Great local coffee place where you can get a pour over all day and in the morning they have a brewed coffee that is a little cheaper than pour overs. I go there for a vegan breakfast. You can get a decent avocado toast but ask for it without butter. They also have a peanut butter bread with blackberries. They put honey on it so if you don't want the honey you have to tell them. They also have some berry jam which is tasty you could sub that in for the black raspberries if you want. They are very accommodating about changing things. Nice vibe too. We go their at least once a week. read more

A-OK for to go service only, but I can see how this place would be more enjoyable as a hangout. First of all, I couldn't find a menu with prices displayed, so I had to order a little blindly. $4 for a small chai is more than any other place I've been to in Madison (this is my typical order). At $4 for the smallest size, I would expect to have organic local college educated milk or something. The actual chai itself was adequate, although I prefer a bit more spice. Since it was a pit stopped, I used the facilities. I was amused that the bathroom used a salvaged changing table from the 80s instead of the standard "Koala Kare" baby changing stations you usually see. It reminded me a bit of a basement bathroom in someone's house--randomly decorated and a bit chilly. Now, for the outstanding part, it honestly seemed like patrons in the coffeehouse really liked being there. You could tell that a lot of people came on a regular basis to meet with friends or get work done. Good vibe. tldr; I would consider coming back here with a friend, but bad choice for a pit stop. read more

Went to JPH for the first time last week. I was meeting some friends for dinner at Salvatore's Tomato Pies (which is right next door) and was in the area a little early. I decided to check out JPH and sit and read for a bit before dinner. My first impression of the place turned out be wrong but I can understand how some people wouldn't necessarily enjoy the ambiance. At first glance the chairs don't look too comfy and there is some rather odd art on the wall but the longer I sat there, the more I liked it. The staff is extremely friendly and the music eclectic (everything from instrumentals to funk to The Killers to Phoenix and lots of stuff I didn't recognize but still enjoyed). They offer a wide range of teas and serve Intelligensia coffee which was a delightful surprise for this Chicago transplant. (Side note, if you've never had Intelligensia you must give it a try!). I love coffee shops that offer the pour over preparation and JPH is one of those places. They take credit cards but there is a sign saying cash preferred. I didn't eat but saw some yummy looking sandwiches pass my way. Place was packed at 4:30 on a Thursday. A decent mix of students on non-students alike. I didn't use the WIFI so can't speak to its reliability. I ordered my hot cocoa and settled into read. Seemed like quite some time had passed and I still didn't have my hot cocoa. Then I noticed the barista surfing the net or something on the iPad which doubles as a credit card reader when you pay. When I got up and asked for my drink she apologized and said she had forgotten. I initially was kinda bummed out but this was completely redeemed upon delivery of my drink which was accompanied by yet another apology as well as a token worth $5 for my next visit. I don't live nearby but will be sure to drop in next time I'm on that side of town (and not just because of the token!). read more

Johnson Public House - Very pretty (and delicious!) hot cocoa. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Cozy environment, coffee and tea made to order. Semi-friendly staff (sometimes they can be aloof or have a "too cool for you" attitude). Great tea selection and delicious coffee drinks. A bit on the pricier side, but you pay for quality. Haven't tried the food, but heard it's good. read more

My wife and I decided to try JPH on a day off after seeing a lot of very good reviews on Yelp. We dropped in around 10:30 on a Monday, and there were a handful of tables available. It didn't take more than five minutes to put our order in. The atmosphere is very chill at JPH, and the service lacks urgency, but in a friendly way. The decor includes several nature-centric paintings, and the furniture is comprised of large tables and a random assortment of chairs. With several windows at the front of the building facing the street, there is plenty of natural light and it's easy to relax here. We ordered the following: - Roast Beef Breakfast Sandwich - Granola (large) - Peach Tea - Finagro Tanzanian (16 oz) To my knowledge, this is the only place in Madison currently serving Intelligentsia coffee, and the selections rotate very frequently while mixing and matching other roasters. Preparation here is very deliberate, so don't plan on walking in for a coffee and walking out 45 seconds later. My coffee was fantastic, and my wife was very happy with her peach tea. The granola was prepared with fresh strawberries, blueberries and yogurt, and was a filling portion. The beef on the breakfast sandwich I had was tender, but didn't quite fall apart. The flavors -- from the sriracha aioli and caramelized red onions -- played off each other effectively, and the texture was outstanding thanks to the grilled country sourdough bread. As other reviews have noted, the sandwiches with eggs here feature hard boiled eggs, rather than fried ones. It's different, but it worked on the sandwich I had. Yelp Scorecard Food: 4.5 Service: 3.75 Cost: 4 Decor: 3.75 (it just works for them) Overall: 4.0 read more

My favorite coffee shop in Madison. Great coffee, smoothies ands all of their toasts are excellent.

So either JPH has changed their prices, or some people haven't been there in a while, because my coffee was like $2.50. Nothing arbitrarily expensive there. Somebody told me this place had "good noms." I'll be honest, I had no idea what that meant. After going there, I still don't know what it means. I'm just not hip enough, I guess. Large space, good coffee, a fine place to show up and engage in tabletop RPG battles of your choice. read more

Great drinks, great atmosphere, great food. Even though JPH is a little bit of a trek from my apartment, it's become one of my favorite coffee shops to do some work because it's just so darn cozy. The interior is eclectically decorated, with mismatched chairs and tables and mugs. The baristas have always been nothing but friendly to me and they seem to have a stream of regular customers that they'll chat with at the bar. I have had coffee, iced tea, hot tea (they have a great selection of teas, which I appreciate because I'm more of a tea drinker anyway), as well as their sandwiches (the grilled cheese is absolutely scrumptious). I've ordered the avocado toast too, which is big for me because I usually find that at most places, avocado toast is like six bucks and totally overpriced. Here, it's a more reasonable $3 and you can add an egg for like a dollar to have a pretty filling breakfast-while-you-work for four bucks! Obviously, you can make it for cheaper at home but hey, then you'd miss out on the lovely ambiance of JPH. There's also some nice picnic tables outdoors that is a great place to get some sun on nicer days -- the outdoor seating + indoor seating does fill up fairly quick though so if you're coming on the weekend, be prepared. read more

Lately when I daydream about coffee it's all about what I've had at JPH. They expertly brew everything and the beans come from many different roasters, which I really like! Opportunities abound for busting out of your usual coffee rut. I also really love the vibe here: people have their laptops out and folks are studying but it's not one of those places where you and your chatty friends are going to get shushed by some loser preparing for a midterm. I'd say JPH has third wave coffee without the third wave sterility. read more

Great place to get some work done on the weekends and enjoy some excellent and fantastic coffee. read more

Johnson Public House - Medium caffe' latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This might sound a bit weird, but this place seemed like a notably honest institution...What I mean is their coffee menu is explicit and up-to-date, always in flux. Unlike almost every other cafe I've been to or worked at that tries to cut the subtle corner when answering the question of how to serve/cook eggs, they just straight up poach them all. There's no cutting corners here, which may be why some of the more negative reviews here talk about long waits for drinks etc. Quality comes from time and care, and I respect this place immensely for putting just that into the increasingly speed-driven consumer marketplace. The coffee's great, but that doesn't really matter. What matters is that its an extremely caring institution. read more

Johnson Public House (JPK...if you're cool) delivers a great coffee (Joe if you're manly) experience. Full of hipsters and strung out college students, you can get one of a vast array of different blends of Joe as well as preparations (btw, French press is your friend). Wi-fi ensures that as you sip, you will be engrossed in your work/play/whatever. Decor is old and dated, but maybe that is the allure for the crowd. Food is very good, with a limited menu...the breakfast sandwich had some nice twists and the granola with fresh fruit and yogurt one of the best out there. So, get your hip (also known as cool) on at JPK. Bring your iPad/laptop/abacus and leave your inner jock (stud, athlete) at home. Now if only I could get a pair of skinny jeans to fit. read more

Top notch coffee, good hours, free parking, easy to bike to and snacks. What more could you want? I've been seriously disturbed by the lack of good french press and pour over coffee in Madison. This place does both well. I like the ambiance. The tables are big, solid and wide, good for getting work done, better than barriques in that respect. I'll be coming here a lot over the next couple of weeks and I'll update if need be. For now, I love it. And it's open until 10!! read more

Johnson Public House - Portabella sandwich with greens and iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great neighborhood coffee house! I love the atmosphere of this place, especially on weekend mornings. They make the best chai latte I've ever tasted and do the fun steamed milk designs too! Try the chocolate sandwich with strawberries -- to die for. read more

Great place and amazing team of baristas. They're kin kin coffee tastes out of this world. I've gone here a number of times and this is the perfect place to grab a nice cup of joe or a good beer and read a book, meet with friends. read more

Johnson Public House - Kyle at the Kin Kin roasting garage - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

One of my fav coffee shops in the world. Kin kin beans are the best and so are the people who work here. There are always some good tunes playing, I love the simple trendy design of the merch, and interior has a hip modern vibe with some sweet giant wall hangings of a local artist Natalie Wright.They also have great menu items for breakfast or lunch! Yummmmmmmmmmmm. read more

I love the Johnson Public House. You will pay more than normal for your coffee but it will be the best cup of coffee you've ever had. They are constantly rotating what they serve but it's always amazing. The atmosphere is great as well. It feels comfortable like your college friends apartment. They have huge tables that are fun to spread out on or make a friend and share with. Definitely a relaxed feeling. read more

Johnson Public House - Such delicious coffee!!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

JPH offers up the perfect environment to enjoy a killer cup of coffee in Madison. These guys know exactly what they're doing; I have yet to find another coffee house in Wisconsin that not only sells roasts from the likes of Heart and Stumptown, but also prepares the perfect cup every time. If you're not feelin coffee, there's a great menu to choose from and an impressive selection of beer; this is also the first coffee house I've seen to serve the likes of Three Floyd's Brewing Co. All in all, JPH is a great stop for anyone to have a good meal, but for those who need exceptional coffee, there's no better place in Madison. read more

I'm from out of town and am checking out all the available third wave shops here. I'm glad they serve well roasted coffees (four barrel, madcap, intelligentsia) and that they also pay homage to Handsome Coffee Roasters (RIP). However, as a barista too, the pour overs are a bit underextracted--probably due to what I assume to be a rushed pour and short brew time. The espresso was pretty good though. I was content with that! All that said, it is still probably one of the better places for coffee around town. read more

This is a great coffee shop in Madison. Plenty of seating inside (it was a Sunday) and such a variety of coffee. I stopped in briefly for a sandwich. I ordered the portobello and fell in love. Perfect portion sizes and fairly inexpensive. They make them fresh, which means it'll take a little longer to make that sandwich into a panini. Ginger plum tea was refreshing. Kind of like Kool-aid without the sugar. Delicious. The staff is super friendly and take pride in their craft. Oh, and those groovy tunes. I dig those groovy tunes. If I lived in Madison, I would definitely make this a regular place. read more

Great place to spend a few hours relaxing or doing work. The coffee is tasty but a little pricey. I haven't tried the food. I really like the ambiance - it seems like one of my friend's eclectic living rooms. Lots of strange animal art on the walls, and mismatched furniture. It's an all around relaxing setting, and there's plenty of space. It's a great neighborhood coffee shop! read more

Stopped into the Public House for a bit while waiting for pizza next door, and was pleasantly surprised. Completely chill coffee shop, great aromas, and well picked beer selection from the cooler. It's a bit sparse inside and the tables have you sitting awkwardly far apart if you're not by yourself, but otherwise the accommodations are quite comfortable and I could see this being a nice spot to get work done or just hang for a few hours on the laptop. The coffee looked and smelled delicious, and had it not been 8pm when I was there I would have absolutely indulged. There will be a return visit without a doubt to sample. We were greeted when we came in and the staff was very polite overall. This is a much more solid choice then many other coffee places if you just want to relax and not deal with a corporate or rushed atmosphere read more

Basic hipster coffee shop. Great coffee, overpriced food, good ambiance. Great for getting some work done.

When I was going through caffeine-withdrawal my first night in Madison, Johnson Public House came to my rescue! I had an Americano made with the Ethiopian beans, and it was incredible - Great crema, and very fruity. I typically drink my espressos and coffees black anyway, but this cup especially deserved to be enjoyed completely unadulterated. The atmosphere in there is also great. Cool art and music. read more

What more can you want in a coffee shop that perfect coffee, FREE internet, delicious noms, AND beer/wine? This place has become my home away from home for productivity. They have large, inviting study tables, a variety of music that I enjoy (ranging from soul and jazz to hip-hop), and a very polite crowd with people that take their cellphone conversations outside so you don't get distracted by some guy talking to his mom for an hour. Their ham croissant sandwich is quite good, as are their side salads. Though their grilled cheese has so much cheese that it makes me a little queasy at times, but I attribute that to the fact that I am not from Wisconsin and my stomach is still settling in. read more

Among the two best coffee shops in Madison (the other one is Bradbury's). Superb quality drinks. Gwen and Kyle (and the whole crew) are great. Limited food menu but good sandwiches and breakfast offerings. Low key; lots of people work there. read more

JPH, I love you but for the love of god, PLEASE think about installing a ventilation system in your kitchen area. Everytime I'm in there, if even for just a grab and go, I end up smelling like I worked in a greasy kitchen all day and if there for more than 20 minutes, my eyes are burning. Not pleasant, I've had to change clothes and air out my jacket after a visit. I'm starting to think twice about where to get my coffee, unfortunately. Also, wouldn't hurt to change up the menu every now and then..eh? read more

I love the Johnson public house. My family used to own it when it was named in the company of thieves. The jph is awesome. The people that work there are amazing and friendly. read more

You go to a coffeehouse for one thing: great coffee. This place does not disappoint. My wife ordered a flat white with an ethiopia/Columbia blend. She said it was far and away the best one in town. I had a pour over decaf which had great body to it. The actual ambiance creates a sense of impoverishment. I would classify the furniture as neo-goodwill. The walls need a good paint layer and the floor needs restaining. It is quaint from that standpoint and it does seem to fit the neighborhood where you have some delapidated student housing. We did not have any food, so I cannot comment on the quality. So, bottom line, have the coffee and don't be put off by the appearance. read more

5 stars for the coffee, 3 for the food. They have a GD CORTADO?! Haven't seen that since Barcelona. Coffee is really, really good - Madison - Top Tier. A bit slow though...please take me back to Seattle where an espresso drink from order to in-my-hand takes less than 5 min. We had some of the breakfast sandwiches on the last visit and they were tasty...just a bit, ho-hum. read more

If you think you can make a better peanut butter and jelly sandwich at home, chances are you might be wrong. I found JPH the day after my boyfriend moved to Madison, and have loved it ever since. Introduced me to Intelligentsia coffee. First day there two of the baristas approaches us with our coffees wanting us to rate them since they have poured them in different styles. For some reason though the JPH coffee tends to be a little too acidic for me. The highlight really is their food. Any sandwich that you can get there is a miracle. I don't know how they do it. I'm a sucker for the peanut butter & jelly, but their breakfast and tuna are also a favorite. When I used to visit on weekends at first I'd go work at JPH. But I find it a little uncomfortable with the awkward chairs and tables. Also they have a nice selection of beers if you are working there late and need something to calm you down ;) read more

I discovered this place this morning, and was truly delighted by the pour over coffee. It was unique, but exceeded every expectation. Add in that they have a good menu of both breakfast and lunch items. You can't do better. read more

Good brunch food, good coffee, lots of awesome art on the walls. Had the best chai ever here, and it's had me coming back over and over

The name: Johnson Public House. I picture some sort of meat-packing/butcher, gritty brick building. But I appreciate the beauty of the abbreviation, JPH, which matches the easy-going use of mismatched chairs, light colors, and tasteful pillow portraits. The extensive array of teas and coffees, that which far outnumbered the food items, were fun to look through and order. I met a bunch of friends for Sunday brunch at JPH. I was worried about how busy it'd be since it was a Sunday after a Badger football game, but the steady stream of regulars created a very comfortable atmosphere. Family-friendly, great space, solid preparation of food, and hot teas and slow drip coffee. The Sunday brunch sandwich was simple but delicious. The eggs, tomato, and hint of maple syrup was very tasty. I also enjoyed a latte and a ginger tangerine tea that had a nice kick. The personal tea canter was unexpected, keeping hot tea handy. JPH is a touch of hipster, young family, and old friends gathering to play checkers. Really low-key atmosphere, happy and helpful staff, and reasonable prices for good food and drink. read more

My ultimate favorite. I love this place. Friendly staff and very speedy service. The coffee here is phenomenal and all roasted in house. Currently trying the Skinny Elvis smoothie, and I am super impressed! Absolutely delicious! read more

This has been my favorite coffee shop for five years! Their coffee and espresso drinks are top-notch and their food is always delicious. A great spot to catch up with friends or get some work done. read more

its just too pricey for a double shot of espresso. really it is. I went to the handsome roasters cafe, had a double pulled by one of the OWNERS and it was still cheaper than at JPH. is it me or is that weird? LA is fucking expensive. I went to Barista in Portland Oregon, had a double pulled by AN AWARD WINNING BARISTA and it was still cheaper than at JPH. I can go on and I will... Went to Coava, Stumptown, The Refinery, all pretty pretentious places but still cheaper. just saying ,you guys are pretentious as F*** but i like to go every once in while when iI feel like blowing some coin. maybe your rent is super crazy expensive or all these colleges kids are trust fund babies or taking at massive loans to feed there coffee habits..... lets be reasonable eh? PS but i love the fact you guys serve LADRO, haven't seen them in a long time. kinda cute. read more

I'm actually here right now writing this. I really like how bright and airy it is in here -- makes it much easier to get work done. My one complaint is that the drinks are actually pretty pricey. A large iced coffee (16 oz) is $3.70. I was actually really surprised by that price (no prices listed on the menu for iced drinks). It is really good though so I'd probably get it again. This place is definitely an upgrade from Company of Thieves. read more

I was a frequent customer of In The Company of Thieves. Not because I particularly liked it, but the coffee was relatively good and the refills were cheap, and it was really close to my apartment. When I found out it was closing, I was disappointed because I was afraid I was going to have to find a new place to do my Sunday afternoon reading. I was cautiously optimistic when Johnson Public House opened, and it first I wasn't particularly impressed by the coffee. Over the past month and a half, though, I've been completely sold. Both the pour over and french pressed coffee is great. The espresso changed my life. Seriously. I have dreams about this stuff its so good. Easily the best espresso I've had, ever. Better than Indie Coffee, better than Espresso Royale, better than Java Den. My friends are sick of hearing about it. The food is amazing. I've sparsely sampled their menu, and it is constantly impressive. The baristas are well trained and its clear that the owners really respect and appreciate them. The furniture is completely revamped. In The Company of Thieves had these idiotic tables that were all tilted so that you could never actually set a drink down. They are gone. The furniture looks like it was scrounged, but most of it is wooden, well built and comfortable. There are a couple arm chairs that I do my best to get a hold of as often as I can (which is a lot, because I'm there more than I'd care to admit). I never thought I could be this loyal to a coffee shop, but this place has me hooked. read more

I live three blocks away from this spot, and could not be happier to have JPH as my local coffee shop. The lattes are fantastic, and one of my favorite sandwiches of all time has got to be the Sunday morning breakfast sandwich, which has ham, egg, cheese, and just a touch of maple syrup. OMG. My only gripe would be that this place ain't cheap, but it's totally worth it. read more