Best Coffee Shops in Milwaukee (2025)

Milwaukee’s experimental “coffee workshop” turns barista craft into theater, with narrative drinks and vivid flavors. Featured by Food & Wine and Barista Magazine, and partnered with the Pabst Theater Group, it’s a creative jolt that still honors the daily cup.

Run by longtime Milwaukee coffee pros, this seated multi‑roaster bar offers thoughtful service, flights, and a deep espresso bench. Profiled by local outlets and specialty coffee media, it’s where downtown regulars and visiting coffee nerds happily linger.

A Washington Heights original that roasts coffee and brews beer, Vennture doubles as a neighborhood living room with cribbage nights and pop‑ups. Covered by OnMilwaukee and Milwaukee Magazine, it’s as much community hub as caffeine stop.

A roaster‑run cafe with an open, bar‑style service ethos and meticulous brews. Frequently cited by local editors; recent coverage tracks the brand’s growth while keeping its Washington Heights cafe central to the scene.

Since 1995, this Brady Street landmark has poured fair‑trade coffee and a vast tea list in a colorful, two‑story space. Named among Milwaukee Magazine’s top picks and spotlighted on local TV, it’s a late‑night favorite with real neighborhood roots.

A UWM‑area staple since 2004, known for playful signature drinks, local art, and campus‑friendly energy. Shepherd Express chronicled its staying power—proof that independent coffee culture thrives on Milwaukee’s East Side.

Housed in a former bowling alley, Hawthorne roasts on site and pairs serious coffee with a convivial, South Side hangout. The shop’s own listings and active programming underscore its neighborhood role from morning espresso to evening events.

A Black‑owned jazz coffeehouse in Harambee from veteran musician Sam Belton, roasting Abyssinia Coffee and hosting live music. Covered by Urban Milwaukee and Radio Milwaukee, it’s a cultural anchor where espresso meets community.

Third Ward’s bright, minimalist coffee bar draws the design crowd and MIAD neighbors for clean, well‑made espresso and pour‑overs. An independent spot with scratch bakery items, it’s a calming counterpoint to the district’s bustle.

An independently owned Italian‑style bar with stand‑and‑sip espresso, imported pastries, and occasional live jazz. Profiled by OnMilwaukee and Urban Milwaukee, it brings old‑world rituals into a historic Milwaukee building.