For richer or pour over. Madison’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. The 608 has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. If you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to some of the best coffee shops in the 608.
Pro tip: If you need to refine your order, review the different kinds of coffee before stepping up to the counter.
Espresso yourself
Bradbury’s, 127 N. Hamilton St.
The espresso is a must, but the crêpes are just as good. With limited seating, plan on getting there early or making this a grab + go stop.
Alice Good, 300 S. Main St., Verona
This specialty coffee shop sells your favorite goodies from Bloom Bakery as well as single-origin, sweet, and fruit blend coffees.
Crescendo, 719 Hilldale Wy.
This espresso hot spot bar offers a mobile espresso bar + bus to add a little buzz to your next event.
Leopold’s, 1301 Regent St.
Sip on an Italian-inspired drink made on an imported vintage Elektra espresso machine.
Roasts to boast
Wonderstate, 27 W. Main St.
You can almost taste the sustainability in this coffee which is roasted 100% by solar power.
Cafe Domestique, 1408 Williamson St.
Calling all cyclists. The owner of this cozy coffee spot spent 20 years in the bike industry before settling down in the coffee industry. Fuel up before your next ride with coffee from roasters including Intelligentsia, Ruby, Square Mile, and Onyx Coffee Lab.
Broken Board, 2358 E. Springs Dr.
Located inside the Focus Boardshop, this cafe carries coffee from Wonderstate, Rusty Dog, and Misfit. No board? No problem, skaters and non-skaters are welcome.
Skateboarders can fuel up + shop around at Broken Board. | Photo by Madtown About Coffee Reviews
Best bites
Zuzu Cafe, 1336 Drake St.
Pair your coffee with American and Mediterranean bites. Pro tip: Check the Facebook page for daily specials which change often, and don’t skip the from-scratch bakery items.
Finca, 2500 Rimrock Rd.
This spot offers a menu featuring Salvadorian cuisine like pupusas, quesadillas, and classic cafe sips.
Indie Coffee, 1225 Regent St.
Snag a window seat and dig into some of Indie’s famous waffles.
Where to write your novel
Lakeside Street Coffee House, 402 W Lakeside St.
With ample space, you’ll be able to find a nook of your own to hunker down with your laptop from morning to afternoon. Celebrate with a beer on the patio when you finish your work.
Michaelangelo’s, 114 State St.
A little bit of hustle and bustle paired with great food for brain fuel makes this a great place for those of us who have a hard time working in complete silence.
Events and pop ups
Cargo Coffee, 750 E. Washington Ave. + 1309 S. Park St.
Check out the East Wash. location’s event page to catch one of the recurring live music or open mic nights held at the family-owned cafe.
Mother Fool’s, 1101 Williamson St.
Stop by for monthly Story Slams featuring five-minute slots from local folks telling stories.
Perfect for a date
Black Locust, 829 E. Washington Ave.
This is part of the Robina Courtyard, so you can continue the date in the adjoined outdoor space if coffee goes well. Pro tip: The menu caters to omnivores and plant eaters.
Johnson Public House, 908 E. Johnson St.
The modern interior creates a casual yet cool vie for your next meet cute.
What did we miss? If you know a coffee shop that’s not on the list, let us know using this survey.
