This cafe is truly great. The coffee and food are delicious and there is a nice community as well. In the a.m. the baked oatmeal and Belgian waffles are a must. For lunch or a late afternoon snack the Greek Chicken wrap is my favorite and of course there are many other options. Daily they feature a different flavored coffee which is a nice surprise treat. As for community they frequently have Friday open Mic nights and other learning events throughout a month. Check it out for yourself!! read more

Total crap food I came with my wife for a long time awaited breakfast date.. This place served miserable food, poor taste in coffee. . Cold coffee s made from hot with ice added to it.. waffle was soggy with out and syrup. . wasted time and pretty expensive. Poor quantity.. old breads for sandwich. . Came out hungry. . Would have rather stayed home for breakfast!! read more

IDK, not that great but to be fair got sandwiches. The waffles probably look/are better. The coffee was good. Prices are a bit meh. We ordered something sans bacon and realized we paid $2 more than we needed if we used the "build your own breakfast sandwich" option. Kinda disappointed, as new customers, we weren't at least alerted to a better option, price-wise. A bit busy for seating so make sure you get a nice spot. Outdoor seating looked good for a warm day. The "home made" salsa that came with it and chips was very meh to me. It tasted like jarred ortega or something and the chips were like those bite-size tostitos. read more

I love Yola's Cafe! Not only is it warm and cozy, full of delicious beverages and food, it's a great meeting place to meet my clients. As a small business owner, I appreciate comfortable seating and a friendly atmosphere to bring prospective clients. The staff is fabulous and the food is very reasonably priced for the quality (local and some organic). Thanks for creating a great atmosphere Yola's! read more

Yola's is my friendly local coffee shop. I stop here pretty often for breakfast and coffee on the way to work. The food and pastries are very good! They have a good selection of gluten free items, too. They keep some seasonal items circulating, too. I've always felt very welcomed by the staff, too. The sandwiches are locally sourced and very delicious. The waffles are INSANELY good. The coffee is good, too. I usually get an espresso beverage, and there can be some difference depending on who is making the drink. The owners are, of course, the best at making the coffee drinks, so if you can catch one of them working behind the counter, do it! That's the other thing about Yola's I appreciate. It's family owned and run with a good family atmosphere. The owners and their family are often working behind the counter and socializing with the customers. I often see families, friends, and even business meetings going on. Yola's will also host events from time to time, and you can buy items such as jewelry, mugs, and cards from local artisans at the cafe. The food, beverage, and atmosphere are MUCH better than their corporate counterparts. read more

I used to be a huge fan of this place and was excited to bring my visiting family there because of their gluten free options. When we walked in there were only 4 tables being occupied. I had my 9 month old daughter with so we needed to find a table large enough for the 6 of us and a high chair. Our only option were two tables in the back that we had to push together. I had no problem doing so, but my issue with both tables was how dirty they were and clearly had not been wiped. When I went and found the high chair..shocker again disgusting. Now it came to order. My father n I made our way to the counter where a friendly young woman took our order. We ordered two Greek wraps (awesome!) and a California turkey wrap (again..awesome!). I still never understand why your drinks are in a cooler hidden around the corner which to this day NO ONE EVER tells you about. After waiting 30 minutes one of the Greek wraps made it to the table(which was dropped by a very awkward young man who was aimlessly walking around with different orders before ours) and didn't have the chicken that was requested. 15 minutes later the 2nd Greek wrap has arrived..no chicken. Then after 10 minutes both wraps come back made with chicken. THEN ANOTHER 15 minutes later my California wrap arrives...All with fruit cups. Now in the menu they specify you get tortilla chips and homemade salsa and if you would like fruit it's a $1 upcharge. Again..no biggie we like our fruit..but you didn't even mention the fact "Hey sorry folks we seem to have ran out of chips..is fruit ok?" Lastly..I really feel you should have someone checking the appearance of your restrooms. Both were in poor form and needed some attention. This was not how I felt when you first arrived on commerce drive. It was actually a go to spot that I often bragged about to fellow friends and family. However after today's experience (especially now that I have a young child) I do not have the patience for Yolas Cafe. Maybe if I find myself bored with a lot of time on my hands I will stop by to wait for a 20 minute latte. read more

I was saddened to see a few negative reviews here as I have had nothing but positive experiences at Yola's. Owners Lance and Lisa Ratze really understand hospitality and it shows. Ample WiFi and lots of comfy seating make this a great place to get some work done and fill your belly at the same time. read more

Great family business with excellent staff! I commenced my search possessing a voracious appetite, unsure of what could quench this. Yola's appeared in my search and I had to try it. The food was delicious and the staff was scrupulous! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a delicious, local bite to eat. read more

My family took a little lunch outing to Yola's last weekend. I don't feel like I'm entirely qualified to write a full review, as all I had was a breakfast sandwich. But, it was a very tasty breakfast sandwich with fresh ingredients, which is good in my book. Everyone else in my party enjoyed their meals, as well. I like the outside seating area - it's perfect for people with kids who like to run around and act unruly despite their mother's best attempts to keep them still! and respectable! The woman working behind the register was also the woman who brought us our food. She was incredibly friendly and understanding. I will definitely be back to try more off of their menu. read more

Food and drinks are inconsistent & the service is almost always poor. Only reason for 2 stars is the gluten free options.

Cute, nice staff, ok food (I had a wrap and a coffee), maybe a tad expensive for what you get, yes they have WiFi, overall this place is just ok. If I lived nearby I'd be in there frequently. But I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there if you're not close by. Also, I was turned off by the Christian music playing. I don't know if that's normal but it's a bit much for me. read more

Great chai! The atmosphere is cool and there is outdoor seating. The food is tasty (though they could put more whipped cream on their waffles). The only negative I've encountered is "new" staff not knowing the menu and what can be added to drinks, etc. That will come with time. read more

Just had the worst scrambled eggs of my life. Dry and hard. Could not finish them.

This place sucks! Recently, I patroned the cafe for lunch while waiting for a repair work on my vehicle across the street. The place was very NOISY with little kids running around. And the cafe's manager was RUDE. He threw away my food before I had a chance to finish it. He claimed that he thought I was done with the food and had left the restaurant eventhough my coat and scarf was still there at the table, and I sat across from him the entire time. He saw me walk away to a quiet corner of the room to take a phone call and took the opportunity to throw away my food. I have never experienced such rudeness and was left speechless. In addition to this, the service and food was below average. read more

The waffle w chocolate was amazing. The sandwich is pretty good too. I really like the atmosphere. I love to support local !!!

The waffles were good, nothing too fancy. Coffee is generous pour, 50 cents for refills. They have a small kids area to play in while you wait or finish up. You bus your own table. Staff was very friendly. Overall, a nice little breakfast spot. read more

Highly recommend it! Great place to do work! Unlike Panera, there are plenty of outlets. The coffee is very high quality, and the food is delicious! Perfect for meetings or just relaxing. read more

Excellent cafe' for beverages, food & meetings. Really appreciate the friendly staff & food selection for a small local cafe'.

I love Yola's! Great family-owned place for coffee, breakfast or lunch. Waffles to die for!!! Decor has a fabulous vibe - original art on the walls and bright colors throughout. If you're looking for a friendly, comfortable, fun place to meet with friends either indoors or on the patio in summer, this is your place. Parents check it out - awesome play area for the kids too! read more

Recently I enjoyed another great meal at Yola's Cafe. I've eaten at Yola's for a few years now, and it's one of my favorite restaurants. The baked goods are delicious, and the gluten-free bread is a blessing. I look forward to visiting again and having a Tuscan Ham and Cheese or a Radical Roast Beef sandwich. Yola's supports both local small businesses and artists, and that's a good thing in my book. Kudos to the owners for their professionalism and persistence in Madison's tough restaurant market. read more

Nice place to go with kids, they have a little area for the kids to play in. The food was alright. I had there tomato soup and it was good. The kids menu was nice, but the main course had much to be desired. It was nice to catch up with my playgroup gals for lunch. read more

Yola's is a wonderful place. Their staff is always so friendly and the owners are great. Their bacon cheddar waffle is delicious. The hot chocolate could use a little work but the coffee drinks are good. I look forward to coming back for lunch! read more

Ambience is cozy and very nice. Their waffles are good not the best , I have had better waffles. I also tried their portobello sandwich which was good. However service leaves much to be desired. The first time I went it was fine, but in my most recent visit I was there around 4 p.m (they close at 4:30 p.m.) I asked for a waffle and the staff said it will take 10 minutes to make it. I grabbed a coffee and sat there till 4:30 . The waitress came with the waffle boxed, just kept the box in the table and said its late and so she did a carry out and left the table in a hurry. While I understand she wants to leave work, I was quite disappointed with her attitude and the way she handled it. I did express my disappointment to her and left the place. read more

My more recent visits have been more enjoyable. I was impressed with ownership/management taking the time to respond to my critique.

I work nearby and have always wondered how this place was. The price was good and the food was average. I had a chocolate chip scone and a belgian waffle. The scone was tasty but the waffle was nothing special. The atmosphere was pleasant but I don't think it was enough for me to return any time soon. read more

This restaurant is a small coffee shop. We usually go there for breakfast and they have a great breakfast sandwich. The waffles are also very good. The price is slightly higher than I would expect, but the food is still good. read more

Yola's has been on my list to visit whenever I travel up to Madison but it's taken me a while to get around to it: I regret the wait! It's a smaller indoor space but with ample outdoor seating. You pay for the quality of the food - you certainly can get cheaper waffles from a different joint, but you won't find offerings like Yola's menu. The lavender and lemon scone was a revelation. The waffles were spectacular. If you're looking for an interesting, thoughtful take on breakfast food, Yola's is well worth the trip. If you're more of an equal opportunity, lowest-price-point-possible breakfast food, it might be a pass for you. I, however, have every intention of returning. read more

I was slightly disappointed on my first visit to this cafe. Although I appreciate a variety of breakfast options, neither item we ordered stood out. With a variety of breakfast hotspots around Madison, I would only suggest this cafe if you happen to already be in the neighborhood. An additional charge for "real" maple syrup on an average waffle was a bit disappointing. The actual space was quiet and somewhat clean. Signs on every table instructing you to "buss your own table" were rather uninviting. Overall, a bit pricy for the experience provided... very average. read more

Wish staff was friendlier to studying students

Great place to relax and have a cup of coffee on comfy chairs in front of a toasty fireplace. Tasty/affordable menu! My fav is the Greek Wrap with Chicken. read more

Very very nice people and the food is fresh and abundant. I am from Dallas and when traveling love to try new places. I highly recommend this place for sandwiches and deserts read more

I would think twice about the food, but their coffee is very good. Chai latte was great and the brewed organic coffee was brewed to perfection. Coffee is clearly their core competency. read more

Yola's is a great local place to grab some brunch and coffee. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, w/ Christian-labeled music playing softly in the background. When you come for breakfast, get a Belgium waffle - it's what they're known for. They have gluten-free options too. If you're in the area, give them a visit! read more

Yola's is a great find. Great food and warm, cozy environment. It's very family friendly with a toy area to keep kids busy. I totally recommend giving it a try. The menu has great variety at reasonable prices. So far I have tried a Belgian waffle (AMAZING), a smoothie (delicious) and the California turkey sandwich (also a total hit) - everything has been great. Sometimes there is a bit of a wait for food (1 out of the 3 times) but it's always worth it. Yola's is my new go-to cafe of choice. read more

I really want to like Yola's but they make it hard because they never seem to be open. I've had the food at events that they catered and it was very good, but every time I go to the store they are just about to close. Numerous times when I thought to go on a weekend, they were either closed or closing. It seemed they closed in the early afternoon on Saturday, but it seemed that the closing time changed on a whim as well as sometimes it was closed at odd times. Today on a weekday that was confirmed when I found myself looking for a coffee and something sweet at 1:50 p.m. I was going to give Yola's another shot and was excited to see on the door that they were open until 4:30 M-F. I happily walked in, thinking I would finally get a chance to try them out and not be rushed out. But when I ordered the woman at the counter informed me they were closing at 2. An early consistent closing time I can understand, but this place it too inconsistent to even bother with. read more

Amazing gluten free waffles. Hard to believe they are gluten free. Great place but always busy..... Have had some bad experiences though. Received the wrong waffles and didn't get our coffee until after we were done eating. Full of kids. Hard to find a table. Really depends on when you go here. read more

If you are hungry go somewhere else. My sandwich was so small. Coffee is great though

I don't like waffles. I REALLY like Yola's waffles tho. I originally started by ordering a blue berry waffle, but the lady taking my order kindly recommended the strawberries since they are in season(WIN). Fresh strawberries, whipped cream made fresh, and the best waffle I've ever had made for a great breakfast. My girlfriend and I also ordered coffee, and we were given hot mugs. I counted that as a luxury. Their selection of organic coffee is superb! I especially enjoyed the dark French roast. Are first time there was a Saturday, they were very busy, well staffed, and just about every table was specially reserved until 10am. We had arrived at 8am, and inquired about the seating; they cleared a table for us with no problem. All of our food came fresh, and in a very timely manner! -I would say that my only "negative" critique would be towards the teenage workers. I would encourage them to be very extroverted towards customers, and to be well-spoken and confident in helping customers have the best experience possible. I definitely do NOT hold this against the entirety of the business tho. Well done Yola's! We look forward to future visits. read more

Not enough staff on Saturday to handle the crowd. The coffee containers were all empty, except one, and mislabeled. I got flavored coffee from the container, which wasn't labeled as such (which by the way, I hate). Other customers were leaving the restaurant very upset because their food was taking so long. read more

This morning my sister and I went to Yola's for breakfast before work. I ordered a soy latte. My sister ordered a frappe. We took our number to a table near the front, and the barrista, a youngish woman with dark hair, brought out my drink after about ten minutes. This wait was obviously longer than what you would have at a coffee shop such as Starbucks, but because of the independent family-run nature of the business we were understanding of this at first. My drink was made in a mug instead of a to go cup which would have been fine but like I said. This was supposed to be just a breakfast stop. My drink tasted good and seemed to be what I ordered. My sister was not so lucky. After over 30 minutes we really had to leave and she had still not received he drink! Only about five customers had come through after us. The workers were very disorganized and even though we had a number for our order the servers kept bringing us items that others had ordered. Finally I went up to the counter to get a to go cup which the barrista reluctantly gave me. My sister then asked about her drink. The barrista, who had taken her order, was very confused about what my sister had ordered and couldn't seem to figure out how to make it even though it was on their menu. The barrista did not apologize and she was pretty rude. When she finally handed my sister a drink it was not only not a flavored frappe like she had ordered but a some kind of hot drink which my sister threw away as we left furious. This is not our first bad experience with Yola's. We kept going back wanting to like it, and sometimes their food, drinks and service are ok, but enough is enough. The bad service and sometimes hostile staff ruins any other appeal this place has. Needless to say we will not be going back to Yola's. read more