Ah Aqus, how nere could I have never written a review .... well, it's long, long, long overdue. I really do have to explain giving it just an A-OK review. I've been coming here for years and it's for a number of things. The food, while good in it's intentions, are always leaving me slightly dissapointed. It's got good ingredients but always seems to not be so cohesively matched with flavors or is lacking a good deal of flavor at all. Most of the time it needs more sauce or spices. The food does seem a little expensive to me, but I know they do their best to use quality ingredients. One experience coming here our party asked for the English mustard for the Rueben style sandwich. The jar was EMPTY. When one of our party went up to the owner and asked for another jar she was very, very adamant that there was still enough in there to use. So my friend sat down, scraped and scraped with a knife, then took his finger and literally wiped it all out. Very little to none came out. He then used a napkin, then showed her. She turned her nose up to him and then said they were all out of mustard. Period. Wha-? While many events are always going on, sometimes the calendar isn't always reflected or changed accurately. I also wonder, what happened to the language night? Did that just peter out one day? They have a great happy hour menu which includes weekends, so that's always a major plus and saving grace. Dogs are usually around, and sometimes in the restaurant. Um, I love doggies, but it doesn't seem like a good or sterile thing to have them in the eating area. I do generally like to have a pint and listen to the bands there but they tend to be really loud. I've found the folk bands a little more tolerable for noise levels. Recently, last Sunday during the Superbowl (I was traveling and got into town late so couldn't really catch it anyway) the folk band playing was fun as kids were dancing, so it all had a good family vibe. I do like the addition of flat bread pizza on the menu, I still have yet to try one. All in all, with tons of healthy options like vegan and gluten free this place is doing a lot to please everyone in Sonoma County which is why I still give it an A-OK despite my complaints. Otherwise it would get a full on 4 star review. Fair to note service is always good. I like the area where you can serve your own water, grab your own napkins, and get some of the condiments (they offer more behind the counter, just ask). And seating can be a little limited, so I'm glad there is spillover to outside. I go back often. This is a solid place. Just has a few kinks every now again. Oh and do make sure you check the calendar on the website if you aren't familiar with it. Some of the nights have cover charges or business meetings that require an entry fee to be there. read more

Aqus Cafe - Happy hour menu! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Petaluma, California

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Awesome coffee, food and service. Free Wi-Fi. Great place to hang out, get some work done, or just socialize with friends. Accepts Credit Cards with a minimum of 5 bucks. read more

While we were staying in Petaluma my cousin who is a gluten free vegan came to visit from San Francisco. Where to eat with such an eclectic mix of tastes and needs as we three had? Well after a little Yelp research I landed on Aqus. They have a nice outdoor seating area which fulfilled my cousin Kathy's desire to soak up as much sunshine and warm air as possible before returning to the chill of SFO. It just so happened that they also had some really great live music action that afternoon - another plus. But of course the other attraction was the food. I ordered the Turkey Fig sandwich on multigrain that had turkey, tomato, gruyere, fig relish and lemon aioli. The fig relish added a nice sweetness to the mix and if I had just had them press it so the cheese had the chance to get a little melty and gooey it would have been pure perfection. But that was my bad - not theirs. The sandwich came with a small side salad of lightly dressed fresh tender organic mixed greens. Marty got the BBQ Chicken Breast panini with onions, bell peppers, jalapeños and Gruyere cheese. This was a nicely balance sandwich (of course I snagged a taste) with the jalapeños bringing just the right amount of heat to the party. My cousin got a gluten free variation on the VeggieFriday.org with roasted asparagus, roasted sweet peppers, eggplant, and portabella mushroom. A few cold glasses of local artisan craft beers and we were all happy campers. However you say it, "Aqus" is a winner in my book. For the record I lean toward the short a vowel sound versus the long a. read more

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Came because of the hype, coming back because it was just that good. Seriously, the food & service was just amazing. My friends and I loved it. read more

It's been too long but glad to be back at aquas. Such a great place. Ran into a great Irishman, Michael M. Some gentlemen playing dungeons and dragons and other nostalgic strategy/fantasy games. Like my Yelp friend connor m so eloquently put in his review, there is normally an English woman here but I have not seen her on this visit. Come enjoy a taste of Petaluma read more

Aqus Cafe - Cafe latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Petaluma, California

Wonderful staff. Delicious Food. Coffee Refills for 50 cents! Lovely patio. read more

Some short while back during the confusing and irrational Covid masking rules, I went into the aqus cafe in the afternoon of the day before the county health masking policy was going to be lifted. I did not have a mask but I went in anyway to order a single pint of beer to take outside and sit down at a table. There were customers sitting at tables inside already and they were not wearing masks. The young bar maid told me I need to put on a mask. I explained I would just like to order a beer to take outside. She declined to serve me. I asked if I could order from the door leading outside. I was told no. I pointed out there were already people inside without masks. It didn't seem matter to her. I asked what critical thinking skills she was applying to me that she was not applying to the customers already inside. She backed away and told me to leave and that I was "banned" from coming into aqus cafe. I left and walked to a table on the sidewalk where some people were sitting. The bar maid came outside and told me to leave again. It was pretty upsetting since I was on the public sidewalk. I tried to communicate with the manager of aqus John Crowley, who I've known for years. He did not reply to my efforts to neautralize the unfortunate escalation of the situation. I have not been back to the aqus cafe since that day. And there has been no attempt to respond to my efforts to discuss the matter. Aqus has been a decent place for people to gather over the years for various community events. The food is ok but not great. Prices are higher than the quality of the food. It's just disappointing that it doesn't seem to matter that such a situation has been allowed to exist by the manager John Crowley over the decision of an employee who made a decision for which a customer who simply wanted to buy a pint of beer was refused service and "banned" from patronizing aqus cafe. A lose lose conclusion. read more

The staff is crazy friendly, the drinks are good and the food is always FRESH. They always have tasty treats available from other local business and even their coffee and alcohol options are always local too! I'm hear at least every other week and will continue to happily give them my business! read more

Been eating there since the early days as a cafe. Breakfast this a.m. was the last straw. This is a great community hangout and I will continue to have coffee there. But outside of the commercial baked goods there has been an enduring decline in the food from the kitchen since long before the pandemic. I complained to John once but never heard back as if the place had been taken over by marauding ostrogoths. A few of the salads ok, but not what they were years ago. Dollar for dollar much better value at other local cafes nearby. Who ever manages the place should be reassigned to latrine duty. read more

I was very happy with this place. I would like to go back and try their happy hour which looked very interesting. I had a veggie sandwich which was very tasty. My friend got the same thing but they somehow left the avacado off of hers but not on mine. A little forgetful there but they weren't rude when we asked for them to add it on. I liked their outdoor patio and the location is unexpected. read more

Still one of the best parts of petaluma. Delicious lunch and beautiful coffee drinks, carrying tons of local products and showcasing beautiful local art. The staff is warm and friendly and there is always lots of places to sit! I called to see if there were seats available and they held a table for us, it was so incredibly sweet. This place rules. read more

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Came here twice on a recent visit up north. Free wifi, cute place, friendly service, GOOD coffee, yummy treats from the nearby Bovine Bakery. I didn't try any of their menu items, but from the looks of it, they all looked quite delicious, with generous portions. Looks like a nice, community oriented cafe. I like. read more

Aqus Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Petaluma, California

My food was good, but I was startled when I checked out, used a credit card and was charged 3.5% for using the card. The sign posted over the register clearly states that they charge an additional fee only for purchases under $5.00. My purchase was significantly over that. When I questioned the cashier, she said they now charge everyone using a credit card, regardless of the purchase price. I have no objection to this, since restaurants are going through a tough time and I try to support local businesses. My complaint is that they should disclose this, and either remove the sign that no longer applies, or fix it, to show the new policy. How difficult is that to do? The cashier just laughed. I could easily have paid in cash, but I thought restaurants wanted us to use credit cards to cut down on their need to handle cash, but I guess not. read more

Aqus Cafe was a lovely surprise. Nestled in a residential area of Petaluma, it offers a varied menu. I had a delicious panini with mushrooms, sweet peppers, lettuce, tomatoes & vegan cheese. It was perfection and accompanied by a small green salad. My friends had the chicken Cobb salad that was huge, fresh & definitely tasty. I would absolutely return to Aqus for another fabulous lunch. read more

I come here on a regular. Cute little spot by the water on H street. Order your coffee and food then pick a place to sit. I recommend it for anyone looking to grab a coffee and sit and relax. read more

A community cafe with a really big heart! Casual dining with a wonderful, cozy ambiance, including local art displays~ Let me count the ways~ wonderful, friendly and efficient staff, many regulars creating a sense of family with newbies warmly welcomed, extensive menu of great food (with GF options) and wine reasonably priced, beautiful patio area with flowers and umbrellas, kid and (outside) dog friendly. And then there is the active night life including poetry, west coast song writers competition, game nite, trivia nite, and all shapes and sizes of music. See you there! read more

They arent open until 10 pm as listed and they are surely aren't friendly enough to share this as we spent awkward 7 min in front of a deserted counter with a ton of action in the back and stuff popping their head to silently stare at us before our presence was even acknowledged... read more

This place is so cute inside and has this great vibe to it. The artichoke quesdilla was so good. I loved the peppers in it. It tasted fresh and had a smoky pleasant taste to it. Kids ordered the farmers Flatbread, veggie Flatbread, and classic Flatbread. The Flatbread taste like pizzas. The classic Flatbread was the best. I guess we love pepperoni best. The mocha and decaf cappuccino tasted good as well. I love that we can oder decaf for our 11 year old and she still feels like a big kid with the beautiful heart designed cappucino. We went inside to order and then went outside to eat. The food was brought to us quickly. We did not try their pastry but everything looked healthy and tasty. Next time we are in the neighborhood we will try their pastry. read more

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Aqus is awesome! It is the cutest cafe tucked away off of 1st street with lots of seating inside and tables outdoors as well. I went there to get some work done-so yes they have wifi. They also have an awesome menu with lots of choices for sandwiches, salads, pastries, cookies, and drinks. They have wine and beer too! Even better--they have happy hour starting at 4. I had the Salmon Niçois salad and an iced coffee. It was delish! And very affordable. I will definitely be coming back (although I sort of want to keep this place a secret as long as I can!). You won't be disappointed if you check this place out. read more

Aqus Cafe - Salmon Niçois salad! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Petaluma, California

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Found this cute little cafe in Petaluma on our way back from dropping off the RV. On a cute little tree-lined street. The workers were so sweet and helpful. They had wonderful happy hour menu - we got bell pepper/eggplant quesadilla and chicken/avocado quesadilla - really amazing. Their chai is also brewed and not powder. They have great panini and dessert selection. Great little find, can't wait to get back. They were having poetry readings at 6pm. read more

Eh...wasn't super impressed. Was sitting with some friends eating, when we were approached by a woman telling us we had 10-15 min to either finish, or find another seat due to the band showing up earlier then expected. If you know a band is coming, and tables will have to be moved, and customers relocated - perhaps be mindful and warn them right when they sit down, OR put signs out on the table a couple hours prior to give those guests some advanced notice. Worse part was, she didn't even seem to care - we'd literally just gotten our food (and they had our $$, so I suppose they didn't really care). The food was overpriced in my opinion for what you got. The chicken on my salad was insanely dry, and had a weird after taste - definitely not freshly cooked!! Wont be back. Not a fan of "weird" tasting meat, or a business that doesn't care about their customers either read more

fresh, quality ingredients. love this place. lots of healthy options, including vegetarian and gluten free. read more

Came to this place on a Thursday night , they had live music . It is small but very mellow i had a London Fog and my husband had a Latte they have a variety of pastries to choose they all look delicious; i will save this place on my " Favorites " for sure read more

Holy smokes! Super impressed. The bacon burrito was delicious, sesame bagel with cream cheese was good, service was quick, and it's not super expensive! AND THEY MAKE THE SALSA VERDE WITH HATCH CHILIS (I'm like 90% certain of that). It's so good. Get some breakfast here, you won't regret it. read more

Nice place overall. I'm a regular and what bothers me the most is that the Hispanic woman who empties the trash and "cleans" the outdoor tables strips them of dirty dishes but never wipes up after diners leave. Because of covid, it's really important but when I observe daily the messes left with dried food and pieces of lettuce, etc, it's a turnoff. read more

We stopped in after checking out dog friendly breakfast spots. This place was full and friendly. Food came out fast. Breakfast burrito was spot on. The gal at the counter recommended to mix the spice and sweet chai. It was perfect. Great outdoor seating and the husband said the organic coffee was great. Tiny human is connoisseur of cured meats and loved the chicken apple sausage. Can't wait to come back. read more

This is a really special place and reminds me of everything I love about Petaluma and Sonoma County. Friendly staff, Community Vibe with tons of postings up about things to do in the area, live music and interesting Gathering events, (check out their calendar,) welcoming for the whole family. One of my favorite things to do here is meet my girlfriend for a glass of wine and bring our kids along too they have hot cocoa we have wine and we all enjoy the live music! Also the menu is pretty awesome. Diverse options to have a wholesome nutritious meal, or a treat! Also a great place to bring your laptop and get some work done while enjoying coffee or another beverage! I'm headed there now! read more

Aqus Cafe - Yaasssss mocha and email - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Petaluma, California

Oh, I love this place! Super comfy seats, superbly helpful staff, yummy goodies even for a gluten- and dairy-free folk! Love the vibe. Will be back for sure! read more

My favorite hang out spot in Sonoma County. John, the owner, has created a combo pub/café/wine bar and hosts community groups and events every day and live music several evenings each week. A gem. I wish there was another branch in Healdsburg or Santa Rosa. read more

A-Ok. There is no other way of putting it. Petaluma is an anomaly of it's own, which means that Aqus probably feels right at home. The service starts out a little rocky. Remember people we are not in San Francisco where being a hipster is allowed and attitudes need to be left at home. Smiling is always appreciated and a nice "hello" wouldn't hurt either. I order my food and await what I think seems to be a good choice on their opinionated menu. The food is dropped off and alas... it's not what I ordered. "I think there's been a mistake on my food. This isn't what I ordered." Another woman comes into view from behind the bar and says - "Yeah, I remember, that's what you ordered." Now I'm a bit confused because this woman didn't even take my order and was nowhere to be found. I'm in a good mood today so I decide to just eat it, and I have to say it was A-ok. Nothing better and thankfully nothing worse, but I couldn't wait to get on with the rest of my day ahead. Will I be back.... probably not. Thanks for the fun times Aqus. read more

What a great find. I had been hearing about this place for a while, but had yet to stop in. Right at the counter there was a hand written sign that read: "Unattended children will be given a shot of espresso and a free puppy." I liked that, and the coffee was great, too. Such a great alternative to the other options in town. read more

Went to their independent film night. A film about mentally disabled people and the artwork they create. Film was on the obnoxiously boring side. Trying too hard to be weird and artsy. Sat on uncomfortable wooden chairs for 2 hours with some homeless people and other earthy crunchy individuals. Intermission of fifteen minutes allowed us to order a couple of coffee drinks and stale brownies. Nothing sumptuous here. Another visit on a Sunday, couldn't find a place to sit because people were there for a band that was so loud I could not hear myself think. I sat outside and it was too hot for coffee. The few shady spots were taken. The water dish for my dog was empty. Another visit on a Saturday, the counter people smelled like body odor, it was very strong and permeated the place. The tea was expensive and the plastic self service honey container was sticky and almost empty. Flys cruised the area where unbussed dishes sat in the heat of the day. Again, lots of cyclists, earthy crunchies, and local people hanging out warming seats and not offering them up to the handicapped. there's another coffee shop on the other side of the street that serves great coffee, wonderful baked goods and at a reasonable price. Free wi fi and a wonderful earth friendly and clean atmosphere. Friendly respectful counter people that have no odor. Clean restroom. wonderful atmosphere-go there instead. read more

I was in town with friends. We passed by and were hungry for lunch so we decided to pop in. Now, I'm Asian, one of my friends is black, and the other is part Mexican. I'll get back to this later. I ordered the artichoke quesadilla, being vegetarian, and I thought it was great. The flavors complemented each other, the grilled tortilla was crispy, there were plenty of artichokes, the salsa was mild but flavorful... I'd probably give the quesadilla itself a five-star rating, but my main concern for this review is the environment. (On the other hand, my friend didn't like her Caesar chicken wrap. She could barely finish half.) Being three colored young ladies eating lunch in a predominantly white town was unnerving. While those standing in line with us were rather gracious, I got a vibe from the cashier that was something like, "I have to take an order from minorities?" Mind you, I was pleasant and friendly with her, smiling as I placed my order. We sat down and I felt lucky that we had walked in when we did, because soon a line formed from the counter to door. All of them were white, and I felt the stares as if they thought, "Oh my! There be colored folks in the corner?!" When the server gave us our food, she pretty much said, "Here," placed it on the table, and walked away. Not a friendly tone, not even asking if she could get us anything else. It was as if she wanted to give it to us and get away as fast as she could, so we would leave as fast as possible. One star for the service. But I really liked my quesadilla. A shame my friend didn't like her food. read more

Pros: 1. Diverse menu (could have a few more low carb options but overall, very good) 2. Decent prices 3. Plenty of seating, relaxed atmosphere, fun events 4. Seems clean enough Cons: 1. The staff are not particularly friendly. It's one of those restaurants where you stand in line to make your order, they give you a number and then they deliver the food to your table. Then.... you bus your own table. So, it's not like they're really waiting tables. I don't know where the attitude comes from. The last time I had lunch there, a staff member brought me my lunch and when I said thank you, she said, "yeah", unenthusiastically. I don't get it. The people who own Aqus also own Redwood Cafe in Cotati and the people that work there are awesome. 2. Dangerous olives. Two out of the last three times I've eaten something there with olives, I've bitten down on a pit. Maybe they core their own olives. 3. Only one bathroom. There is probably seating for 50 people in this place and not only is there just one bathroom, there's just one toilet. So, be prepared to wait. In short, despite the drawbacks, this is a good little restaurant/coffee shop in a nice location and it's worth going to. read more

So thankful for this cafe and all the support it provides for the community. Excellent location, friendly service, and great patio scene!

I've been here twice for lunch and I'm hooked on the chill vibe, fresh healthy food, and outdoor seating. It's technically "downtown" but away from the heart of town...making it a nice little getaway from the "bustle" of big city Petaluma...ha! There's plenty of seating inside and out which makes it great for meeting with a group or even business lunches. The menu is very Nor-Cal with lots of salads, soup, and paninis. I'm in love with the Nicoise Salad! Huge portion with tons of fresh veggies and chunk tuna. They go a little heavy on the dressing, so it's better on the side. The staff is very mellow but friendly. You order at the counter, they bring you your food, and then leave you alone (I love this method). It's becoming one of my favorite lunch spots in Petaluma, and lingering on the patio afterwards is part of the experience. read more

I'm here right now, on their free wi-fi. My mouth tastes like cinnamon foam. That's because I'm drinking a mocha. But it's not a normal mocha drinking experience. Please allow me to elaborate. The mocha is in a ceramic bowl, with no handle. It feels like I am praying every time I take a two-handed sip. It's interesting, because I was kind of praying before I got here that the previous reviewers weren't misleading me, and that there was a place in Petaluma where I could go and edit photos and see cool interesting non-corporate decorations and even talk to interesting people. There's great music playing and the windows are open and the food that the server just delivered looks really phenomenal. But I can only really speak to the mocha, since I had lunch at home a while ago. The waiter on duty is super nice, and I had no issues with the service whatsoever. Parking's a little weird but there are plenty of spaces along the neighborhood streets. read more

Food is decent, though uninspired, paint-by-numbers fare. Nowhere near the quality of other Petaluma cafes like Water Street Bistro or The Tea Room. Coffee is decent, but half again as expensive and nowhere near the quality of the roaster two blocks down the way. Counter service is phoned in for the most part, with all the charm of a toll booth interaction. There are exceptions, but that seems to be the rule. Where Aqus tries and succeeds (and why I'm giving them three stars instead of two) is in providing a space and atmosphere that fosters community. They regularly host local art and events. On any given day you'll find book clubs, stitch n' bitches, college students studying, and local workers relaxing on lunch break. All in all a good place to hang out, but nowhere you'd want to go to impress a date or satisfy a desire for really good food. read more

The coolest down home Petaluma to the bone kinda joint. Coffee tea and great food by day---I often go here w my laptop to write. I see so many of our towns finest. Evenings are varied from trivia night to comedy to love music to a variety of meetings...and they have a great selection of beer and wine. The owner used to do an online newsletter which was a virtual list of cool stuff in Petaluma. I'm not sure if he still does...if so, please add me back to the list! read more

We 4 went over for dinner about 7pm last night and were glad to see it was busy and had live entertainment. The issue was no seating available for our group but 3-4 tables for 4, had singles sitting there at each table reading and drinking coffee. We bolted as obviously they didn't want our restaurant business. We went to Donner and had a great meal. Aqus needs to monitor their seating more closely. read more