Just a five-minute drive from Hackley Campus, Muddy Water Coffeehouse is the perfect place for an after-school cram session for midterms, accompanied by house-made coffee and fresh pastries.

Located on Main Street in Tarrytown, the coffeehouse provides a cozy atmosphere and organic house blends and serves as a hub for the artistic subculture in Tarrytown. It's known for its open-mic nights, live music, and poetry readings.

In contrast to more modern, minimalist coffee spots, Muddy Waters offers an eclectic take on classic bohemian decor. In every corner and nook are plants, and fairy lights complement the oak espresso bar and tables.

Winning an award for best new coffee shop in 2017 from Westchester Magazine, Muddy Water’s focus is on quality with organic and fair-trade sourced blends. They offer a variety of beverages from espresso and coffee-based drinks, along with other choices such as matcha, chai, and iced teas.

Since opening in October of 2015, Muddy Water Coffeehouse has emphasized its coffee with its in-house roasts and ethically sourced ingredients.

During a recent visit, I ordered an iced chai latte and also tried the cappuccino and an oat milk latte.

The cappuccino, which won the award for best in Westchester in 2021, was not too strong or bitter, and was what I think would be the perfect drink to warm up during winter.

The chai latte was also very good, with locally sourced milk and high-quality chai. You can tell that the tea is a house brew, as it’s not overly sweet like the chai concentrate that most cafes use. This was my favorite drink, with the oat milk latte coming in a close second.

To eat, I tried the caprese empanada, blueberry scone, and the hummus, all of which were delicious. The hummus came with freshly baked sourdough bread, which really elevated the meal.

Paired with the cappuccino, the blueberry scone was my favorite thing that I ordered at the cafe, perfect for breakfast or an afterschool snack.

Everyone who was working behind the counter was very kind and accommodating; you could tell that they genuinely cared about the place they worked and the customers' experience.

In a quote from their website, the cafe says, “Between the comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff, Muddy Water is a welcoming environment to hang out in, meet friends, work on your laptop, or curl up with a good book.