Go down the street to one of the other Alterras unless you are just planning on getting your coffee to go... Unless you live right around the corner, why would you come here? Poor layout, no seating, noisy street outside, same-old alterra coffee. They may have plans to improve this location now that the roasting has moved, but for now I think it stinks. BTW - I still like their whole beans a LOT! Coffee: Beans are good but I can't stand the espresso. Food: Overpriced but tasty Vibe: Cramped, trendy WiFi: Yes Plugs: Unknown, but doubt it. read more

Out of all the Colectivos, this is probably one of my FAVORITE locations. Coffeehouses in general make studying, writing papers, and otherwise being inside on nice days more tolerable. This Colectivo, however, brings the indoors outdoors with this patio and giant door that opens. I have the best of all worlds here: outdoors and outlets. I can write some of my massive thesis in peace without fear of my computer dying and with a soft, warm breeze coming in. I just adore this spot! Colectivo isn't my favorite coffeehouse, given all the options we have here in MKE, but this location and concept is wonderful! I will keep coming back. read more

This may very well be my favorite Alterra location. Love the indoor/outdoor-ness of the patio, the friendly staff (playing Scott Walker -- the musician -- on recall day, no less... genius!), sport tea/various iced teas... Yeah buddy! Never thought I'd be doling out a five-r for an Alterra, but guess what? The times, they are a-changin'. read more

Stopped by the lakefront location accidentally (got lost for a minute and found it) but it was apparently their only location that doesn't offer pourover. So this one does. And it looks amazing. I would love to be here when the weather is nice for the garage door is open. For being in a seemingly busy-ish area of town, it was HUGE with lots of nice table space. The line was long, but it moves quickly since most people seem to get espresso-based drinks. I had the Starry Night, pourover. I didn't even see them make it because I stepped away for like a minute and it was ready... Quickest pourover ever and made me a bit skeptical... but it was great! A hint of brightness but mostly a very nutty and sweet aroma. I bought a lb as a gift and it was only ~$11. Cool. Loved this location, would love to have something like this nearby. read more

This Alterra location is probably the best option for a coffee shop on the East Side. When compared to Alterra on the Lake, the atmosphere is less hectic and WiFi is free (on the lake you must pay). Menu is fun and is regularly updated. I recommend Alterra as much for it's food as for its coffee, whether that be breakfast burritos or seasonal soups. Alterra's new rewards system is also pretty cool... it's easy to accumulate rewards and redeem them for free drinks or coffee beans. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Indoor seating area. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The sheer number of people who come here is a testament to how good it is. It can be hard to even find a seat! Lovely atmosphere to study/get some work done. They have a nice selection of teas and it is definitely necessary to try their focaccia cheese melt which is a step up from other grilled cheeses cuz of the chipotle cream cheese spread. Great vibe! read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Bloom chamomile tea and focaccia cheese melt - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I love the atmosphere and vibe of this location (see pictures below). Had this been around back when I was a student at UWM, I probably would have studied here everyday. It's nicer and less hectic than the location on the lakefront (in the old water pumping station). I'm not a coffee drinker, but I enjoy their mocha shakes and Italian sodas (order it with raspberry and mint syrups. . . so refreshing). read more

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I've had Colectivo coffee at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport, but I had never been in one of their coffee shops until just recently. I stopped at the location on Prospect Ave and was very impressed with the place. It is very spacious, with lots of seating, both indoors and out. The staff is very friendly and efficient. It does not take too long to receive your order. While you're waiting for your order, you can check out the Colectivo merchandise for sale. I purchased a tshirt while waiting for my mocha latte. They have many, many drinks to choose from. My go-to is the mocha latte made with dark chocolate & espresso (you can also get it with white chocolate). They also have a food menu with several things to choose from. I am going to make sure to try the smoked salmon the next time I'm there :-) read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Lovely artwork in my coffee this morning :-) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Good ambiance, great pie, good enough coffee. However, the costa rican coffee wasn't freshly made. A coffee house should have made to brew coffee, not something made an hour or hours before Same goes with their ice tea. The bakery items, however, were superb. I tasted both a scone and a muffin, and both were excellent. To finish out the bakery, the peanut butter pie was decadent, just keep in mind, that a slice can feed two people enough with its rich nutritional baggage. Still, a good place to come and get your caffeine and thousand times better than any Starbucks. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Outside of Alterra Coffee Roasters on Prospect - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Love this Colectivo location. Food is great, employees are friendly, and there's plenty of seating. The only reason I didn't give it 5-stars is because there aren't enough outlets for those who need to plug in and work. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Chorizo Burrito! Yum!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I love this Colectivo mostly because of the hanging plants. Parking is spotty, but that is pretty typical for the East Side. Staff is friendly, drinks are delicious, orders come up quickly, and there are tons of good events here! I love to come for an intimate concert or a Moth event. If you haven't had the pleasure of attending one yet, you should definitely check it out! Happy this is so close to home & that they host so many great events! read more

When I told my friend that I was meeting a new friend here, she rolled her eyes. "That is a popular first date place," she said. "You'll have lots to talk about." We did and it was. This is a great Colectivo in a great neighborhood, and the open air spilling out onto Prospect Avenue right before North Avenue has an eclectic vibe. We talked about the hand-forged fixtures, the open loft skylights, how everything old is new again and more while we enjoyed a cuppa delicious brew. Bonus that this is close to a Bublr Bike station and Water Tower Park. Then there's the mansions on Lake Drive... Hang out here and while away the hours. Heck, you might even make a new friend if you're feeling a good vibe. Until you reach out to drop a line cause you have a thank you gift, and find your new friend blocked you on the online dating site... Yeah...go for the atmosphere and great coffee. Blind dates? Not so much :-( read more

I just ordered curbside pick up. It's extremely convenient, I just downloaded the app, added some money and placed the order. They emailed me when my order was ready and I told them the make/model of my car and brought out my beverage! I've been here many times, but THIS time I tried the lemongrass kombucha and my mind is blown. I highly recommend it! read more

My favorite location by far. Beautiful inside, everyone always asks me for the address when I post about it. Staff has always been kind. Great selection for latte flavors. And the cherry on top is being able to bring your drink into a show! read more

Disappointed no GF menu. All it would take is one type of GF bread and an allergic person could eat many sandwiches. And they could charge extra. Not considerate of the medically necessary GF population. read more

If I ever own my own coffee shop, I would like it to be based off this particular Colectivo. Benefits: 1. It's huge 2. Plenty of plug points 3. Fast and Free Wifi 4. Good Hot Chocolate Everything I could every ask of a coffee shop it delivered and more!. The place looks like a coffee shop but one look up and you'll feel like you're right next to nature thanks to all the plants. The atmosphere here is super chill and is great for studying or have a conversation. You can expect me to be back here very soon! read more

UPDATE 5 STARS This location, IMO, is the most comfortable of them all. While parking isn't always the easiest, I love the layout and design of this one best. read more

Their pour-over coffee bar is amazing. You get a crisp and clear tasting coffee with no excess bitter, and a very smooth consistency. I highly recommend this to any coffee lover. Their food is pretty good, but the 5-star review is for their coffee. read more

Came here for a concert in the back room - one of the coolest venues in Milwaukee. Colectivo shut down business to the public early to hold a concert (John Paul White). However, guests of the concert were able to buy food and drinks before the main act went on. They also had some alcohol for purchase at the event as well. It's kind of a small venue, but the entire Colectivo space is open for the concert. So you could either get up close to the stage, or sit in the back and enjoy a cup of coffee while some great artists put on a show. I really enjoyed it here, and will have to keep looking for shows to come back for. read more

This has got to be my favorite Colectivo location. It's the perfect place to stop for coffee after shopping at the nearby stores, or getting groceries at Whole Foods just a few steps away. Since it's on the bigger side, there is PLENTY of seating area -- big tables, small tables, and even a long communal table in the middle. The atmosphere here is fairly quiet because everyone seems to be doing work. There are outlets next to every table as well. Colectivo is no stranger to me, but I decided to write a review because of their new matcha latte! I'm a huge fan of matcha and the fact that Colectivo serves it now makes my life complete. There is a difference between genuine matcha powder and the disappointing commercialized artificial ones. I was pleasantly surprised when Colectivo's tasted nothing like the latter! It's not overly sweet too; in fact, I don't think they put any sugar in which is great because you can add it yourself to your own liking. Good job once again, Colectivo. Making my day as usual (: read more

The whole atmosphere was awesome ! We totally loved hanging out here and enjoying our coffee. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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In an effort to try every Colectivo here I am - only because I am early for a movie at the Oriental Theatre around the corner. Mental note for after movie coffee. This location is really with trendy outdoor seating - eek - watch out for those prehistoric plants above you with their roots hanging down to suck your blood. Just kidding - but it is interesting eye candy for sure while you are sipping your java outside. Great location because of the neighborhood. Not as cool for people watching as the Colectivo in the Third Ward across from the public market but more than enough traffic to be entertaining. And the coffee is of course the same. I like how each location has its own style and personality despite being a chain. Thankfully that's still true under their new management. read more

I haven't been here since the renovation and does it look fantastic. I love the space and it feels bigger than ever. I love the way they split the patio, the sky lights add extra brightness and cheer. The interior is traditional to what you'd expect from Alterra. I can appreciate how they have the register counter positioned in one location and a separate, detached counter to pick your drinks up from so you're not standing on top of the person next to you waiting for your drink or name to be called. Not only do I recommend stopping in for a cup of tea, they also have some delicious sandwiches, wraps and THE CREAM CHEESE BROWNIE! I love Alterra...someone needs to bring it overseas! read more

I really can't believe that I've never written a review for Colectivo Prospect, since I spend so much time there. I'm about to remedy this situation! Colectivo is a MKE staple. They have really good food (smoked salmon breakfast sandwich for the win!) -- their soups and quiches are especially good -- and baked goods. (I crave their cranberry almond scones!) I almost always order iced tea, but I have had their iced coffee and it's been pretty good. That's one of the great things about Colectivo -- that they're consistent across locations in terms of food, coffee, and service. What I especially like about the Prospect Avenue location -- what sets it apart from the Lakefront and Riverwest locations -- is that they have a seemingly endless amount of outlets and small tables, so it's ideal for college students and people who work from home and need to get out of the house and have human contact IRL (that'd be me). It's rare that I go to the Prospect location and can't find a seat -- I think it's happened to me once in three or so years. It's just so big, and the layout is perfect for people who need to plant themselves down for several hours and get work done (and imbibe a ton of food and drink). read more

The taste of the coffee is good and the atmosphere is appealing, but that's were it ends. The cashiers can be very short, rude and often more involved with themselves then helping customers. I've often waited over 20 minuets for coffee while observing no hustle from the employees. Thanks for making me late to work. If you are planning on staying and working, then fine but if you are in a hurry, try somewhere else. I also find it regrettable that there cups are not recyclable. I still go, and enjoy the coffee if I plan to stay and work, so I'm not completely against them, I'm just saying it's not your best option. read more

Alterra is always great, and this location is a cute and charming surprise! They've got skylights beaming sunlight to racks of hanging plants and several rooms with spaces to sit and steep your tea. Its just so cheery and green.. The location is wonderful for a lazy Saturday (which was our reason for stopping in), close to Whole Foods, the UWM campus, and the lake. The clientele seemed to be an eclectic mix between college students, yuppies, and hip bohemian seniors, so somehow there was a place for everybody. Last thing to mention, I didn't realize how close to the other Alterra this one is, and yet it was still packed. People just can't get enough local coffee! read more

Alterra, regardless of location, always has a warm cozy spot in my heart. They do so many things right, especially their tea!! I know people are all ZOMGCOFFEEEEEEE with Alterra, but I'm consistently impressed by their tea selection and preparation and trust me, I'm a big tea snob. Also, I don't want to have to do this, but I have to rank their food preparation higher than some of the other Alterra locations. Everything comes out consistently better here. Why? I have no idea, but the food just seems either fresher or prepared more thoughtfully. At any rate, I look forward to any excuse that brings me near to this Alterra in the mornings. You should too! read more

Short and sweet: This is the BEST Colectivo (née Alterra) we got, folks. Great + consistent service, awesome freaking coffee. For some reason a vanilla almond milk latte tastes sweeter here than anywhere else. But, BUT the best thing... G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. Stunning, immaculate place. I walk into the cafe and am immediately at ease. Lush, beautiful plants everywhere. Open space, community tables, lots of beautiful glass panes and and and. Just everything. So thoughtfully and beautifully designed. I prefer it leaps to Alterra on the Lake, though the views there are hard to beat. Take yourself here. There's some information about the design and construction of the café in this awesome DearMkE vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8swPY4_RXFE read more

Ten years and about fifty coffee places later, Alterra is still my favorite. When I worked at Milwaukee Catholic Home to keep me afloat while I was student teaching, I used to come here on my day off, sit in the sun, and conspire how to educate the sixth grade nerdnicks that were my students. When they had the roasting factory there, it was some kind of a wierd thrill to watch people work in a factory while you're sitting and relaxing with a coffee. Every time I come to Milwaukee, this is part of the program. By the way, I totally saw Tipper Gore here back in the day. Secret Service men and all... read more

Why, oh why isn't this a national brand? Alterra's frappes are on my list of greatest things ANYWHERE and I literally race to their stand at the Milwaukee airport whenever I'm departing or arriving. I will say, some of the employees lack a bit of... Training, shall we say? I've been told they don't know how to get more ice, I've been asked if I know the proper mixture, and someone once actually forgot to blend the drink. But I don't care. If I have to, I'll come behind the counter and blend a frappe myself - it's worth it. read more

One of the only coffee shops in Milwaukee that reminds me of Chicago. They have wide range of drinks which I think is pretty cool. I usually get a green tea - Japanese style. Their pastries and quiches are good as well! I got one to go! read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Veggie quiche to go - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

As others have noted, the layout of this Alterra is very cool. The room that you enter through the main entrance has a more traditional coffee shop feel: a little darker, wood tones, etc. The room on the left has a completely different feel: airy and bright, owing to the high ceilings and skylines. There's also a lot of greenery on elevated planks above you. This room reminds me a lot of an English conservatory (well, I've never actually been to one of those--I've just watched a few too many period pieces). Both rooms are great. The food here is also good. I got the Veggie pesto breakfast burrito in the middle of the afternoon (breakfast is served all day). The tortilla was toasted perfectly. The filling included roasted pesto potatoes, eggs, broccoli, and provolone. Everything melded nicely together. The eggs had a good amount of body but were soft. They combined with the potatoes and provolone for a great texture. The broccoli was an interesting and delicious addition (and made me feel like I was eating something healthy, though I surely wasn't). The pesto flavor is pleasantly subtle. The side of oranges and grapes was a nice way to cut the richness of the burrito. Street parking can be challenging during busy times. There's meter parking closer to Alterra, and two hour parking is within a short walk's distance. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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OK, let me start off my saying that I'm from the Chicago-land area, I'm into home espresso and have access to great roasters like Metropolis and Intelligentsia. Now with that out of the way, Alterra roasters is hands down my favorite roaster! I sometimes use the excuse of visiting Milwaukee's lake front as a means to pick up a few pounds of their Espresso Toro. I also experiment a bit with some of their single origin roasts and do indeed love pulling shots with those. Not only do I love their blends and roasts, but their cafe locations are better laid out and more enjoyable than Metropolis' and Intelli's locations. C'mon, have you guys been to the Alterra cafe location on the lake front? What a great idea to turn the old water pumping station into a cafe. It's a must visit location, especially during warmer weather. Now will I admit to another die hard Chicagoan that Alterra is my favorite roaster... maybe not. But it'll be our secret. read more

Another great Colectivo location. Love: The coffee, the number of tables, the indoor/outdoor seating, the location, the general atmosphere. (Only) Dislike: Parking can be tricky around here, especially in the summertime. You can snag meter-free street parking on the east side of Prospect or perhaps find a meter along the west side. Pack your parallel parking skills. Going by bus? Right along the 30 line. read more

So for a Milwaukee business to crawl out of the deep, dark cracks of this city and really make something pretty special on its own, is remarkable. My experience with collectivo has been a mixed bag. Once I got food poisoning that was a major bummer, and almost everyone I have talked to that used to work there said it was a shit place to work, super top heavy and long hours. I think the coffee is pretty good, very very acidic, it packs a punch tho. After a black eye I feel like i just downed a few Adderall. The best part of collectivo the atmosphere, it feels damn good to be in that place. Comfy, cozy, trendy. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Salmon sandwich, fresh oj and a black eye. Perfect lunch break - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I guess this is a good thing to do while I'm rehab, try to recall the other places I visited on my fateful Milwaukee trip. It's no secret that at one time I lived in Milwaukee and bought all my coffee beans here, where they used to roast them. Sometimes they would still be warm! I guess they moved their roasting facilities to a new location, but I used to live in this very block, so I wanted to come here. Kind of sad with the roasting stuff gone. I feel like that added a lot of energy to the place. Maybe they could have celebrity roasts here now. Or tar and featherings of select local politicians. The coffee is still good, though. I have to say, I haven't found coffee in New York that I like as much as Alterra. I'm sure there IS, somewhere, in this vast metropolis some pretty fantastic coffee, but the question is, how much do you have to pay for it? I went into a highly recommended place in the NYU area, and the coffee beans were so exclusive, they had them on a PEDESTAL like they were a sculpture, enclosed in a glass cube. Probably hooked up to an infrared alarm. Probably can only buy them at a Christie's auction. Call me old-fashioned, but I think a cup of coffee should be available to the common man. I do own a coffee grinder, and like to buy quality beans, but I don't think they should cost ONE MILLION DOLLARS. I miss a few things about Milwaukee, I guess, though as far as I'm concerned you can sell the Packers to Mark Cuban and move them to Cuba, but I sure miss Alterra. read more

Love the space and the ease with which you can grab a table here at 8:30 in the morning! The ambiance is perfect for getting work done. The customers make for some great people watching too. The line moves quickly too. You won't have to wait forever to place your order and get your coffee. My only complaint is that the decaf coffee was gross tasting. I know not many crazies order decaf at 8:30 in the morning so the decaf probably wasn't fresh. But it was a difficult cup of coffee to down. read more

I liked the breakfast burrito, as a San Diego native I know a few things about breakfast burritos. This one was a bit small, but tasty. I liked the coffee, had a cappuccino and it was rich and hit the spot. Fresh squeezed OJ was fresh and very OJ ish. Mason got the bacon biscuits and they were very good, moist and lots of cheese. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Great salsa and breakfast burrito, even if on the small side. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Very clean, super friendly, and great service. Really couldn't complain about anything. Except for the fact, I like Starbucks Coffee better. But that is just a personal thing. Just like everything else. But all in all it was a good experience. read more

Colectivo Coffee Prospect Ave - Coletivo Coffee ok, But being a Starbucks junkie. But all in all service was great. Very friendly staff. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I'm a huge fan of Colectivo. They make a good cup of coffee. I do find their menu a little limited, but I'm okay with that. When I was working in Chicago for a few months, I definitely missed being able to pop into Colectivo. Starbucks doesn't have anything on them! Aside from the lovely coffee, Colectivo also has an awesome breakfast menu. It is a bit expensive, but it is SO GOOD! I can't think of a single thing that I have ever ordered and been disappointed in. Yum. Colectivo locations all have so much character. They're great places to hang out. read more