The Waiting Room

So much more than a coffee shop. Pastries and fresh baked home made treats are to die for. Amazing chi latte. Best spot in town. Old records are played in the back. Very homey and friendly.

A cozy coffee shop with great interior representing an old house. Their service is great and they have enough place to host 20+ people at a time. We tried their matcha latte, croissants, cappuccino, and latte. I have to say they were amazing. I got the matcha and it was too good. Usually people tend to mess with matcha ending up with a bitter drink. They had a perfect balance and I loved it and the croissants were fresh, buttery, crunchy on the outside and soft inside. My family was pleased with the coffee as well. They said their coffee blend was perfect and refreshing. They have restroom access and minimum parking space. Was a bit crowded when we vacated for long weekend. Overall a good place to hangout and catch up with friends.

Very cute coffee spot, one-man show and GRREAT coffee! Board games available, great music selection. They also offer fun lattes (cardamom rose etc) lookin forward to be back again!

Excellent place for a morning cup of coffee. Have been coming here every time we come to Mendocino. Very cozy, hip atmosphere, nice music, and consistently great coffee drinks!

The pastries are on the same tier as the best pastry shops in major urban areas. The almond olive oil cake was the biggest standout with its crispy sugary top, better than at the famous spots in NYC. Scones were light and fluffy with crispy crags. Croissants were crispy and flaky. The cafe has a beautiful outdoor garden space in the back.

Amazing atmosphere with the best coffee! The staff is awesome and they will make you the best chai latte, espresso or americano you've had in your life. The place beams with good energy and good vibes! Whether you’re inside enjoying great music by the wood stove or outside on the sunny deck overlooking the garden, the atmosphere is always perfect, just like their coffee!

Delicious selection of pastries, and very nice coffee (more on the fruity side). Highly recommend the cheese scone and the chocolate chip cookie! Seems like a well loved community spot. The inside is cozy, covered in wood panelling, and the outside patio is nice too.

When in Mendocino, we always get up early and walk to the Waiting Room to get our lattes. The coffee is perfect, the service is friendly, and the music is thoughtful. We love the ambiance and sitting by the fireplace. There’s also WiFi (in the old days, there was only one coffee shop with WiFi by the fire station). About the pastries, that’s where I take one star off. Croissants tend to be blackened, burnt, overbaked, and dry. The galettes and olive cakes seem to survive the burnt. I also wish they were warm, but they're always cold.

On our last morning of our long coastal weekend getaway, my husband and I made our way to The Waiting Room. It was quite crowded when we arrived, but we managed to place our order for two maple lattes, mine with oat milk and his with regular. We also managed to snag one of the last available pastry items in the display case - a walnut chocolate chip cookie. While we waited for our beverages, one of the tables in the tiny interior managed to open up so we snagged it. This is definitely a quite small and quaint location. It was a rainy day, so the outdoor space and patio were not an option. But as for the maple lattes themselves, they were quite delicious as was the walnut chocolate chip cookie. This may be my favorite coffee shop in Mendocino.

A local recommended The Waiting Room and suggested ordering their matcha, which I took her up on. Besides their standard menu, the Waiting Room also has a chalk board with specials, and I decided to add their rose cardamom syrup to my drink. My matcha latte was so delicious, and I loved the subtle floral notes from the syrup. My partner ordered a special drink with matcha and coconut water, which he was not a fan of. The matcha wasn't well whisked, and you could see visible clumps floating at the top of his drink. While mine was good, the drinks can be inconsistent. Service was fast and the vibe inside is very laid back and homey. It almost feels like being inside a cabin, and I like the vinyl records on display. I'm glad we stopped by, and you can tell that this is a spot that locals love too. Pro tip: stick to the standard menu. The expresso shots were so fragrant, and I'd consider ordering an expresso drink next time.

Cool coffee shop with cozy interior and large tables on the outdoor patio. The drinks and bites are delicious this is a good spot to start your day.

We had a latte and a cappuccino, both with the cardamom rose flavored syrup and they were the bomb!

Coffee, Tea, & Pastries by day; Wine & Beer by evening! My husband and I visited The Waiting Room multiple times while staying in the Mendocino area. We first stopped out for their beer and wine happy hour before returning the next day for breakfast. I got the Rose Cardamom Latte which was absolutely delicious! Their Apple Danish and Chai Latte were also very good. Great spot in town to enjoy a little bit of everything!

Cute bakery, but I think my sister & I were a bit darker than the usual white they liked their customers to be! They didn't have anymore of this baked good, couldn't heat the ham & cheese croissants & if I wanted a cup of latte (on their menu) they didn't make them & I had to add milk to their Americano. No Thanks!

The best breakfast burrito I've ever had(Bacon) normally there's too much going on in them, but this was a breakfast sandwich in a burrito, and the salsa was *chefs kiss*, the coffee and hot chocolate were decent They have a good selection of pastries but we didn't try any Ambiance is VERY nice, unique and eclectic (their tunes were fun as well) Also, the bathroom is clean and spacious

This is a quaint coffee shop with amazing pastries and flavorful coffee. We spent the weekend in the Mendocino area and made sure to stop here twice! It was also a great place to grab a little gift as a souvenir. The inside is cozy with a good amount of space to chill with friends. They also have board games to play, which was fun. And there is plenty of space outside to soak in the sun and hang out.

This is a great little coffee and bakery. I had a great Americano and their baked goods are incredible. My buddy loves their bagels! The customer service was amazing!

Solid coffee, low key vibe, great pastries, service was a tad abrupt but hey - it was Thanksgiving weekend, just 2 people working, with a continual line almost out the door. Overheard them say that it had been like this, non stop since they opened (I believe 7:30am) and it was after 11am - so they totally get a pass lol Drinks menu that they switch to in the afternoon/evening looked interesting - the outdoor area was very sweet. It was a bit chilly but in warmer weather it must be lovely. Pastries alone make it a place to stop into.

Came here on a Monday morning and it was pretty busy. The service was okay as I wish the pastries could've been heat up instead of served cold. I purchased a ham and cheese croissant and a strawberry scone along with a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate wasn't as sweet as I would've hoped as it was made from semi-sweet chocolate chips and was a bit light for my taste. The ham and cheese croissant was flavorful but I couldn't really taste the cheese as I got more of the ham flavor. The strawberry scone was super flaky and thick but I wish it had more strawberry jam in the middle.

Adorable spot with great vibes. Staff are very friendly. I got the honey lavender latte special and it was delicious. I generally don't like lavender but wanted to give it a try. It was not soapy and paired well with the oat milk I subbed in. I was there later in the day so mast pastries were already gone. Can't wait to go back and try one though.

The place had cute aesthetics, which first drew me in while searching for a good matcha spot. Unfortunately, the matcha was watered down and disappointing. The staff seemed more focused on chatting with each other than providing good service. Overall, not a great experience -- I won't be returning.

Great atmosphere...cool vibe with the record player and wood paneled walls. We had a latte and cappuccino. Delicious and beautifully presented in colorful ceramic cups and saucers. Seemed like a nice local clientele.

Monty, the coolest and kind barista made amazing coffees and welcomed us early in the day. Quality coffee, house made syrups, and delicious pastries. Amazing music choices on a chilly morning while a wood burning pot belly stove kept the place warm and cozy. The baker happened to be there and hopefully he was happy we bought 4 of the 8 offerings. All were stellar and I would love to know if he has his own place or sells to the public. Coffee was perfect and not $$$$. Must go place when on this side of the Cali coast.

The man serving at the bar was so nice. I love the interior and I love that this place is open for so many hours (especially the late hours). The atmosphere inside is warm and comfortable. This is a place perfect for talking, enjoying a snack, having a coffee, and/or having a drink. Behind the shop is a nice outdoor area with two wooden high tables. I love the variety of drinks that are served here. I chose to just have a glass of the Beauj Bite (half cider half sour) on tap, and it was a great drink. I would have it regardless of alcoholic content just because it was a pleasantly sweet and sour drink.

Amazing coffee shop. Very cozy and quaint spot. Hidden on the street. Turns into a wine bar at night but we came in the morning. Got a lavender latte which was divine and the almond olive oil cake which was soooo moist and delicious. Best I've tried. Soo good and can't wait to come back. Service was good and outdoor patio was welcoming!

What a hidden gem! We didn't discover this place until our 5/6th time in Mendocino. It's not a place you would just randomly walk by because it's tucked away on a side street. But it was def the best coffee/pastry spot we've tried in Mendocino! I got an iced strawberry matcha which was delicious, and a green onion/cheese scone that was one of the best scones I've ever had in my life. And I don't even like onions! It was so buttery and soft, not dry at all. All the pastries looked delicious, was clearly home baked, and were already running out by the time we ordered. There was a bit of a line, but it moved fast. Really cozy inside with sofa and board games. Decent seating outside that's dog friendly. We also tried the Brickey for lunch and it was similarly delicious! Can't wait to try the Cafe for dinner on our next visit!

Excellent coffee and pastries. It's a very cozy and homely vibe. Would totally recommend!

Love this place! Staff is wonderful, coffee is delicious, and the vibes are great. Definitely will be stopping by every time I am in Mendocino.

Great coffee and ambience! I am usually sold when cafes don't ask what size? When I order a cappuccino.

The most magical cafe in all the land! Mama gets to get caffeinated while the babes explore the gardens in the backyard. Absolute perfection all around!

We've been here twice, and have absolutely loved it both times. The coffee drinks and pastries are SO good. If you're looking for a coffee or sugar fix, this is it. The inside is super cozy, and has a vintage feel to it, and the staff always has a smile on their face. Definitely recommend!

Coffee was pretty good. Middle aged man who was working was passive aggressive and rude. Could've had a better experience but man was just rude and disappointed us.

One of the cutest cafe I have ever visited! My partner and I were at Mendocino for the weekend and had planned to visit the Waiting Room as a quick breakfast spot. This little spot is my definition of a cozy, homey, comforting cafe. The interior of it is very aesthetic. They got a couple lounge chairs, a comfy bench, and some normal seating area closer to the counter area. I think we got there around 9AM, and we're lucky enough to have beat the crowd that came in after us. They offer a good size selection of pastries, whole loaves of sourdough, and a variety of drinks. My partner tried the Matcha Latte with Oat milk, and a Fig Walnut Gazette - very pretty! I went for the Vegan Huckleberry Muffin and a Chai Latte. We also ended up getting a loaf of their sourdough to-go. My Huckleberry Muffin was so good! I love a good crumble top. It adds both a slightly crunchy texture and sweetness. The muffin was moist, crumbly, but not too crumbly, and there were plenty of huckleberries mixed in the muffin. As for my Chai Latte, this chai is on my list of top three chai lattes I have ever tried. It's nicely spiced, and not too sweet. Just perfect for a chilly, cloudy morning. Nothing like a delicious hot drink to keep you warm! As for the Fig Walnut Gazette. There were some good size chunks of figs in the middle. The pastry puff was topped with some sugar, and it was made beautifully. Nice and crispy outer layer, with a soft gooey fruity inside. My partner really enjoyed it. As for the Matcha Latte, I'm surprised at how vibrant it was in color. The more vibrant green it is, the better quality the matcha is. And they added a good amount of matcha in there. I think a good matcha has a slight bitterness to it, and this one was just perfectly bitter initially, but towards then end it got a tad more bitter because a lot of matcha powder had sunk to the bottom. I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The bitterness offsets the sweetness of the pastries. I'm sure Waiting Room is popular amongst locals, but if you're just visiting and you love cafes, make sure to hit up the Waiting Room! We'll be back for sure next time we're around!

Super fun spot in this small village of places to eat. We grabbed a beer and a coffee while we tried to find the pizza place... it's connected by a deck.... Service was so great I went to get a beer after ordering my pizza!

Very charming little spot, service was quick and helpful, we had a cappuccino and it was Happy Hour so also had a couple of glasses of wine. This place had a welcoming, friendly vibe, including a record player and a little wood burning fire stove. Looks like it was a mix of locals and tourists. Fun spot.

The waiting room was awesome. We ate there for dinner because we had our dog (which they allowed). The room was nice and cozy. They offered everything at Cafe Beaujolais in addition to some bar food. No hard drinks, but nice wine selection. John waited on us and was really friendly with great suggestions on things to do in the area. We had the scallops and the duck and both were delicious. We ended the meal with the Pear Galette which was really delicious. If they warmed it up, it would have been out of this world (but it was still good room temp). Will definitely be back!

Really cute little place on a side street. It was busy, but not overly crowded. I ordered a hot rose cardamom latte. The wait wasn't bad; they forgot to make mine, so I waited a little longer than normal. Worth the wait, the latte was delicious and the flavors were vibrant! I'll go back!. .

Great service, food and drinks! We sat on the back deck overlooking the garden down below and enjoyed our breakfast stop.

Very cool coffee/wine and beer bar. Great Happy Hour from 3-5 (5.00 beer and wine) I started with the espresso tonic that was incredibly palate satisfying while my companion had a cappuccino. After our caffeine fix, we quickly moved on to happy hour. Great records playing with a intimate setting.

Delicious morning pastries. Great spot for a pre dinner beverage or morning latte in Mendocino.

A friend recommended this place but it was highway robbery. Over 15$ for two small pastries that were not good. Both the artichoke and goat and the strawberry and rhubarb galette didn't taste good and I ended up throwing them away which is very unusual for me.

The best croissants I've had in my life. I've driven an hour out of the way just to eat the almost croissants at this place. Seriously, they're that good!

On this very rainy morning in Mendocino I was seeking out good coffee. This little cafe is such a warm, welcoming place. They have a fire going, a vinyl record player playing some nice, mellow music, and a lovely coffee bar. The Americano I had was one of the best I've ever had. A lot of times Americano's just taste too watered down. This was the perfect balance of hot water to espresso. I was very impressed.

Extremely disappointed to learn they no longer have almond milk as a milk option for their coffee drinks. Their only two options now are solely cow milk and oat milk: a grain-free/dairy-free, paleo enthusiast's nightmare. Why go backwards in your milk selection offerings? On a good note, they have organic milk. I've always looked forward to enjoying my coffee at this adorable cafe, when I visit. Their botanical garden is Let me know when you bring almond milk back into the picture (Califa's Barista Blend is the best for lattes). Till then... hello Good Life Cafe.

Everything you'll ever want in a coffee shop and more. Delicious velvety coffee, freshly baked pastries that sell out by mid morning and surprisingly the best sour on tap I've ever had. Until next time.

The signage says Cafe Beaujolis so don't think you've missed it. Very cute little place. The coffee smells great when you walk in and the baked goods look so inviting. The young lady at the register was very gracious to everyone but us? She was rather dismissive but it's all good. It was pretty busy so the wait for drinks took some time. Cold Brew was a big miss. Latte was meh.

This is a top notch coffee and bakery shop. Very cool vibe inside with high wood vaulted ceilings and lots of light and comfy spots to sit. I rally love the audiophile hi-fi music setup with turntable and vintage cabinet speakers. The coffee is incredible--we had lattes one day and cappuccinos another day. We enjoyed one of the best almond croissants ever in the morning. We had the fresh baked madeleines which were right out of the oven. I'd try it out in the afternoon when they pour local draft beer and a variety of wines. Super cool concept overall.

A really cute and small place that serves coffee and pastries during the day, and by night is a small bar that serves food. Conveniently located between a pizza joint and Le Beaujolais, it's in a very central location. Morning Time: I didn't get to try any of their pastries, however their latte is great. Very strong coffee that's flavor comes through even with the milk. One of the better lattes i have had, and the best one I've had in mendocino. Evening: They offer a good range of wines, beers on tap, and other drinks. Their menu and items come from Le Beaujolais and it's great. We got the smoked fish dish and it was great! no complaints, and the staff is really kind here

We went to try this place to grab coffee and support local businesses. The interior is nice and cozy but coffee is unfortunately not that good. It's so watered down, we thought the pastries would make up for the bland coffee but it wasn't as good as well, the apple cake was moist, I enjoyed that one at least. Finally, the baristas aren't as hospitable either. I don't think we'll come back again.

Oh my gosh what a find this place is! We came here for some breakfast nibbles and it was absolutely wonderful after our B&B's breakfast was disappointing and we were left hungry, cold and needing caffeine. We parked on the street, and once inside the vibe was warm, inviting, and cozy. I could see myself coming back here and just snuggling up in the corner with a latte and a book and just being thrilled to hang. We both got hot beverages, and selected a couple snacks from the baked goods counter. The barista was amazing with the way she juggled so many tasks, and also ended up with beautiful beverages, made with care. He ordered an Americano which he loved, and I ordered a non dairy chai which was spicy and wonderful. For our snacks, we got a vegan bun which blew our minds with its buttery, moist, crumbly texture that was just perfection. We also got a chocolate chip cookie with salt on top that was almost exactly the way I make mine, and an almond croissant that was decadent. I wish we had found this place on our first morning here because we would have had more days to eat these delicious baked goods, and experienced the calm vibe of this place. We loved it and we will definitely be back here on our next trip back up to Mendocino. The waiting room is not to be missed!

Love this place - sitting next to the fire, drinking my latte, knitting or playing board games while listening to records. YES please!! The coffee and pastries are delicious.

Solid cup of coffee, kind customer service, and the pastries were creative flavors and delicious! Small selection but would recommend if in town.

Had a lovely oat milk cappuccino and vegetarian biscuit sandwich, which despite not having a full kitchen, was served hot and provided a super delicious balance of flavors! The biscuit was flaky, a little spicy, the mushroom sausage was a tasty and apparently soy-free veggie option. I loved sitting at the wooden bar looking out at the sunshine and would really enjoy passing some more time here!

Took our family to the waiting Room and had a fabulous meal. John, our waiter, was wonderful. They even had town to occupy our 3 year old grandson so we could have an enjoyable dinner. I highly recommend this amazing little jewel.

IMHO I waited until the last morning of our weekend to visit The Waiting Room...immediately after leaving next door's Cafe Beaujolais' Sunday Brunch! I immediately got in line and bought a salted chocolate chip cookie, an oatmeal cookie, and an almond croissant. The pastries were fresh and tasty!!! I didn't order any coffee, but they had a great selection to choose from. NEXT TIME!!! This charming little coffee/bar/bakery is so welcoming, that I wish I had made a point to visit every day for a special treat. NEXT TIME!!!

This place was our saving grace this weekend. Mendocino village is pretty small and that's why we love it, but we were staying at a B and B that didn't serve breakfast until 830am and we rise early and are ready for our coffee! The waiting room is an extension of Cafe Beaujolais and is the only place that is open and serves coffee before 8am aside from a small market. They also have fresh made pastries (scones, bagels, tarts) daily that are absolutely delicious. Each morning we came a got a delicious dirty spiced chai and a pastry and looked forward to it so much. Do yourself a favour and grab a hot drink and pastry and take a nice morning stroll on the beach while most everyone else is still sleeping...

One of the coolest coffee shops I've ever been to Great drinks Cozy fire If I lived here, this would be my "go to spot"