Milwaukee has quietly become one of the better coffee cities in the Midwest. Below are four spots worth your time, whether you’re a student looking for a study cave or just someone who wants a properly pulled espresso.
Colectivo Coffee
The Milwaukee classic. Locally roasted, multiple locations across the city, and reliable across the board. The Lakefront cafe is the one to visit if you’ve never been big windows, lake views, and a pastry case worth ruining your morning for. Their house blend is solid, but their single-origin pour-overs are where things get interesting.
Anodyne Coffee
A Walker’s Point staple with serious roasting credentials. The Bay View location has a relaxed warehouse vibe and great seating for getting work done. Order the Ethiopian if it’s available bright, fruity, and exactly what coffee should taste like when it’s done right.
Stone Creek Coffee
The most accessible of the local roasters, with locations all over town. The Factory Cafe in Walker’s Point doubles as their roasting facility, so you can watch beans get roasted while you drink them. Their cold brew is excellent in summer.
Valentine Coffee Roasters
Smaller, quieter, and more focused on the craft side of things. Tucked into the Tosa Village area. If you want to talk to someone who genuinely cares about the beans they’re pouring, this is the spot. Order a pour-over and don’t be in a hurry.
Honorable mentions: Pilcrow Coffee, Hawthorne Coffee Roasters, and Fiddleheads Coffee. Milwaukee’s coffee scene rewards exploration try a new spot every weekend and you’ll be busy for months.