Tazza Mia

This is a good no nonsense coffee shop situated in downtown Cincinnati. Being a business person, I happen to love the location as it is a fantastic neutral meeting spot for most folks, and it has an hourly parking location attached to the office building Tazza Mia is situated in. I’ve only had the coffee drinks thus far (there appears to be a healthy lunch and snack menu); based on what I’ve consumed, I would rate the quality of the coffee drinks as «average» (i.e. they don’t carry the establishment). In my mind, the downtown location carries the business. In addition, this isn’t the type of coffee shop you go to that gives you the warm and cozy feeling — it’s more of a «down to business» feel with a crisp /​modern look and atmosphere. Very serviceable coffee shop.

I’m visiting from out of town and read all the great reviews. I really needed a cup of coffee in the late afternoon to pick me up. Closed at 3:00 pm? This is why people go to Starbucks.

Tazza Mia’s coffee is fantastic.
To give you a background here, I’m a Starbuckser (is that the term?). When my new job in downtown put me several city blocks away from my nearest Starbucks, I was devastated. Then I heard about this «nice little place down the street» with good coffee. Okay, I said. Let me give it a shot.
Tazza Mia and Starbucks are not worth comparing. Tazza Mia has a very handcrafted feel to it, and their open, visible bar is a nice touch to the ambiance. Bags of coffee sit round the place. Couches, cushions and tables are about, with mason jars full of beans that you can buy.
Then there’s the coffee. I bring my own cup and they take the time to rinse it out and warm the cup so the coffee won’t get cold on my trek back. And the coffee itself? it’s flavorful and rich. I suggest the Maple Spice syrup, by the way. it’s subtle and not too sweet.
Tazza mia also has food, but I’ve not had the pleasure of trying it yet.

Tazza Mia makes a fantastic espresso. Coffees and espresso are locally roasted– and I would definitely recommend taking some home with you. They have started placing coffee in refillable mason jars– fantastic. I cannot comment on the food because a latte is the closest I have gotten to food there– but the coffee is superb– skillfully made and well presented.

I’m sure the coffee is fantastic, BUT this feels more like a grab-​and-​go place rather than a true coffee shop where you can sit comfortably for hours. And since I don’t drink coffee, I’m more of an experiential customer (who happens to be hooked on them cookies in every display case).
Not sure what kind of warehouse look they are going for, but someone help me understand why there is a roped-​off display of coffee bags and historic looking thingymabobs that takes up half the space? I thought it was construction work at first, but then realized it was a purposeful choice of décor. There are about 3 – 4 small tables and a couch. Feels empty and uninviting. I sat at a small table smack in the middle of the shop with a sea of empty space around me. I’m used to cozy, warm, crowded little coffee shops, not a place that feels like it’s undergoing an identity crisis.
Came around lunch time, so plenty of women passed in and out with salads. I barely looked at the salads but did what I came to do, braving one of their famous chocolate chip cookies, timing my jaunt to the counter as soon as it came out of the oven. If you think the Starbucks or Panera ones are huge, think again – these are the size of a dinner plate. They are less soft and chewy, more crisp and crunchy (I prefer the former kind). But the chocolate chips are HUGE and so gooey I’m pretty sure I walked out with a guilty smudge on my chin.

Ahh nothing like a morning pick me up at Tazza Mia! Coffee is super fresh as they roast in house and their staff will walk you through any of the menu items and make great suggestions. Actually the people working are pretty awesome, really know their stuff and can carry on pretty good conversations too! If you haven’t been recently they updated the interior which is pretty modern but eclectic, a few tables and couch for working or meeting up with friends. Great music selection that makes me want to dance instead of work.
I made the mistake of parking in the below garage that was about 3x the price of my coffee, its probably best to find other parking… maybe even fountain square and walking a short distance over!

This is one of my favorite places to go for a really good coffee. Whether it be pour-​over (very strong and poured right in front of you) or my other favorite, their iced mocha, no whip necessary for a delightful mouthgasm of chocolate and espresso.
The staff is very knowledgeable on their different kinds of coffee. I really like the pour-​over that has notes of chocolate and blueberries, which is a name I can’t pronounce or remember. They also offer «european style» cappuccino in a tiny cup which looks like its for a child, but I familiarized myself with the size after a stint in Berlin. They are very strong and get to the point, instead of having to lug a giant coffee around like an addict (which I am).
The staff is friendly and remembers you which is nice, its also locally owned. The owner has two other locations downtown.
This location I enjoy for lunch hour because of their «create your own salad» station with options like grilled asparagus and avocado ranch to add to your salad. Its very reasonably priced for a choice of greens and six toppings plus dressing with the option of having a ‘chopped’ salad. They also have really yummy cookies loaded with chocolate that they bake on-​location and a pot-​roast sandwich I’ve been eyeing.
This location is inside an office building which can be intimidating for the first-​timer. And the seating and ambiance is nothing to clap about. But if you go in the secret side door, there is a bathroom to the left and a nice lounge that looks like its for employees in the building, but you can sit in their for a comfier seat.

I don’t know why but I feel compelled to write Tazza Mia a really great review, which is odd, because this particular location is not the one with the most hype downtown (there’s supposedly another one in the 400 block).
I’ll try my best to explain. Before I go off topic, I’ll get to the useful information.
They have «pourover coffee,» which they explained how it works to me, but I think you should just ask them in person so I don’t confuse you. It’s stronger and more flavorful than regular coffee, so if you want a good, hot (they also do iced!) caff-​up sesh, this is a good option. You can choose from Mexican, Sumatra, Ethiopia, and Gutemala. I got the Sumatra because the barista said it has the lightest taste. Don’t trust me on prices, but I believe they’re under $ 3, which is amazing.
Ask for recommendations if you’re confused as to what you want: they’re extremely helpful.
Today I got a small iced coffee for $ 1.75 (which I think is a steal for iced coffee these days), and it’s pretty good– especially considering that I drank it black: o
They have breakfast items, sandwiches, and the coolest part is that their salad bar is extensive and works Chipotle-​style (or Mad Greens/Chop’t, etc). I haven’t gotten it myself but seems like coffee roasting is not their only specialty. Menu ranges from $ 5 – 8.
Speaking of coffee roasting, they have their own roasting/​brewing machine here, which blew my mind because Cinci natives only talk about Coffee Emporium’s coffee roasting (probably because it’s the biggest, most honest and ethical form of roasting here). Maybe people just hate downtown’s business district, but Tazza Mia hand-​brews their own coffee. I think they have a good philosophy behind their roasting and coffee stash, but I’ll do my research later.
They play cool music (Postal Service, The Blow, Angus and Julia Stone) and have free wifi. Clean vast, atmosphere.
Thanks Tazza Mia in the 600 building– you are saving yuppies from becoming homogenized drones ordering venti quad vanilla lattes with skim milk and no foam from Starbucks for like, $ 7.

Boy, do these guys know their coffee. It’d be intimidating if the staff weren’t all so friendly.
Apparently they can do some interesting things with steamed milk, but I just get coffee (maybe tea if it’s raining), and it’s clear that the stuff they serve here is higher quality than most places. Or maybe it just seems that way because they like telling you about it so much. Either way, it makes having a coffee feel like a cultural event, like attending a lecture on biodiversity.
They also have all kinds of medieval-​looking brewing devices that they’re happy to whip out for you. One even requires the use of a bunsen burner!
Later hours would be nice, but I get it.

Tucked away in the 600 Building, Tazza Mia is a nice little surprise for coffee, sandwiches or salads downtown.
As a loyal latte purchaser, I can say that this is, by far, the best latte I’ve ever had in Cincinnati — rich with flavor, just the right amount of foam, and a heavy pour of espresso for the kick I’m looking for.
In addition to the great coffee options, Tazza Mia offers a made to order salad bar and sandwich options. While I haven’t opted for any of the sandwiches to date, I have stopped down for a salad more than a few times. The lettuce options are limited (mixed greens or a romaine/​iceberg mix) — but the topping and dressing options more than make up for it. The option for the salad to be chopped is a nice add.
The baristas and other staff are so pleasant and I LOVE the ‘vote’ of the day where you can place your tip in either one bin or the other representing different preferences or opinions. Such a nice human touch.

Yes, I’m a fan of Starbucks. Judge all you want, I don’t care. I’m not here to explain why I love Starbucks, I Just wanted to throw that out there, that yes, I am a fan of Starbucks.
That being said, I LOVE Tazza Mia. As bad as it sounds, I’ve never been a huge fan of local coffee shops. Not all of them are great and it’s a huge gamble going to a new one. Not Tazza though. Their coffee is just simply amazing. No matter if you get drip coffee, Espresso, Iced Coffee or even a Frozen drink. It’s all good. They even have numerous ways to brew regular coffee. They are truly coffee connoisseurs here.
Their food on the other hand, I’m not a huge fan of. I’ll eat here but I would much rather go someplace else for what they offer. Which is why I can only give this place 4 stars. If they step up their food game, 5 stars. Hands down.

Disappointed — They always tell you buyer beware. Every sandwich based restaurant I have ever gone to for lunch has an Italian style sandwich on the menu. It usually contains 2 or more fatty Italian style meats along with Italian related seasons. Maybe olive oil, mozzarella cheese, etc… On my first visit to the Tazza Mia downtown Cincinnati when I looked at the menu and saw an Italian Panini I thought sounds great. Imagine my surprise when I start to eat my $ 7 sandwich only to realize it consist of grilled red peppers, mozzarella cheese, a piece of lettuce and a few seasonings. I just bought a 4 inch square vegetable sandwich that was sparse on vegetables. Never again will I visit Tazza Mia. Had I read the menu I would have discovered I could have added some chicken for an extra $ 1.75. Shame on me for not better informing myself but shame on them also.

This location offers made-​to-​order salads as well as the same great coffee and service as the Vine street shop.
If you like Ingredients but hate the mayhem that is the lunch hour there, stroll a block and have a fresher salad without the hassle. I usually take it to the square, but they offer comfy seating too.
They also offer sammiches, but the salads are so good I’ve never tried them.

I’d been to the Tazza Mia downtown in Carew Tower many, many times. So when I heard they were opening up another one two blocks away on 600 Vine, I was a little confused on why. Did we really need them to Starbucks it up, with a store on every corner?
Turns out, yes, yes we do!
This Tazza Mia is located on the bottom floor of a giant office building where people are always coming in and our, getting drinks, ordering food. It was packed! This spot is made for them. But everyone is welcome (there’s a nice big sign on the outside of the building that lets people know the coffee shop is here.)
Tucked back in a beautiful lobby, there’s the giant coffee shop. There’s the coffee bar to your left and a sandwich and salad bar right in front of you.
I love the coffee here! It’s delicious and fresh and anything I’ve had is tasty. It’s a little expensive, but what coffee isn’t these days and no more so than any other shop.
What I really love about Tazza Mia, though, are its employees, which really bump this up from a four to five star place. They always seem to hire the nicest, funniest, weirdest employees. People who actually have real conversations with you (I asked for a medium coffee and then went, «wait, is that the right term?» The barista goes, «Yep, those are what we used. Mostly because I can’t remember any of the other words.» Ha!)
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either shop, but for some reason, I think I like this one more. Maybe it’s because it’s newer or less known or has a bigger and better sandwich and salad bar, but this is my pick!

How does this place have one review. Tagline says it all: fresher coffee and better food (than Starbucks)

True to my word, I have returned for an update review of the Tazza Mia in the office building on the corner of 6^th and Vine.
I have been getting coffee from here every so often during the workweek and have really been enjoying it. I typically get an Americano, so good coffee is noticeable in such a drink. Since the coffee is brewed in house, you know it is fresh and that freshness is reflected in the taste. Also, the staff is always just the perfect amount of chipper, which at 7:30AM or so is friendly, but not out of hand «take on the day» friendly. No one wants that.
So, I decided to try the salad bar, which including a drink and chips, is only $ 8.00. You can also sub a panini for the salad, which will have to be for another day. If you have ever been to Ingredients, you know how this works. You pick a type of salad (iceberg-​romaine mix, field greens, or baby spinach), 6 toppings (I chose corn, black beans, cucumbers, green peppers, pepper jack cheese, and red onions), a dressing (chipotle ranch), and a meat if you are so inclined (I went with Cajun chicken). They mix it all up for you in a bowl and then cram it into a plastic container for you to eat there or for take out. I emphasize CRAM; you get a ton of salad.
$ 8.00 for a customizable salad, bag of chips, and drink is a good deal in my book. If you’re in the mood for a salad and don’t want to wait in Ingredients’ epic line, head over to Tazza Mia. Heck, head over there even if you don’t want a salad and get a coffee or one of their delectable sweets.
Verdict: They get a one star bump since my initial review. The space is still somewhat awkward for a coffee shop and the roasting station is still strangely situated, but this is a solid coffee stop with some great lunch options.