Marigold Kitchen ★ 4.4
Marigold Kitchen on South Pinckney off Capitol Square, the daytime breakfast flagship since 2001, serves espresso and pastries with scratch breakfasts.
Signature drink: Pour-over coffee with a daily pastry
Coffee shops, bakeries with seats and the places Madison lingers in over a cortado.
Where to sit and slow down
Barriques Cafe ★ 4.2
Barriques on South Park, the long-running Madison cafe-and-wine-bar from 1998, serves house-roasted espresso, sandwiches and pastries on a daytime menu.
Signature drink: House espresso with a Wisconsin cheese plate
Cafe Domestique ★ 4.3
Cafe Domestique on Williamson Street, the bicycle-themed Marquette cafe, serves Intelligentsia espresso drinks with Batch Bakehouse pastries from next door.
Signature drink: Intelligentsia espresso with a Batch Bakehouse pastry
Wonderstate Coffee ★ 4.5
Wonderstate Coffee on West Main, the Capitol Square cafe of the Viroqua-roasted specialty company since 2005, serves pour-over and espresso menus daily.
Signature drink: Pour-over of the Viroqua-roasted single origin
Indie Coffee ★ 4.3
Indie Coffee on Regent Street, the Vilas-neighborhood cafe near Camp Randall Stadium, serves specialty espresso and pour-over alongside a daily brunch menu.
Signature drink: Pour-over coffee with brunch eggs
Michelangelo's Coffee House ★ 4.2
Michelangelo's Coffee House on State Street, the long-running independent campus-and-Capitol cafe, serves espresso and house-baked goods to a study crowd.
Signature drink: House espresso and house-baked muffins
Bradbury's Coffee ★ 4.4
Bradbury's Coffee on North Hamilton off Capitol Square, the corner cafe famous for crepes and espresso, runs a tight specialty coffee menu and pour-overs.
Signature drink: Espresso with a savory or sweet crepe
Ancora Coffee ★ 4.3
Ancora Coffee on King Street, the Madison craft roaster and cafe with several locations since 1994, serves house-roasted espresso, drip and pastries.
Signature drink: House-roasted espresso and drip
Lakeside St Coffee House ★ 4.4
Lakeside St Coffee House on West Lakeside, the south-side cafe overlooking Lake Monona, runs breakfast sandwiches, local coffee and partner pastries.
Signature drink: Espresso and breakfast sandwiches with a Lake Monona view