Some of us like level-with-the-saddle. I do.

Is it possible that you straddle two frame sizes and that you bought the larger size? As you go up in frame sizes on a given model of bike, the bars will tend to rise relative to your saddle. Go to a smaller frame size, and your bars will be lower.

You could try flipping your stem. I don't like the looks of a negative rise stem either, but flipping the stem is an easy experiment. It can't hurt to try it.