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The Victory

4.2 (69 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

The Victory Coffee & Tea Photos

Business Info

THE VICTORY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed
Good for working

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Recommended Reviews - The Victory

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Reviews With Photos

Classic panini
Andrea S.

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.

Peppermint hot chocolate
Ila S.

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.

Muffins and donuts

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.

Oat Milk Latte, Level 5 Donuts
Lexi G.

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!

Hot Chocolate at The Victory
Anne T.

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.

chicken empanada for a lazy Sunday
Ian M.

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.

Perfection. Trifecta.
Sarajane L.

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.

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14 years ago

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14 years ago

Friendly staff. Love their pour over. Retro vide

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10 years ago

The people working here are so friendly and the pots of loose leaf tea are so cheap! Can't wait to try the food sometime.

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10 years ago

Delicious coffee and food. Staff are so friendly it's like they've known you forever. I love this place.

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11 years ago

Honestly Patrick makes the best latte in the city! and the salmon panini is AMAZING..go on support this local coffee shop :)

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Page 2 of 2

Ask the Community - The Victory

Review Highlights - The Victory

Patrick, the owner, is often found working just as hard but can always spare a few minutes for a chat.

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Marigold Kitchen - Bacon & Eggs With Potatoes & Very Tasty Sourdough Bread.

Marigold Kitchen

4.3(910 reviews)
2.3 miCapitol
$$

Discovered this spot while my little sister was in town visiting and now have already been back…read morewith plans to keep returning. I've ordered the same thing both times because I loved it so much- the Three Grain & Tempeh Bowl. It's so fresh and delicious, filling without making you feel over-full and gross. She had the Mushroom & Gouda Omelette and also very much enjoyed. The seating space is small so you can definitely run into a wait during busy times, but service moves fast! You'll order at the counter and be handed a number to take to your table, where the food will be delivered. During busy times I've seen them try to help coordinate seating arrangements but it is otherwise largely a seat yourself sort of place. Next on my list are the lemon ricotta pancakes which are reportedly famous and a turmeric cookie I spotted in the bakery section :)

I may have thought bad things about Madison prematurely. I mean, here for an event but who really…read moretravels to Madison? But here we were in downtown in a beautiful day with a gorgeous lake-side path and finding ourselves enjoying it. Stopped here for breakfast, shocked in our research how many vegetarian options were available for my wife. Here you could get tofu eggs and tempeh added to your dishes. I got their chilaquiles and gluten free lemon poppyseed pancakes (they had GF toast but their only savory option was this or a coconut thing). The entree was delicious, not too spicy unless you bite into too many jalapeños, and the shredded chicken was great. Could have used a second egg but I'm a big boy so maybe it's just me. I was also surprised by how much I liked the pancakes. It was a gamble as I don't like things too lemony and while you could definitely taste the lemon, it was still very good. And the pancakes, for being gluten free, were fluffy and soft and great. Had a regular coffee and while it was strong, it was just coffee. It gets very busy at peak meal times to plan accordingly. We'll probably be back before this trip is done.

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Marigold Kitchen
Marigold Kitchen - Three grain bowl

Three grain bowl

Marigold Kitchen - Orange poppyseed pancakes and side of potatoes

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Orange poppyseed pancakes and side of potatoes

Cottage Cafe - Cottage platter

Cottage Cafe

4.2(165 reviews)
2.0 mi
$

First time at this place. It didn't seem like much from the outside. There were a ton of cars…read moreoutside though so we figured it was probably good. Walking inside, it seemed like the tables were close together. The layout looked crowded. We were seated pretty quick and near the window so that was great. Waitress was fast and exceptional. Menu had a good selection. I ordered the Biscuit Stack and the wife ordered the Chicken Fried Steak and eggs or something. Our food came out pretty quick considering the place was full. Our food was very very good and that's the reason this place was full. The biscuit stack was put together in a very unique way but all the ingredients tasted great. It was a nice find for someone from out of town. I recommend this place and would visit again if i'm in the area again.

I wanted to like this place, I really did. Did some research on solid diners in the Madison area…read moreand this is one of the ones that popped up. It was off the highway, so I thought I would give it a go. Walked in and it was what you would expect from a Wisconsin diner -- old carpeting, waitresses who are lifers, and signage from the bygone era. I sat at the bar, with barstools that came about 4 feet off the ground, and asked the cordially waitress what was good. She rattled off about 3/4 of the breakfast menu so I needed a few minutes. A few minutes passed and I went with the Krab Cakes Benedict (why the K?) and the Cottage Platter. The crab cakes were decent (definitely better than the Cottage Platter), but very crisp on the outside, straddling the line of burnt, and somewhat cooked on the inside. Light on the seasoning. As they say on the cooking shows, it was screaming for some acidity...or in this case some Old Bay. Then the Cottage Platter, which I was very much looking forward to, fell flat for me. The hashbrowns had a funky taste to them, which I couldn't quite place. And again, overall, the dish was lacking in flavor. Would I go out of my way to hit this place up again? Most likely not. If I was in the area and wanted to try something else, I probably would.

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Cottage Cafe - Signage outside

Signage outside

Cottage Cafe - Cinnamon Roll

Cinnamon Roll

Cottage Cafe - Lunch date!

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Lunch date!

Short Stack Eatery - Bloody Mary

Short Stack Eatery

4.1(648 reviews)
2.7 miCapitol
$$

Came at 8 am on a Sunday. Had to wait a few minutes to get inside but it was definitely worth the…read morewait. You have to order at the counter first and then your party gets sat at your designated table. I ordered the blind, which is a chef's choice. You're able to ask if the dish is savory or sweet and that's it. You can ask what the dish is but then the price will go from 10$ to 15$. They do ask if you have any allergies in case they do need to alter the dish. Not gonna disclose what the dish was, but it tasted great! It's really unfortunate that the business is closing in May, so I definitely recommend to go while they're still open!

Every time I'm in Madison, I make it a point to stop here. I'm usually just passing through so I…read moreget here right when it opens, which is one of the best times. It's quiet and it feels like the world slows down for a minute. It's comfortable and also very eclectic, a get your own coffee place. Condiments, water, etc. along the back wall. Order at the counter, they'll give you a number, and then bring your meal out. The menu has a great selection of offerings, but I always get my usual. The pancakes are unreal, so delicious. You will also find adult beverages here as well for those who need a morning/mid-afternoon pick me up. It gets packed so plan well ahead or be prepared to wait a while. Great service. Great place.

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Short Stack Eatery - Cajun biscuits and gravy + sweet potato pancakes + mimosa + bloody mary = heaven

Cajun biscuits and gravy + sweet potato pancakes + mimosa + bloody mary = heaven

Short Stack Eatery - Mmm bloodys!

Mmm bloodys!

Short Stack Eatery

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Bradbury's - Ham

Bradbury's

4.3(419 reviews)
2.3 miCapitol
$$

Very small but usually quiet on a weekday. Weekends are crazy busy! Great natural lighting. Great…read morefor catching up with a friend or getting some work done. Workers are very nice and hardworking! The coffee is some of the BEST you can get in Madison. I have never been disappointed with an order. Same with the food! My favorite is their ham, Gruyère, mustard crepe but I recently tried their ramp pesto, egg, and balsamic reduction crepe and it was also DELICIOUS! Their sweet crepes are amazing, as well. I recommend the lemon curd one as it is not overly sweet.

First time here. We were visiting Madison and walking around the downtown area. It's a small space…read more(almost tiny) that sits at a narrow intersection, so it's literally a pie-shaped space. The upside is that there are lots of windows with natural light. The inside seating consists of long tables or counters along the windows. This is not a place where you are likely to hunker down for a quiet or private conversation. You can tell that storage space is at a premium, with boxes stashed in overhead areas or equipment in the bathrooms. The staff there were very pleasant and helpful. Ended up getting a Chai Latte (extra foam) in a mug. It didn't take long to make, and they delivered it out to the table. It was an excellent drink -- hot, flavorful, extra foam, and not too sweet. A joy to drink. The atmosphere is a bit manic. With the tight seating, you can feel a bit claustrophobic, or on the other hand, like you are at a concert and getting energy from the crowd. For me, it's a place to grab a drink and find a quiet space elsewhere. So not likely a place that I would return to.

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Bradbury's - Indoor

Indoor

Bradbury's - Bacon & Brussel Sprout Crepe

Bacon & Brussel Sprout Crepe

Bradbury's

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Graze - Heirloom tomatoes with local burrata cheese.  Fresh and yum

Graze

3.9(1.4k reviews)
2.3 miCapitol
$$

We came for regular brunch menu on Easter Sunday. The ambience is open, airy, and inviting. Service…read morewas prompt and accurate. However, our server wasn't super familiar with the menu and didn't know what was in certain dishes. We ordered a variety of dishes. Overall, everyone liked their meals. The flavors were great. Love the Korean fusion. However... despite that we were the first ones in the door, they did not have the chicken that was on the menu. That seemed strange to all of us that they didn't plan ahead for a holiday weekend. A solid restaurant would usually have their menu items well stocked prior to a holiday weekend. Overall, still a good expertise if you're willing to be flexible.

I know most people like it here, but everytime I've been here over the years something has gone…read moreastray. This time we went to Sunday brunch with a group, including some kids. We had reservations, so we were seated right away which was a plus. Also, I will say I don't think any of the issues we had were because of our waitress. She was super friendly and quick enough to take our orders on a day when there restaurant seemed full enough, but manageable. We got our drink orders in and our food at the same time to speed up the process for getting little kids food, and the waitress even took note of that. We also ordered an appetizer to help during the wait. It took a while for the drinks to come out, but they were all rather tasty. I think my apple cider mocktail was the best and refreshing since it was getting hot in the restaurant with the sun beating in. Our food however took forever and the kids meals did not come out any earlier than everyone else. One person in our group also initially didn't get his meal, which the waitress apologized and said there was a mixup in the kitchen. That's fine, it happens, but then the staff running meals tried to bring him the wrong order 3 times. The rest of us were all finished eating by the time he finally got his food. Overall, the food was fine. I got the eggs benedict which was a little underdone on the eggs for me as the whites were too runny for me. The kids chicken nuggets were pretty tasty with a flaky breading. I heard decent reviews of the breakfast burger, but the thing that was the best to us was the breakfast sandwich. It was quite messy, but the messiness of the sauce was worth it. We also got an appetizer of the cinnamon roll. I feel like it's a little mislabeled though, as it was more like a morning bun with some frosting/glaze over the top. Tasted pretty good and helped keep kids entertained for a while. Overall, the food was fine, but the experience wasn't great. With the multiple mixups in orders and getting a little green house effect going with the sun shining in, there wsnt a great feeling when leaving. Again, I don't think it was our waitresses fault, so not sure what was going on in the kitchen.

Photos
Graze
Graze - The reason for five stars!  Chefs Signature Korean pork belly, local Hook cheddar "grits", aka polenta. From NY Times feature

The reason for five stars! Chefs Signature Korean pork belly, local Hook cheddar "grits", aka polenta. From NY Times feature

Graze - Basque cake, spongy and tart.  Most popular dessert

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Basque cake, spongy and tart. Most popular dessert

The Victory - coffee - Updated May 2026

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