Good food but way too crowded. Had to fight for a dirty table with trash from the previous customers which was never cleaned up. Price is way too high for a McDonalds dining experience read more

Seriously the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. The flaky, yet moist, toasted biscuit. The scrambled egg topped with perfectly melted cheese, chives and crispy bacon. And that honey drizzle on top . I'm drooling just thinking about it again. The mint cold brew also sounded a little strange, but I tried it and glad I did. Everything here (including the staff) was phenomenal. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Biscuit breakfast sandwich. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This place rocks. Great energy, relaxing color scheme, and inviting lighting. Food is delicious and their meatless options are very tasty! I typically get a mocha and they are strong and delicious. There is a lot of space here and many of the patrons are local professionals either meeting with other professionals, or stopping in to get work done away from the office. They bring your food to you but there is no tip expectation, which is nice. P.S. Leave your dishes at the table! They staff will get them! read more

Ancora is a great little coffee shop down a half a block from capitol square. I came here on a Saturday morning before walking around the Madison Downtown Farmers Market. The line was relatively short, which was good because I was ready for my coffee! I ordered their cold brew with a half shot of their house made mint syrup and a half shot of cream. It's delicious. Not too minty, but just enough to be refreshing, especially on a hot day. Ancora makes their own beans, too, which are a regular standby in my house. My favorite are the Ancora D'oro and Black and Tan. The D'oro has a medium body with hints of chocolate and Black and Tan is full bodied with hints of cinnamon. The beans are a little on the pricey side, but the extra couple of dollars is well worth it!! read more

My friend and I were looking for a place to do work, but all of the coffee shops on the Capitol square were filled. Fortunately, Ancora is a little ways off of the main square, so even on the Saturday morning of Winter Fest, there were still plenty of tables (and outlets) available. I'd only ever had Ancora coffee at the Madison airport, so I was excited to find that they had an actual storefront in Madison as well. The decor is very homey and centered around a fireplace, which definitely made studying on a Saturday a lot more enjoyable. There is a 6 hour limit on the wifi, which is an interesting concept (why not offer unlimited internet?), but, I, personally, would never require more than 4 hours tops of internet at a cafe (I just can't sit still for that long), so it doesn't really bother me. The chai is a little too foamy for my liking, but otherwise it tastes fine. My friend got the house coffee and seemed to really enjoy it (he's not a huge coffee drinker, I don't think, but he had two cups of Ancora coffee during our three-hour work-session there). I think I'll be sticking with the regular coffees next time! read more

Got the portobello sandwich and tiramisu coffee, both were meh. The coffee was a bit too sweet. I liked the atmosphere and interior of the coffee shop though. read more

Delicious coffee. MVP breakfast sandwich and their breakfast potatoes were SO good. Cute decor. I highly recommend this place!

I was out for a walk this morning and practicing social distancing, but it was cold out there! I saw Ancora was open and popped in not knowing what to expect. A hot coffee sounded sooooo good. They were killing it in there! The girls working were so kind and it was sparkling clean. You could tell they had done every possible thing to make the service process super efficient and sanitized AF. It was a real quick breeze to snag a coffee and get back out into the streets to maintain my distance from all other humans. Highly recommend!!!! read more

This always struck me as the most Madison of all Madison Coffee shops. On King Street (not much more Madison than that), with madison's best coffee, bar none. However, no real food beyond a few breakfast items or pre-wrapped sandwiches. Better than Starbucks, but just a tad. The wi-fi is free, but you have to get the passcode to use it - kind of a pain, but I get the band width issues and the cost of people free loading. Anytime I am in downtown Madison I will be stopping in - often twice! Only thing that stops this from getting five stars is the weakness in food options. read more

Stopped in for a quick coffee. My son had the fruity pebble's oat milk latte which he said was wonderful. I got the coconut cream cold brew. Yummy! Very friendly and quick service as well. read more

Hip, and bright coffee shop in downtown Madison featuring the typical coffee ahi fare and some food, too. The design creates a comfortable place for hanging out or getting work done, and the staff is super friendly and helpful. Great place! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Inside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The people who work there are not very friendly. It seems like they are doing you a favor by waiting on you. The lattes taste like coffee grounds. I have tried them twice and am done. There are too many other places that are friendly and have much better coffee at much better prices. read more

I was recommended Ancora for lunch by a coworker. I stopped in and ordered a grilled sandwich and mocha. It was a tad pricey (what coffee shop isn't though?), but I soon forgot about that when I took a bite into the hot caprese sandwich. Some of the best cheese sandwiches you can find there. AND a small soup is included, so if you like dipping your sandwich into tomato soup/bisque, your taste buds will be in heaven. They additionally offer pastries and other small snacks if a meal isn't what you're looking for. The coffee was good, too. There's usually plenty of seating so you can relax while sipping your coffee and reading one of the newspapers they have stacked in the back. Wifi is readily available as well if you need to get work done. No need to worry about obnoxiously loud music or noisy distractions, it's a really chill place despite its location. read more

We're from Chicago & spent the weekend in Madison searching for good food. We came across Ancora on google search in a last attempt to find some brunch/breakfast place that's open. This place hands down was the BEST place to eat that we tried in Madison. It follows covid 19 guidelines and the food is SOOOOOOO good. Be bold and try the chorizo hash, churro French toast sticks or the grilled cheese. We ended up coming here twice in our two day stay. We wish we could carry this place home with us. Sooo f***ingggg goood! read more

After recently moving across the street, Ancora has a new menu and they ditched their LevelUp rewards. I'm pretty bummed out that their breakfast sandwiches are all quite a bit more expensive than at their old location. I get that they are no longer confined to using a microwave, but geez! $8 or $9 for an English muffin egg sandwich with no sides is really steep. Between the de facto 10% price increase by ditching LevelUp, and the 50%+ increase on their food, I'm out. What was a daily stop is now unaffordable more than once a month. read more

Nice space around the capital. Plenty of seating both inside and outside in the foyer. They have plenty of choices for food and drinks. I enjoyed a Latte and a Veggie Egg Sandwich. read more

Fantastic spot for coffee and quick brunch. It looks like a coffee shop but they have a full hot breakfast menu and the egg sandwich on a biscuit was out of this world. Cold brew coffee was great too and I think the prices are pretty reasonable for a trendy cafe in a downtown area. read more

Great spot! The food is really good and fairly priced, the drinks are made quickly, and it's a great spot to get some work done! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Turkey Pesto Sammie with Tomato Soup and Tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Beautiful place! Avocado toast was super super flavorful, my only complaint was that it is on a piece of bread at least 2 inches thick (awesome, but so so filling!!!), and I felt I would've rather had two more average sized slices as opposed to one mega read more

Love Ancora. Great coffee. Awesome they stayed opened during the pandemic. However, I ordered a small latte online and it wasn't ready for over 45 minutes. Kind of insane and frustrating. read more

We had a great experience at Ancora especially in the open atrium part of the business. Great service provided by a girl named Annie who brought our food to our table and was so friendly and attentive. As a business owner I know these little things can mean success or failure a small business sometimes...she's a keeper. The egg/muffin sandwich was unique and delicious! read more

I used to work across the street from Ancora and loved every second of it. Their lattes are strong but not overpowering, the fireplace is cozy even when it's not lit, they always seem to have at least one copy of the newspaper left for me to snag and they secretly have an amazing brunch menu. In regard to any major downsides, I personally never have service in the shop. I don't know what it is, but sending a Snapchat or going through a Twitter feed is nearly impossible. It's great when I'm trying to read a book, but not so wonderful when I'm actually trying to work. Potentially my favorite part about Ancora, and only because I'm a huge nerd for local politics, is the amount of meetings that take place due to Capitol proximity and being a small business. Anyway, go to Ancora if you want a break from students and overpriced drinks. These people are authentic, welcoming and perfect for your next busy day on the Square. read more

A cozy coffee place with tables that can actually fit your laptop, coffee, and pastry. Despite being around 30 degrees outside, I ordered a blended hazelnut chocolate latte and chocolate brownie. I was craving chocolate, alright. The latte was just what I expected - a smooth coffee shake - and it had just the right amount of sweetness for me. The brownie was more fudge like than I prefer but it also satisfied my sweet tooth that evening. The place has plenty of chairs and tables along with couches by a fireplace. I'll keep Ancora on the list of places to get some work done while enjoying a nice caffeinated drink. read more

The avocado toast was the best i've ever had. At first I was worried because it didn't look like it would be enough to eat but it was absolutely delicious and left me with the perfect amount of fullness. I also had the blackberry sage latte. i got a large but i wish they had an xxxxxxxL because it was so good. BEST LATTE AND AVOCADO TOAST!!!! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Avocado Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great cappuccino and breakfast bagel. Staff was friendly and service was quick. Was a busy morning but the wait was minimal.

While we were there, our order was taken and we weren't asked if we wanted to eat for there or to go. When we went up and asked about getting a number and the employee who we interacted was short with us and lied. She said with full confidence she heard us say to go when we weren't ever asked and she wasn't even the one to take our order. This place is not up to ADA standards as well. read more

I love Ancora coffee, and they have some excellent food (prosciutto peach sandwich this summer was divine). Great atmosphere and vibes and good for solo dining. Beware that it can be pricey. read more

It is no secret that I love Ancora coffee. I have always visited their University Ave location, and only recently discovered that they have another shop downtown on King Street. The King Street location is much larger and sells the full range of Ancora coffees, plus alcohol (bottled local craft beers). The hours are much better there as well, and the whole place shines like a palace of coffee culture. Take it from a coffee connoisseur, Ancora is without a doubt, some of the finest coffee this side of Chicago (and I can't think of a better cafe in Chicago come to mention it). It's always fresh, properly strong, and wonderfully complex. Forget Intelligencia, Ancora is far fresher and better crafted. About me: I've roasted coffee at home for the last 7 years and own two professional espresso machines along with two pro grinders and a lot of other equipment, so it's rare that I find cafes that can prepare coffee on par with what I make at home. In fact, I've only ever found a handful that can--Ancora is one of them! read more

I just moved to the Madison area not too long ago and wanted to find an affordable highly rated coffee shop in the area to walk to while I browsed the local farmers market. I walked in and not knowing what to really get I asked the barista for a recommendation, I told them that I had just moved into town and that it was my first time here, all of the baristas are very friendly and I got some great coffee, will definitely be coming back here again. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Wood burning fireplace for when it gets cold. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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LOVE! But, now that I have had the full delisciousness of a white zombie, I will never look at a boring old cup of joe the same. I am in love, and this long distance relationship may kill me :( Needless to say, get the white zombie. Try iced, skim, SF almond, light ice..... AMAZING read more

BEST COFFEE EVER Love this place. Actually maybe a bit better than my other review of Victor Allen's...but I like their cafe a bit better. Get the Ancora D'Oro for home, and the White Zombie for right now. (Almond flavor is my favorite) Or the mocha, which is heavenly. Seriously, the best mocha I've ever had. EVEREVEREVER. The chocolate has some weight, but blends perfectly to be a grown-up version of chocolate milk you had as a kid. The White Zombie is a strange and beautiful thing. A "white coffee" drink, it's light and powerful, you will feel like a high-powered cloud ghost zooming around after drinking this. They tried to change the name to White Lightning, but no one wants to feel a crackling electric jolt. Don't worry, the zombie will carry you through the day like a white flotaki magic carpet, smooth, airy and sensuous. read more

Outside did not stand out. The food was good. The staff seemed on edge. I would think they would smile and be a little more friendly. Been there a couple times. First time I thought it was just an off day. Guess that is the usual not friendly. read more

One of my go-to cafes. The butternut squash benedict and current avocado toast are delicious. On the year-round menu, the egg & cheese sammie is reliably satisfying and tasty. read more

I am from out of town attending a conference. My search was on to find a mocha that would rival my Peets fix (I am from San Francisco.) The mocha I enjoyed at Anacora does rival Peets!! It had a wonderful deep rich flavor. I also enjoyed the interior of the coffee shop with all the woodwork, and artwork. Love this place. It will be my new hangout when I come again. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Love this sugar free mocha. Excellent deep flavor. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Ancora is a wonderful place to spend time whether you are getting work done or socializing. The bottomless cup of coffee is quite a steal if you're camping out for awhile. For many visits, I only had drinks. Then while posting up to write a monster paper, I ordered a gourmet grilled cheese and was blown away. The Turkey Gouda was incredible, especially paired with the tomato bisque! In addition to an excellent menu, it's a great place to know about when you're looking for a cup of coffee while on your way to or from strolling the Farmer's Market! read more

Best coffee shop in Madison by far! Always impressed with the locally roasted coffee selections and the tasty seasonal drinks. Ancora has drinks for the coffee snobs and the "Grande Iced Caramel Machiatto" folks;) Stop in, find something you like and support a local company that has been around for 15 plus years. read more

I love Ancora. I've been visiting this location for years. I remember when they actually had a roaster in the middle of the room. I do believe this establishment changed hands a few years back, but it still has kept it's good vibe and great coffee/service. It's a pretty roomy cafe with tables and chairs and a few more comfortable seating options for "camping out" a while longer. The coffee is excellent, both the brewed and the espresso drinks. I'm never disappointed with a latte from Ancora, ever. Sometime we stop here on a Saturday morning before the farmers market to get a good, hot cup of coffee and a tasty, warm and toasted, freshly made breakfast sandwich. Yum, yum. In more recent years they have added the service of making some evening cocktails, which, I'm never in the area that time of night, so I haven't tried them, but it's a cool idea. I highly recommend giving these guys a try if you never have. You will also be able to enjoy local artist's work displayed on the walls, that is for sale. It's a great place to stay, drink, eat and relax in a comfortable atmosphere. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Lavender lemonade - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The fireplace and comfy seating make this a cozy spot to enjoy a cup of coffee. The dark roast I has was strong and I enjoyed it black alongside the Nutella-banana sandwich as an afternoon pick-me-up during a conference break. Would definitely come back. read more

I really don't understand why Madisonites would be going to SBUX when there are ample independent places with great beans! Ancora Gold is one of my favorite drip coffees when I lived there. And got the Garbage (Shirley Manson) stamp of approval! Not that it means anything to the Google Generation... read more

Order the avocado toast...so yummy! Nice ambiance and perfect spot for cup of coffee or quick work meeting