For richer or pourover. 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
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.
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.
Crescendo, 719 Hilldale Wy.
This espresso hot spot bar offers a mobile espresso bar and bus that you can rent 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
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.
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.
Wonderstate, 27 W. Main St.
You can almost taste the sustainability in this coffee, which is roasted 100% by solar power.
Skateboarders can fuel up + shop around at Broken Board. | Photo by Madtown About Coffee Reviews
Best bites
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.
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.
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.
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.
Johnson Public House, 908 E. Johnson St.
The modern interior creates a casual yet cool vibe for your next “let’s grab coffee” meetup.
Be the barista
Shop our favorite coffee essentials to turn your house into our city’s next great coffee destination.
- It all starts with the beans — for the best coffee (and tea), skip the big brands and shop this collection of coffee from local roasters. For a whole bean coffee, try Methodical Coffee’s Pink Lady, while these Loveland Coffee K-Cups are a great Keurig option.
- For a French Press that lasts, avoid breakable glass options and opt for stainless steel — this Secura French Press is highly rated and comes in multiple colors.
- Bloom pourovers like a pro with elegant gooseneck design of the COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle.
- These double walled glass espresso cups or these handmade ceramic espresso cups will set your home cafe apart.
- Hide coffee stains under espresso makers with this absorbent drying mat that sucks up coffee drops like magic.
- For the sleekest coffee accessories imaginable, shop the Fellow collection for coffee bean grinders, kettles, and carafes.
- Ready to go all in? The Breville Barista Espresso Machine is a best-selling espresso machine that makes coffee shop-worthy lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso at home.
What did we miss? If you know a coffee shop that’s not on the list, let us know using this survey.
