photo from the back sitting area
a cup of coffee and a notepad
Walked out
Excellent service. Heads up: credit cards aren't accepted here; it's cash only.
a man sitting at a table
Inside
Free wifi
interior
outside
Delightful menu
outside
Man in front of Muddy Waters Coffee house, photo copyright Cynthia Brooks
outside
interior
interior
interior
Inside
Saturday afternoon
Counter
food
outside
Fun artwork in front of the cafe
interior
For some reason, these public terminals now function only with credit cards. The cash-for-time option was recently discontinued.
Ian S.
Apr 4, 2020
During quarantine mania, this has been a reliable go-to for me. The manager and barista in the mornings is lovely. She always remembers my order. She's very efficient. The ambiance is nothing to write about, but it's a functional and affordable coffee shop that always delivers. it's good to see this establishment showing so much heart during these times.if I can make only one request, I wish they would accept Apple pay / Google pay. Not only is it more convenient, it's a bit more hygienic than dealing with cash. Anyhow, that won't prevent me from giving five stars.
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Ethan B.
Dec 22, 2023
Muddy Waters Coffee House in San Francisco has quick and friendly service. The staff are really kind - the woman behind the counter even gave us a slice of cake when we came up just short of having enough cash to pay for it. The place has a friendly vibe, with the owner chatting comfortably with customers -- it's hard to tell who's a regular and who's a first timer, because everyone is treated like family.The coffee cake is definitely a highlight. It's moist, has the right amount of sweetness, and is well-spiced, making it a tasty treat. However, the coffee itself falls short, tasting murky and bitter, which is naturally disappointing for a cafe.Muddy Waters is also reasonably priced, especially considering the location. An important point to note for potential visitors is that the business operates on a cash-only basis, which can be an inconvenience, but as mentioned above, the staff are very understanding about this and probably wouldn't mind a quick ATM run.Overall, while the coffee quality is lacking, the friendly service and delicious cake make Muddy Waters a decent choice. I can definitely see myself coming back here to work for a couple hours and support small businesses, and I suspect that I may have just gotten unlucky with my cup of joe. Try it out, see if it's for you.
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Romy I.
Dec 10, 2023
The GOAT of sf coffeehouses. Down to earth and decidedly not corporate and sure to scare off the more basic yelp reviewers who complain about parking. Fun for people watching too . The staff is often grumpy which adds to the fun a real sf gem
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Adam S.
Dec 13, 2023
Lovely locally owned establishment with a lot of history and charm. The staff was super friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed my house drip coffee. it was how I prefer - dark and strong. This will be my regular coffee shop in the neighborhood. Keep in mind it is cash only
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Rohan B.
May 13, 2023
Masala Chai: Did not likeCroissant with Egg and cheese: Was niceBagel with cheese: nice
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Afshin A.
Aug 27, 2019
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.
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Doc P.
Feb 17, 2021
Great coffee, great prices, and great people watching. There's lots of light near the front window, plenty of tables, and often times you can see folks knitting, drawing, painting or even playing with synthesizers as you sip your coffee. This coffee shop has been so great to artists over the years. I just wanted to say thanks and pay my respect. We had our first meeting of the SF Cartoonist Conspiracy here in 2005 and met regularly for many years. I met some of my best friends here and always enjoyed the creative vibe.
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Raymond B.
Oct 27, 2022
The coffee is great! I like it black, fresh, and strong and Muddy Waters is the best place in town to find it. I've been coming here since about 2003. This place is real, no pretensions. Nijat, the barista/manager is warm and friendly and makes you feel welcome. And the music is good, too. I'm confident that Muddy Waters, the musician, would have liked this place, too. I always look forward to coming here to enjoy a great cup of coffee and read or write. It's a very peaceful setting.
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Dave P.
May 13, 2024
Best House Coffee (Dark Roast) in the city, bar none. Very friendly staff. Max's Blend best dark roast beans in town.
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Ellen K.
Oct 21, 2023
I love the ambience. It is the feel of the old Mission before gentrification. Big tables make it easy to do work or play games. Coffee and food are good. I love listening to the Blues.
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