MilwaukeeCafesMKE Cafes

Edited by John December

This is my list of places in Milwaukee (city) where you can get coffee in an atmosphere that is similar to European-style sidewalk cafes, where you can get a coffee or drink and hang out, talk, write on a computer, or read. In past times, people would read newspapers (on paper--sometimes held together with long sticks! (like in Paris)) or write letters (on paper, before email) in cafes. The cafe offers sociable solitariness if you desire; or sociability on a variety of levels.

Lots of other places in town serve coffee, of course, or have "cafe" in their name. You can always do a Yellow Pages search to find business with cafe in their name, but these don't necessarily have a casual, coffeehouse atmosphere.

Key to icons
Free HotspotFree Wireless Access. These are known locations. Please send an update, addition, or correction. To find pay access, use the Net Cafes information.
Internet Access Available Internet access computers available. These are gradually disappearing with the ubiquity of wireless access and devices. Use the Net Cafes information for public net access throughout the world.
Live MusicHas occasional live music
John's pickOne of my favorites
 
For a discussion of the cafe concept
item image
The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community
by Ray Oldenburg
People like to have a place outside of their workplace and outside of their home where they can hang out and feel comfortable. For centuries, cafes have provided such a "third place."
item image
A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction
by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein
See section 88, "Street Cafe," p. 437: "The street cafe provides a unique setting, special to cities: a place where people can sit lazily, legitimately, be on view, and watch the world go by. Encourage local cafes to spring up in each neighborhood. Make them intimate places, with several rooms, open to a busy path, where people can sit with coffee or a drink and watch the world go by. Build the front of the cafe so that a set of tables stretch out of the cafe, right into the street."
Corrections
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If you see something missing or incorrect here, please send a correction.

Place in MKEComments
Free Hotspot (free in AM only) Live Music
John's pick
**excellent--my pick for the best cafe in the world **
Alterra at the Lake (Milwaukee River Flushing Station)
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)223-4551
www.alterracoffee.com
www.mmsd.com
click to see album photos
A very popular cafe and educational center beautifully done, sharing its building and grounds space with displays of stormwater demonstration projects. A cooperative project of Alterra Coffee Roasters, Milwaukee County, and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. This is THE ONLY place anywhere near the shore of Lake Michigan in the city (or county) of Milwaukee where you can buy food and drink in a casual (self-service) yet appealing atmosphere* open year-round. In winter, cross-country skiers often stop in. In summer, everyone seems to stop in. Very crowded with customers! In fact, as Yogi Berra said, "it is so crowded, hardly anyone goes there anymore," is true--I don't go here on the summer weekends or peak times of the day because I can never get in. Seating inside, on outside patio, and the lawn, giving an ingenious series of overlapping social spaces; see photo album page available photo album page.
(*there is a snack bar at the McKinley Marina with limited, unappealing food and few customers in spite of its gorgeous location right on the lake).
Free Hotspot Alterra on Prospect
2211 N. Prospect Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)273-3747
www.alterracoffee.com
click to see album photos
Interesting ambiance with wholesale coffee roasting right in the cafe; nice seating along the window with a view of Prospect Ave. In the heart of the east side. Popular outside patio and window seating with windows that open out into the street, well-serving the social display function of the cafe. The smell of the roasting coffee helps define the neighborhood, and it is a sign that you are nearby. Warning: the coffee contains caffeine at extremely high levels. A double cappuccino will end a coma; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot
Alterra Foundry
170 S. 1st St
Milwaukee, WI
(414)765-9873
www.alterracoffee.com
click to see album photos
In the Fifth Ward area just south of the Historic Third Ward, just south of the Water Street Bridge over the Milwaukee River. Alterra coffee served in a restored foundry building (Kramer International). Outside patio. Free hotspot available in AM; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot Alterra Humboldt
2999 N Humboldt Blvd
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414)292-3320
www.alterracoffee.com
click to see album photos
In the Riverwest area across from Pumping Station Park (baseball field), just north of the Locust/Humboldt intersection; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot Anodyne Coffee Roasting on KK
2920 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
(414)489-0765
www.anodynecoffee.com
click to see album photos
In Bayview; see photo album page available photo album page.
Bella Caffe
189 N. Milwaukee St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)273-5620
www.bellacaffe.com
click to see album photos
Attractive off-Broadway corner coffeeshop in a brilliantly restored building the Historic Third Ward. Offers coffee as well as desserts, breakfast, and lunch. Nicely done interior, with big windows overlooking Chicago and Milwaukee Streets, comfortable armchairs, plenty of tables, all of which are a window seat. Some outside tables in good weather. Good place for dessert just before or after a performance at the nearby Broadway Theater; see photo album page available photo album page.
Blatz Cafe
270 E. Highland Ave
Milwaukee WI 53202
(262)853-4433
www.blatzcafe.com
A small coffee shop located in the Blatz Condominiums.
Free Hotspot Borders Books and Music
101 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414)225-9977
www.bordersstores.com
click to see album photos
The only large-format national bookstore in the city of Milwaukee, this Borders' has its cafe right off Milwaukee's downtown RiverWalk. This is the ONLY place on Milwaukee's RiverWalk where you can buy food and drink in a casual (self-service) atmosphere. Outdoor seating right on the riverwalk in good weather (warning: there are sometimes panhandlers here; please consider giving directly to a charity or social service agency and not support the hustlers in this area who disguise themselves as "homeless."); see photo album page available photo album page.
Internet Access Available Live Music Free Hotspot Bremen Cafe
901 E. Clarke St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414)324-9596
www.bremencafe.com
click to see album photos
In Bohemian Riverwest, on the corner of Bremen and Clarke. Offers coffee and live music some nights. Internet-connected computers available; see photo album page available photo album page.
Brew City Tea House & Cafe
140 N Jefferson St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)273-TEAS
brewcitytea.com
In the historic Third Ward.
John's pick Brewed Cafe on Brady
1208 E. Brady St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)276-2739 Free Hotspot
www.brewedonbrady.com
click to see album photos
Great location on fascinating Brady St. Unique atmosphere and clientelle. You'll see people playing chess, sketching, writing. Great cafe au lait. Ceiling paintings. Outside seating right in front of store that gets the sun, so people sit outside as soon as it is warm enough. This location used to be called "Brewed Awakenings" for a long time and also Anodyne Coffee Roasting on Brady; see photo album page available photo album page.
Brewing Grounds for Change
2010 N. Farwell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)BREW-77 Free Hotspot
brewinggroundsforchange.org
click to see album photos
Fair trade coffee. Outside tables in good weather; see photo album page available photo album page.
Bruegger's Free Hotspot
750 N. Water St.
Milwaukee WI 53202
(414)272-0202
2045 East North Ave
Milwaukee WI 53211
(414)223-2663
www.brueggers.com
Bagels and coffee. Great bagels. Free Wi-Fi. This is a multi-state chain; I used to live near the first Bruegger's in Troy, New York.
Cafe Brücke
2101 N. Prospect Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)287-2053
www.cafebrucke.com
click to see album photos
On The East Side. Open evening hours. Outside tables in good weather; see photo album page available photo album page.
Closet Classics Caffeine and Clothing
1000 East North Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414)265-1950
www.closetclassics.net
Clothing--men's and women's--and Alterra coffee. Open mic night first fridays of the month. In Bohemian Riverwest.
Coffee Makes You Black
2803 N. Teutonia Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
(414)562-5225
Coffee from Africa; onsite roasting.
Coffee with a Conscience
www.wwbic.com
Schlitz Business Center, 1555 River Center Drive, (414)276-4341
click to see album photos
In Schlitz Park.
Live Music The Coffee House
631 N. 19th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414)299-9598
www.the-coffee-house.com
Well-known for its activism and live music performances including folk and others, this is "a program of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in cooperation with Lutheran Campus Ministry." Open limited hours for performances. Serving coffee, tea, soda, and baked goods.
Comet Cafe
1947 N. Farwell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)273-7677
Eastside haunt. Good coffee. Nice outdoor seating in the summer. See photo.
Free Hotspot John's pick EspressoChristoph
825 N. Jefferson St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
click to see album photos
click to see album photos
On Cathedral Square; see photo album page available photo album page.
Einstein Bagels
544 East Ogden Ave.
Milwaukee WI 53202
(414)276-9888
Plus Various locations
1(800)BAGEL-ME
www.einsteinbros.com
Bagels, good coffee, and food at these outlets throughout Milwaukee. National chain. Outdoor tables at some locations in nice weather.
Free Hotspot Fuel Cafe
818 E. Center St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414)374-3835
www.fuelcafe.com
click to see album photos
Great chili, coffee. Located in the Bohemian Riverwest area. Outside seating in good weather; see photo album page available photo album page.
Hi-Fi Cafe
2640 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414)486-0504
www.hificafe.com
click to see album photos
Great location in the heart of Bayview. Unique wedge-shaped building; see photo album page available photo album page.
Iron Stone Cafe *new*
215 East Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee WI 53202
This location had been Nervosa Coffee Bar & Gelato, and before that a Stone Creek Coffee.
Free Hotspot Java Dave's *new*
1407 N. Martin Luther King Jr Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414)
www.javadavescoffee.com
Park East Enterprise Lofts / Java Dave's
A pleasant little coffee shop offering a small seating area with seats along the window and tables. Free ParkEastWiFi signal available in the cafe. Inside Park East Enterprise Lofts building across from the Manpower headquarters.
Free Hotspot Kafé International
5101 W. Oklahoma Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53219
(414)545-6030
www.serbhall.com
Inside American Serb Hall.
La Taza
810 S. 5th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414)389-1060
In Walker's Point. Offers espresso, teas, ice tea, chai, bakery, wines, beers, and cordials. Patio seating.
Free Hotspot MCafe
535 E. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)271-5212
click to see album photos
Across from Cathedral Square in the lobby of the Cathedral Place building. Serves "Gano health promoting anti-aging beverages." Open during the morning and afternoon; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot Metro Market Cafe
1123 N Van Buren St
Milwaukee WI 53202
www.metromarket.net
click to see album photos
Inside the Metro Market Pick N Save grocery store, there is a little cafe/restaurant. It has a big screen tv. Serves a variety of food as well as coffee. Free Wi-Fi; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot in Library Milwaukee Public Library Central
East Wing of Milwaukee Public Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414)286-2142
www.mpl.org
click to see album photos
Coffee and used books in the beautiful Milwaukee Public Library central building. Hotspot available throughout Milwaukee Public Library building. The coffee shop is to the right as you enter the Wisconsin Avenue entrance. It has gone by different names--currently called "M Cafe (Mocais Cafe)." Former names have included "Perk & Peruse," "No More Z's Cafe," "Coffee with a Conscience"; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot Milwaukee Public Market
400 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)336-1111
www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org
click to see album photos
The Milwaukee Public Market building has a balcony upstairs with tables and outside seating in good weather. A vendor at the market, Cederburg Coffee Roastery, opens early. There are many other vendors at the public market and activities like cooking classes or wine tastings. Free Wi-Fi at the market; see photo album page available photo album page.
Mo's Mocha-A Coffee Bistro
124 West Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414)276-6242
www.mosmocha.com
click to see album photos
Just west of the Riverside Theater on Wisconsin Avenue. Spacious seating, personable staff, and great coffee. Nice views out the window to see the pedestrian life of downtown, which is gradually coming alive even in the evening. Part of the Mo's empire of restaurants, including Mo's Irish Pub just across Plankinton Avenue; see photo album page available photo album page.
Outpost Natural Foods
2826 S Kinnickinnic Ave
Milwaukee WI 53207
(414)755-3202
Plus other Locations at Capitol Drive and Tosa
outpostnaturalfoods.coop
Natural Foods Coop has cafe inside store. Outside seating in good weather.
Free Hotspot Panera
600 East Ogden Ave.
Milwaukee WI 53202
Plus other Locations
www.panera.com
click to see album photos
Specializes in bread, but has great coffee. Outside seating in good weather; see photo album page available photo album page.
Que Pasa Coffee & Books
611 W. National Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414)649-0460
In Walker's Point area, across from the Spanish Center. Soup and coffee with a small bookstore.
Free Hotspot Roast Inc.
2132 E. Locust St.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414)963-6363 www.roastcoffeecompany.com
click to see album photos
East Side coffee shop, just south of UW-Milwaukee campus at Maryland and Locust; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot Live Music Rochambo Coffee & Tea House
1317 E. Brady St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)291-0095
www.rochambo.com
click to see album photos
Colorful, ornamented building. Speciality teas, poetry, live music. Outside seating in good weather; see photo album page available photo album page.
Live Music Sherman Perk
4924 W. Roosevelt Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53216
(414)875-7375 (PERK)
www.shermanperk.com
click to see album photos
The building, a former gas station refurbished to serve java, won a Mayor's Design Award. Live Poet's Society the 1st Friday of every month. Kosher. Fully handicapped accessible. Located in the Sherman Park area of Milwaukee; see photo album page available photo album page.
Starbucks
Various locations (7 within walking distance of my apartment)
www.starbucks.com
click to see album photos
You have to admit, they are good at marketing coffee and a lifestyle (now including music and other products). The Starbucks at Brady Street and Farwell Street has an interesting street view out its window. Red Arrow park has skating in the winter; see photo album page available photo album page.
Steamer's Coffee
624 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414)277-7679
A clean, well-lighted place.
Free Hotspot Stone Creek
Various locations
www.stonecreekcoffee.com
Pretty good coffee. Bay View location (outside seating in good weather). Also stand inside Shops of Grand Avenue downtown. Headquartered and brewed at 5th & St. Paul, near the Amtrak station, where possibly a retail store may open someday.
Internet Access Available Free Hotspot Sven's Cafe
2699 S Kinnickinnic Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414)483-2233
click to see album photos
In Bay View. A former gas station; fireplace. Outside seating in good weather; see photo album page available photo album page.
Live Music Trocadero
1758 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI
Phone (414)272-0205
www.ztrocadero.com
click to see album photos
A combination cafe and bar named after the 16ième Parisian arrondissement Metro station. Very nicely done in a restored building just east of the Van Buren-Holton bridge and just north of Brady Street. Offers espresso, foreign news and magazines, deli, wines, tobacco. Patio seating; see photo album page available photo album page.
Free Hotspot Whole Foods Market
2305 N. Prospect Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53211
(414)223-1500
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
click to see album photos
Inside this upscale grocery store (nicknamed "Whole Paycheck"), there is a seating area with tables and a counter at the window looking out onto North Avenue and Prospect Avenue. The store offers coffee, tea, and many made-to-order items. Free Wi-Fi; see photo album page available photo album page.

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