So fresh and so many good options! Super great spot to stop in when you visit the farmers market!!…read moreLots of seating too.

Decent coffeeshop on square. Esthetics are nice albeit seating not particular comfortable. Coffee…read moreis good and the company is a Wisconsin company, in my mind a plus. They also looked have a nice selection of baked goods, which were tempting.

Perfect for coffee or tea. Good for food! Best for to go!…read more Stopped in on a Thursday morning for coffee and breakfast. Their coffee is unmatched and they have lots of fun specialty beverages. We ordered avocado toast and a burrito. Both portions were pretty small, but that was definitely reflected in the price. It would have been better for on the go. A great option if you're in the area!

A modern coffee shop with a convenient downtown location…read more The oatchata reminded me of fall and had a nice cinnamon kick, but I would get it less sweet next time. We also tried the pesto babka, which had nice flakey layers and a strong pesto flavor. I wish it was warm, but maybe we could've asked the cashier to warm it up for us.

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!

This was featured as the top coffee shop in Madison in a recent visitor guide, so I had to give it…read morea try on my latest visit. It definitely lived up to its #1 rating! The location, atmosphere, service, and drink quality were all excellent. With so many coffee options in the city, this certainly stands out. My boyfriend and I both tried specialty Vday drinks and pastries , so I don't have a rec, but am sure their standard menu is just as good based on our experience.

Wow! Had a wonderful coffee meet up here this afternoon! Plenty of open tables and lots of space…read morebetween tables so it didn't feel crowded like a typical coffee shop. Berry scone and gluten-free ginger muffin were fab. The counter folks were welcoming and helpful, as I'm barely a coffee drinker and needed some guidance. Cool decor. Great vibe. Free parking, too.

Date of visit: January 25, 2026…read more I was looking for a little pick me up before grabbing breakfast and I noticed that Cargo Coffee East was just a couple blocks down from where we were staying at the Hotel Indigo. Despite the frigid temperatures, I braved the cold for a quite good peppermint mocha. The place definitely has a hipster vibe to it, I would not have been surprised if someone yelled "Suit!" at me as I entered or exited! Staff were not the friendliest, and the extra table between the cashier and you made it hard for her to hear me, and she was clearly annoyed at having to ask me to repeat myself and didn't ask me if I wanted a receipt, either. WiFi was solid and there was a fair amount of space to spread out, but definitely didn't give me the warm fuzzies and I would seek out other coffee the next time I am in the area.

Pros: delicious and wide variety of beverages and pastries, cute decor, lovely staff…read more Cons: parking usually a challenge, popular so gets packed

my favorite place to bring friends from out of town! So many fun flavors and easy snacks! nice…read morestaff, clean tables and decently well kept bathroom. Parking can be challenging so highly recommend walking

Fabulous customer service and food quality. The environment was very comfortable and inviting…read more My partner and I got pancakes, a grilled cheese and some cold brew vanilla coffee. Everything we ordered was lovely and we would happy return in a heartbeat!

The chocolate chip pancakes are truly the star here! I love the vibe of this place. It's eclectic,…read moreinclusive and full of the kind of warmth that makes everyone feel instantly at ease. The staff greet you like you're already part of the community, and there's this effortless sense of welcome that you don't always find in a busy breakfast spot. The décor has personality, the conversations around you feel relaxed and genuine, and there's a clear intention to create a space where people can simply show up as themselves. It's the kind of place you want to linger a little longer, sip your coffee, and soak in the atmosphere. A true east‑side gem.

The location is delightful; a narrow space (connected internally to the bike shop next door) and…read moregreat to sit and have a chat with a friend, read a book, or just watch the world go by. I had an ube latte and loved the unique flavor. The espresso tasted great as well.

Love this place, good tasting coffee, and very nice staff. Cute little joint and I enjoy the…read morebicycle love!

This place does not disappoint! Fast and friendly service and good prices! What more can you ask…read morefor? Stopped for a quick bite as I was running errands around downtown Madison. The breakfast sandwich hit the spot! Love the tomato jam paired with the rosemary cheddar scone.

Dropped in for a quick breakfast coffee and smoothie before taking a tour of the capital. The…read moresmoothie was your run of the mill fruit smoothie, tastes pretty much like what i make at home but hey I'm on vacation so I'll take my fruit how i can get it.