MY RATING SYSTEM 5/4 = Exceeds expectations. = NA 3 = Meets expectations = YES 2/1 = Does not meet expectations = NA On site at 12:30. OVERALL POINTS RATING 0 - 5 1. AMBIANCE = 4 Ample seating. Windows give an open feeling. But the earth tone colors makes it feel like a cozy place to chill. Read. Meet with a friend. It was not crowded at this time. 2. FOOD/DRIINKS = 4 Coffee was perfect. Not bitter. Smooth. Perfect temperature. Tiramisu was very good. 3. SERVICE = 4 Took order with quick turn around. Positive attitude. 4. BATHROOM = did not use. 0. 5. PRICING = 2 This one area is where I find it drags the business down. Plus I dislike that all apps pop up the tip percentage. Here they start at 15% unless you use custom. Caps at 25%. For coffee and a couple of dessert and tip it came out $17.95. When we visited a Ben and Jerry in VT. They required no tipping. They paid employees enough and the price reflected it. 6. OBSERVATION Station was messy. Creamer was full. Plenty of items available. 7. POINTS 16 out of 25 25 points out expecting. 20 to 25 = Exceeds expectations. 10 to 19 = Meets expectations. * 0 to 9 = Does not meet expections. read more

Just have to say, the Thai iced tea is really bad. I've never seen so much orange food coloring. And the sweetness is overbearing. No real taste of tea at all. Tastes like a cheap, premade mix, or something from a gas station made with food coloring and high fructose corn syrup Service was fine. read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Thai Iced Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This location of Sweetwaters is nice because it has quite a bit of free parking. Nate and I have been here a few times and most recently for the eclipse in April 2024. We sat outside on their patio since it was a really warm and sunny day. I got an iced oat latte which was pretty good. They also have some food and pastries, and lots of tea drinks and non-coffee options, which is nice. It's a chain that started in the area and we even have one in Grand Rapids now. There are a lot of nice touches at this coffee shop, including a printer, little free library, even a cute little zine that featured all the baristas! I loved that. Overall it's a decent spot for getting some work done away from campus. read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Desserts and food - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

The service is top notch and the baristas are so wonderful and kind. My favorite coffee shop! Abby is the best manager!!! read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Caramel Ice Dragon and Iced Caramel Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Better than Starbucks and a really nice place to sit and enjoy your coffee with work.

This is my go-to coffee shop and I absolutely love it. TLDR; Light & happy environment, excellent tea selection, some GF options, friendly baristas who go the extra mile, supports local small businesses & artists. - Environment: I often work remotely for my job and have landed on working primarily here - there is plenty of seating (and different types of seating so I can switch it up when I'd like) and the large windows and local art makes it a happy, well-lit environment. There is also outdoor seating both toward the rear of the cafe and also next to the storefront. Mornings and weekends tend to be busier and there are frequently "pop-up" tables on the weekend where local artists and small businesses can come sell their wares (I've seen everything from plants, to crochet, to jewelry, to olive oil, to samosas!) I love the dedication to support local craftspeople! - Drinks/food: I am a tea drinker so I love that they have an extensive tea menu in addition to coffee. I would recommend the jasmine iced tea for something light and refreshing (I get mine slightly sweetened) and the Thai iced tea if you're in the mood for something richer. I also have celiac disease and haven't had a problem with the drinks but just let the baristas know just in case. There are sometimes crumbs on the tables (there are plenty of crumbly pastries for gluten-eaters to enjoy) but I can usually find a spot that I feel safe to settle down in. For fellow gluten-free folks, I highly recommend the gluten-free brownie here - it is AMAZING! And it's prepackaged and certified GF for my fellow celiacs (although you may want to wipe off the package if you are ultra-sensitive since it is in the case with gluten items) - Customer experience: The baristas are super friendly and go out of their way to make sure everyone has a great experience. I have seen them take time and care to accommodate those with special needs and to also get to know their customers. The shop's sign & window art is all done by baristas, as well some of the product designs - I love that this coffee shop invests in their employees and gives them opportunities to showcase their creative talents. There are also baristas that have been working at this location for years which I believe indicates a positive work environment, something I definitely want to support! read more

Fast quality coffeee drinks. I broke my months long hiatus to grab a latte this morning. Difficult start to work week after a long holiday weekend. Requested almond milk instead of cows milk (doesn't agree with me - cows milk that is) I always forget you have to add sweetener so off I went to add stevia (I prefer). Drink was great o other than it was a tad bit too hot which I remedied bu adding coldhot read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Latte almond milk double with shot expresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Here for a meetup with a group and it was such a pleasant experience as the place is spacious with comfortable seating and well maintained. Pros: ------- Good place for groups/ To work/ To study Good staff Hygiene Clean restrooms Quick service Free parking Cons: ------ None to me read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - a cup of coffee on a table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This was a very spacious cafe that's conveniently located in a plaza! The service was very kind and fast! got a chai latte and it was average. There was also tons of parking available which is always a plus for me. My only qualm would be that there are a lot of vents so it gets quite chilly and I was sitting in direct AC flow no matter where I sat. So bring a sweater!!! read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This was a visit to Ann Arbor, and the cashier was friendly and helpful in placing my order. I ordered a caramel macchiato similar to Starbucks, which they willingly made for me. Surprisingly, the coffee was really good! It wasn't a bland and had a bitter coffee taste mixed with a creamy mix of soy milk and caramel. I also grabbed a slice of rich chocolate cake. The atmosphere of this cafe is spacious, clean, inviting, and modern. It offers the privacy and freedom for one to work remotely or socialize with friends and family. read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Caramel macchiato and slice of OMG chocolate cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Maddie was great. Courteous and engaging. The coffee is good and the scone, while not the typical scone shape, tasted really good.

I love this location, all of the workers are just so absolutely wonderful. I love to watch their kindness. The food and drinks are always perfect, I've never had anything taste anything less than perfect at this location!! Today though, I told the lovely woman with beautiful eyelashes and red hair that I was getting a post therapy treat and she made my drink so beautiful and was so happy to make it, it really made my day. I've ordered the same drink before but she went out of her way to make it "pretty" and treat like and I just thought it was such a small yet kind gesture! Love sweetwaters! read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Frappe with chocolate and raspberry - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Abby was very helpful in explaining different drinks and nice, the variety of food options is nice to have and the quality of food is a high level. Would return whenever in the area. read more

They are so flippin amazing! It's such a nice atmosphere, and the people who work there are all so wonderful. Love it so much!

If there is a parallel alternate to the place 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' it would be the Sweetwaters Cafe on Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. The consistent standard of excellent service, friendliness and personal attention is a hallmark thread the weaves through the entire staff regardless of the shift! I frequent the cafe different parts of the day and I have never experienced a drop in service level. Whether they are working a normal day or managing the onslaught of customers during a power shortage, the service is unmatched! It is a place where everybody knows your name and everyone feels at home! The coffee is great, the service is personal and you couldn't ask for a better class of young, artistic service providers. Well, it's time for my Triple Chi! read more

The staff is always pleasant and helpful. The atmosphere is cozy and it's very much a melting pot of customers. My favorites are the ginger fizz drink and cinnamon scones. The tiramisu and carrot cake are also great. read more

No mugs, weird printer setup, coffee not great, seem to be cutting corners and raising prices in recent years

This is a great place to do work and study by yourself or with friends. We love coming here because it's spacious and the noise level usually isn't too loud. The drinks are average but I personally really enjoy their premium teas and French Vietnamese au Lait. I also enjoy getting their pastries here and there to treat myself. read more

Be careful with your cups! We picked up couple cups of coffee the other day, and the bottom of one of the cups came out. The whole large cup of hot coffee spilled all over my husbands lap in the car. My husband got burned. He had to get changed so missed a meeting. Now, the car smells like coffee and we have to have a detailed car cleaning. read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Spilled coffee bc bottom of the cup came out - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Great drinks great service. To me this is an upscale Starbucks with more class. Love their dedication to the community. Highly recommend

I spent about half the day here while my sister had her college orientation. I had a chai latte and chocolate scone when I first arrived. I ordered the latte iced but got it hot. And it was real hot! Couldn't drink it for a bit but once it cooled off I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also tried a bagel sandwich and a lemon bar, both which were tasty. This spot has lots of seating and a great atmosphere! The workers were nice and the shop was clean. There are bathrooms open to the public and free water as well. I'll be back if I'm in the area. read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Chai Latte and chocolate Scones - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I really enjoy the drinks at sweetwaters! My favorite drinks are: - thai tea - match latte - cream vanilla latte If you get good spots then it's worth studying but the vibe is more one on one catch up! read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - try this orange drink (I think it is thai tea) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

1. Nice study space with free wifi 2. Friendly staff! 3. Wide range of food and baked goods, supports local businesses, e.g. Washtenaw Dairy, Crust, Avalon 4. The drinks are not good. There are plenty of tables - the ones closer to the entrance are normal tables, there's a fireplace area with armchairs further in, there are higher tables with high chairs in the back, and there is an outside seating area as well. The outside walls are entirely glass windows, so it's really well-lit during the day, and in the evening if it gets too dark you can ask the staff to turn up the lighting. There are two bathrooms, one male and one female. There is also free wifi - the sign the the password asks that you buy something every 30 min after the first hour of using it, though I'm not sure how enforced this is. They display a rotating selection of artwork from local artists that is available to purchase. The coffee is very weak and the drinks aren't good. The straight-up cold brew tasted like straight-up water; the staff was extremely nice when I complained and make me another cup with a different batch, asking me to taste it first to see if it was ok, but it was only barely stronger. The dreamy cold brew was extremely sugary, and the French Vietnamese au lait tasted like diluted condensed milk with a very tiny hint of coffee near the end :( Most of the baked goods they offer aren't anything special, but they sometimes have pastries from other places that are quite good. The cinnamon swirl scone (from Avalon) that I got was really delicious - really tender and not dry or hard at all. They sometimes also have doughnuts from Washtenaw Dairy and cinnamon rolls from Crust, which you can heat up in the microwave near the back. The cocoa mint bar is a dense brownie with a white minty cream layer and a chocolate layer on top - I didn't really like it. 1/5 drinks +1 for stocking Avalon and local products +1 for good service and being a good study spot read more

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I am in town visiting for a career fair and a friend recommended we check this place out since it was their favorite coffee spot when she was in school, and I was not disappointed. I love the large menu with a variety of hot and cold beverages from teas to coffee to boba! The space is large and open with plenty of tables for studying or catching up with friends. I got the caramel creme latte and it was just the perfect level of sweetness. I hope to come here several more times before I leave to try more, including the delicious looking pastries! read more

Strawberry Bliss was excellent. They also have a nice variety of tea-based drinks and cute souvenir mugs, coffee, and tea. I wasn't very impressed with my Sweetwaters tumbler though - it quickly became scratched up and dented after only three uses and cost the same as a Hydeo Flask or S'well. This location is very quiet and not as bustling as other locations, which I enjoy because the service is quite fast! read more

Early morning coffee stop while our son auditions for UM music school. Excellent coffe and lemon bar may have caused some marital discourse. Just buy 2. Ladies that work the counter were very friendly and welcoming. Lots of college kids as well as locals working and talking. Fun place. read more

Lots of parking available! This location has huge windows and lots of natural light. There is also a lot of seating, although it can get pretty busy. They were closed for a while to remodel, but it looks pretty similar to how it used to in my opinion. The coffee is good and strong. The Napali brew is one of my guilty pleasures (basically ice cream in a cup with a little coffee). As for food, it's just okay. They have some cold options like salads and bowls and most of their options are vegetarian. I had an almond croissant though that was really tasty! Also, the ginger lemon tea is yummy! read more

I cannot believe how rude some of the reviews on here are. This is one of the best coffee shops in Ann Arbor and they have an incredible range of unique options. First of all, the fact that you can add boba to any drink is a game changer. Their pastries are always fantastic, my favorites are the mini donuts. The quiche is very good, my only complaint is most of the to go sandwiches are almost $10 which is a little extreme. Nevertheless, it is a very peaceful setting with a lot of regulars, plus there is a section with arm chairs and a fireplace. Overall I love knowing that Sweetwaters is local to Ann Arbor, but has been growing and experiencing success. read more

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This place feels less pretentious, more commercial and definitely less hip than most of the coffee joints in the area. I can't speak much for the coffee as this is one of my fave places to get tea, I think I got coffee once here but it must not have been terribly memorable. They have pots of tea as well as happy iced versions. For hot teas I of course love their cinnamon spice, it is my fave everywhere and I think they need to make it iced just for me. They have a great oolong too. The mandarin orange rooibos has been a happy choice a time or two and the ginger lemon is good both hot and iced. The passion fruit iced has also been a fave but if you want a real treat go for the Thai iced tea which is evil with the cinnamon, vanilla and ummm (fatty) half and half. Do not drink this as you consume pastry or you will clog at least one artery. The pastries and whatnot in here are reliably tasty and tempting. I do my best to skip them but I do not always succeed. The seats are comfy, the atmosphere is serene yet comfortable, no one bugs you as you chill out or get work done (plenty of outlets) and you will never have that awkward snobbery you get elsewhere. My chubby middle aged boring ass fits right in. It's not cheap but frankly so few coffee places cater to tea people I don't give a rat's ass. I am not a regular but I do swing by when I am near. If you like a nice cuppa, try it here, you might like it. read more

A great place to work. Windows all around, good spacing, very bright, comfortable seating, many outlets. Good drinks too! Sweetwaters is well known for its ice dragons which are delicious jut always really large. They also have a great selection of other drinks including seasonal treats such as matcha lemonade. The service at this location is fantastic. I'm a picky person and so I always get a blackberry Italian soda with only three pumps of syrup--note: their drinks tend to be on the sweet side so let your barista know if you don't want it too sweet--and my barista ALWAYS remembers. Sometimes it will be months between my return visits and my barista always gets it right. The people who work at Sweetwaters are so friendly and fantastic. read more

Hmm... could this be my new "northside Ann Arbor office"? Possibly! I've been in here a few times now, and today camped out for quite awhile. One thing I love here? From the start, they designed the place with laptop users in mind -- there are outlets every other table next to the windows. This is worlds away from the downtown location, where there is nary an outlet to be found in the side room (unless you plug in behind the bar, which is a bit awkward). The chai, offering of Clementine Izze, and their fab fresh "ginger fizz" are great at every location, but the convenient parking spaciousness and outlets here may be the extra hooks that keep me coming back if I'm in this neck of the woods. The only con? All of the glass and high ceilings seem to make it get a bit noisy as sound bounces around. read more

This location has just reopened! The staff is helpful and friendly. It seems there's more seating than before. There's still the cozy fireplace. There's a nice big table near the entrance (with plugs to recharge your devices) which could be great for meetings. Like any Sweetwaters, there are the drinks, pastries, pre-prepared snacks/small meals. I'm looking forward to spending more time here to get some work done or to get a snack with my toddler. read more

This place seem to be good. I have been here twice. Very focused on smoothies and juice drinks. Coffee drinks are disappointing. Barista does not seem to know how to properly texture milk and lattes came out as an overly hot foaming mess. Management should invest in proper training. read more

Stopped in on my way through town to grab breakfast and a coffee (obviously) $7 breakfast sandwich that was cold...? I didn't notice until I had left the store and couldn't go back but genuinely amazed that an egg, spinach and feta sandwich was cold & not even offered to heat it up. read more

Great place, I love it! Open way early, this Sweetwaters has lots of comfy couches and big chairs to relax in. Fireplace too for those cold Michigan days in the winter. The manager in the AM shift is a little different. She's pretty rude to her employees but nice to the customers. Acts WAAAY "fake friendly". The Baristas there are awesome though. For me, I prefer this Sweetwaters over the downtown location. If you're around North Campus give this place a try! read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Lemon ginger tea is great here, as it is at all other Sweetwaters. I also like their ginger soda in the summertime. Great place to study -- lots of med students come here. They put up a bunch of signs about how to use their tables, i.e. reserve large tables for groups of two or more during peak hours, which makes sense and is reasonable. They also put some signs that were like please buy a drink every half hour you are here if you are using our wi-fi. I think that's silly. I realize that they don't want free loaders taking up space without buying drinks, but I think it's tacky to have signs like that. The men's bathroom toilet constantly flushes if the toilet seat is left up. This is a ridiculous waste of water. There's a sign that asks people to leave the toilet seat down after, but no one listens. It's bad for the environment and they need a better system. read more

Cool location. I like to think of it as a fishbowl. Lots of windows giving it a very open feeling. Sweetwaters is great to stop in for a choice beverage, lite breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert. Meeting friends or study alone. Plenty of natural light. I have been sampling their 20th anniversary givings last week. I have to say that it's worked on me, as everything was really tasty. read more

Comfotable place, I like more than that place with the double tailed mermaid on the cover! Great fireplace, and made for staying a while... but you better order on occasion... this isn't the library, it's a business! 4 STARS read more

I have been here a few times and each time has been great. The staff has always been really friendly, and the environment is pleasantly laid-back. I have tried the Greek Mint tea and it's delicious! Very relaxing at the end of a long day to sip away at. I have also tried their Napa Valley chicken salad; it's pre-packaged, but pretty good! A little peppery for me, but pretty yummy and good for a light lunch. Ok, so their coffee....yummy! It's sweet, but not too sweet, and it's got a nice coffee flavor with out being too bold. I had the Creme Caramel and it was delicious. It seems to be made with a nice medium blended coffee; very easy to drink and smooth. Defiantly will come back. Not too sweet, not too strong, just right :) read more

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea - Greek Mint Tea! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Overpriced. Average quality of food and coffee. Servers are sweet, well-meaning, untrained, and naive about delivering service. Cute little local place--however food and service were disappointing to us. A waste of $30 for two small, weak lattes and two breakfast sandwiches the diameter of the palm of my hand. The so-called barrista stated that the restaurant could not serve our lattes in ceramic mugs. They also could not heat the breakfast sandwiches for us, pointing us in the direction of a DIY area with a toaster and microwave. Clearly the staff has not heard of sidework, because the sugar dispenser was filled with only one inch of (partially- crystallized) sugar and the place had zero customers waiting at the counter. read more