Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Axolotl Café

    4.6 (143 reviews)
    Open • 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Waitlist - Axolotl Café

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Order Axolotl Café Takeout or Delivery

    Axolotl Café Photos

    AXOLOTL CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Axolotl Café

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The quaint inside.
    Lori L.

    Pro tip - avoid the weekends and come here during the week because you won't need to wait 90 minutes. It's a small place with limited seating so expect weekend waits. We split the birria bowl with the pancakes on the side. Portion was big enough to share between two people if you aren't a big eater. The pancakes looked like they were made of wheat flour but it was actually the cinnamon they add to the batter. The plating was incredible with homemade whipped cream with an edible flower on the top. The birria bowl was full of flavorful tender beef which paired really well with the eggs. They have really unique upscale combinations of Mexican almost fusion food so I need to explore the menu more next time but those pancakes will always be a staple every meal.

    Vegetariano Benedict
    Shelby T.

    Such a fun brunch spot in Bay View! Was luckily able to get a table on the Yelp waitlist for a group of 4 on a busy Sunday morning. The yelp wait list was super accurate on timing & allowed our crew to plan ahead. We started our day with lattes which were the perfect level of sweetness & glad that they had dairy free milk options. The menu was fun with multiple traditional breakfast foods with a twist. I had the breakfast tacos which were flavorful & filling. My friend is a vegetarian & was excited about the vegetarian Benedict. We got to try both the French toast & pancakes which were both to die for & enough food to go around the whole table. My favorite thing may have been the potatoes as they were both crispy & well seasoned, the perfect match up. Our waitress was so nice & checked in on us multiple times. Will definitely be back!!

    Jonathan P.

    First time visiting this cafe and definitely not the last time! Service was extremely great! The staff was super nice since the start. The owner came over to our table after he noticed my dad wearing a colombia soccer jersey, just to make small talk, and it was honestly super sweet and refreshing to see. The food was delicious! I had the chilaquiles verde with chorizo, and had a black iced coffee. The location is small, but even though every table is occupied, it doesn't seem hectic or overwhelming. Will definitely come back to this business! and I live in chicago, so it's definitely worth it.

    chai latte
    Michelle D.

    We brought our family to Axolotl Café for brunch while they were visiting from out of town, and once again, this place did not disappoint! We ordered the chicken and waffles, homemade horchata, and another breakfast entrée. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and served hot. The homemade horchata was especially deliciou it's clear they put a lot of care into the quality of their food and drinks. We went on a weekday around 11 a.m. and were able to beat the brunch rush, so there was little to no wait. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and attentive, and our food came out quickly. This has become one of our favorite brunch spots because the food and service are consistently excellent every time we visit. If you're looking for a great breakfast or brunch spot with fresh, homemade flavors and outstanding service, I highly recommend Axolotl Café. We'll definitely be back!

    Horchata Pancakes
    Mikayla T.

    Axolotl was like being thrown into Oaxaca City in Mexico, trendy, full of flavor, and traditional. I went on a Tuesday for brunch, I ordered the birria omelet and was able to get a side of horchata pancakes for a $3 up charge (with it). Both were phenomenal! The coffee and drinks are served in talavera pottery- which brings on the whimsy! The plating and presentation was delicate and pretty. Wish I would have taken more photos! The phone def didn't eat first haha

    Axol Benedict
    Michele V.

    Simple. Worth the wait!! This place is a cultural taste bud journey! Wow! Insider secret is to use to wait-list feature on Yelp (go yelp!) and once you're seated, you're in for an experience. We ordered the birria tacos & the Axol Benedict and we were so pleased. The Benedict came with birria and a homemade hollandaise sauce that was rich and creamy. The birria tacos were one of the best we ever had. Next time we're getting the chilquilles which were popular and recommended. The restaurant is small, busy, but not crowded uncomfortable. The server and owner were so kind. What a Bay View gem.

    Grabbed a spot at the bar
    Liz A.

    I had a weekday off and decided to take myself out to breakfast. So happy this place opens early. I went in at 8am and there were a few other people dining. I'm a big fan of their breakfast tacos. The chorizo is flavorful. I will add that the tacos are a messy meal, at easy for me. I used multiple napkins. The tacos come with your choice of breakfast potatoes or fruit. The cafe has a small bar that you're able to order it and an assortment of tables. I recommend getting here early if here on a weekend. Paying with cash is slightly cheaper than paying with a card.

    Michael W.

    The secret is out! This new place is quickly becoming a favorite for brunch in the Bay View neighborhood. The service is wonderful, the food is amazing and the drinks are on point. Prices are reasonable, and we will definitely be adding this spot as part of our brunch rotation!

    Prasanta A.

    I met a friend here for brunch on a Saturday. VERY BUSY! They don't take reservations, and we waited about an hour (45 minute wait minimum) and there were just two of us. We arrived at 11 am, so it was peak brunch time. We did not expect the wait to be that long. It was a very cold day, so we waited indoors. However, folks must have put their name on the list and left and waited elsewhere as we noticed folks showing up and getting seated - so so my suggestion is to arrive early, and put your name on the list. There isn't a lot of seating. That's my tip for you if you're going on a weekend! They will text you when the table is ready. Or you can join the waitlist right here! I didn't know that beforehand. Backing up just a bit - it was my first time here, and there isn't huge or visible signage from the street, so I ended up passing right by and going around the block trying to locate the building. There is street parking, and even on a busy Saturday, I found street parking easily, but I'd love some bigger signage so we can easily find it. It's got an upbeat atmosphere and cozy. Besides the very long wait, we enjoyed the food. I ordered the Breakfast tacos and my friend ordered the Childaquiles Tradicionales. I'd love to sample other things on the menu.

    Vegetariano bowl
    Samantha R.

    Axolotl Cafe had been getting some buzz as a new brunch place in Bay View and I finally got around to checking it out. The cafe is small and gets busy on weekends. Definitely sign up for the waitlist on the way there. There were several things on the menu I wanted to try. Chilaquiles are popular. I went with the Vegetariano bowl so I could get a side of pancakes, and I upgraded to the guyaba (guava) pancakes for a small upcharge--was also eyeing the horchata. The food was good. The over easy eggs on my bowl were perfectly runny and there were plenty of delicious breakfast potatoes underneath and a variety of vegetables. The pancakes were beautifully presented and the guava sauce was something different. The server and bartender were friendly and kept my coffee filled. Owing to the small restaurant size and the crowd they're pretty strict about seating. Several people tried to come up to the bar for a drink while they were waiting and were told it was for customers on the waitlist. That said it was nice that they kept the bar open for seating so solo patrons like me could get a seat without taking up a whole table. I would come back here and try some more of the menu.

    Chilaquiles with Cecina
    Karla M.

    We stopped by on a Friday around 10 a.m and there was no wait. The cafe is fairly small, so it may be difficult to accommodate larger groups. I ordered the red chilaquiles with cecina. The chilaquiles themselves were delicious, though the meat could have used a bit more seasoning. We also tried the kids pancakes, which were super tasty and a fun treat for the kids. For drinks, I highly recommend the passion and guava mimosas. Overall, it's a welcoming, friendly cafe and every dish is beautifully presented.

    Vanilla and caramel lattes
    Kate G.

    Absolutely obsessed with this spot! We only live a few blocks away and walk by all the time. Not sure what took us so long to go! There's always people standing outside waiting to be seated every weekend so you know it's good. They have an online waitlist that tells you the wait time and keeps you updated on your spot in the queue, which is super helpful. The staff were all very nice and accommodating. The inside is decorated with lots of traditional Mexican decor. The menu has lots of a variety so you're guaranteed to find something you like. I got the huevos a la Mexicana with the Guyaba pancakes and my husband got the berry dulce French toast. It was all delicious! Hard to make a decision because so many dishes looked amazing. I had a vanilla late in a talavera mug and my husband got an iced caramel latte. We also tried the guava and regular mimosas. All in all, a great experience and we will definitely be coming back!

    Nicole L.

    Stoppppp. There was a bit of a wait, but they have a text waiting list so we were able to walk around the neighborhood while we waited for our table. It's a small cute diner, but what really slapped was the food. YOU HAVE TO GET THE CHURRO FRENCH TOAST. (Mexico City Style Churro Toast). I'm normally a savory breakfast kinda girl, and the chilaquiles were fine, but the deep fried brioche bread mixed with cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce was divine and I will be back for it again!

    French toast

    See all

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Amazing food and service. The wait is worth it. Also the vibes and aesthetics of the place are great. Good way to start the day !!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rick R.
    494
    1109
    10596

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anna R.
    148
    323
    1683

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Delightful, flavorful, and worth the wait - go early before you're starving if it's weekend brunch!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Axolotl Café Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Axolotl Café

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Breakfast & Brunch 3,738 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern - Wolfie's Breakfast Poutine

    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern

    4.4(518 reviews)
    4.6 mi•Brewer's Hill, Beerline B
    •$$

    My husband and I were visiting from Chicago for a wedding and decided to try Uncle Wolfie's for a…read moreSunday brunch. I'm so glad we did! There was a little bit of a wait, but this wasn't anything unexpected, as brunch time on a Sunday is always going to be busy. They had a little area outside to sit and order drinks, so I ordered an ube chai. We were called in fairly quickly, and first off, the vibe is super fun. The music that was playing was also right up my alley. Second, the servers and service was quick, and third, the food was AMAZE. We had the steak and eggs, brunch burger, biscuits and gravy, and a side of Johnny cakes (they were bigger than our hands!). Everything was delish! The place sits kind of randomly in the middle of the neighborhood, so it definitely felt unique, and we were super happy to support. I hope to return sooner than later!

    Marley was wonderful, along with the rest of the team at Uncle Wolfie's! It is such a friendly,…read morewelcoming place with attentive service and tons of original character. We had the steak and eggs, the pancake, and the Lil Phatty, and seriously, this may have been the best breakfast I have ever had anywhere. Every single thing was DELICIOUS!!! It feels like the kind of place that is a true neighborhood favorite, but it is also incredibly welcoming to tourists. We felt right at home and would absolutely come back.

    Photos
    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern
    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern - May 2025

    May 2025

    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern

    See all

    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    4.1(624 reviews)
    3.4 mi•Downtown, East Town
    •$$
    Full bar
    Takes reservations

    The fried green tomatoes over the goat cheese grits were divine!! 5 stars for that dish. I was…read morecraving some southern food and this hit the spot. So yummy you must try it. It's a cute place that feels very open. We were able to walk in easily on a Friday morning. Service was fine.

    My son, husband, & I stopped for dinner here while we were visiting him at school. It was on his…read morelist of places he wanted to go to. It was a Saturday night and they were only open until 8pm. We arrived a little after 7:30pm. They were still very busy and we were very thankful they were able to accommodate us. I believe we were the last ones to be seated. We started off with some fried okra which was very good. The sauce it came with was a little spicy. Everyone enjoyed it. For dinner I ordered the bone-in fried chicken (white) with green beans and a side salad. The chicken was good. The green beans were a little bland. The side salad was good but I ended up not being a fan of the Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing. My son ordered the Southern Chicken BLT which looked good and he thoroughly enjoyed. My husband ordered the Surf, Turf, & Yolk. He said it was ok but the Brussel Sprouts were too burnt. I also want to mention the servers were great even though it was close to closing time. By the time we left and some of the other tables were leaving it was after closing time. I hope we can come back and try this place earlier in the day sometime.

    Photos
    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    See all

    Brunch - Southern Hash

    Brunch

    3.4(564 reviews)
    3.6 mi•Downtown, East Town
    •$$

    If you are looking for a fantastic throwback diner counter experience with generous, delicious…read moreportions, this is the place. What I Got: * Breakfast Hash with Eggs Over Medium: Absolutely loaded! Hidden beneath perfectly prepared over-medium eggs and crispy bacon was a hearty hash tossed with a heavy serving of sautéed vegetables--onions, peppers, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeños. Wonderfully seasoned and prepared. * Hot Coffee: Served in their signature "Brunch it up" mug--kept fresh and flowing throughout the meal. Atmosphere & Service: The interior gives you that great vintage diner counter feel with clean, modern touches. Service was fast, attentive, and made the whole visit completely seamless.

    We really wanted to Brunch It Up...we love a good brunch place...so much. We left wishing we'd gone…read moresomewhere else. Brunch It Up (possibly in the middle of rebranding to just "Brunch.") is a classic breakfast spot in downtown Milwaukee...we were there on a Sunday morning...high brunch time, and were seated quickly upstairs. The place had an overall run-down vibe to it...scuffed paint on the walls and a general feeling of not quite matching the quality of the upscale brunch spot implied by their modern logo. Menus...I normally don't comment on the menu itself but our table featured no less than 4 different menus...the regular menu, a drink menu, a specials menu and a mimosas menu...choices are wonderful, but the immediate reaction is this is a whole mess of menus on the table, and I don't know what to look at first. It felt haphazard. Let's move on to the coffee...Coffee is an essential part of the brunch experience. Even at a diner, you want it to be strong...the mug it came in was nice, but it was weak coffee. I need coffee to kick my butt, and if you're serving what's close to "browned water" at a breakfast place, you're missing the mark. How about the food? I can't fault them for the generosity of the portions, but will say individual dishes were way too much for my wife and I...we wish smaller portions were available, so so much didn't go to waste. My wife had the Egg and Waffle sandwich with waffle fries. It was fine. I had the Harvest Hash made with egg whites...the eggs were a little overcooked. (Egg whites require a thoughtful touch when cooking them so they are finished white and not browning all over.) There are plenty of fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers in there (I guess that's the extent of the harvest in Milwaukee) The hashbrowns it all sat on were undercooked. We were excited about the croissant beignets...Available were the regular ones with chocolate or strawberry dipping sauce, and a special with a fruit dipping sauce. They couldn't mix and match sauces, so we got the special. They were okay but a bit over-fried, losing the croissant texture altogether ...I mean, there's nothing wrong with deep-fried dough with sweet things to dip them in, but we do wish they hadn't fried the croissant out of them to give us the unique experience implied by the name. The menu has plenty to choose from...every breakfast savory or sweet thing you could imagine...and on the nicely designed, modern-looking menu at looks like it could be amazing...but everything we got, plus the experience of sitting in a place that felt a little rundown, left us overall disappointed.

    Photos
    Brunch - Interior

    Interior

    Brunch - Beignets with caramel and raspberry sauce

    Beignets with caramel and raspberry sauce

    Brunch - To-go cups available upon request

    See all

    To-go cups available upon request

    Axolotl Café - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...