Steep & Brew

strong coffee, good wifi, lots of seating, clean bathrooms, local artists’ work on the walls, and super friendly staff… not much more you can ask for in a coffee shop…

This might be my favorite on State. It’s just a super chill place. I love the upstairs thing they got going on (for the most part… the back part is kind of ugly tbh), it’s usually pretty low traffic, the staff are friendly, and the coffee is good. Why 4 stars?
I HATE the pastry display. This might seem to be the dumbest reason to dock a star. But I’m hoping that management sees this, because I’ve talked to baristas about it, and they agree, and have been pushing for this to be changed themselves for a while from what they said. What’s the problem with it? There’s no door on the back. Why is this a problem? Fruit flies. EVERYWHERE. I would LOVE to buy a blueberry cream cheese Danish… but I can’t, EVER, because flies are ALWAYS in there. YES this REQUIRES ALL CAPS EVERYWHERE. It’s such a major issue, because it’s not just a couple, and it’s not just a couple days a week. I legitimately think there is just a colony of them living in that case. Please, someone, put a scrap of cloth over the back. Get one out of the trash and throw it in the wash and put it up — I don’t care. Anything is better than nothing at all… And then I can buy your delicious-​looking pastries. :)

Steep & Brew is that middling playoff team that’s never going to be in the elite but that’s not in the basement, either. I like it, but there are better options in town. One problem is the décor. The tables have that Ikea showroom quality to them, and I wish they’d spend a little more to upgrade them to wood. When I have a cup of coffee, I want to feel like I’m taking a break from industrial office furniture, not going to an extension of it. The food and stuff is fine but nothing super special.

Steep n Brew has a nice calming atmosphere to it. It has delicious coffee and a variety of pastries. It’s good for taking a break, studying, or meeting someone.

Of all the coffee shops downtown, Steep & Brew is justifiably one of the most loved. From the subtle scent of coffee grounds, to the soft lighting, spacious tables, and cozy couches, it makes sense that snagging a spot here on a Sunday afternoon can be quite a struggle. However once you are able to settle in, you won’t want to leave and there’s no need to. With a menu offering customized waffles and oatmeal, and a bakery case displaying oodles of sweet and savory goodness, you can easily make Steep & Brew your home for the day.
While the atmosphere and food options are an added bonus, it’s the drinks that will have you coming back for more. Don’t let the cost of coffee shop bevies scare you away. In addition to their almost perpetual deals on the Hooked app, Steep & Brew offers a frequent buyer punch card that’ll set you on your way to a free cup in no time.
As far as these drinks go, they’ve got the best ginger tea in town. Bold statement, I realize, considering I’m a ginger tea connoisseur these days. But Steep & Brew’s version is the most ginger packed and spicy and oh so good. Tons of dried ginger goes into the making of this tea and they aren’t skimpy.
Steep & Brew is also home of my current favorite chai tea latte. Yep, this fragrant concoction is a staple on coffee shop menus, yet few do it right. The evolving variety of chai blends makes for an ever unique flavor trip, and it’s our innate curiosity that leads us to try it at many different shops. Crafting the ideal chai, however, is a veritable art form. There is indeed a fine line between excessive sweetness and subtle sugar undertones, an unwelcome abundance of milk and a perfect level of creaminess. If there is one coffee shop that masters this balancing act, it is Steep & Brew.
While chai is a black tea and already contains caffeine, if you’re in the mood for an extra dose then check out their Dirty Chai. It combines the loveliness of the aforementioned chai with a robust shot of espresso to create a drink that it slightly less sweet and certainly generates an added jolt. Whether you decide to go dirty or not, the chai is a must try.
*Expert tip: ask for an added Cuban shot in your chai tea latte, or any other coffee beverage for that matter, and prepare for greatness. This ‘Cuban pull’ refers to an espresso shot that’s been sweetened with sugar during the brewing process, which allows for a nice caramelized sweetness that supplements many of Steep & Brew’s drinks quite nicely. Impress your friends and order this guy with your usual cuppa.

Run of the mill coffee shop. Nothing for me that says, «Hey!!! Come drink my slow roasted, dark goodness while you enjoy a cold winter day inside.»
Lot’s of space, old décor, (but a in a relaxing kind of way) and A-​OK coffee. I tried their Orange Cappuccino. It was good but I was expecting a tad more orange. Prices seemed reasonable compared to sizing.
A good spot to do some homework or catch up with a friend.

Nice coffee house with a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff.

My favorite coffee joint. I just wish it was closer to my house.
I am in love with the coconut latte. It reminds me of sitting on a warm beach every time I drink it. The smell of the coconut and the warmth of the coffee = tropical paradise.
I like the different levels and it’s a great place to park and read a book on a rainy day. Not too loud and not too quiet.

I normally love Steep and Brew and buy coffee here all the time… however last night when I went here to study it was a really bad experience. The baristas seemed more focused on talking to each other and their friends than waiting on customers, continuously turned up the music so loud we had to ask them to turn it down, and were cursing loudly so the entire store could hear them: in a word, unprofessional. The coffee was great but the environment was not.

I love Steep and Brew, but I don’t like this location all that much. I’m often uncomfortable here, but I really don’t know why. I mean, it looks fantastic and I’ve never really had an issue. I can’t put my finger on it. The Odana location is great though.

Great service and great coffee! My favorite coffeehouse on State Street!

Looking for a midafternoon coffee pick me up around State Street brought us to Steep & Brew, a place cuter in name than appearance. It looks like a functional coffee shop for studying, devoid of state college charm and looking more like a Starbucks mixed with Corner Bakery.
The coffee was on the weak side, and I had to self-​carafe the sucker. The wife’s chai tea latte was nothing special. It seems like if you order a specialty, they’ll bag it up on the spot; I guess that’s kind of cool.

Had to write to update on how awesome this place is… came here and actually decided to spend some time in the shop and do my homework.
First can I just say that their wifi is awesome. Don’t even bother going to Starbucks because it’s dreadfully slow. This place on the other hand — top notch.
Second, when you order drinks in store you get them in really cool glass cups with handles. I’m really sad I forgot to take a picture of them because they are so cool. I’m thinking of buying (or stealing? Just kidding… maybe.) a set for my apartment.
I had the Chai Tea Latte and it was delish. My friend had a cookie and said it was not up to her standards but she has pretty high cookie standards so that’s no surprise.
All in all, this place rocks. You go, Steep & Brew.

I can’t stay to study here, due to their bad internet connection. I’ve always in need of good connection to search for the references I need for my writing/​paper.
But, this place is to enjoy a cup of good coffee and to hang out and meet with friends. Also, Fresh Madison Market often gives some coupons at the back of their receipt (so yeah, don’t waste it, take it and make use of it) and Steep & Brew is one of the stores that actively participates. Nice of them.
The barista never gave me a dirty look for any coupon I brought to them :) and their motto saying: «We ice anything» is one good news for Summer! :)

Nice ambiance, great tasting coffee in the morning. I also think it’s one of the only places that’s open early in the morning. It’s also child friendly if you have a 1 year old.

Was in town for a few days and wanted to get some tea. This was the only tea place we found open at 7am (a tea place that sells tea brewed from loose tea leaves) that was within walking distance from the meeting my husband was attending on campus. There was only one person working the cashier and she was also preparing the drinks. We were glad to walk in when there was very few people. The place looks nice and clean.
As for getting tea, they do have a large variety of tea choices. For a place to pick up a cup of tea, I will definitely visit the place again. Their prices are also very reasonable compared to most coffee places that overcharge when it comes to tea.

The storefront is deceivingly small. The café actually opens up to two additional levels of seating, which is AWESOME. Free wifi is a plus as well.
S&B is a great alternative to the Starbucks just down the street if you are in the mood for less mainstream drink options, or if you are looking for a more homey environment to study/​work in. As a loyal Starbucks customer holding a gold reward card, I have to say the financial perks of spending cash on coffee at Starbucks is much more enticing to me. That’s not to say I won’t be back if I crave an orange cappuccino! :9

They put together their own tea bags based on what you order… that is straight up amaze balls. Also they are open crazy late so we walked in after going for a stroll after going out for dinner! Loved having some digestive soothing trifecta tea after dinner!
PLENTY of seating space! Check out the upstairs level while you’re there!

I don’t think Steep&Brew separates itself enough from a place like Starbucks. I know Starbucks gets a lot of crap for burned coffee/​bad beans, but I don’t think you can insert the name of a local coffee shop and expect everything to be better.
Steep&Brew just doesn’t really seem to have something for me. I didn’t like their espresso enough (not really a surprise in the world of espresso) and they didn’t have an enormous selection of food.
All else aside, the sticky buns are great when they are warm and sticky and the mochas/​lattes will tide you over when you need a fix of caffeine.

My all time favorite coffee shop in Madison!
Steep & Brew is a nice place to stop while you are on State hitting up the farmer’s market. I used to study here with friends too. When it is nice outside, you can sit in their outdoor patio area. They have excellent coffee and a great selection of tea. Compared to other coffee shops, the number of tea choices is much larger.
The prices are great and you can get both a small coffee (minus lattes) and tea for around $ 5. They also have punch cards. After 10 drinks, you get one on the house. The staff is friendly. Depending on the time of day, there can be a wait, but it’s worth it.
They accept debit cards, but charge a fee for using credit cards… FYI if that’s a problem for you.