What makes a coffee shop good? Is it its freshly baked pastries? The long and comfy seating? Convenient hours? Something else? If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee, these are the best coffee shops in Santa Barbara. They use high-quality beans and brew their coffee fresh for their customers.
People in Santa Barbara love their coffee, no doubt about it. With more than a dozen coffee shops scattered around town, things can get confusing to anyone trying to find the best place for a cup of joe. That’s why when I found myself asking this question recently, I set out to find some answers. You can find the result of my search and my findings below.
- Handlebar Coffee Roasters
- Santa Barbara Roasting Coffee
- Caje
- Dart Coffee Co
- Peet’s Coffee
- Old Town Coffee Down Town
- Caffe Luxxe
- Hook & Press Donuts
- Crushcakes & Cafe
- Live Oak Cafe
Handlebar Coffee Roasters
A cozy coffee shop with a cycling theme! Handlebar Coffee Roasters makes its own roasted coffee and sells accessories. At this cafe, everything is done to perfection, the baked goods are widely regarded as the best in town, and the staff is wonderful. Cool vibe, perfect location!
Location: 128 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Working Hours: Monday-Sunday 6:30am-4pm
Website: handlebarcoffee
Phone: +1 719-201-3931
Santa Barbara Roasting Company
With plenty of seats and free refills on drip coffee and tea, Santa Barbara Roasting Company is a sunny destination for coffee and pastries. Talk about years of experience, they have been the original micro batch toaster in Santa Barbara, California, since 1989. This cafe has a lovely ambience with a garden outside. You would adore this place.
Location: 321 Motor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Working Hours: Monday-Saturday 6:30am-6pm, Sunday 9am-6pm
Website: sbcoffee
Phone: +1 800-321-5282
Cajé
Due to its popularity, this cafe is very busy, but the staff provides prompt service. The greatest cortado and cappuccino I’ve ever had is available at Caje. There are both indoor and outdoor places for seating. Free wifi is available here as well, however it’s not very fast.
Location: 416 E Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Working Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-3pm
Website: caje.coffee
Dart Coffee Co
Dart Coffee Co. cafe debuted in October 2018 after its former brand artisan craft coffee roaster began roasting for wholesale coffee sales in 2015. Even though the queue seems long every day, it goes very quickly. The staff is upbeat, welcoming, and informed.
The setting is tidy, artistic, and cool! The neighborhood community garden across the street is the ideal location to enjoy your delectable beverage.
Location: 121 E Yanonali St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Working Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7am-4pm, Friday-Saturday 7am-5pm
Website: dartcoffeeco
Phone: +1 805-452-6127
Peet’s Coffee
Berkeley-born Peet’s Coffee is a café that serves baked products along with its specialty coffee, tea, and blended drinks. The best specialty coffee company in the US is Peet’s Coffee. Peet’s Coffee sources the best coffee beans in the world, adheres to rigid high-quality and taste standards, and keeps an eye on product quality to provide premium coffees in a variety of forms.
Location: 3905 State St r2, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Working Hours: Monday-Wednesday 5:30am-6pm, Thursday-Sunday 6am-4pm
Website: peets
Phone: +1 805-687-9952
Old Town Coffee Down Town
This cafe is run and owned by a family. All of their goods and services are locally sourced by them. This café not only has fantastic coffee and pastries, but it also has a fantastic work environment. There are other meal alternatives available. If you want to thank me later, go to Old Town Coffee in Downtown.
Location: 1131 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Working Hours: Sunday-Monday 7am-6pm
Website: otcoffeeshop
Phone: +1 805-259-4356
Caffe Luxxe
Caffe Luxxe is a stylish coffee establishment offering an espresso bar, artisanal brews, pastries, and other light fare. They have a few dining options with both indoor and outdoor sitting available. Despite the price being on the high side, the coffee here tastes excellent.
Location: 1028 Coast Village Rd Ste. A, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, United States
Working Hours: Sunday-Monday 7am-4pm
Website: caffeluxxe
Phone: +1 310-394-2222
Hook & Press Donuts
Hook & Press Donuts, voted Santa Barbara’s Best Doughnut Shop four years in a row, is situated in the city’s center. Along with their freshly baked, hand-crafted donuts every day, they also serve exquisite breakfast sandwiches, as well as a variety of local beers, wines, kombuchas, and champagne. Additionally, they provide hot teas from Art of Tea, Dona Chai, Mizuba Matcha, as well as a variety of vibrant, adaptogenic lattes.
Location: 15 E Figueroa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Working Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8am-4pm, Monday (closed)
Website: hookandpressdonuts
Phone: +1 805-869-6635
Crushcakes & Cafe
You can tell by the name that this cafe specializes in cakes and coffee. Breakfast and lunch are available all day at Crushcakes & Cafe! Along with their well-known cupcakes, they also sell delectable coffee, lattes, matcha, teas, fresh pastries, quiches, and wonderful coffee.
There are a few solutions accessible for vegans, so they are not left out. Excellent service and a cozy atmosphere.
Location: 1315 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Working Hours: Sunday-Monday 8am-4pm
Website: https://www.crushcakes.com/
Phone: +1 805-963-9353
Live Oak Cafe
Have you visited Live Oak Cafe? They are a renowned cafe that is open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are a café that focuses on serving high-quality meals and has a wonderful selection of Californian cuisine.
Customers have access to wifi, and the speed isn’t too slow. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. You will adore this place.
Location: 2220 Bath St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Working Hours: Friday 8am–2pm, 4:30–9pm, Saturday 8am–2pm, Sunday 8am–2pm, Monday 8am–2pm, 4:30–9pm Tuesday 8am–2pm, 4:30–9pm, Wednesday 8am–2pm, 4:30–9pm, Thursday 8am–2pm, 4:30–9pm
Website: liveoakcafe
Phone: +1 805-845-5193
FAQs
Which is the oldest coffee shop in Santa Barbara?
Established in 1989, Santa Barbara Roasting Company is the oldest coffee shop in santa barbara, they serve premium coffee and even offer breakfast options.
Are there coffee shops in Santa Barbara that offer wifi?
While in Santa Barbara, here are some coffee shops that you could go to that offer wifi to their customers; Handlebar Coffee Roasters, Dune Coffee Roasters, Lighthouse Coffee, CAJÉ, Starbucks
Is there a 24 hour coffee shop in Santa Barbara?
No, there isn’t a cafe in Santa Barbara that runs for 24 hours. However, you could find a few coffee shops that open early and close late. Elsies Tavern is such a place, they open their doors by 7:30am and run till 2am from Mondays to Fridays. On weekends they open by 4pm and close by 2am.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s hard to choose just one favorite coffee shop in Santa Barbara. The locals here love their java, and it is easy to see why. If you are in need of a caffeinated beverage, you will be able to find one by any means necessary in Santa Barbara. Whether that is a standard quick serve coffee stop or a more personalized and artistic experience, the options are plentiful.
A great way to uncover the best coffee shops in town is by walking around downtown and checking out the local favorites. These places have been established for years, which makes them highly recommended by both locals and other visitors.
