Muddy Waters Coffee House

Reviews

• Afshin A.

  star star star star_border star_border 29 May 2026

  Very good and unpretentious coffee!
  
  It is neither fancy nor pretentious, but it has 29 years of history and is the place to go to if you're in the neighborhood and in search of high octane coffee! Hisham Massarweh, is the owner, but it is Najat Echchoukairi, the manager, that is there most of the time. When we got there on this day she was on the phone, with the owner later we found out, and not happy with her schedule, later she told us. In between exchanges with the owner, she would stop, speak to us, and work on our order at the same time! Amazing multitasking skills. We had a few good laughs about the challenges of multitasking after she was done with the call.
  
  The coffee was great and the place, although a bit gritty, is in a great location and offers very good treats too.

• Jessica P.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  I would give them 0 stars if I could.
  
  I came in today and sat down as I was waiting for a friend to meet me. I did not order anything as I was merely was waiting for my friend who wanted to grab a coffee there.
  
  When my friend arrived she ended up ordering a drink and the barista was super rude and made a snark remark stating, "You're lucky! Your friend came in and didn't order anything. If I didn't know you (which my friend had never been in that establishment before) I would have asked her to leave." As if that comment wasn't uninviting and unprofessional as it is.
  
  Then when another friend joined us the barista was pacing back and fourth as if she was uncomfortable with us being there. Her behavior was so apparent and uncomfortable we decided to leave.
  
  I get it's a cafe and it's etiquete to go in and order something but she did not know our intentions and that I was going to order something later. The place was empty and there was no need for her to hover over us. That was my first and last time there. I would much rather spend my money else where.

• Gigi T.

  star star star star star 16 May 2026

  I had the soy chai and the Nutella alfajor which were both amazing! I could eat this alfajor everyday! It melts in your mouth!

• Ara A.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 15 May 2026

  I am a high school student who attends a college program across the street. My high school is also only a block away. I have come to this cafe about 3 times to work on homework and every visit has been terrible.
  
  It wasn't until today that I realized how rude their employees are. My friend and I were waiting on our mentors to come and meet us here, but the woman barista approached us in a very rude manner. I had already purchased a water, but she came up to my friend and said, "And what will you be having?" in an aggressive tone. What a way to approach a minor right?
  
  She then told us that this was a business where you needed to buy something and act professional. She said we were very rude and that we could happily leave. We decided to step outside because it was so hot and there were police out front.
  
  We ended up stepping back inside and sitting down, but this time the woman stared us down. She was pacing back and forth watching our every move. Did I mention we are just teenage girls just sitting down?
  
  Once my friends mentor arrived the two went up and decided to buy a tea. Now the woman got into my friends face and YELLED at her. This was the most disrespectful encounter I've ever had with an employee. All of the mean and hurtful things she said to a CHILD were completely unacceptable. Please take your business else where, maybe a coffee shop that has employees that respect you and don't yell at kids who are simply working on their homework. This Muddy Waters location doesn't deserve ANY stars.

• Tony U.

  star star star star star 5 May 2026

  Came here yesterday for the first time in over 20 years.  Back in 1993, when 85% of the world's Yelpers were still in diapers, I performed at the Grand Opening's open mic.  For the record, I jammed with great artist and Musician (look her up on iTunes) Aireene Espiritu and performed a cover of "Tears" by the Chameleons.
  
  So, a good friend and I came here after tapas for a cup of coffee late last Saturday night.  The vibe here is more like your typical San Franciscan Café: beaten down but with character.  In fact, I can tell it has been renovated some since back in the day.  The coffee was very very good.  By that I mean when I got home at 11pm, I found myself still wide awake at 6am!  
  
  If you want a good cup of coffee that wakes you up, this is the place.  Staff are cool and friendly and it's a great place to study or carry on a conversation.