Handlebar Coffee Roasters

Coffee was excellent, cowboy cookie was delish! Great place to try if you’re looking for a solid cup of coffee, need to get some work done on your laptop, need a place to meet for a meeting or just wanting a change of a scenery. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

I got a cortado (50:50 Espresso:Milk). Their baristas are trained and they know what they are doing. They’re not undergrad students, they’re actual baristas (this isn’t Dune). They gave me a perfectly balanced espresso shot with perfectly silky milk. Idc about drink art. Solid 5/5 Espresso drinks. They are the definition of good coffee. When the average person thinks about “good coffee” this is what they think of. Not chocolaty, not fruity, not too earthy, not acidic, not bitter, just coffee. The Mexico roast they used today was incredibly smooth, lots of espresso crema too. The roast was a little bland to my taste (completely subjective, I like fruity and chocolaty). This is the perfect “average” coffee. I am excited to try their other espresso roasts where they take more risks on flavor expressing either chocolaty, earthy, or fruity flavors. They are simply too good and the best coffee I’ve tasted in SB.

Amazing coffee and pastries and great ambience. I like the outdoor seating as well. Perfect start to the morning. The staff is friendly and make adjustments to the food if you need them

Now my second time trying Handlebar Coffee (diff location) and it was just as good as the first time. The lattes are rich and silky and just delicious. Pretty large indoor area and lots of tables outside, too. It's a great spot. Small parking lot and street parking. We'll definitely be returning next time we're in Santa Barbara!!!

A great place to chill, chat with friends, or get some work done. There are quite a few tables inside the cafe and on the patio, but it may sometimes be difficult to find an empty seat. Their coffee is always delicious.

A truly unique coffee shop! The coffee and pastries are on point and so delicious- the latte art helps!

You'd better go when it's not freezing outside. I was in Santa Barbara at 6:30 AM and decided to stop at this coffee house while I waited for my appointment. My cup of coffee was poured instantly and I found a place to sit. The lighting is great for checking your messages, but It was just as cold inside as it was outside (45 degrees). I tried to sit and enjoy my coffee, but it was just too cold in there. I wound up drinking it in my car with the heater on. They offer premium maple syrup to buy for your coffee, but did not have any single serve portions, just retail sized, glass bottles. That was too bad. That's what I use in my coffee to avoid sugar intake. I would have liked some, but didn't want to buy a whole bottle. All in all, it's an okay place.

Amazing atmosphere! Lots of natural light and beautiful brick and wooden beams throughout. Feels like they did a great job preserving the historic structure of the building while still making it feel like a coffee shop/roastery! Always top quality drinks and food! Lots of seating!

Handlebar is hands down my favorite coffee spot in Santa Barbara! I love stopping by for a iced vanilla latte and a croissant. I use their espresso beans for my coffee at home. It can get busy on weekends, but it's always worth the wait. The owner is always friendly and takes the time to say hello, which I really appreciate.

Not all cafes are created equal. The owners of handlebar are former professional cyclists who had the discipline to attend American coffee and barista school to hone their skills. They roast their beans on site in their warehouse sized coffee restaurant. Entering handlebar is an experience to take in. You immediately see a giant roaster that is a testament to the freshness of their coffee. Several tables are available inside to meet or do work. I prefer the fresh air outside as do the groups of cyclists taking a break here. Service is quick and the drinks are made with precision. Oat milk latte and mocha were excellent and featured coffee made ON-SITE! If I lived in Santa Barbara, this would definitely be a regular place to savor and enjoy.

First time trying Handlebar Coffee during a day trip to Santa Barbara. I ordered the medium size Vanilla Latte ($5.75) and an Almond Croissant ($7). The Vanilla Latte was recommended by the staff and I thought it had a high quality well rounded coffee taste and the drink was not overly sweet. The Almond Croissant was also pretty good. The croissant was good and all the almonds on top were toasty and added even more almond flavor. I was scared there would be a long line based on what others had in their reviews, but there was no line on Sunday around 11 AM.

I've been to the original location on Canon Perdido, but wanted to give this newer location a try as well. This location is bigger and has a nicer look, but I still prefer the original location. The parking here sucks. It has a small parking lot but it's always packed, and street parking is much more difficult in this area. I also had better service at the other location. Service here was still friendly but didn't think it was anything over the top. I pretty got much got the same items I got at the other location, which were kombucha and a bag of its Brazil beans, which I think is one of the best I had. It has a very smooth hazelnut flavor. I also got its Cowboy Cookie, which is a vegan cookie with chocolate, peanut butter, and oats. It's pretty massive and filling.

Idk I came in here before work to order a latte, and the girl at the cash register was mean. Treated me like crap. If I could describe to you the feeling I had while I was watching her other interactions with the other customers and wondering why she was so rude, I would. Weird interaction. It's not hard to be nice.

Came here on a Sunday morning at around 9:00. Line was about a dozen people going out the door. I ordered a hot vanilla latte, hubs ordered a medium drip coffee, son ordered an iced matcha latte. We added a bagel and chocolate croissant to the order. Food was delicious-croissant was flaky on the outside and soft with warm melted chocolate on the inside. They heated the croissant, but we had to toast the bagel ourselves, which was not a big deal. Everything came out to $27.34. All the drinks were light on flavor and I was a bit disappointed. I was surprised since my expectations were higher based on reviews. It was pretty good but it wasn't great. The coffeehouse vibe was chill and there was plenty of space to sit. Service was friendly. I just wish the coffee tasted better/stronger.

The best part about this little coffee shop is the rustic atmosphere. It's a nice spot to come and do some work in the morning. It doesn't feel overwhelming and actually allows one to be productive. The coffee and tea were really good. I also had a ham and cheese croissant. The service is good too. I didn't have to wait too long for any of my items to be prepared.

I love this place. Tied as one of the two best coffee shops in Santa Barbara county. Too bad it is not close. I have never been disappointed. My go to in the area.

Epic coffee shop with great vibes in a great location in SB on De La Vina. Super central to good spots for food if you need some variety. And the best part? There is so much room in the spot to work and chill with a great cup of coffee. Out of all the shops in town, I prefer the iced mocha here the best, grab it with oat milk and it's perfect! Also spot on pastries. The owners are fantastic and give a shout out to them if you see them, they take great pride in their shop and appreciate everyone that drops by and are always down for a hello. Keep it up Handlebar!!!

Handlebar has to be the best coffee shop in SB! They always serve high quality espressos and tea No morning is complete without a good cup of joe So here's a quick rundown of the things to know! They have two locations, about two miles apart Check your navigation app before pressing start This one is situated right along De La Vina Street The parking lot is small but it's free, which is neat There's plenty of seats here, outside is spacious I found a table inside, which is just as capacious It can get busy since they're popular, fair warning There's usually a line when I visit in the morning On the menu you'll find kombucha, cold brew, Americanos, macchiatos, lattes, cappuccinos too Lots of baked goods sitting in the display case And branded merch if you want to rep this place My hot vanilla latte was superb, as always! Expertly crafted with care, give the barista a raise Milk was frothed to the correct temperature, and The espresso flavor was bold, not at all bland Morning bun is a pastry made of laminated dough It's so buttery and fluffy, I grabbed another to-go! Overall, this cafe is a must stop if you have time That's all for now, hope you enjoyed the rhyme!

Great coffee and great atmosphere. Friendly staff Would recommend this place for good coffee

Adorable theme and great space. It was absolutely packed on a Sunday afternoon. No where to park or sit, so I got my coffee to go. But it does seem like a popular spot to get some work done. Clean restrooms, average coffee prices. The one fall for me was how small a medium iced coffee is here. It came in a small cup for hot coffee so it was mostly ice and the paper fell apart. Maybe they ran out of plastic cups? But good tasting coffee. It was a good place to stop on our road trip overall.

By far the best latte I've had from any coffee place. Great atmosphere and great people.

This place is very beloved in the area! It has a cool rustic feel with lots of natural light and open spaces. There are always a lot of dogs there too! The lines here are always really long, but the staff is kind and has a good system. There is one line for espresso and one for non-espresso. They are very caring and make sure every drink comes out perfect! I got a tumeric latte and it was fine. Not a ton of flavor and a lot of the tumeric was at the bottom, so I wish I had stirred it. It was also pricey for the size. Their gluten free muffins are amazing and I loved mine! It's crowded every time I go, but I think that is a testament to how great the coffee and staff are!

One of my favorite and best known coffee shops in Santa Barbara. This location which is the roastery is my favorite. Handle bar is a must stop for coffee in Santa Barbara. A number of other places that serve coffee use their beans l, because of the quality and that they are the main local roastery. I usually get a vanilla latte when I come here. It has a distinctive taste, but good. I love the merch they have and of course beans.

Very aesthetic coffee shop with lots of variety and both indoor and outdoor seating. Love that you can watch the baristas and employees grind the beans in house and that they put time into their lattes. It's also a great place for a coffee date or to just get some work done. I got a medium matcha latte and my date got a large iced chai. The matcha was delicious and very well mixed, no clumps or grittiness; and watching the barista make the leaf in my cup was so satisfying. Would come again!

Handlebar coffee roasters is awesome. The store is so active and lively, and the space is so large and full of life. If I lived in Santa Barbra I'd be the ultimate regular. The roasts are varied and the everything seems to be crafted with the goal of satisfaction. With an incredibly kind service staff who are quick and efficient, my visit was incredible and memorable!

Delicious smooth roasted coffee. Some really great bakery items especially in the AM! Right next door to Alessia. Clean, bright and inviting. I really don't drink coffee, but this coffee really tasted great and agreed with me !

I loved Handlebar Coffee! It would be a great place to work, it's huge with a variety of tables and inside space as well as a patio. The coffee was amazing! I love that you can watch them roast coffee while you're waiting. The service was great and it's a very cool vibe

Beautiful atmosphere! Tons of seating. Well-staffed. And the drinks are on point! What else could you ask for?

Absolutely consistently killer coffee across years! The ambiance, location, service all top notch.

I could go to Santa Barbara only for this coffee, that's how much I love the coffee here. Handlebar Coffee Roasters is a haven for coffee enthusiasts seeking a truly exceptional cup. From the moment you walk in, the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans welcomes you, setting the stage for a coffee experience that goes beyond the ordinary.

Amazing space, service, and menu! They actually serve the hot drinks in mugs with amazing latte art! My friend who lived in sb for five years said this is the best coffee shop in the area!!

The vibes are there. Seems like a great and spacious place to study or get work done. However, I wasn't a big fan of the coffee. Maybe because I got an iced coffee to go - I would stay away from iced coffees from this place. Comes in a small paper cup which was kind of inconvenient and definitely felt overpriced. The bartenders seemed nice but lady at the front could've used more energy. Will I be back? Probably not.

Adorable and huge. Bright and airy with plenty of tables. Also has a huge outdoor patio. They roast the coffee beans right in the shop. The service was tremendously friendly which was kind of surprising for a pretentious looking coffee shop. We ordered americanos (nothing fancy) and a ham and cheese croissant. Everything was clean and beautiful - highly recommend.

Came here at 8am on a Friday morning, already packed! I ordered a drip coffee and grabbed a seat near the baking area. Within half an hour a seat at a big table opened up, so I switched there to study. Handlebar is my new favorite study spot. It is consistently packed, with lines out the door more often than not. It has a buzzing atmosphere, with customers of all different ages. The wifi is fast, the workers are friendly, and my coffee was great. Even better- there are DOGS! I saw the cutest little lab in line, in addition to a dog every other table. This, along with the atmosphere, is why handlebar will become my go-to study spot. Another cool feature is the open baking area, where you can see their pastries being made fresh in house. I saw scones and cookies being baked- I must try next time! Overall, I highly recommend handlebar as a spot to catchup with friends or study if you enjoy bright and vibrant atmospheres. It is pretty loud due to the plethora of conversations all around you, so keep this in mind if you are coming to study. I also recommend coming early if you want to guarantee getting a seat.

I love this location! We normally go to the lower one near state street, but this one is much more spacious! The hot mocha was super yummy! I can't wait to come back!

Great ambiance. Parking is easier at this location than the other. Staff is super nice and efficient. I always get the iced matcha latte with honey and it always hits the spot. Bathrooms super clean Opening seating with ample space. Stroller friendly.

Updating my review. Full disclosure: I buy their coffee to brew at home, but I also stop in every now and again for fresh brewed and a bagel. Their coffee is great! Ambiance in their shop is on point. Parking looks tight however I walk so that's just an FYI comment. Service has improved too. Could it be better? Probably. Am I just grumpy in the morning? Probably. Damn good coffee tho!

This place was wonderful! We got there and there was a long line so we admittedly almost left but super glad we didn't! The line moved quickly and they took drip/iced coffee/quick drink orders out of line at a separate register. We stayed in line to get a latte and cold brew, which came out quickly all things considered and with kind service. The espresso was roasty and delicious and the cold brew was flavorful and not acidic, which I loved. The space is also a destination type place, where you want to stay a while and relax. If we lived here, this would totally be my regular coffee spot!

The coffee is delicious and earns 5 stars. The bagel I had was great as well. The service was very friendly and I'd give it 5 stars but there is a bit of a wait. People are friendly and it's a relaxed atmosphere. Great place and I will be back.

I stopped here driving up the coast on a Saturday morning and there was a line out the door. Evidently, everyone was there; I saw people run into each other, and meet friends. A teacher was leisurely sipping her drink while grading papers, and kids were running around. It's such a beautiful atmosphere. They have the best gluten free muffins on this side of the Sierras; the pumpkin chocolate chip is just as good as the gf muffins at my favorite coffee shop in Bishop, CA, which very much surprised me. I ordered a vanilla latte and it was amazing. It wasn't too sweet and the quality of coffee makes it something you just want to savor in such a lovely place. I enjoyed every sip. I'll definitely be back here next time I'm in Santa Barbara.

Handle Bar Coffee Roasters serves up some fantastic pastries--everything I tried was fresh, a bit too rich in taste, but absolutely delicious. I would have liked to see more savoury options to balance out the sweet treats. Great friendly staff and awesome ambiance. Unfortunately, the coffee was a bit underwhelming, and the takeaway cups were overfilled, which led to spills. I spilled mine on the counter, and I noticed someone else had the same issue on the floor. Overall, it's a nice spot with some room for improvement. Cajè does better coffee

i don't drink a lot of coffee so certainly take this with customary sideeye but... vibes alone this feels like the platonic ideal of a coffee shop? it's in a former safeway (memorialized on a portrait on the wall) and it feels like a giant barn inside - they roast all the coffee on site right in the middle of everything - all different kinds of seating options, including a huge patio - ginger spirulina kombucha on tap! kind, knowledgeable owners who definitely take pride in their products. just thrilled with this place.

Parking is extremely difficult to find. The line for this place is super long and it does not go by fast. If I could i would rate this place 3 1/2. 3 seems to low, but 4 seems too generous. Service was slow, they were sweet, but super slow. Theres seating everywhere, but its difficult to find a spot, and when you do you will probably have peoples butts in your face, behind you, or beside you. Theres people waiting for their orders, but no designated place to wait. We got vanilla lattes. Eh, i mean i never get vanilla lattes because theyre a little boring, and in my opinion, all taste the same. Now you could say this about every other flavored latte, but I would have to disagree. Certain flavored lattes enhance the flavors of the espresso they use. Anyways.... was the wait worth it? was it all the hype everyone says it is? Mmm, no. Maybe lattes arent their strong suit? But it tasted weak, oat milk flavored latte should be the name of the vanilla latte. Thats all i got from the drink. We got two pastries and two lattes. Came out to 30$. HUH? Not even in OC or LA have i ever paid that much. Now, if the lattes blew my mind i wouldnt mind the price. Their pastires are delicious. The morning bun (i think was the name) is worth the wait. Its seriously so good. Is it worth the wait? No. Taking everything into consideration: Parking, the long line, the seating, the pastries, the coffee, the ambience, and the price. I would say no. Am I happy I tried it? Yes. Now I know its just not what people make it out to be. It might just be one of those: "Well if everyone likes it, then it must be good." Bc it really just isn't mind blowing. Idk man. Try it out and see for yourself.

Not only do they have truly delicious drinks and pastries, they go out of their way to be helpful with their customers *beyond* their excellent customer service. Their patio seating is also very pleasant. Anytime I'm in town I look forward to stopping into Handlebar!

Looking for the perfect scone and latte and a laid back experience? Then look no further and give Handlebar coffee roasters a visit. Staff was super friendly and service was quick. Did have some trouble finding an open table to sit down and enjoy reading. But loved how there's plenty seating area both inside and out. Ended up finding a seat in the bar section and got to enjoy watching the baked goods being prepared right in front of me. That is proof they are not frozen. And with holidays coming up, there's quite the selection of quick gifts you can pick up such as your usual coffee shop swag like tumblers, mugs, shirts but not only that but wine, local raw honey.

Greatest coffee Really good customers service , the coffee shop is always clean including the restroom...

This location is huge! So much seating indoor and outdoor, plus a larger food menu than the Canon Perdido location. I went recently on a Sunday morning and there was a pretty long line, but it's worth the wait! My matcha latte was so beautifully prepared. Parking can be a challenge here, so be sure to plan ahead if you're in a hurry!

Amazing atmosphere with very kind baristas. The cashier (Dianna) was very understanding and patient with me and my family's order. This space is very big with lots of room to sit and breathe! Pet friendly, and a great place to chill, study, do some work, or catch up with friends. I ordered two lattes, one cold and one hot (w/ whole milk) with two extra shots. The latte art is so beautiful, and they tasted 10/10! Will definitely come here again when I visit sb again:) thanks for the amazing experience Handlebar!

Awesome coffee shop! Lots of parking, both indoor and outdoor seating, good food options and environmentally friendly in so many ways! We tried the matcha latte, the ham and cheese croissant and a jalapeño cheddar bagel with cream cheese. Everything was fantastic!

Super service and a kind attitude and a flat white that set me on course for a successful day.

Great coffee, great staff, great design, great food... Thank you so much for having a few delicious vegan options. I am looking forward to the avocado toast return. Services with a smile. Everybody seemed chill and happy who were both waiting as well as working there. The line moves pretty quickly, and I felt lovely standing there with the sun on my back. The mocha done with oat milk is vegan as they use Val Rona chocolate. I love the thoughtfulness and their quality of ingredients. Many thanks to the owner and his team for creating such a special community place. PS the vegan cowboy cookie is so good. It's my new favorite. It has peanuts in it which I love but they should advise that clearly. It is perfect !! Vegans and non vegans alike will love it. So big and good value

Handlebar....you simply make my day everytime I come in! If you are looking for a fantastic place for a wonderful latte, coffee, matcha and pastries to go with them...look no further than Handlebar! I know I'm not the first to rave about this place, but it is hard not to. I went with my friends to enjoy one of my favorites in town and was not let down in the slightest. I got a Ham & Cheese Croissant with a hot Mocha with Oat Milk and per usual they knocked it out of the park! The staff was incredibly friendly, we got our orders within 10 minutes and we had some lovely seats outside to enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara weather! If you are looking for a fantastic spot, I always recommend checking Handlebar out. One of my all time favorite places and always a good time when you go! Couple things to note here, they close at 1pm so be sure to pop in early! There is also very limited parking so you may end up going to a side street or curb instead of their parking lot. Although it's busy, they are always moving quick and putting the customer service out there consistently. Thank you Handlebar and until next time!

They may be a coffee shop but they do a great matcha too. Vegetal and yum. But also I do like their coffee, and I'm not a coffee person!

Always really liked the charm of the original location, but over the years have started to default to this location mainly due to the much bigger space and 2 large bathrooms for the first potty stop after the long drive (vs. original location's 1 bathroom that always seems to have a line waiting, lol). Still the best americano around and always the first stop on any trip to SB. Tried the drip coffee this time as well and while it's not the dark roast flavor that I prefer, it had interesting notes and was a change of taste and the L cup was good to down on a chilly morning. Went back to default americano on 2nd stop and it's still my preferred choice. Wife saw some new ube glazed donut item while getting the usual Renaud's croissants, so of course had to try it since anything ube is a must since hawaii years ago:) It was ok, nice texture and not too sweet and tasted healthy. Guess should have figured it out when it said gluten free and vegan, that I shouldn't be expecting the usual rich wheat flour lard fried sugar spiking donut, lol! Will leave the gluten free stuff for the healthy crowd and continue to go for the tried and true Renaud's items.

Traveling down to OC and stopped in Santa Barbara for a pick me up drink. I been craving a dirty chai but hard to find one well balanced Drink: Hot Dirty Chai with almond milk was spicy and not too sweet. I prefer spicy chai over sweet chai, if you are a spicy chai lover this is for you. I added espresso which gave it a sharp cut to tone the chai spice down. It did the drink well, but would not get a chai alone. Pastry: gluten free bloody orange donut OMG tasted liked fruit loops!! It was the perfect density and small crispy crunch in the beginning of the bite. Yumminess and delicious! My heart was won with the gf donut possibly the best donut I have had the pleasure eating Environment: super cozy and homely vibe. The inside and outside seating was plentiful! Everyone was having an enjoyable Saturday morning; embracing all the good vibes Service: 10/10 wonderful!! The cashier was a dear and the barista handed me the drink with such a gracious smile. Can genuinely feel the kindness radiate from all of them The service and gluten free pastries make me obligated to visit again! I will try a latte next time and give it a second chance next time in SB!

I was in the area for a bachelorette party and you just can't start the day right without coffee first! This quiet coffee shop has a large, open and airy atmosphere with the chillest of vibes you can enjoy in this historic building. The incredibly friendly service along with the deliciously roasted coffee tops off the experience. Although there were only 3 of us, we also ordered drinks for about 5 other people and the staff was super accommodating in ensuring each drink was made correctly per each person's customizations. They have baked goods too such as cookies and scones which looked super delectable too. Great stop if you're in the area!

Big fan of this place. Their coffee is by far my favorite in Santa Barbara and the service is great. The ambiance is great. I enjoy coming here and highly recommend this place to others.