Who could say no to a freshly made Belgian waffle, made from a family restaurant with a secret ingredient, all topped up with strawberries and whipped cream? Not many. This is the featured item on Yola's breakfast menu, along with a few egg dishes, oatmeal, yogurt and bakery. The lunch menu offers a pretty standard selection of soups and salads, and the drink menu is cafe-standard as well. On my last visit I ordered a smoothie, which was ok but topped with completely deflated whipped cream. :( The atmosphere is comfortable and seems to attract a varied crowd. There is free wireless and plenty of outlets, also some great patio seating. I must say I particularly enjoyed the cafe's selection of music. Yola's is relatively new (it replaced the west end location of Crema Cafe a few months ago) and still putting itself together, so for now I'll say this place is only A-OK, but offers a lot of potential to become something much more than that. Only time and waffle cravings will tell... read more

Yola's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My new favorite breakfast sandwich! It's worth getting out of bed for on a Saturday morning. Steaming hot fried egg, a melty cheddar-herb cream cheese with a kick of garlic, and crisp greens on a super fresh, tender ciabatta. What sets this sandwich apart from the rest is the high quality of ingredients, the freshness of the bread, and the distinctive and flavorful cream cheese. I'll be back to try more at yola's. read more

Yola's Cafe - Signature Breakfast Sandwich Fried egg, smoked bacon, cheddar-herb cream cheese, & spring greens on ciabatta bread - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Tried Yola's for the first time in the morning on my birthday with family. Nice little small place, has good coffee shop atmosphere. Small area with some indoor seating and a little patio outside as well. Play area for kids and lots of art on the walls. The counter where you order was small and pretty cluttered. This didn't bother me but my family didn't care for it. We each ordered coffee and food. The coffee was good - but I got a mocha and it was pretty small. I also got the Patriot waffle. Again really good, but small. A bit too small on each for the price. My wife got the Baked Oatmeal and we all shared a Scone. The Oatmeal was a pretty solid mass, almost like a piece of oatmeal coffee cake or something. I thought it looked good, but my wife didn't care for it. The scone was a bit dry too. Overall, I think I wanted to like the place more than we did. It was ok, and the service nice, but seemed overwhelmed when a few more people came in. They have a loyalty app that you can download on your phone - I did that for the waffles and found out later I could have gotten credit for the coffees too. Not sure why they didn't tell me that. I'll try it again for lunch someday. Ok place to check out. read more

Yola's Cafe - Baked Oatmeal - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The waffles are great, but the coffee is not so much. Only recommend if in the area and looking for a bite. Overall atmosphere and service are great! read more

Amazing food and amazing people in a beautiful setting. The vegan waffle was very good with maple syrup.

Great breakfast options both sweet and savory. Good portions.lots of beverage options and non dairy choices. Friendly staff. Quick service. Seating area can fill quickly at busy times and there is an outdoor patio when the weather is nicer. On cold days the fireplace is nice to warm up by. read more

Can the kitchen staff put a cork in it? The kitchen is open to the cafe area. The young staff was having a loud and boisterous time while I was there. Hard to carry on a conversation or just quietly think from all the shrieking coming from the kitchen. Maybe the fact that their conversation focused on the foibles of the elderly was particularly galling since the cafe was filled with retirees This is a fine cafe but this is the second time I have encountered this here. Both times, I noticed, the owners were not present. read more

I visited Yola's Cafe for the first time today with a friend of mine and her two young sons. I loved the vibe of the cafe. They have three sections to sit in with a variety of tables and comfy chairs. The center section has a fireplace which I can imagine being very nice on cooler days! There was a variety of customers, including business people, young adults, and people with children. The cafe is very family-friendly. We sat at a nice table right by a small play area for the children. I like how the play area is in a corner and provides kids with kitchen-play options, puzzles, books, games, and chalkboards. My friend's sons had a great time and loved the food! There is a good selection of food and drinks. The food comes out fresh and warm! My friend ordered a waffle topped with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. She and her boys enjoyed it and it was a good amount for the price. I had a breakfast sandwich. It comes on a bagel or english muffin with either sausage, ham, or bacon, along with eggs and cheese. It was delicious! When I go back, I'd like to get a homemade smoothie and one of their lunch sandwiches. The wall art seemed a little random, but I realized that all of the pieces were designed by the same artist, which I thought was neat. They also had cards, jewelry, and other little things made by local designers for purchase. Such a nice place! I will definitely be going back. read more

Yola's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I love the leather chairs to relax, eat and drink your beverage. This place has it. A nice quiet area to chill. I also enjoyed reading the WSJ and a few other items. The owner was in the shop to make sure things are run well. The location is tucked behind a little row of shops. Once you find it, your golden. It was Good to return and get the high touch service again. read more

Very pleasant atmosphere w great food. Waffles w fruit was my choice. I'm becoming a regular You can't go wrong coming here.

Yola's is a sweet little gem. Everything is fresh, don't expect odd combinations or super progressive food but expect comfort and good quality and consistency! Personally I enjoy the breakfast sandwich, the cream cheese spread is a little different touch; it creates a creamy tangy blend with the egg and bacon! Coffee is good too, I am super high maintenance about my coffee, so I would normally only rate their coffee a 4/5. Environment is warm and inviting as are staff! read more

Great little cafe! Super fresh, tasty salads and wraps. I have never had their breakfast, but I've heard it's fantastic. I work very close to here, and it's become one of our staple restaurants. They have tons of healthy, food allergy options too. My boss really enjoys their smoothies too. Very kid friendly, they have lots of toys for those kiddos!! read more

I live close to Yola's and love walking here on warm days to see what their monthly waffle is and grab some coffee. Their food is delicious!! I love getting their signature waffles - sometimes the monthly ones are so good I wish they were always around (bring back the Fat Elvis!) They have free WiFi and a color printer that you can use (for a small per page fee). Their patio is great to sit on in the warm weather and you can take your food to-go. They also have a corner with some toys and books for kids! My only issues with this place is the limited seating and that they're not open on Sunday! If you're going during a busy time of day (weekend brunch, for example) don't expect to find a place to sit. This is not a good place for groups larger than 4 (and even that can be a stretch). read more

This review is based solely on the food, it won't speak for the hospitality and good staff working there** FOOD WAS GARBAGE! I got the breakfast BLT and added avocado ($1 upcharge) the sandwich was built for a 5 year old. One egg likely used, maybe one strip of bacon and the lettuce was... or was it seaweed? Idk. Now let's talk about the dollar avocado. I can't put in words what a small amount of avocado I was given. But the small amount was not the shocker here. It was the PLASTIC LIKE consistency. I could not even cut it with the fork. I moved to my breakfast potatoes, FROZEN! As if they just came from the bag. So disappointing. My wife ordered a build your own, again not made to even satisfy anyone. Potatoes even colder than mine. Only good this was the waffle. That was very good. If you read this and own the place. Please be sure to care more about the consistency of your food. read more

I work right across the street and I've been coming here for a long time. I love this place and always feel so welcomed. The staff is very friendly and the food is great! Love the waffles and the other breakfast! I love sitting outside in the summer and sitting by the fireplace in the winter. They've been great during Covid and are being very safe while starting to open back up. read more

Yola's Cafe - Seasonal Veggie Frittata with Greens - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Ordered the strawberry and chocolate chip waffles with a side of breakfast potatoes. Waffles tasted like the kind you make yourself at a hotel, with an afterthought amount of powdered sugar and mushy strawberries. The breakfast potatoes managed to be even soggier than the waffles. Would not recommend. read more

My visit was on a Saturday afternoon. When I came in the place was very busy, but shortly after the lunch hour it quieted down. I had the Chipotle Chicken wrap with the homemade potato chips. It tasted really fresh and had a good mix of flavors and the chipotle mayo had just the right amount of heat. My strawberry smoothie was good as well. I will probably forego the whipped cream next time because it made the drink a little too sweet for me. Overall, I had a good visit and it seems like a popular local spot. read more

Yola's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Randomly stopped after searching for a place for breakfast while shopping. I loved this place! I brought my 2 daughters and we sat by the fire. The bakery case looked amazing I had the classic breakfast sandwich and the bacon was nice and crispy! My daughters had a waffle and the burrito. They cleaned their plates. We visited around 1030 am and the place was hopping! read more

Excellent cafe with great positive vibes and an uplifting and bright atmosphere. Their waffles were fluffy and delightful!

I had gluten free pancakes . They were tasteless and dry . I can buy a premade mix at the store way better and cheaper than this ! The maple syrup was good . The price was outrageous. read more

Nice little coffee place with comfy seating and friendly staff..Had their coffee and strawberry waffles. read more

Yola's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Probably won't return. While I always appreciate an indie coffee shop, this one seems to fall short on quality across the board. We've given it a couple chances, but the food options are expensive, very basic, and small. I don't mind paying a premium when quality matches the price, but cheap ingredients are used for the price. Additionally, while the coffee is very good, it is also pricey, and both mine and my fiancé's cups were only 3/4 full (if that). That doesn't seem acceptable at a cafe. read more

I discussed my experience with the owner and he apologized and gave me a full refund - he discussed the situation with his staff as well which deserves that I give them a second chance read more

I love this place. Quaint in every detail and a very nice selection of coffee, tea, snacks and smoothies. I love the cozy interior and the gorgeous patio in summer. read more

Yola's Cafe - Flourless brownie and green tea. Awesome. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I advise skipping the gluten free waffle, which I had been anticipating for days. It was dry, difficult to swallow, and lacking flavor. Very disappointing read more

Today at Yola's cafe, We were served 2 ice Cold frittatas We had to request both be reheated plus cold salty potatoes. My raspberry scone had no flavor. We won't be going back, even though we enjoyed sitting outside on the patio. read more

I visited Yola's Café for the first time and experienced the equivalent of death by a thousand paper cuts. While I liked Yola's family-friendly coffeehouse concept, a series of service missteps and lackluster execution of the food order made for a less than stellar experience. While waiting for my wife to arrive, my daughter and I hungrily spied the butterscotch and chocolate chip scone in the display case on the front counter. We recently basked in the glory that is the oatmeal butterscotch cookie from Batch Bakehouse and hoped Yola's would provide us with a west-side fix for our new butterscotch addiction. Alas, it was not to be. The scone was overly dry and lacked the richness of the scones from the aforementioned Batch. When my wife arrived, there were a steady stream of customers pouring into the café. After a short wait, a rather stoic gentleman took our order. He did not greet us, hardly smiled and did not offer any recommendations as we made our picks from the menu. Frankly, it was a little awkward. I did score the free 16 oz. coffee offered with a Yelp check-in (thank you, Yelp!). When we finished ordering, my wife and daughter each asked for a cup of water, which also drew a blank expression from our stoic friend. We took our number and trudged off to a table, which the party at the neighboring table was using to discard their dirty dishes. All the unoccupied tables had dirty dishes and were in desperate need of a good wipe down. After a short wait, stoic dude arrived with my daughter's fruit cup. At the counter, stoic dude told us the fruit cup contained strawberries, blueberries and pineapple. What we received was a cup full of cantaloupe and honeydew (which my daughter is not a fan of). To their credit, when I pointed this out, stoic dude took it back and we later received a large cup brimming with ripe strawberries, pineapple and grapes. After another short wait, my wife and I received our sandwiches. However, my daughter and I did not receive our drinks and nor did we receive our water. So I trudged back to the counter, only to see a long line of customers waiting to order. While waiting in line, I noticed a water cooler that stoic dude failed to mention when we ordered our food. So I filled a couple of cups with water and trudged back to the table. Still no beverage order. So I trudge back to the counter to check on the status of the drinks. Still a long line, so I wait...and wait...and wait. Finally, I get to the front of the line. I ask stoic dude about my coffee. He instructs me to grab a coffee cup from behind the coffee carafes. C'mon stoic dude, you could have mentioned that when we ordered. So I grab a cup with high hopes that my beverage odyssey was about to end. Curses, foiled again, the carafe is empty. After a short wait, the owner finally indicates they are brewing more coffee. So I trudge back to the table and take a bite of my now cool egg sandwich. Then the owner indicates the carafe has been filled. So you guessed it, I trudge up to the counter and fill my mug. I inquire about my daughter's beverage. The owner indicates he is working on it. A minute later, stoic dude delivers the caramel apple drink. It is lukewarm and tasted like Juicy Juice apple juice with a faint hint of caramel. For what it's worth, the robust Yola's dark roast is one fine cup of coffee. I finally start eating the rest of my now cold egg sandwich. While I like the concept of serving the sandwich on a ciabatta roll, the crust was too soft and did not offer much flavor. The sandwich was small, slightly larger than an English muffin. The smoked bacon was paper-thin and did not provide much flavor or texture. The egg was under-seasoned and by the time I finally ate my sandwich, the greens were warm and mushy. In retrospect, I should have asked to have the sandwich replaced after my long beverage ordeal. Other observations: * The wi-fi signal at Yola's is excellent. * The tables are densely packed, making the constant journeys to the front counter an inconvenience for you and your neighbors. * On the table, there was a list of interesting beverage specials, including a salted caramel chai (yum). The problem: I didn't see the list until after I made my order. They really need to post this list by the front counter in a more conspicuous manner. So, would I go back - maybe, but definitely not at peak service hours. I do love a good malted waffle, the signature dish of Yola's. However, if I see stoic dude behind the counter, I am making a beeline for the exit. read more

Yola's Cafe - The kinda sad Breakfast Sandwich, served on a ciabatta roll with a fried egg, an ultra thin strip of bacon, cream cheese and spring greens - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

As much as I still love Yola's for its ambiance and great-tasting coffee, unfortunately my last experience there was quite disappointing and felt I needed to update my review. A friend and I were there on Dec. 30, around noon. We approached the counter to order and were told we'd have to wait a few minutes. No big deal, although they do seem to be consistently understaffed at busier times. We ordered two coffees in mugs and were told they were out of mugs. Again, not a huge deal but couldn't understand how this could be when they always default to paper unless a mug is specified, which isn't often. Sensing my disappointment, my friend found a used mug and handed it to the barista. We sat down next to a table containing items that previous guests had left behind (two coffee cups and used napkins), despite a nearby trash receptacle and dirty dish station. Why some people can't clean up after themselves is beyond me. However, as another reviewer pointed out and because this is a considerable issue, Yola's needs to have signs reminding people to return used dishes and dispose their trash. And so we waited. And waited. And waited some more. It was a good 30 minutes before our coffees arrived. I took a sip and it was obvious my latte was not made correctly, requiring a return trip to the service counter. Similar errors have occurred on past visits, making me question their order-fulfillment system. My companion and I lingered for a couple hours, talking and drinking. We were approached at 2pm with an announcement that they would be closing at 2:30. What?? I asked why and was told "Oh, just because of the holiday and everything." Ummm.... what holiday? Mind you, there was no sign on the door or counter area indicating the early closing time, and there were several confused customers still in the shop. Thankfully, we had finished our coffee, but we left baffled and unhappy. Although Yola's is still a nice, cozy place for coffee/breakfast/lunch, I think they need to work on a few things to improve service and the overall enjoyment of their guests. If the owners are reading, I would also suggest installing blinds or shades on the large expanse of south-facing windows. It's almost impossible to sit near the window on a sunny day, unless you like being blinded. It also gets very hot. Lastly, 4:30 is kind of an odd closing time. Staying open until at least 5 or 6pm seems more reasonable and customers wouldn't feel so rushed. read more

I enjoyed my visit to Yola's today. Highlights: Patriot waffle - a nifty combo of a Belgian waffle with strawberry, blueberries and whipped cream (red, white and blue, eh!?!). It was very tasty, and not to pricey at $6.49. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure it was "strawberry" and not "strawberries" since there was not a huge amount of fruit on the waffle. I gave it a little dash or syrup and all was well, though. I liked the Yelp check-in offer of a free 16-oz hot coffee with purchase, which went perfect with the waffle. Service was nice, and the waffle was up before I even got my laptop fired up. I'm pretty sure the owners were working behind the counter, which is always a good sign. About the only downside I could find was the contemporary Christian music on the house sound system. I've nothing against that type of music, but its just a bit overt for me. To each his own, I guess. All things considered, a nice coffee shop with a good vibe, and I see they have a kids play area, which is a nice touch for a neighborhood gathering place. Much success to you, Yola's Cafe! read more

I'm at Yola's at least once a week, sometimes more. I'm one of the moms with kid(s) (well, just one infant, to be precise). I LOVE it here, it's my go-to. The barristas (especially one and I have to learn her name) know my order every time and I rarely have to actually say it. It's nice to have somewhere to unwind and just "be" for a time. They have a variety of seating - comfy chairs, solitary tables, group tables, tables near the play area. They also have a great fireplace feature in the center as well as an overall "homey" feeling. It's my (calm) home away from my (hectic) home. Their food is delicious - the waffles are amazing and the California sandwich is my lunch staple when I've lingered a little too long for good conversation and end up with two meals there. There is typically a very diverse crowd - businesspeople, college students, moms and tots, and the lone wolf. All seem content and right at home. read more

I eat here a lot! I love the waffles, organic eggs, oatmeal and bacon! ... sweet little gem of a place and great bang for the buck! Updated to: -- remove the comment on the eggs (cook has been consistent and perfectly over easy) -- add more info on the waffles: the waffle of the month is a great way to donate to a worthy cause and savor a creative and unique waffle (my favorites [so far] were cinnamon roll with cream cheese glaze and pumpkin with pumpkin butter) -- add to the items reviewed: their chili is spectacular -- they make it the same as my favorite/benchmark that few ever rise to; great flavor and texture ...and the Tuscan Ham & Cheese sandwich (on pretzel bread) and homemade chips are now in my repertoire as regulars read more

I have had some issues with Yola's Cafe in the past, but I overlooked the poor service, and inconsistency of the food because I like to eat at local restaurants. The reason for my returning, despite prior experiences, is that the 88 year old woman I care for really likes their waffles. This morning, I placed an order for 2 waffles, and a side of bacon. The guy that took the order didn't take my name, so when I picked up the order, I let them know this, and just checked to be sure the order contained 2 waffles, and the bacon wasn't burnt little pieces, like the last time we ordered takeout from Yola's. When I returned to the house, and opened the containers, and the order included 2 similar, but incorrect waffles, I looked closer at the slip inside the bag, and realized I had the wrong order. I called to let them know this, not intending to bitch, or place blame. The guy that took the order answered the phone again, and as I was telling him we picked up the incorrect order, he told me that I was to blame because I didn't check the slip. I told him that I wasn't calling to complain to him, and that I wanted to speak to someone else. He hung up on me! Because I have worked in restaurants in the past, and have been in management positions, as well as serving positions, I have high standards for service. I called back, and told the girl that answered that I was hung up on, and I found this unacceptable, she also blamed me. I told her that wasn't originally calling to complain, she didn't seem to want to listen, and again placed blame on me. She told me that I could return for the correct order, but there was no way, at this point, I was going to return after the way I was treated. So, I asked for a refund, and they complied. Let me say,I DON'T believe that the customer is always right. The proper way of handling this situation is to say "We're sorry there was a mistake (not putting blame on ANYONE), how can we make this right?" That is all I expect when I called to let them know there had been a mistake. I only eat at local restaurants, especially since the beginning of this pandemic. I will never eat at Yola's again because the staff does not have the skills to run a restaurant properly. And, the food isn't anything special, anyway. Get yourself a waffle iron, make your own, and save yourself the frustration. read more

The food, drinks, and ambiance are great for getting work done or just having a meal with a friend-- you can see both people on laptops and people having a family brunch here. It works out well and isn't too noisy because of the open space and ample table room. They made a mistake with my breakfast burrito on a busy day: it was supposed to be vegetarian, it had bacon in it. They immediately rectified the mix-up, comped it, and remade it correctly for me without any questions asked. The server, Bria, seemed really genuinely apologetic and went above and beyond to fix this issue even during an unusually heavy rush. Thanks, Yola's! read more

I have a difficult time with Yola. I really, REALLY want to like them. THEY OFFER GLUTEN-FREE BELGIAN WAFFLES! They used to be SO GOOD! But the last four times I've been in there, my waffles have been raw in the middle, or I've gotten very sick right after eating them (I don't know if they use the same waffle maker for their non-GF waffles, or what, but it's not acceptable either way.) Their staff is always *very* friendly (though generally either over-staffed or under-staffed,) and they were one of the first places in Madison to offer almond milk in their beverages, which was great for someone like me, who is both lactose and soy-intolerant. But like someone else said, the other issues they face are like death by a thousand papercuts. And after getting sick, I just haven't gone back. It makes me sad, because that part of the west side really needs a solid coffee shop. I wish Yola's still fit the bill. read more

Yola's is a really nice quiet place to grab a cup of coffee and a quick breakfast in the morning. Their banana chocolate chip bread is one of the best morning breads I have had at a coffee shop. I almost feel guilty eating it, it is so good. Their breakfast sandwiches are also great. I often get their BLT with avocado as a light tasty lunch when I am in the area. I love that they have Door County flavored coffee, as it is one of my favorite types of flavored coffee and reminds me of the feel and tastes of the peninsula every time! I come in to work at Yola's for a whole morning once every few weeks and the staff are very kind and personable. One of my favorite coffee places on the west side, and really echos the experience of the coffee shops you see on State St. read more

The west side definitely needs more coffee shops, and Yola's has some great potential to fit the bill. It has great atmosphere and varied seating, including various cafe tables, a few outdoor patio tables, and more comfortable spots near the fire. There is also a corner where kids can play, which isn't something I need but which would definitely be nice for those who do. The person we ordered from seemed somewhat new and unsure of herself, but she was very friendly and was able to get our order correctly and delivered in a timely manner. We sampled a Belgian waffle with chocolate chips (which was tasty) and a chocolate frappe and hot chocolate (both of which were nothing special). I'd have to try more food items to get a more solid feel for the food and drinks. My biggest concerns about Yola's have to do with the hours. I spend most of my time at coffee shops on Sundays in preparation for Monday due-dates, so the fact that it isn't open at all on Sunday is a big loss. Similarly, it would be a great venue for Friday or Saturday-night music or other acts, but the hours are pretty limited. Additionally, even though it is not evident in the decor or other areas, Yola's plays very obvious Christian music, which isn't my "cup of tea," as they say. read more

We have been coming here for years!!! Their waffles never disappoint. We had the nutty banana, country breakfast and my favorite pecan!! Love their coffee as well. Haven't been so much of a fan of their baked goods though. Must visit if u are a waffle fan. read more

Yola's Cafe - Wonderful aroma of fresh made waffles and a very friendly neighborhood go to place. Only wish they open on Sunday's. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Pros: Kids play area. Cute place. My turkey salad sandwich was pretty tasty. Cons: Was served with bottom-of-the-bag chip crumbs and meh salsa. Not worth $9. Next time perhaps I'll try a waffle or go somewhere else. read more

Cute little spot to grab a breakfast sandwich on the West side! Good customer service (but it can take a while at times.) The signature breakfast sandwich is large and delicious. It has herbed cream cheese, fried egg, greens, and bacon. I was excited to see that the fruit cup was very fresh and had raspberries and strawberries (which is much better from my perspective than pineapple and melon.) The location is a little hidden- you wouldn't really expect a cafe to be near all of the other shopping. The coffee is very delicious as well, strong but still drinkable. They have a large variety of different types of breakfast food as well (if you are feeling waffles or baked goods you should be good to go.) Wifi, comfy seating, and a play area for children make this a good breakfast spot on the West side. read more

Yola's is one of those places that you may pass everyday and not realize how perfect it is until you find yourself there to meet up with a friend. That is my situation. I have gone by this place hundreds of times but had never stopped in until it was suggested as a mutual meeting place. On arrival the space feels very cozy and the the staff was polite. I had the waffles and they were delicious. Great place with gluten-free items on the menu too! read more