This place has my heart Water Street is cozy, elegant, classy , and beautifully designed, the decor is absolutely charming and instantly makes you feel at relaxed and content. The staff are always kind and welcoming, with warm smiles that add such a lovely touch to the experience. My absolute favorites are the Sleeping Bear Mocha and the Sleeping Bear Hot Chocolate , "truly signature drinks and honestly addictive!!" I keep coming back just for them, and I've never found anything quite like them anywhere else. Their food options are unique and always served warm when you order. I also adore that they offer tea pots when you order tea such a cozy, thoughtful detail that makes the experience feel extra special They have cute mugs and teas available for purchase, perfect for taking a little piece of the café home. Prices are similar to Starbucks, but the quality and atmosphere feel much more special. I love that they introduce seasonal drinks, right now they have a delicious mocha and a pecan drink that feel perfect for the season. They also serve chai lattes, which is very important to me wherever I go, and theirs is lovely. They even have an app that sometimes offers rewards and little perks, which is always a nice surprise. (My only wish is) that they extend their hours until 9 or 10 PM . it would make this cozy spot even more perfect. Overall, this is one of my favorite coffee spots. Warm, comforting, and always a pleasure I highly recommend it and they have my full yelpy support :) read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

Water street has to know they are the best local coffee roaster in the area. It was early morning. They had just opened. It was rainy and I went through the drive thru. Early morning happy service is what I got. This is the larger of the locations with a little bit of a longer drive thru. True to water street, the chill vibe extended to the car. read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Decaf - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

Classy joint Great almond croissant and cold brew I come back every time I visit the area read more

I just love sitting at the drive through waiting for my drink for over 15 minutes when nobody was in front of me. I've ordered and gotten my drink in 3 minutes before so I know it doesn't take that long. It makes me even happier watching three employees standing around giggling. Hate this location. Don't stop here on your way to work or an appointment because you'll be late. read more

tl;dr Skip the iced chai tea late, check in for 20% off food and drinks. First impression: This place has plenty of space to sit and enjoy your food and drinks. There's three levels of indoor seating and some outdoor seating. The chai tea latte was watered down, but the cold and hot brew coffee were on point. Check in to get 20% off your food and drinks. There's free WiFi and plenty of parking. If you're looking for a place to meet up with friends or get some studying done check this place out! read more

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I've been to this location of Water Street once before, for a super fun Official Yelp Event hosted by Kalamazoo Community Ambassador, Beth C! My boyfriend and I were in the area last month and stopped here for a quick pick me up. I ordered an iced latte and he got an iced mocha. The drinks were super delicious! Very creamy from the oat milk and nicely balanced with a bit of sweetness. I loved my latte! This location also serves alcohol and the featured cocktails on the board sounded delicious! I'd love to come back in the future and try one. The interior is very bright and open with plenty of space for social distancing (they had removed much of the seating to accommodate this back in May). They also have a pretty decent sized patio outside. The menu also includes quite a few food options, with hot items like breakfast sandwiches and cold deli items too. Everything I saw looked really good! If I lived nearby I would make this a regular stop. read more

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I do love WaterStreet- all their locations! And especially their drive thru in Portage and their drive up-pick up cabinet on the front of their downtown location. +excellent coffee including beans to take home +amazing chai latte- sweet, spicy or 1/2sweet+1/2spicy +friendly staff +remodeled locations with nice lighting/furniture +tasty food- the macaroon is so good +the Morning Bun is life changing. It is a like a cinnamon bun & a croissant had a baby. +they have good wines, fun cocktails and local beers +staff good about wearing masks +can order through their app and set pick up time -sometime very slow drive thru in Portage (not enough staff) -not enough gluten free options of food -staff sometimes don't know anything about the wines: example- ordered a pinot blanc and their staff member was very condescending insisting that the red wine he poured was the pinot blanc. Ummm.... I go to Water Street a few times each week and I am grateful for that moment of normalcy during this challenging year. read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Order using their app and you can choose location, set pick up time, etc - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

They took away soy as an alternative milk. Booooo. Chocolatea down the street is a better place row rock anyway, and greater selection of food and drinks. read more

While I love their iced white mocha, I am very disappointed with their rewards program now being available only through their app--apparently, you can't just give your number at the window anymore and have them enter it in. They also don't have a card reward system available either. I don't live in Kalamazoo; I don't want to install an app on my phone for in case I'm in Kalamazoo and am nearby and want a cup of coffee! I just feel they are unwilling to look at other options for customers. The other two major coffee companies have options for customers. read more

Cute little coffee shop. Stopped by while in town on business. Got a hot chai tea and a piece of blueberry bread. Nice little outdoor seating area. I'll return if in town again. read more

Absolute best Dolce De Lece ive ever had!! The breakfast bialy is also amazing. You'll never go back to starbucks. I highly recommend checking-in the yelp before paying for ur order. Your welcome. Pros: their cold dolce de lece!! The contrast of flavors and coffee/caramel ratio is out of this world. If you like plain sugar then this isnt for you. The bialy is a breakfast egg bagel with cream cheese, it full of flavors, and will leave you coming back for more. My fav thing about the bialy is the cream cheese, its not like anything u've ever tried, trust me. Cons: they are slow to bringout ur food... Overall 5/ Food 5 Service 5 Quickness 3.5 (forgiven for the stellar job everywhere else) read more

While I love Water Street Coffee, I hadn't been to this location yet. It is SO CUTE. Seriously: GO. The space is nice, there's a fireplace, and comfy chairs, and... well, read on for food recs. We attended a yelp event here, and I am impressed! First, the coffee. YES. of course!! It's great here. If they have the Mexico Chiapas Alonso Martinez freh crop microlot? GET IT. It is SO GOOD. Second, the food. YUM to the yum. We tried the bacon, cheddar, and egg on a cheddar dill scone, then a butternut squash and cranberry salad, then a blueberry lemon bar, and ended with a triple layer salted caramel espresso bar. Can I say GET IT ALL? Why yes, I just did. In both this location and the Oakland one (which is closer to my home), cocktails are available. People seemed happy with their deliciousness and creativity! Would I go back? An unqualified yes. The space is beautiful (perhaps the most beautiful of all the Water Street locations). The staff is friendly. And, always a positive thing, there is ample parking. read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

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I know coffee and this is my favorite place to go in Portage/Kalamazoo. I typically go 2-3 times per week. I love the variety of house-made syrups and snack offerings. Service is usually a little slow, but it's always given with a smile. Lots of teas and cocktails to choose from as well. And they give good pup cups. read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - a dog eating an ice cream cone - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

This company treats their employees horribly, once I found out I stopped going. The coffee is mediocre at best anyway. If you are trying to be community oriented and support a local business, there is plenty other local spots that are ethical. read more

This place has always been a favorite, and it continues to be so. They are doing a great job implementing social distancing and safe practices. And, as always, their drinks and food are top notch. My family loves to come here for slow breakfasts, sitting outside on their sweet patio area. If you haven't tried a Water Street, it's time. read more

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The service has improved at this location! I guess, we were caught up in the wrong crowd last time. They aren't doing $3 small coffee daily specials anymore and the bakery items aren't 50% after 4pm but they are 25% off now. I'd definitely want the daily small coffee deals to come back! Tried vegan sunflower apple muffin! I asked it to be warmed up a bit and I didn't regret! It was so good! read more

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I met up with a friend here, first time for both of us! The staff was friendly & greeted us upon arrival. I had ordered the spinach & provolone on an everything bagel... not good. The bottom of the bagel was so soggy from the huge block of egg, tomato & spinach that I couldn't even finish. My friend ordered the egg & cheese burrito and didn't mention anything on the flavor at all. My friend ordered the decaf mocha and I had the house made pumpkin spice latte, both were good. The vibe of the place was open & clean. There is both outdoor and indoor seating. I felt like they could have used a new system for letting people know when their food or drink is ready. The front counter is a good distance away from the seating area and if there is a lot of chatter or noise, it's really hard to hear your item being called. read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

This is my first time to come here, and definitely won't be the last. I liked everything about this place, they have an amazing coffee with a great place to perfectly enjoy it peacefully ! And the employees are so nice ! And I like how they have a big couch to sit and sip your gorgeous coffee, it felt like I was on (Friends) the TV show lol ! Although their prices are a little bit expensive for a coffee, but you can have a discount when you check in read more

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I think their coffee really is delicious. Smooth, flavorful, and definitely they take their time creating each drink. The food always looks so good and I citing but most times I've already eaten. Plus now They serve alcohol (remind to go back for happy hour, drinks are 50% off)! But today, a friend and I order large coffee for there. They came in a small mug and after I looked across the place as others sat with their to-go cups I wondered why mine looked so small? Are the mugs smaller if you drink in restaurant than if you go out? Also, they called her name for her food but she didn't hear and it just sat up there. Finally she went to check and sure enough her avocado toast was waiting. It wasn't busy, why couldn't they bring it to us?? I'll still go back occasionally, but will order coffee to go next time for sure! read more

This place is unbelievable. I recently moved to Michigan from Washington state and this coffee is some of the best I've ever had. The food is also made fresh and extremely tasty. Definitely need more of these in this state. The friendliness and the customer service is also way above average for a place this busy. read more

There are few coffee roasters in town that offer a full-fledged food menu, with most sticking to the requisite pastry case. But Water Street Coffee Joint is the exception. Their menu hits all the right buttons from breakfast fare to sandwiches, soups and salads. Plus some locations offer wine, beer, and cocktails. On top of this, their desserts are to die for. Today we stopped at the W. Centre Ave for lunch. I had their new Turkey Bacon Wrap, which was very impressive with real oven roasted turkey, sliced bacon, cheese and wrapped in an organic spinach tortilla. It was very good and plenty big enough for two. My co-worker had the Sesame Tofu that came with a delicious ginger-garlic sauce. She had never had tofu before and she like it. We sat outside on their lovely patio. The baristas were very nice and explained the items very well. It's a great place to pop into because I always know I'll get an excellent cup of coffee, along with delicious food no matter what time of the day it is. read more

I always have a good experience when I walk through the door of this cool little place. It's a place that I can meet up with my work colleagues and we can sit for some time discussing our issues or I can run through quick and always have a fantastic cup of joe. I can only think of one time that I didn't have a great experience, and that was only because the "dude" was new and had likely never worked in a customer service environment before. He called everyone "dude" and it just put us off a bit. The coffee, other flavorful drinks and food are all great quality and the temperature of the seating area is comfortable in any season. The reason I say this is because of all the glass. It could be too cold or too hot based on the outside temperature, but it's never been an issue here. If you're looking for a place to come for a quality beverage and perhaps a fairly quiet place to study or meet with friends, then this just might be your place. read more

I think water street coffee tastes like it is burnt. Never been a fan of water street. I don't know if it is the type of beans or the roast but it tastes burnt. I did have a good breakfast sandwich here! read more

The early morning staff at this "joint" are terrible. I get that it's early, and they would probably prefer to be working somewhere else, but why take it out on your customers? At the very least you could say "good morning," or "hello"! And, despite the size of the order and tip....how about a "thank you" or "have a nice day"! I had stopped coming here before the pandemic for this very reason, and just started coming back, hoping the attitude had improved, but it hasn't. Given the number of businesses that have closed from this pandemic, you'd think they would appreciate having a job....apparently not! read more

Came for pre dinner drinks and a treat! High quality cocktails and they are 50% off from 4-6pm! Got the gin and tonic and Moscow mule. Also went with the barista pick of the day of a chocolate lava cake with a cherry jam! Great flavor. Stellar service. read more

If I'm paying 8 dollars + for an iced latte why am I receiving it in a thermal cup with a sipping lid? Clearly the money is not going to the right places here. Coffee is okay, but personally I would rather spend my money elsewhere! read more

I was so pleased to see a Waterstreet Coffee Joint open its doors in south Portage. Like the other Waterstreet locations this is a comfortable place that promotes sitting around with the accompaniment of ambient music while enjoying a cup of coffee, some lite fare, or a tasty dessert. The seating area here has a bit more echo due to the high faux wood lined ceilings and tile floor. Not as much of a "nook and cranny" feeling but the loft and lower level seating areas still allow for a bit more privacy if that's what you like. Like other Waterstreet locations this one is also usually adorned with college aged kids parked behind laptop computers. Nice to see our youth throwing back some caffeine while getting smarter. The coffee flavors vary but there's usually a light roast and fuller bodied dark roast available as well as specialty drinks. The darker roasts are typically flavorful and can even have a hint of spice depending upon what they're serving that day. Waterstreet goes beyond the normal array of baked goods that you may find in most coffee shops. I highly recommend the paninis or burritos. As for the desserts I plan to work my way from one side of the glass case clear to the other. I have yet to try a dessert that I wouldn't order again. In any case, I highly recommend this place. As with other Waterstreet locales the employees here are helpful and cheerful which leads me to believe they're likely paid with coffee, cookies and cake. read more

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Not a big fan of their lattes, they are very sweet and at times feel chalky. I do like their brewed coffee

Coffee is good, service is ok, the facility is a nice place to hang out and study or chat.

Great atmosphere and good coffee! They have three levels of seatings and ample parking. We love their baked goods and coffees. We cannot wait to try the seasonal smoothies. read more

The Water Street Empire has spread its reach deeper into the quiet suburbs of Kalamazoo! And that is a good thing! Though WSCJ has multiple locations, the fun and quintessentially local essence of the company is a welcome sight in Portage, particularly on Westnedge which resembles a "Main Street, USA" more and more every year. This location will feature the same quality brews you've come to expect from other locations, along with the impressive array of breakfast/lunch/take-home-by-the-pound options in the deli case. The new (at least I think?) feature that differentiates this location from others is the added "Slow Bar", featuring pour-over drinks with their own selection of beans. The woman who helped me make my selection and walked me through my slow bar journey was incredibly helpful, and offered me a few whole beans to smell and get acquainted with the roasts of the day. I had always wondered how they came up with those highfalutin descriptions of the aroma and the flavor, but the staff here helped de-mystify the art of the bean in a patient, sweet manner. The ample supply of windows in the dining area is AWESOME for when the sun is shining and maybe its a touch too brisk to enjoy your drink outside. Granted, your view is mostly parking lot but on sunny days, beggars can't always be choosers. I've also gone through their drive-thru. It's a nice feature, but BEWARE that it is not going to be as fast as if you were grabbing a cup of joe from McDonald's. Leave a couple extra minutes in your commute if you're on your way to work. I would give 5 stars, but it does just seem like the prices are a bit steep. I KNOW, I KNOW good coffee and homemade products must cost more. This just seemed even a bit beyond that. I will likely continue to be a customer whenever I'm in Portage, but only when I've got the extra cash on hand ($5 min on credit cards). read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - The slow bar offers pour over coffee selections, which can be enjoyed next to giant, sunny windows. - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

Water Street is open inside to customers. I stopped by today to grab a latte and my seven-year-old son really had to use the bathroom. As we walked in, the young lady behind the counter asked if we had masks. My son has asthma and can not wear a mask. He was crying because he had to go potty so bad. She told us that we were not allowed to be in there without masks because this is something that was so important right now. I told her that she has lost our business. We were the only customers in there. We will never return to Water Street for their mediocre overpriced lattes.. read more

I always look forward to the atmosphere at this Water Street in particular. It's well-decorated and has a business vibe, yet is modern and cool. The food is so good - try their breakfast burritos with a pot of tea, enjoyed in the sunshine next to one of MANY wall-outlets. No issues finding a place to plug in here! read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Enjoying a pot of scarlet tea in the sunshine this morning. - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

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You really can't go wrong at Water Street, and it's exciting to see an awesome local business like this expanding into so many new locations. While the Oakland Drive location's outdoor garden makes it my favorite coffee shop patio, and the downtown location holds a place in my heart both for great location and the nostalgia of being the original, the Portage Street spot really won me over yesterday at my first of their patio concert series, which brings live music to the plaza at Portage and Centre streets. Enjoying some pastry case treats (and I've never gone wrong with the food at any Water Street location), awesome music from local band Northern Fires and Levi Strickland, the gorgeous sunset view around the corner of the building and the occasional accompaniment of a passing train was such a great way to spend the evening. We'll definitely return for future concerts in the series (and for their Ice Cream Social next Thursday, June 15, where they'll show off complimentary tastes of their new house-made ice creams). That make it yourself and make it amazing ethos really has defined Water Street over the years, and it's now a household name in the area and is served at many of the area's finest restaurants (and even at my husband's work). read more

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Good coffee, but I wouldn't say it's exceptional. It enjoys a local reputation that it no longer deserves. The primary issue is that it is WAY over-priced. If you have coffee sticker shock in the Starbucks age, it's not good. And to cap it all off, they have a crazy "no credit card transactions under $5" policy and no ATM which is maddening because sometimes all you want is a cup of coffee! Watch out for the drive through too! You can often get stuck FOREVER in what would be a two minute line anywhere else. It's like they get caught off guard car after car when people order espresso drinks! Skip it. There are plenty of better alternatives in town. read more

Water Street Coffee Joint has the best coffee in town! They have several locations around town, and we hop between them throughout our week, stopping in at least once per day. We love the Portage location's design and friendly staff. It's my preferred spot for business meetups when I'm on that side of town. read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Favorite brew - Mexico! And gluten free sweet potato quinoa - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

Pros: great coffee, food, ambiance, super friendly service. Love it and it's my go to place. Cons: only real issue is often not enough staff to handle the rush. If they're going to have coffee, fancy drinks, food, drive through, fresh ground beans etc could perhaps do with more staff. Waits can go to almost 20 minutes. read more

So as a grad student I'm always on the hunt to find a cool new place to study, and I found this gem!! The coffee is good, but more importantly the space is beautiful. They have 3 floors of seating and the majority of the place is made up of windows so there is a ton of natural light. My boyfriend said that he was having trouble with his internet but I wasn't. The coffee is expensive, but I think that if you're planning on camping out a bit it's worth it. There are a lot of vegetarian food options there but I didn't try them today--I'll definitely be going back!! And I'll keep you guys updated :) read more

Water Street Coffee Joint - Cafes Near Me - Portage, Michigan

Conveniently located on the corner of Shaver and Centre road, Water Street Coffee strikes gold one again. I still prefer the downtown location but this spot is better than most other coffee shops. It's also much closer to my home so it's win-win. Great loose leaf tea selection. The last two times I've went I've had the Four Season Spring Oolong and it's incredibly good. It comes from Taiwan and has a slight hint of jasmine. I always go for the pot of tea leaving the option open to re-steep. I've only had one dessert from Water Street, the chocolate cake. It was just OK. I did confirm with the barista that they do make all of their own food locally and distribute it to all of the Water Street locations. I'll support locally made anything all day long. I'll definitely be back. read more

place is lovely coffee is slightly pricey took 25 plus minutes to ge 1 coffee. over all would not recommend