Water Street Coffee Joint

We only had coffee, but it was excellent, the staff were super-​friendly, and the eclectic vibe was great. The next time I’m in Kalamazoo I’m going to make a point of stopping here!

Awesome coffee and the flourless chocolate cake was excellent. The staff was also friendly and helpful.

If you’re from Kalamazoo, you’ve been here — no need for me to add anything else. If you’re visiting from out of town, you’ll enjoy it. The fun ambience, delicious coffees and teas, and friendly staff will make it more than worth your while!

My favorite coffee place in Kalamazoo. Perhaps my favorite coffee place in Michigan? Simply put, they serve outstanding coffee and great food, in a great space. The selections of coffees are outstanding and they have roasts/​bean combinations which are quite unique.

What a pleasant surprise this was. We had a great flight of coffees. A double espresso for William that he claimed was better even than the Italian espresso he had on his trip to Italy two weeks ago. I had the hot cider with dolce and it was truly the best hot cider I have had. My bide had a wonderful café olé.
Our surprise was based on having had many average cups of Water Street coffee at other local establishments. The blends just don’t compare to the real thing.
I certainly recommend you try it too.

Very charming small establishment, handy for those passing through. Deli goods are tasty and the baked goods are unique. The light roast tasted burnt and the flow of customers through the close quarters of the register area was at a complete standstill, there were at least 3 employees behind the counter, but it was chaotic, with staffers only taking half orders and general wait times being 20 minutes for 3 readymade items. 4 people left without being waited on. I stayed.

During our three day stay in kalamazoo, we saw this little coffee bar while driving around downtown. The location and look of this place sparked my curiousity. It’s basically like a local small starbucks. Aside from their mochas, espressos and coffee, they also have great teas. I ordered a Lemon Mint smoothie which was great during the warm weather, definitely had a cooling after effect! My friend ordered the raspberry orange smoothie which was also good. The smoothies are in fact smooth and not watery.
We just stopped by here for smoothies and to check out this place. Of course they have salads and sandwiches, scones and other small bites as well as their own merch like coffee mugs and more. The only thing I don’t like about this place is the small parking lot in front. It only fits about six or seven cars so we had to park in the gravel parking lot behind this place next to the railroad tracks. This is a weird area to have a train run through but anyways. their smoothies made a memorable impact on me. I swear I still remember the aftertaste!

I’ve been wanting to try out this location for Water Street Coffee for years. What a great experience! They have a great selection of loose leaf teas, coffees, food, and desserts. We ordered the Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong tea and it was really good. Similar to other tea shops you’re able to re-​steep the tea leaves multiple times (the number will depend on the type of tea) making it a great option for those that plan to be there for for a while. We also tried a Coconut Macaroon and a Caramel Brownie — both were amazing. The outside seating area is quaint but perfect when the weather is nice. I’ll definitely be back!

Possibly my new go to study spot? Granted, I’m new to Kalamazoo and have only been to this 1 study spot, but it’s already up there on my list!
They’ve got very quaint, but cozy and comfortable, outdoor seating (perfect for bringing my dog), and a great laid-​back, almost hipster vibe. Like I said, the outdoor seating is very limited, but it’s designed and secluded in such a way that you don’t realize you’re about 2 feet away from the parking lot, which I love. I really have only positive things to say about this place — great coffee and a delicious array of sweets (last time I had the peanut butter bar and am seriously counting down the days until I can eat one again guilt-​free).
Check it out, bring a book, turn off your phone, you won’t regret it. Oh but don’t bring too many people, as I will be needing a chair to study in please.

While ordering my usual, dirty chai, the barista asked me if I wanted spicy chai or sweet chai, WHAT. Any place that gives me two types of chai I immediately and irrevocably fall in love with them. Wait it gets so much better: I couldn’t decide so I asked if I could have both.
She said yes.
WOOWEE Thank you Water Street for being amazing. This time I got the drink hot and it was that spicy sweet chai with espresso that I love. Along side my drink creation I got a spinach and feta pastry that was so flaky and fresh. Like the world’s fanciest Hot Pocket at a Hot Pocket price. In short, my experience was amazing. This café has it all.

Charming little coffee shop in KZoo!
There are lots of train tracks in Kalamazoo, and this little spot seems to be nestled betwixt their collective intersection.
Pretty sure the structure itself was some sort of train depot or stop off at some point…
Anyways, now it’s a coffee joint, and a cute one at that! Solid coffee offerings and a bomb-​a$$ tea list too. (Is that Rishi, you guys?)
A small cold case with prepared pasta salads and quiche-​type items rounded it all out, though we did not partake. Get your wifi on, do some work/​homework, or catch up with friends!

This place is going to be my new hang out in Kalamazoo. Great location right across from Bells on one side and Food Dance on the other.
Coffee was great. Also got the Kalamazoo Cake and a Salted Caramel Brownie… Crazy good.
Staff has been very friendly both times I’ve been in. This place certainly checks all of the boxes.

This is my favourite coffee place in the U.S., it’s amazing. The coffee is always great and the baristas are on hand to recommend a blend. I’ve had the granola bar (delicious), breakfast burritos and sandwiches all of which were delicious. If you’re looking for a caffeine hit and are anywhere near kazoo, get in here.

Wow… this place kicks ass! What a good find!
I stopped in Kalamazoo on my way home and did a quick search on where to get good espresso. Unilocal helped me find this place, and it was a gem. The espresso I had here was fantastic! It was rich, roasty, nutty and chocolaty with good body and lovely crema. Got some snacks too and they were good.
I liked the espresso so much I got a second one. This place was a pleasant surprise.

This tiny coffee shop is a cute little building in the middle of chaos. The atmosphere was great, and so was my italian soda. But I have to say the chicken quesadilla was by far the worst quesadilla I’ve ever come across. It took way too long to get for the 2 tortilla shells to be stuck together by just a little bit of cheese. The 1 or 2 slices that had chicken in it tasted alright. I’m sure it would have been better if they hadn’t been so skimpy with ingredients. The rest of my quesadilla was barely stuck together by cheese. If I go back, it’ll be for just coffee. My friend said her pumpkin soup was good and the sandwich was alright. Nothin to rave about. Definitely for the busy college student who doesn’t cook.

Your order has to be 5 $ or more to pay in cash without an extra fee. This gets me every time, but fortunately, their snacks are delicious and worth getting; especially their walnut bars.

Tahitian vanilla shake with espresso!!! Definitely loved it. The ambiance was amazing and the baristas were very friendly. When I think of a coffee joint this is most definitely how I envision it. So excited to come back and try the white chocolate mocha. I have read multiple times that it is the best some people have had!
Update. New favorite in this cold weather: peppermint white chocolate mocha :)

YES YES YES YES YES
So stopped here on a road trip. SUCH A GOOD CHOICE.
Parking was weird, and ended up parking across the street in a lot that apparently you’re not supposed to park in, but we didn’t get a ticket, so woo?
I got a spinach feta turnover and it was priceless. So flaky and savory. My friend got a ham & cheese turnover and it was fantastic. It was more a filling of a casserole than just a goopy ham & cheese mess.
My friend really appreciated that the coffees & their notes were described in understandable terms (delicious too!) I got a chai latte with soy milk and it was seriously the best chai latte I’ve ever had.
The staff was super friendly and the café itself was really hip and fun. If I lived there, I’d always be studying there. I will be coming here again, no doubts.

Came here for birthday coffee (because I guess that’s a thing). And I’m really glad I did. I got the dark chocolate shake — which is made with gelato — with espresso. IT WAS DIVINE. And it helps that it had a giant helping of whipped cream on it.
The chocolate covered macaroon (coconut, not a French macaron) was delishhhhh! Service was friendly, the ambience was great and laid back.
Love it! Definitely will be back!

First off, high fives for putting up with me working in a corner for a few hours as I made this my outpost while in town for an afternoon. I was there for a while and it was a delightful experience. I had just eaten breakfast so I wasn’t peckish (although the baked goods and deli case sure did look inviting) and started with an iced tea as I sat and churned out this week’s latest Weekly Unilocal.
The seating area is spacious and has great light from the huge windows inside. The seating is plentiful and comfortable and for the most part fairly quiet and they have some cool atwork from local artists hanging up for you to gaze upon. Parking is admittedly a bit of a challenge. The coffee shop is a bit of an island in between two busy streets and the train tracks and there are maaaayyyybe 6 spots? So if you don’t find a spot getting out and looping around can be a bit of a challenge. But don’t give up! Park on a nearby street and walk over. This place is worth it.
After I completed my work I decided to grab an iced latte on my way out. I also sampled some of the baked goods they had out. Oh my! I had a chocolate chocolate chip scone (or coffee cake? I can’t recall exactly) and it was SO good. Not dry, perfectly sweet. I regret not getting one with my coffee. Speaking of the coffee, it was fantastic. One of the best lattes I’ve had in a long time. They sell bags of their coffee to go and give helpful deets re: all the flavor profiles if you’re curious. Plus they have some fun coffee making paraphernalia (pots, pour over supplies, mugs, etc) for purchase.
Staff is playful. Helpful but playful. I exchanged a few barbs with the woman behind the counter and left chuckling. I dig that!