Black Locust Cafe - Madison, Wisconsin

Black Locust Cafe: A Madison Gem

For individuals seeking a delightful culinary experience in Madison, Wisconsin, Black Locust Cafe presents a compelling option. Located at 829 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, this cafe offers a warm and inviting atmosphere complemented by a diverse menu and a commitment to quality. Accessible via Phone: 84780110, and further detailed on their website Website: blacklocustcafe.com, Black Locust Cafe has quickly become a favored spot for residents and visitors alike.

Specialties: Cafe, Coffee shop. The cafe’s core offerings revolve around exceptional coffee, prepared with meticulous attention to detail, alongside a selection of comforting and creative food options. The menu caters to a wide range of tastes, featuring breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and delectable desserts. They particularly shine in the realm of comfort food, offering classic dishes with a modern twist, and increasingly innovative creations such as savory rice porridge and Jian Bing crepes – items not commonly found in other Madison breakfast locations.

A Detailed Look at Black Locust Cafe

Location and Ambiance: Situated in a cozy little space on East Washington Avenue, Black Locust Cafe fosters a relaxed and welcoming environment. The decor contributes to the overall feeling of warmth, creating a space suitable for both casual gatherings and quiet moments. The cafe’s proximity to other Madison establishments makes it a convenient choice for exploring the city center.

Menu Highlights: The menu is consistently praised for its variety and quality. Breakfast and brunch options are particularly popular, with standout items including the vegan biscuits and gravy, consistently cited as the best encountered by many patrons. The porridge, described as ‘to die for,’ is frequently mentioned as a go-to breakfast choice. Beyond breakfast, lunch and dinner selections offer a satisfying range of options, from classic sandwiches to more adventurous dishes. Vegetarian options are readily available, demonstrating a commitment to dietary inclusivity.

Amenities and Services: Black Locust Cafe provides a comprehensive set of amenities to enhance the customer experience. Outdoor seating is available, allowing patrons to enjoy their meals in a pleasant outdoor setting. No-contact delivery, delivery, and takeout services are offered, providing flexibility for customers who prefer to enjoy the cafe’s offerings at home. The cafe also welcomes dine-in customers, providing a traditional seating experience. Live music and live performances are regularly hosted, adding to the cafe's vibrant atmosphere.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: Black Locust Cafe demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. The entrance is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that all patrons can easily access the cafe. The establishment is family-friendly, catering to both adults and children. Furthermore, Black Locust Cafe is committed to creating a welcoming space for all, offering LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safespace policies. Credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment options are accepted, simplifying the payment process. High chairs are available for young children, and dogs are allowed both inside and outside, making it a pet-friendly destination.

Customer Feedback: The cafe boasts an impressive 347 reviews on Google My Business, reflecting the positive experiences of its patrons. The average opinion is 4.5/5, indicating a consistently high level of customer satisfaction. The reviews frequently highlight the friendly staff, the inviting atmosphere, and the quality of the food and beverages. Many customers appreciate the cafe's commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Additional Features: To further enhance the customer experience, Black Locust Cafe provides Wi-Fi access, a bar onsite, a restroom, and seating throughout the cafe. Happy hour drinks are also offered, providing a convenient opportunity to unwind after work. A selection of hard liquor, small plates, wine, and beer is available, catering to a variety of tastes.

Contact Information and Hours

Address: 829 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 84780110
Website: blacklocustcafe.com

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👍 Reviews of Black Locust Cafe

Lane L.

5/5

Located in a cozy lil' space on East Washington, Black Locust never ceases to amaze. Vegan and omnivore friendly. The vegan biscuits and gravy were the best I've ever had. The porridge is to die for

Marko J.

5/5

Go-to breakfast in Madison. Savory Rice Porridge and Jian Bing Crepe you won’t find at other city breakfast spots. Classic breakfast options are solid too, and coffee is consistently good. Staff maintain a great atmosphere.

Barbara G.

4/5

Coffee lover here... I rate this place more as a great cafe, food, tea and alike and no so much for the actual coffee. Haven't had a great coffee experience; its a matter of personal taste on the kind of coffee they use. But will still do a latte or an espresso shot if I am desperate. Great bar seating area and plenty of tables. Good WiFi connectivity. Great spot on East Washington Ave. However, beware parking is bit difficult, consider parking on side streets. Back to food... they actually have great food for a cafe of this size, recommend it. The crepes are pretty tasty, so are some of the simple hearty breakfast options. Sp glad they have all this and not just couple token pastries. Makes them a legitimate brunch and lunch venue. You can also sit at the outside patio on the back. Staff is very helpful and nice. Give it a go!

Stephanie B.

5/5

Best brunch spot in the neighborhood. The food is always so good! The miso tofu scramble is really unique. Get it with potatoes! They are really crispy. The baked treats are also great. Loving Heirloom bakery they get things from. My boyfriend always gets the biscuits and gravy.

Nicole W.

4/5

The crepes here were amazing! Savory or sweet with strong coffee! The back outside cafe and bar area is like a hidden gem in Madison and super beautiful and well-kept! The only reason I didn’t give this place 5 stars was because it was pricey. 2 coffees (with refills) and 2 crepes was almost $25.

Edit: The complete crepe is not great.

Amy F.

5/5

Exactly how you like it. Great variety to the menu. The Miel coffee was so great I went back the next day. Super helpful and friendly staff. Loved the power bowl breakfast and for something more savory, the jian-bing was amazing! Even the regular brewed coffee was great.

John E.

4/5

This place confounds me. What a great location for a restaurant. Wonderful courtyard for outdoor dining and a night time cocktail. Party lights are strung around the space creating a festive vibe. Ivy is starting to cover the exposed brick walls that surround the space. And most importantly, they have excellent food.
And yet every business that I have visited in this space has struggled mightily to deal with the indoor/outdoor layout. Inside the flow is just awkward. You place your order at the counter and then it's hard to know how to get to the outdoor seating area. Eventually you pass by the kitchen server's window and find the door to the outside. Once seated in the back of the courtyard there is a view into the window of what must be an interior private office that is covered with random junk. If coming into the courtyard from the side walk entry you will see stacked up bike racks bike racks off to the side.
Around the corner is an unused courtyard bar that is surrounded by junk. It's all a feng shui nightmare.
Still, as I said, the food is excellent. The ingredients are all great quality. We came for a late breakfast/early lunch. I had a tuna melt (I know, but I have a thing for tuna melts). It was very tasty. Loved the bread and the melted cheese was perfect. My wife had the avacado toast. It had a lime marmalade that at first brought an interesting flavor but ultimately proved to be to overpowering. Less would have been more in this case. Inventive. We shared the rhubarb compote crepe. It's was excellent though it came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that turned it more into a desert than we wanted it to be. My wife loved her ice tea.
That's a big deal for her. The coffee was just what I needed.
Overall, I really like this place. They just need to deal with the details of the space. Clean it up.
Work on the flow. Put things in their place and draw some blinds.

Lisa M.

5/5

I am in town for on day and found this coffee shop on the recommendation of my hotel. I am so glad I did. The earthy atmosphere was just was I was looking for, and the food and chai is delicious. I sat in the courtyard, listening to the birds and soft relaxing music. It was perfect.