Spending an afternoon in Madison with my mom, I wanted to find a perfect cafe that was off the beaten path and that served hella good espresso. My mom loved her latte but my cappuccino fell a little short; the steamed milk consistency and ratio was off which resulted in a 6 oz latte pretending to be a cappuccino. It drives me a little nutty when I go to a cafe expecting top-notch baristas and I get someone who hasn't mastered a traditional cappuccino. But, everything else about this little shop was fantastic - the atmosphere, cozy window seats, and nice selection of baked goods and fresh lunch items. I'll definitely go back though and hopefully I'll get a better barista next time. read more

Indie is the best local coffee shop in the central Madison area. I have been going there for more than 10 years, as I work close to the place. I have tried several other coffee spots close to work, but I always go back to Indie. Great Coffee, but I also drink tea and a large selection of loose teas brewed in house. I love that they do not have tea bags that you can get at a grocery store as their tea selection! Try the Honey Licorice 1 of my favorites! Good food too. The waffles are some of the best I have ever had. For lunch try the Big Salad it is named for the Seinfeld reference. It is really yummy! The staff and owner are wonderful, with great customer service. read more

One of the cutest coffee shops in Madison! It's a relativity small space that's always close to full every time I stop in. Be wary of that if you plan to cozy up with a hot beverage on a weeknight or weekend-- students tend to pack the place up. Their coffee is pretty good, but I'm sold on their chai lattes. The ginger chai latte is a cup of serendipity. read more

Indie Coffee - "The Works" waffle. It's a multigrain waffle with chocolate chips, walnuts, strawberries and whipped cream. - Cafes Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Their takeout order website is super easy to use and the pickup was very convenient. Before my bike ride to work this morning I place my first order, ten minutes later I stopped and there was my food right there for me to pick up! Ten minute bike ride to the office later, after anxiously waiting to check out what Indie Coffee has to offer, I pulled out a steaming hot and absolute best breakfast bagel I've ever had. Don't go to the McDonald's down the road; go here, and don't forget to tip because you won't be disappointed. read more

Now this is the sort of place I crave. Perfect coffee shop atmosphere - smallish, cozy, warm lighting, not too loud but not too quiet, all in all great energy. While the place is small, the entry way has an alcove built around it so waves of cold air don't rush into the place every time someone comes/goes. Great touch. This feature also creates cozy little window nooks on either side of the door which add to the charm. Thick butcherblock tables of various sizes fill the place and tabletop lamps add to the ambiance. Staff was friendly, even bringing drinks out to the tables instead of yelling the orders and hoping you heard them to come fetch it. Plenty of reasonably priced food choices were available, ranging from waffles in the $4-6 range to sandwiches and soups. Plenty of vegetarian or gluten free options too! In the past, we've always hit up Barrique's on Park St. but this is definitely taking over first place as my go-to neighborhood coffee shop. I like the warm, cozy atmosphere and the service also seems better here. Plenty of parking was available on Regent St. every time I've been here. I can't wait to check out the outdoor patio in the summer! Note: they do seem to shorten their hours over student breaks so you may want to double-check what's listed is accurate if you're going during winter break, etc. read more

Great place to stop for breakfast and coffee in town. I had a cranberry and walnut waffle and it was quite good. It starts getting pretty busy at 8:30 and tables are somewhat difficult to come by. read more

Indie Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I lived just a few blocks from Indie over the summer and it was my favorite spot to take care of my morning emails and read through the news. A great spot to warm up before your day or meet for delicious waffles with a friend! The staff is super friendly and have great suggestions for drinks. read more

Indie Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

One of my favorite coffee spots on campus by far. The location is great and the atmosphere of the actual shop is super fun and enjoyable. I've always had pleasurable experiences and as a huge music person, always appreciate what they've got playing. If you're looking for a cozy, independent, yet totally worth it coffee shop, this is the place! read more

I've only had the beverages here, but the service has been friendly, and the drinks are excellent. I eat vegan, so a few more choices with pastries, etc. would be great - but the almond milk lattes, the cardamom chai and the "Golden Milk" turmeric tea I had on special were all RIGHT on time. Ambience is awesome. Will try the food some time next! read more

Indie Coffee - Took out the honey and bang, vegan - Cafes Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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It's conveniently located and the ambiance is kind of nice with their new remodel, but I would absolutely not return. Pros: free wifi sturdy, nice, new tables live music (quiet enough to think) if that's your thing Cons: Exorbitant prices (a soy chai latte that was mostly foam for over $5 and a tasteless, microwaved omelet for $7.5) Rude staff - they told me rudely "no carry-ins allowed", so I was forced to pay crazy disgusting prices for their food since I was hungry and needed wifi Loud kitchen - they're really loud in cooking and in making the coffee, so it was hard to get my school work done. Go there at your own risk. read more

Nice cute coffee shop! I enjoyed the cranberry walnut waffle as well as a well made cup of hot chocolate. I went probably about nine on a Monday morning and was surprised at how busy it was. The tables were all pretty much occupied with individuals studying, eating or chatting. Granted it was a small space but it seemed to be very popular that morning. Service was efficient and super friendly! read more

Came in for some waffles, they were definitely tasty, but not anything extraordinary. For the price, they were very filling and a good option. The atmosphere is very cozy, it's small, so definitely not a place for big groups. I would definitely go back for some coffee and to get some work done. Overall a cute place with a strong aesthetic. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed meeting a friend here for lunch with my daughter. Food was great and looked beautiful. Glad it tasted as good as it looked! My daughter and I got waffles and a sandwich on a bagel and split them between us. Cold brew was good too, but that's a given. ;) Staff was friendly and didn't give us a hard time even though we sat out back for an hour before getting around to ordering. The back patio was very relaxing. I like that it had an open door to leave through too, which is how we exited. I'd come back anytime! read more

I often pass by Indie on my way to my favorite coffee shop on the Square and after my last visit, I need to stop in more often. Yes, parking can be a hassle to find (street parking only) but the vibe is strong and they make excellent drinks. Seating can be tough during the busy times but in warmer weather, the back patio serves as a nice respite. read more

Great place for a lazy afternoon! The staffs are super friendly and the atmosphere is great! Quite and relaxing. Love their red & white waffle and turtle mocha. read more

Indie Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Visited for my first time two weeks ago. A GREAT cup of coffee. I tried their house dark roast and it was terrific! Their waffles are a must! I really enjoyed the multi-grain waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, they're big enough to share. The woman that took my order was super friendly and when she found out it was my first visit she was willing to give suggestions on what to try and loved answered my questions. They carry a rhubarb oatmeal bar that is served at the farmers market in the summer, I'm glad I found where to get them year round! I plan on returning soon! read more

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Waffles! Do I need say more for a Saturday or Sunday morning?? Oh yeah, coffee! You NEED to pair a waffle and some coffee at Indie. This is a must in Madison. Bike on over and nosh on some deliciousness right now. read more

Great coffee shop with very friendly staff. Coffee is amazing just black and bakery good are baked fresh! Pretty extensive menu with amazing chocolate chip waffles!! A little pricey with a tip. read more

Excellent coffee place on campus with good breakfast options. I like their cappuccino and I also sometimes get their paninis.

This is a great coffee shop if you are around the Regent area. The place is not pretentious like some coffee shops. It's a hole-in-a wall type of coffee shop where its homey interior decor stands somewhat in contrast of its slightly run-down exterior decor. People who frequent this place, especially during weekends, are students and locals living nearby, mainly to study, read a book, or solve crossword puzzles. The baristas are sweet and friendly in a next-door neighborly kind of way. The noise level is about average, on par with most coffee shops. Coffee is good, but I'm not picky about coffee. Their tea selection is huge. Oh, and the waffles are *amazing*; it may even give some waffle shops in Belgium a run for their money! They are perfect for a "I need a study break" type of cravings and probably bad if you are trying to restrict your sweet tooth cravings :) I only wish the place was a bit bigger; the indoor space is limited and a few times, it was hard to find a seat. Also, if you prefer openly lit space to study, it may not be for you (but you gotta try the waffles still!). It's dimly lit if you sit away from the windows and near the tables on the wall. read more

As all the reviews confirm, this place is a wonderfully authentic coffee house. The quality of the coffee is excellent--served hot, robust and exactly as I specified, and the panini egg sandwiches--I had no idea egg sandwiches could taste this good. This will be my go-to spot when I'm in Madison. read more

I tried Indie Coffee for the first time today. I ordered their Ghirardelli Mocha and their Red and White Waffle. The mocha is the best mocha I've ever had and the homemade whipped cream on top is perfectly light and fluffy. The Red and White Waffle has strawberries with their house-made whipped cream! I got a side of their Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce to pour over my waffle and it was great. The balance of the soft buttermilk waffle with the tart strawberries and the rich chocolate was an awesome decision. I will most definitely come back here again to try other items on the menu. I would highly recommend Indie Coffee for locals who have not been here and for new people in town. It's a great place to have in Madison. There is WiFi too if you're looking for a place to do work on a laptop. The downside to this place is that it seems packed all the time but you can always ask to share a seat with a stranger. read more

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I discovered their light, crispy multi-grain waffle. I've been waffle hunting in Madison, and for me, the Indie's is the best one. It's not the over loaded with whip cream and syrup kind - it's definitely a lot more lighter (and maybe healthier?) but works damn well for my taste. The only down side is their coffee, which is kinda sub-par. So remember, waffle and tea. With those, you'll be happy at this place. read more

Yay Indie! I love the cute tables by the window. Indie is great both in the summer and winter. In the winter, you can go and hunker down with your latte. In the summer, you can sit on their back patio (so cute) and sip an iced chi. They also have live bands on some nights. The baristas are nice and down to earth. They also work really hard because it's usually one person during the afternoons and evenings who has to serve both coffee and food. The food is not cheap. I've bought a few small bakery items made locally, but not much else. A major downside is that the hours aren't great for students who need to study late. I lived near the coffee shop for two years and my roommate and I would say "let's go study at Indie," and then would realize it would close soon after we got there. read more

I love Indie!! Collectivo is awesome, but it's getting a little commercial. Their shaded patio in the back is a nice regent street retreat. I haven't had a lot of luck with their wifi in the past, but it's more of a book-and-chill instead of a study spot. The staff has always been friendly and welcoming. Today I ordered a wingra-sized (small) iced latte. It was too milky for my taste, but nonetheless refreshing. My mom is a really picky tea drinker, and this place is literally the only tea she'll drink in Madison other than Ancora. She claims that their iced black current tea is the best tea in Madison. Next on my list at this place are the waffles! read more

Can't get my mind off that Ginger Rogers Latte! So delish, not too sweet, nice caffeine boost for the afternoon! I will definitely be making a special trip back there next time I'm in the area. The coffee shop has nice atmosphere, great menu for a lunch or breakfast. The fig and cheese sandwich was awesome. Everyone in my party enjoyed their meal. read more

Awesome waffles, definitely a Madisonian place (the sizes come in Wingra, Monona, Mendota). Coffee and atmosphere are great! Keep your eyes open for the occasional indie shows, which feel like heaven in a cramped and cute indie space. Oh, and there is 15min parking just a little ways away if you're in a hurry. read more

I've been hearing about and reading about the waffles at Indie... They are tasty. As was the Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwich. I had mine on an everything bagel. Hard to screw up this sort of combination. The bagel sandwich was run through the panini press - interesting. My try everything breakfast... waffle, bagel sandwich and a medium iced coffee was just over $12. A good quality value. So don't think of Indie for just coffee, they have solid food service as well. read more

I usually have meetings here with my graduate advisor. Even though the place looks small, it actually provides a great atmosphere for conversation (not too loud, yet not too quiet). The lattes are great, but (visually) seem really big. I went here recently with my husband to enjoy the waffles. With drinks and a waffle a piece the bill came out to $26 and change. Worth it, but you can get a much heartier meal for the same price elsewhere (like Daisy's on Atwood). My husband had the multigrain cranberry and walnut, while I opted for the red and white. His stayed crunchy while mine became soggy over time because of the whipped cream and strawberries. All and all a good (and quick) Sunday brunch, but I think next time we will just split one waffle. It's a lot of food! read more

Service here is always prompt and the workers are friendly. the BEST chai latte and any coffee latte in madison!! They have alot of flavors for syrup, even unique ones like creme brulee. its also a nice place to study usually quiet or even take a friend to catch up. read more

I love this place. I've been coming here on a regular basis for the past 3 years. The staff is always friendly and quick at making drinks & food. The oatmeal rhubarb bars are really good and they have homemade muffins baked daily. The muffin flavors change, which is nice since there's always a new one to try. I also enjoy the breakfast sandwiches. They allow you to make changes too. For example, I'll sub a bagel for a focaccia and add an egg to sandwiches that don't normally come with that. I have also called in orders in advance for when I'm running late for work and they're always ready on time. Their new power reuben, which has brussels sprouts and kale in it, is also very good. I have yet to try the waffles since I'm usually just picking up coffee, a latte, and/or food. I'm excited to try the multigrain waffle. It's always nice when a place has whole grain options. Indie also has a nice atmosphere. There's a patio, a pitcher of water freely available, and they have beautiful tables and chairs. I highly recommend this locally owned place. read more

Great local coffee shop. I highly recommend having the fig, honey, and goat cheese sandwich if you're looking for delicious and healthy lunch. It makes a great study spot, too. read more

I LOVE this place. The coffee is excellent, and I didn't think I was big on waffles but their waffles are incredible, I always have to get one when I go there. The space is a bit cramped and when college kids are there studying you might not find a place to sit. But there is a pleasant back patio/garden area where I usually sit when it's nice, and it's usually not so busy either. For being on regent st the street traffic noise isn't too bad, and the whole business has a neighborhood vibe. I wish there were outlets in the back garden so I can charge devices while working and sipping back there, but not a huge deal. I complained about tight quarters a bit, but they have "community" tables which helps mitigate space problems by saying anybody can sit at those tables if there is a seat open. If I was a bit more outgoing this wouild be a great way to make new friends. read more

Cute little campus coffee shop that is known for their waffles. I got the pumpkin pie latte. It was average. The workers their are nice and eclectic. read more

Indie Coffee - Pumpkin Pie Latte - Cafes Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Best bagels in Madison and excellent prices!! A little crowded, but just makes the atmosphere warmer. Great coffee too! Love this place :)

Worst coffee I have ever had. I ordered a mocha, and it didn't have even a HINT of a taste of coffee, or much else. I asked to have it remade, same thing. Maybe they were made by someone who was new, but I had earlier experiences here with tasteless coffee, so I won't be back. read more

Good coffee and the breakfast bagels were good but they completely forgot about our food for 20 minutes. Had to go remind them and it came out to us after another 5 minutes. read more

They serve really good lattes! I had their chicken focaccia sandwich with goat cheese and spinach. I am not a big fan of goat cheese, but it was done well. I am more impressed with their latte which was foamed well and the coffee and milk ratio was spot on. Definitely will go here again! read more

I love how cozy this place is. Great place to grab a quick coffee, but also a great place to do work in, meet up with a friend. The backyard patio is enjoyable in the warmer weather, and the waffles are great! Sandwiches are yummy and their chais are my favorite! read more

One of my favorite coffee places in town, especially for the delectable iced coffee and good service. The ambiance is great, with good music, too. There's a back patio that's intimate, quiet, and comfortable. The salads are honestly the best kept secret in town; those things are fantastic, even better than those bizarre specialty salad places on State St. read more