Kolache Republic | Facebook | T: @kolacherepublic | IG: @kolacherepublic
702 S. High St. (inside The Daily Growler) (map it!)
Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 928-3151
Open Wed, 7a-1p; Thurs-Fri, 7a-1p and 5-8p; Sat, 8a-1p and 5-8p; Sun, 9a-1p
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free? Y/N/N
Kid-friendly? Y
It seems like every 3-4 years I have the pleasure of writing about Kolache Republic again on the blog. I first highlighted them in 2013 when they opened at the corner of South High Street and Frankfort in German Village, then checked in again in 2017 to see the updates to the cafe and the menu.
Kolache Republic is one of my favorite breakfast spots in town. They’ve long been one of my go-tos when we ran my Columbus Food Adventures breakfast tours. Their offerings are unique in the Columbus breakfast scene, and it all just tastes so good.
I was really saddened when they announced in January that they were closing their cafe after seven years. It seems that rent had increased and staying in their space was untenable.
After saying good-bye in early February, they were dormant for a while before announcing a triumphant return just a few doors up inside The Daily Growler. And what a fit. Beer + kolache = a match made in heaven.
KR took over the small kitchen window inside the beer bar, the one formerly occupied by Short & Stout Kitchen. They’re open for breakfast Wed-Sun, and reopen for dinner hours Thurs-Sat nights serving savory bites.
The star of the show is still the traditional Czech kolaches, little fluffy square pastries filled with everything from sweet cream cheese to fruit to nuts. Pictured here is the seasonal pumpkin sweet cheese kolache.
In addition to the sweets, they wrap the same dough around savory ingredients to make breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The breakfast sandwiches combine eggs with cheese and fillings like sausage, chorizo, or hash browns.
My personal favorite is the egg, cheese, chorizo, and jalapeno. And if you like heat, they make a pretty wicked three pepper jam.
Our go-to, whether we’re dining individually or ordering as a group, is to mix up sweets and savories.
Keep an eye on their social media for any lunch specials. Standards include kielebasa with cheese or cheese and jalapeno. Past favorites have included sloppy joe, reuben, and the legendary Thanksgiving kolache (served only the weekend before Turkey Day).
The most exciting new addition are more savory bites paired in the evening with Daily Growler’s 60 beers on tap.
We tried a little bit of everything when they first opened and we loved it all, especially the pepperoni roll and the cheesy pesto bread. They have a full collection of sauces for dipping, too.
Since opening, they’ve also added mac and cheese, tats, and nachos to the dinner menu.
It really is a match made in heaven. The warm and savory kolaches are ideal pairings to any of the beers. And The Daily Growler features two floors of seating, plus front and back patios.
Congrats to the whole Kolache crew on their return! I’m so very glad to still have them in town.
It’s worth noting, too, that you can place orders online, and that Kolache Republic does some bulk dishes for the holidays and other occasions, like cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, dinner rolls, etc. See what’s available on their store.
