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

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

Haven't tried Ancora until today, and what a mistake it was not coming sooner. This place is outstanding. Delicious coffee, egg sandwiches and lunch. Amazing atmosphere and kind staff, patient with newcomers. I will be back, maybe tomorrow, maybe in an hour. Ancora is not somewhere you want to miss. read more

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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.

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

OMG - get your act together! We ordered and paid at this counter service restaurant then waited for 1 hr 20 min to get our food. Looked around and only 1 out of every 6 tables had food and food only comes out of the kitchen every 10-15 min. This is a freaking disaster in terms of service and I would never come back no matter how good the food might be. Do not let people order and pay for their food upfront if you can't handle the volume or at least tell them it's going be over an hour to get their food. Food was fine but by the time I got it, I was so hungry an old shoe would've been delicious and I was so angry I just wanted to leave. There is just a no excuse for this horribly run restaurant. Smiling / pleasant wait staff apologizing for the "delay" doesn't make up for waiting for almost an hour and a half. read more

Bright. Friendly. Fun. Beautiful coffee shop too! This place checked off a lot of "Best of" boxes for me. Amazing matcha tea. Many bakery options plus hot dishes. Plenty of seating with helpful charging plugs at the long cafe table. Even loved their logo design so much that now I own another coffee mug! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Matcha tea and pumpkin scone. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Super cute little place. Has lots of seating including outdoor seatings and an indoor courtyard area. Got the blackberry mint lemonade which was amazing and the Larry sandwich which was also delicious. My friends got the breakfast burrito, one of the egg sandwiches and the eggs Benedict and we all really enjoyed the food. Happy I stopped in and will definitely be going back for more! read more

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The Fruit Loop latte is INCREDIBLE. Really cute place! I'm adding more characters now so Yelp lets me post this.

This is one of the best coffee shops in the downtown Madison area! There are so many amazing things to order: The Iced Cereal Milk Oat Latte (a seasonal special), the Lavender-Lemon Donuts, the Nutella Donuts, and the Fiesta Bowl are some of the most unique and delicious dishes! The outdoor patio area is really fun to hang out at - they usually have music playing outside over the speakers, and is stroller friendly (shady options too!). The inside is decorated very nicely too and there's an additional "indoor garden" space that adds to the uniqueness of the cafe! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Fiesta Bowl with Bacon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Ancora is great for breakfast. All of the food I have had here (3 different items) were delicious and flavorful. I would recommend one of their sandwiches that use Stella's cheesy bread. Also, their breakfast potatoes are amazing. However, I wouldn't come here for coffee. Their coffee is alright and usually diluted. I got this cold brew that tasted watered down. I have also had a latte at the University location that just tasted like milk. The cafe itself is a pretty nice location. It is right in downtown and they have a very nice space. It is beautifully decorated. It can be hard to find seats at times so go early! read more

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

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Simply put... the ambiance, the staff, the food, the coffee, baked goods and service were all SO GOOD! We are huge foodies from Chicago and this place definitely packs a bunch of flavor in everything you order! We had the "Hella Stella" and Honey Bacon Sammies. Also order the breakfast potatoes and side of bacon. The biscuit on the honey bacon was so good. The entire Hella Stella was DELISH (a little hard to eat without getting messy)! But really the thing that got me... the FRUIT PEBBLES ICED COFFEE DRINK! It's oat milk steeped with fruity pebbles and espresso. So the coffee tasted like fruit pebbles cereal. So SO SO GOOD! I didn't catch the name of the gal at the front who took our order (she was wearing glasses with a colorful chain on them)... she was extremely nice and greeted us as soon as we entered. Definitely coming back next time we're in town! read more

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

This is a cute cafe that serves coffee, pastries, and a limited breakfast menu. The food is solid - I had the omelet but the peach scone was just alright to me. While the interior is quaint, I recommend sitting in the atrium. read more

Overpriced yet average food. How is a plain smoothie $11? You can get a mega berry smoothie at Moka with protein and vitamins for $7.

Service was so slow but it was busy. Good atmosphere and food was good. Will try again hopefully the wait for the food isn't so long. We thought they forgot us. read more

Never knew this amazing cafe was here, great staff, I had a blueberry Carmel iced latte to die for. Prices are reasonable, I am hooked! screw corporate coffee shops, go local read more

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Good drinks, even better food! Definitely recommend the Hella Stella breakfast sandwich -- incredible. A lot of seating available from tables to booths. Came on a Sunday, didn't start to get busy until around 10AM. read more

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Ancora moved across the street into the former Kitchen Gallery space this month and it is like night and day. I loved the old location - friendly staff, easy to work from, cool music, tasty sandwiches, etc., but the setting itself was very 90s with its dark colors, comfy chairs by the fireplace, Central Perk vibe. The new location is lighter, brighter, and laid out in a way that makes it feel a lot more spacious. The blue and white color scheme is very calming and it just feels a lot more cheerful than the maroon and butter yellow palette across the street. I came in a little over an hour before closing for a meeting and had a booth table in the back corner overlooking the atrium shared by Context. I ordered a hot chocolate and a honey almond steamer for my guest and I to enjoy. The foam on my steamer was top-notch; it was like they had foamed it on nitro. The honey almond flavoring was sweet, but not too much; they did a great job of balancing the flavoring without having the bitter punch of coffee to compete with. Their food menu is only served until 4 PM, but they had some delicious-looking cheddar herb biscuits and fig scones in the bakery case. They serve brunch daily, so I'll definitely have to get back soon to check out their offerings. The special of the day was a french toast. I do wish they stayed open later and/or served food until close, as I often find myself meeting people between 5 and 7 PM. Closing at 6 did help my meeting partner and I power through and stay on task since we wanted to be packed up and out by closing, but this unfortunately won't be a place I can meet a friend for coffee after work in most cases. Wanting longer hours is a compliment, though, and I'm excited to work from here more often during the day! read more

This is one of my favorite places to have brunch. The scenery is astetically pleasing. Menu and bakery items are diverse. Food comes out fresh. My only complaint is that the staff seem too overwhelmed to fulfill bussing duties once parties have left. Other than that everything here is great. read more

DISCLAIMER: No Hella Stella's we're harmed or consumed during the writing of this review. Despite that fact, I love Ancora on the square. It has my favorite large (20 oz) Iced White Mocha and my favorite Cinnamon Roll in town. Like most cafes, this is a order at the counter and, when busy, get a number sit down and have your food/drink brought to you type situation. If you order a bakery item, you usually get that right away at the counter. If we arrive later in the morning on Saturday or Sunday it can be hard to find a seat, but thankfully there's more seating shared with several other businesses in a common hallway area. Even at peak hours, I still always receive my drink quickly. The same can't be said for the kitchen food; I've overheard staff say on busy mornings that the wait for that - e.g. the Hella Stella - can be an hour. That being said, I really dig Ancora. It's by far my current favorite spot to get a quick brunch/late breakfast. The service is quick, the bakery items and coffee taste amazing, and the interior has a minimal yet thoughtful feel to it that's very unique. Located an easy breezy walk from the Capitol, I'd highly recommend you give Ancora a chance next time you're looking for a weekend cup of Joe and breakfast (especially if the line at Short Stack is crazy long that day ;). read more

While speaking with a local, I mentioned that I had visited Colectivo Coffee that morning. She mentioned that while their coffee was good, she preferred Ancora. After some Googling, I discovered that Ancora was just down the block from Colectivo and quite close to my hotel. I went there one morning and grabbed a breakfast sandwich and a large cold brew. I have to admit that she was right. Ancora's coffee was definitely a step up. I ended up going back the next day and getting the same thing - their Veggie Breakfast Sandwich and a large cold brew. The breakfast sandwich was really good and I love the pesto aioli they use in it. It fills me up without being too heavy or unhealthy (in my opinion). Service was always friendly and very quick. If you're just going for a cold brew or drip coffee, they give it to you right at the counter. Lots of seating, but it does get loud. read more

Look at this beautiful avocado toast! Brussels sprouts, cashew cream, arugula, sunflower seeds. Scrambled egg is optional. The gluten and carbs are well worth it - the bread is die for. read more

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

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Came in during a busy Farmer's Market morning and was impressed with how fast the baristas moved through the line! I ordered the Coconut Cream Cold Brew with oat milk on top, which I thought would have more of a coconut flavor based on the name but definitely still enjoyed it. I also had a side of their breakfast potatoes, which were seasoned perfectly! Loved the bright, fresh vibe in this coffee shop, a great environment to catch up with friends or get some work done. read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - So many happy plants! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Friendly staff. Great coffee. And just this morning discovered the honey bacon sandwich. Sorry I didn't take a photo, but all I could think about was devouring that biscuity bacony goodness! You'll want to take some utensils if you grab to go, cuz that honey sriracha soaks the biscuit. It's soooo good. Thanks, Ancora!! read more

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

The food is good, when you can get it. Unfortunately, they make a practice of hiring inexperienced staff who made several mistakes in order intake as well as service. Several times I wait for fifteen / twenty minutes, only for staff to approach and say they've made a mistake entering my order. If you're lunching or smoothying on a schedule, don't rely on Ancora staff for accuracy and speed. Don't let their predatory hiring practices pay dividends. Don't patronize Ancora. read more

One of our Madison faves. Good food options, good coffee options. Cute indoor seating, nice outdoor seating. Staff is super friendly and helpful. read more

Ancora Bec egg sandwich plus the orange herbal tea is the best. Get it with the salad side and I'm good for the day. Super pleasant staff. Love the honey at the drink station. Outdoor and indoor seating. read more

What a treat! I'm staying at the Hilton nearby and this was a short walk. The avocado toast was amazing - delicious bread, an explosion of flavors. The coffee was very good. Satisfying and didn't feel like the most unhealthy brunch I'd ever eaten, which is hard to find, I'm looking forward to trying something else tomorrow. On a weekday morning it had lots of seating and wasn't crowded at all. read more

Hands down my favorite coffee shop in Madison! It's a perfect place to study, hold a work meeting, go on a first date, etc. Best lattes in Madison and a cool selection of rotating seasonal drinks. If you're hungry, two of my favorites are the Honey Bacon Biscuit (try it with sausage instead) and the Banana Bread French Toast. The french toast does get very sweet very quickly, so I recommend you share with someone unless you have a major sweet tooth. The food is delivered to your table, and they bus everything; so consider leaving a tip when you purchase your food or drink for there. Note: They did just change their menu a bit - items were both removed and added. read more

Their breakfast sandwiches are delish! They have both gluten free bread and a sandwich served on Stella's spicy cheese bread. Their breakfast potatoes are tasty (on the salty side, but that's how I like 'em). I even walked away with some mug swag. Highly recommend for your breakfast wants and needs! read more

Best coffee in Madison. By far. I've been seeing Ancora on social media, so I decided it was time to try it. The food was so good and it filled me up! The coffee was amazing, it wasn't too sweet or too bitter. They also have a ton of seating options and play nice music. Definitely will be going back! read more

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

I love Ancora! Coffee is superb! Lunch/brunch is a well kept secret and so good. Quality ingredients and a well thought out menu sourcing locally! My go to drink is an iced oatmilk latte with honey and it is the best in town! My husband loves their coffee so much he drinks multiple cups a day and walks over from his office in all kinds of inclement weather because it's so worth it! this place is an asset to downtown Madison. read more

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My favorite breakfast spot in Madison. Delicious coffee, incredible food. Highly recommend the breakfast burrito or any breakfast sandwich. Will be visiting as often as I can. read more

Enjoyed my experience at this cafe! There was indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor cafe was really cute and the food was also really good! We ordered two avocado and toast and one egg benedict, both were delicious! 10/10 would recommend if anyone is looking for a place to eat or get coffee! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Avocado Toast Entree, one with egg and one without, and Eggs Benedict Entree - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great space, yummy coffee, friendly staff. I had avocado toast and mocha. The dish was on the sweet side but flavorful.

Brunch takeout sounds like maybe not the best idea but omg, if you're getting it from here is IS the best idea. A couple girlfriends and I got takeout from here to eat on the capital lawn and everything was so good. The honey bacon biscuit I got was perfection: just the right balance of sweet and salty, soft yet hearty biscuit and crunchy bacon. My friends avocado toast was dressed up but still simple and beautiful. And we all loved our lattes. And they're actually taking COVID precautions seriously. What's not to love? We'll be back for more takeout. read more

The best coffee in town. Barriques & Collectivo are pretty good, but Ancora is where it's at. I Their coffee takes the crown. Freshly roasted, with a wide selection of roasts and origins for your cup o' Jo. I can't attest to their specialty drinks or cold brews, but the Jo is FANTASTIC. Also, best place in Madison to buy coffee beans for your home. Oh, and they sell alcoholic beverages if you're stopping in in the evening. Atmosphere is very pleasant. They sell local artwork, there's a fireplace, and a salt & pepper chess board. Their baristas are great- but I'm not the one to demand much from my barista besides a skill at working with coffee, and they got that. YAY ANCORA! read more

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

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It's no surprise that there's a ton of great cafes in Madison, but Ancora is hands down the best! Not only is the coffee amazing but the food is awesome too! Breakfast, brunch, or lunch, all are amazing! It's also a great place to get some work done! The bright floral wall definitely brightens the place up and is very welcoming on a cold Wisconsin day! Do yourself a favor and go to Ancora! read more

Ancora Cafe + Bakery - Grilled cheese and tomato soup, mimosa, and a mocha. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The bright blue floral decor beckons you from the street less than a block away from the NE side of the capitol building. I initially had an order in for a short stack, sausage, and half cafe, half decalf au lait. In my excitement of celebrating their ability to meet my coffee order I did not realize the ticket was too cheap to reasonably include all my orders. I dug in to my short stack while hoping my sausage would arrive. Another mistake of mine, I assumed the short stack would be a smaller version of the gourmet blackberry ricotta pancakes on the regular menu. Again, who in their right mind would think you could get gourmet pancakes for $5.00 (price of the short stack). None the less the cinnamon dusted regular pancakes still hit the spot and I did not leave an enormous waste of food afterwards, as I'm traveling and left overs just wasn't going to work. As for the missing sausages, I finally inquired about them and just as I should have known they were not on the ticket. The staff quickly rectified the situation and brought me two healthy sized patties and only charged me half an order. Now I had a dilemma, the ratio of meat to starch was not optimum as I already finished half my pancakes. Again the thought of wasted food or food on my waist weighed on me. However as I dug into the sausage patties, I realized they were well worth the wait. I would be damned and work out the meat to starch ratio! The patties tasted fresh, my tastebuds could savor the different spices, and there was a sweetness to them that just made me congratulate myself on choosing this spot for breakfast. I also added some hot sauce to cut the sausage sweet on sweet pancake and boy did it ever make a wondrous difference. read more