A few months ago I finally came in for lunch. Now I *crave* the Bluebird sandwich all the time. It's a chicken salad sandwich, but not just any chicken salad sandwich--it's a tasty chicken salad with dried blueberries and walnuts, white cheddar, and greens on a baguette. Seriously, in my top ten of best sandwiches EVER. However, even though the place has expanded, which is nice to not feel claustrophobic while eating, the service has slowed down quite a bit. Sure, the people at the counter are super nice, but it shouldn't take 15 minutes to get a coffee drink, smoothie, and sandwich made and brought to your table. Still, I recommend that you give Crema a try. The food is excellent and hopefully if it continues to get a lot of business the owners can afford to get some full-time wait staff or more folks in the kitchen to get the food out faster to eager customers. read more

Everything is pretty good. Coffee and chia is sometimes a bit overly sweet. Lots of gluten free options

Fresh, local, and good! You really have to experience it firsthand. Inexpensive breakfast options for the little ones, and I've never had an item I didn't like. Try the cherry galette. Wait. Don't. They're mine, all mine... read more

Typically I wouldn't give a five star review after one experience but this place was beaming with goodness. I cannot wait to go back. This is the perfect place to catch up with a friend over well thought out food. I skimmed the menu and went with the Ham & Jam. (A ham sandwich with tomato jam, goat cheese & red onion.) It was heaven sent goodness. And here's a secret: I'm not fan of ham. So that says a lot. They serve Alterra coffee; refills are available and are 50 cents. (You order up front as well and the items are brought to you.) My friend had the Farmer's Scramble and we both decided I hit the jackpot. I cannot wait to head back and try the Fungus Scramble or any of the specials that seemed to get by me this morning. (I'll blame it on the daylight savings time.) If you're thinking of going here and are with a small group, search no further. If you have a larger group, be careful with your timing as it might be tough to get a big table. I arrived at 9:30 on a Sunday Morning and there were only 2 open tables, both seating 2 or 3. read more

Best. Breakfast. Sandwich. EVER!!!!! No joking, y'all. It's serious goodness - kind of perfect actually. In fact, it's pretty much all I've ever eaten here. It's served on a crispy yet tender ciabatta roll with a generous pile of tangy dressed greens that add a wonderful brightness, a delicious cheddar cream cheese spread that doesn't over power, just the right amount of bacon and a slender egg. The sandwich is balanced and divine. You should really eat one as soon as possible. I'm not a big fan of their iced coffee, but their Earl Grey tea is fantastic, served in a huge Fiestaware mug, which only adds to the level of happy. Their donut muffins are soft, yummy goodness especially when warm. The service is lovely and the decor is fun with a mixture of retro and new, of which I'm a big fan. All in all, Crema is a nice way to start your morning. read more

I have been trying some different breakfast places, and Creme came up with some high ratings, so I thought why not. It is a nice enough place for sure, although the seating is a bit limited and you have to hope for some good turn-over on a Sunday morning after ordering your food. It is counter service; you order, hope for a seat and wait for your food to come to your table. I would not call the menu a traditional breakfast place. I really liked my sweet potato hash, but the portion size was a bit small. It is a long drive for me, so my return is not imminent, but I would encourages others to try. read more

Fairly imaginative menu, good quality food, attentive staff. The Blueberry Oat Pancakes are especially good.

My husband and I were on our semi-seasonal trip to Madison recently and enjoyed a great breakfast courtesy of Crema. I opted for buying a Groupon a few weeks prior to our trip, which made the experience even better. I have to admit: I am forever in love with the salad over potatoes approach Crema Cafe has enlisted as a side with breakfast. I had the Fungus Scramble with a mini donut muffin. It was another quiet breakfast as my husband and I occasionally made eye contact with smiles of approval. With a great view of the lake near the ever-so-bike-friendly town of Madison, you'll find Crema Cafe a treat. read more

Crema Café is a fabulous place. It is an intimate, sophisticated yet casual little space, the only thing of its kind on the east side of Madison. The menu is fantastic, quirky items made from fresh, local ingredients. The flavors are excellent. The coffee is the best cup you can get anywhere around. As for the staff, they seem genuinely happy and are friendly but not artificial. If you are looking for a place that feels urban and intelligent and has great food, coffee and a nice atmosphere, Crema is it. read more

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We love the food and atmosphere. Perfect for a quick sit-down meal and a pastry after. The coffee drinks are great!

I was in town for the weekend visiting family. My sister lives down the street from Crema Cafe and we had it two days in a row for lunch! I had the Gobbler and Bluebird sandwiches and they were out of this world! The Gobbler has turkey, arugula, goat cheese and a cherry compote. The flavor pairings of this sandwich are amazing. I wish I could get this in Chicago! The blue bird is a chicken salad mixed with blueberries. This was also a tasty sandwich. It is a little heavy on the mayo so calories can add up. Both sandwiches are very filling and stick with you for the day. The cafe has ample seating and is very cute. When I go back to Madison to see my sister, I will be making another stop at Crema Cafe! read more

Stopped in on a Saturday morning and the place was decent. Comparable to Manna on the north east side but not the same quality level in the food. Drink order was wrong, not a big deal. I had some pancakes with granola and bacon. They were interesting but rather dense and the granola was not a positive addition. Bacon seemed medium quality, not as good as many Madison places. Ambiance was a bit more strip-mall than some of the other breakfast places in the area. I don't eat out in Monona a lot, if I did this would probably be one breakfast place I would hit but it was not worth driving from the willy area with so many other options. read more

This might be my new favorite brunch place. Conveniently located a short but vigorous bike ride away from my new digs, Crema serves up some fresh realness for your AM munchies. The Killer Scramble is highly Rebeccamended because I am obsessed with smoked salmon, and their eggs are buttery and fluffy. The coffee is on point, as are their savory pastries. If you like reasonably priced and delicious breakfast/lunch, try Crema. read more

Crema Cafe - The special scramble (Neiman sausage, kale, red peppers) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I had a similar experience as some other of the reviewers. The service is bad. With 2 people in front of me, it was a 10 minute wait to place my order. The wait for the food was not beyond expectation, but when you order soup and a salad, silverware is expected, but the server forgot then got annoyed when I asked for utensils and more napkins. The Hoppin' John soup was tasty. The Hot Chick was satisfying, too. The fruit that came with the kid's sandwiches was unexpected and very good; pomegranate and kiwi! My kids loved it. I will go back because of the location and the food, but I now know what kind of service to expect. I can deal with it. read more

We love Crema Cafe! Delicious sandwiches and coffee drinks, pleasant casual atmosphere, and friendly staff. Our favorites include the Breakfast Sandwich, Bluebird, and Gobbler. And the Ham So Gouda. Oh and the Balsamic Beef. Okay so maybe pretty much everything we've tried is a favorite! The only downside for us is that they don't have a baby changing station in the restroom (and the restrooms are filthy), which is strange considering that on weekdays the place is full of moms with babies (but don't get the wrong idea, it's not a loud crazy place overrun with screaming kids, any kids I've ever seen there have been very well-behaved). Today we had to go out and change our daughter in the back of the car because there wasn't anywhere inside to do it. That's fine when the weather is nice, but not really an option when it's raining or cold outside. read more

I took my mom to Crema Cafe the last time she was in town after a co-worker recommended it to me. Oh man. I am so glad she did!!! We got there around 8:30 on a Saturday morning and were able to order quickly & get a table. A line did form at the ordering counter soon after we arrived, but it seemed like the tables turned over quickly enough to accommodate just about everyone! Both of our meals were amazing. I had the power grits (cheesy grits with bacon & an egg on top) and I seriously dream about that meal now. The grits were so cheesy & indulgent. My mom got the fungus scramble and we both really liked that too. Go Crema Cafe! My only complaint: a lot of the tables were near the door and it's winter, so we were pretty freezing during most of our meal. It wasn't the biggest deal, but it did impact our comfort while we ate. Then again, it's winter in Wisconsin, so I'm not sure what else I would expect. read more

We lived and worked in Madison for five years and Crema Cafe was our favorite place for an excellent breakfast. We came from Texas, where we now live, to go to a wedding. Apart of our plan for this trip was to go back to Crema Cafe. We did and were not disappointed! read more

Breakfast sandwiches. This place has ruined me for breakfast sandwiches anyplace else. I had the bacon, egg, frisee with the spicy mayo on an impossibly light, herbed foccacia bun. I might order a breakfast sandwich someplace else, but not without comparing it to this one. I've never had a disappointing meal here. I rarely order anything-salad sandwiches, but the bluebird is outstanding. Soups are always good. I appreciate the attention to local food too. read more

stated out with Chai tea, which was served at the perfect temperature, ready to drink right away! I ordered the Tuna Sandwich, which was very good, and served with an abundance of mixed greens. The flavor was very interesting. It had a tangy, sourness that was unique and I quite enjoyed. I do wish it was served on a bigger plate, but really of little consequence. The decorum is awesome, I love the retro feel and style. Being a graphic designer the design in a cafe just adds to the experience for me. Great color scheme. The staff was very courteous and knew some regulars by name, and greeted them as they entered the door. The service was fast and I didn't wait too long for my food. They told everyone leaving to have a good day. Although it may give off the young hip vibe, this place isn't just for modern day hipsters. As I was leaving a very elderly group of people came in to eat. Overall a great experience! I do think the price should be more reflective of this though $$ read more

I wish there were a few vegan breakfast options, but I have loved every drink i've ordered from crema! the matcha lemonade is incredible :) sweet staff and cool environment. read more

My girlfriend and I just had lunch here, and everything was top-notch. We shared The Gobbler and The Balsamic Beef. Both were great. The thing that put the Gobbler over the top was the goat cheese and whatever subtle spice was included. The sandwiches were complemented by a side of chips that we quickly realized were homemade Doritos, but so much better than the real thing. We also had the kale and broccoli cheddar soup, which was dynamite. In addition to clearly being homemade and crafted with care, it also had a nice chipotle kick at the end. In addition to a quality glass of iced tea, we shared a mug of white chocolate cherry latte. It was great and not too over-the-top. read more

Everyone that works there is SUPER nice. Prices are reasonable. GET the breakfast sandwich. I love breakfast and their breakfast sandwich is probably the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. The only thing I've had there that I really didn't like was the salmon scramble thing. Its not that great. They also just expanded so there's plenty of room for larger groups. read more

Been to Crema many times and keep wanting to like it there but the word "underwhelming" keeps popping up as it did for several other reviewers here. I have finally given up and hardly ever go there any more. The food should be great since they use a lot of fresh, local ingredients but it always comes out Meh. The physical setup leaves a lot to be desired with the water and condiments against the wall which is also where people stand in line to get served which is also the path to the bathroom! Always a traffic jam there. The place gets very loud when it's busy and the service is awful. The help acts like they're doing you a favor by serving you. Based on the pathetic responses posted here by the Manager I now totally understand why the help's attitude is what it is. Note that he never takes responsibility for a customer's bad experience, like it's never his staff that might be the problem. Hmm ... read more

The food was amazing. Dropped in on my way through Madison because of other reviews. We both had bluebird sandwiches. The person I was with added Mushroom soup which smelled so good that I stole a taste....it tasted freshly made. The downside to Crema is the atmosphere. IMO, it was sort of dumpy looking...it was clean, but the decor is not to the level of the food. read more

Crema Cafe is great for a number of reasons. 1) In the summer, they have outdoor seating. 2) Dogs are welcome in the outside area. 3) Their scrambles are always delicious. 4) They use locally sourced ingredients. 5) Staff is friendly. 6) Tasty pastry. read more

Finally I got to experience the Crema Cafe and I will be going back very soon! My mocha was excellent and the breakfast sandwich was super delicious. The cheddar cream cheese thats on this sandwich is so good and the fried egg and greens on a ciabatta bun just make it a perfect breakfast sandwich in my eyes. The waffles looked amazing as well and my mate told that the vanilla butter is awesome. The interior is very bright and cheery. I love the colorful plates. If you sit by the window you get a small view of Lake Monona. Everyone who was working was very friendly and our breakfast came out quick. The prices are fair... you can buy anything on the menu for under $10! Best of all, there are many items that are organic and locally grown. We left totally satisfied and I'm sure you will too! =) read more

Fresh, good food. Just wish there were more "normal" items on the menu. Also the young cashier was so chatty with her coworkers that I had to stand there awkwardly for a minute after paying to ask her a simple question. I recommend the food though. You can tell they make it with love. read more

Crema Cafe - Ham so Gouda with mayo instead of horseradish with seasoned homemade tortilla chips. I really enjoyed the tomato marmalade - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Totally loved the food and music. Enjoyed a "Killer Scramble:" smoked salmon, sauteed leeks, local goat cheese, 3 eggs, and a perfectly-sized mix of greens with toast on the side. The cup of tea was nice and large--I hate it when breakfast places are stingy on the caffeine. Music was some lovely acoustic Appalachian-inspired tunage. Set a relaxed mood without being too loud. It was crowded (so you know it's good), but not clangy and awful like breakfast joints sometimes can be. The view of the lake is extra lovely, too. Ample parking. Looking forward to going back for other meals and try out lunch, too! read more

Crema is definitely in my top brunch spots in Madison. Just a little place in a strip mall, but has so much going for it. From great coffee and smoothies to awesome changing brunch specials and amazing pastries, this place is easy to love. I definitely recommend trying out a smoothie and a pastry if you're there - especially their savory pastries. Their scrambled are also very good, my go to is the fungus scramble. I love trying out their new specials. It can be busy on weekends, but usually I can always find a table if I wait just a little bit. read more

Omg a hidden gem! Such good local food. Great coffee too! Daily specials that are unique. Not huge portions which I loved! Defiantly will be back read more

Cute spot with tasty coffee from a popular Midwestern roaster the name of which I can't remember at the moment. Good pastries. The donut muffin is aptly named. A friend liked the blueberry muffin. A bunch of seating, but it seems to get pretty packed mid to late morning on the weekend. Shares parking with a bunch of other places in a little strip mall, and we had to wait briefly. read more

How did I never hear of this place while I lived in Madison!? The location has a gorgeous view of the downtown, for starters. The food was fantastic. And despite it being packed on a Sunday afternoon for brunch, we were served promptly. This could have been a favorite if I still lived in town! read more

What a delightful surprise. I wanted to treat a co-worker for a birthday lunch and she selected Crema Cafe. It's at the end of a very unassuming strip mall which has its own parking lot (the strip mall, not the cafe). There were several tables set up outside but we chose to sit inside due to the chill in the air that day. The inside was much bigger than expected with some serious old school chairs and tables that made me nostalgic for childhood. Order at the counter, they give you a number and you grab a table. Coffee, water and flatware is self-serve. There is a wide variety of options for lunch. My co-worker thoroughly enjoyed the Hot Chick which was chicken, spicy mayo, cheese and bacon. I went with the Roman II which was an outstanding vegetarian option filled with zucchini, roasted red peppers, spinach, cheese and super yummy olive tapenade. The baguette was awesome. The veggies were fresh. Both sandwiches came with seasoned tortilla chips. There was a surprisingly large selection of desserts, many of which were gluten-free. Very friendly folks working there. Great little cafe. read more

Finally went today. Good, not great. It has a pretty standard coffee shop atmosphere, with some fun designs in the interior. They also are sporting a view of the lake (past the parking lot and road). The Bluebird sandwich is pretty good. I love how they serve spicy El Ray tortilla chips from Milwaukee. Brings me back. They hit the tap water out of the park. Service was good, nice people. read more

There is something about Crema that is very inviting. They space is bright with loads of natural light. The furniture is mismatched and a bit funky. There are a few tables adjacent to a plug so it is possible to be on-line. The folks who work there are friendly and helpful. Today I wanted one of their wonderful Blueberry Oat Pancakes. They were unwilling to make just one. I was super disappointed. I ordered two poached eggs. They were more done then I would have liked. I wish they had asked how I wanted my eggs prepared. The toast came with butter on it. I would have liked to have made that decision myself. I will have to remember to speak up and not wait to be asked. That said, there is some really wonderful food available. The daily egg scramble can be quite creative and very tasty. I love their bacon! The baked goods are excellent and very fresh. I have had three of their sandwiches, The Hot Chick, The Gobbler and The Bluebird. All of them were chock full of locally sourced ingredients and were absolutely delicious. The sandwiches are quite hearty. I always think I will take a half of the sandwich home but before I know it, I have nibbled on the second half until the whole thing is gone. Crema can be quite busy on weekends. I am lucky enough to be able to go during the week. Today, I hit the jackpot. Just as I got my food the Isthmus was delivered. To me, that is the perfect treat and it has zero calories to boot! I read more

The food was ok, when the menu says a salad I was expecting a salad not just greens, that should be clarified on the menu. If you are vegan though this is not the place. My main concern is the cleanliness we had to ask for a table to be wiped off there were several to choose from but all were dirty and there appeared to be ample help behind the counter, the bathroom was dirty since it is a shared bathroom someone should be checking on that while their severing customers and why is there so many dead bugs on the windowsill. read more

I REALLY liked the feel of Crema Cafe and I wish I had read the reviews before going. My scramble was good, but unremarkable apart from the unusually large and delicious mushrooms included. I think that they excel at other dishes, including their baked goods. We got a blueberry streusel bar, which was very well done. I also appreciated the excellent service! It was very relaxing, unusual for a brunch place on a Saturday morning at 11:30. Overall, a great place to have a long brunch savoring your coffee with friends. Next time I'll try the sandwich! read more

This place is great. I just loved my breakfast, the Killer Scramble with egg whites. My husband had the Farmers Scramble also fantastic. My salmon was just the right amount of smoke, the goat cheese the right amount of creamy and the side salad was a perfect addition. We drove today but plan on making this our walking breakfast destination. read more

Crema Cafe - Killer Scramble with egg whites. Amazing! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Good service. Good ambience. Friendly staff. Food... Meh... I have been to better breakfast places in Madison that have many more options on the menu. The price on the items for the quantity of food is high in my opinion. I haven't had the "yummmm" feeling you get when you have really good breakfast here yet. Might give it another try. read more

Love Crema Cafe! This quiet little breakfast and lunch joint is somewhat incongruously tucked away in a strip mall just between Monona and Madison. I say incongruous because given the thought and energy put into their food, they deserve to be in an old converted house or a cozy nook of a cafe. They serve brunch and it's all good: the fungi scramble and smiled salmon scramble are decadent. My go-to is the breakfast sandwich sub rosemary roasted tomatoes for the bacon. Their lunch sandwiches are also good and I think their baked goods are made in house. Honestly, I'd put this place on the same level as Madison Sourdough, just less expensive and less pretentious! read more