When it comes to coffee, it’s clear there’s no shortage of delicious options in Madison. It was a hard list to narrow down, but here are (some of) Madison’s best coffee shops.
Centrally located on North Hamilton St., Bradbury's is the place for espresso and crepes. Readers love that the downtown spot has a light and airy vibe and staff who truly know their way around coffee.
The cult of JPH is very real, and for good reason. The Johnson St. coffee shop has become a staple of the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood for its food, drinks, and welcoming atmosphere. “It feels like a community. I’ve met so many interesting people there,” reader Catherine F. says.
With two locations in town — one on Willy St. and the other on North St. — Cafe Domestique has built up a following for both its baristas and bike-friendly atmosphere. Looking for something new to try? Check out the ube latte.
Dubbed “Madison's Cafe off the Bay,” Lakeside St. Coffee House is a near-west-side favorite for many. Readers love its homey feel with ample seating and, of course, unbeatable lake views. The shop also hosts live music.
With four locations across town, EVP Coffee has been serving Madisonians their morning brew for more than 25 years. What’s special about this spot? The beans. As several readers noted, EVP Coffee roasts their coffee on a daily basis to make their coffee as fresh as possible.
Fun fact: EVP is short for “Etes-vous prets?” which means "Are you ready?" in French. The phrase used to be the traditional starting command for rowing races.
If you’re looking for Capitol views, there’s no better place than Wonderstate Coffee. The roasters use organic equitably sourced coffee for their drinks. Aside from serving top-notch drinks and food, the shop also offers coffee education classes.
The Bests Outside of Madison
When you’re off the isthmus, consider checking out these spots: Firefly Coffeehouse in Oregon, Hodge Podge in Verona, and Wildwood Café in Stoughton.
