Lakeside Street Coffee House
402 W Lakeside St, Madison, WI
Crema's Take
“Nestled in a wonderfully unexpected Madison location, this cozy spot feels like a well-kept secret where handwritten orders and genuine staff passion set it apart from typical coffee chains. Whether you're seeking a quiet corner to write, a peaceful place to regroup with loved ones, or a friendly hub for casual conversation, the welcoming atmosphere and homemade pastries and light fare make it feel more like visiting a thoughtful friend than grabbing coffee. It's the kind of place where the slightly higher prices make perfect sense once you experience the care that goes into every detail.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
A really pleasant business, in a wonderfully unexpected location. You open the door expecting whatever you've imagined a coffee shop to look like and are immediately put at ease with the quaint not cramped first open space where you place your coffee order. The scenery is nice, and there is ample sitting in the other rooms that reveal themselves as you continue to take in this highly recommended, great vibe having shop!
My mom and I needed a place to relax and regroup after a morning at UW Medical. This was perfect! Quiet, friendly chatter as people worked or visited; the staff was personable and professional, the view and the vibe was peaceful. Our hazelnut lattes were so delicious we ordered seconds and the breakfast bowls were out of this world. We'll definitely be back.
While the prices are a little high, i can appreciate that this is a small business who’s truly making everything in house. I love writing here.
This place is a hidden gem. Lakeside Street Coffee House has a little bit of everything, and that’s what makes it awesome. You walk in and there’s a quiet space if you want to study or work. Then there's another area where people are talking and hanging out — totally different vibe. You can sit outside right on the water, or head downstairs where they’ve got these cushy chairs and a chill lounge setup. The decor’s cool, a little artsy, a little quirky, just feels good to be in. Sometimes they’ve got live music, which makes it even better. I had the pesto melt — and yeah, it was really good. Solid food, not just your typical coffee shop snacks. Overall? Good food, great atmosphere, and enough different spaces to fit whatever mood you’re in. I’ll definitely be back.
This is a very unique coffee establishment that you do not see very often. The writing orders by hand on prices of paper and passion from welcoming stand to the bar staff is rarity to see. They do use square to take payment but do not utilize to create orders which square is designed for. This makes things slower by a lot. The food came pretty tasty, specifically grilled cheese with garlic and fresh tomatoes was very good. The lattes also great. Plenty of street parking around the place. Indoors and outdoors seating (when warm). Very simple place with no extra special ambiance. All chairs in this place are random and seem more like collection of random items than decor.
Crema Reviews
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