Water Bearer Coffee — Restaurant in Traverse City

I was here with my family last week and we came in a little late, they were closing soon but I can’t believe what happened next. A nice girl was trying to put the machine back together to be able to make our drinks in a timely manner , when this guy working with her flipped shit on her and cussed at her while walking into the back ! She stayed mute and looked super uncomfortable. I was appalled to see such behavior, and dynamic (A white male screaming at a woman and POC ) with no apology while everyone around her stayed silent about it. I went back to bring that girl something to cheer up her day this week and found out she was fired after this and the angry guy is still working there! This place is not as woke as they make themselves out to be. I ended up leaving and not ordering. I don’t support businesses with that kind of...

Water Bearer Cafe is one of those rare places that instantly feels like a favorite. Located in a perfect spot in Traverse City, it has a warm, creative aesthetic that sets it apart from anything else around. The coffee is absolutely delicious—and made even better with their house-made syrups that give everything a personal, handcrafted feel.

Their food is just as thoughtful. I highly recommend the yogurt parfait—it’s fresh, flavorful, and gets even better with a side of brown sugar. Every bite feels like it was made with care.

But what truly makes this place shine is the people. The staff are kind and delightful, and the owner is such a joy to talk to—genuine, welcoming, and clearly passionate about creating something special. Whether you’re just visiting or a local, Water Bearer Cafe is a place you’ll want to return to...

They roast their own coffee, and they don’t overroast it, so that is a definite plus. They use a high-quality chocolate sauce that is not Monín or Ghirardelli , so that is a huge plus, as well. The other syrups appear house made, since they are in jars without labels. Hopefully they’re not just taking something from a factory and pouring into glass bottles. I have seen some coffee shops do that. Drinks are average price. My only complaint and the reason for four stars is that there is a hidden 3% processing fee that is not advertised anywhere, but I can see it is charged regardless of if you pay by cash or credit card. At least be upfront with your customers and explain the rationale for doing this. Don’t just hide it in there and hope nobody notices....