Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Aldo's Cafe

    3.2 (43 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes, Sandwiches
    Open 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Aldo's Cafe Photos

    ALDO'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Aldo's Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    a man standing at the counter
    Farah A.

    Stumbled on this place as we were walking back from a meeting and decided to try it out. I ordered the curry bowl and green tea. Absolutely loved the curry bowl. It's made up of black rice, curried cauliflower, fingerling potatoes, crispy chickpeas, scallion, cilantro, curry dressing. You can have it as a vegan meal or add chicken to it. The curry was so flavorful and I couldn't stop eating it. The green tea was also so refreshing. I will definitely be back to try other things on the menu.

    Soba bowl
    Poushali G.

    Open for takeout during covid. In the warmer months they had a great outdoor setup that was perfect to come get a drink and study, but the colder weather has caused them to close their doors and only offer takeout. It looks closed from the outside so definitely double check before leaving! As far as food goes, they are only serving the "Grab and Go" items, which the cooks refill with the various options as frequently as they are sold. Their pastries are pretty good, I got an almond croissant and loved it. During covid, they're giving packaged pastries, so I'm not 100% sure about the freshness. I also got a soba bowl ($9.00), which the chef had just brought out when I got it and it was good!! A balanced and fillling meal with zesty asian flavors. I'm not sure it was worth $9.00, unfortunately. Along the same lines, the Crimson Berry ($2.25) is not worth the money, it's basically water that was in the same room with a berry. Their mochas are pretty good though. I got a decaf mocha with almond milk and it tasted like a slightly bitter hot chocolate, so good!!

    Sherry L.

    Summer hours are a little shorter than usual (they close an hour earlier), but are still long enough for a midday coffee break (you know, like the one you need around 2PM after inhaling a huge lunch at noon?). They also have lunch items available between 11-3PM on weekdays. Although I haven't tried all the options, the options that I have tried have all been pretty good - at least when compared to most cafe foods. For those of us working in the medical sciences center across the street, Aldo's is a blessing. The brightly-lit cafe with a high-ceiling is definitely a welcomed reprieve from the cramped quarters of a typical lab. Remember to check in on yelp for 10% off their frappes!

    Carbonara Salad
    Eric B.

    I've had several business lunches at Aldo's over the las year. I've had a decent meal every time. Today I had a cup of the bean and bacon stew and the chicken carbonara salad. The cup of soup was bowl sized. The salad was huge. Then bean and bacon soup was OK, a bit salty. The Chicken Salad was fantastic. Creamy noodles and fresh greens tossed with bacon and big chunks of chicken. The menu seems to rotate or else I'm just not paying attention. Aldo's is in the Wisconsin Inst. of Discovery - it's a lovely setting and offers a bit of an upscale dining room in the heart of the UW campus. Give it shot.

    Kristin S.

    Go a little before lunch time to avoid the rush! Absolutely love their Asian salad and tuna sandwich - healthy options while on campus. This building is also beautiful, with soothing water features and usually plenty of seating outside of peak hours. A great place to work, nosh and also makes a great latte. Beautiful patio during summer.

    Buffalo chicken wrap

    See all

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Aldo's Cafe

    You might also consider

    Wonderstate Coffee - Madison

    Wonderstate Coffee - Madison

    4.6
    (107 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Soooo good! Probably one of the top coffee shops we visited on a mini cross country road trip…read more Friendly service and moved fairly quickly , even with the line out the door at 7:30. Iced maple latte and chocolate sea salt cookie were divine. The sourdough and greens was not my favorite. I wish it was cut in half and i thought the greens would be on the sandwich.

    Came by on a Saturday so it was fairly crowded, but the line moved fast. The interior of the shop…read morewas surprisingly big but pleasant and well lit. They also had a good variety of merch items (apparel, coffee mugs, etc) to browse while waiting in line. They had a blueberry mint flat white on the menu, but since I wanted an iced coffee, the barista was able to ring up an iced latte with blueberry mint syrup for me instead. Super kind of her to recommend! Unfortunately the latte tasted pretty acidic, and I couldn't really taste blueberry or mint at all. My friend got the blueberry mint flat white (which is hot) and had the same complaints, so it might have just been the syrup. So wouldn't recommend the blueberry mint drinks but would be open to trying something else, since the service and ambiance of the shop was nice.

    Photos
    Avocado Toast ($13) - avocado, radishes, poached egg, pea shoots, and chili oil on Madison Sourdough pepitas polenta
    Avocado Toast ($13) - avocado, radishes, poached egg, pea shoots, and chili oil on Madison Sourdough pepitas polenta
    Inside of Cardamom Ginger Cookie ($2.75) - really sweet. Texture is soft
    Inside of Cardamom Ginger Cookie ($2.75) - really sweet. Texture is soft
    Cardamom Ginger Cookie ($2.75, quite sweet) and Blueberry Muffin ($4, just ok)

    See all

    Cardamom Ginger Cookie ($2.75, quite sweet) and Blueberry Muffin ($4, just ok)

    Aldo's Cafe - cafes - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...