Vices & Spices From Around The World

They don’t make coffee shops like this anymore. It’s a totally unassuming, friendly neighborhood hang where people bring their dogs and the staff asks about your mom or your kids. We stopped in during a weekend trip and at first I thought we’d accidentally walked into a souvenir shop. It turned out to have a wonderful selection of coffee, teas, and espresso drinks, along with a wonderful dose of local history. I hope this shop stays exactly how it is and for a very long time.

It saddens me to leave a less than 5 star review due to lacking customer service and product selection. I stopped here to purchase a gift for a friend who’s a tea aficionado. I’m not - so I thought I’d go to the experts. I asked two questions - one admittedly amateur about how to bag the loose tea (FYI take the jar to the counter) - and another about a product I wanted to purchase. The tester was on the shelf but no product behind it to buy. When I inquired about its availability I was met with a lackluster response “what we have is on the shelf.” Well, how silly of me to assume if a tester is available then the product is, too. I purchased a small amount of tea mango tea which I enjoyed, but sought the majority of my goods elsewhere online. I find this to be a shame as I enjoy supporting local business. The pros of this place is it’s conveniently located near 101/154 and has ample parking with easy access into the shop. The tea selection is robust with various flavors and decaf options.

Nice little shop that serves delicious coffee and has an eclectic collection of items that are really fun to check out! Easy to find a one of a kind item to accompany the coffee! From local made cards and jewlery to a wide selection of loose tea ans accessories! Definitely worth stopping by!

An adorable little tea/coffee shop. For me, the greatest treasure here is the loose leaf teas. I'm particularly fond of the Queen Victoria. They also sell coffee (not my cup of tea) and have a small shop with various odds and ends (see photos). There are a few tables, although more for chatting than working I would say. The folks behind the counter were friendly, and quite understanding about my indecisiveness about which teas I wanted. Also very knowledgeable about the steeping of my tea. I will definitely be returning, and I hope to try all the tea!

One of the great oddball spots in town. Expansive (almost overwhelming) selection of coffees and teas, with a healthy assortment of trinkets and baubles. Boardgames and outdoor seating abound.

I’m fairly new to Santa Barbara, 4 years. And I'm thankful to have found Vices & Spices. Each time I get wonderful and tasty recommendations for tea! I love getting my refills for my tea canisters there. It’s my go-to place to meet people for the first time. The staff there are always kind! It’s a win win for me!

Cute decor, extensive spice selections, and tasty soymilk matcha latte! No wifi so no work here..

This place has my favorite coffee in all of Santa Barbara, a beautiful organic, fair trade Guatemala dark, roasted right here in town, whole bean or freshly ground. I also stop in now and again for a cup-to-go of the same. Nice place, friendly staff and clientele and if you like to browse, they have many cool gifts, bulk spices, as well as a wide variety of teas and coffees from around the world. Cheers.

I stopped here on the way to a festival. I had there blended macha.It is delicious, it is sweet.It is earthy, they top it off with a whipped cream that is divine, almost like frosting, a must try.

Love this place! Array of spices to buy in bulk, and all the varieties of teas is amazing! I get my matcha here and I love it. Also a great place to buy unique gifts for someone

I ordered a hot vanilla latte. It was fine. The store had several cute things to purchase. After I drank my drink , I had upset stomach for hours, then for a week after I has stomach pain to the point I was going to make a doctors appointment. Of course I can't be positive where I got this little bug. I wouldn't return though just in case it was establishment

Fun neighborhood coffee and tea stop and so much more. This is also a great gift shop. Come for coffee by yourself or bring friends. Ordered coffee but had to browse. So many wonderful and unique things to explore. Best place in town to get ginger cubes. Best place to get a quick fun gift for someone fun. Friendly helpful efficient staff, always a plus. Check it out when in the neighborhood. Great parking right behind the shop.

Vices & Spices is a hidden gem in up state Santa Barbara that is six miles from the City of Goleta, this is an family business that been serving the city of Santa Barbara since 1975 it has been in the same spot for 45 years with the 3rd generations taking over the business now. This is a very small place with a lot of magic inside, there is no parking in the front, the rear has a lot of free parking, you can enter in the front as well, also there are few tables and chairs in the front and rear. They have a variety of unique coffee and coffee beans, teas and tea leaves, jewelry, toys, spices, candies, natural Incenses, pastries, soaps, lotions. The staff were so friendly plus helpful, this store is clean and tidy. I shell be making Vices & Spices my place to visit for great tea and coffee when I'm the 805.

This is one interesting place. They have more than just coffee in here. I enjoyed their pastries and awesome lattes. They had spices, candies, books, and many other oddities. They were sweet and kind.

Vices & Spices has become my go to lately for loose leaf teas. I recently purchased a teapot, and needed some good quality tea, and I knew this place would have just what I needed. I read that Blue the business owner travels around the world in search of the highest quality coffee, tea, and spices. My most recent purchase was their chai and passion fruit tea. The passion fruit tea smells amazing! You could probably use it as potpourri if you wanted, because it smells so good. I intend to make iced tea though. The chai latte here is wonderful, and you can also order it with a nut milk if you don't want dairy. The first time it was made perfectly, but the second time it had a funny taste and the flavor of the chai didn't come through as much. I don't think the tea was steeped long enough and the oat milk might have been different than the first time. I chose to order mine unsweetened, and they prepared it by steeping the loose-leaf tea fresh out of the jar. I just wanted a hint of sweetness, but my understanding is that the Chai is already sweetened upon ordering. They were kind enough to add some honey to my latte, and it was perfect. This place is small, dated, and not for the modern coffee drinkers who like to spend time in a coffee shop while drinking their beverage and working on their laptop. There is no seating inside, but they do have some out in the back parking lot and a few tables in the front on the sidewalk. It is a warm cozy place though that is almost like stepping back in time when you walk in through the back. I love the nostalgic vibes here! You can also find a variety of things to purchase as gifts or for yourself. They have jewelry, coffee and tea essentials, candles, perfume, a small section of spiritual items, and a bunch of other cute things to shop for. There is a small variety of pastries available and candy located by the register that you can purchase by the ounce. I highly recommend trying the coconut curry cashews. They are unlike anything I have ever tried. The flavor of these are buttery, salty, and the coconut and curry flavors are mild. I only purchased one ounce the first time, but they were so good I had to go back for more! The ladies that work here are very helpful, friendly and are always keeping the place clean. Each time I come in here, there is a girl constantly wiping down the coffee counter and other areas in the shop. It is great to see how tidy they keep it here. I have yet to try any of the coffee drinks on the menu, but they do offer exotic coffees and Italian espresso drinks. I will definitely be trying the coffee on my next trip! Looking forward to coming back here soon.

This place is a Santa Barbara institution. The coffee is great, the fresh baked goods are great, the service is great, and the high quality espresso drinks and other coffees are so much less expensive than anywhere else around. They have lovely gift items too, and bulk coffees and teas available to take home. Also, a sweet back patio for hanging out, and locals who are daily regulars there - so go and you will find out why. I have been going here since 1975, and it's still my favorite, and it feels like home every time I'm there.

I spent more time looking at the gifts than I did looking at all the teas and spices available! I have to go back so I can explore more of the loose leaf specialties that line the walls. A fun, funky shop with good drinks and lots to look at. My son used the restroom and said it was clean (major bonus for me!) Recommend!

Vices and Spices has a place of serious lore in my memory. When I was kid I would bike down there to stare deep into all the glass jars holding the wonders of the universe aka assorted gummies and candies. Boy was I delighted to discover it still exists, way more chic and updated than I remembered. I had a vision of dark, warm place filled with magic and smelling like otherworldly places. In reality, it is a well turned out little coffee shop, but children delight, the candy jars are still on tap! Had an excellent Mexican mocha there and my kids said their chai latte was delicious. There are several shelves filled with retail items, lotions, soaps, puzzles etc. There isn't anywhere really to sit so come prepared to depart with your drink. Free parking in the back.

This is one of my favorite coffee shops of all time, and definitely my fav in SB. I always get gifts here- a coffee cup filled with unique candy and tea stuffed into the cup and placed in a box. Great for gifts, great coffee and an incredible ambiance. Definitely not a place you can linger for too long although they do have a back patio and some front seating. Staff is friendly and they have a host of regulars that come in. Ratings: Ambiance: 10/10 Ease of seating/ speed of service: 10/10 Vegan options: 8/10 Gluten free options: 8/10 Overall deliciousness: 10/10 Pricing: $$ Parking: yes in side lot Liquor License: no

This place was very hipsterl. The coffee was ok, nothing special, the iced Chi Latte was a bad choice, but overpriced. A small and not such a good selection of pastries. Not a good choice to stop for coffee unless you want to over pay for a not so tasty drink.

Fantastic tea, spice and coffee options. Beautiful gifts and accessories too. If you love those little extra things that make life just a little bit fancier, you'll really enjoy Vices & Spices. I've enjoyed tea with friends in their small cafe. I really loved the blooming flower tea. It's so beautiful to watch! The last couple of weeks, I've popped in for a cup of coffee and a pastry in the morning. I really enjoyed the Obama blend. My husband loves the Frangelico hazelnut blend. Perfect morning pick me up! I also saw on Instagram that they sell Coconut Curry cashews that I had to try. They were delicious!! My husband and I both loved them and will be back for more. Yum!

Was told that I should go get coffee from here because it has the best French roast in town. Well I am happy to say that it's delicious. I've gotten coffee from many different coffee houses, bars, baristas etc and by far this is the best yet.

I don't go to vices & spices as often as I would imagine given how much I love it but I think that's why- I love savoring how good it feels to visit. The coffee shop and options have the feel and service of a local coffee bar where everyone remembers you & I love that! They do have a wonderful selection of teas, coffee - & even cardamom to sprinkle on your coffee next to the half & half, love that!! The store is so cute and always has an interesting selection of gifts and decor for friends or yourself. I'll be back...soon-ish!

Wife has always wanted to check this place out and since we were driving by we decided to stop in. Honestly I thought there would be more spices and such but they had other things trinkets Etc. We ordered some tea and coffee. Wife enjoyed her tea, it reminded us of when we used to go to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf until their tea started to be disappointing. I had their cold brewed coffee and it was the style of coffee I like. The coffee had the chocolate notes (was not flavored just the essence of coco and slight carmel notes) the wife's mango tea tasted like mango juice without the sweetness, so if you're on a diet this would be a good drink to have. I hope they come out with peach or strawberry tea in the future. We'll most likely come here again

What a little gem this place is. Not only is the entire staff outstanding but they are the only outlet I can get quality licorice tea and raw valerian root! If I had to put a face on Santa Barbara it would be Vices & Spices! For valerian extract: The longer it sits, the more potent it gets!

Best selection of coffee and teas. Also the best blueberry muffins I've ever had. The ladies who work there are fantastic ! Super sweet individuals and they have cinnamon bears. If you get over the gift shop Vibez and the overwhelming of STUFF everywhere it's quite cute and definitely worth it.

I think itsis a really cute shop. Blue grows some incredible coffee and he has incredible products in his store and his daughter is simply amazing. The store and coffee shop, however have a very peculiar vibe quite clicky. I prefer the vibe of the Java station I also feel a lot of the baristas are very young and for the large tea selection today I walked in to get a jasmine tea that was iced and I asked for some milk in it and I literally feel like I'm drinking milk on ice, my advice would be train your barista a little bit more to know that was something like Jasmine tea which is on the lighter side to not overdo the milk. I never have this issue with the Java station however, Rebecca and Henny train the girls extremely hard it might be best for some of the gals to get experience in a bigger, coffee shop, having a lot of tea I would think they would know more. I did not complain about it because I think it's a nice place and I didn't want the girl to feel bad, but I would train them more on tea since the shop specializes in tea as well.

Best coffee in town. Amazing price as well! Small and comfortable cozy place. Parking in back is free and usually empty.

Vices and Spices is loved by so many and I can definitely see why. However, it is not really my cup of tea - pun intended! I've been giving it a shot the past few weeks but the coffee never really sits well with me, the environment doesn't feel comfortable to me, and the fact there is no wifi options or outlets really bursts my bubble. I definitely understand that they are more of a gathering spot for the the "wiser" generations to read together, play games together, and chat over a tea kettle while playing cards. What I look for in a coffee shop, though, just doesn't fit with that model. Though, I can definitely love it from a distance and recommend it to those looking for something like such. Menu wise, I would recommend the Kona Blend for coffee or the Gunpowder Green for tea. I've had a variety of their green teas now and that one just really gives you the best feeling after you sip it, not leaving a bitter taste in your mouth as some often do. They do not have any gluten free pastries and the selection of pastries is pretty small, but if you're looking for a little breakfast just make sure to get there early enough grab one. The store portion of Vices and Spices has some really cool, local goods for sale like purses, tea kettles, cards, mugs, and beauty products. They of course carry loose leaf teas and spices, as well as, grab your own old fashioned candies. If you're on upper state and looking for a nice place to catch up with a friend or meet for cards and tea, Vices and Spices would be a nice place for you.

I love Vices & Spices and feel so fortunate that I have it so close to home. I mostly go there for the spices. I can get a small amount of pretty much any herb or spice that I need for a recipe. I also regularly fill my ginger and cinnamon spice bottles. It is so easy. The herbs feel fresher than things sitting on grocery store shelves and I can reuse my own bottle so I'm saving on packaging. They also have an amazingly well curated gift section with very good price points. And yes, terrific teas and coffees.

Sinfully delicious! This intimate shop for coffee, tea and gifts is a whole mood. Swirling scents of freshly ground beans and sugar greet you warmly and insist on a little indulgence. A couple visits and I'm now hooked on their decaf vanilla spice coffee beans, unique teas, and the most carefully curated selection of greeting cards in town. Very worthwhile to try out Vices & Spices.

One of the best chai tea lattes I've ever had! Customer service is lovely. The shop has a lot of new age things for sell, and overall, is a bit disordered by it's displays. One table to sit at inside and a few seats outside. If they go rid of the stuff and put tables in there it'd be a nice to place to hang out. There is parking in the back, but shared with other shops next door.

Absolutely the best blueberry scone I ever had. The gift items were so nice. Best matcha with oat milk Super nice place

It's the organic Ethiopian dark roast for me, the neighborhood vibe, the fact that it is not a chain store, but a wonderful one of a kind little place. They have a coffee club where are you get every 10th pound for free, and it is not kept on a computer but on an old-fashioned Rolodex. The selection of coffee beans and teas is excellent. They have beautiful greeting cards and gifts, and friendly staff that is always helpful and smiling. I love this place.

Good morning Vices Spice I was passing by and I was going to go to 711 for some coffee but I decided that i would give this place a shot and see what they have to offer. Also what stood out to me was the upside down heart. Yesterday i seen a sideways heart but it turned out to be nothing. But a upside down heart mean a upside down relationship waterfall that connects the above to the below. Sk thats why I'm trying this place out ill let you know how it goes Update this place was worth going to the coffee want good thank you Emily

Been going here for 30 years and don't plan on stopping. Such a quaint coffee, tea and spice shop. Stop in and check it out, you'll love it!

What a great and unique find in Santa Barbara. Besides having an amazing selection of coffee and tea's they also have a very interesting collection of gift items. I had the Jamaica blue and it was absolutely amazing and smooth. One of a few coffees I don't need any sugar or creamer. Very friendly staff and helpful.

It's cute. It's small. It's hidden. And it has everything you need for herbs, teas, coffees, cards and other local gifts. There are a couple tables out front, and a few in the back, if you'd like to enjoy your beverage at the store. Vices&Spices is a true Local favorite located on upper State Street with a hidden parking lot in the back. I found Vices and spices in 2002 and sooooo pleased the shop is still rocking it! I come to Vices & Spices for their coffee beans and fun conversation with staff members. They have a coffee club, so if you buy six pounds of coffee you get one for free. My favorite so far is their Linda's blend, comprised of three dark roast coffee beans. They have some specialty coffees available at certain times of year, in particular a 100%Kona coffee from the owner's plantation (I think) in Hawaii. I am a dark or medium roast person, though, so I have tried mostly the dark roasts like the Magic blend. My favorite is still Linda's. If you purchase a few pounds and intend on saving the coffee beans (which I do because I never want to run out of coffee), they offer to specially wrap the beans in plastic to protect them. All staff members are knowledgeable and provide excellent guidance on NOT freezing beans. I find the coffee beans to be of excellent quality. I also like supporting local businesses. While they do sell some baked goods, there aren't too many options. I come here for supplies, not typically to sit for a cuppa. I typically see more locals here then students. Definitely a great place for coffee bean and loose leaf tea needs.

Yummy and flavorful loose leaf teas. I love the queen victoria tea which is a blend of black, oolong, and green teas. I appreciate the jasmine rose green tea as well along with the mao zen tea. Place is super cute inside with reasonably priced tea pots at around $20. Staff are warm and friendly. There are tables inside where you can enjoy a cup of tea with friends. Adorable and quiant place to be!

They just made me a perfectly steeped cup of tea. The last time I had a perfect cup of tea from a business was years ago in Seattle. How nice on a rainy day

REAL CAFE! Comfortable, super sweet atmosphere. Little wood tables inside and one big sharing table. Seating outside in the back too. Good place to buy gifts also, with a whimsical greeting card selection and delightful things. Bulletin board, board games, books, and nice baristas. Good coffee and wonderful loose leaf tea. Fantastic selection of spices in glass containers. I especially like coming here when it is raining and having a tea or cocoa in their elegant tall glass mugs. it is the coziest cafe!

Cute lil shop with knick knacks and any type of tea of coffee you might imagine. I think the AC was either not on or not working cuz it was sweltering in there which is why I only ordered a Matcha frozen Latte (which was legit and delicious!) to go. The barista was pleasant and there wasn't any sense of pretension here, which would be easy with a place like this. All in all, enjoyed my short, sweet, and sweaty visit. Will def check out more in depth next time I am in town and they have that AC blowing!

Stopped in for a quick matcha latte and was pleasantly surprised by a cozy & cute atmosphere. Latte was delicious and perfect for the gloomy Santa Barbara afternoon. I also tried the apricot black tea and loved it. (I'm a tea drinker so I know good tea). It had the perfect balance or herb and fruit. Yummy pastries were calling my name but I resisted temptation....this time. They have some unique shopping there and I ended up purchasing a cute little elephant for my niece. The whole place honestly smells like anthropology because of the candles and oils they sell. Could hang out there all day. The baristas were incredibly friendly the drinks were ready in a flash. Parking/ entering was easy and located in the rear of the shop. Would definitely frequent this adorable place if I lived here.

This is clearly a coffee shop that happens to sell loose leaf tea. What makes me say that? A number of things. First was storage. Tea stays fresh in air and light tight containers. All the tea is stored in glass containers. Most of them in the candy jars they must have bought in bulk. I bought a few teas. One was a vanilla black that was so weak in taste that I tossed it out. The apricot black was a little better due to the fact that it actually tasted of apricot. The one tea I got that I liked was a rose green tea. And it was a tea that was at least stored in something air tight. Zero questions. In the very least i should have been asked if i needed to buy a storage tin. Because the tea is put in is not resealable. No questions on how I brew at home or anything. Zero instructions on brewing. I dont know if it because I just brought over four different teas at once and knew the ounce amount I wanted or if it was because I came in an hour before close. No instructions on the bags I asked about the pu erh tea balls that said one ball for a pot. Never going back. Me: how big a pot? Sales Girl: .....that is a good question

Cute shop where you can buy spices inexpensively! I bought an ounce of rosemary for $1 and ten bay leaves for $0.50. They also sell and serve loose leaf teas and decent coffee drinks, as well as sell snacks like chocolate covered gummy bears ($1 an ounce) sold by weight. While you are sipping or waiting for your tea/coffee you can look at the various gift items available for sale, ranging from nice tea/coffee cups to purses to handmade jewelry to cards and other novelties. The staff and owner are nice and make you feel welcome.

This review is purely based on the customer service I've received multiple times through phone calls- I haven't had a chance to go into the shop, I was originally really really looking forward to checking out this coffee shop but after speaking with who ever was working I don't even want to go anymore. The most recent time I spoke with two different people to just get pricing on coffee airpots/travelers for a meeting. We really like to support local businesses. The woman who was helping me was rude to me over the simple question on if they offer coffee airpots and did not know how many servings were in it. I wish I received a more pleasant person to speak with when asking a question but both women were not. I hope to give this place another chance and hopefully receive better service in person- but I don't plan on going any time soon.

Just loved this wonderful little shop! Wide variety of coffees and coffee drinks, teas and - yes - aromatic spices. Such lovely hosts, as well. Enjoyed so much just sipping my coffee and perusing their beautifully-curated gift and greeting card offerings. Yes... we walked out of there with a number of lovely gifts and cards for friends and family. Sat and chatted for a long time with another patron and thoroughly enjoyed our morning thanks to this experience. So wish we lived in this area. I would be here every day of the week!

It was so nice to return to V&S after covid hiatus. Enjoyed sitting outside with a delicious blended mocha that they customized decaf for me. Lovely staff and nice gift items are still intact. One suggestion - please add WiFi ;-)

Bought the most exquisite fragrance from this lovely little corner coffee boutique. Staff was super friendly and made very yummy drinks!

Really cool concept for a cafe, gift shop, tea and spice store all in one. There are at least 20 bulk spices and 20 bulk teas you can buy by the ounce, and coffee is self-serve at a reasonable $2 per cup. There's tons of cute kitchen and household trinkets, greeting cards, holiday decorations, cookbooks, and more! Games are readily available if you want to take a few hours to unwind. Good tunes and friendly staff top it out for a very zen atmosphere.

One of my favorite shops in Santa Barbara! Great coffee's, teas and spices, as well as a huge variety of guess, jewelry and other items. Wonderful people too!

Great place for a great cup of coffee or tea very nice environment peaceful entertaining and fun shopping for unique gifts love this place

Thanks to my GPS app I stumbled upon this great little coffee shop same block as our motel! A self serve coffee bar with a terrific variety to choose from but also a barista to make anything special. Also, there are unique gifts to buy, books to peruse, games to play.

Here's the Deal... Coffee shops may be the only thing Santa Barbara has more of than banks and foreign exchange students. But only one is a magical gateway to an extra-dimensional space. I've been drifting in through the back door of this small, cozy, and inviting shop for almost twenty years. Waving to the familiar faces, and petting the dogs of the regulars who seem to either always be there... or always seem to be happily back on their way out into the bustle of Santa Barbara life. I see so many friends, near-friends, and ex-students And every once in a while... a local celebrity looking remarkably part of the scene. A very happily married man, I'm not sure how many of the lovely young girls who work there I've fallen in love with over the years... But how can't you fall for a charming, competent and artistic beauty who gives you a cup of coffee with a smile? Oh, and what coffee! I actually have had dreams about a cup of Vices and Spices coffee. Some of it even organically grown on Blue's (one of the owner's) plantation in Hawaii. Laurel fills the shop with some of the coolest and most beautiful; jewelry, art, cards, clothing, books, and so much more. Glass jars lining the shelves with teas, spices, and candy... Pastries, or maybe even a cookie... People playing Chinese checkers, or solving all the world's problems over a hot chocolate on a rainy day... Thank you Vices and Spices for being one of my favorite nooks in one of the world's most beautiful cities. Cheers, Bob

This place smells great. It's the selection of teas they have. Lots of people in there chatting and playing board games. Good atmosphere. Got the Obama Blend brew. Well I initially got the brew of the day but didn't know or ask what that was, and the coffee was self-serve so I just went for the Obama Blend because it had my favorite president's face on the label. It was a mix of Hawaiian, Indonesian and Kenyan optimism. I drew a little smiley on the Buddha board as I waited for my change. It faded before I was able to show anyone my masterpiece.

Great matcha and vanilla lattes. My coworkers and I always come here for coffee runs. Super cute and cozy inside too!

Wow! You could either be a local or a visitor to Santa Barbara, but you must visit this place!! They are really creative, nice, and make great drinks! The ambiance is really nice and home-y. I can't recommend think place enough!!