Milwaukee’s coffee scene is legit. A city of just over 500,000 residents, we certainly punch above our weight. But just don’t take it from us, Milwaukee has been named one of the best coffee cities in the country. Sure, you can find your Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and diner coffee, but the richness and breadth of the roasters, local cafe chains, and neighborhood places is where the city truly shines. And hey, while we are not economists, we can confidently say your lattes, cappuccinos, and accompanying treats and avocado toasts must contribute to the local GDP. We certainly feel it in our pockets and enjoy supporting a thriving cultura de cafe.
2023 marked the 30th anniversary of Colectivo and Stone Creek first laying their roots in MKE. The two companies are still pillars of the culture in the city, but have also taken divergent paths. While Colectivo has expanded out, growing extensively in terms of menu, size, and geographic reach (extending to Madison - with a pretty nice spot right on the capitol square - and Chicago - with five locations across posh neighborhoods north of downtown), Stone Creek has doubled down on its core cafes with farm to cup experiences, becoming a certified B corp, and providing community classes and connection. And while these two have taken different paths, they continue to be a reference point to any Milwaukee resident.
You could say that from the seeds that were planted, roots have sprouted, forked off, and multiplied, creating a unique 414 coffee scene that - in our humble opinion - can match up with the best of the best out there. Currently there are over 150 coffee shops in Milwaukee, which by our back-of-the-envelope math means something like 1 coffee shop for every 300 residents. That number includes a range of options for experience, brew, vibe, culture, and neighborhood.
And this is what we love about Milwaukee and its coffee. Each place speaks to a part of Milwaukee - its history, its present, its people, from the whimsical intensity of Discourse downtown to the Latina spirit imbuing La Finca to the inclusive spirit of Anodyne in Walker’s Point to the flexible work space of Wantable Cafe to rustic warehouse vibes at the Stone Creek next to the Intermodal. Well, and of course then there are the something like 20 Starbucks in the city.
For the two of us, our experience with the 414 coffee scene has been different.
Saúl
I started exploring the blooming coffee scene in the mid 2010s while in college. Whether it was a Sport Tea from Colectivo following an early morning run along the lakefront or a cappuccino for an all-day work session at Anodyne in Walker’s Point, I started associating different coffee shops with different activities. Over time, I started exploring the neighborhoods where the coffee shops were located. As a result, I was able to explore my own city and discover spaces I didn’t know existed. For me the coffee scene, or at least my navigation of it, has felt “organic”. For example, I learned about Wantable Cafe through a friend who was working remotely in Milwaukee a couple of summers ago. Now, I recommend this “hidden gem” to anyone trying to find a space to either take a meeting or just stopping by the South Side. That’s where the magic lives in the word-of-mouth recommendation, in wandering around, in the random recommendation you get from a friend. And this, I think, is what shapes the Milwaukee coffee experience.
Nowadays, I have come to value the functionality of a coffee shop. Is it remote-work friendly? Can I enjoy a community event? Can I hold a brainstorming session with a peer? I’ve moved away from studying at coffee shops, to using them as spaces to connect with people. You could say that the seed I planted while exploring coffee shops in the mid 2010s has sprouted into a love for community cultivating spaces. I like to say that I’ve mapped Milwaukee through its coffee shops. A map infused with stories and friendships all sweetened by a cafecito.
Gabe
I, in contrast to Saúl, am a transplant via New York, South American, and Chicago. I first started visiting Milwaukee over ten years ago when my now-wife took me to the Colectivo by the Lake. Then Alterra, I feel in love with the site, the vibe, and the design. This love of a particular space then bloomed via the Stone Creek by the Intermodal as we would often go back and forth from Chicago and would often kill some time (or more apt for the graduate students we were, get in some reading and paper writing) there.
When my family moved to the area just about five years ago, the coffee shop culture of MKE was a bit on the backburner. Caffeine was a necessity (young kids, settling into a new job, commuting), but I was mostly focused on treating myself catching the online 5 bag specials of local roasters to make sure that my 4 am first cup of coffee was a good one.
Over time, I have come to learn about Milwaukee through meeting people engaged in work with youth across the city. These encounters are often in coffee shops and have encouraged me to learn more about the different neighborhoods. It has also scratched the desire for a little bit of exploration, while simultaneously making me feel a sense of belonging in the city.
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414day is an opportunity to reflect on all things Milwaukee. For us, it was a way to explore the roots of Milwaukee’s coffee culture. We both know that there are coffee shops that we still haven’t discovered with a rich history. So, on 414Day be sure to visit a coffee shop and raise your mug (or cup) to a coffee loving Milwaukee.
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