Is kava an acquired taste that I'm too plebeian to understand? I gave this place a visit recently and did not find their drinks appealing at all. The Cloudbreaker immediately met my taste buds with bitterness and then left my tongue completely numb for several minutes. Perhaps those sensations would have paid off if they were followed by a calming or THC-like effect, but I didn't experience any change in mental state. The comfortable atmosphere saves this establishment from 1 star. Dim lights, leather couches, chill music, and colorful tiki wall art make for a decent study spot or date night. However, if you're hanging out at a business, you gotta support it, and to support it, you gotta buy something -- I can't see myself buying anything kava-related with any ounce of enjoyment. Surely there must be some variation of a kava drink that tastes delightful. I don't want to spend any more money finding out though. read more

I visited the Davis location after paying my respects to a friend following a funeral in January 2025. My husband and I were dressed up, and it was fairly obvious that we were not college students. After breaking the ice and mentioning that it was my first visit to the Davis location, while my spouse had been there a few times before, the employees became more relaxed and accommodating. I appreciated their friendly service and the generous portion of the Kava Cloud Breaker. The Davis location offers plenty of flavors to choose from, which made for a great experience. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would definitely stop by again if I'm in the area. read more

Tried a new Vacaville business today I found o Google 2days before l. I left a general voicemail for Habit Hair Salon off of Alamo and Merchant in the Ranch corner store area. Nikki called me back yesterday and we had a great chat. We scheduled a cut n color for this afternoon. She was sma lil late but it was worth it. All of the independent stylists were warm, friendly and beautiful. Kikkis service was wonderful and can't wait to go back in July for more bleach blonde, highlights and a more sassy, spiky hairstyle. She's a great listener and did exactly as I showed her as far dmsu styling and color. The salon itself emeas very clean and well decorated/organized. Even if you live 15-30 mins away it's worth the drive and don't forget to ask for Nikki. read more

I've been here once and my drink was paid for by a friend. The atmosphere is fine, as was service, but I could not get down with the bitterness and awfulness of the flavor. Like it's one of the worst drinks I've had to stomach and no amount of syrup could make it less gross. I don't understand how people enjoy it and keep coming back for more. Definitely not my cup of tea, ahem kava. read more

First time trying kava and I really liked it, deff made me feel very relaxed not like alcohol where u feel disoriented the vibe was chill there's an upstairs with more seating. I also order the strongest one it tastes kinda nasty but I like effects read more

Root Of Happiness - The one with coconut water and pineapple - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

Awesome and cool place ..... ...loved it Perfect place for late hangout and chill Liked the kawa.. read more

I liked sitting here. the ambience, dimmed lighting, bookshelf, and cool wall art made it a fun place to be. About the service and food, i have no idea i didn't order anything. read more

This place is phenomenal! The food was just very delicious and well prepared. The service was professional and quick. The ambiance was very chill and elegant. 5 stars! read more

Man this place didn't provide no good service, I was in there getting to know others and the people were terrible, no one would even be Talking and it's just not it... I wish the staff could have been better read more

Second time trying this place. First time I had alcohol prior so wasn't sure if it had any effects on me. Today I came in with an empty stomach (not purposely). Barista recommended Cloudbreaker so I went with it, with blackberry flavor and paired with pineapple. Did not taste the blackberry at all. It was just all earthy and bitter. After one sip my mouth felt like I had just visited the dentist. By the end of the cup, I was very loopy. Forget shots of liquor. This drink does the trick in only half a cup and for $10! I'd definitely be sure to eat something before hand because the nausea is real. Aside from nausea, I'm experiencing (present tense because I'm writing this as I'm here sipping on my water) loopiness and the desire to make friends with everyone. Definitely a place I'd come back to. Especially because it's so laid back. People are here with laptops and books. read more

Root Of Happiness - Cloudbreaker with blackberry flavor, paired with pineapple slices. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

Always a good time. Quick service. Good drinks and vibe Ambiance is what I go here for the most read more

Came here on a rainy Saturday afternoon to have my cousins try kava for the first time. The vibe inside is like a dark tiki bar. It's pretty mellow. I've had kava before at another shop and maybe it's due to the difference between Fijian and Hawaiian kava (I had Fijian last time and Hawaiian here), but this version tasted much less bitter than I expected. The high tide is similar to mugwort juice, which I love. The rip tide was more concentrated. I had to remember to swirl the powder around in my cup before ingesting. The cashier was so nice. I didn't catch her name but she was open to explaining all the different options to us. My brother got the cocktail with a kava shot because he was scared of drinking the tea straight up. It tasted like juice but he didn't feel it much. I felt a full body high after finishing my drink. We were able to sit in the soft couches. I expected there to be more games or activities provided but there wasn't anything. I saw some people studying and casually hanging with friends. All in all, I think it's a worthwhile place to spend time in. They had a great approach for first-time drinkers of kava. Kudos! read more

The atmosphere is unique. The kava was very interesting. Service was awesome and the pinball was good

Usually like this place but came here with my boyfriend to show it to a couple friends 1/26/25 at around 2pm. He went upstairs to get a table for us and was literally reprimanded by the bartender when he came downstairs. "Did you just move that couch upstairs without permission." Turns out there's one fewer couch upstairs than when we went last time so he assumed it'd been moved from our usual spot to the other side. She was so accusatory and condescending for literally no reason when she could have politely explained whatever was the deal (there are also no signs upstairs saying not to move seating around). I understand having cameras for security but knowing that someone like that is watching you when you're trying to relax obviously eliminates the point of coming here. I'm frankly embarrassed to have suggested it. Won't be coming back unless something changes. Edit: went downstairs for water and saw the same bartender being unnecessarily rude to two girls who'd obviously never been there before. "The bar is only for if you're starting a tab otherwise you can get in line and come back once you have a drink." Unsure why they wouldn't want to start a tab? Or why not calmly ask them if they've been before and explain how the store works. Thought this was supposed to be a chill place read more

Root of Happiness used to be good. This past year they have watered down their teas so you pay $8 for a cup of colored water. The Midtown location in Sacramento needs training in customer service. I have counted up to five staff members behind the counter -- all of them ignoring customers at the register because they are more interested in socializing with their friends and co-workers than they are in taking care of customers. Very unprofessional customer service and the quality of product has gone down. read more

Some of the strongest kava I've ever had. Great community. We've stopped in a few times traveling as we pass through. Love it.

Kava is probably not for me but I'm really glad I tried it here. Tried the classic first timer mix which as other reviews perfectly described it, tastes like bitter earthy dirt water. It did have some slight physical affects like mouth numbing despite it being my first time. If it's your first time, be sure to mention it so you can get some background on Kava and what is available on the menu. More than the kava, I enjoyed the ambiance here. There's lots of games to choose from including jenga, chess, exploding kittens etc. that you can borrow from the bar. Nice place to chill. read more

My friend took me here while I was in town and it was a pretty wild experience. I had whatever was recommended which I think was called the Cloud Breaker, but whatever it was it was pretty fun. After that, I had a Mixed Kava drink with juice which was better tasting. It was a really cool vibe and very comfortable to hang out and get some work done or just hang out with some friends. The Kava-tenders were very helpful and answered all my questions. Pretty cool experience. read more

Root Of Happiness - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

They really discriminated against my best friend for having a stutter and didn't serve him due to his speech impediment. This is a disgrace for the City of Davis. I'm shocked by this behavior. The servers name is Gabe. He discriminated against my friend with so much disrespect and no remorse. I hope this can be addressed and that employees can be educated on the disabilities people face and how difficult it already is to have different disabilities in life. read more

*ZERO STARS* Been coming here for years but will no longer be supporting this business in the future due to a server named Gabe who discriminated my friend for having a stutter , refused service to him then kicking him out for thinking he was intoxicated , this is very sad that these type employees are allowed to work here . . Very disappointing. . read more

The managers Lauren and Jasmine are some of the sweetest people I've met. Always welcoming, always respectful and always bringing out the good vibes in other people. 10/10 read more

One of my favorite hang out spots in Davis! I'm not a super big fan of REALLY loud, crowded places, and RoH is perfect in that regard. Chill atmosphere, the kava is great and it's a good place to relax and hang out with friends :) read more

I like this environment for meeting friends and enjoying a non alcoholic drink. Comfortable loungey feel to the bar.

I'm glad I gave this place another chance. About a month ago I took my friend here for her first Kava experience, exciting! The young man with curly hair was running the counter. It was the middle of the day on a weekday. I was disappointed with his lack of interest in our guest experience and made me sad that her first time was such a dud. He seemed much more interested in his friends at the counter rather than helping two new people and talking about the product. 1 star experience. I emailed headquarters about the nutrition facts of the kava and never heard back. 1 star again. ' I didn't want to give the Davis location another chance but I really wanted some kava to make at home. I mentally prepared myself for more bad service. Endure, buy the mix so you can just make it for yourself and not come back. But the girl with blue hair working the front desk was the epitome of grace and customer service. She was helpful, tact when her coworker came in to visit, and extremely helpful with my questions. She is a 5 star employee. If I am ever walking around Davis maybe I will peek through the window to see who is working before heading in. read more

Root Of Happiness - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

I used to love this place and come here almost every day but the service went downhill Is one of the bartender she's always extremely rude to me for no reason I love to drink those kava shots and I always take a couple home last week I tried to buy 4 she refuses to sell it to me Because she didn't have enough she says so the next day I send my girlfriends to buy for me and she and she sold them to my girlfriend with no problems whatsoever and I have few other friends they have received the same horrible service Maybe the bartender doesn't like Latino people or something And this is very sad for me but I'm not coming back read more

Peak Portlandia vibes. Davis has a pretty prolific hippie population... From the infamous Domes to the Co-op, Aggies have a variety of niches for the hippie lifestyle. But outside of these enclaves, where else do hippies go...? Answer: Root of Happiness. Intimate and slinky, this bar envelops you in archetypal "tribal" decor-- the interior is warm and humid, befitting of their "tropical" vibe. Their TVs screens play nothing but idyllic video loops of jellyfish, and you're bathed in sultry, instrumental jazz. Everyone here looks like they were either vegan or surfer bros, but vibing out all the same. The bartender was kind. I thought she'd be condescending to us as kava novices, but she welcomed us heartily. She gave handy tips and recommendations, even a brief history lesson on kava. THE CLOUDBREAKER: Bitter, a little sweet, oddly silty. If you're not used to bitter flavors, they do recommend downing it in one go, like a shot. Fair warning-- the fruit flavoring you choose as a "chase" is essentially nonexistent. AMF: Tasted like Kool-aid with a bitter aftertaste. The mango shot was basically watered-down syrup. After 5 minutes, my mouth and tongue were numb, and after 15 I felt relaxed but happy. Until that point, we felt like teenagers trying weed for the first time-- "Do you feel it yet?" "I don't think so." "How about now?" "Nah. Do you?" "No." "What about now?" "No... Wait..." And out of nowhere, I felt myself wanting to lie down forever. LOL. It really crept up on me! As the numbness faded away, I felt a simultaneous sense of calm and giddiness. We opted to recline on the upstairs couches for a while, where a few students were sleeping or listening to music. Even after we left, I still felt some of the ~euphoria~ ^_^ Pretty successful first kava experience :-) I dig this concept and recommend it to non-drinking folks, or even those who just want to try a different "bar" scene. I think that the flavor is what turns a lot of people away, but I didn't really mind the bitterness at all. The good part about kava is its reverse resistance-- the more frequently you drink it, the stronger its effects will be. I'll be sure to bring some friends to try this again sometime ^___^ read more

Root Of Happiness - Cloudbreaker & AMF with passion fruit shot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

Me and my friend recently had a night out in Davis and went here, it was lots of fun! They had super cool decorations with some colored lights and plenty of places to sit. We were in there for a few hours just hanging out and talking to people! It's a great place for older people under 21, (or anyone for that matter), to come and hang out. Definitely recommend! read more

Root Of Happiness - Mural next to the bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

Root of Happiness is a cute little spot in Downtown Davis and it's so chill there. It was our first time trying Kava so we were intrigued to see what it would be like and the employee was super nice and gave us a quick backstory on Kava's origins and what to expect and he recommended the Cloudbreaker drink for first-timers. We all got the Cloudbreaker and not sure if it was this specific drink but Kava is definitely bitter as hell and has an odd aftertaste. It kinda reminded of us sour milk...it's not our thing but we wanted to give it a try. Maybe one of the cocktail kava drinks would've been better taste wise. read more

Really cool theme-driven place! I've been to three previous kava places and I always seem to find really kind knowledgeable staff and fantastic help with recommendations! I apparently went during happy hour and chose a coconut pineapple infusion that was so smooth and earthy and made my bike ride quite enjoyable! Lol read more

Root Of Happiness - a hand holding a cup of orange juice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

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They have two locations. One in Davis and another one in Rancho Cordova, The Davis one is a bit more better in terms of atmosphere in my opinion. The Kava here are top quality. Super good and does the trick. I try to come here at-least once a month and usually 1 cloud breaker drink will do the trick for me. read more

Root Of Happiness - The Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

Love this place. I get my best and most productive studying here. People know you come in here to chill either with people or without. If you need a spot to just go get away from the world for a couple hours, this is the place to go. It helps me reset and continue on. The vibe is perfect, the staff are awesome and remember my order as well as my preference of a glass jar vs to go cup. I always feel better after a kava night. I've also met some of the most open minded people who you can have random and very in-depth conversations with about such a wide range of things as this a college hang out spot. I've made some of my closest friends here. Keep being awesome Kava read more

This was a great place to hang and chill and to try Kava. They have an upstairs area as well with games and lounge couches. The menu had a variety of different kinds drinks that range from their specialty drinks and their more authentic popular ones. I have only tried the High Tide- Mango Kava with a watermelon chaser. It tasted really bitter but you will feel a little relaxed after ten minutes or so. The effects of the the Kava drinks varies per person and also with the amount you drink.The Lanai Lemonade was also tasty, it was a different alternative if you want more of a specialty drink. Other than that, the staff was very friendly and helpful. read more

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Whoa, what an experience! From the outside you'd never know that this would be a lounge! I found this place with high ratings on Yelp. You walk in and see everything dim lit, red light, and everyone looking super mellow. Per the server/bartender(?), tried out the kava. This drink is made from a root and claims to bring on a relaxed feeling. I felt my heart race like it was going to explode before I felt "relaxed." I don't know if I'd try it again (it tastes awful), but I think you should try it at least once and decide for yourself. Lots of interesting books here on the history of kava, a giant jenga, games, and cool music. read more

Root Of Happiness - Kava - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

Awesome staff. Recommend the cloud breaker. Lucas is the most handsome bartender. I wish I looked more like him. read more

Love the layed back feel of this place! We have been here several times and never disappoints. The bartenders have always been super helpful and nice...5 stars baby!!!! Bravo read more

Root Of Happiness - Out front - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

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Very high quality kava drinks, you get what you pay for. Granted, it's never going to taste good because it's kava. The island vibe and ambiance is great-- the community and staff make it a chill place to just hang out or pick up a drink and relax. I recommend their cloudbreaker, if you go between 4-7pm you can get it for cheaper during their happy hour. Food - N/A Drinks - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Ambiance - 4/5 Value - 4/5 Overall - 5/5 read more

The cashier suggested: for your first time, start with one Cloud Breaker Shell because it's the most concentrated so you can get a feel of what it will be like for you. It's very bitter so you have to drink the bowl quickly and then eat the pineapple from the stick. The effects of the kava drinks varies per person and amount you drink. All of my friends said they felt more relaxed after drinking it. They have the Cloud Breaker Shell for $7 during happy hour (3-7pm) daily. The cheapest drink during happy hour is called Toxic for $4. This place is good for large group hangouts, they have an upstair lounge with couches and a large jenga game set on the ground floor. One of my friend recently became a regular and said he gotten some freebie drinks. The staff there was really friendly. They have a reward program via FiveStars. After 24 hours of my first checked in on FiveStars, they sent me an email to redeem "a BOGO free Low Tide drink on your next visit" which expires after a week. read more

Root Of Happiness - Upstairs lounge - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Davis, California

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It was my first time trying this place and kava in general but overall it was a fun experience. Me and my friend both got fruity drinks which were great and really refreshing. The vibe was casual and laid back which I thought was nice as well. My only issue was service which I hate to be nit picky about as someone who's worked in food service and I know it can be hard sometimes. Me and my friend walked in a little confused because we'd never been there but we also weren't really greeted or shown where a menu was or told much else. We weren't told which drink was which when they were ready so we just kinda guessed. The cashier also walked away before the transaction was complete so I walked away a little awkward and confused. read more

Wowsers! So late to the party am I when it comes to kava and its nice, chilled-out "recreational" effect. I'm not going to lie and say that the taste is for everybody or even for most. I liken it to a liquid poi drink, the concentrated stuff having more of a bitter/spicy aftertaste when taken straight up (which I prefer); luckily there's usually a fresh fruit chaser. But they do have less-harsh mixed coctails and teas that you can have with natural flavors added (think mango, coconut, pineapple, tropical fruits). ROH is dope and so happy there's an alky alternative that exists. I happily spent a few hours trying out most of the menu, mainly out of curiosity and the slight euphoric effect, rather than the taste. Would I return? Heck yeah! It's my speed with the Tiki-lounge ambiance, hypnotic chillwave playing over the air, a mysterious concoction in faux coconut-shell ready to touch your lips, and a cool ritual backstory behind the drink. And I didn't even mention the cool people giving this noob pointers/tips about how to handle myself which is basically to drink, sit back, and CHILL! Too bad it was kava-tender Daniel's last day, but before leaving, he imparted kava-wisdom on me and taught me how to "bula!" (cheers!); surely ROH is still in good hands though with the lovely Breanna (great restaurant tips, btw) and other friendly kava-tender whose name I didn't catch. I only wish there was a location closer to where I be, but I dig Davis, so I'll be back sooner than later! read more

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Love this Kava spot. A great place to socialize or unwind from a long or short day. Good people and good vibes always. If you are looking for something new or a great community, this is the spot. read more