Temperatures are dropping, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting a nice hot coffee — or chai or matcha! Madison boasts plenty of delicious coffee shops — some more popular than others — but all worth the journey in the cold.
Ancora
Though Ancora is a longer walk off-campus — near the Capitol — it’s a charming place for a hot coffee and brunch with friends or alone. Seasonal drink offerings that will warm the soul include a spicy butterscotch latte, a gingerbread old-fashioned latte and a rosemary vanilla chai. Beyond just coffee and chai, Ancora serves brunch and lunch. Popular dishes include chorizo hash, breakfast burritos, avocado toast and a scrumptious honey bacon biscuit egg sandwich. Ancora gets busy on weekend mornings, so plan accordingly.
Aldo’s Cafe
Aldo’s is a shorter trek than Ancora, located in the Discovery Building on campus. Its convenient location makes it a great study spot and place to escape the cold. Cozy up with seasonal drinks such as a peppermint matcha latte, a sugar cookie mocha and a gingerbread chai latte. Aldo’s also sells breakfast and lunch, and the Sunrise Veggie Sandwich and Carne Asada Breakfast Burrito are especially notable.
Colectivo
You can’t mention coffee in Madison without mentioning Colectivo, a classic — and often packed — coffee stop on State Street. Students come here to study, for club chats or just to enjoy a treat with friends. For the winter season, Colectivo provides unique drinks such as the cardamom honey latte, the almond brittle latte and the caramel apple matcha. Also, Colectivo’s breakfast burritos are sure to warm the air and are worth a try.
Michelangelo’s
Michelangelo’s is a Madison classic, and some argue it has the best coffee in town. This is the place for a delicious latte and pastry, whether that be the snowflake mocha, the peppermint bark latte or a classic cappuccino. Students also enjoy the warm chai lattes and hot teas. Michelangelo’s is a great study spot — as long as it’s not too busy — and is conveniently located on State Street.
The Shop by EBNS
You can find The Shop by EBNS nestled under the Roundhouse Apartments on Langdon Street. EBNS is a quirky locale decorated with pink and green, and it also has a little shop inside selling cute goods. A personal favorite drink is the iced strawberry matcha with cold foam, but they also offer lots of fun hot drinks sure to warm you up.
Valentia Coffee
Valentia is popular for many reasons, but its location is a huge draw. Located on University Square, it’s the perfect spot to drop by on the way to class and an excellent study spot. The coffee is top-notch, as well as its matcha, chai, smoothies and hot chocolate. The food is remarkable, with delicious breakfast sandwiches and pastries such as croissants that justify the walk in the cold. Valentia is truly worth braving the weather for.
