Ordered a latte and an egg & cheese sandwich. The coffee was a no for me. Watered down, bitter, and served lukewarm. The sandwich was tasty, though I wish it was served on something other than a hamburger-type bun. Be aware that since the food is made to order--as in, the barista had to beat the eggs -- it can take a while. And since the coffee wasn't hot, if you're like me you'll finish the coffee before getting the food. I'd give it more like 3 stars, but I really like the space. It's very small, but has well-thought out placement of seats. read more

Yummy!!! This is everything you need for a quick-stop breakfast or long lounging session. Quaint little corner shoppe with intense & fresh ingredients. You can seriously have a sandwich & cup of coffee for under $10!!! You can tell its owner ran & has a close knit team. Very chill vibes and LOVE the tin ceiling. read more

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Wow- Patrick sure runs a nice cafe! I was so impressed by how nice and warm he and his staff were when we had breakfast there yesterday. Like genuinely kind. He also makes a mean cup of coffee, which doesn't hurt. I had the egg and cheese sandwich and it was delish- especially the bread. My son had a watermelon doughnut, which was surprisingly tasty and vegan, I understand. The cafe is super cute and the walls are adorned with beautifully unique paintings by the owner. read more

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Funky little "old style" coffee shop with actual baristas in the form of a couple of local college kids. ThE menu is limited. Fun alternative music playing from one of their play lists. A bit loud but they were willing to turn it down. We both ordered paninis (which is most of the menu). Mine veggie and my husband classic (w/ summer sausage). Both served with ripple chips. The girls are preparing everything from scratch so it takes a while. Some guy came in with his folding bicycle. Absolutely looks like a friendly locals place and this rating reflects that. read more

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While the staff was very kind and this hot chocolate was beautiful, it didn't quite do it for me. I ordered a peppermint hot chocolate, which I found to be too sweet and overly minty. The ambiance is quite pleasant, so I may try it again. read more

The Victory - Peppermint hot chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Yum! Stopped mid morning on a Wednesday, no line. Great vibe. Parked alongside street. Daughter got an iced vanilla latte with extra vanilla and loved it. Great flavor. I got a London Fog with added vanilla and lavender. London Fogs are my favorite but never had it with lavender before. It added a subtle flavor and was delicious. Drink was HOT which can be lacking at many shops as them serve them warm. Would be a regular of this location if we were local. read more

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A very cozy spot that makes you want to hunker down for awhile. The owner is so friendly and seemed to know everyone who walked through the door by name. The oat milk lattes are solid and they carry Level 5 donuts, which is truly the key to my heart. I only wish they had extended hours! read more

The Victory - Oat Milk Latte, Level 5 Donuts - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My favorite cafe in Madison. Small yet cozy, cool interior delicious food ( especially love the tuna panini with tea and a donut) great staff and Patrick is always fun to talk to. Feel very at home here. This is where I come just to chill. Oh yeah, the music is always on point, too. read more

I love this place. It's small, so there's occasionally a short wait, but seems to be worth it. The owner (I think) is so nice and always makes my day. He appreciates good food, coffee, and style; what more could you want? They have soy and almond milk on the menu, but also have oat milk if you ask for vegan and non dairy folks. They also carry vegan conchitas and level five vegan donuts and cinnamon rolls, so get there early before all the best treats sell out. read more

Saturday around noon and I need a break. Just came from an errand, putting cash on the counter for a new stainless steel sink, faucet, countertops. Undecided about where to go, The Victory is ahead of me and it makes the decision for me. I park on a side street, maybe half a block down, and make my way into the cafe through their door, and the draft protecting velveteen curtains. Such a considerate touch. The vibe is mellow, Louis Armstrong and a vocalist are on deck, waffles are being served. I choose an 8 oz hot chocolate with a bit of whipped cream ($3.25) and the very friendly staff person brings it to my table. Sun comes in the large windows facing Atwood. Conversations are quiet and customers are warmly greeted and quickly served. The hot chocolate hits the spot - and 8 oz is just enough to soothe my consumerist nerves. I feel fine. I really needed this reminder that my neighborhood has one of the best coffee shops in Madison in The Victory. I decide to chart my kitchen re-do project with trips there to keep it upbeat. read more

The Victory - Hot Chocolate at The Victory - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Exactly what a local coffee shop should be - very good black coffee, a few menu options so you can grab a bite if that is what you are looking for, a unique and interesting vibe, and in a location with other things to right there. It may be a little cramped to consider as a frequent place to set up for a while. read more

Best coffee in Madison? Quite possibly. Ordered a flat white (two shots), and an Egg Sandwich + pesto, tomato, cheese - made with Far Breton Bakery ciabatta. I was asked, apparently impromptu, if I wanted some baby spinach on that too, which sounded great! What a way to start the day! The coffee is nice and full flavoured with a pleasant mild bitterness, a full chocolatey middle with some bright notes and a pleasant lingering finish, maybe a little burnt sugar. It's complex, interesting, multifaceted and extremely enjoyable. The sandwich was very good too, all components working together, and that cheese was sharp! The ciabatta provides a firm substrate but doesn't overwhelm things. Presentation is down to earth and lets the flavor do the talking. Would order again. Service is warm, well mannered. Water is supplied with out having to ask. You order at the counter and they bring everything out to you. Decor is quirky and eclectic but comfortable. It is a very welcoming space. Looking forward to coming back very soon! read more

This is my favorite coffee shop in town. Even our church (Journey Church MADISON) uses their coffee for Sunday service. Owner Patrick's at the helm every day and he is super friendly. Busy working every aspect of business. Coffee is great the food is too. I could spend every morning in there. Always good vibes and I'm happy to see my money go to somewhere I can see. Thanks Patrick! read more

My boyfriend and I happened upon this place after ordering Stalzy's breakfast sandwiches to go. We walked in on this fall Sunday morning and funky-jazz music was playing. It was almost kind of perfect. I ordered an oat milk latte with lavender and while the barista was making it he was bopping along to the music. He served me with joy and we went about with our day. The coffee was fantastic and the service was wholesome. Will definitely be going back! read more

Victory reminds me of the cafes I used to frequent in inner city Sydney (Glebe, Newtown, Surry Hills etc...) back in the 90's and, like many others reviewing it here, it is my favourite coffee shop in Madison. I don't drink coffee, but their tea selection is good and they actually boil the water for the tea rather than just get it out of the coffee making thingy. They also have a good selection of savoury and sweet snacks. I like that the paninis are made to order, rather than made who knows when, cling wrapped and then kept in the cooler (Zoma, I am thinking of you). The lack of WiFi is a bonus as there are no students taking over the tables for hours on end, so for those whinging about no WiFi, go back to Barriques or Alterra, check in on FB so your friends can see your mediocrity and then share your inane cell phone calls with the dozens of others doing the same. read more

The Victory - chicken empanada for a lazy Sunday - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The Victory is one of those hidden gems in Madison that I go to quite frequently. I have only ever ordered coffee but, it has always been a stellar cup. It is on the light/bright end of coffee for their drip or iced coffee, rather than a super dark roast. I really enjoy the brightness of their blend. The employees are always super nice, helpful, and very grateful for me stopping in. It is quite a small place and especially with Covid, you're not able to hang out in there. With the social justice movements this year, The Victory has been one of the most visually outspoken, posting large signs in their windows stating that Black Lives Matter and to protect Trans* and women of color. I love that and feel pride when I drive by or stop in that I am supporting a business that speaks up and speaks out. I have not gotten food before but, it's on my agenda to get a sandwich or baked good that they have. On a cold winter/hot summer day, The Victory is always on my agenda to give me that caffeine boost I need to get through the day! read more

Love this place. Still. More than ever. I hadn't been in in awhile, and my hair is a lot darker now, but Patrick greeted me instantly and with an instant apology for not having a Chemex pot anymore, as they keep breaking. Love that kind of memory for customers preferences, and he also asked me if I was alone today...then said 'whew', as if relieved. Hilarious. I'm not going to specifically advertise the amazing, over-the-top other very unexpected happy surprise I received there today, but let's just say Mr. Hooper would approve, 100%. Can you tell me how to get, how to get to... The Victory? (Click on the directions.) The very best Sunday mornings always happen here. Hung out with my new book, my salmon panini and my coffee, listening to the rock opera Tommy. Good times. read more

The Victory - Perfection. Trifecta. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I am impressed, The Victory was certainly terrific. The price was super reasonable - I couldn't believe it! Every thing was fresh, flavorful, and totally tasty. The servers are very pleasant and attentive. I would recommend The Victory. read more

This is an adorable and quaint coffee shop! It feels like a dive bar that exclusively sells coffee and coffee products. To begin with, there are some limitations when coming here. First, there is only street parking available for when you decide to come. The advantage is that there always seems to be parking near by! In addition, they do not have any wifi in the building. So bring a book or two and catch up on your readings! Finally, this place is cash only which is completely cool! I love how it's a local business and that it's cash only. It makes me believe my cash is going back to the community and not to a major business. Now it is time for the good things about The Victory! The staff is so sweet and down to earth. They always greet you with a warm smile, and they make you feel just at home! They make sure your drinks come in a prompt manner, and they will make sure you have a pleasant stay from entering to leaving. The coffee is also impeccable. The flavors of the coffee are phenomenal and I adore their hot coffee. In addition to their dope coffee, they have a nice variety of food dishes for someone to choose from! read more

I just came back from The Victory and I can safely say it's my favorite cafe in Madison. No, they don't have wifi, and I think that's great. The few tables they have were occupied by people conversing, drinking coffee/tea/whatever and reading books, rather than browsing facebook. This improves the environment a great deal. No, they don't take credit cards. I live nearby so I went home to get cash. It's a slight inconvenience, but I understand what credit processing fees can do to a business and with a business like a cafe there aren't many large sums to be processed. If this were a hair salon or a store it would be a big deal, but I can bring $5-10 in cash to a cafe. Yes, the cafe is clean and inviting. The barista behind the counter was very pleasant, they have chalkboard walls for children to draw on, and an interesting selection of reading materials available. Yes, the drinks were great. Best mocha I've had in town, and the homemade ginger soda was exceptional. I can still taste the ginger. The only thing I would suggest they change is the signage. I'm assuming the current paper-cutout Victory sign is a placeholder, but they have a nice logo so I'd like to see it painted on the glass. Thankfully it's not located downtown so it won't be full of red badger pajamas. Brooklyn's loss is definitely our gain. read more

The Victory - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I drink coffee like water and am always on the lookout for a new shop to try... This has quickly become my favorite spot in Madison. It's a small, quaint, stylish space on Atwood. The decor is very classic, and in my opinion the layout truly sets this place apart. The seating around the bar is unique and inviting, the coffee is incredible and the staff gets 5 thumbs up from this guy AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE 5 HANDS No Wi-Fi? NO PROBLEM. You come here to relax, read a book, make some conversation with the owner. If you want to study or work, grab a table at Barrique's. This place is a real gem. read more

Shoutout to Madison Yelper Steve L. for recommending The Victory to me. I will never look back. Patrick, the owner of The Victory, is a guy who knows how to do business and retain customers. From the three times I've been, I'd guess he knows the names of at least 75% of his customers. He introduced himself to me, chatted with me about Minneapolis (where we both grew up), and refilled my coffee himself. Just don't be intimidated by the fact that everyone seems like they know each other. This place would top my recommendations list for anyone visiting (or living in) Madison. read more

I have been meaning to check out this coffeeshop cafe for a long time now, but often have passed it by on my way somewhere else thinking, repeatedly, "I have to remember this next time." Then, they made headlines this week when an angry vandal put a rock through their window with a political message on it. Hard to believe that the constituents of a governor who says, "Wisconsin is open for business" would be putting rocks through local business windows. Well, perhaps not hard to believe.. So, I found myself among those flocking to the Victory Cafe to order something and give a hand toward the window repair and toward restoring faith in our neighborhood as we come together to support a local business owner who was seriously wronged. A bit over a mile away, the morning walk was chilled and brisk and a nice sunny-cold wake up before that first sip of coffee. I walked through the drapes hanging at the door keeping the cold out, into the coziest, friendliest space in town. There was soft Reggae playing, counter space stools stocked with today's newspapers, and little tables around the long, narrow room. The window was temporarily patched up with tape and surrounded with fresh new posters (the presumed target of the vandal). A sign on the door read, "Also mightier than the rock." I sat down at the counter with a hot frothy coffee drink and a muffin. Their coffee and blueberry muffin were perfect light wake-up fare. Two people were holding down the fort chatting with customers whom they knew by name and preparing fresh ciabatta sandwiches for the afternoon rush to come. I noticed they have plenty of gluten and dairy free pastry options for people with special dietary needs. When I ordered, I considered the breakfast ciabatta, but noticed that they don't accept debit cards and I had only come prepared with $10 in cash. The espresso drink and big blueberry muffin were only $6 together, very competitively, fairy priced. Without knowing me, the person taking my money generously offered to give me credit if I would like to order something heartier and pay them when I return. This is a true neighborhood business. They were so welcoming and kind, knew everyone's names, and cared about the people who came in the door. They have been feeling the love since this terrible rock incident, which was a relief to hear. Nothing like having your personal space violated to threaten your outlook, but people came in concerned and supportive. A place like this deserves a long life held with warmth in the heart of Madison. I look forward to more morning walks and hope people will stuff their window repair jar generously with tips. Oh, also, they are on the bike path for you Winter bikers who need a warm up. read more

Teaaaaa-licious! I will resist my urge to make victory puns and instead make ones about tea. I give this place a chai five for its tealightful loose leaf selection and cute little serving trays. I pity the fool who hasn't tried this place - Mr. Tea. They offer a handful of food items (mainly sandwiches) but have a nice little vegan panini. It's not much (grilled flatbreads with vegan cream cheese, tomato and red onion) but it's a tasty breakfast. Plus you can imagine they're crumpets and you're British, which is awesome. Yeah, they don't have wifi but it's a great place to sit and chat with a friend or read a mystery novel. Tea-riffic! read more

This coffee shop has a lot of problems but the products are decent. I got a cup of vegetarian chili, which was decent but I know it was old because he microwaved it. My first latte was really good, smooth and flavorful. My second latte was almost all foam and I think the milk was burned. But the lack of wifi and the fact that you can't use cell phones (which btw...is not posted and you just get a sign shoved in your face when you're on your phone the first time) are the reasons I will never be going back. read more

A coffee shop review is a bit tricky, because the experience depends hugely on the barista working at the time of your visit. After hearing decent rumors and seeing that there's Japanese Siphone listed on the menu, I had pretty good expectation going in -the enthusiasm got crushed with a sour disappointment. Me: " Can I get Japanese Siphone, please" Barista: " What?" Me ( Pointing to the menu): "this one" Barista: "Oh, I don't know how to make it" I understand that the cafe is open only for few month, but if you're putting certain item on the menu that perhaps distinguishes your business from the others, then maybe try a little harder to live up to your words on the menu?? My bf and I settled on capuccino (mediocre) and lapsang souchong tea (pretty good). Overall, unimpressed. Yearning for the "Stop by for some great coffee made amazingly fast, tasty local treats along with a few specialties from New York that proved to be a favorite of his Brooklyn customers" as stated on their website. read more

This is hands down my favorite coffee shop in town. Their coffee beans are great and roasted in Milwaukee. I'm usually very discouraged when a coffee shop doesn't accept cards. However, if you come in w/o cash they will let you pay next time. It's worth a try if you're in the area. read more

One of our favorite local coffee shops. This is a no frills joint that's all about the coffee, espresso (yes there is a difference) and tea. The baristias are amazingly nice and so good to us and our kids. Patrick, the owner, is often found working just as hard but can always spare a few minutes for a chat. I prefer flavored lattes and am happy to report they carry sugar free syrups and their lattes are some of the best in town. Aside from a few baked goods we haven't really eaten any of the food there but the cafe menu looks great and I'm still looking to find some time for a pastie. The Victory and Patrick are transplants from Brooklyn and they fit amazing well into the Schenk-Atwood neighborhood and we hope they hand around for a long time! read more

My favorite coffee shop in Madison, hands down. I've been going since it opened. The coffee is terrific, but Patrick's the heart and soul of the place. Charming, wickedly funny, makes you feel like a million bucks. Refills your coffee himself. Often won't accept money for a purchase, or charges you half price, or gives you the muffin for free. Shows you pictures of his kids. Introduces you to his lovely wife. Other perks? Incredibly nice baristas, friendly customers, and a daily copy of the NYTimes. I love the no-cell-phone policy (which is clearly posted). I think it's funny that a previous reviewer said she "will never be going back" to the Victory because of its no-cell policy. Good riddance! There's no WiFi, but then, that's the point. The Victory isn't a place to sit all day, pecking at your laptop. It's a place to drink stellar coffee, talk, read a book. And that's why it's great. read more

I went to The Victory and ordered a pour over drip coffee. Their selection of coffee was actually pretty good, and the single origin that I ordered seemed promising. I sat at the counter and talked with the barista as she made the coffee, which perhaps was a mistake because it seemed to throw her off. She ripped the filter on the first attempt so had to start over. I assumed I'd get a new cup, but she simply dumped the coffee out and began to fill it again with a new batch. When I got the coffee, there were still grounds in it from the last cup. I'm not completely sold on the decor, nor am I a fan of their absolutely 'no cell phones' policy, but I get it - they're building a community cafe. I just wish the cafe part was a bit better. read more

Just what I wanted in a coffee shop: good food, good coffee, great music, and a laid-back atmosphere. Owner and server were affable and happy to shoot the breeze with customers, and they liked what they were selling. Case in point: the waffle. It wasn't dry or cakey like waffles tend to be but crispy, light, and eggy. It reminded me of eating my mother's French toast. Get the maple syrup (why would you not get the real thing?) and enjoy. The lox panini was the perfect size for sharing and the coffee was nice and smooth. Cash or check only. read more

It's only fitting that I begin my review of Victory where I learned of its existence: Yelp.com! The place has everything: great coffee and espresso, delicious food, and great service. Coffee served your way: pour-overs, French presses, drip, and chemexes. The Victory uses Anodyne Coffee from Milwaukee, so it's all local and all delicious. The thing that's best about Victory is the surprises. Whether it's the owner or the barista offering a chance to try something new "on the house", or elderflower soda, or even the owner's wife's fabulous chocolate chip cookies, there is no shortage of wonderful edibles and surprises. One of Madison's finest coffee houses. read more

One of the better coffee shops in Madison. No wifi or outlets, but they're not about that. They serve really good coffee and espresso to people who want to simply enjoy a slow paced atmosphere most coffee shops around here don't have. I just wish their hours weren't so limited. read more

Victory is a Third Place in the true sense. It's engineered to be social - not digitally social, personally social. The no-cellphone policy, and lack of outlets pushes patrons to interact with each other. Friendly and outgoing baristas help foster that atmosphere. It feels a little like the cafe my dad used to drag me to as a kid in the early 80s, and frankly, it's refreshing. read more

I stumbled upon this place on my while looking for a place to work on my last trip to Madison. I went in without knowing that the place only accepted cash, had no wifi or power outlets and did not allow users to use their cell phone. While the lack of these amenities was inconvenient for the fact that I was specifically looking for somewhere to work, I was able to able to overcome most of this place's quirks (the barista told me to just get cash and pay later, I had my own mobile wifi hotspot and they let me use a power outlet) and was happy to stay there. HOWEVER, things later turned sour when I found out about their cell phone policy. As I was sitting by the window, by myself, and there were other people around talking and the music playing in the background I received a phone call. Immediately after I picked up the phone, the male barista (I think his name is Matt) scrambled to get his little no-cell-phone sign and very rudely flashed it within a couple of inches from my face while telling me that they did not allow cell phones in the place, which made me feel really disrespected. While I do not have anything against them having this policy, I think that he could have told me about this policy in a more respectful away. Again, the place was not quiet, I was not bothering anyone and so I think that it would have been reasonable for Matt to let me finish my (brief) phone call and then explain me their policy in a manner that was not so rude. If these guys are going to be so anal about the cell phone usage, they should put a huge sign at the front door explaining this policy and try to not be so uptight, especially if they are trying to create an atmosphere that encourages human interaction. read more

Love love their coffee. Never rushed and always fresh! Patrick and the rest of the staff are very friendly. I guess I stop in frequent enough they know my name and what I'm going to order when I walk in. Love my east side coffee shop! read more

Best coffee I've had in a long time. Glad to not see a bunch of self-absorbed surfers on the way in. Super friendly staff.

This cafe is a great find. They make the best coffee in town and you must try one of their sodas made from their special homemade syrup. Just as their slogan says, "Its not for everyone", this cafe will not please all. There is no WIFI, talking on your cell phone is not permitted and they do not accept credit cards all of which is fine by me. All these things actually help create a very interesting social environment. Its like the Cheers of coffee shops. The owner quickly learns your name and welcomes you as you enter. There are barstools up at the counter where people sip their coffee and chat. Its a very welcoming environment. It worth a trip up there to see if its for you! read more

I've known of The Victory for over a year and can't believe I waited so long to try this place, it will absolutely be in my regular rotation now. First of all lets start with the owner, charming & engaging, unlike any other! Moving on to beverages, he made my friend a chocolate egg cream, and my iced soy latte was divine. Neither of us tried food which we both felt was regrettable after seeing how great other diners dishes looked. A+ music choices that were being played a tad louder than your average coffee shop which was also a perk for me. I loved that people were actually here conversing. It's nice to know what places to go to when you want to have a conversation, and which to go to when you need a library. I loved it. Can't wait to be back. read more

I wish this coffee shop was next door to my house! It's a great little space, serves good coffee (Anodyne, which is roasted in Milwaukee), and, most importantly, has a great feel to it. As others have noted, they don't take credit cards...but the owner operates on the honor system, meaning that he offered for me to pay him the next time I was in (even though I'm not able to be a regular at his cafe). The lack of wifi is unusual, but it is refreshing to be in a place where everyone is not staring at their computer screens. If I were to design a dream neighborhood coffee shop, The Victory would be it. You should definitely stop in and visit. read more