Happy Friday! Today’s Friday’s Favorite has a local spin – and while there are SO MANY that I’d love to highlight, this one has really been a love of mine (and my family) for quite some time!

Mozart’s Cafe, an adorable Clintonville bakery & cafe has been a favorite of ours since we moved to Clintonville in 2011. We used to live right down the street, and I have vivid memories of taking my then newborn for an afternoon walk to pick up some sweet treats — and much-needed coffee, of course. That newborn is now almost six, and while we aren’t right down the street anymore, we still find ways to visit Mozart’s whenever we can.

They are famous for their beautiful pastries, authentic European food and relaxing ambience, and you can learn more about the incredible story of owners, Doris and Anand, and their dream of bringing a taste of Austria to Columbus by checking out the restaurant’s history on their website. While we’ve enjoyed delicious meals in the cafe, dine-in is currently on hold as you might expect – however, you can still order meals and bakery items for same day or future pick-up.

I had dessert on my mind recently, so I couldn’t resist the Christmas cut-out cookies (how adorable!)! But I also couldn’t walk about without taking a trip down memory lane and grabbing some of our old favorites – an Ischler Cookie (two almond shortbread cookies with a creamy chocolate hazelnut filling, dipped in rich chocolate), an Esterhazy Torte slice (Hungarian specialty featuring layers of almond meringue filled with almond-rum buttercream) and a Sonata Torte Slice (alternating layers of chocolate and vanilla cake, filled with caramel buttercream and enrobed in rich chocolate ganache). So….. we’re basically drowning in sugar, but I’m okay with it 🙂

I would also highly recommend their lunch and/or dinner options — we’ve enjoyed the Smoked Salmon Sandwich, the Chicken Paprikash and any of their varieties of Quiche! They also have a few options for the kiddos including Mac & Cheese & Chicken Tenders. And most importantly, you can add on some much needed wine, beer or a cocktail-to-go (Sangria, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Margarita — to name a few!).

Overall, a great local spot to check-out and support during this holiday season (and beyond)! And for fun, I’m including a throwback photo of that little guy riding along in his stroller in search of some sweet treats 🙂