The daybreaker sandwich was good - the herbed mayo was the best part. The teddy bear latte was OK - it didn't really have a ton of flavor resembling the description. Sitting here and working is good for a bit early in the morning, but in the afternoon it gets very busy, loud, and you get bumped by people if you sit too close to the door. read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Daybreaker & 3 Bear latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Quick and friendly service. High quality coffee and chai. Love the lighting and decor. They were having a really busy day, and everyone was still incredibly friendly and efficient. read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Chai Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I've stopped in a few times now, and this spot has become one of my go-tos when I want a good drink and a relaxed place to hang out. The coffee is always high quality, and I've liked everything I've tried so far. The vibe is cozy and works well for getting a little work done or just taking a break with a warm drink. Staff has consistently been friendly, even on days when the place is clearly busy. The seating area is on the smaller side. Overall, it's a great little cafe that I look forward to coming back to. read more

Cheese curds were amazing! I had roast chicken, it was good. Moist and sauce was good. I would have e liked a vegetable with the dish - it came with mashed potatoes but no veggies. Atmosphere spot on!!! read more

I've been here a couple times now and love the seasonal lattes here. They have such creative flavor combinations, and generally they are tasty in both hot and cold varieties. I recently tried one of their breakfast sandwiches too - the Hot Jam, which was new on the menu - and it was superb. There has always been plenty of seating too when I've come. The staff is friendly, and the drinks come out relatively quickly. read more

Service felt a little slow, but the coffee/latte was great and I loved the vibe. A younger but mixed crowd.... That felt university-ish and local read more

Went here to get some work done in the morning. I love that the atmosphere is very laid back and there are plenty of tables. We ended up ordering a drip coffee and one of the summer specials, better call Paul. The special was a surprise in taste with the cherry bitters, but it was very pleasant. Gave a nice tart contrasting bitterness to the coffee and sweet syrup. Their drip coffee is also quite tasty and way better priced than a lot of coffee shops in the area. Definitely a go to place to get some work done and grab some caffeine. read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Enjoy your breakfast with delicious Treehugger sandwich and Iced Mocha from Crescendo Espresso Bar at Hilldale!! Treehugger - Baked egg, aged cheddar, basil pesto, and tomato on whole wheat english muffin. Crescendo makes a tasty iced mocha, it was a 10/10 for me. The treehugger sandwich was delicious and so filling. Loved the flavors of aged cheddar, basil pesto, and tomatoes!! It's a cute spot to enjoy good coffee and good food. The place has a warm inviting atmosphere and friendly employees. Great place to study or work offsite for a few hours. Check it out TODAY! read more

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Delicious coffee & pastries - perfect place to get some work done even on the weekend. Friendly staff and cute interior. read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Almond croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Crescendo has a lot going for it. The menu is streamlined but interesting, and coffee is pretty good and sometimes great depending on the day or who's making it. The decor is pretty clean and modern, maybe too much but it's still a nice place to work or relax in. The service is a little spotty but never bad. I go here really often because it's in a super convenient location, and has later and more consistent hours than most other coffee shops. But ultimately the quality is less consistent than I'd like. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would but I'm really happy it exists so I'll round up. read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Coffee bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Check out this place for all caffeine needs while at hilldale mall! Modern feel in the alley off Hollander- this smaller coffee shop that specializes in espresso but good at everything. They even have burritos and fancy toast options. They have a 10 loose leaf options as well. The cups have the logo on the built in sleeve. It also feels better textures to drink out of than the original paper cup. Not a lot of space, and somewhat loud with the machines and people. Most of the chairs are uncomfortable and the bar stools don't have a back, but this may be more for to go. read more

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A very trendy place that definitely fits the vibe of Hilldale. Baristas are friendly and efficient. There is ample seating if you want to stick around and hangout. The blueberry matcha is a must try! The only downfall is that Crescendo is on the pricier side. read more

I had a pumpkin spice latte (upon the barista's recommendation) and really enjoyed it. Though the price was a bit steep ($5.64 for a 12oz), both the coffee and the atmosphere were great. There was music playing in the background, but it was still a good place to read or get some work done. read more

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Great coffee and one of the only places in Madison with reasonably priced meals (you can get a lunch for $5-7) hence we end up there very often. Coffees are regular price, $3+. Tried most things on the menu, everything is good! Their bread comes from a local bakery and is sooo good, so I love their toast options. In summer you can sit on the common tables outside. Highly recommend for the food and coffee. Oddly enough another favorite thing here might be the (free) water! It is specially treated and tastes amazing. Locally owned so that's awesome too :) read more

Got the chorizo burrito, and it was disgusting. Scalding on the edges, cold in the center. That can only happen if the contents are refrigerated and reheated. Mushy, and the sausage was not chorizo. Bland and unseasoned. Tiny. Suggest the restaurant put all its food items against a panel of 5-10 taste testers because this effin sucked and I suspect the entire food menu needs an upgrade. Stick to coffee. Won't go here ever again. read more

What a quaint little coffee bar. The vibes here are phenomenal! It was nice and quiet with beautiful decor, and a masterfully graphically designed menu. The baristas that were working were very kind! As for our drinks (We didn't get any food, sadly. It looks delicious!), they were quite tasty, but the Sweet Matcha was mostly foam. I had a delectably rich caramel latte with oat milk (not to mention the beautiful foam art on top). I highly recommend coming here if you find yourself shopping at Hilldale and need a pick-me-up! read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Sweet Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Stopped by Crescendo Expresso Bar to do some online work while enjoying an iced latte. The vibes at Crescendo were very good. The venue was well lit inside and the bar had their windows open where you could feel the rays of the sun and the wind. The oat milk iced latte that I got was very yummy. The latte had a strong expresso flavor and the ratio was right. Overall, the drink was around $6 after tip which was a bit on the pricier side. Will return as the venue was very nice, the waiters were very friendly, and the atmosphere was clean and well lit. read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Iced oat milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Coffee is just ok! Not terrible, but leaves something to be desired. Felt more like a chain than a local coffee shop, but better than a Starbucks! I had an almond milk cappuccino and it was watery. Looked like they had GF bread for food and an assortment of regular baked goods. read more

Amazing environment in hilldale with friendly staff. I love working here with the garage door open in the summer. Today I tried the spring special "nectar latte" with oat milk and iced. Very tasty! read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Spring 2023 specials - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Baristas are generally so friendly and it's a nice environment to get work done in. The blueberry oatmilk matcha is so heavenly! read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - blueberry matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This was nice find on Madison. Bit of a walk into an outdoor mall, but good service and tasty coffee made it worth it.

It's located in the middle of the Hilldale shopping district. Even though it's inside of a mall complex, it's a beautiful shop that you can take a break especially on a nice day and enjoy the ambiance. It's nice to have a good cup of cold brew while walking around and driving around town while traveling between cities. Madison was a pleasant surprise for eating and adventuring. I grabbed a bag of beans and was pleased by the flavors of the roast. read more

I had their blueberry matcha latte and it was divine! Quick service and great atmosphere.

Great addition to the center. Excellent food options here. Surprisingly good actually. It's always a good time when I have enjoy time to enjoy one of their breakfast sandwiches. Their cold brew is strong. Like Stallone in "Over The Top" strong. It took me a whole day to finish it. The first couple of sips knocked me back a bit lol. The americano is a bit more tame and my go-to drink. It's balanced and easy drinking. Plenty of seating inside and out. It's a can't miss... read more

Crescendo is always a solid spot to drop by, when you're at Hilldale shopping, or just passing by, needing a caffeine boost. The spot is very cozy with a solid seating selection and always welcoming staff. In the summer, they have a walk-up window, which is very convenient. Every coffee drink I have ordered has always been delicious and quick. The baristas are always helpful with suggested items. Last time I was there, I believe they had a nitro cold brew coffee, on tap, which is a must try, even during the Wisconsin winters. read more

Came here not too long ago and really liked it. Got one of their holiday drinks and it was great! Only complaint is the lack of seating for being the only coffee in such a big shopping center. read more

Going downhill... Came in early Saturday morning 12/16/23 when there were no customers with two baristas working. Ordered a Latte for my wife and pour over for myself. Barista was extremely rude and pour over was rudely denied since they don't do those on the weekends since it can get busy. Understanding that may be the case, I ordered a normal coffee. Coffee tasted over extracted / burnt and my wife's Latte was terrible. Folgers is better... While we drank our coffee no other customers came in and it was dead. The barista that was rude and concerned about not having time to make a pour over had plenty of time to complain about her life and eat food. When a few customers finally came into the shop, the baristas rudely ignored them, screwed around, continued to eat food, and complain. We've visited this coffee shop a few times since June 2023 and it's been getting worst each time. My first visit was awesome (with only one barista working on a Saturday) and had one of the best pour overs I've ever had. That barista could discuss pour over types, types of beans, etc. Now, I can't get a pour over with two baristas working. Stop by this coffee shop if you value terrible burnt coffee with rude and whiny baristas... read more

I am so glad Crescendo added a location to Hilldale. I have loved their Monroe street location for years. The environment is great here. It is modern with lots of natural light and plants everywhere. They also have a fireplace and they display local art on the walls. During the summer they open their garage door-type windows by the counter bars and it is gorgeous. Their coffee is top notch and they sell a variety of sandwiches and treats as well. Pro-tip: they sell "Celebration" tea and it is in my opinion the best tea in Madison. Fruity and cinnamon-y. Crescendo's owners are great and the care they put into their businesses shows. One of my go to coffee spots for sure! Like many coffee shops in college towns this place does get pretty crowded on the weekends. So at times, it is tough to get a table. However, this location is within an outdoor mall with great stores. It would be perfect to grab a drink at Crescendo and then stroll around and shop at some great spots. read more

Yummy coffee, awesome food, and great ambiance! I always look forward to doing homework here or even stopping by for a treat while shopping. read more

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Love going here for their Sweet Matcha latte/Blueberry Sweet Matcha Latte. It's hard to find places that actually mix their matcha in smoothly with no clumps. Whether it's iced or hot - they always seem to get it right! The four stars aren't five only because I haven't tried much else on the menu. I'm a creature of habit lol read more

This coffee bar has such an inviting atmosphere. I was greeted right as I walked in the door and my order was taken promptly. I got my usual afternoon pick me up, a quad espresso over ice with a splash of cream. They took my order and asked if i've ever had my espresso shaken and poured on top of ice with cream, and I actually haven't. They then suggested it and I was willing to try! They gave me my order and told me if I didn't like it they would gladly make me a new one. Of course I loved it! The espresso was so fresh and tasty. When i'm in the area I will for sure be coming back! read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - shaken espresso over ice with cream - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Crescendo is one of my new favorite coffee shops in Madison! I would say they're a better place for more social time. The vibes are cute and the cafe is cozy. I had a mocha and it was delicious -- the coffee was strong and not too sweet. My favorite part is their desserts -- the brownie is SO fudgey and the pumpkin bread is tasty! read more

Stopped in this morning before work. Good atmosphere. Perfect latte and friendly barista!

Great choices of coffee roasts and blends! Love their dark roast Columbian. Now that's a coffee house! read more

Ignoring the $2.00 price hike on the tree hugger sandwich (while noting no price hike on the daybreaker?), I ordered what used to be my favorite meal for lunch today. Scheduled pickup as I work nearby and have limited time on my lunch break. I walk to the counter and grab my sandwich. It feels thin, but I think nothing of it. Until I sit my butt down back in the break room and open my tinfoil to find this monstrosity. Look, I know it's a messy sandwich. I have no complaints when there is pesto smeared all over the sides or when I take a bite only to find the interior squished out the back but this looks like you dropped my sandwich on the floor and let my toddler step on it. I get over my frustration of the presentation and take a bite into the thinnest breakfast sandwich I have ever had - and I used to order my sandwiches no egg. What do I find? It's burnt. So burnt that it's all I taste. At this point, I feel an employee at this location has a vendetta against me. Why? I don't know. I don't know a single one of them personally. My orders are constantly canceled (without informing me?) and every time I order in person the attitude is beyond. It truly does not hurt you to smile. I'm not mad, yet here I am also considering disappointment to be an understatement. Looks like I will no longer be getting lunch (or coffee) at crescendo, as driving to Moka would save me time and frustration read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Treehugger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Love love this coffee shop! Super cool atmosphere! Perfect for studying or hanging with friends! Their miel latte is super yummy and for some reason their super cool coffee cups makes it taste even more yummy! read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Cashier/barista didn't great my friend and I. Just stared at us until we ordered, Only good thing was the chocolate chip pumpkin loaf. Other than that. The avocado toast was plain and had no flavor. read more

This place has just opened, and it probably takes the cake for my favorite coffee ​shop in Madison. There are​ some nice ones further west, but I'll classify those as Middleton for the sake of this review. The interior design is perfect. It's a good balance between modern/minimal and warm. The Edison​ bulbs hanging from the ceiling are a personal favorite. They clearly know what they're doing when it comes to coffee, and you can get a Chemex​ brew for $4.50, which is cheaper than I've seen it elsewhere and you get just over two cups of coffee from it. (It takes the barista​ about ten minutes to make this type of coffee, which is the main reason for its price. I try only to order it if there's no one else waiting for drinks.) The staff are really kind and personal. They're making a good effort to learn customers' names which I appreciate. Another review mentioned a lack of outlets, but I don't have issues with that so I personally haven't noticed. I would definitely recommend trying this place out if you visit the Hilldale Mall, or are just in the area. 4 (standard) + 1 (interior design, great coffee, reasonable price, kind staff) = 5 stars read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Inexpensive Chemex brew with choice of beans. Great work environment. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The inside of the cafe was so cute and very inviting. The girl who took our orders wasn't particularly friendly, didn't even smile or greet us. The coffee itself was pretty good, something I would get again if I was in the area. I'd be interested to try some of their food options as well since we just got coffee this trip. read more

Crescendo Espresso Bar - Iced Vanilla Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Very rude owner. Kicked us out after purchasing drinks. Apparently sitting and talking to friends in a coffee shop is crossing the line these days. Would not recommend taking up a seat in this lady's establishment unless you feel the need to be hassled. If confrontation is a good side to your coffee highly recommend. read more