We were told the wait would be long but we waited 75 minutes for our breakfast. From the time we ordered food until it came to our table it was 75 minutes. We wasted more than an hour here sitting while we could have explored the city. The food was tasty and it is the labor day, hopefully their wait times aren't as long during regular days. The coffee was tasty and we also tried the blueberry donut which was very unique. read more

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Their biscuits sandwiches are the best I've had in Madison! Would definitely recommend. I also often get the sweet cream coffees, they are unique flavors and also quite good! read more

I almost NEVER write reciews. Seriously, the WORST "coffee" I have ever had. I had a so-called "cappaccino". I think they must have forgotten to put the espresso in it, because it tasted almost like nothing, just a very mild nasty-milk flavor. I would have asked them to remake it, but the place was insanely crowded. Plus, would it really have turned out better a second time? Doubtful... I have no clue as to why this place would be so popular. Apparently people in Madison have no idea what coffee should taste like? I would give this place negative stars if I could. Will never return. read more

this place was amazing! literally said "oh my gosh" after my first sip of the salted maple latte! great balance of sweet and perfectly bitter espresso. didn't take a picture of my salmon bagel, phone didn't eat first unfortunately, but included cleared plates to prove everything was amazing! my boyfriend got the b.e.c. bagel and also loved! staff was quick, helpful, friendly even with a large amount of customers. also... can we talk about this ambiance? we came from waukesha and will definitely be making the trip back soon! thanks ancora! read more

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

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I absolutely love Ancora. Their food is AMAZING, and the portions are incredibly generous. Coffee is great and they do tons of fun specialty drinks including the white zombie and seasonal options like the coconut cream latte- RUN, don't walk. They also open early- I work at 7am and was shocked to find very few coffee shops open before 7- super pleased to see Ancora opening at 6:30 so even us early birds can get our caffeine fix! read more

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

I got the carnitas benny and although it was yummy; there were too many conflicting flavors. There was the hollandaise sauce, bbq sauce and a berry jam. It could have been good with just removing one of them. I also got the fruity pebbles latte and couldn't even taste the flavor so it was just straight up coffee. But if there's anything you should get here, definitely pick an item with the biscuit! It was top notch! It was thick, flakey and crunchy! Truly incredible! My husband got the Mango Pineapple Mint smoothie and he said it was yummy too! It was a cute place to stop for brunch, we ended up eating outside and it was wonderful. Service was good, you order at the counter but they were great about offering suggestions. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Fruity pebbles latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I really wanted to give more stars as your one of my friends from Madison's favorite and I was told the wait would be long on Weekends so waited for a weekday. Was greeted by cashier Eliza and first impression was great, professional and helpful. Sat at table outside which was so wobbly I had to move twice. Then once my latte arrived rather quickly with in 5 min I felt like things where on a good pace. Delicious and Hot! After 20 min and almost drinking all my latte I asked about my Avo toast ? About 5 min later it was delivered. Cold but beautiful my egg was poached as I wanted it to drip it's lovely yoke on my toast. Sadly it must have sat somewhere awhile and the egg over cooked. Everything but egg was delicious. I will come back next time to Madtown but my advise to management. Servers need to get the chefs work out faster so our food is hot and as ordered. read more

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This place was our second choice after seeing the line around the block at another brunch spot and I'm glad we did! They had plenty of outdoor seating during the warmer months and are just around the corner from the farmers market. Enjoyed a delicious latte and breakfast sandwich (with vegan sausage!) and was in and out before our parking meter was up with time to stroll through the market. The counter service was great and we had a nice conversation with the barista. Was also surprised they were able to keep up with running food and bussing tables. It was nice to place our order and kick back to relax and people watch (eyeing all the best market bouquets as they went by)! read more

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

Gorgeous little coffee shop!! Coffee was fantastic and they had a bunch of Gluten Free and Vegan options. Completely forgot to take pictures of the food, but got a GF bowl, and a GF scone and they were great! read more

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

Ancora is one of many reasons I would love to move to Madison, WI. Biiiig regrets I didn't go to undergrad here! The location, service, atmosphere, and coffee (of course) get 5 stars from me!! With the capital building in sight, Ancora's vibes are immaculate. Ancora is a hip, clean, and chill coffee shop to grab a cup of joe, chat with friends, or get some studying done. I ordered a small iced Americano with hazelnut and it was delicious. The coffee was nutty, smokey, and sweet. Their prices are extremely fair (and on the cheaper side IMO) which is great news for a college student ballin' on a budget! Want more foodie insight? Follow my foodsta on Instagram @sammychews! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Small Iced Americano w/ hazelnut ($3) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

So so good!! Still one of my favorite Madison coffee shops. Definitely get the food- the breakfast sandwiches are amazing read more

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

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Great food, love the ease of walking in, grabbing a table with friends, ordering food and enjoying conversation. Great open ambiance. Outstanding brunch with savory and sweet touches. Coffee was amazing. If you are in town and need a brunch spot, it's a great location with options for everyone. read more

My favorite cafe ever! The food is absolutely delicious and you can tell the ingredients are high quality and fresh. They're often busy but the service is still great and the employees are friendly. When it's nice out, the patio is my favorite place to sit as it has a perfect view of the capitol! Highly recommend their house made biscuit and the pancakes! read more

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Super slow service unfortunately. The salad I ordered had wilted lettuce and the chicken was very bland and rubbery and stale... it's cute inside and the staff seems very friendly but the food and the wait is not worth it. Won't be coming back read more

Waited 30 minutes and paid $13 for a breakfast burrito that was messed up. Was traveling and on a tight schedule, opened my burrito up on the road and it was tough to eat. Was sad, very sad..... read more

The food was delicious! The Asian tofu wrap is a must try ! The sauce is so delicious and compliments best with the wrap. The grilled cheese is served with warm delicious tomato soup which is very hearty and filling on a cold day ! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Grilled Cheese , asian tofu wrap - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Ancora is a great spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. So many great options, my fave is the Hella Stella Sandwich. Slightly disappointed this time as they were out of the Fiesta Bowl. Patio is awesome for a summer day! read more

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

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Completely blown away by this place. Everything we tried was absolutely incredible - coconut cream cold brew, fruity pebbles oat latte special, gluten free avocado toast special and the brisket biscuit breakfast sandwich. The staff was also really great and accommodating of my dietary restrictions, and the vibe in this shop was so cute and cozy, yet there was plenty of seating inside and out. So impressed all around. Wish I lived closer to visit more often, but this is a spot I will definitely go out of my way for in the future. Highly recommend! read more

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My friend and I stopped in for a quick breakfast around 9 on a Sunday and didn't have a long wait/was able to get a table (they have indoor and outdoor seating). To drink I tried the lavender latte and to eat we got the hella Stella and honey bacon biscuit sandwiches. The latte was good, but a little sweet (more sweet than floral) - next time I might just get a regular latte or coffee, but it was made well! The sandwiches were DELICIOUS!! The hella Stella might be one of my top 10 breakfast sandwiches I've had since each component was so good - soft roll, great aioli, yummy tomato, fluffy eggs, etc! My friend also raved about the biscuit and honey sriracha on her sandwich. Overall, this is a great spot with good service, and I will definitely be back! read more

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this is the best coffee place in Madison. A simple iced vanilla latte on a 75° day was perfect. It's delicious. Get it. But let's talk about the avocado toast (I added a poached egg). The cream spread was delicious, avocado was fresh, brussel sprouts added so much flavor. This dish was amazing! It left me feeling full but not too stuffed. Definitely get this if you like avocado toast! read more

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

Cute coffee shop definitely worth visiting. Tried a couple lattes and got some breakfast. I had the honey bacon biscuit and it was really good! The staff was very nice as well. read more

This is truly one of my favorite cafe's ever! Their coffee is unique and delicious. Perfect for work meeting, family gatherings, or friends doing homework. Their food is also wonderful! However, beware if you're going here on a Sunday morning it will be packed and food can take up to 30 minutes to come - worth the wait if you have time. My favorite order: - Avocado Toast wt Egg (easily best i've ever had with wonderful sauce, candied brussel sprouts, and greens) - Iced Matcha Latte with Lavender read more

Definitely worth the visit. The inside decor is very cute. I think breakfast sandwiches are ruined when too dry but the tomatoes and jam gave it plenty of moisture. The bread was high quality too. Only order the Hella Stella if you like spicy because the jam has kick. read more

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

I'll keep this one simple. If you think any of the ingredients in the name sound good, get the honey bacon biscuit. I like a good biscuit and usually am left underwhelmed, not today. The entire dish was outstanding! The house-made biscuit was warm, buttery and well seasoned. The fried egg, cheese, bacon, sriracha honey and fresh chives combined for a flavor explosion in every bite They also had a blackberry concord kombucha that was nicely tart and refreshing. There was plenty of seating early on a Sunday morning and the staff was very helpful and pleasant. I'd return just for honey bacon biscuit. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Honey bacon biscuit and kombucha - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

There are approximately 3.5 chickens for every human in the World. We looooove eggs, don't we? Or chickeny things. Eggs are as chickeny as things get, (except chicken you moron!). Thirsting in the morning for some nicely done eggs with a spicy kick and some potatoes I'd end up ordering from Ancora. The chorizo hash was fried cut potatoes in a quite salty, fiery sauce with sausage crumbles, topped with nicely basted two eggs and half an avocado. On the side a meager bit of sourdough toast. Everything was good, including the mango raspberry donut I topped this indulgence with. The only thing I'd change? Add more toast, lessen the salt. Surprisingly flavorful, bit pricey but worth it and exceedingly fresh :) Now to try the coffee..... read more

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

A cute and bright coffee shop just steps away from the Capitol. The wait time was a bit too long at this popular location - like 25 mins to get a mint cold brew and a honey golden milk w one extra shot of espresso for us. So be sure to order ahead before you go. The coffee is decent. Their mint cold brew was so refreshing and not over sweet. The honey golden "latte" tasted a bit off though - there's a bit unpleasant bitter taste from the spices that could not blend well with the milk and espresso. It may taste better without the espresso I just don't know. Overall, a great option to get coffee when you are in downtown area. read more

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

Basic bec was a surprising burst of savory breakfasty richness. The bacon was so smoky, it gave depth to the creaminess of the cheese and aioli. The churro french toast was not too sweet, a common trap in french toast. The moisture of the french toast batter kept the churro moist, and the outside crisp. The flavor of the churro was a perfect match for the french toast batter. read more

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

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Unbelievable avocado toast! The best I've ever had. Seriously! It's a must-try if you are in Madison! The cafe is super cute too, with a very tranquil indoor "patio" with a glass roof. Great ambiance! Will come again...and again...and again! Mmmmm! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Elevated avocado toast! The bomb! Scattered with roasted shredded brussel sprouts and drizzled with honey! Holy $*%! This is amazing! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Delicious assortment of drinks and pastries! Love the also have seasonal drinks. Highly recommend

This little café is absolutely delightful. I stopped in for brunch one morning and a pastry and coffee the next. The food is excellently seasoned and presented. I got the gyro hash special, which was absolutely delicious. There are not a ton of drink options, but I tried two of the specials - the rosemary brown sugar latte and the salted maple cream cold brew - and they were both delicious. There are some tables and booths to sit at in the café itself, and then a spillover seating area which is also indoors. You order at the counter, and the staff bring you your food and drinks once they're ready. The atmosphere is definitely cozy: you end up sitting pretty close to the other patrons. That being said, the tables are big enough to fit both a plate of food and a book/notebook/laptop. This place also seems to be a favorite of study groups: there were several around me both times I dined there. All in all, dining here was a lovely experience, and I'll be sure to come back. read more

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

Love love love this quaint coffee shop. So special. Amazing lattes. Pastries are devilishly delicious.

Today I went to Ancora for a coffee and for my friend to grab a light lunch. We waited for our food for what felt like a little longer than we expected. My friend went up to the lady behind the counter and very politely asked if her food was going to be out soon since we'd been waiting about 30 minutes. The lady politely replied back and said she would check. When she came out, not 5 minutes later, the same lady replied "it's only been 20 minutes btw" and aggressively put the plate in front of her. Unprofessional! i am giving it two stars because i do love the coffee and food. compliments to the CHEF.... not the waitstaff. read more

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

A Madison mainstay for many years, Ancora moved to larger quarters on the other side of King Street from its old location some time ago. The coffee is on the pricey side, honestly, but it's always been Ancora's strength. It is excellent. read more

Lots of space inside but the parking might be a problem. We came on a Sunday morning, which meant free parking on the street! I thought that I wanted a white zombie, but when the barista asked what flavor, I did a backtrack. She explained that the white coffee has no taste, just caffeine. So basically you are getting a flavor (sugar) with milk taste drink and a caffeine fix. For me, someone who likes the taste of coffee, that sounded awful! So, I opted for my standby Americano, which was perfect! I've been into scones since my recent trip to the U.K., including perfecting a scone recipe at home. I ordered the orange cranberry scone (the only type in the cabinet). The orange flavor came through nicely, the texture was crumbly, and the taste was good, maybe not perfection, but good. I would definitely recommend it compared to the other items in their cabinet! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Americano and scone - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Sunday morning, free parking right outside. Great start to my morning coffee. As you approach this coffee shop, you will have some wonderful views of the Wisconsin State Capitol building. This is very convenient if you are actually visiting the capitol. There is a lot of room here to sit, work and enjoy your favorite coffee beverage with a pastry or sandwich. They have a white zombie latte as one of their speciality coffees. If you like the flavor of espresso, have a regular coffee drink. My vanilla latte was very pleasant but I should have ordered half strength on the vanilla as it was a little sweet. There are at least six comfortable chairs to relax in as well as some outdoor tables. Definitely worth a visit as you will be helping the local economy. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Interesting use of salt and pepper shakers. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The food and service is always so good! I love the ambiance of the small coffee shop cafe too.

I love Ancora. Has to be my favorite coffee in Madison, mine has never been bad. Cute place too, with great service! Will 100% be back.

A solid choice for breakfast in Madison. The chorizo hash was quite tasty and the coffee is excellent.

Look. At. This. Sandwich. One of the best breakfast sandwiches I think I'll ever consume. I went with veggie sausage, which tasted so similar to sausage I had to double check with the cafe staff. This spot is a favorite for community and students alike to gather. Whether you're in for a seasonal coffee or a comforting bite, Ancora is sure to please. Word to the wise: head over earlier than you planned for your weekend coffee stop. Tables get snatched up fast! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Hella Stella sandwich with veggie sausage - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I may be a coffee snob, being from Seattle. I try to always choose a non-Starbucks whenever I can, mostly because there is a lot of great coffee out there if you look. I was in Madison for the day with a friend who likes her coffee so she can't taste the coffee, and her mom, who is a coffee with cream sort of gal, and me- who wants her coffee strong and not sweet. I ordered 3 very different drinks from the very nice young woman at the register. They were not busy. 2 people- 1 I assume may have been a manager, were having a conversation on the floor, and another employee was conversing with a customer (just conversing) over the counter. I waited maybe 3-4 min and then went and asked the girl at the register if someone was making my order. She politely said "they are making it", to which I asked, "who?" And she realized no one was actually working on it, so she went in back and someone came out and began making smoothies.... I didn't order smoothies, maybe a mobile order? At last the chatty employee behind the counter began making my drinks. When I tell you these were the worst coffee drinks I have ever had.... Yikes. All three were absolutely terrible. One was a 12 oz iced latte with an added shot (mine) so I understood that would be 3 shots. It was like drinking a glass of milk. No coffee. The other was a seasonal offering. With coconut cream foam. But the whole coffee had coconut flavor- not just the foam and it was sooooo over sweetened. Lastly, my friend tried the adventurous lavender iced latte. Again, it was so so over sweet, even my "coffee with cream and Splenda" friend said she could taste zero coffee and was pretty sure it was also coconut, not lavender. We left to go visit the capital and all three of us threw away our drinks. It wasn't worth going back, as I really didn't want to get into it about being reimbursed, it was clear they had no customer appreciation or awareness. So I ate the $20 and decided I would inform the public by leaving a review. I may be a bit snobbish when it comes to coffee- I live in Seattle and I worked in the business for years- but I was validated this time by my Wisconsin native friends who will never re-visit this establishment. read more