I couldn't have dreamed up a better cafe if I tried, this place is amazing! From the decor and feel of the place, to the music, people, and girl who served me the delicious americano. Not pretentious or fake, which is a symptom rampant throughout this town, but finally somewhere with real people and real good drinks.
Review Source:I had not been to Muddy Waters in a while since I moved out of the neighborhood. I treated myself this morning. I forgot just how good their coffee and baked goods are. The staff is always friendly and the prices are more than reasonable. I highly recommend Muddy Waters. If you really want a treat, try one of their sandwiches for lunch.
Review Source:We read the reviews and thought we'd give it a try. Totally put off by this place.
When we arrived there was only one person at the counter and the person behind the counter didn't bother to greet us.
After a few minutes of studying the menu board I noticed a sign "Cash Only" and decided at that point to leave.
The interior is kinda funky and the menu board looked okay but this is the 21st century so "Cash Only" just doesn't cut it.
Food is really good. Â Coffee/tea also very good. Â They serve wine and beer here as well, but it is cash only. Â There is an ATM in the cafe if you only have a card though. This is a really fun place to see a show at night. Â Environment is rad with a few different rooms with couches and an outdoor patio.
Review Source:We were visiting Santa Barbara and wanted to go to a local place for coffee rather than a Starbucks. A nice young man we met recommended muddy waters so we walked seven blocks out of our way to support a local business. We were greeted in a friendly manner when we arrived.
The place had only three customers but the staff person was completely overwhelmed. All we wanted was drip coffee and tea but we didn't ask for our order. He told us that he would be right with us and then we watched as he slooooooowly made a salad and a grilled sandwich for another customer. He was using a huge bread knife to cut the veggies so it wasn't surprising that he knicked his finger. He glanced at his finger and then carried on making the salad. I guess a little fingernail or fingertip skin is considered an appropriate condiment?! At that point we decided to leave without giving our order. Someone needs to teach the staff basic food hygiene and some knife skills. Also if they are going to have only one staff person doing everything they need to prep better ... And please buy some gloves.
Seemed like a cool spot but our experience was a total turn-off.
This is what coffee should taste like. Â This is how service should be. Â This is how it's done, people! Â Quaint and artsy independent coffee shop with reasonable prices, friendly service, and good music. Â Loved the feel of the place, and appreciated the knowledgeable barista. Â Cash only and a little off the beaten path, so come prepared. Â The fruit bran muffin was also quite nice. Â Great find.
Review Source:I've been here a handful of times for coffee or freshly-brewed green tea, either for a morning wake-me-up, or an afternoon pick-me-up. Â
I love the vibe of Muddy Waters- mega artsy. They showcase art on their walls, and once, there was a woman, stationed at a couch up front, braiding feathers into a young woman's hair. Â They have couches and books both in the front and back rooms. Â
I prepped for a meeting in the back room earlier this week, and noticed that it could use some dusting. Â I'm not a germaphobe, but it felt a lil' grimy. Â Out back, they have more space, where people bask in sunlight (or shade) as they chat with friends or type away.
They only accept cash. Â Unaware of their no-plastic-policy during my first visit, a kind lad sitting near the register gave me a dollar to complete my purchase. Â They have a lil' deer figurine by their "Be a deer- tip" sign on their tip box. Â Employees have always been cheery & tip-deserving during my visits.
What can I say about Muddy Water Cafe?
INTERESTING! That's it!
I came here by accident. If the place I got a smog test had not been located next to this cafe, I wouldn't have visited.
In fact, I had to encourage myself to step into this place. Inside was dark, everything looked old, the decoration was scary. I felt like I came into a haunted house. I might exaggerate a little... Maybe there are some people who like their interior since I saw some customers who seemed regulars.
I had a glass of Italian soda which mixed a little kiwi syrup into club soda. Though the vivid green drink reminded me of a science laboratory, it did match the atmosphere. Probably I can drink this liquid only here.
In conclusion, staying here was not comfortable for me and I couldn't go on reading a book. However, I had a new kind of fun. If you are a lover of adventure, try this place!
Don't ever go to a music show here! They don't have a dance permit and if they get 40 people inside they are maxed out. The owner (who looks like his beard may be housing a colony of chiggars) will scream in your face "get the fuck out." That is a direct quote. I've been going to shows here for years, but I will never set foot in this establishment again after this last experience.
Review Source:Wow, the people that work at this place are extremely rude. My whole vacation in Santa Barbara was awesome, but getting coffee and a bagel on our way out left a bad taste in my mouth.
We go up to the counter and I order a 16 oz iced skinny latte and my bff ordered a 20 oz skinny hot latte. The woman behind the counter gives me this dirty look and says so 2 lattes? I say yes, mine is iced. Another dirty look. Then we order 2 bagel sandwiches to go and we apparently interrupted her flow because we get another dirty look.
I give her my money and she in turn literally slaps my change back into my hand.
Wow, if you don't like where you work then I am sorry.
Will never return there. The coffee was just ok and the bagel was meh.
Thank You, Muddy Waters. Thank You Thank You Thank You.
This place is such a jem. Whoever books this venue is on their toes. They snag most every worthwhile band on their way from San Francisco to Los Angeles. They find local talent within a 200 mile radius. And the cover charge is always reasonable.
Its a little place where locals can call home. Keep up the good work.
Open mics are fantastic and very open-minded (played my first one there), awesome vibe, lots of good bands coming through and the people are just great there. Very anti-Del Playa partying, more so down-to-earth, nice hippie people. They also have an awesome seating area with couches and chairs in the front, with board games and a patio in the back. A perfect coffeeshop/hangout/ intimate venue!
Review Source:Ahhh, this place reminds me of my undergrad years at Santa Cruz. Â This is going to sound completely cliche but this place IS Santa Barbara's premier "Funky Coffee House." Â There's a true sense of community here. Â Fun live music and DJ events are held here weekly, attracting hipsters of all ages. Â Out on the patio you can expect to overhear conversations concerning just about anything and everything, or see people partaking in board game competitions.
Review Source:Muddy Waters has many layers of value to it. Aside from being a coffeehouse, they open their doors as a venue to many art and music shows. Their DJ events are fun and blessedly free of the drunken lugheads normally encountered on State Street. I've spoken with the owners on several occasions, they are friendly and passionate about supporting the local arts.
Before they took over ownership, Muddy Waters was a homebase to other radical free-expression groups, and they had fabulous parties too, with tribal belly-dancing, fire arts, and acrobatics. What I see now at Mudder Waters is less focus on the circus atmosphere and more focus on more traditional art media (music and painting) with new alternative spins on them.
The cafe appears to have free wireless internet service - I've seen many people there with laptops, but I've never checked it out myself. They serve a limited amount of food, including some pastries, sandwiches and salads. They give you a discount if you bring your own reusable mug for your coffee. I know that in the past, they allowed group events who could cater for themselves. Within the past 6 months, they've began serving locally brewed ales, and I attended the party there that introduced one of those new ales.
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