Johnson Public House

This place is cool! A little expensive, but worth going!!! Had a latte, hot chocolate, beers and lamb chocolate in our group! The hot coco looked boss!!!

Stopped into the Public House for a bit while waiting for pizza next door, and was pleasantly surprised. Completely chill coffee shop, great aromas, and well picked beer selection from the cooler.
It’s a bit sparse inside and the tables have you sitting awkwardly far apart if you’re not by yourself, but otherwise the accommodations are quite comfortable and I could see this being a nice spot to get work done or just hang for a few hours on the laptop.
The coffee looked and smelled delicious, and had it not been 8pm when I was there I would have absolutely indulged. There will be a return visit without a doubt to sample.
We were greeted when we came in and the staff was very polite overall. This is a much more solid choice then many other coffee places if you just want to relax and not deal with a corporate or rushed atmosphere

JPH does serve some amazing coffee and it’s worth stopping in. However, be prepared to get coffee to go because of lack of seating. On weekends the place is packed and just about everyone has a laptop and takes up a lot of space. I visited yesterday morning and had to sit in a chair in the corner as the other 4 in my group were able to find seating at the end of a long table. My coffee was served in a to-​go cup because they didn’t have any more clean cups available. They also did not have any cups by the water the entire hour we were there. The place also could use some organization and a good clean. The corner we were in had boxes of beer that weren’t placed in storage and were just sitting on the floor. There were food splatters on the wall near the garbage containers. The other times I have visited were much more pleasant so I’m surprised how disappointing this last visit was. My coffee was delicious, the other members in my group commented that their ham sandwich was «ok» and their latte was «kinda cold». I highly recommend trying their coffee, just maybe get it to go…

I truly cannot express how much I love this place. I dream about it every weekend. Last time my buddy and I drove up from Chicago to Madison we stopped here before even telling our friends that we were in town! It’s that good.
I’ve gone three times now and each time I get the same thing «Sunday Morning» Sandwich. Ham + maple syrup + cheddar + fried egg = WOW. Their bread is really terrific and crustless as well.
GO here as much as possible Madisonites. This place is one of a kind.

I’m from out of town and am checking out all the available third wave shops here. I’m glad they serve well roasted coffees (four barrel, madcap, intelligentsia) and that they also pay homage to Handsome Coffee Roasters (RIP). However, as a barista too, the pour overs are a bit underextracted – probably due to what I assume to be a rushed pour and short brew time. The espresso was pretty good though. I was content with that!
All that said, it is still probably one of the better places for coffee around town.

Very disappointed we went there to eat and there was no were to seat… Every table had a computer on it and no one was eating! Is this a library or a café? Food is very good but they should limit how many tables are for people to seat there using free wifi! You are losing money and customers.

Went to JPH for the first time last week. I was meeting some friends for dinner at Salvatore’s Tomato Pies (which is right next door) and was in the area a little early. I decided to check out JPH and sit and read for a bit before dinner. My first impression of the place turned out be wrong but I can understand how some people wouldn’t necessarily enjoy the ambiance. At first glance the chairs don’t look too comfy and there is some rather odd art on the wall but the longer I sat there, the more I liked it. The staff is extremely friendly and the music eclectic (everything from instrumentals to funk to The Killers to Phoenix and lots of stuff I didn’t recognize but still enjoyed).
They offer a wide range of teas and serve Intelligensia coffee which was a delightful surprise for this Chicago transplant. (Side note, if you’ve never had Intelligensia you must give it a try!). I love coffee shops that offer the pour over preparation and JPH is one of those places. They take credit cards but there is a sign saying cash preferred. I didn’t eat but saw some yummy looking sandwiches pass my way. Place was packed at 4:30 on a Thursday. A decent mix of students on non-​students alike. I didn’t use the WIFI so can’t speak to its reliability.
I ordered my hot cocoa and settled into read. Seemed like quite some time had passed and I still didn’t have my hot cocoa. Then I noticed the barista surfing the net or something on the iPad which doubles as a credit card reader when you pay. When I got up and asked for my drink she apologized and said she had forgotten. I initially was kinda bummed out but this was completely redeemed upon delivery of my drink which was accompanied by yet another apology as well as a token worth $ 5 for my next visit. I don’t live nearby but will be sure to drop in next time I’m on that side of town (and not just because of the token!).

The morning is not complete without a cuppa. Soaking in the hipster vibe in the neighborhood with a latte and cappuccino, with an absolutely chill recording playing in the background and rays of sun beaming in through the windows. Perfect start to a Saturday morning!

JPH is the best coffee shop in Madison, with only 5^th Element making good competition for the title. They have a diverse and rotating selection of fantastic coffees from a variety of roasters. The atmosphere just feels quintessentially Madison in its casual and comfortable vibe. They take espresso drinks and pour-​overs very seriously, and the food they serve is great in a pinch. It’s a perfect place to study or talk about coffee.

I’ve tried this place out a few times since moving around the corner and honestly it’s always just vaguely disappointing. The coffee is great, the food is usually great (though one time i got an absolutely tiny order of Brady pudding, which is ridiculous because it’s 7 dollars) but the service is terribly slow. I’ve never gone in and been able to get food in less than 20 minutes. They’ve forgotten twice, and each time they kinda laugh it off. The staff is a little /​too/​chill for me, they seem like they’re more used to chatting than doing work.

The Coffee here is good but they don’t serve a dark roast which is what I normally like to order. Also they make some good sandwiches, I’ve tried the roast beef and the tuna, both were excellent. I like the set up of the café, its a nice atmosphere to hang out in. I would give this place 5 stars but their service is incredibly slow. I’ve ordered a sandwich when the place was almost empty and it still took them over 20 minutes to make it. In addition, I once waited in line with literally one family ahead of me and it took them 10 minutes just to take our order. So all in all, it’s a nice place to drink a cup of coffee and study/​work or hang out with friends, and the food tastes good but not a good place to go if you’re in a hurry.

Good overall experience, décor, coffee… the deal breaker for me is the lack of quality wifi.
As I sit at the table waiting for content to load on my internet browser I can hear customers seated next to me offer under the breath complaints for the wifi. It’s apparent that this oversight is completely overlooked by the staff. I know this because the streaming music service knows this.
|| About every 15 seconds the music streaming behind the bar cuts out so that it may buffer and provide another 15 – 30 seconds spurt of audio. I commend the baristas for enduring the purgatory created by inadequate wifi and luckily for me my iPhone offers me relief by streaming music directly from my phone. ||
In all, I enjoy coffee shops for the social experience, the exploration of ideas, and for work. I see computers on nearly every table and I know the wifi signal is stressed, but it’s a simple fix for a coffee shop that otherwise provides such a quality experience. My efficiency to work greatly diminishes with poor wifi.
So, today I say goodbye to JPH and head downtown to a coffee shop with twice (or three times) the customers with good overall experience, décor, coffee… and the means to meet the wifi needs of the patrons and the staff. Thank you, Colectivo.

You go to a coffeehouse for one thing: great coffee. This place does not disappoint. My wife ordered a flat white with an ethiopia/​Columbia blend. She said it was far and away the best one in town. I had a pour over decaf which had great body to it.
The actual ambiance creates a sense of impoverishment. I would classify the furniture as neo-​goodwill. The walls need a good paint layer and the floor needs restaining. It is quaint from that standpoint and it does seem to fit the neighborhood where you have some delapidated student housing.
We did not have any food, so I cannot comment on the quality. So, bottom line, have the coffee and don’t be put off by the appearance.

JPH has a most-​excellent set of picnic tables out front that I highly recommend you make use of this summer. Inside you’ll find a bright seating area and a hodgepodge of furniture and decorations. It reminds me of going to a 22-year-old’s apartment — everything’s a little worn in and walks the border of eclectic & schizophrenic, but the kid’s learned to clean up after herself and make you a good drink when you drop by.
I opted for the lemonade on my sunny afternoon visit and had a good blend of sweet and tart. The service could have been a bit friendlier (the counterperson was pretty mute and just laid the iPad they use for cards down on the counter sideways without saying «you can tip and sign here»), but I got my drink quickly and accurately so it’s fine.
The Wi-​Fi password is posted on the front of the register (I missed it when I initially walked up to order), and I’m happy to report it’s strong enough to reach their picnic tables outside. Definitely going to keep it on the list for sunny work spots.

Great little coffee shop with a lot of selections and a super hipster vibe. My favorite thing is definitely the breakfast sandwich with egg, ham, tomato, pesto, and fresh mozzarella. TO. DIE. FOR. I’ve never had a better sandwich! I’ve gotten it pretty much every time I’ve gone.
This was also where I was introduced to the Chemex (I’m not much of a coffee snob, obviously). It’s also where I bought my Chemex, which is all I do for coffee at home now.
As far as the atmosphere, I feel alright with labeling it janky. The chairs are old and some of the metal ones kind of feel like they’re going to fall apart beneath you. It’s kind of cramped quarters, especially if you are unfortunate enough to be in there during the peak hours. But it’s a great place to go if you want to study. Even better if you’re just up for good ol fashioned people watching.

Mother’s Day with my guy and his daughter.
The food: Potatoes nice and crispy, egg slightly over cooked (I like it runny) and fabulous seeded rye bread from Madison Sourdough. Just the right size serving, No waste and not stuffed.
The Coffee: Ordered the basic cup. It was delicious. Wish they had the capacity to reheat when the coffee gets cold.
The ambiance: Diners mostly students. Place could use a fresh coat of paint and some TLC. Bordered on dirty. Need to update some of the chairs.
Staff: Friendly and helpful
I know some of you think I am too picky but even shabby chic needs to be both clean and comfy.
I shall return.

I was looking for a quick breakfast and great coffee and had heard good things about this place when I stopped on my way home from downtown. They serve pour over coffee, a couple pastries and then sandwiches.
The place is clean and bright, staff friendly and the food came out within 6 minutes of ordering it. I ordered a triple almond milk (they have all kinds of milk!) Latte. I was told that they could only do espresso in 2 shot increments because of their machine (so, make it a quadruple latte!). My mom and i decided to spilt a breakfast sandwich and a side salad. All of their breakfast sandwiches had ham on them which we were avoiding (mom doesn’t like it) and the barista offered their veggie sandwich to us which want on the menu. So we ordered that. It turned out to be pesto, mozzarella, tomato and egg on multigrain toast. It was fabulous! And big, which meant sharing was easy and satisfying. The sandwich even cane spilt for us on two different plates!
Lots of people were ordering the granola (essentially a yogurt parfait) that looked good. But I was super happy with the egg sandwich. I would definitely go there again!
Other random thoughts, street parking was abundant, it was a little busy, Wi-​Fi is free!

Do you enjoy waiting 20 minutes for an iced tea while wall-​to-​wall lumbersexuals drink flat whites and read John Darnielle’s novel?
I do not enjoy that experience and am weary with this café because of it. I really like their granola, but today I had to wait half an hour for mine and was late to a doctor’s appointment because of that.
I am all for the slow food movement, but pointlessly inefficient food is another thing.
Like, why can’t they pour an iced tea at the counter when I order it?
I don’t drink coffee so I’m not the one being gouged for it here. Therefore, it’s just entertaining to watch people pay five bucks for a cup.
I like the way JPH looks. Staff is nice and art is cool. But if I didn’t live just a few blocks away, it wouldn’t be worth the hassle.

I adore JPH because it is completely unassuming. The décor is charming and vintage, the staff is knowledgable, and the breakfast/​coffee is top notch. I went in today and had yogurt and granola, and even something as simple as this was presented in such an appetizing way. The fresh berries on the yogurt made my morning treat colorful and even more delicious.
I am happy the construction in the area has stopped for now and the only noises that I hear in the shop are customers quietly chatting/​enjoying their coffee and the staff hard at work…
Keep up the good work JPH, we’re your biggest fans!

Not a bad coffee shop by any means — we stopped-​in for late morning coffee and a light sandwich.
+ Coffee offerings rotate regularly and come from various roasters
+ Staff is knowledgeable about the coffees
+ Prices were reasonable
+ Chemex-​style is available!
+ Small menu, no «real» kitchen, but they do a great job with what they’ve got
+ The grilled cheese sandwich was superb
+ Love the huge murals on the wall
+ Love the mix-​mash of seating
— Don’t love the musty smell inside (smells damp?)
+ Great music playing at the perfect volume
— No spoons or honey available unless you ask specifically for them
+ Nice selection of bottled beers available