5 Cafes in Downtown, Madison WI That Serve Alcohol
Updated 29 September 2026 · 11 cafes in Downtown, Madison WI considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide covers cafes in and around Downtown Madison, WI that are listed on Google as serving alcohol. It is for anyone who wants a coffee shop that can also pour a beer or cocktail, from bookstore bars to brunch counters. The list was chosen from 11 qualifying businesses and ranked by Google rating weighted by review count. Each entry gives hours, address, listed features and what reviewers mention, so you can pick by time of day or mood.
#1
Leopold's Books Bar Caffè
★ 4.8 (647 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Leopold's on Regent St combines a bookstore, coffee bar and cocktail bar, open until midnight every day. Reviewers mention good lattes, a snack menu, cozy lighting and a relaxing space for reading, and several were surprised to find beer and cocktails alongside the books. One notes the shelving can feel hard to navigate. Listed features include outdoor seating, live music, happy-hour drinks, wine and space for laptop work.
Best for: Late evening books and drinks
- Address
- 1301 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–12 am; Mon 2 pm–12 am; Sat 10 am–12 am; Sun 10 am–12 am; Thu 10 am–12 am; Tue 10 am–12 am; Wed 10 am–12 am
#2
Indie Coffee
★ 4.7 (978 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Indie Coffee on Regent St, near the Camp Randall side of campus, is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. Reviewers mention oat milk lattes, specialty drinks such as the Monet Sunrise latte, paninis and focaccia melts, quick service and friendly staff. The decor includes framed historic Madison photos. One reviewer found it got loud in the afternoon when blenders were busy. It is listed as women-owned with beer, cocktails and outdoor seating.
Best for: Lattes and lunch near campus
- Address
- 1225 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–6 pm
#3
Marigold Kitchen
★ 4.6 (2,067 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Marigold Kitchen on S Pinckney St serves breakfast and lunch from 7 am on weekdays with earlier weekend closings. Guests order at the counter, take a number and then sit, and reviewers say the wait stays short even when it is packed. Dishes mentioned include chilaquiles, a chipotle chicken quesadilla, a street corn omelette and lemon pancakes, with good drip coffee. It is listed as women-owned, with beer, cocktails and outdoor seating.
Best for: Busy weekend breakfast downtown
- Address
- 118 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–3 pm; Mon 7 am–3 pm; Sat 7 am–2 pm; Sun 8 am–2 pm; Thu 7 am–3 pm; Tue 7 am–3 pm; Wed 7 am–3 pm
#4
Johnson Public House
★ 4.6 (640 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Johnson Public House on E Johnson St is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm. Reviewers mention pour-over coffee, americanos, frothy chai lattes, bagel breakfast sandwiches and toasts topped with mushrooms or roasted tomato. Seating includes window stools and outdoor tables, and people describe it as good for reading or working. One reviewer felt portions were small and noticed a grease smell from the kitchen. Beer and vegetarian options are listed.
Best for: Coffee and toast for laptop work
- Address
- 908 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–5 pm
#5
The High Crowd Cafe
★ 4.8 (130 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The High Crowd Cafe on State St opens at 10 am and stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers mention cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, lemonades, teas and nachos, and some describe cannabis-themed baked treats. Staff are called knowledgeable and friendly, and one visitor describes the smell of fresh coffee and baked goods on entering. The listing notes a bar on site, Wi-Fi, a cozy, trendy setting and space for laptop work.
Best for: Desserts and drinks late at night
- Address
- 115 State St, Madison, WI 53703, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–12 am; Mon 10 am–10 pm; Sat 10 am–12 am; Sun 10 am–10 pm; Thu 10 am–10 pm; Tue 10 am–10 pm; Wed 10 am–10 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 11 cafes in Downtown, Madison WI with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Alcohol”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Leopold's Books Bar Caffè takes reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Indie Coffee opens at 7 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Leopold's Books Bar Caffè ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 647 reviews. Indie Coffee is second at 4.7 from 978 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Madison WI are open late?
Leopold's Books Bar Caffè stays open until 12 am; The High Crowd Cafe stays open until 12 am.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Leopold's Books Bar Caffè $10–20; Indie Coffee $10–20; Marigold Kitchen $10–20; Johnson Public House $1–10; The High Crowd Cafe $10–20.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Leopold's Books Bar Caffè, Indie Coffee, Marigold Kitchen, Johnson Public House and The High Crowd Cafe.
Run a business in Downtown?
Get a fast website with your hours, menu, location and reviews. If your business is listed here and something is wrong, tell us and we fix it.
Email support@pagenearby.com