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    Muddy Waters Cafe

    4.2 (280 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Muddy Waters Cafe Coffee & Tea Photos

    MUDDY WATERS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for working

    Recommended Reviews - Muddy Waters Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cinnamon roll cappuccino iced
    Ciara P.

    I love stopping in to muddy water to grab breakfast and work on things on my computer. They have so much seating both inside and on their patio. The coffee options always seem endless since there are so many flavored to choose along with monthly specials! I really like their BEC on a Kiser role and the service is always fast!

    Inside seating
    Dasle K.

    Cute cafe right by the ferry landing! We had a quick stop here to grab coffee and breakfast sandwiches and it was delicious. The sandwiches took a bit longer than expected so make sure to build in an extra few minutes if you're in a hurry. The indoor decor is super nice! You can see the boats and it's really well decorated. Would love to come back if we're in the area.

    Roast beef sandwich
    Nancy F.

    What a cute water view breakfast and lunch restaurant. The staff was so sweet. You order your food upfront and then provided with a number. The food is then brought to your table. Despite the staff saying 30 min we had our food in 20 minutes. The sandwiches were huge and delicious. The French fries were amazing the best I have had in a long while- hot and crunchy! What a great find in downtown new London! The drinks from sodas to waters to coffee and lattes all sounded great!

    The inside
    Ana B.

    We stopped by Muddy Waters Cafe this afternoon. As soon as we stepped inside we were immediately impressed by the space. In the far length of the cafe we could see The Long Island Sound and the trains passing by. What a view! They have a wide assortment of drinks, such as coffee, tea and smoothies. They have desserts and lunch options. I got their avocado toast and their made in house apple cider. It's a little strange the way the service works here. After ordering and paying for your order at the counter, you'll be given an order number, you may sit anywhere you like. However, on the loudspeaker they will announce your drink is ready, you may go get it, but the waitress will bring you your food. The avocado toast was a generous slice of sourdough bread, with smashed avocado and a fried egg on top. There was a ton of salt, it actually ruined the whole toast. The apple cider was very flavorful, fresh and lightly sweet. I got it iced. It came in a very generous sized cup. The patio is so beautiful. It is heated, airy and offers such a peaceful view. I didn't take pictures because there were a lot of people. Please reference the other photos on Yelp.

    Roast Beef Sandwich, fries, coffee cake
    Emily P.

    Coffee cake is good, the sandwich was okay but would have been better if it was hot. The fries were decent. Crazy they don't have ranch. Lemonade was okay, kind of watered down. The view of the water and outside seating is fantastic.

    Inside fireplace
    Angelina B.

    This place was a pleasant surprise. I'm not sure how long it's been here, but definitely aesthetically pleasing if you're into a coffee shop like that. (Bonus if you're a Red Sox fan, they have a little set up with figurines of Fenway). The option to sit in the back and overlook the port is nice. The food was good, service was very fast. We were there on a Wednesday at 10 and it was decently busy. The staff was very friendly and again, a very cute setting, plenty of seating. It is a first come first serve with seating. They also serve cocktails, I believe limited but I did some with champagne and mimosas. Probably the brunchy type drinks.

    Ham and cheese sandwich
    Fabu L.

    A quick stop for food before heading out on the road. Served quickly and was made a special blend of coffee with a spritz of lavender. The server was drinking g k e and made it for me. It was delicious and I ran home and bought me some lavender syrup for my coffee. Sandwich was hugs and had to save half for later. Lettuce and all ingredients were very fresh. Nice interior with ample seating and very clean restrooms. Despite being abused by other impatient customers, the server was the epitome of service with a smile. I will definitely return.

    Capicola, Egg and Cheese Sandwich
    Jillian B.

    A cafe right by the water with delicious food and drink. It's a popular spot, frequently has a long line to order and all tables are full, so get there early! I most recently had a capicola, egg and cheese sandwich here and enjoyed it. I tried the PB latte which definitely had notes of peanut butter without being overly sweet. There is outdoor seating which is lovely on a nice day, though since it is close to the train station you'll hear the occasional train come through. Interior has quite a few tables as well and is very clean. Decor is very nautical themed. Service friendly and food came out quickly. Would recommend to others, especially if waiting for a train!

    Susan R.

    A cozy cafe near the train station and with a water view. Everything that we ordered was made with care and thoughtfully plated. The salads are amazing. No soup on Sunday was the only con. Will definitely return.

    Front windows
    Reinne T.

    Right before leaving New London we passed by Muddy Waters Café to get some breakfast and we were not disappointed. We got black coffees which were excellent and even my husband who is an espresso snub loved their espresso and said it's one of the best espressos he's had so far. The croissants with the eggs and ham and the jalapeño and egg were both excellent per my husband and baby toddler. The was enjoyed by my mom because it was not sugary and she loved it. And she liked the chocolate croissant as well. I got a black coffee, which was pretty good and just a banana - but for gluten-free options, I saw that there were almond wraps which is pretty convenient - so if we're ever in town next time, we'll definitely hit this place again. The most interesting about this place are the artwork everywhere. The posters were very, very interesting and cars and boat displays everywhere. The Display for the Boston Red Sox was interesting. An old jukebox and the lighting fixtures add to the ambiance They're opening a space in the back that will have an ocean view (you can see it in my pics with the stacked chairs), which is something to look forward to next time we're in town. Definitely a must go to. PS any place that plays Ed Sheeran songs is a place after my own heart.

    Beers and alcoholic seltzers
    Josh I.

    This place is packed, rightly so. Amazing food, varied menu, creative and tasty drinks. The coffee is good without any flavors, but their flavored lattes are great. I love coming here to study. Today we got the Green Dream Smoothie, the Nutella Latte, and the Mediterranean Wrap. I've had the wrap before and will continue getting it, and the drinks are worth getting again as well. The decor is incredible ever since they rebuilt after the fire. I could sit here for hours. Definitely worth coming in, and worth the wait even if the line is out the door! Edit: My wrap took 35 minutes to come out, it seemed like the kitchen was producing food items one at a time. But really still worth the wait, just be prepared!

    Roasted chicken with pesto and melted cheese
    Joan F.

    Outstanding sandwiches from the massive turkey grinder to the hearty roasted chicken on delicious gluten free bread to the tasty hummus veggie concoction. We enjoyed great service, a clean back deck with bay views and a welcoming vibe for lunch. The two tiered, covered deck was especially pleasant on an August afternoon.

    Dessert case
    Lola O.

    I love visiting Muddy Waters. It is such a cute little cafe and such a wonder in the summer due to the comfortable outdoor seating. In the winter they have a plethora of hot chocolate type drinks. I ordered a black coffee which was really yummy as well as a mocha which was perfect. Not too sweet, and delicious espresso used. Some of my favorite coffee in CT. I'm so glad they've opened back up. Their treats are also wonderful. I had their cookie dough chocolate cake which was so good I may end up calling to see if I could order the whole thing for a birthday or something. I was honestly blown away from it. Their danishes are good too. I've also had an egg sandwich with turkey bacon on a plain bagel here and it was good. Nothing particularly special about it but do really appreciate them offering turkey bacon as that's unfortunately not super common for places and I don't eat pork. I enjoyed that they had sriracha and other hot sauces to add. A breakfast sandwich is only ever "good" or "bad" in my opinion unless it's like super fancy. And this was good so perfect. The people are really kind and welcoming when you enter although a little apologetic since it's always so busy on the weekends. But it's never a problem for me to wait since it's such a cute space with a running ship theme and lovely area to sit that I forgot to take a photo of. I really do recommend stopping in here for some really great coffee, a sweet treat and maybe a sandwich if you're hungry. It's got all you'd want from a cafe.

    Decor

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    2 days ago

    Everything was right about this place. We ate on the sunny porch, then walked a few minutes to the train.

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    6 months ago

    Great service, food, & views. All offered in the heart of downtown New London close to the station. will be revisiting!

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    7 months ago

    Great coffee and beautiful water view. Service staff was very friendly aside from one surly waitress, but I won't mark down for that.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Muddy Waters Cafe

    Dunkin' - I ordered Vanilla Cream filled..they gave me Jelly filled which is ironic because I am allergic to the filling.

    Dunkin'

    2.0(23 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $

    I've been here three times and they got my order wrong every time. One time was served the top half…read moreof a plain bagel with the bottom half of an everything bagel. Service also takes forever. It's like every employee at the store eats a handful of gummies breakfast lunch and dinner. This location's payroll is single-handedly keeping Higher Collective profitable.

    I am writing to formally raise a concern about the Dunkin' location at 380 Coleman St in New London…read moreCT, which--based on repeated visits--has become the single worst-performing Dunkin' I have personally experienced. I am a retail store manager with over a decade of leadership experience. I understand labor constraints, training challenges, and operational pressure. This is not a labor-shortage issue, nor is it a one-off bad interaction. What I am describing is a clear breakdown in leadership standards and accountability that is actively driving customers away. During a recent visit, the closing lead on duty was openly irate with multiple customers while training a new employee. She was visibly overwhelmed, verbally sharp, and repeatedly motioned at customers to "hurry up" while taking orders. At one point, she made unsolicited and inappropriate remarks toward me regarding food I had purchased elsewhere, followed by a sarcastic comment that crossed into outright hostility. This behavior was not subtle, and it was not isolated. On a subsequent visit, simply hearing the same employee's voice at the drive-thru was enough for me to leave without ordering. This location is two minutes from my home and directly on my commute. Despite that convenience, I will not return. I now go out of my way to purchase coffee elsewhere--even from a competitor whose product I like less--because the experience at this Dunkin' is actively unpleasant. That is not a decision customers make lightly, and it is not one they reverse easily. The root issue here is not staffing volume; it is staffing quality and leadership tolerance. Customers can immediately tell when a store manager does not enforce standards or address poor behavior. When that happens, trust erodes, traffic declines, and the brand pays the price--quietly at first, then all at once. This location needs intervention: leadership accountability, retraining, or replacement--whatever is necessary to restore basic professionalism and customer respect. Left unaddressed, this will continue to cost you repeat business from customers who would otherwise be loyal. I am sharing this because it is fixable. But it requires caring--and acting--at the management level. Respectfully, Nick

    Photos
    Dunkin' - This was the 5th and final drink I get at this location. PLEASE DONT GO HERE. Save yourself the disappointment and go to the Dunkin on RT-12

    This was the 5th and final drink I get at this location. PLEASE DONT GO HERE. Save yourself the disappointment and go to the Dunkin on RT-12

    Dunkin' - Snowman was here in drive thru

    Snowman was here in drive thru

    Dunkin' - Cold Brew that looks like an iced coffee

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    Cold Brew that looks like an iced coffee

    Dunkin' - Completely WRONG coffee order, and showing what we DID order for munchkins.

    Dunkin'

    2.2(33 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    Where I come from all of the Dunkin Donuts are pretty much obsolete. I have always been a Dunkin'…read morefan. In my area, Tim Hortons reigns supreme and it breaks my heart. During my trip to Connecticut I fell in love with the pumpkin coffee, black. No cream, no sugar, just the pumpkin coffee in its pure form. This location was close to our hotel, and we stopped before continuing on the road. The drive thru was quick, despite the long line of cars. My order was correct. And delicious.

    Really frustrating experience at this Dunkin' on 5/21/26 around 10:30 AM…read more My husband went through the drive-thru and made an order. Our order was a breakfast sandwich, hashbrowns, 4 wake up wraps, a coffee, and he tried to get a few donuts but was told they didn't have the ones we wanted, so he ordered munchkins instead. At the window, he was only given 1 wake up wrap instead of 4 and had to go back through the line to get the rest, with no apology. Once home, we realized more of the order was wrong. The coffee was made with 3 french vanilla shots, 6 liquid sugar, and 4 cream instead of what was ordered, and it was so overloaded with sugar and additives that it looked curdled and was completely undrinkable. The munchkins were also completely incorrect. We ordered glazed, chocolate, and jelly, but received random flavors including fruit punch and other varieties no one in our house will eat, with no communication or approval for substitutions. I called the store right away and initially got no answer. When someone did pick up, the employee identified herself as Nellie, though our receipt lists the name Yaneli. She apologized but did not take accountability and said nothing could be done because no manager was there. I could clearly hear a male employee in the background telling her to tell me to go down to the location to fix the issue, even though this is a drive-through only store with no customer access. Not once did they offer to take my name or number to fix the issue. When I called back at 8 AM today, as instructed, and asked for the manager Megan, the person who answered was extremely rude, refused to take my name or number to follow up, said they didn't know where Megan was, and then hung up on me. At this point, we paid for items we did not receive as ordered, the issue was never corrected, and the situation was handled with a lack of honesty and accountability. Between the incorrect order, being misled on the phone, and no effort to resolve it, this was an unacceptable experience.

    Photos
    Dunkin' - Close up of the surface of the coffee. Looks disgusting.

    Close up of the surface of the coffee. Looks disgusting.

    Dunkin' - Wrong coffee order, completely undrinkable.

    Wrong coffee order, completely undrinkable.

    Dunkin' - I tried to take a sip Anyway (we paid and try not to waste) and noticed it was separated, junk floating on the surface of the coffee

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    I tried to take a sip Anyway (we paid and try not to waste) and noticed it was separated, junk floating on the surface of the coffee

    Dunkin'

    Dunkin'

    2.3(4 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $

    Blonde lady wasn't the friendliest with customer service, she took about 15mins from the time I…read moreordered to complete my drink/food. There was only 1 lady in front of me at the time. She took my order and was kinda short with me. Took a while to make the food then I said thank you and was met with no response. Uhh ok lol. Other younger girls were nice and friendly as I was spectating waiting for my order. No drive thru here and parking can be tight.

    I'm usually a ride or die for dunkin! I seek a dunkin when i'm in the mood for coffee and I've…read morealways had a great experience with both then employees and the food I ordered. However, the experience I had at this location makes me not want to ever go back :( Everything seemed fine as we entered the store. However I noticed one of the workers sitting outside the store right next to the entrance on a phone call. (looked like a shift lead or manager based off of her clothing). As my husband and I walked into the store, I could hear she was speaking very angrily in the phone. Once inside another employee took the order for the group in front of us. As it was our turn the worker that was outside had waddled back inside and took our order. Everything seemed normal until I asked for a drink with no ice. She rudely repeated back "NO ICE??" with a disgusted look on her face. I confirmed with her and she reluctantly put my order in while muttering under her breath "we can't do that i'm just gonna do light ice". At the time my husband also asked for light ice forgetting that he got a frozen coffee. Before he even finished his sentence she rudely replied "You got a frozen coffee". Which is fine it's just the way she said it was so disrespectful. We then paid and waited for our food. As we waited we hear the woman talk to her coworkers about how I didn't want any ice. She kept repeating it over and over like I was an asking for some crazy request. A few moments later this same women called out a frozen coffee at the counter. She made direct eye contact with us as she did. My husband approached the counter, realized it wasn't his and stepped back away. As he did the same woman yelled at him "yeah it's not yours" while giving him the dirtiest look. A few more customers had come in after us and already gotten all of their items while we were still waiting at the counter for a donut that my husband had ordered. They had cleared the all the other orders but ours and we were the only customers still in the building. She looked at us with the same dirty look she had been giving us and literally screamed "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!" My husband nicely replied "my chocolate donut I ordered" and she continued to scream back "WELL WHAT KIND OF CHOCOLATE DONUT" and continued to be rude to him. And listen.... Both my husband and I worked numerous years in the fast food industry. So both of us understand how long even just a four hour shift can be sometimes. We both always treat service workers with the utmost respect and kindness. However, this behavior from this employee was the worst i'd ever been treated... It doesn't matter what's going on in your personal life...you should treat customers with respect especially if they're being nothing but courteous to you. Maybe it was a bad day for her and maybe the "dirty looks" are just her resting face. Regardless this individual should be reprimanded and should not work in the service industry if they are unable to treat their customers like human beings. We both left the Dunkin feeling like we had just done something wrong because we had been screamed at. We just moved about 5 minutes away from this location and we already decided after one visit that we we'll never be returning. To describe this rude, incompetent woman, she is about 5'7, extremely obese white woman. She has a patchy blonde a bob with a terrible dye job that's cut at an awkward length and looked really dirty and greasy. She also kinda had a face that makes her look like a pale mole rat. (I'm not trying to be rude just trying to describe her as best as possible for future customers to avoid her).

    Muddy Waters Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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