Johnson Public House

Coffee shop · Tenney-Lapham

Johnson Public House

Coffee shop · Tenney-Lapham

1

908 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703

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Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null
Johnson Public House by null

Highlights

Coffeehouse serving java, sandwiches & sweets in an art-filled, vintage brick storefront.  

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908 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703 Get directions

jph4ever.com
@johnsonpublichouse

$$ · Menu

Information

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908 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703 Get directions

+1 608 347 0483
jph4ever.com
@johnsonpublichouse

$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
delivery
wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

"While it’s true that you can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning, sometimes that 8 a.m. beverage needs to be of the brown and caffeinated variety. Johnson Public House has all the locally-roasted single-origin beans you could want; the Johnsons of Johnson Public House also own Kin-Kin Coffee. Stop in for an espresso, cold brew, or dirty chai, and stay for the tidy cafe menu that includes one of Madison’s best breakfast sandwiches." - Kyle Nabilcy

Where to Drink in Madison, Wisconsin
View Postcard for Johnson Public House

Susan Henkel

Google
What a lovely local neighborhood spot for breakfast! While staying at a hotel nearby, we decided to walk a few blocks to this establishment. Greeted by friends staff we placed our order and asked for the largest cappuccino they had! Complete with a shot of authentic maple syrup (not some fake stuff) and WOW did they deliver! We had ordered breakfast bowls, avocado toast, cappuccini and a side of bacon! Well presented, VERY delicious and my cappuccino came in a MASON jar! Love it! Be sure to eat here when in Madison!

C Smith

Google
A quick visit for coffee, lauded by the locals! I had a breakfast sandwich, which was probably one of the best if not the best I’ve ever had in a ‘coffee cafe’. Highly recommended. I also had a simple double express, dark, with a bit of fruit, and slightly sour. A perfect brew for a milk drink I think. But good enough to be ordered by itself.

Rob Sundquist

Google
My new favorite breakfast place. The avocado toast is perfect: a single slice of toast, smashed avocado, topped with an over-easy egg with the yolk just waiting to pour out onto the bread. It’s not big or fancy; instead it’s the right size to satisfy you and keep you going for a while longer. The mushroom toast is nearly as good. Early on Saturday or Sunday morning the vibe is pleasantly relaxed, with people coming and going to pick up their carry-out orders, big windows to let in plenty of natural light, and good coffee.

Marko Jurkovich

Google
reliable breakfast spot with great coffee. The space is small for how popular it is, so can be hectic on weekends.

Allison Nguyen

Google
Great place to stop for coffee and breakfast. Ordered the regular breakfast sandwich, pancakes, a vanilla latte, and cappuccino. The sandwich was $9 and on the smaller side, but tasted great and had fresh ingredients! The pancakes had an orange zest and spicy essence which was unique. The coffee drinks were good as well and they use house made syrups! The menu isn’t updated and syrup is now a $0.65 up charge. They serve Kin-Kin coffee and you get a free shot of espresso when you buy a bag! Great atmosphere, plenty of seating, and lovely staff. Will be back!

grace raleigh

Google
everything was so good i want to go back soon. i got the french toast bread pudding and a chai latte! next time i want to try the avocado toast because my mom got it and said it was so good. lovely vibes too

Worldwideloveandconsulting 1

Google
Great place to eat, it was great coffee and very nice place to relax. I will go back again. It is affordable and great place to talk to people with kind ownership along with nice college students. It's a very busy place yet it stands out I hope they get more coffee to sell. I hope to see the place grow over the next year. I found it an Ethical place for people to come and go as they please. I really enjoyed my sandwich and my brother loved his sandwich also. Fresh food and lemonade.

Jack Ihry

Google
Came here after researching the "best coffee in Madison." I only got their pour over, so that's all I can speak for. It was cheap as well as delicious. Actual good coffee places can be hard to come by, and this is definitely one of them. I loved the atmosphere as well as the wooden interior. I'm definitely coming back next time I'm in Madison.

Akshita P.

Yelp
QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH I HAVE EVER HAD. I am not joking this is a phenomenal thing to consume I wholeheartedly recommend it! Perfect balance of mozzarella, egg, tomato, spinach, pesto, and wellll toasted bread. Coffee was also very well done

Lauren L.

Yelp
Johnson Public House is a cute cafe in Madison that's great to do work, hang out with friends, or grab a coffee alone. They have free wifi and is well lit. It is on the smaller side but it hasn't been hard to find a table on Sunday mornings. The food and coffee are very reasonably priced. I like their savory breakfast sandwiches. My favorite is the Sunday breakfast sandwich. Their lattes are well made and the iced latte comes in a large glass. I have tried to get the french toast bread pudding a few times now, but they sell out fast so go early to try that! The employees are nice and bring your food to the table.

Max M.

Yelp
Visited Johnson Public House for the first time on a Saturday morning (around 10 am). The venue was really cozy and warm. Had heard good reviews about their coffee and had to check it out myself! My party of 2 ordered iced oat milk lattes and they came out to around $5 each which I thought was reasonably priced. The coffee was really good - the espresso / beans used were strong & had great flavor. Also tried their a couple of their breakfast options - a breakfast ham sandwich & granola yogurt bowl. They each ran around $10 which I thought was also reasonable for the price! The granola & yogurt bowl was really good and served with macerated strawberries. The ham sandwich was really tasty as well. We were lucky to grab a free table when we walked in and it was a nice atmosphere to work in / socialize. The staff were friendly and overall the experience was great. Would recommend!

Mikey W.

Yelp
Excellent coffee and a nice place to get some work in. I have to say also that their food is incredible. I got the roast beef breakfast sandwich and it was one of the best I've ever had. Truly unique and perfectly balanced. Threw a side of potatoes in there to round it out and I was a happy boy. Everyone here was friendly and they played cool music to set the vibe. Will definitely come back here!

Cherise K.

Yelp
Cut coffee shop cafe with the Wille Street upscale neighborhood kinda vibe. It's chic but homey in a sense and the service is wonderful. The baristas and cashiers are always friendly, willing to chat and share their thoughts on the offerings. When dining in you get read silverware and cups, which just makes it even more like home. People stay for dates, meets ups, and even working; so take advantage of the free wifi. Overall, I like it and it's a solid place if you're in the neighborhood.

Tom L.

Yelp
Great first visit this past Sunday. With the Old Fashioned closed on Sundays, I scrambled to Yelp to find us an alternate and this place did not disappoint. Conveniently located down the street from our hotel and in a very cute area, is the Johnson Public House. Walked into a moderately-filled space with at least a dozen tables or so. A few tables outside. Some folks were in and out and others were there spending their morning inside, reading the paper, etc. The menu is somewhat limited, but something for everyone. I decided on the Sunday morning breakfast sandwich which was fantastic. A fried egg, grilled ham, cheddar, on a muffin that was slightly soaked in Maple syrup. The salty to sweetness balance was perfection. My wife had the french toast bread pudding and it was decent. Sorta boring after the initial bites. Small amount of strawberries added. Needed a bunch of maple syrup. They had some scones, Level 5 vegan donuts and maybe on more item at the front counter. Didn't get adventurous on the drink order, just their standard drip coffee and it was quite flavorful and not bitter at all. Not the darkest cup of coffee, but way better than your standard diner brew. Service was friendly and you order everything at the counter and they hand you a number and bring the food right to your table. A bussing station is right there for you to dispose of your own items when finished. Recommend highly.

Allison N.

Yelp
Great place to stop for coffee and breakfast. Ordered the regular breakfast sandwich, pancakes, a vanilla latte, and cappuccino. The sandwich was $9 and on the smaller side, but tasted great and had fresh ingredients! The pancakes had an orange zest and spicy essence which was unique. The coffee drinks were good as well and they use house made syrups! The menu isn't updated and syrup is now a $0.65 up charge. They serve Kin-Kin coffee and you get a free shot of espresso when you buy a bag! Great atmosphere, plenty of seating, and lovely staff. Will be back!

Kelsey K.

Yelp
One of my favorites in Madison. The Sunday Morning Breakfast Sandwich is one of my all time favorites! Most recently tried the pancakes which were also very good!

Noah L.

Yelp
Really good coffee, wonderful remodeled interior. It's so much cleaner/modern than before but still hipster with fun art. They are still taking covid seriously but they have indoor seating again! Their cold brew, espresso, drip, everything they do well. They roast their own coffee under the Kin-Kin brand and have standard and sometime imaginative brunchy fare too. Definitely one of the best cafes in Madison.

Brian K.

Yelp
Somehow they manage to make the best breakfast sandwich in the world. I'm not kidding. If you don't believe me, try their Sunday Morning Breakfast Sandwich or their Bacon Bagel Sammie and add avocado. I seriously crave this place all the time.

Loden R.

Yelp
It's nice that it's always there and open when I need it but overall not good. The place stinks so nasty like burnt griddle. I don't know if there's any ventilation in there at all and even if I go in for less than 10 minutes my hair stinks for hours after. It triggers my asthma as well and I usually can't breathe deeply when I go inside. I have no idea how people actually sit down and do work there. The espresso itself is not good compared to other mom and pop coffee shops in Madison. It's extremely sour/chemically/burnt tasting which sucks because my go to is an americano (which is 4$ for a 12oz). I'm not sure if they just order bad espresso or if it's a user error on the barista but always tastes like that. I honestly know it's bad but I still go there frequently because it's so close to my house. The people are amazing and kind. If you're not an espresso drinker and you don't have asthma or sensitive nose definitely try it out.

Katie M.

Yelp
Had a great breakfast at JPH this morning! Really calm ambiance and the coffee was excellent! Breakfast sandwiches were delicious and they were super accommodating for my son's picky meal too! Very convenient that they were open at 7 am. Thanks for a great breakfast spot!

Courtney T.

Yelp
I have a serious obsession with Level 5 doughnuts. You must get them!! If you haven't had them yet, please go get one or two! I'm not even a doughnut person but they are perfectly soft and crispy and not too sweet AND new flavors every weekend!?!! I LOVE JPH lavender Carmel ice lattes. omg they are perfection. Any coffee or food here is amazing!!

Casaundra L.

Yelp
Yum! The Sunday morning breakfast sandwich is like a McGriddle but homemade ! I subbed the bacon for the ham. It's a touch sweet but overall really good ! Friendly and quick service !

Brielle R.

Yelp
"Regular" breakfast sandwich, sub bacon for the ham. Seriously one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. I think about it almost every day. Coffee is great. Atmosphere is lovely.

Patti T.

Yelp
Can't wait to spend more time here! We just moved in on Dayton Street and I can already tell I'm going to be spending many hours here. It's a super quaint, unassuming spot but delivers on the coffee and the service. I just stopped for a cappuccino so I can't say too much yet, but I'm looking forward to trying their whole menu.

Carole T.

Yelp
Delightful back patio area. Our server was super attentive, personable and helpful about menu choices. The menu offers a nice selection of food and drinks. We love this place and are so glad it's in the neighborhood.

Kaite M.

Yelp
JPH is my partner and I's favorite spot for an early Sunday morning breakfast. The small café is well decorated and there is plenty of seating. Their menu is full of tasty options, the coffee is great, and on the weekends they have Level-5 vegan donuts. It's a great place to meet a friend or just enjoy a beverage in the sunshine!

Noe S.

Yelp
Come here to study and do paperwork. The staff is extremely friendly, and it is a cozy, cute, fun shop to sit and enjoy a book or get work done. They have beautiful murals on the walls, which adds to the charm of the all-wood floors and solid glass front. JPH cooks fresh well made food that never fails to disappoint and carry spectacular beverages.

Gabriella C.

Yelp
Stopped at Johnson Public House on a drive back from Virocqua, and I was so impressed by their safety precautions and, obviously, their coffee! They placed orders at a table in the doorway for customers to pick up without entering the space. Though everyone who stopped by still called out a friendly "Thank you!" to the staff in the back of the coffeeshop. I loved the toast I ordered called Toast G.O.A.T. It included Madison Sourdough bread, pesto, chèvre, jalapeño, beet and fried egg. Innovative flavor combo (jalapeno & beet!) on some DELICIOUS high quality sourdough. JPH is located in a not highly traveled area of town, which adds to the charm for me. Easy to find parking. And there's a cool rock shop across the street. Johnson Public House is on my go-to coffeeshop list for the Madison area. Can't wait until they can reopen their doors safely!

Cat P.

Yelp
Decent coffee drinks, cozy (hipster) atmosphere consisting of mismatched furniture and squishy chairs in the midst of wooden benches, and the food was okay too. I could see myself studying there in the future, as there was relatively ample space on a Saturday morning. I started with a soy chai latte and the portabello mushroom sandwich; the chai was pretty standard and not anything out of the ordinary (maybe I should've opted for coffee?). As for the sandwich, I at first was thrown off because the bread was cold although the portabello mushroom was warm, but it grew on me quickly, because the semi-melted mozzarella cuts through along with some kind of sauce they also put on the sandwich. I felt that this was slightly overpriced for what I was getting and service was also okay--the woman who took my order made me feel like I was bothering her when I approached the counter. In terms of quality, it was solid, nothing mindblowing, but still nonetheless a good place to catch up with a friend or get some work done over a warm drink and a snack.

Katie M.

Yelp
Can we talk about the tuna melt - best sandwich around. Just, damn. It's hearty and lemony and savory and everything you need for a cold Covid Sunday afternoon (At home). JPH has a great takeout/delivery system and everything about order pickup felt safe! JPH also has great lattes, teas, and iced coffees. I am giving this four stars because in non-Covid times JPH lacks seating,outlets for studying, and their door catches which causes a wicked draft in the winter.

Jamie F.

Yelp
IMO this is the best coffee in all of MadTown! Not only do these guys serve a quality cup of joe, they make the most amazing breakfast sandwich I've sunk my teeth into! It's called the Sunday morning but it's great any time on any day as they serve breakfast ALL DAY!!! Ham, maple syrup, cheddar and a fried egg- my mouth is watering just thinking about it! It's just so good, I really have a hard time ordering anything else. Now about that coffee... they roast their own beans and man, do they know what they are doing. Their beans are under the brand name of Kin-Kin. It's a well balanced flavorful bean that they transform into wonderful coffee and coffee drinks. My personal favorite is the Flat White (see photo). The ambiance is a bit eclectic and very casual. Pro tip- order pizza from Salvatore Tomato Pies next door and they will bring it over providing you buy drinks at JPH.

Diana B.

Yelp
I visited today for lunch. Chose a roast beef sandwich w/horseradish mayo, provolone, pickled onion on a bun. Meh. Not worth the $9.00. The bum overwhelmed the whole sandwich. It's pretty much all I could taste. It was dry and sucked any moisture out of my mouth. 1, maybe 2 slices of thinly sliced roast beef, and the most miserly use of the horseradish mayo. I could barely taste the mayo, much less the horseradish. It was l was quite the disappointment. Might give them a try again, but this sandwich was a dismal failure, and for the price....not worth it.

Mallory B.

Yelp
Really great coffee shop/ place for a casual brunch! The egg sandwiches are unique. We really liked the ham, cheese, maple syrup(?!) or the signature one with pesto yummmm The potatoes on the side are crispy roasted yum and the mixed greens are really bright and a good portion for just being a side. They have a decent amount of space here to work and a couple outdoor tables if you're into that. Also, they hang local art around the shop which I always like to see

Jessica H.

Yelp
As far as Sunday brunch goes, this place is definitely going to be within my top five spots. Since my fiance and I actually got up early this morning, we decided to get some brunch and wanted to try a new place. I had recently seen a delicious-looking picture of Johnson Public House's granola parfait on Instagram, so I suggested we go there. When first arriving, we knew we had arrived at a popular spot since almost every table in the place was full. Fortunately, after ordering, we found snagged a spot outside which was perfect since it was a warm autumn day. We received our coffees immediately after ordering - his was black, mine was a mocha. The mocha had the perfect level of sweet chocolately-ness which satisfied my morning sweet tooth. It was also nicely decorated with a foamy heart-like pattern. Shortly after, I'd say about 15 minutes later, our food arrived: the Sunday Morning and Roast Beef breakfast sandwiches with greens, granola, and toast with avocado. Since we had so much food, we kind of treated this like tapas and shared every plate. Both the Sunday Morning and Roast Beef sandwiches were oozing with cheese and a fried egg. I liked the Sunday Morning sandwich best because, again, I had a sweet tooth this morning and the maple syrup satisfied that craving. The toast and greens were great sides to get with the sandwiches and complemented them nicely. Having the granola parfait at the end was a great breakfast dessert with its combination of crunchy cashews, creamy yogurt, and fresh blueberries and blackberries. Topping out at about $35 for two, this place was definitely reasonably priced, especially for the quality of their food. I'd definitely come here again for brunch!

Timmy S.

Yelp
Jonson Public House sounds like a rip-off version of Bath & Body Works. But their coffee is truly something that rings deeply into my soul. I would know because I'm from "Seoul", S. Korea. Anyways, the moment I enter, I was greeted by the red carpet and a bunch of arts that made me smile. Cool bathroom too.

Bri M.

Yelp
Considering I'm a barista but at a different coffee shop in town, I feel like I compare every coffee shop to where I work. This coffee shop, however, doesn't fit a comparison properly because it's in its own category of coffee shops. Quaint, simply-decorated, and with limited specialty drinks, I dig this spot for especially focused studying. The single room is well lit, the coffee smells great, it's fairly quiet (unless they play badass 90's pop like they did today, which I'm totally okay with), and the baristas are nice! I had a cortado, their iced Crimson tea, and the breakfast bowl during my 6-hour stay. Everything was nearly fairly priced, and tasty! I do wish the breakfast bowl was bigger for $7, but I liked the portions of the drinks. I'm glad I found this spot for my less-social coffee fixes.

Cleda W.

Yelp
I came to have brunch with a couple of friends. Be aware that seating is limited, especially in the winter because it's too cold and the outdoor seating is gone. Wifi = Solid. It looks like a lot of people come here to work on stuff and enjoy a nice brew. Food: get the granola. The yogurt is covered in honey and fresh blueberries and strawberries. The pastry I had this time was a vanilla swirl. It was not too sweet and a perfect amount of soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Brews: I got a mocha with almond milk. It was the perfect amount of chocolate and the almond milk was heated at the right temp. Be aware it's an extra $0.50 for soy or almond milk. :) they have a variety of hot teas to choose from and it seemed popular when I was there. I'll have to try it out next time. Order up front and you get a number. It's a great place to meet up with friends but don't take too much time because of the limited seating.

David S.

Yelp
In my endless pursuit to find good coffee in Madison, this qualifies as the best coffee I've had thus far. Although I still don't think people in this town understand good espresso drinks and that I should taste coffee first and milk or other flavoring second, it is better than the rest.

Leah V.

Yelp
The best coffeehouse in Madison and secretly the best brunch spot. Seating: Limited, but there are outdoor community tables so be ready to make new friends. People will stay to work on their laptop for a sizable amount of time, so you've been warned. Menu: Full espresso bar, (the best dry cappuccino I have had in Madison to-date), alcohol, breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, etc. I highly recommend the Sunday Morning Breakfast Sandwich and the bread pudding. Ambiance: Local art on the walls (sometimes of the baristas themselves), old arcade game in the corner; at the risk of sounding like an out of touch grandma, here is where the trendy kids of Madison unite. They also frequently hold community events. JPH single-handedly revitalized East Johnson Street and continues to uplift the local businesses that have grown around them. All praise is beyond deserved. Check them out.

Anne T.

Yelp
The hot chocolate at JPH is high on my list as I make a Fall weather quest for the best. The creamy chocolate served in a generous 12 oz cup and saucer is like chocolate from a comfort food candy bar, think of a Milky Way. There is no watery component, it is rich and satisfying and good to the last drop. The rainy day I walk through golden leaves is a perfect one for the JPH ambience and they've got it right, with 70s and 80s UK groups playing -- Fleetwood Mac, Eurythmics, 10cc -- infusing a gloomy day with soft soul. The staff are upbeat and work well together and the place is clean and has a settled feel to it. As I finish the luscious drink, Annie Lennox has the last word: "Sweet dreams are made of this."

Bharat W.

Yelp
Best lattes in town! Had an almond milk latte with pacific milk and it was superb. Very friendly staff, open relaxed space. Highly recommend it.

Stacey L.

Yelp
JPH has a most-excellent set of picnic tables out front that I highly recommend you make use of this summer. Inside you'll find a bright seating area and a hodgepodge of furniture and decorations. It reminds me of going to a 22-year-old's apartment - everything's a little worn in and walks the border of eclectic & schizophrenic, but the kid's learned to clean up after herself and make you a good drink when you drop by. I opted for the lemonade on my sunny afternoon visit and had a good blend of sweet and tart. The service could have been a bit friendlier (the counterperson was pretty mute and just laid the iPad they use for cards down on the counter sideways without saying "you can tip and sign here"), but I got my drink quickly and accurately so it's fine. The Wi-Fi password is posted on the front of the register (I missed it when I initially walked up to order), and I'm happy to report it's strong enough to reach their picnic tables outside. Definitely going to keep it on the list for sunny work spots.

Haley L.

Yelp
Very glad I made the effort to walk a little further to study here. Coffee was strong, food was delicious, and atmosphere was peaceful. Will definitely be back.

Jessica K.

Yelp
I was looking for a quick breakfast and great coffee and had heard good things about this place when I stopped on my way home from downtown. They serve pour over coffee, a couple pastries and then sandwiches. The place is clean and bright, staff friendly and the food came out within 6 minutes of ordering it. I ordered a triple almond milk (they have all kinds of milk!) Latte. I was told that they could only do espresso in 2 shot increments because of their machine (so, make it a quadruple latte!). My mom and i decided to spilt a breakfast sandwich and a side salad. All of their breakfast sandwiches had ham on them which we were avoiding (mom doesn't like it) and the barista offered their veggie sandwich to us which want on the menu. So we ordered that. It turned out to be pesto, mozzarella, tomato and egg on multigrain toast. It was fabulous! And big, which meant sharing was easy and satisfying. The sandwich even cane spilt for us on two different plates! Lots of people were ordering the granola (essentially a yogurt parfait) that looked good. But I was super happy with the egg sandwich. I would definitely go there again! Other random thoughts, street parking was abundant, it was a little busy, Wi-Fi is free!

Ericka B.

Yelp
Came here on a Thursday after work and ordered a cappuccino. The flavor was good and not too strong and of course the art was pretty. My friend ordered a chai latte which was also really good. There was no problem for us finding a spot to sit, but I could see how it could be difficult on weekends if they get busy.

Giselle L.

Yelp
Easily the best coffee in town because it's Kin Kin and because the baristas actually know what they're doing!!! Lots of natural light and a variety of seating make JPH a must for us when we roll into Madison.

Kate L.

Yelp
Amazing!! The toast with chèvre & jam is insane! We're neighborhood homeowners and need this place to stay forever! My husband and I are obsessed with the breakfast sandwiches. And my daughter loves the cocoa! Thank you, JPH!

Juan R.

Yelp
I truly cannot express how much I love this place. I dream about it every weekend. Last time my buddy and I drove up from Chicago to Madison we stopped here before even telling our friends that we were in town! It's that good. I've gone three times now and each time I get the same thing "Sunday Morning" Sandwich. Ham + maple syrup + cheddar + fried egg = WOW. Their bread is really terrific and crustless as well. GO here as much as possible Madisonites. This place is one of a kind.

Ariel W.

Yelp
I would say they got the Slow Coffee movement going on. No cheap coffee sitting in airpots for an hour or more. French press, chemex, V60, lattes, cortado(my favorite),.....all worth the price. Free wifi, chill baristas, laid back mellow music in the background, and can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches. Also can't forget the great selection of beers in the cooler. See that more and more in cafes.

Meghan H.

Yelp
"Sunday morning rain is falling Steal some covers, share some skin And clouds are shrouding us in moments unforgettable You twist to fit the mold that I am in" Rain in this case can more accurately be measured in terms of Sunday Morning Breakfast Sandwiches....Oh Johnson Public, how you fit the mold that I am in. Meld together hard-boiled egg, cheddar & ham between hearty slices of country-wheat bread that's treated with just a touch of maple syrup to devise an ingeniously crisp, subtle sweetness on par with the deliciously sweet sound of Adam Levine's voice. Add to the mix a steaming cuppa green tea and clouds will surely shroud you in a moment unforgettable.

Monica L.

Yelp
PROS: Great tea selection, good coffee, nice staff CONS: ? I love tea and JPH has a lot of excellent, non-standard teas. The staff is friendly and attentive to the brewing process, so the tea always tastes excellent. The atmosphere is relaxing, with lots of seating for students to study. My favorite coffee/tea spot in town.

Billy D.

Yelp
I like what they are trying to do - but I think there are a couple flaws. First, everything is fairly expensive for Madison. Coffee is around $4 per cup, pastries seem expensive, and coffee beans per lb. are pricey. Second, it seems just a bit too pretentious. My roommate asked for a coffee (she's not picky) and they said "Well, we just don't have coffee here... we make every cup to order" in a fairly snooty tone. And they weigh the water.... This isn't Blue Bottle. But - the positives are that I think it's a cool space with good decor and the coffee is pretty good (albeit expensive). I'll come back.

Kristine M.

Yelp
I adore JPH because it is completely unassuming. The decor is charming and vintage, the staff is knowledgable, and the breakfast/coffee is top notch. I went in today and had yogurt and granola, and even something as simple as this was presented in such an appetizing way. The fresh berries on the yogurt made my morning treat colorful and even more delicious. I am happy the construction in the area has stopped for now and the only noises that I hear in the shop are customers quietly chatting/enjoying their coffee and the staff hard at work... Keep up the good work JPH, we're your biggest fans!

Audrey N.

Yelp
This was an interesting place. I went around Noon on a Thursday; the place was 75% full, primarily with the hipster type. Folks appeared to be 18-25 years old...lots of Apple products. The staff was helpful for a newcomer. It was someone's birthday (maybe JPH's itself), so PBRs were on sale for only a couple bucks. It was very difficult to resist this temptation. A couple of friends met here for a meeting; one of our friends is a sincere regular, so she guided us. I ordered the Roast Beef Sandwich for $7; this was a particular treat for me considering I don't eat meat too often, and certainly not beef...on a sandwich. The beef, cheese, and caramelized onions were great, very melty. There was a sauce (sriracha involved?) that added some punch. I did not opt for any side dish but in addition to the regular chips, they offered greens or potatoes ($2.5). The menu is definitely breakfast or brunch focused. JPH's coffee is very good, there is not usually a line and if staff are cooking they know to prioritize a to-go cup of joe before a group of six dining in with sandwiches. The finishes in this cafe are appreciated. It is self serve, so one must get their own silverware, napkins, water then bus the table afterwards, which is fine if you actually know it's a thing. Parking on side streets is totally do-able. I will be back for coffee at least; this location and EVP serve this particular community well.

Sherry L.

Yelp
Such a rare find in Madison! And to think that it was totally by chance that my friend and I even discovered this little gem on the East side. We were in the neighborhood because we wanted to try Sophia's bakery for brunch. Unfortunately, Sophia's was closed for the day, so we begrudgingly headed back to the only open restaurant/cafe within walking distance: JPH. As soon as we caught a whiff of the freshly brewed coffee and took a glance at the menu, our frowns turned upside down. It was instantaneous. Magical even. I got a flat white latte and a sunday breakfast sandwich (egg, cheese, ham, & a touch of maple syrup)... who would have thought that combination could taste so good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I also love how they brew each cup of coffee to order. The baristas have truly mastered the art of coffee making! They take a while to prepare the food, but it is definitely worth the wait. There's also plenty of interesting art/furniture around the cafe to keep you busy as you wait. (: Patrons of JPH are very low key, and the establishment has a hippy-esque/laid-back feel (sans homeless people) that makes me nostalgic for the Berkeley coffee shops (yay cafe Med/Milano/Strada) that I used to frequent. If I go missing on a Sunday morning....I'm probably holed up at JPH with my laptop and a steaming cup of coffee!

Grant J.

Yelp
Just came in for a sandwich and ordered the horsey roast beef. Bread is perfect roll for a sandwich fresh and I think local lettuce mix on the sandwich. Roast beef great flavor no odd taste as some roast beef has. Next time I'll try the coffee looks amazing

Kelvin P.

Yelp
When I walked in to Johnson Public House, I fell in love. Known as a coffeeshop, this place offers more than I expected. The staples are here: seating, wi-fi, coffee/tea. The Masala chai tea was quite soothing, as tea normally is. I came to the establishment to do some work, but then, I was captivated by the place and decided to stay for a meal. I got the Roast beef breakfast sandwich, which was the size of a normal meal. I think this is sometimes overlooked. The cuisine isn't cutting edge, but it was tasty. If you're coming for world-class cuisine, there are other venues you should look for. However, if you are looking for a great cafe, this is the place for you. I can't stop talking about the atmosphere of the place. The music was great, starting off with indie hits of the past few years and transitioning into the oldies that my dad used to play when I was growing up. It made me want to stay there and work indefinitely. Surprisingly, the café was not that crowded on a Sunday afternoon (in the fall). There was also plenty of space to do work, whether you wanted to be seated bar-style or at a table.

Bobb S.

Yelp
Upon entering, you are greeted by a hodgepodge of mix and matched tables and chairs. Sitting in these chairs are even a bigger mishmash of people-hipsters, wanna-be's, students, young professionals, even someone wearing MC Hammer pants and telling her friends they sell also a "male" version. It just seems to all work as JPH is "2 Legit to Quit" They serve usually 3-4 choices of beans from Intelligentsia accompanied by 3 different brewing options. Never would have I imagined that I would engage in a conversation about what brewing method (pour over vs. chemex) would be most appropriate for the roast I selected, but I did and have no regret as the resulting coffee was incredible. Yes, the prices are higher than other places but the quality and attention to detail that come with it makes it worth every penny. Check it out, you will be glad you did.