· BURPPLE

Dig In: The Hip New Cafe by the Geniuses Behind Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers

The geniuses behind Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers strike again! Hip new cafe Columbus Coffee Co brings tasty, hearty plates and stellar coffee to the Thomson ‘hood.

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The Rundown

The geniuses behind uber popular Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers are behind this hip new spot on Upper Thomson Road. We’ve always had a great time at Atlas and Lunar, which leaves Columbus Coffee Co with very big shoes to fill. Our verdict? It certainly does, thanks to a rocking combi of super tasty plates and great as always coffee. It’s taken over defunct bar Wolfpack — the entrance can be a bit difficult to locate so look for French Toast Language Centre’s entrance along Sin Ming Road instead; they’re right next to each other.

The Vibe

Compared to their earlier concepts, Columbus Coffee Co sports more mature vibes and grown-up furnishings like black leather and wooden seats. Don’t feel compelled to dress up though. The vibe is still very much welcoming, and the roomy space (we figure it’ll fit roughly 40 to 50 people) means there’s less of a need to jostle for a seat. If you’re dining solo or with just another friend or two, consider sitting at the coffee bar — it’s a nice spot to watch the skilled baristas at work.

Columbus Burger

Photo by Burppler Amanda Liu

What’s Good

The menu sees dishes from Atlas and Lunar, including their ever popular Mushrooms on Sourdough ($14, +$3 for scrambled eggs) and Salmon Soba Noodles ($18), but also some new dishes exclusive to this outlet. High on our list of must-orders when we return is the dish of Mussels with Coconut Lemongrass & Ale ($17). The Thai-inspired dish puts together a slightly creamy yet punchy, tangy broth, fresh mussels and sourdough bread for dipping. Get this to share as a starter, so there’s plenty space left for the Soft Shell Crab Burger ($22). Expect crisp golden, deep-fried soft shell crab, a zesty mango pomegranate salsa and fresh slaw, tucked between pillowy brioche buns and served with a side of curly fries. This is one burger we’d gladly have again! If you’ve tried the excellent brews at Atlas or Lunar, you can expect the same stellar work from the baristas here. Ordering espresso-based drinks allows you to choose from the usual, dark roast Atlas blend or the fruitier Nautical blend — both are made with beans supplied by Two Degrees North. On our visit, we really liked the Colombia Filter Coffee ($6) for its medium body and mellow acidity, but if you’re not into coffee, the Matcha Warrior Cold Brew ($7) is pretty tasty too (and so comforting on hot days)!


Read what the Burpple community thinks about Columbus Coffee Co. here.