just want a change in scenery and don’t mind the slightly more complex logistics.
the RÉSUMÉ
address // 149 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
⭐located in: Lazarus Government Center
operations // Monday - Tuesday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday - Sunday, 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
logistics // they validate parking for the Columbus Commons Main Parking Garage (55 E Rich St, Columbus, OH 43215); this is a quick < 5 minute walk from Parable Cafe
amenities //
Work-from-home friendly:
Free WiFi available
Outlets along the walls
Lots of seating
indoors: various different types of seating (cocktail tables, living room lounge vibe, regular, etc.)
outdoors: handful of small tables big enough for parties of 2-3
⭐ pet/dog friendly
Community Card—if you are without means or funds for coffee or food, you are able to put your order on the Parable community card
Family friendly
vibes // the warm sunlight, tons of greenery, and wooden accents make you feel like you’re in the middle of a jungle; it’s beautifully done
menu // visit for the latest seasonal twists on the menu, below are the staples:
beverages ($5.00 - $10.00): coffee (drip, cold brew, etc.); espresso (cappuccinos, lattes, etc.), hot tea, chai, matcha, kombucha
⭐ house made syrups
⭐ alcohol (libations, they call it. Ooh fancy): cocktails, beer, sake, wine
baked goods ($5.00 - $8.00): muffins, biscuits & scones, quick breads, cookies, cinnamon pull apart bread, pop tarts
viennoiserie ($6.00 - $10.00): croissants (chocolate, almond, ham & cheese, Suprême, etc.), danishes, morning bun
small bites ($4.00 - $9.00): sandwiches, “pizzette” (small pizzas?), chips
recs // their pastry case is BOMB; expensive, but they are all loaded and hefty. Really enjoyed the ham & cheese croissant here!
site // Parable Cafe & Bar
⭐ LGBTQ-owned, Black-owned
~ cath!!
Fancy pop tarts!!