Handlebar Coffee Roasters

Jen is a super great roaster He loves coffee roasting for 7years here. I love his hospitality and passion for coffee. The coffee is amazing.

Handle Bar Coffee is a must-stop in Santa Barbara. The coffee is great. The store on De la Vina Street is very nice.

I like trying different coffee shops when I travel. I liked the aesthetic of the inside. Ordering a drink was easy. I bought a ham and cheese croissant, too. I got my order pretty quickly despite it being busy. BUT my drink was warm, maybe just a tad warmer than room temperature. I like my coffee hot, otherwise I feel like the drink loses its taste. Heat adds something, you know? It was a double mocha latte, hardly much of a mocha or a coffee taste to it at all. A bit watery to be honest. The design on top was cool though. My croissant was alright, nothing much else to say about it. As I mentioned, I like to try coffee shops when I travel, and mochas are usually my go-to for comparison between shops. This was probably the worst mocha so far.

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.

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!!!

Handlebar is the pinnacle coffee roaster in the Santa Barbara area, and they know it. I’ve worked with other mobile coffee vendors and the majority of them use Handlebars beans. Gibraltar is hands down the best. When I’m in town, I try to grab an espresso to start my day. Having said that, their take home 12oz bag is now $24, which is even more than the small batch coffee from Starbucks Reserve in Seattle. It’s still probably worth it, but $2 an ounce is really high.

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.

The best dog-friendly cafe in this country. I love studying my school materials here and watching different kinds of dog.

Another solid option for coffee in Santa Barbara! Although the coffee wasn't anything crazy special, and I understand they have their own coffee and brew, but again, it's not a bad option! I typically go with the Chai or the Cold drip, and it's always great! The inside ambiance and outside patio are the best thing about this location. Great vibes and great music! The outside patio is super cool and great view of De La Vina and the Santa Barbara beauty! Service is always so sweet and welcoming every time I go. They are always laughing and having a great time and love to see it even during the busy rush. Definitely recommend!

They need more baristas. Takes forever for a small and very expensive cup of coffee. It's a very hip space and I loved the vibe but I probably won't be back.

Handle Bar Coffee is a must-stop in Santa Barbara. The coffee is great. The store on De la Vina Street is very nice.

This place is a Santa Barbara icon! You have to come and visit any of the two locations...they're both very good! The coffee is amazing!!! The service is fast and very friendly. They also roast their own coffee beans!!! My favorite beans are the Gibraltar beans! The ambiance is great! It's a good place to read a book or have a conversation with a friend! I recommend this place to a lot of my friends!

The set up for this place is so refreshing. It doesn't have the normal cozy coffee shop, it's more open and has a ton of open seating. The service was super fast and the employees helped grab our coffee cups after we were finished. The almond croissant was a solid 3.5/5, it looked super fluffy, but turned out to be a little dense. Our drinks were super strong, I got the cortado and it was delicious, it definitely woke me up. My fiancé got a macchiato, he didn't really like the bitter taste so I ended up switching with him, it was decent but I wouldn't order it for myself.

This is the coolest coffee shop I've stepped foot in. It's huge inside with communal seating but everyone's so friendly that you just feel comfortable inside. Parking was a little hard to find but we just got street parking in a nearby neighborhood and walked here. I got the iced vanilla latte and it was super solid. I also thought the prices were pretty fair in comparison to all the coffee shops back home in Orange County. The cowboy cookie was also REALLY good - I like to justify that it's a healthy cookie because it has oatmeal in it. Would definitely come back.

A well-known coffee roaster providing pureness with a hot vanilla latte, fresh and delicious pastries like cowboy cookie (worth eating for breakfast), ham and cheese puff pastry, and a cinnamon-sugary bun. Interior is industrial setting with the huge roaster for beans, it's cozy and inviting. Plenty of room on the patio for casual and quick dining. Service was friendly, would recommend!

My partner and I decided to stop in later in the day for a cup a Joe. I ordered a honey decaf with almond milk and my partner got the vanilla latte with oat milk. The spot is really cute with lots of seating, including outside for the pup. The baristas were friendly enough and happy to accommodate. Since it was later in the day we didn't get anything to eat but I bet their food is tasty as well. This is a great lil spot to hang! Go check her out!

Had a matcha here. Unsweetened. Milk choices are almond and oat. Great hipster industrial vibe. Don't be in a hurry in here. You'll wait a bit. And parking can be a challenge.

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.

I will stop by Handlebar anytime i'm in or driving through SB. Such an amazing cafe with quality coffee & goodies. They are usually busy but efficient with taking care of you! It is always such a clean environment and the coffee never disappoints.

Ordered 2 iced matcha lattes at 4:30pm. Closing time is 5pm. Tasted nothing like matcha whatsoever. If it wasn't for the pale green color. You would basically be drinking cold milk. Color very pale. Not worth the money. Definitely felt like it was rushed. Staff began stacking chairs in the outside patio as to hurry patrons. Better places in Santa Barbara for good quality matcha.

This is a great spot. Plenty of room to sit indoors and out. Fascinating view of the actual process of roasting coffee beans. I think that's what they are doing! Anyway, the entire space is branded beautifully with the cycling theme. This cafe attracts the outdoorsy Patagonia wearing Santa Barbara types on their bicycles or in their Subaru Foresters. The pastries are without doubt the best in town (and yes, I have tried them all) and the coffee is good of course. Have to add that you can only go here if you have plenty of time because for some mysterious reason they take AGES to make your coffee. There could be 10 baristas working and you still wait 20 mins. I recommend for those with time on their hands and make sure you try a pastry.

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!!!

Chocolate croissant and Americano hit the spot for breakfast. Service was abit crazy with the amount of people in line. I wish they were more clear that there are two lines that just opened up as many people were in one line waiting and other people that just came started to cut by going to the other line. Better communication and guidance on lining up would've been better as it's not far for those that waited 45 min for coffee order compared to those that walked in to the other side of the door and was able to get service right away.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

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

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!!

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Aesthetic is really nice. Coffee is fine, tastes like coffee. Was expecting more adventurous flavors from their drip. Service is standard.

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

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.

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.

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.