Brew — Restaurant in Santa Rosa

Brew is one of those places that feels like a hug the moment you walk in. Located at 555 Healdsburg Avenue in downtown Santa Rosa, this women-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly coffee shop and brewery has created a space that blends comfort, creativity, and community in the best way.

With cozy vibes and welcoming energy, Brew is more than just a spot for coffee or beer—it’s a place where people gather to unwind, connect, and belong. The interior is inviting, with warm tones, a corduroy couch, and bar seating that gives you a front-row view of the TVs or the friendly buzz of the counter. There’s also a lovely outdoor patio area for fresh air and people-watching.

They have board games like Life and Mancala that are stacked and ready, while trivia nights and poetry slams add a fun, artistic twist to your usual café hangout. Right before the restroom (which requires a code), there’s a community board filled with flyers for events, clubs, and local activities. They even sell handmade jewelry, which adds to the thoughtful, crafted feel of the place.

Brew’s hours vary throughout the week:

Monday–Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 8 PM

Wednesday–Friday: 7:30 AM – 6 PM

Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM – 4 PM

The staff are warm and approachable—especially the barista with the blond pixie cut and glasses (I wish I caught her name!). They all give great drink and food recommendations if you're unsure what to try.

Their menu offers both breakfast and lunch, and they’ve nailed the balance between comfort and freshness. I’ve tried their breakfast burrito, which was flavorful and satisfying—especially with the salsa and sour cream served on the side. The avocado toast was light and refreshing, with the crunch and zing of onions on top. And on a chilly day, their creamy, thick potato soup with fresh bread was the perfect warm-up.

They offer 12 rotating taps featuring some of the best IPAs, beers, and ciders. But if you’re not in the mood for alcohol, you’re still in great hands. Their coffee and tea menu is broad, and even as someone who doesn’t drink regular coffee, I appreciate that they’ll make any decaf drink like a latte or Americano. I usually go with a simple caramel or vanilla decaf latte.

Brew also sources baked goods from local favorites like Criminal Baking Company, Village Bakery, Red Bird Bakery, and Grateful Bagel. You can taste the craft in every bite.

Accessibility is considered here—there's wheelchair access, though do note the bathroom is in a tighter space due to the building’s layout. They're also pet-friendly, which adds to the community feel.

One of my favorite things about Brew is that their values shine through everything they do. They don’t just talk about love and inclusivity—they live it. Their philosophy is centered around craft: “Craft has the power to elevate an experience, change a day, crack a smile.” That ethos comes through in every drink, every interaction, every cozy corner.

Whether you're studying, reading, meeting up with a friend, going on a date, or just taking a breather, Brew is the kind of place that feels like it gets you. I give this Santa Rosa gem a full star rating and wholeheartedly recommend stopping by. Come support them! You’ll leave feeling better than when...

The Classic Breakfast Sandwich was fantastic! Coffees good, nice gal that helped me at the counter. My first time there. As they say..”You don’t get a second chance at a first impression”. This place could be so nice with a little love. My first impression about this place is how run down it appears from the outside. The garden sitting area obviously hasn’t been swept, or leaves blown in a very long time. The planter boxes and surrounding areas to the sidewalks desperately need to be weeded and tended too. Windows are dirty. Litter outside. Maybe hire a gardener once a week to remedy the situation? But I understand how hard running a small business is, been there. But I’d recommend the owners walk across the street and look back at their space. What does it say to the community? Tired, burned out. Get a new flag out front too. This easy face lift refresh will create a buzz and show the community that something new is happening and increase your sales! Because it shows you care, which also translates to…we care about the appearance of our community and we care about the quality of the food and beverages we serve. But if the owners ever read this, I say, take a vacation, get some rest. Then have look. Yes I’ll be back, but now I’ll expect to lower my bar at least for the appearance of your establishment. My best to you on...

One of the best offerings Santa Rosa has for coffee and meeting up. It's still plagued by typical Santa Rosa parking charges, which are largely vacant elsewhere in the county. I won't knock them from that in the rating area. Very inclusive place with some warm employees. The pricing is a bit wild if you're coming from anywhere else in the Bay Area, and that's probably because the owners don't have a good understanding of how many employees they actually have working at any time. I've seen people on two separate occasions complain to the staff about the pricing. But hey, maybe the rent is just bad. Other nitpicks: the a/c doesn't work and you get the feeling that the owners aren't too focused any longer. The outside area is pretty half baked. Beer selection is good, not great, but it's awesome to double fist a coffee and a beer. Overall though, it's a good enough location and a pretty decent concept hampered by pricing that's a little lofty and not sustainable to raise any further. I'm giving 4 stars because it's the only decent well in the desert that is Rosa. Acre by comparison would be a 2, with Peets a 3 and...