Ground Zero

Got a skin latte and a cranberry muffin. The latte was better than expected. The muffin, however, was terrible. I think they make it from a frozen mix because something about it just tasted off (like freezer burn). Service was not great… I said hello to the girl working the espresso machine and she just stared at me. Service was pretty slow considering how empty it was.

Lots of sunlight and seating options for relaxing. Some coffee shops (*cough* Starbucks *cough*) are purposefully remodeling interiors to discourage lingering patrons, but Ground Zero recently had a freshening up and still maintains both work spaces and lounging chairs. Baristas are friendly and there’s a lot of different coffee roasts from which you can choose. The adjacent parking lot can be a little tight, but that’s par for the course in this neighborhood. Right now this is one of my top choices for coffee shops on Willy St.

I love the atmosphere here. They have plenty of tables for people to do work, and they also have. A cute little section with couches. Everything here is reasonably priced. They also have suburb baristas who are very friendly.

In spite of reference to Hiroshima, WWII planes everywhere, and being a monument to the military, its ok.

Good coffee and there’s a parking lot!
Really cute place. the décor is old maps and cameras. There is table seating as well as couches.
A great place to enjoy a book and a beverage.
I ordered a café au lait and was very happy with my choice. I will definitely be back.

Solid cup of coffee and nice atmosphere in a great neighborhood.
I’ve had the café mocha and café au lait and recommend either. The coffee is full flavored and not burned like Starbucks.
Comfy couches and pleasantly decorated with eclectic collections of maps and cameras. Nice place to study. Ample parking in a neighborhood where that’s not common.

Whether hosting me for a work meeting or an awkward first date, Ground Zero has been A-​OK.
+ tasty drinks — I’ve had the hot chocolate and the peach iced tea
+ nice staff (though sometimes a little spacey — the last barista seemed confused when I asked if there was caffeine in their mint tea [there is])
+ puffy chairs in the back corner are really comfortable and great for reading
— seating is really close together and the high-​tops by the window are crazy high
— parking tends to be an issue if you’re staying for the long haul
— early hours — I went late one afternoon and was surprised to be shuttled out soon after because they were closing; my fault for not checking hours, but surprising for not being in an office-​heavy area that otherwise shuts down at 5
Ground Zero isn’t my favorite coffee shop in town, but I also wouldn’t decline going.

A good friend who knows his coffee (and relies on it) recommended that I give Ground Zero a try. It’s a convenient location (for me), as I drive past it each day while on my way to work.
+ Get there before 8:30am and you’ll have plenty of parking available in the next door lot
+ Prompt service; lines move quickly
— Only two ready-​made brews available: Atomic (always) and a rotating roast
+ Atomic is good; robust yet smooth
+ Love that they placed the creamer/​sugar/​etc out-​of-​the-​way; no congestion
+ Fair pricing

Nice, typical coffee shop in the south side of the Marquette neighborhood. Very large sitting space inside with minimal outside seating (about 4 chairs between 2 small tables). Large windows inside looking out on Williamson at the front of the building are great for feeling the city vibe if that’s what you’re into; back of the building keeps the homey feel with couches and smaller, house-​like windows. Vintage maps and canvas art on the walls combined with the short cut and blue dyed hairstyles of the baristas give the place its overall hipster feel. This review brought to you by free, unlocked wifi (although my iPhone wouldn’t connect to the 5G for some reason… the 2.4G seems to be doing just fine though).
It’s never very busy in here. Today I had to wait behind a group of 10 or so out of town teenagers, which was rough. I only had an iced coffee and bagel though, and the baristas got it out to me fast. Praise.
They have a good variety of reserve coffees to choose from, as well as a small selection of sandwich items (which you can also have on a bagel or croissant). Espresso options, too, though these are also limited — a mocha latte is about as frufru as the Starbucks regulars are going to be able to get.
Overall, pretty typical for Madison. The biggest plus is the size of the café inside; the worst is probably the selection of food items. Neither of these are make or break, though, so Ground Zero if definitely worth the try if your looking for a good representation of a Madison neighborhood coffee shop!

One of my favorite places to hang out and study. Also right next to incredible food — check out the grill next door for brunch.
Ground zero has their own parking lot and also plenty of street parking in front because they’re not quite in the heart of willy street yet. There are some weird time limits on the parking lot and other signs that have been recently instated, so keep an eye out for those lawmakers.
Inside there is plenty of seating and plenty of outlets, and a couch in the back. There’s a good mix of normal people eating (their deli sandwich on a croissant is amazingly really good) as well as people doing work, so there’s a nice low level buzz to the place.

Great coffee and service! Love the atmosphere as well! Plenty of bike parking in front, cozy seating in the back. Vintage décor and great baked goods as well.

My first time here was last Sunday, and I kept on having to pull out my shazam app to find out what song I was listening to because I had to have it. I had just so happened to have forgotten my headphones at home, so I was deeply grateful for the snazzy beats that were gettin’ my head bobbin’. Today is yet another Sunday, and it is much busier than it was last week, but there was dang near a blizzard last Sunday, so I think that this will be more of the normal flow of things. I have only had their coffee, but I am someone who likes to try out different sweeteners and whatnot. So when I got over to the table with the sugar, I was pleasantly surprised to find white sugar, brown sugar, liquid sugar as well as some others that I am blanking on right now because I haven’t had enough coffee quite yet. If you are coming here with a computer or tablet, I would suggest making sure that you are fully charged before you leave the house because, while there are some outlets, when it is this busy, you are lucky to get one. Oh, and if you like to people watch, then there are some great window spots from which to partake in the Willy St. visual delights. I also like that there are all kinds in here, and that it isn’t super hipster, studious, trendy, shaggy, business casual and so forth. No need to feel out of place just to get some coffee. Long story short: good coffee but a refill will cost you 85 cents, and snazzy décor for when you zone out from whatever you actually came here to do.

Great place for studying. Awesome coffee combos! Parking is a challenge, but worth finding a spot. Haven’t had food there yet, but my latte rocked.

Coffee was decent. Not a bad atmosphere. However, rude service. I brought in a small paper bag with a croissant in it that I had purchased elsewhere, though it was not totally obvious that it was food. When the barista served me my coffee he was like «I’m sorry, but we don’t allow outside food. You can’t eat that in here.» RUDE. rude. rude. I’m glad I didn’t immediately leave a tip because they get NONE. I don’t even think they sell croissants, so WTF? And being rude to me is going to make me want to buy their food? I think not. The only plus in this place is that they have free Wi-​Fi and weren’t playing annoying music.

I prefer their locations on e. Wash and park st., but this place is better than the chains… I am not a coffee drinker and would like to see their tea selection improve… good basic lunches and atmosphere.

Pretty OK sandwich and cheese soup, cold service and cold space. Turn the AC down, please. The wi-​fi is shit and kept dropping me over and over again, causing me to lose work.
Eh… maybe I try another day.

I love my coffee. I love ground zero. I have spent many hours studying here. I took my in-​laws here! Great personality and feel. Almost every time I am there, I have issues choosing what I want to drink and the baristas are very patient and willing to recommend a great drink!

Great coffee place on Willy St. I went here often since I lived right by it. Loved their mochas and the large, vintage maps on the walls. Food was decent, and the staff was nice. They didn’t have the most wall outlets for when I was studying, but my roommate and I survived.

I am a fan of their coffee, fun space, and long standing history of quality service. I visited this shop over 12 years ago, not much has changed and that’s just fine by me.
Vintage maps and a old school feel, looks just right on Willy Street gives off a good vibe. The place is usually quite full, so hard to grab a spot in the colder months.
Love that they place some tables out front in the summer.
Bonus: Parking lot right next to building.
Minus: It’s too quite for a conversation or a loud mouth like me.

Always my favorite spot to study, relax and have a sip of my favorite mocha treat! The ambience is so hippy that makes me always happy :)
Today, I tried their sandwich and learned that they are very similar with Cargo’s. I think I read about it on other’s review that these two places are sisters.
I’ll try to stick with the locals! They need to survive and they’re fab too!
*We actually were aimed to have some tea at Machatea but 4^th of July has made most the coffee shops in Madison closed. But, Ground zero is never a bad idea. It’s super!