Crema Cafe

We stopped by for a late breakfast on a weekday when we were visiting Madison. Thankfully, we were…read moreable to walk right in. We tried about two months ago on a Sunday and there was quite a line so we tried somewhere else new to us. It was worth the trip back here! Marigold is a really cute place inside. We were between the breakfast and lunch rushes so we easily found a table after ordering. We noticed there was a steady flow of customers and the tables turned over at a decent pace so maybe we should have stood in line last time around. Hard to know sometimes. We ordered the breakfast burrito, avocado toast and buttermilk pancakes. Service was quick and friendly. The pancakes were fluffy and they looked good. The avocado toast and the breakfast burrito were delicious! We will definitely stop by Marigold when we're in town again!

Food was alright. We got the breakfast sandwich which was just ok, but the chilaquiles were…read moredelicious. One thing to note: it's not great for kids. The atmosphere is fine, but for picky eaters, it's a no go. Nothing against the restaurant, their food is just a little too niche and we're unable to make common substitutes or additions. Examples include: don't have chocolate chips for pancakes, syrup is served too hot, cups were breakable. I just wish the had a kids menu section with 2 items that where super simplified and came in kid friendly utensils etc

Sweet potato kale and pesto hash

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Three grain bowl

Cottage Cafe

4.2(170 reviews)

1.0 mi

Great food and service! Best hashbrowns I've had in a long time. Really big pancake that doesn't…read moredry out and absorb all of the syrup. Great butter and coffee as well. My daughter had the pancake and sausage link which were also very good. Portions are large, prices are good, and the servers are all very personable. I don't typically allow my daughter to have a lot of sugar but when we first arrived, our server Danette gave a little cup of fruit loops to my almost 2 year old to keep her occupied until the food came out. If you're looking for some good food and decent prices, this is the place. We love a good simple diner with great food and great service.

I wanted to like this place, I really did. Did some research on solid diners in the Madison area…read moreand this is one of the ones that popped up. It was off the highway, so I thought I would give it a go. Walked in and it was what you would expect from a Wisconsin diner -- old carpeting, waitresses who are lifers, and signage from the bygone era. I sat at the bar, with barstools that came about 4 feet off the ground, and asked the cordially waitress what was good. She rattled off about 3/4 of the breakfast menu so I needed a few minutes. A few minutes passed and I went with the Krab Cakes Benedict (why the K?) and the Cottage Platter. The crab cakes were decent (definitely better than the Cottage Platter), but very crisp on the outside, straddling the line of burnt, and somewhat cooked on the inside. Light on the seasoning. As they say on the cooking shows, it was screaming for some acidity...or in this case some Old Bay. Then the Cottage Platter, which I was very much looking forward to, fell flat for me. The hashbrowns had a funky taste to them, which I couldn't quite place. And again, overall, the dish was lacking in flavor. Would I go out of my way to hit this place up again? Most likely not. If I was in the area and wanted to try something else, I probably would.

Front door

Cinnamon Roll

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Lunch date!

Ogden's North Street Diner

4.6(205 reviews)

2.4 mi•Emerson East

Darling and delicious! We walked up on a Saturday morning and only had to wait 30 minutes for a…read moretable (popped across the street and got a coffee and Bloom pastry to share in the meantime - ideal). The space is so cute and quaint inside: it makes you feel like you're in a cozy neighborhood spot. And you are! I love that there's not many seats in here - makes it feel extra special. Our server was great and attentive. I ordered the omelette with hashbrowns, and my friend got the breakfast plate plus fruit - both were delicious. Hashbrowns were plentiful and hit the spot! We loved dining here, and I'd absolutely recommend to others in the area!

Ogdens is a cute, cozy spot with awesome natural light. It's small so I would expect to wait for a…read moretable. The food tasted fresh and high quality which is awesome considering the prices aren't very high. The servers are fast, efficient, and super friendly! They made us feel very welcome and were very attentive. I will definitely be back!

Bar seating - first come first served

French toast sandwich. Weird combo of sweet and salty. Yeech

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House made whip cream, dense and applied with ice cream scooper. On Ghirardelli chocolate flake hot chocolate

Bassett Street Brunch Club

4.0(873 reviews)

3.5 mi•Capitol

I recently visited Bassett Street Brunch Club, and it was one of the best breakfast decisions I've…read moremade! Their breakfast burritos are SO good. I don't know who their chefs are, but they are doing an incredible job. The restaurant was very accommodating with substitutions, which I really appreciated. Even though the restaurant was busy, my food came out quickly. My waitress was amazing. She was so kind, helpful, and made sure my order was exactly how I wanted it. You absolutely have to try the horchata iced coffee. It was hands down one of the best coffee drinks I've ever had! The atmosphere has a cozy diner vibe that makes you want to stay and enjoy your meal. I highly recommend Bassett Street Brunch Club, and I will definitely be back!

Huge portions. I had the breakfast burrito which was good. Had toter tots in it which were crispy…read moreand yummy. Little pricey for the type of food. We also had their donut, but a little under impressed w that.

Hot To Tot Burrito

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Aperol Spritz

Short Stack Eatery

4.1(646 reviews)

3.3 mi•Capitol

Every time I'm in Madison, I make it a point to stop here. I'm usually just passing through so I…read moreget here right when it opens, which is one of the best times. It's quiet and it feels like the world slows down for a minute. It's comfortable and also very eclectic, a get your own coffee place. Condiments, water, etc. along the back wall. Order at the counter, they'll give you a number, and then bring your meal out. The menu has a great selection of offerings, but I always get my usual. The pancakes are unreal, so delicious. You will also find adult beverages here as well for those who need a morning/mid-afternoon pick me up. It gets packed so plan well ahead or be prepared to wait a while. Great service. Great place.

What a great breakfast! In true Becky fashion I've been meaning to try this place forever, heard it…read morewas closing and will now go once a week until they are done! If you're reading this and it's not the end of May 2025, go check it out. But not if the weather is super suspect because you stand outside to wait your turn at the counter! I had the trio and those were some of the best pancakes I've ever had. I wish they kept the butter on the tables so it was softer and easier to spread! I appreciated a truly pretty and fresh tasting fruit cup with a variety of fruit, and the chorizo was fantastic with great flavor and heat. I didn't try the coffee but my friends appreciated the different flavor option. I want to redo my kitchen with their lighting and wonder if they'll auction it off?

Cajun biscuits and gravy + sweet potato pancakes + mimosa + bloody mary = heaven

Mmm bloodys!

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Vintage Brewing

3.7(430 reviews)

7.8 mi

Amazing staff and food best place to eat in the area i would definitely recommend the sky burgerread more

I love Vintage!!! I usually stop at Vintage East but was meeting my daughter. This visit wasn't as…read moregood as normal, but still great overall. I always get a house salad and I opted for soup this round. The soup was so ick. It was French Onion and it was weirdly sweet. My daughter ordered a shrimp rice bowl that seemed very skimpy. There was a good amount of shrimp but they were very light on the rest. Also ordered an old fashioned sour and it was really good! The staff was amazing and helpful especially when my reward app wasn't working properly. Of course we will be back as this is one of our regular stops.

Fried Cheese Curds

Thai Salad

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Exterior

Bradbury's

4.3(422 reviews)

3.0 mi•Capitol

Very small but usually quiet on a weekday. Weekends are crazy busy! Great natural lighting. Great…read morefor catching up with a friend or getting some work done. Workers are very nice and hardworking! The coffee is some of the BEST you can get in Madison. I have never been disappointed with an order. Same with the food! My favorite is their ham, Gruyère, mustard crepe but I recently tried their ramp pesto, egg, and balsamic reduction crepe and it was also DELICIOUS! Their sweet crepes are amazing, as well. I recommend the lemon curd one as it is not overly sweet.

Simple no frills coffee shop. Small menu and space but high quality coffee. I got an iced maple…read morelatte and was thoroughly impressed with it - it had the perfect sweetness of maple syrup to latte ratio.

Indoor

Bacon & Brussel Sprout Crepe

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Ancora Cafe + Bakery

4.3(222 reviews)

2.9 mi•Capitol

Such a cute cafe! Stopped by after going to the farmer's market and it was the perfect pick me up!…read more The interior is super cute and there's a lot of seating inside and outside. They also had another area that had lights - super cozy! I ordered the fruity pebbles matcha latte (already came with oat milk) and it was so good! The matcha was good quality and the flavor was spot on! Definitely would love to stop by again to try their food!

Really nice cafe and the perfect vibe to sit with your coffee and chat or work on something…read more The mint cold brew was really nice, a bit sweet but not terribly so. The strawberry shortcake donut was a bit mid to be honest but I enjoyed it. The staff was very kind and let me use the side door to accommodate bringing in the stroller. I always love a bit of plant life in a cafe an it really contributed to the cozy but lovely vibe. WiFi is limited to an hour on weekends to keep traffic moving but on a weekday before close it was a perfect place to stop. I would come back!

Large dining area

Burrito

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The Old Fashioned

4.1(2.6k reviews)

3.0 mi•Capitol

This was my second time visiting. I swore I wrote a review the first time but it didn't pop up…read more Anywho, this time my daughter and I were in Madison for the day and visiting the museum across the street and decided to come for dinner. It was Thursday evening and they had a ribs/pulled pork special. We waited about 10 minutes at the bar for a table. The bar and atmosphere is great. Pretty bar lights and an old wood bar. We were seated by the window with a great view of the capital. My daughter and I shared the rib dinner and had plenty of food for us. Our waitress was new and learning but was doing a good job. I'd definitely come back.

The Old Fashioned is located right off Capitol Square in Madison. They are a 3 diamond on AAA's…read morerestaurant list. The inside was very spacious to handle the amount of people stopping in. Their menu had a decent variety for food and drinks; easy to find something for everyone! We started with this Classic Old Fashioned as it's one of their staples. It had kore of a fizzy taste and not your typical variation of the drink. It was more refreshing for a summer day but I enjoy the classic styling more. For food, we started with the Cheese Curds that were seen on Food Network. I liked the flavor of cheese but wish they were a bit crispier. For entree, we shared the Old Fashioned Burger. The kitchen was kind to split the entree for us onto two separate plates. The burger was thicker than I expected as well as more well done. As far as service, staff was hustling. There were pockets of time we waited for water refills and there was quite a long wait between the curds and burger. Our server was extremely kind and bubbly through the lunchtime chaos which is always appreciated.

Inside bar

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Schlitz beer with a pickled egg on the side.

Graze

3.9(1.4k reviews)

2.9 mi•Capitol

This place is amazing. It's farm to table so they partner with neighboring farmers for their fresh…read moreingredients. The cheese curd is a must try - they come with a garlic aioli and gochu jang sauce, yummy! The kale caesar and bibimbap were both very good. Nice ambiance, high ceilings, very clean. Our server was good and attentive.

Good restaurants are run by human beings. Human beings sometimes have bad days. That's part of…read morehumanity. The mark of a good restaurant is how they respond when something goes wrong. Regrettably, something went wrong at my dinner at Graze. After the meal, I received an email asking for direct feedback with the management, which I shared. And I received a very well written apology with a sincere effort to make things right. That effort brought what would have been a 2* experience up to a 4* review. The most important tidbit I have to share for someone contemplating a dinner at Graze is to go hard on the vegetable focused starters. Wow! These were the stars of the show. Hands down. Full stop. Those were five star dishes all the way. Asparagus in season with bread crumbs. Stunning! Young tender beets paired with strawberries? Inspired! While the burger was tempting, I had a burger for lunch and I couldn't bring myself to do a two burger day. I went for the Korean Fried Chicken app as my main, paired with those veggies. It was plenty of food, and I had high hopes for the chicken given the chef's background. But some of the meat was stringy and overcooked. The sauce was zesty with good heat. Still, it fell short of the standard. Warm cookies and milk are never bad. Classics are classics for a reason. But given some of the culinary creativity that exists in the kitchen, it's a bit uninspired. That said, one scoop of seasonal pear sorbet was fantastic! Great flavor and texture. While the server did not know what type of pear was used, I'd put my money on Boscs. The place is popular. Make reservations early. Madison turns out not to be such a late night town, so plan accordingly. While I may not have been tempted to return originally, after the care and attention I received from management, I would indeed come back. I'm sure there is a 5* experience to be had at Graze, but sometimes it takes a second visit to get there.

Bibimbap, spicy tofu

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Bourbon Bloodline cocktail

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16 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Kripal P.

Elite 18

112

450

7 years ago

Crema Cafe is one of those unique places that you need to try out at least once and decide if you love it or hate it. Stopped in on a Sunday morning around 10 AM and the place was packed (limited seating). That didn't stop me from getting in, having a good meal and out in under half an hour. So if you see one of those 30 min customer parking spots open you can definitely make it. It is fast moving and optimized for quick turn arounds. 1) Pay as soon as you order. No searching for your server when you are done 2) coffee, water, condiments are self serve - refill your coffee for $ 0.50 at your own pace. 3) menu is limited so the food came out within 5 minutes of ordering. I got the fungi scramble which was really interesting take with a little bit of truffle oil. Would recommend it you like truffle oil. I also got the nutty Irishman which hit the spot after a morning workout (a heavy dose of sugar and not for everyone). What is not to love? I could pretty much follow the conversations on 3 of my surrounding tables. So it can get a little loud. The limited menu doesn't give you a lot of options but helps if you don't like making decisions from an extremely long list. Would I come back? You bet! read more

Pierce W.

14 years ago

First time in last week. First impression, nice little neighborhood place. Menu has something for everyone, though I was looking for an omelet which they don't offer. Fungus Scrambler was good, well seasoned eggs, finished with truffle oil, classy. My mate had the Ham n Jam sandwich. I had entree envy, one bite of her sammy and I wanted it too. The staff was nice and helped with our menu selections. Quality coffee and the couple baked goods we tried were very good. I heard you can wait a bit for you order to arrive, but during a weekday there was no issue, I can see that this place gets busy on the weekends of course you are going to wait then. Good place here, I will have to be back for lunch soon. read more

Kris P.

12 years ago

I have been going to Crema Cafe for the last year. I like the place a lot! Never reviewed on Yelp before. But I want to recommend Crema Cafe. The food is thoughtful and they use good ingredients. The staff is friendly and they welcome you in. Only downfall is the size, the place is so popular they could use more seats and a little different setup. But this is no different than many other independent restaurants. The drink menu with their smooothies are great and food out the kitchen is always spot on. Again, I recommend Crema Cafe anytime! read more

Mary U.

12 years ago

Thank you sooo much for your kindness to us last Sunday, We are Aubrees family from Fond du Lac, and enjoyed our food very much. Especially enjoyed the hash and the Scones and Blueberry bar that I purchased later. Only made me wish I still lived in Madison. Thank you again for your kindness. Aubrees grandma Mary Umbarger read more

K. D.

14 years ago

Excellent service. Great Food. Friendly Staff. The tiny server with the long hair is the best - she always has a smile on her face! Love the unique brunch specials. In a hurry? Try the blueberry bar, it's my favorite. All the baked goods are out of this world! read more

Debra S.

11 years ago

When I want brunch I make my way over here! The fungus scramble is excellent and mouth watering. I just love to get a window seat to get a beautiful view of the lake and enjoy a nice meal with my husband!!! To top it off I get an ice tea and sip and enjoy! read more

Kate S.

16 years ago

Amazing breakfast and lunch! The menu is creative and the food is wonderful. Be sure to try one of the breakfast sandwiches! I discovered this place about 3 months ago and I'm so glad I did. Highly recommend. read more

Becky T.

12 years ago

Delicious food. Went for lunch, ordered at the counter found a table and soon after our food was brought to the table. I will be back, there are several items on the menu I want to try. read more

Chris N.

250

175

103

10 years ago

One of my favorite lunch spots. Food is great and the service, coffee house style, is great. All the employees are sincere and the food is Great too. read more

JoJo S.

9 years ago

Soooooo good! Best brunch on eastside. Farmers scramble never disappoints!! Staff always very welcoming and friendly.

Snooze T.

13 years ago

Food is good but we waited for half an hour for our food to come. Not good when you're starving.

Marsha L.

Elite 15

128

15 years ago

The food here is a perfect 10 - amazing! I'd eat here all the time if I lived here!

Elijah L.

15 years ago

Fantastic Bluebird Sandwich. Relax and casual dining.

Vanessa S.

12 years ago

Great brunch and treats!

Isabel R.

15 years ago

Best sandwiches ever!

Adele B.

15 years ago

Great sandwiches.

Crema Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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I stopped in after staying at the hotel nearby. I ordered a hot chocolate. It was served to me with…read moreno sign of chocolate syrup and only luke-warm. I've worked in coffee shops before; whoever made this pathetic hot chocolate has never been shown how to make one before. It was a waste of $4. Check your drink before you leave this place.

Rode my bicycle here for a mid morning breakfast with friends…read more The staff was awesome!!! Yes, it's an iPad ordering system, but our waitress was super available. We all liked our meals, and I selected to "make it a meal for $2" which added sides to a few of the menu choices. On our visit, the front window was open letting in the wonderful fresh air and sunshine. There are both indoor and outside seating options--- nice! I needed a passcode to use the washroom, but it was quickly provided and the room was very clean and modern. Thanks! I'll be back!

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It had been decades since I last had breakfast at Mickies. With the recent publicity about the…read morelong time owners retiring and new folks taking it over we thought we would give the place a try - especially before the students all return to campus. It was a bit after 8am on a Friday morning and the place was hopping but we were able to grab a booth. The wait staff was hustling and eventually got to us. The service was very good from that point onward despite the fact that the place was packed by the time we left. The menu is on the back wall or via a QR code (never my favorite). They also have menus on the wall from the 50's which are eyeopening given today's prices. We started with a cherry milkshake that was not only delicious but huge so two of us split it. All three of us opted for their breakfast sandwich which you can build with many different variations - way more than most restaurants. All three versions were tasty. The side of yanks (American fry potatoes) were just OK but I didn't order them. Thumbs up and we will need to return sooner rather than later.

Classic delicious diner brunch foods. *CASH ONLY* they have an ATM inside…read more They greeted us at the door and were friendly and quick throughout our meal. I had the american cheese omelet with bacon and toast. My one complaint was that the bottom of my omelet was a lil burnt. Otherwise everything tasted exactly how it looked. We also got a vanilla shake. It came with extra straws and long spoons. I would personally recommend using the long spoons to consume this shake since I tried using the straw and it was difficult. Perhaps someone with stronger lungs would have more success. The shake was very sweet. Overall, had a lovely time. Will be back to try some of the sweet dishes next! Thanks :)

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Stopped by briefly on the way to the way through town and what a lovely surprise! When I walked in…read moreI felt like I was in an episode of Gilmore Girls or Cheers with several folks called out "good morning!" The entire place was very spacious with a tons of tables and chair, but it was also full of people having breakfast or coffee on an early Sunday morning. The staff were super friendly, and helpful, giving suggestions for my drink order. And I'll say the drink (a favorite of the cashier's as she told me) was perfect! Delicious! If I'm ever back out that way I will definitely stop by again. The friendly "have a great day" chorus as I left solidified that. BTW, ignore any photos attached to this review. They are incorrectly attached.

Great family-owned local breakfast and lunch spot. The food is pretty standard fare, but you can…read morecount on it being tasty. Patrons place their order and pay at the counter, then find a seat at one of the unique tables (did the owners go estate sale shopping??), and the food is delivered to your table when it's ready. Family-friendly ambience outdoor seating during the warmer months.

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New owners since March 2026. We were greeted right when we walked in and was offered coffee…read more Friendly service to the max. The dining room was extremely clean and had a cute farm theme. We ordered crepes and a Philly beef sandwich. The crepes were tender and light. Next time I'd likely order three instead of two. The beef sandwich was OK, nothing special. We upgraded to cheese curds for only $2 and they were great! Friendly place to grab breakfast or a quick lunch.

I've been to Fink's many times over the last 10 years, and even with ownership changes, it remains…read morea top breakfast spot in Mount Horeb. The seating can be a bit cramped as it is a small place. The service is usually good, but there can be waits when they get swamped, which makes sense because I don't think I've ever seen more than a cook and one server in the place. If you want a good, greasy breakfast, this is the spot.

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There is a feeling of rom-com when I am in a small town. Sitting by the window inside the cafe,…read moreadmiring the architecture of Main Street. This is my second time visiting this restaurant. I like the vibe inside and the simplicity of the cafe. To order, is by the front counter. The customer service is great and the staff was able to accommodate my coffee request. I had the breakfast sandwich and Lavender Miel latte. It was a good combination. This is one of my favorite places to dine when I am in Wisconsin.

It's been a few years. Im bumping them up a star given how many mediocre restaurants there are now…read morein the Madison area. This one is a more solid choice than a lot of what is out there. Plenty of breakfast options. Prices are as high, if not higher than Madison though. Appreciate them having Madison Sourdough Company bakery items. It makes it easy to just grab a couple of great bakery items to go.

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This place is super cute inside and has both indoor and outdoor seating. The service was pretty…read moregood, my friends who got meals had to wait a little longer for their food but my scone was served right away and the drinks came out fairly quickly. The Gouda sweet potato scone was nice and crispy on the outside and had great flavor. The mocha was very smooth and chocolatey, just how I like it! Really nice little coffee shop/breakfast place!

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