Top Espresso Bar in Santa Barbara
Dune Coffee Roasters
1101 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
The name thats written above the door, hanging quaintly from a rod iron pole: The French Press.The name thats displayed on the glass entryway, boldy painted on the wall inside, and the name of their website: Dune Coffee.The history of how these two names refer to the same place is a baffling story of intrigue, mystery, and back-stabbing. Its a study in feudal society, noble houses, and one Paul Atreides. --If youre an astute science fiction reader, you already know Im no longer talking about the coffee shop, but about Frank Herberts novel that obviously inspired this enterprise. If you arent, you should pick up a copy of Dune and head over to The French Press to read it.In all seriousness, when you visit, you should take a moment and ask the barista why the place seems to have two names. It should lead you to a fun conversation, but we wont spoil the results here.-------------ATMOSPHEREIt feels like stepping into a desert. Its dry, sandy, a wasteland of a place. Water is in short supply, but it is made notable for being the single source in the known universe for Melange, a spice known to extend life and aid in interstellar travel.No, wait. Thats a Dune reference again.If we want to talk about the State Street location of this fine coffee roaster: Its a quaint, relaxing, not terribly quiet location. Plenty of chairs and tables line the narrow hallway to the back, opening up to a small outside patio. Theres also an outdoor sitting area in the front, ideal for people watching. Contrary to the first paragraph in this section, water is not hard to find inside the French Press, rather its available to dispense yourself from an iced container.The location is suited for a quick espresso, as well as spending an hour or two working on your latest novel (science fiction recommended) or checking those work emails._____________COFFEE 4.5/5Dune declares that their mission is source the absolute best coffee, roast it with attention and care, and hand it over for you to enjoy. They claim to be in constant search of better and better coffee. Their passion comes through in the taste and smell of the coffee offerings, and the friendliness of the employees. The coffee is roasted in Santa Barbara (but not at the State St location)OTHER OFFERINGSTheres a small selection of pastries, but the main focus here is on the coffee. If you want food, we highly recommend walking across State Street and visiting Andersens.____________________WORKABILITY/DATE PLACE 4/5If you are used to making a small workspace footprint, you can camp out on one of the wall tables for as long as you need. Free wifi is available.You also need to have a great work ethic and ability to stay focused, lest the temptation to people watch on State Street becomes too tempting.This place feels like a fantastic one for having a good conversation, feeling cozy in a public area, and discussing the fashion choices of everyone that walks by.We obviously recommend that you drop the next time you visit Santa Barbara.(This post was also posted on our blog: http://coffeehouselovers.com/2018/09/08/visit-arrakis/ )
Savoy Cafe & Deli
24 W Figueroa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
ProsGood, fresh food with lots of vegan and vegetarian optionsYou can try before you buyYummyFamily ownedGreat aestheticYummy matcha latteConsA little on the pricier side but I don't mind thatParkingThey keep messing up my order. (Details below)The first time was with a group of friends and they forgot to bring out my order. Thankfully I had my receipt to prove I had in fact paid for it and they rectified the situation speedily.During that visit I fell in love with a side of the Blueberry Kale salad. I placed and paid for a bulk order for a few days later. It wasn't ready when I went in on my lunch break so I had to wait for them to prepare 6 individual salads. That wouldn't have been so bad, but instead of 6 salads they made me one giant one. So I had to wait some more for them to get the order right. I was late, hungry, and excited to eat it, but unfortunately it was disgusting. They doused it a different dressing from the one they normally pair with the Blueberry Kale Salad. It was inedible. I was super disappointed... forced myself to eat two and ended up tossing the rest.Today, I went in for another to go meal. I bought two vegan burritos with Ranchero salsa on the side. I left happy, got to my car... then realized the salsa was missing. I went back and was peeved because instead of telling me they were out they had just neglected to put it in the bag after charging me extra for it. After I asked, I was refunded the cost of the two sides.Normally I wouldn't care but these visits have been incredibly frustrating. Basically... Savoy... you are making it hard for me to love you.
Vices & Spices From Around The World
3558 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
The moment I walked in I was met with a wonderful aroma. They were grinding their fresh coffee beans to bag. I was on a mission for tea though, and was thrilled by their array of loose-leaf teas. They are priced by weight and you can choose how much you want of each. Theyre individually bagged, heat-sealed and labelled. And if you would rather just have some there, you can choose any one you want for a tea latte. I got the Kashmir Tea Latte and it was amazing!They even asked if I wanted sweetener, and what kind. Im used to being asked what kind of milk to use, but not the sweeteners. I appreciate this, as most coffee shops over sweeten to my tastes. Theirs was perfect. I was there during a rush and they were prompt, courteous and professional. Outside of teas, they have a wonderful selection of products. They have something for the sophisticated, and the playful for both adults and children.Their Herbal Ruby Orange is the best orange tea Ive had. It reminds me of hot apple cider, except with oranges ?Their teas smell just as good as they taste- its aromatherapy you can drink!
Starbucks
539 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Ordered my favorite drink, its a custom drink but simple. I watched the barista make my drink. I tried to tell him that my drink was made incorrectly and that he added to much milk. He actually lied to me and tried to correct me and refused to remake my drink. That was when I informed him that used to work at Starbucks and that I get that drink all the time and I know how it should look and taste. He continued to argue with me, exaggerating the amounts of the drink as he continued to refuse to fix my drink. The other barista, was very polite and interjected and remade my drink. It is not the first time I have had an encounter with this barista. He is lackadaisical and dismissive of the customers. On my way out of the store another customer stopped me to tell me she has had the same problem with the young man but that she can never get him to fix her drink and that he always argues with her.
Peets Coffee
3905 State St r2, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
This review is specifically for Marilyn (I think is her name. She has long brown hair and is in her early 20s). I was having issues with the Peets app and connectivity and wanted to redeem some points and a coupon I had. Marilyn tried to help me but I had no reception, so she helped me out with redemption on my drink.The manager (I think) with glasses overheard me talking about it to my friend and asked me what had happened, then went over and spoke to Marilyn about it like she shouldn't have done that.What's so sad is that Marilyn did a great job, helped me out and I would have definitely stopped by this Peets when I pass through SB again. But the manager (or lead, whoever she was) listening in to my conversation and then talking to Marilyn about the situation made me feel what she did was wrong, when she was trying to make it right.Please give Marilyn a shout out and a raise. She's great!
Starbucks
3052 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
The parking lot is hard to access unless you put the store to your right.NO frills here! Theres not really any café to sit in (there are a row of chairs along the window, but its a very small space), no phone chargers/plugs or anything. There was a homeless man sitting in one of the only two tables outside, so there wasnt really anywhere left to sit unless you wanted to be right next to him, or a few inches away on the other side of the glass. It felt rude when I sat inside because I still felt like I was in his space somehow.The bathroom was pretty clean, the drink tasted good.The vibe seemed pretty much like you were walking into a room that you had been in all day, so no one seemed to acknowledge that you were there - not ignoring you, just a generally bored atmosphere.I had some time to kill between a dentist appointment and a gig, and usually Starbucks has that fourth place vibe, but not this one. I was one of only a few cars in the lot, so I didnt even want to sit in my car while I waited. I felt like wherever I could sit would be in someones way, so I wont be going back. Dennys is down the street a couple of blocks and they have free coffee refills lol
Starbucks
3815 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
So dissapointed with La Cumbre (5 points store). Just got there at 8:52 pm and was turned away by a boy Named Francisco telling my friend an d I. I am sorry, but we are closed, she is the last customer even though I told him we just need a to go drink and is still 8 minutes to 9:00. He said I am sorry; but we need to clean. OK My friend and I went back to the car and at 8:56 pm we saw a customer with his dog walking inside the store. I suspected he would still get a drink. I went inside the store to confirm that and I was right. This person was still sold a coffee and I asked my self, why wouldnt I? Well, I asked the other boy named Charly if I could get a coffee and he said: Yes, you can, we still have a minute to close. I told him why was I not helped. He said Francisco did not noticed it was still 8 minutes before 9 pm. Well, I told Charly I was so disappointed with Francisco that he was not being equal to his customers and I would write a google review and his manager would know about this inequality. This is the 2nd time I am turned away. First time by a girl. My whole family and I love Starbucks; but I would never come back to this store and would write this review in Spanish soon too.
Starbucks
1235 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Awful experience. Receipt number 783347. I got two Venti mocha frappes with caramel drizzle, one with h&h & one with whole milk. Got barely any drizzle. The whipped cream tasted old per my husband. The girls making my drinks, one of them new, wiped my drink with a really dirty rag before adding the lid & handed it to me. I didnt even drink it. I tried to get their attention, but they were too busy with the short line they had. The new girls seemed like she was just thrown into it. I feel like I wasted a lot of time waiting, wasted money, & was still thirsty! Ugh. Never going back here. Theres one down the road on the other side of the downtown walking area. Ill go there next time.
Starbucks
4749 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93111, United States
As a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, I frequent Starbucks on a regular basis and have come to appreciate the consistency and quality of their coffee offerings. Whether Im in need of a morning pick-me-up or a midday caffeine boost, Starbucks never fails to deliver on both taste and experience. Heres why I keep coming back for more:**Variety of Options:**One of the things I love most about Starbucks is the wide range of coffee options available. From classic espresso-based beverages like lattes and cappuccinos to seasonal favorites such as pumpkin spice lattes and caramel macchiatos, theres something for every palate and preference. The ability to customize my drink with various syrups, milk alternatives, and toppings allows me to tailor my coffee order to my liking, ensuring a personalized and satisfying experience every time.**Quality Ingredients:**Starbucks prides itself on using high-quality, ethically sourced coffee beans, resulting in a rich and flavorful brew that never disappoints. The attention to detail in crafting each beverage is evident in the smooth and consistent taste of their coffee, making every sip a true delight. Additionally, the option to choose from a selection of premium teas, pastries, and snacks complements the coffee offerings and adds to the overall experience of indulging in a treat at Starbucks.**Convenient Locations and Atmosphere:**Starbucks widespread presence in various locations makes it a convenient go-to spot for grabbing a cup of coffee on the go or meeting friends for a casual catch-up. The cozy and inviting atmosphere of Starbucks stores, with their comfortable seating areas, ambient music, and friendly baristas, creates a welcoming environment that encourages patrons to linger and enjoy their beverages at their own pace. The opportunity to work or study in a relaxed setting with access to free Wi-Fi further enhances the appeal of Starbucks as a versatile and accommodating coffee destination.**Customer Service:**The customer service at Starbucks is consistently top-notch, with baristas who are knowledgeable, attentive, and eager to ensure that customers have a positive and enjoyable experience. Whether Im placing my order at the counter or using the mobile app for pickup, I always receive prompt and friendly service that adds to the overall satisfaction of my visit. The baristas willingness to accommodate special requests and provide recommendations based on my preferences makes me feel valued as a customer and keeps me coming back for more.
Starbucks
1046 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, United States
Used to be great. This was my favorite Starbucks and Im in them all over the world. Now, its just not at all the same as it was. Just a place to buy expensive coffee and use their great app. They are as friendly. Other than that, this place doesnt resemble the welcoming, warm atmosphere of the coffee shop it was. Its messy, never feels clean, tables are always dirty, we always have to wipe down tables, bathrooms are dirty, trash can is overflowing. I used to go every day. It was a meeting spot for many. Its rare that I go now. There are other places that still have that warm feeling, right around the corner with gourmet coffee and food at about the same cost.