Definitely some of the best coffee I've ever had anywhere, even better than famous coffee shops in PNW!! Our drinks were perfectly balanced and the microfoam is outstanding - I will never have foam in my latte anywhere else because this place does it right. We came on a slow holiday morning, the barista was super friendly and attentive to everyone who came in while we were there and we enjoyed the conversation with our coffee. The vibe is artsy and eclectic and the atmosphere is welcoming. They're also at the Columbia Farmers Market on Saturdays if you don't get downtown much. If you're looking for something new, the ube syrup is a must-try! read more

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I think my favorite place I got coffee while in Columbia for T/F. Feels hidden and tucked away, which is fun, but then the inside is surprisingly big! I sat in a comfy chair to warm up from the cold outside (even tho i got a cold brew...) for a bit between screenings. Restrooms for paying customers only, and you gotta ask for the code to the door. read more

Fretboard Coffee - Coldbrrew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

Great iced chai. Great service. I dropped my drink after I left. I went back in prepared to pay for a new one and she quickly made another and I didn't pay again. Thank you! read more

Nice cozy place. However, I will admit that we came during MU's Spring break and I imagine it differently during normal times. I can see this as the place to hang or study. It's a little hole in the wall with decent coffee and I really thought had the best dirty Chai I've had in a while. The barristas were friendly and polite, but one forgot to serve the coffee I ordered. She may have forgotten or got distracted, but the service was still good. read more

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Enter and park from the back/alley side. Took a minute to figure that out. Cool vibe, lots of living room type chairs and places to sit inside. Coffee was fine. There were cookies and scones, didn't try this time. Wasn't clear where they were from. Barista focused on regular customers. First time visit and felt like an inconvenience between the regulars. Seems like a great place if you are a regular. read more

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Small business making great coffee, if you haven't been there you will need to seek & find, but it's worth the search.

Great coffee, solid scones!! Met by the manager and team....they rocked!! What a cool space! My iced Cafe con miel (honey coffee) was !! Really enjoyed the whole experience !! They were roasting when I walked in!! read more

Fretboard Coffee - Iced Con Miel with quad shot... GLORIOUS! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

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This review is long overdue. I cannot say enough amazing things about Fretboard coffee. I have been getting their subscription delivery of beans monthly since Covid in 2020 and the coffee itself is the smoothest and best flavors you'll find anywhere (Porch Jam is my favorite)! The house made syrups are incredible (blackberry sage is *chef's kiss*). Dave and the staff are always so welcoming to everyone. Their commitment to being a part of the columbia community is unmatched. And the patio on a nice day is one of my favorite places to be. If fretboard isn't your favorite coffee shop among many many great local ones, you are missing out. read more

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Dependable, unassuming coffee. Not much else, but what else would you want? The basement vibe is also unassuming

We got two chais, one dirty. They were amazing. Perfect amount of cinnamon. The dirty chai even had a cute design on the top. Not the best chai latte I've had, but best I've found in Missouri read more

Great coffee. Great vibes. Lots of plants. Service is friendly :) definitely worth a visit

I wanted to love this spot, but found myself being a bit disappointed. The inside of the shop is ADORABLE. So cozy and quaint. I loved all the comfy spots and nooks that customers could study or work or hang out in. The coffee however...was not my favorite. I ordered an iced latte with oat milk, and found it to be pretty flavorless. The oat milk was the most flavorful part of the latte. There was also barely any ice in my drink, which I know most people prefer to "too much ice", but it made my drink lukewarm. Getting my coffee also took an egregiously long time. My roommate and I waited for our two drinks for around twenty minutes, and there were only two drinks ahead of our's. The baristas seemed to be too busy chatting to focus long enough on our drinks to get them ready for us. Don't get me wrong, I love chatting with my coworkers and did it all the time when I worked in-person. But you have to know when to chat and when to get work done. So, I was a bit disappointed leaving the shop. The coffee was also pretty expensive in comparison to coffees I got in other spots in Columbia. I'd recommend studying here, but this wouldn't be the spot to quick grab a drink to go. read more

Cute place but coffee isn't great, way overpriced, and only offer 20-35% tip options.

Love this place! The coffee here is so good and the shop itself is SO COZY! I absolutely love the vibes in here. Staff was also very friendly! read more

Will say, at first, when I got dropped off by my Uber, I had a lot of confusion. But once I found the little sign showing me where to go, I found myself in a quaint little coffee shop right off the back alleyway. I've only ever seen videos of siphon pots, so I was excited to try and see one made for myself! The barista behind the counter was very nice and told me a bit about the town since it was my first visit. Really enjoyed my visit here! read more

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This was a cute and quaint little coffee shop, off the beaten path. In this university community, this is a wonderful little coffee shop though. I love that when we walked in the door, it smelled like fresh ground and roasted coffee. Another nice thing is that the roaster is right there where people can watch what is going on, and see the roasting process. It is part of why it adds that amazing aroma in the building. My go to drink in checking out coffee shops is either a latte or a cappuccino. Here, I ordered a cappuccino. There was nothing overly special about it, however it was delicious. There's plenty of place for you to have workspace, gaming area, or just a place for conversation and coffee. I have added this coffee shop to my "Return to" list. And, as a musical person, the fretboard motif is real cool. As the PastorJavaMan ~ thank you for a great coffee experience. read more

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Driving through the area and needed caffeine. Located in a college town in the "art district" so had an awesome vibe. There was meters to park but it was Sunday and all the meters were expired so I would check before paying. Service was amazing and the coffee tasted great and gave me the kick I needed. Definitely would come again. read more

Coffee was fine, but the ambiance of the spot was very underwhelming. I don't mind a quiet shop, but there was no sound. It was like if the library served coffee. read more

I used to enjoy this place more, but now it's just like tow workers are being super loud with their conversations and sometimes not very appropriate music, especially for a little coffee shop. The last thing I want is to try enjoying the aesthetic of the shop while listening to Cardi B. Kinda ruins the vibe. Another thing is they are very inconsistent with their drink sizes and how much they fill the cups or shots. That is a big one for me. Either always fill the glass or always halfway fill it, specially the shots or cortado for example. read more

Awesome coffee! Ask for coffee cubes (frozen coffee ice cubes) in your iced coffee/cold brew!

Cool little hidden spot with really good coffee. The only negative is the nasty attitude from one of the baristas working there. I felt like my patronage was an inconvenience or nuisance to her. Unfortunate. read more

Fretboard is an icon of Downtown Columbia that serves classic coffee recipes with beans roasted in-house. Quiet environment great for studying. I wouldn't go here to have a lively conversation unless you want to sit in their spacious and cozy outdoor seating. read more

Fretboard Coffee - In-house coffee roaster - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

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Great tasting coffee, I have had their French press and regular drip and both were excellent. Their staff is very friendly.

Stopped in driving from Kansas City to Knoxville, TN. What a warm welcome into a cool space with all the roasting coffee smells. And delicious espresso drinks. We had a newborn with us (during COVID) which made the outdoor space perfect. We were able to rest, relax, and enjoy our drinks in the shade. The folks roasting coffee and making drinks were kind and knowledgeable, sharing details about the house made root beer syrup - a collaboration with another local business - that went into my drink. So good! And we bought a bag of beans, fresh roasted perfectly, and enjoyed them for a week after we made it home. I imagine I'll make this drive a time or two more, and we'll be sure to stop in again! read more

It's a hipster coffee shop with decent coffee. Nothing too special and prices are average.

Very nice outdoor seating. Was looking for a place that allowed lazy coffee Sundays when I moved here and this is about the only place with the outdoor seating to do that. read more

Well, this place just opened, and evidently they are all over their friends are all over the social media. But I have spent a few hours soaking up the coffee and ambiance there, and I like it. I plan on spending more there in the future. Overall, it has to be the smallest coffee shop in the state, with the possible exception of YJ's in KC. I don't know St. Louis that well, and somebody there might have a coffee shop in their closet which takes the cake. Maybe small is the new big? I like the small character for two reasons: A) it forces people to share space, and while this can sometimes involve bad breath or body odor, it mostly is good because meeting friendly people is a good thing. 2) you don't feel so lost in a small space, and I guess that sucks if you want to disappear in a corner with your iPad reading oots, but it's nice to help encourage face-to-face interactions. iii) There is better infrastructure, and if the big New Madrid earthquake hits, most likely everyone inside will be okay. This place is much like another coffee shop that opened up, Frequency (and the established Khaldis), in that is brews coffee on the spot for you. They a bunch of neat gizmos for that, and one siphon brewing that reminds me of an episode of Mr. Wizard's World that involved a metal gasoline can. Anyhow, the difference with this place is the huge gigantic roasting machine. Not only was it made in the USA, but it has a computer attached to it. So it's truly steampunky. And the coffee I've tasted definitely does justice to the Kenyan and Ethiopian beans that were bought. I am pulling for this place to stick around, and to help develop this area of town which defies a normal strip-mall planning and marketing, but which will be the life-blood of downtown when all the development does hit in the next 10 years. We'll see, but in the meantime I'll be soaking up the ambiance while it lasts. PS- This location is a little weird to find. It's in what looks like an old garage behind the storefronts on Walnut St. To enter, you have to either enter the little black gate on Walnut that goes into an alley between Artrageous and the comic book store, or go into the Wabash bus station parking lot and meander the various building on the north side of the lot. Fretboard is between the tutoring center and the art galleries (such as Monarch Jewelry). Look for the grey garage door. PSS- Here is a nice article about the store opening: http://www.voxmagazine.com/blog/2013/11/fretboard-cafe-opens-in-north-village-arts-district/ ------- Updated 1/21/14 The folks here are just too plain nice. I keep coming back and buying their coffee, and yet they don't seem to mind. The interesting-yet-different-ness about the small space has not become a bad thing, in fact I've only heard the same remarks from other folks: small is good. Small is comfy. Small is more? The coffee, though, is really what gets me coming back. I probably never really noticed coffee when I didn't get all the interaction with the baristas and roasters. Maybe I'm just convincing myself it's all good (buyers remorse? investor bias?), but sometimes, not all the time, the coffee just wows me. It's like this drink that resembles the stick-to-your-mouth-ness of hot chocolate (made with whole milk, that is), but it tastes like coffee. So I don't know what that's about, but it's worth $3 for a cup of it. read more

Fretboard Coffee - Another garage put to good use. Photo by Hope Timmermann from VOX magazine. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

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While in Columbia this was a must stop by as girl friends were on the go! Walked in and the small place was packed! Although with the two ladies that were working were not only friendly they were fast! What a great unique little coffee shop!! Next time I hope to sit out side and just enjoy at their tables! KUDOS! The iced coffee was delish in such a hot day! read more

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Delicious coffee. Friendly hosts. Great experience. Fretboard is small and a little bit hidden - it's located under the Artlandish Gallery - so it's easiest to park on Walnut and walk through the art gallery or take the path outside to the right. The coffee shop is actually in a garage. Half of the space is focused on coffee and half on the coffee patrons. The owner, Dave, procures and roasts beans in shop so they are amazingly fresh. You can have the coffee brewed a number of ways including French Press, pour over, and siphon. Brian was the barista when I went in. I ordered an intense Kenyan coffee brewed by siphon. It was fun to watch the brewing process and the coffee was superb. The shop has two tables and a bar. It is small but there is plenty of space. WiFi is available upon request, and I actually sat for about two hours to enjoy the atmosphere and get some work knocked out. I loved the experience and would highly recommend stopping in to chill or to grab a cup and go. It really is a gem in the Columbia, MO coffee scene. read more

Fretboard Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

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Fretboard Coffee has really good coffee, a great atmosphere, and nice workers. We go every time we are in Columbia, Missouri. I would totally recommend this to anyone looking for great coffee. read more

The place is hard to find, but worth a stop when you do. My wife ordered a cortado and it came in what looked like a tall shot glass, not your typical Cortado Gibraltar glass. That was ok, but it was so hot she couldn't hold onto it without putting a napkin around it...tasted ok, but that was a little weird. Ambience is kinda cool with the roaster right there, but it does have kinda a dungeon feel since it's a garage below a building. Not sure we'd need to go again, but it's worth a shot to see. read more

Looking for delicious coffee found in a cool alley garage with awesome people and roasting/brewing equipment as the center point of the shop? Well then my friend, Fretboard is for you. This place kicks Columbia's coffee scene up a notch and is now my #1 spot when I'm in town. I ordered a cappuccino during our recent visit and found the milk to espresso to foam ratio to be just right for my liking. Cold brew is their claim to fame, so be sure to visit if you're a fan. The shop also serves a few baked goods and donuts from Harold's downtown. read more

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Awesome spot down a little alley in an old garage like building. Best coffee in Como!

The coffee tastes fine but nothing that is out of this world. The counter staff was very curt except to those who clearly were regulars. ~ Decor, staff, and coffee all are trying too hard to be hipster. read more

This place is a fantastic little gem tucked away in downtown Columbia. They have great tasting coffee, if you aren't a black specialty coffee drinker I suggest a mocha cold brew! Will be frequently stopping here myself! They are kinda half open due to COVID but still awesome nonetheless! read more

Easily the best coffee shop in CoMo. Amazing staff and I am never disappointed when I am there. My mornings are better when I have fretboard coffee. If you live in town or passing by visiting make sure to stop by, you will not be disappointed. read more

Fretboard exemplifies what a coffee shops should be. Tucked away from the street in a basement, the vibe is great. The focal point of this small space is definitely the cold brew tower. If Walter White ever wanted to open a coffee shop, he would definitely use this method. They have several blends and roasts available, paired with several brewing techniques and you can make your favorite cup of coffee. They also have small selection of food from a bakery next door. It was hard to decide which smell I liked more, the bakery or the coffee. The service was great. The two ladies behind the counter took time to explain each blend along with providing some flavor recommendations. You can also by beans to go. Very cool spot. Next time I am in Columbia you will defiantly find me here. read more

Fretboard Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

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Good cold brew coffee. Was interested in the coffee ice cubes mentioned in other reviews but mine did not come with that, maybe I ordered it wrong. Still good tho. read more

Super cool coffee shop. The location is great and the style is unique. I got a latte and it was quality. The baristas were super nice too.

Quaint coffee shop with plenty of seating and great WiFi. I'd highly recommend the iced coffee, as they freeze cold brew coffee for the ice cubes in your drink. read more