Collective Espresso

Small shop, simple menu. I got the fancy drip(Guatemala) and a flat white with the new orange cardamom syrup! Super tasty sippers

Collective Coffee is one of the best hidden gems in Northside tucked just off the main road. There are a couple of small indoor tables and a cozy sunlit nook in the back. The coffee is seriously good - there is a range of single-origin options, a dedicated pour-over menu, and specialty beans for sale. I went with a macchiato, which was was intensely rich and smooth. A must-visit for coffee lovers if you are in the area!

What a spot! Me and my wife stopped here during our week long breakfast and coffee "crawl" to different locations each day. First off, it is very easy to walk past and miss the entrance to this incredible coffee shop. It's a small sign up high "Collective Espresso" and a an alleyway type path back that will have you second guessing if you should enter or not. Do enter! It opens up into an awesome landscape of outdoor seating, and an indoor area with a glass roof pulling in the natural sun light, and full of plants. Serenity! Me and my wife had a latte, cortado, and the pistachio Croissant. The coffee and pastries are unreal! The gentleman working this location was very friendly, talkative to each person that walked in, and we just absolutely loved the vibes here. We will definitely be back! Please do yourself a favor and stop here!

Very cool coffee shop and very nice barista man behind the counter!! You have to enter through an alley gate and follow it to the back where the greenhouse looking structure is, the coffee wizards lie there in waiting to serve you excellence.

Such a cute hidden space with kind staff and delish drinks at reasonable prices. Limited seating inside and outside with some chairs being more stable than others. Great for a drink and walk around the neighborhood though !

This little hidden secret of North Side has to be the most peaceful coffee shop I have ever been to. Tucked back in, basically, an alley way (completely safe) I honestly thought I was following a sign from 1875 to an abandoned building. It is THAT hidden. You have to know about the place to find it...which is why I’m writing this review. SO MORE PEOPLE CAN FIND IT!!! I absolutely love that characteristic. Very community driven home type of atmosphere. Very chill. The coffee is roasted fresh DAILY. That’s unbeatable. And honestly, is WORTHY of being priced at $4.50 for a large Red Eye. Competitors in the industry DO NOT roast their coffee daily. Which makes the cost they charge illegitimate. I didn’t realize all that until I tasted FRESHLY ROASTED coffee beans ground and brewed for the first time in my life. Thank you! This experience meant a lot to me. I have just moved back to Cincinnati and sort of needed a reminder of why our town is awesome. Thank you

Easily my favorite coffee shop in the area. I regularly make the drive out from Northgate when I’m visiting town (no longer live ending but family does). Cool location, solid service, and great coffee.

Coffee was great! Cool little spot to escape for a bit and enjoy. We really appreciated that the establishment doesn’t support hate against immigrants. Ban ICE

Not sure how I haven't given this place a brief review, but here we go. This is a local chain, and the one on Hamilton is my favourite. It's a bit like Roebling Coffee in that was. The espresso is one of the most well rounded in town. I prefer this place to Sidewinder. Get a cappuccino here or a cortado. The chai is pretty delicious, as well.

A very cool, cozy, woodsy spot with friendly staff. My honey latte was fantastic! I cannot wait to go back and try their pastries.

I was hurriedly trying to take a meeting on the go after a kid drop off and saw their sign in front of the tiny alley. I'm so glad I did. This was the cutest tiny community hub full of character and love - with coffee too! The matcha latte was delicious. I had great service and a cool little nook to work in for a hot second.

I visited Collective Espresso (CE) at 8am on a Wednesday morning as I traveled through Cincinnati. I picked CE to stop at because it was well spoken of, I tried their coffee at another shop that serves their coffee and enjoyed it, and it's located outside of downtown and not too far off the expressway. If your traveling on 75 and want to stop for a great cup of coffee then CE is a good place to stop at. Google maps will show CE between two shops and if you're not paying close attention then you may drive right by it and think a Google maps sent you to the wrong location or the address is not updated. That's what I thought until I noticed an alleyway between two stores and above my head was a rustic sign that says CE. Just keep walking all the way to the back and you'll find CE. The shop has two wooden tables inside for seating. A bathroom is available accessible with a key provided by the barista. There is a courtyard outside that I imagine is beautiful when the leaves are on the tree and and coveted stop for reading and enjoying coffee outside in the warmer months. The bar set up is a three-group Synesso espresso machine, a pair of Mazzer Major espresso grinders, and a Mahlkönig EKK43. Their is also a Fetco coffee brewer. The menu that day was typical of third wave coffee shops. See my pics for a menu. The barista was friendly and welcoming. I ordered a drip brew and really enjoyed it. The quality was typical of other well known specialty coffee roasters in the US, like Onyx, Stumptown, or Madcap.

We got the matcha latte and do not recommend. It was terrible and too bitter. We threw it out after a couple of sips. Can't speak for their coffee/espresso drinks but their matcha latte was the worst I've ever had

I'm also here for Cincinnati coffee shops! Stopped here on the way up to Columbus. It's almost easy to miss since it's not off the street. It's actually off an alley. Anyway, it's COVID so only one customer at a time can go in. No big deal. The space in there is small anyway. It's cute though! A huge window at the front for lots of natural light. A huge tree is at the front and picnic tables outside. I got a honey latte with oat milk. Whoa! That honey was amazing!! My sister got a cortado. Pretty good as well! I hope to be back!

A hard to find place, especially for those of us not from the area. It is down a narrow passage way from the street. The patio was nice, if the weather was great, but not the chilly morning we were there. The shop is busy, but most clientele got to go drinks. There was very little seating. Our coffee drinks were good, but nothing outstanding.

The man with curly hair behind the counter was very rude he excpected tips before we even got to the counter I've genuinely have never had such a weird and rude experience with anyone before he kept commenting about tips to us saying wow no tip from y'all idk would not ever recommend if I could give zero stars I would

Came in this morning and the bastrisa male curly hair with hoops made us leave tips and was being super rude for basic coffee would not go again.

Male with black curly hair with hoops attached to his ears MADE us leave tips. And the environment felt rude

Any place serving North South Bakery pastries is a winner in my book. Couple that with yummy drinks, cute patio, and friendly staff - it's an excellent spot to grab a bev with a friend!

One of my favorite spots in Cincy -- quaint neighborhood tuck-away off w/ cozy indoor and patio, friendly staff, solid pulls, nice drip, and good bean options. Recommend an Espressoda or Espresso lemonade when the weather's hot.

Delicious coffee and very pretty architecture and decor. I'm so obsessed with the skylights they have in the shop!

Love this place! We ordered iced latte and a matcha and both were delicious. The place is tiny but adorable! And plenty of outside seating. Love that it's hidden in an alley way- feels like a lucrative spot! Tons of signing on where to go if you're confused though! Coffee was the perfect amount of sweetness and the service was very welcoming and friendly! Will be coming back!

An okay coffee shop but compared to others in the area, it just doesn't compare. For the positives, the actual shop is super atmospheric but it is very small so I wouldn't plan on sitting in here especially during the winter months where their patio might be closed off. There's lots of natural light and they have quite a bit of outdoor seating but even 10 people in here feels crowded. It is down a little alley way right next to Happy Chicks so keep your eyes peeled for the sign above the buildings!! That's really the only way to find it. I got an iced oat milk latte and an almond croissant and they were okay. The iced oat milk latte wasn't as strong as I would prefer and it had a peculiar flavor that I can't quite put my finger on. It almost seemed like they lightly sweetened it? They used Oatly which is what I use when I make it at home so I'm not sure if it the odd flavor came from the actual coffee beans or something like else. The almond croissant had quite a few burnt bits on it that I had to pull off which is definitely not what I am going for with an on-the-go pastry. I wonder if I came on an off day since this chain is pretty popular in Cincinnati, but I will probably just stick to my usual places instead of putting this in my coffee rotation.

Tucked away near an alleyway is the quaint coffee shop Collective Espresso. They have a couple different locations in the city, but this appears to be their most unique one. They have a pretty large area in the back of the shop for outdoor seating and a couple spots inside as well. The coffee itself is pretty good and the service is quick. Just be aware that there isn't that much space inside so seating may be limited.

Went to meet someone at this location for a quick meeting. I will share that you have to know exactly where to turn or you may miss the street. It's almost a street off of a street. I was able to park at a meter. There was outdoor seating so I put my things down and went in to order. When I got there, the staff person said they would be closing soon. I waited until the person I was meeting ordered their drink and watched our time. Overall the iced chai tea that I ordered was good. It had a nice taste and nice portion. I would go back again to try it. Staff was friendly. Nice little outdoor space to work or meet. Just have to be mindful of their hours.

Short of having an actual drive thru, Collective Espresso Northside seems like the perfect coffee shop to grab a fast drink before work. Yes, it's a bit daunting to find the first time (you either enter a nondescript entrance off of Hamilton or through the back gate off of Vandalia / Cluxton Alley) but the small, hidden feel of CE feels great. Inside, there are 4 bar seats and 2 tables with about 4 seats each. It's small, but that's the point. They have a signature Espresso Lemonade, which didn't end up being my kind of drink (not sure the tastes really go together) - but the ambiance was great for some early morning, secluded studying.

Good coffee and more importantly good people. Driving through Cinci and was brought here by a friend. The entrance is down an alley so I probably wouldn't have found it lol, but adds to the hideaway vibe. The shop itself is pretty small, maybe seats 6 or so but feels cramped quick. There is a space outside too, and while there was a consistent stream of people on a Friday afternoon, most didn't stay so it was fine. The smaller design lends itself to a more intimate arrangement between barista and customer. Our barista, Johannes is one of the chillest dudes. I haven't talked to a barista that much at a shop before and I'll say the relationship aspect takes the coffee shop experience to another level. I learned a bit more about espresso and the current beans they had on rotation. Cortado was smooth and chocolatey, but like I said- people make the difference.

The design of the building is just wonderful, it's an excellent and airy space filled with green luscious plants, but it's a bit small. The Cappuccino I had was served with a genuine smile, and what I assume to be regular customers came to talk to the barista. She was polite and made our four drinks rather quickly for being the only one working. A space filled with wood grain, windows, plants, and character. The cappuccino was delectable, although the americano my friend got was quite mediocre. Overall, a good time for me!

Collective is tried and true. Great coffee, great staff, good atmosphere. Like walking into your friends house and sitting down with a nice beverage and a chat. Intimate and welcoming. Espresso lemonade for the win

It was a cold morning & we desired hot coffee. This shop was very plain inside, with only a few seats, & definitely not accessible for disabled people in a wheelchair. The entry has a few steps to climb to get inside. The shop is in a cool section of town. Our lattes & cappuccinos were decent but small. The shop does not offer any flavorings, so think of this as a no frills coffee shop.

I have been to the north side location - the coffee is good- the location and aesthetics are fun

I love coffee especially cold brews. Collective has one of the smoothest cold brews that I have ever tasted! I order it plain bc it's that good. The location in Northside is a little challenging to find, look out for the gate entry. Once you're there, you are on your way to coffee heaven!

Confession: Before yesterday I had never been to Collective Espresso and that's a real shame. This place is freakin' adorable. The photos I took really don't do it justice. From the street, Collective Espresso is completely unassuming and the doorway leads you to an alley... just keep on walking down the alley! The entrance to the small coffee shop in the back reveals that the shop has lots of natural lighting with a small patio area. I managed to snag a table in the back patio area. My only real complaint about the coffee shop was the internet (Collective Espresso's wifi was inconsistent and gave me TONS of error messages on pages), maybe it doesn't reach that far to the patio tables? Or maybe technology was just failing on this particular day. Regardless, the patio area is super adorable and I really felt like I was somewhere else entirely. I can't wait to find a reason to come back and enjoy this space again.

Really nice inside, but hard to find. Their main entrance is not on Hamilton Ave (the street address) but there's an alley from Hamilton

Just as the Collective downtown is, this space is very intimate. It is hidden in an alley near Happy Chicks Bakery off of Hamilton. They are always sure to set their sign out on the sidewalk to initiate where they are located, so just be aware of that and you're set for success. Talk about good coffee, though. The espresso served at Collective is great, but the quality of the baristas make it even better. They source with several different roaster's, mostly local. There are usually several baked goods and small things to snack on, but not a lot of food options. As I was saying before, the space is small and only holds about 15 people, but in the summer there is plenty of outdoor space! I do not recommend walking in with 8 coffee orders, because when there is only one or two baristas, it will take longer because of the quality. But for a nice cup in silence with a book and maybe a friend, sure, this is definitely the place in Northside.

Hidden gem with tasty bits and bobs, and an amazing atmosphere. I went here with a friend on our weekly tour of good writing places with coffee. We literally drove by this place and didn't know it was there. My bus goes by every day, and I never knew it was there. What a wonderful Northside hiding spot! When you do find it, you walk into the back patio-like area that feels something like a faerie garden. You can only just make out the glass walls that make up the little bit of indoor space available. Walk inside, and you'll find a simple but inviting bar and tables with so much natural light you'll think you're still outside. If you are looking for a space to write or read, this is the one, but space (both indoor and out) is very limited so be prepared. I hear that they have yet to be discovered by the after-work caffeine crowd, so this might be your time! It certainly worked for us. The beverages are carefully crafted by the wonderful employees, who might insist that you keep a tab open. I got a maple and pecan scone that was like buttery heaven. Served with a macchiato, this was plenty fuel I needed to get to writing! They also had delicious looking muffins, cookies, and croissants.

9.5/10 - LOVE Collective and their espresso is so good. I've had an array of drinks from there but always love a cup of their drip coffee. I last had an oat milk latte and the flavors of their coffee came out so well even in a latte. Cute little place that kind of makes you feel like you're in Europe instead of Cincinnati. Not a ton of room inside but it's worth it.

Sometimes it's the best espresso/coffee in the city and other times it's mediocre. When it's good, it's so good! Rich and smooth tasting. The cortado is my go to! They have great milk and milk alternative options. I'm not sure why, but it's so inconsistent. This morning it was off. The americano was watery, luke warm, and nothing special. If they could figure out how to consistently produce drinks, this place would be amazing!

The male barista working here was so rude and disrespectful this morning. My husband went inside to order and was told they couldn't make the drink I wanted. So he called me to ask what else I would drink while there was no one else inside waiting to order. The barista told my husband how rude he was to take a personal phone call in the shop FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. My husband kindly explained he was just trying to ask what else I would drink and the barista rudely answered "I've already told you". When my husband said he had no clue anyone else was waiting to order the barista responded "I think you did". It was a pretty disappointing start to our Easter morning and I'd avoid this place unless you want to be rudely waited on for average coffee.

Best coffee in Northside! Like others have mentioned, it's a little tucked away but that adds to the charm. I've always received such great service and the oat milk latte is amazing!

This location is even more hidden down an alley than the OTR location. Pretty much will only find this place from Hamilton Ave when on foot, and even then you'll second guess your self. For me no grand entrance, just a glance at an almost illegible sidewalk sign at the edge of an alley. After finding the entrance, it is just as pictured a few low tables, a bar top stools, bright light colored wooden floors. Same classic menu, with a few locally roasted coffees. I was determined to locate this location in seek of a better cold brew. Well, cold brew isn't available here in the winter. Boo! I was accommodated and offered an iced americano or iced pour over. Decided on the iced pour over topped with whole milk. It was ok, still not what I was seeking in flavor. Will revisit again at some point, maybe on a weekend in the spring when the outdoor patio can be enjoyed. Also will try to enter from Vandalia Ava & Cluxton which may provide a more direct entrance and view of the glass greenhouse style seating area.

Very cool vibe. Feels like the best kept secret. I base my rating off of the coffee itself. The Mocha is pretty good. Personal notes: Mocha - 6/10 Snickerdoodle - 7/10

All time favorite coffee place in all of Cincinnati. The absolute best iced lattes. They've got it figured out and are always a go to.

Collective Northside is my favorite coffee shop in Cincy (tied with Collective OTR). The drinks are always great from espresso to pour overs, and the secluded patio is a nice hangout spot in the summer and fall. Ask if they have any off-menu stuff, such as the turmeric latte which is top notch. The croissants, cookies, and pastries are delicious as well.

This is definitely a hidden gem, literally. you have to go down a small alley to find the place but the seclusion adds to the atmosphere. The place itself if relatively small but very well lit- it has the feel of a sun room. Their coffee was good and the table next to us had baked goods that looked so good. They also have a small patio with tables. It's very quaint and a pleasant break from the city/northside.

One of the top coffee shops in the area. This location has a bit more seating that their shop in OTR which is nice. The coffee they serve is top notch. They meticulously source their coffee from around the country allowing you to get a sense of what roasters of all types are doing. So, you can go in each week and try something completely different. It can feel a bit pretentious but the quality of the coffee experience certainly makes up for it.

I stopped in and walked out with a delicious and flavorful americano. Safe and clean.

Collective Espresso is such a gem! When you arrive you'll see the sign on Hamilton Ave & then you'll walk down an alley/walkway & then there it is on your right hand side. It's a small and cozy place but so inviting. There's seating in there for 8 people at tables and then 4 at the bar. Tim was working & was so helpful as I was deciding what to get. I appreciated his patience, knowledge and laid back nature. I decided on a pour over coffee which was nice. I stayed for about 3 hours to work on a paper. At first I was the only one but after 9am it started to pick up! Definitely a hip vibe to the folks that came in but folks smiled and seemed nice, not pretentious, which I appreciated. There's a nice size courtyard with seating as well. Overall, I enjoyed my experience. Not the best place to get work done but I'd definitely return for coffee dates!

It was my first time to Northside today and this coffee shop was recommended to me by the ladies at Happy Chicks Bakery. Can be found down an alley off of Hamilton Ave. This place is tiny. A literal hole in the wall. The shop fits like 5-8 people max (two tables and a few bar stools). But they have a cute little patio with a bench and a few tables. Had a pour over of Peruvian coffee which was tasty and strong.

Leave it to Dustin and Dave to knock location two out of the park! I am thrilled with the new location and feel it suits Northside perfectly. It's quiet, quaint, and as delicious as the OTR location. They also have a bit of a different menu. OTR specializes more in the Hario pour overs and ChemEx varieties. Northside does Kalitas and French Press coffee. They still change up the roasters and do a great job of getting high quality coffee at all times. The Northside location also feels like you are in a tiny greenhouse in the seating area away from the main bar. Lastly, the service, like always is great. The baristas are friendly and knowledgeable and you can tell that they enjoy being there. If you're in Northside and in need of coffee I highly recommend that you stop in Cluxton Alley and give it a try. You will not be disappointed!

Cute little coffee shop with friendly baristas. Amazing aromatic coffee too! Had a cappuccino. It's not too milky like some places and they got it just right

The environment is very chill, very nice space to relax and sit down with a good latte. My coffee as very good and the staff were very nice.

Collective Espresso is hard to find. Or maybe I'm just geographically challenged. It definitely could be that. Annnyway, Collective Espresso is a teeny little coffee shop nestled in what looks to be straight out The Secret Garden. It's a hipster's paradise. If I lived around here, I'd spend hours reading or hanging out in Collective's charming little patio. It is most definitely a respite that's perfect for sipping on a cup o' joe or a tasty tea. Speaking of tea, that's all I had. A colleague of mine and I ordered up five iced mint green teas to go and I employed my best self-control and didn't snag any pastries that were beckoning me from the counter. The many iced teas took a bit of time (the actual barista area is tiny, with only one employee), but they were refreshing and nicely steeped. The staff member wasn't the friendliest of the bunch, but she took care of our drinks and sent us on our merry way. Next time I'm in the area, I'd definitely try another beverage from Collective Espresso!

As soon as I walked into Collective Espresso, I knew I was in love with the space. It's essentially a greenhouse with huge windows, a cute little courtyard, and seating for 12 people inside. The coffee shop is a little tucked away, but once you find it you will feel like you're in your own little coffee oasis. I ordered a black coffee and my friend got a green tea. Both were excellent, and they made a point to steep the tea at the correct temperature (not too hot!). There were a few people sitting and working here on a Friday afternoon, but overall there's not a whole lot of seating inside. They had a huge bean roaster in the middle of the coffee shop, so I wonder if they roast their own beans...I think they were serving Deeper Roots coffee while I was there. I like that there are no frills on their menu...Nothing too fancy, just really darn good coffee. The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is the service. The guy working here was definitely not friendly...He didn't even look at me to take my order, and barely spoke. He wasn't exactly rude, per se, but he definitely didn't seem to care about being nice to the customers. There are other coffee shops around town where service is more welcoming. But if you're looking for a good cup of coffee in a quiet shop, this is for you.

It's located down the alley right next to the bookstore. Took us a bit to find it but so worth it. Nice outside sit down area and the inside is nice and quaint. You get a welcoming and relaxing vibe as you enter. I had the honey latte which was very good and my husband got an americano. Barista was very polite and knowledgeable. Would recommend.

Welcoming staff, great drinks, lovely little space. Wish we had one in my neighborhood.

I wanted coffee during a stop in Cincinnati, and I saw that Collective espresso makes the same drink I make for myself, an espresso latte sweetened with honey. They did not disappoint Don't be scared to travel down the dark alley to reach the shop