Johnson Public House
908 E Johnson St, Madison, WI
Crema's Take
“This beloved Madison neighborhood spot excels at breakfast and specialty drinks in equal measure, with standout cold brew and a particularly balanced matcha that coffee enthusiasts keep returning for. The outdoor seating and unhurried vibe make it an ideal place to linger with friends or settle in solo, though fair warning: the kitchen's savory aromas are assertive and not everyone's cup of tea. Kind staff and genuinely excellent food—from creative mushroom toast to elevated breakfast sandwiches—make this one of Madison's most underrated gems if you can look past the grease smell.”
What to expect
Cold brew standout. A slow-sit, outdoor seating spot, good for meetings. Full breakfast and light food on the menu.
Google Reviews
Every 6 months or so I try going here to see if they’ve fixed the smell, and every time I’m assaulted by the smell of grease. The service is fine, coffee is good and the food is solid, but my god it’s the worst smelling restaurant in this city. Makes me feel like I need to…
I tried their matcha with no sugar & an extra matcha shot. Their matcha is NOT bitter but still strong. It’s not too milky either. I’d been looking for a place like this in Madison and I’m so glad I found it!!
I’ve heard great things about this place, and I regret not coming sooner. My guest had the mushroom toast, which she said was excellent, and I had the regular breakfast sandwich. It was not regular - it was extraordinarily delicious. The coffee was really good too. The staff…
One of the most underrated coffee shops in the Madison area! The cold brew and breakfast sandwich were some of the best I’ve had in a long time. Combined with a good vibe, kind people, and outdoor seating options?! Makes for a perfect Saturday afternoon.
What a lovely local neighborhood spot for breakfast! While staying at a hotel nearby, we decided to walk a few blocks to this establishment. Greeted by friends staff we placed our order and asked for the largest cappuccino they had! Complete with a shot of authentic maple syrup…
Crema Reviews
You might also like
The Victory Madison
★ 4.7 (241)
The Victory is a beautifully reimagined East Side gem where owner Patrick has…
Yola's Cafe and Coffee Shop of Madison
★ 4.4 (835)
Yola's Cafe is a bright, young-feeling spot that draws regulars and visitors…
Grace Coffee
★ 4.2 (445)
Grace Coffee strikes that sweet spot between a serious specialty coffee…
Bradbury's Coffee
★ 4.7 (843)
Bradbury's occupies a charmingly quirky pie-shaped space in downtown Madison's…