The scones and teas are delicious!! Great outdoor seating and free WiFi. Very reasonably priced.

This place has no right to be so good. It is the size of a closet and it pumps out the best dirty chai I've ever had. Every other dirty chai is a disappointment after having Java den's. There is usually a long queue but if you get lucky you can be in and out within 5 minutes. Because it is in an apartment building and there are a lot of students that love this spot, I wouldn't recommend sticking around. They do have the newspaper's daily horoscope (WHICH IS WHY THEYRE MY FAVE COFFEE PLACE) and crossword out to play while you wait, it's a place leave as soon as you get your coffee. read more

Today I wanted to discover a coffee spot that I hadn't been to before. I looked up what was close to me, and Java Den it was! I had a lovely time here. I ordered an Iced Caramel Latte with Oat Milk and it was okay. I wish I could have tasted more caramel or sweetness. Not a bad latte at all though, the espresso was rich and delicious. I spent a little time studying at the seating bar by the window, and it was very serene. My drink was made quickly, and I was greeted with a smile. Would recommend if you are looking for a study spot! read more

Java Den At 1022 - Iced Caramel Latte with Oat Milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The Java Den is located inside a building lobby - which I found a little odd. I was expecting it to be a free standing cafe with its own facilities. They do have a cute little 'Joe-to-Go' window that allows customers to order their coffee without stepping foot inside the building, which is nice. I always get my chai lattes dirty (because cleanliness is overrated), and I think Java Den makes a good dirty chai. It even has a slight caramel tone at the end. Yum! Definitely glad I stopped by for the pick-me-up before work! TGIF! read more

Java Den at 1022 Johnson, Madison, WI The only reason I even stepped back into this establishment is because I have started yelping. There is one worker in particular who always wears a hat that must hate me and the rest of the world. Once I came in for my usual iced coffee with no ice (I have sensitive teeth so I get the coffee without ice) and I forgot to specify the "no ice" part. I thought it would not be a problem even though the employee who wears a hat had already poured in the ice with the coffee... IT'S ICE! I guess I was wrong because the worker turned around and said, "well next time you have to ask for that ahead of time" and he slammed my coffee down (still with ice inside) and turned away. I could not believe what had just happened and I vowed to never return again even though I work across the street and would have to go out of my way to get coffee from then on. This was not the only negative experience I have had with this man as I simply try to get my coffee. Fortunately, this time the worker who always wears a hat was working, but thankfully did not attend to me. Today it was a nice young gentleman in a floral print shirt (it was an awesome shirt by the way). He took my order, smiled, and retrieved my coffee (without ice!). I am rating this place a 2/5 because of past experiences. As long as I do not have to speak to the man who wears a hat, I think I can continue getting coffee from this establishment. I just feel sorry for the other people who do not have yelp on their side who are slighted by this evil man. I hope he can get his act together or that management can have a serious talk with him about how to talk to customers. read more

Java Den At 1022 - vanilla iced coffee no ice :) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is easily my favorite place in Madison (probably because it's right next to the Chemistry building). The staff is beyond friendly (without being weird) and the coffee is "deeelish", perfect location for students/professors. I've had almost every drink on this menu at least once- and all of them are awesome. Definitely THE place to go if you need a quick cup of joe. I wish it was open later, but I can't complain - this is the best. read more

I am a regular at the Java Den. You might be fooled by the fact that it's in an apartment building lobby. However, the espresso is quite good. My daughter says the hot chocolate is good, but I haven't checked it myself. The staff is friendly and courteous. Recommended. If you're curious, as of this writing (May 2011) they use Kickapoo Cofeee Beans, a local roaster. read more

Really great little cafe with a good location on campus. I like the coffee they serve (Kickapoo is a local Wisconsin brand) and they have a good selection of baked goods and other beverages. It's a small space with only a few tables. Outdoor patio is really nice. The staff has always been friendly as well. read more

Conveniently located across the street from my office, this is the best place on campus to grab a quick coffee! They serve Kickapoo coffee, which is phenomenal. They have all your typical coffee shop offerings in terms of lattes and such. Not a huge food selection...their breakfast food offerings could be better (hence the 4 stars rather than 5). read more

Its location is phenomenal. Off the beaten path and in the midst of campus buildings. When you need coffee, they are there for you. Considering your other options are university cafes, this place is a breath of fresh air. The coffee is ok. The prices are a little high, but I suppose you pay for convenience. They do not stand out in any way. All they serve is coffee and bottled beverages. The pastries are a little light on the selection. However, I once again reiterate, the location can not be beat. read more

I work near Java Den and love going there for coffee and the occasional treat. The proprieter knows about coffee and will gladly engage in conversation about beans, grind, etc. The other staff are generally congenial. I generally have espresso drinks and have always been satisfied. The quality of the baked goods (scones, croissants, muffins, etc.) is uneven: sometimes the croissants have been over-proofed; the scones are sometimes too dense. However, if you need coffee on the UW campus, I recommend Java Den over Peet's any day. read more

This was one of my first reviews from a few years ago. I went back in today after about a year-long hiatus, during which time I've totally become a pretentious, knowledgeable dick about coffee. Don't be fooled by its location in an apartment building--this coffee is excellent. My advice is to be a real stickler and be VERY picky about what coffee you get--they only serve Kickapoo, which is the best roaster in the entire region (suck it, Intelligentsia!). See what they have brewing, and get the SINGLE ORIGIN coffees--not the blends. It's very good. No, it's no Bradburys (and they don't even do pourovers!), but considering the quality of the coffee and proximity to the law school? It's definitely the best near campus. $2 including tax for a small coffee. Money well spent! read more

I used to stop in Java Den all the time until a short female barista was incredibly rude to me (Katelyn?). I hadn't done or said anything, so I was pretty shocked. I complained, and the manager just scoffed at me. I think customers deserve better treatment. This barista is long gone, but the experience was so bad that I never went back. read more

I love this little place in the heart of Madtown. Great coffee, talented baristas.

First of all, I want to say this: Jason and Katie ROCK!!!! Their customer service is unparalleled. They are always friendly and fast, plus they make amazing coffee drinks. The Kickapoo coffee they serve is absolutely delish, and their scones are unbeatable -- best ones I've ever had. The coffee in our UW building is AWFUL, so my coworkers and I walk 1.5 blocks to go here instead -- it's that good! Go now! :-) read more

Great coffee for school days too bad it close on weekend

I'm a pretty big fan of this place. The espresso is consistently good and the brewed coffee is excellent. The customer service is great, the baristas remember regular's names and orders, and one of them is a fountain of knowledge (although most of them can answer questions well). Just a couple small complaints: the quality of the baked goods is VERY inconsistent (seems to be more of a problem with La Brioche though); one of the baristas seems to be crabby almost every time I've stopped by; and the same barista is somewhat inconsistent with the smaller, flat drinks. I'm not a regular yet by any means, but this might just be my place next year! Given the other coffee options in the area (Indie, Aldo's and Union South), Java Den is doing a fantastic job. read more

I've gotten the best espresso in Madison here! Try it.