Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea offers indulgent, real ingredient focused drinks with a global influence inspired by our founder's love of food & beverages and driven by their creativity. Enjoy a fresh-pressed Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte or Mocha from our classic coffee menu. Or a unique, signature drink like Creme Caramel, Dreamy Cold Brew, French Vietnamese Au Lait, Thai Iced Tea or Frozen Strawberry Bliss. Our extensive premium tea selection includes Pomegranate Green, Oolong, Chai, Imperial Black, Matcha, and herbal teas. Try our fresh, classic café fare of decadent pastries & desserts, delicious sandwiches, frozen drinks & more. Join us at the cafe to relax, work or meet with others in our warm, inviting neighborhood coffeehouse.
Customers consistently praised the clean, welcoming, and cozy environment, making it a great place to study or socialize.
Customer Service
The staff received high marks for being friendly, helpful, and attentive, with many specific mentions of individual employees.
Food Quality
While many enjoyed the pastries and coffee, there were mixed reviews regarding food consistency and quality, with some customers expressing disappointment.
Event Hosting
The business was noted for being accommodating and supportive in hosting community events, enhancing customer engagement.
Management Issues
Some reviews indicated a decline in service quality and attentiveness since the change in ownership, with a few customers expressing dissatisfaction with management.
Great coffee and atmosphere! The staff is always friendly and helpful!
DL
D Law
Dec 26, 2025
5.0
The sipping sounds event at Sweetwaters was absolutely amazing. Firstly state Sweetwaters is one of my favorite coffee spots here in Columbia location. I love everything from that coffee and teas to their pastries, but especially the bagels. Sweetwaters is located in a great location in the Vista and the establishment is extremely clean and welcoming. The staff is always nice and eager to assist and I wouldn't expect anything less from the owners personality. We were able to try an assortment of pastries, and my favorite was the artichoke quiche they drink I selected was the Matcha mango and added Leche jellies let's just say that will not be meant to go to drink when I'm not on coffee. This event was truly fine and I can't wait to visit Sweetwaters again.
KK
KupkakeQT
Dec 18, 2025
5.0
Beautiful establishment, very clean. That’s a beautiful aesthetic and ambience here. Adequate seating and space. Great customer service and helpful baristas. My favorite was the quiche, Lemon bar and mango fruit tea. The owner was very friendly. I’d definitely go again. The raspberry cold brew was not my favorite but if you love raspberry you’d love it. The crème caramel was pretty. (Caramel Latte)
AH
Austin Huffman
Dec 12, 2025
5.0
I work at many cafés and drink a lot of coffee and I can honestly say this is one of my favorite cafés I’ve ever been to. I really enjoyed the Christmas music around Christmas time the nice comfortable temperature, fast Wi-Fi plenty of available outlets and exceptional coffee! The staff was also very friendly and polite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
Where does Sweetwaters' coffees and teas come from?
Sweetwaters coffees are grown around the world from Latin America to Asia. We only use the highest quality arabica beans which are custom blended & roasted to bring out the best in the beans' flavor, body, & acidity. Our founders, Wei & Lisa, grew up with many wonderful teas and used their knowledge & Asian heritage to select unique & exquisite-tasting teas from as far as China, Japan, India, S. Africa & Egypt.
Is Sweetwaters coffee and tea fair trade and/or organic?
Sweetwaters offers several Fair Trade and organic coffees such as our Midnight Blend, Arbor Ypsi Blend, Red Moon, and various seasonal coffees. Our teas are whole-leaf teas. We use premium real ingredients for specialty teas such as Matcha, Chai, Thai Iced Tea, Ginger Lemon Tea, & Ginger Raspberry Tea
Can you order Sweetwaters’ coffee or tea online?
Download the Sweetwaters app at the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Many options for online ordering; Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea website, DoorDash, Grubhub, UberEats, Postmates, and eZcater.
What types of pastries and desserts are available at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Blueberry Scones, Cinnamon Scones, CranOrange Scones, Chocolate Croissants, Butter Croissants, Bagels, Lemon Bars, Mini French Donuts, Macarons, Joy Nut Bars, Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Charlie Brownies, Carrot Cake, OMG Chocolate Cake, Tiramisu.
What kind of specialty coffee and tea drinks can you get at Sweetwaters?
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is located at 1002 Park St., Columbia, SC 29201.
What are the operating hours of Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Sweetwaters is open Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 9 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM.
Does Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea offer delivery or takeout services?
Sweetwaters offers takeout and you can order online through their app or website. Delivery options are available via platforms like DoorDash, Grubhub, UberEats, and Postmates.
What types of coffee and tea does Sweetwaters serve?
Sweetwaters serves a variety of specialty coffees and whole-leaf teas including lattes, cold brew, espresso, mochas, Matcha latte, chai, fruit teas, and more.
Are there any fair trade or organic coffee options at Sweetwaters?
Yes, Sweetwaters offers several fair trade and organic coffees such as Midnight Blend, Arbor Ypsi Blend, and Red Moon, plus premium teas made from whole leaves.
What pastries and desserts can I find at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Sweetwaters offers blueberry, cinnamon, and cran-orange scones, chocolate and butter croissants, lemon bars, mini French donuts, macarons, cookies, brownies, carrot cake, and tiramisu.
Does Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea have seating and is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Sweetwaters has seating available including outdoor seating and is wheelchair accessible with accessible entrances, parking, seating, and restrooms.
What payment methods are accepted at Sweetwaters?
Sweetwaters accepts major credit cards including American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, as well as debit cards and mobile NFC payments. Cash is not required.
How can I reach Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea if I'm visiting the University of South Carolina campus nearby?
Sweetwaters is located near the University of South Carolina, making it convenient for students and visitors. You can walk or use local transportation to reach 1002 Park St. Columbia, SC.
What nearby places can I visit before or after enjoying Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea at The Vista?
Nearby attractions include the University of South Carolina campus, The Senate music venue, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and the Park Street Garage for easy parking.