Handlebar Coffee Roasters

This is the spot for coffee, drinks (cold and hot), and delicious treats! Everything was top notch and you can tell they use all high quality ingredients and know how to make drinks. Lots of seating inside and outside with parking, although currently (mid November 2025) there is some construction on the street right outside so it may cause a little traffic, but still enoflow to visit here. The almond croissant was one of the best I have had, seriously. Very nice atmosphere, vibe, and relaxing, great spot for a break and to relax and have greqt drinks and some snacks.

A perfect combination: a delicious latte at just the right temperature, excellent croissants, a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. A pleasant surprise during my short visit to the city. Highly recommended.

This review is about sustainability only! ☺️ By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. And over 95% of plastic we consume and send to recycling doesn’t actually get recycled, but rather is burned in incinerators, gets piled in landfills, or floats off into the ocean. That why I appreciate your shop—as a cafe in a coastal city—offers real, reusable mugs to customers. It means a lot to me to have sustainable, zero waste options when giving my patronage to a coffee shop. So I value not just the real mugs and water cups on site, but also the discount you gave me for bringing my own mug. That said, it seems that many folks inside aren’t aware of the reusables available, or maybe need to be asked explicitly by a barista if they want one. Lots of single use plastic cups in the trash can in the shop, showing just how many folks are making trash after one drink in house. Maybe worth asking customers if they’re staying! And maybe worth some signage encouraging Santa Barbarans and tourists alike to treat the ocean better. Thank you for considering, and thanks again for the delish coffee and availability of real cups.

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.

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. Update - I would not recommend their match as it is very watered down and not great. Kind of bummed honestly.

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!!!

My new Coffee stop when I pass through Santa Barbara less than a mile off the 101. We had a long drive back to LA and this was just what we needed, great roasted coffee, the friendliest service in a historic building with a cool and open atmosphere. I couldn’t decide what to get, and the barista made the best recommendations. This business is locally owned and operated, you can see the pride they take and care about their community. I told them we like to see our friends who operate a restaurant near by, and they wanted to know where it was. What great people, you have to stop by and try this place!

One of the Best Coffee Spots in Town - Absolute Fire!" Handlebar is hands down one of the best coffee shops in the city. The vibe is incredible -- a perfect blend of laid-back and energetic -- and the coffee? Honestly, some of the most delicious I've had anywhere. Prices are surprisingly reasonable for the quality you get. It's rare to find a place that hits this perfect balance between taste, design, and affordability. The location is spacious, with a great layout, stylish interior, and plenty of comfortable seating. Whether you're here to work, meet up with friends, or just chill solo -- you'll feel totally at home. The staff is super friendly and welcoming, and you can tell they actually care about what they do. It's always bustling with people -- and for good reason. The crowd is cool, the energy is great, and the entire experience just feels right. Handlebar is one of those places you keep coming back to -- not just for the coffee, but for the whole atmosphere. If you're in town, this is a must-visit. Legit one of the most popular and well-loved spots around.

Everything about Handlebar is really just so wonderful. The staff, the food, the coffee, the community, and even their merch! We just love it.

Always great coffee drip or espresso. Spacious and 2 clean bathrooms always a plus since its always the first stop coming into SB:)

Wow!! Such good coffee. Came here for a weekend getaway and recommended it by a friend. We went here 3 times and I made sure to stop by before we drove back down to OC. Their menu is simple but that just shows how good the actual coffee is. No need to hid it with a bunch of syrups and creams. We got the vanilla oat latte and an americano. We will def be back

Stopped here heading north and it was a pleasant surprise. Nice espresso, interesting space. Enthusiastic staff.

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 customer service was stellar- the baristas at the register were kind and quick. We ordered the chai and matcha iced lattes to try. Both were not sweetened and true to its authentic flavor/taste. The blueberry lemon scone was also okay. It would have been more tasty if the scone was warm. Overall, a decent coffee shop.

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.

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.

Spacious roaster with both indoor and outdoor seating. I liked both their cappuccino and drip coffee. Also dogs friendly. Perfect place to hang out with 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.

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!

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!

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.

What a great facility! It's a very old industrial building converted to a cafe and coffee roasting site. Lots of seating inside and seating in a large Patio area outside. Add in nice people, variety of freshly made pastries, sandwiches, fresh great tasting coffee and we have ourselves a winner!

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.

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.

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

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!

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 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.

This is the best coffee i've ever had in my life. As a local of 7 years, no other place compares to Handlebar. Service is always amazing Aaron + Kim are one of a kind. So grateful for their gift in sb.

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.

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.

I have given this place a chance three separate times and every time left a little confused and disappointed, as I cannot figure out why this coffee shop has such great reviews. I give credit where credit is due! The facility is nice, it's actually very cute, with an industrial style reminiscent of New York coffee shops - but the same coffee shop magic is not there to match. This is a place that sells regular bitter overpriced coffee, no interesting syrups, no speciality drinks, nothing "unique" about anything on the menu. To add to it, usually you enter an ambient looking coffee shop like this to find interesting and kind people working. Coffee shops are usually a haven for alternative people (of varying degrees) who offer amazing hospitality that always adds to the atmosphere. Handlebar seems to hire the type of pretentious popular kids you would have gone to high school with. Every time I have come in, the girls working seem so mentally checked out and annoyed to be taking your order, it was genuinely jarring to me. A coffee shop this cute with your basic local mean girls working the counter, and nothing special about the coffee to even show for it!? Hello!? What is going on!? I usually love coming to my favorite coffee shops and bumping into the baristas, but NOT here. Maybe this is the type of person the owner is, and they enjoy a bland menu with mean and bored incredibly generic staff - perhaps I am just missing the vision... I normally do not leave negative reviews even if I don't particularly like a place but having given Handlebar a chance three times and left disappointed each time, I felt I needed to. Beautiful atmosphere, terrible service and underwhelming coffee. Come here if you're the type of person who just wants a cute place to sit, otherwise - I recommend literally any other coffee shop in Santa Barbara. Even Bree'osh next door, which is technically a french bakery/breakfast spot that just happens to also sell coffee - has a pretty decent latte with more interesting selections. I sadly cannot recommend Handlebar, and I really wish I could because it's right down the street from me.

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!

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.

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.

is been the best spot to open the morning for me till They changed their sandwiches they had a very special bread with turkey now they buy it from some place in Millpas the taste is terrible i remember back then i try go eraly in the morning to get sandwiche because after 10:30 no more this sad moment now is not resin to go and buy sandwich and coffee on the way but the good side i save around $20 a day now and them need more baristas is took long time to get you coffee but is wrote ir back then when them ahve the sandwiche this ia not my spot any more

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!

Super annoying to find parking with all the construction and then to pay almost 6 dollars for a watered down iced tea with no refills definitely will never be back.

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 !

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.