Need a great cup of coffee in a welcoming environment? On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin chats with Tim McDonald, the owner of the new JavaAbilities Coffee & Cafe, which aims to make its Monona Drive coffee shop a place that promotes inclusivity by hiring employees with disabilities.
Here are a few other great locally-owned coffee shops around town to check out. Check out their locations on Overlook Maps! And if we missed your favorite java joint, drop us a line and let us know!
Founded back in 1994, this local favorite is still going strong with four locations (including the newest on Monona Drive) serving fair trade coffee as well as a strong, ever-changing menu of breakfast and lunch items.
When my brother came to visit Madison recently, he was surprised and impressed that a high-quality coffee shop could also be a beer and wine store. Barriques has seven locations serving full breakfast and lunch items – the Capital City Breakfast Sandwich with its tomato-sriracha spread is my morning go-to.
Everybody loves a comeback Victory, and the east side favorite rebounded after a serious fire elsewhere in its building forced a 10-month closure. Come in for some steel-cut oats for breakfast or a panini for lunch, and peruse owner Patrick Downey’s art on the walls – it’s for sale!
Pouring coffee at the start of the day and draft beer at the end of the day, this Atwood Avenue spot seems engineered in a lab to appeal to Madison customers. They pride themselves on having pretty adventurous coffee drink specials – stop in right now for a cherry coconut latte.
This Willy Street institution has taken some hits (literally) since it opened in 1994, but embodies the neighborhood’s friendly DIY aesthetic, including live music and spoken word performances and locally-made art on its walls.
The only coffee shop in town where I’ve seen a friend play the banjo, this Regent Street favorite has an independent streak (“Make Coffee Not War” is its slogan) to go along with its great coffee. If you’re hungry, make sure to get yourself one of their signature waffles.
It’s a bike shop! It’s a coffee shop! It’s a combination bike and coffee shop on Willy Street that has gained such a following that they recently opened a second location on Allen Street in partnership with GlouGlou. (It’s a bike shop! It’s a wine bar!)
Grace hit the ground running in Madison, expanding quickly to eight locations in and around Madison (plus Milwaukee). Each one is a beautifully inviting space to hang out in and enjoy their coffee or food offerings, including some huge pastries.
Recently awarded 2025 Roaster of the Year by Roast Magazine, Wonderstate prides itself on the quality of its coffee. The minimalist coffee shop on the Capitol Square (they also have locations in Bayfield and Viroqua) is an elegant place to hang out.
Since 1997, Michelangelo’s has been serving customers at the top of State Street with its full menu of fair trade coffee and teas, and breakfast and lunch items. It’s a great place to duck into for a break after a busy morning at the farmer’s market.
This coffee shop at the corner of North Hamilton Street has a streamlined beverage menu, but what really puts them on the map is its selection of sweet and savory crepes.
