Dude. This place is coffee heaven. I'm here visiting and have had lots of coffee in many places, this place trumps all others. The crew is so knowledgeable and one heck of a good time. I like it all. I'm sad that I'm leaving Columbia and won't be able to come all the time anymore.. please build one in Austin, I beg. You will miss out on some serious coffee/tea love if you don't come here. Do it, you deserve it! read more

Best coffee in Columbia. New location decor leaves something to be desired (it's cavernous without much thought to design), but has ample seating for studying. Unfortunately parking doesn't really allow studying for multiple hours, but if it did it would definitely be the place to do so. Fun seasonal latte flavors. Oatmilk on the menu. Always friendly. read more

Shortwave is a MUST! Their coffee is the best tasting in Columbia and the environment is super trendy/welcoming. There is plenty of space to study or chat. The workers are always sweet and offer recommendations no matter what your preferences are. Shortwave never disappoints! read more

Cute, little coffee and tea place down an alley. Wish they had some sugar free flavors for their coffees but I did enjoy a berry hibiscus tea. Friendly and efficient worker. Nice, clean and quiet place. read more

Met a girlfriend at Shortwave for coffee after work. It wasn't packed and I was served right away. Barista helped guide me and a had a lovely lavender latte. It was definitely lavender and not too over the top. Will go back for sure! read more

Shortwave Coffee - Beautiful Lavender Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

Tucked away in an alley, Shortwave Coffee is worth finding for the fantastic coffee, the cool vibe, a very work/study-friendly atmosphere, and the knowledgable, welcoming staff. The prices also are reasonable considering the quality. I visited Shortwave recently to get some work done and fuel up. I ordered my typical chai latte and grabbed one of several tables available. The chai was fan-freaking-tastic. Yes, that good. It was so frothy and had the right balance of flavor. I had to restrain myself from guzzling it down. I was sitting near the order counter, so I had the pleasure of overhearing many interactions between the owner/staff and customers. Many were regulars, but the staff were friendly and welcoming to each person. I also got to hear a lot of coffee-related talk that was over my head, but clearly illustrated the staff's knowledge and love of their craft. Between the slightly dim lighting (still fine to work), the unique decor, and the friendly staff, the entire experience had a comfy feel. Also, big bonus, I loved the music choices. They were work-friendly but not too coffee shop cliche. I will definitely be back here again to work or just to stop in for a cup of coffee if I am downtown. Big thumbs up. read more

Shortwave Coffee - Chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

Usually I love short wave drinks and ground coffee. But when there's bad customer service I don't find the coffee to be worth it. Was waiting outside to grab some coffee on some benches a few minutes before they opened when a woman came out and asked us to leave. We told her we were about to come in and get some coffee as soon as they opened at 8:00 am and she said it didn't matter! I'm not sure I'll be coming here any longer. read more

Tucked away in a basement of a random alley - this place is literally a hidden gem! Didn't realize how much space Shortwave occupied - the inside seating area is quite expansive and typically occupied with computer-wielding students who obviously enjoy delicious coffee. They offer a variety of pour over coffees (that do take a few minutes when they are busy, but are well worth the wait!) Staff is friendly and the vibe is great - see you again soon! read more

Great find in a back alley in a bustling college town the toaster is up front in the shop, and the smells are intoxicating.

I just had one of the best iced shaken espresso's from Elise! Better than Starbucks imo, doesn't even need the extra cold foam.

Awesome place. Chill. Great service. Cold brew on a warm day. Great for studying or getting some work done. Gotta find it down a back alley of 9th street. read more

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

This place is tucked down an alley street, and honestly it's pretty awesome! They have some amazing coffees that they roast in house, I can buy a bag for home and then come in with friends to drink coffee if I want. I'm kinda new to town the girl Morgan that was working there was very nice and told me about a few other places to try. Will definitely make this a continuous spot to go to. read more

Shortwave has a lot going for it, but has room to improve. The space is awesome. Yes, it is technically a basement located in an alley, but the space is big with a cozy vibe. There are plenty of different size tables and workspace through the shop with rooms for small groups. I ordered a black coffee and found it be a bit bitter tasting, probably due to being brewed a few hours before. Shortwave doesn't have much food, but they do serve B&B Bagels (the best in Columbia). The staff seemed a bit overwhelmed due to the high traffic they received being True/Fasle weekend. read more

Shortwave Coffee - Menu 3/4/2018 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

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I going to give shortwave 4 stars simply for the atmosphere they have created. Seriously a stunning spot located in an alley, in the basement of a building. With a roaster that is right next to the entrance the whole place smells like coffee heaven. Plenty of working space for people to bunker down and work/study with an outlet at the table. Coffee and tea options available. Some tiny amounts of sweets also available. Not to mention, a 90s hip hop record spinning made me bob my head the entire time I was there. Service was a little spotty, but pros definitely out weigh the cons at this local spot. Drink local coffee you dingus! read more

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

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I am a coffee snob. When I go to a coffee shop, I typically expect something drinkable and little more. I was so happy to find Shortwave! Not only do they roast the coffee right there in-house, but they have a bunch of slow bar single origin offerings as well. While I was there, I saw the owner carefully and patiently train a new employee. He didn't rush through anything or criticize her. I was really impressed. Everyone was friendly and conversational, but I still got the work done that I had gone there to do without being distracted by noisy conversations. In sum, I'm really impressed, and definitely going back on my next visit to Columbia, MO!! read more

Epic and a gem in the middle of Columbia. We Just wished they'd have more baked goods.

Shortwave is fantastic. Dale, the owner, has incredible experience, and worked hard to make this underground shop the premier choice for #drinkitblack coffee enthusiasts! You won't find sugar or creamer here, but I can assure you you won't need it. (He does make mochas though!) Walk up to the bar, and ask the barista for suggestions, and tell them what flavors you usually like, and they'll surely find a good fit for you. I don't live in Columbia anymore, but I always make it a point to come here when I visit. Definitely give it a try! It's not often you get to taste this much passion in coffee brewing! read more

Perfect! Columbia, MO has a lot of great coffee shops. Shortwave is hands down the best coffee in Missouri. I would put shortwave on par or even better than Intelligentsia. The owner roasts all of his own coffee right in the shop, and he focuses on light to medium roasts. He never takes his coffee to second crack. The result is a cup of coffee with tons of varietal flavor from the region and less of the "roast" flavor. He creates his own custom blends for his espresso. The atmosphere is very warm, and cozy. And the staff is extremely helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. If your visiting CoMo you definitely don't want to miss this place. read more

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Good clean pour over and great coffee, cool atmosphere and aesthetic, friendly and inviting staff and owner. Good to know you can find good coffee in a small town like this! read more

Stopped in here while driving across the country, based on Yelp reviews, and I was not let down. It's down a side street/alley in a shop that turned out to be rather large. The ambiance is chill, with plenty of seating, good wifi and excellent espresso. read more

This place is located in the alley, so look closely. They have excellent espresso, and it's a very good hang. Much recommended!

Best coffeeshop in Columbia in my honest opinion. I've been going there once in awhile to work or study since they first opened. The owner is very friendly and really knows his coffee. They have a great side room if the area near the bar is a bit too noisy and they also carry donuts from Harold's Donuts down the street. The coffee is great and the wifi is pretty decent too, a rarity these days. read more

Very good coffee obviously! I just want to talk a little bit about the ambiance of the shop. I was there on a Tuesday morning to have my coffee to go. There was not a lot of people there at that time. It was quiet and very relaxing. I never felt it that way in a coffee shop before. If I had time to sit down and enjoyed my coffee in a mug, I would. Some other coffee shops usually are very noisy with people walking back and forth all the time. It makes you feel rush and restless. But here you will feel like you are in no rush at all and you have all the time in the world. If you want to find a place for reading with a good cup of coffee, this is the place. However, the light is kind of dim for reading. So maybe kindles or computer will work better. I will definitely come back to enjoy the good coffee and a very nice atmosphere. read more

Best latte I've had in a couple of years. I added cardamom and it was flavorful without being filled with sugar. The baristas know what they are doing! Definitely going to visit again soon. read more

Shortwave is my top choice for great tasting coffee in the area- and my #1 choice for locally roasted beans. I love the relaxed atmosphere, and the quieter tables further away from the counter make for an ideal study spot. read more

I really like the idea of supporting local, but $6 for a very small latte that tastes the same as Starbucks is not worth it. The plain coffee also upset my friend's stomach the rest of the day. read more

Excellent coffee - possibly the best I've ever had and I'm a daily coffee drinker. Strong, rich, delicious taste without the bitterness. It's charming alley location makes me feel like it has the European cafe charm. Sat on the couch while waiting for our brunch reservation close by. The cold mint drink is fresh and a nice deviation from traditional coffee. Muddled fresh mint! read more

Great quiet spot to grab some coffee and get some work done. There are plenty of tables to set up a laptop. The coffee is great. It's a little more expensive than the local competitors and they only have 12oz lattes. The teas are really good too. The service is always friendly, sometimes a little on the slow side, but that might be because it has been summer. Definitely worth the trip down the alley. read more

As a self confessed coffee snob and have enjoyed their world class espresso every time I travel to Columbia, MO. I have thousands of dollars of equipment at home and travel the world, seeking out the best coffee shops where ever I go. Shortwave, is in my opinion one of the world's finest. They source their own beans and do a wonderful job roasting them. The beans are ground to perfection, weighed, tamped correctly and the shots are pulled with an excellent machine that infuses the grounds prior the pull. Care is taken to measure the shot that is pulled, both in the length of time of the pull and the weight coming out. If you love coffee, as I do, do yourself a favor and make a trip to Shortwave. read more

Cool atmosphere but coffee not great. I still prefer Starbucks. I had the latte, the flavor wasn't really smooth. Gave me a bit of aftertaste. read more

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

I love how this establishment is tucked away in a (clean and safe) alley in the Arts District. It has an "underground" vibe with plenty of comfortable seating, large menu, and incredibly friendly staff. Abdul begins the counter was even kind enough to take a pic of me next to one of their authentic roasters! I only wish we had this kind of coffee shop near campus when I was going to college. read more

Went here for a business meeting. Great little side room, was quiet and private. Coffee was great and they had donuts from another local shop. The staff knew their coffee, which was great. I like the fact they are off the beaten path, kind of a hidden gem I will be back to enjoy their coffee again. read more

Recently got new management and it's still my favorite coffee shop in downtown Columbia, but now open for more hours! I find many of the coffees shops in the area to be loud, overcrowded, and with tables that are too small for me to study or do anything except have a single coffee with a friend--Shortwave is the exception. (Fretboard is another exception, it's just a farther walk from campus.) Shortwave coffee is in a great location, is large and cavernous, has cozy areas (perfect for reading) and well-lit areas (perfect for studying), and has a comfortable quiet hum of conversation or music (perfect for coffee with a friend, reading, or studying!). I'm no coffee connoisseur, but I think it's great, and so is the tea! The staff is AMAZING; so approachable, helpful, and chill. The manager's just as great--he's frequently present and interacts with the customers. I often forget to ask for alternative milks and they've been so understanding and it just shows how their quality of customer service! I highly recommend checking this place out--you won't regret it! read more

Wowowow this Brazil is what you need. Chill vibes. Good stuff. Is this review long enough

Vanilla latte with oat milk wasn't fit to drink( literally my entire family tried it & then it got thrown in the trash!) but the chocolate chip muffin was super soft and delicious! read more

Great spot! Great coffee. Great character. I had a pour over Ethiopian and it was as good as any I've had anywhere. The roasting was fresh and light and it was rich with that Ethiopian flavor that I love. It was the kind of coffee place I'd look forward to going to every day if I lived in Columbia. But I don't. I live in Seattle. Which has good coffee places too! But clearly they like their coffee at Shortwave and have a passion for it. It's good to see. read more

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The absolute best coffee in Columbia, MO! The owner and employees are so knowledgeable about their coffee, unlike any of the other shops in towns. The owner roasts the coffee in the shop daily. The shop has a great atmosphere and plenty of tables and outlets for you to study at or get together with friends. Their Vanilla Latte, made with house made syrup, or their Chai are my favorites. One of my and my husband's favorite spots in downtown! read more

Shortwave Coffee - This is the Chai latte, next to a Boss Taco, another local business; a recent partnership on Saturday mornings. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

The coffee is excellent!! I would hazard to say the best in town. The aesthetics is a wonderful blend of industrial and rustic. The only draw back is the size which keeps it cozy and not too boisterous. However if you do not get there early enough it can be pretty packed especially at the beginning of the week. Also they are only open until 3 pm on weekdays, which for the college crowd, myself included, makes it a tough spot to study. Which is such a shame because it is a spectacular spot and the guys who run it rock. read more

Interesting basement hipster atmosphere with odd hours if you are looking for something more mainstream. The coffee is definitely not cheap and I would not advise coming here without planning to be out 4 to 5 bucks for a cup of coffee. I got an espresso drink which was served in a large bourbon glass with foam floated. That was 3 bucks and exceptionally bitter, slight sour rather than robust and uplifting. The average is a 8 oz mug and is served in standard mugs and cups. There are some sweets available but not much for food if you are looking to eat while you are there. Otherwise a nice spot for a college student living on campus to chill and knuckle down in their studies when not in class. read more

Shortwave Coffee - The espresso floated with foam. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Columbia, Missouri

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Cool little underground nook. House roasted, hand brewed coffee. Super good! Finding Alley A is a bit Harry Potterish, but worth the find. read more

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