Sophia’s Bakery & Cafe

Love the food, but the dining experience can vary depending on the volume of customers. Today, it was quite busy when we arrived but difficulty finding seating and waiting for food was compounded by the presence of 3 large groups and 1 smaller group that lingered over coffee for a long time. Customers have the right to sit and chat after their meal, but when 1 table represents 15% of the seating area, it affects the rest of the the restaurant. We waited for a long time, longer than I’ve ever waited, to both sit and receive our food, and so did most others. I think that Sophia’s should also require that you pay at the time you order. Right now, you can choose to pay either at the time you order or after your meal, but paying after your meal means that you have to go up to the crowded corner once instead of twice, again, decreasing customer flow.
By its nature, the tiny space can be a bit hectic but today it was excessive.
As for the positive, the food was excellent and the cheesecake/​coffee cake combo was delicious.

I love this restaurant! I always get an omelet and a chocolate croissant, both of which I split half and half. It is just enough food for us. The price is very reasonable. I think this is the best breakfast restaurant in Madison. It is always very busy, but that is for a good reason. Only open on weekends until 2pm.

The cottage cheese pancakes are the must-​try here! Together with the fresh raspberry sauce, it’s a perfect combination to start an energetic day!
The place is packed with people on weekends. So make sure you come ahead of line.
Need to try those omelettes next time. They also look so good!

Everything Sean O wrote about tight quarters is correct. Expect to wait for a table with your food ready while people sit around lazily after finishing their meals as if they are lounging in their living rooms.
And if you like to be bumped, grazed, and possibly spilled on by people maneuvering with hot full coffee this is the place for you.

So much potential. They have the entire «hole in the wall» vibe going on, with skimpy hours, a short menu, and a «dont give a shit» décor. The food was good, but not mind-​blown out-​of-​this-​world best-​of-​madison good. We had the squash omelet, which was tasty, but honestly a little bland. And the croissant french toast? Maybe I missed something, but I’m not sure where the croissants were! Overall tasty, but if they want to do the «breakfast nook» thing, you guys gottta crank up the charm a bit!

Breakfast at Sophie’s comes at a price — to be able to be up and running early in the morning on the weekends cos that’s the only time you will find them open. That said, the sauté pear with ginger and whipped cream waffles is an excellent thing to wake up to, if you not throw into a state of indecisiveness, greeted by the fresh aroma of pastry once the door is open.

Such a nice place. I think good things come in small packages. This place is open for barely 12 hours and that too just on the weekends. But they have some great food. I sat on a table sharing it with two couples. Got into a conversation while sipping coffee. Very nice place if you are a foodie and not a snob about privacy in an eating place.

What a letdown! I had heard from two friends in the area that it wasn’t as great as I was making it out to be when I pitched Sunday brunch to them, but they were right. It’s a hole-​in-​the-​wall weekend brunch place (closed on weekdays) with uncomfortably close quarters and not particularly fantastic food, though it’s plated well. On the whole, it just doesn’t make much sense.
Expect a wait on the weekends, especially around 11. We arrived well before but still had a good ¹⁵⁄₂₀ minute wait. The door opens into a packed room the size of my living room with its only path of egress also packed with counter orders. The orders apparently take longer than the wait, so they’re queued up while you most likely wait outside (since five people are already waiting in front of the water/​coffee self-​serve and any remaining floor space). There is a menagerie of tables and chairs, so there’s truth in that Sophia’s is likely best for those dining alone, as there are many single chairs left in the overcrowded tables. Those seated closest to the wall are physically unable to leave unless those at the tables closest to the counter get up. When such a high price is put on ambiance, I wouldn’t agree that Sophia’s is homey as much as a fire hazard. I don’t understand why such a successful place hasn’t expanded.
The omelettes are the way to go. Sophia’s pancakes and waffle were bland and somewhat dry on their own. I felt that even IHOP did them better. I found the cottage cheese pancakes uninteresting. My friend was leaving basically the whole dish over and it wasn’t tasty enough to pick at. The berry syrup that accompanied it was almost sour. I don’t think the cottage cheese pancakes are more than a managed risk – you have to really like either cottage cheese or pancakes in order to enjoy it. I had the banana walnut waffle and immediately regretted not ordering the asparagus omelette. Even with the banana, the waffle wasn’t very tasty. My friend’s breakfast sandwich (egg on croissant with fruit) was beautiful and definitely the best dish of the table, even with the fruit out of season. The eggs were not bland, and were cooked thin and appeared more oily than buttery. The kicker, though, is the syrup. Consensus at the table was that the the table syrup was awful, though «real maple syrup» is on the menu for extra. This is inexcusable for a brunch place, perhaps a deal breaker. Breakfast food has its off days, which can be excused, but when the refuge of syrup is also inhospitable, might as well not bother. If I were to come back, I’d try the coffee cake and choco croissant.
It just didn’t seem to make a lot of sense – the insane popularity, the insufferable claustrophobia, the family-​style tables with no one talking to each other, the inability to move once seated, the ordering way in advance and paying after the meal as an afterthought. There appears to be some tradition here, and it’s likely the most sane way to manage the joint, but I can’t help but feel that this was low on my list of better brunch experiences. Likely better off with Madison Sourdough or Eldorato. I expected much more from the top rated brunch place in Madison.

The best breakfast in Madison and fantastic baked goods. Very small and informal, not unusual to share a table with other patron; good way to make friends

Love this bakery! Everything I’ve ever ordered has been delicious. Also: they only except cash!

One of the best breakfast I have had in Madison!!! I can’t imagine they open only on the weekends. We had 2 different omelettes with their home made croissant and a blueberry banana pancake. Everything we ate was wonderful. Their baked goods look to good to pass so we took home a blueberry muffin, cheese cake pie and a coffee cake. So glad we did. Can’t wait to go again!!! A must go for every breakfast lover.

Cute little place. I can tell the workers put their heart and soul into the cooking. The feta tomato and basil omelette was divine, the eggs so fluffy and delicious. We got pancakes to share for the table and they were at best, mediocre. IHOP has better ones. My partner had the sausage and pepper omelette and he was overly pleased. We both freakin loved the potatoes. Made to golden crisp perfection. 4 stars for the food.
The atmosphere was not my favorite. Probably because I’m an east coaster. Everyone was on top of one another and it was very claustrophobic. It was «cute» that others got to sit with us at our table, but not my style. Small town feel for sure. But definitely not for me. 3 stars for the atmosphere.

Cute little place with a really cute idea about how to make food. I appreciate the attention to detail and the thoughtful approach to a food experience.
The experience was really dampened by the tapenade on my ham and cheese croissant. The flavor was so strong and so contrasting to the other flavors present. It overpowered the entire croissant and I ended up just not eating the side of the croissant with the tapenade. The rest of the meal was great and fresh. It doesnt make sense to me to have such a strong sauce/​spread on a devastatingly tasty homemade croissant. Next time, I will change my order accordingly, but overall I question the taste of their pairing decisions. This is a bakery (it is in the name), so let the baked good be the star, not some spread that people will either love or hate!
May be back, not sure.

The concept of this place is super cute! Squish together at a table next to people you don’t (or do) know. Order homey, comforting food. I’d recommend getting any of their sweet stuff – pancakes, blintzes, coffee cakes. Their potatoes are pretty awesome too. The black bean tacos and omelettes are good, but they are also easy to make at home.
I’ll probably be back sometime soon.

I come from a very large family back in Michigan, where family get-​togethers meant having a whole lot of people crammed into one tiny place. Always included: rubbing elbows, feeling cramped as you waited in a disorganized line, trying to keep up with a plethora of dirty dishes, and having that awkward table top conversation with a family member you wouldn’t wave hi to if you saw them in the street. I miss the chaos, but I got a little fix of it here at Sophia’s.
Sophia’s is small, but homey. She’s only open on the weekends, so you can imagine the high influx of patrons that flock to her craving Sunday brunch. The place gets packed. As you wait to claim a seat next to complete strangers, you nestle in what little space you have. We eventually sat, and our order was then set to prepare (made to order!). We talked and laughed with other diners next to us while we waited. I enjoyed the company.
I had the Croissant French Toast with raspberry spread. I am not too keen on sweets, but this is a definite exception. The toast was soft and doughy, and the raspberries sweet and sour. It brought me back to the days my grandfather would make it, with all my cousins and I waiting around the kitchen island, fighting over who got the first helping.
In the end maybe I’m too sentimental, but I really liked my experience at Sophia’s because it reminded me of home.

Awesome food, and super friendly staff.
Checked out what fellow Unilocalers had to say about Sophia’s and all sounded pretty great. So we stopped in and gave it a try!
So I’ll just say I do think this place is a bit disorganized, as to the placement of everything and the whole process of ordering, seating, and getting your drinks.
Walked in and there was a huge line, people just kinda standing everywhere. Once you walk in you realize how tiny of a restaurant it is. But… it’s cozy, loved the interior. While you’re waiting in line you can look up on to the wall at the menu to try and decide on what you want from all the amazing sounding choices. Once to the counter you put your order in, and then the wait continues. There are approximately 4 tables, and one little bar area with stools along the window. And when you’re there at a 11:30 on a Sunday morning, you can imagine the wait we had. And when I said this place is tiny… it’s tiny. There is really no good place to stand while people are trying to grab their coffee, or water, or go to the bathroom, or put their dishes away.
Once we finally got to table, we put our name in, and took in the atmosphere a bit more. I will say… I think it’s a pretty neat idea to have ‘Group Tables’ so you’re sitting with strangers, and get to make some good conversation with someone new!
Once our food came, I was pleased with the presentation of my meal. I ended up getting the ‘Grandma’s Sweet Cheese Blintzes’ and oh my where they good! A bit different I couldn’t pin point what they reminded me of. But the sweet yet, sour/​bitter filling, and the light syrup on top, all paired so well.

I like Sophia’s. I like it a lot.
It’s the type of place that you’ll drive right past and have to circle back around because you missed it as it is pretty inconspicuously situated.
And though it is quite a tiny shop, the inside is lovely. The seating is very limited, but it always works out that you have a place to plop down.
The menu is posted on the wall as you walk in and you’ll order at the counter then wait for enough seats to clear up. Once at your table, the kitchen will start cooking up your food. And it is very good food. But more on that later :)
There’s an overall aura to Sophia’s that is so charming. Maybe it’s the fact that you sit down next to whoever happens to have room at their table or it could be the way that you can peer into the kitchen as if you’re in someone’s home. Anyways, it’s just a lovely place that makes you feel happy.
Coffee is serve yourself at a cute little station with a collection of mismatched coffee cups. Again, rocking that charm.
Now it’s the food that’s the real star.
–If you’re feeling adventurous, the COTTAGE CHEESE PANCAKES are an absolute must-​try. The cottage cheese results in an incredibly moist and tender cake that makes these pancakes nothing short of amazing. Seriously, once you’ve had a taste of cottage cheese pancakes there is no turning back. They are intensely crave-​worthy. Next thing you know, you’ll find yourself at an IHOP, crying at the inadequacy of what is now a clearly substandard pancake. Sophia’s is the pinnacle of pancake goodness that, once experienced, will be impossible to erase from memory. Be warned.
–The breakfast potatoes of baby reds and some sweet potatoes were rustically chopped up, seasoned to perfection, and ever so scrumptious.
–All egg and omelets that I’ve tried here have been perfectly prepared. I love dabbling into their specials menu as they tend to come up with creative ingredient combinations for their omelets.
–The bacon at Sophia’s is happy bacon. One order gets you a great portion and it is quality. These are some pretty big pieces of meat that have a nice peppery, maple taste to them with just the right amount of sweet.
After every trip to Sophia’s, I always leave thinking I can’t wait until next time.

The cutest brunch place in all the world. I only wish it were open more than saturday and sunday
WHY SO MANY STARS:
1. The café is in the downstairs of a house and it feels like you are in your grandmother’s kitchen. You can see them make all the food. The coffee is delicious and plentiful. You grab a mug (all different varieties, non-​matching, so charming) and fill your own.
2. The seating forces you to share tables with strangers giving it a communal atmosphere
3. THE COFFEE CAKE! I’ve never had such a simultaneously creamy, fruity, tangy, crumbly coffee cake. INCREDIBLE.
4. The omelets are so delicate and rich. Ever-​changing ingredients – fresh mushrooms, fancy cheese, arugula, chorizo. mesmerizing.
5. It’s off the beaten path a bit so you get a different crowd/​feel than a lot of places in madison.
They are expensive but well worth it for a weekend splurge

Follow-​up visit still warrants 4-​stars, but just barely. Here’s why:
— Dark French Roast coffee, while from Colectivo, tastes like burned road tar. Holy cats was it dark… and this is coming from a dude who likes dark coffee. I had to switch to the much more palatable decaf (oh the humanity)
— We arrived around 12:30pm, placed our orders, and took a table. After 20 minutes or so, we were informed that the kitchen had run out of potatoes. No biggie — they offered to substitute fruit or a croissant. Neither sounded all that great, but I went with the croissant. Just before we got ready to leave, we saw several plates leave the kitchen… with potatoes on the side. Not quite sure how that happened.
+ Side of bacon is only $ 3.50, and includes 4 generous slices. We’ll know to split an order next time (although it is *quite* delicious, so maybe I’ll be a glutton)
+ Ordered an omelet with Cajun sausage, caramelized onion, mushrooms, and fresh asparagus — it was *perfect*. Their omelets are served «folded» — the ingredients lie nicely in the middle of the omelet. The eggs were fluffy and not overcooked. Superbly executed.

Finally, i made my way into this top selection on Unilocal Madison’s homepage.
Delightful, cozy spot for comfort food. I can’t say that it is my favorite brunch place in town, but the great vibe of communal tables, pastries, homely decorations and comfort food will definitely bring me back another day.
It is a small place, probably fits only 15 people at a time; there’s not much place to even stand and wait, but luckily, customers are all aware of Sophia’s popularity and get out as soon as they get done. So yes, big groups of old time friends, bring your conversations to nearby cafes like Johnson Public House or elsewhere.
Pay in cash or check, and pay when you’re done. I was really puzzled why the receptionist left after I gave my order. Why didn’t she want my $$?!
Indeed, as predicted by Unilocal reviews, croissants are a great get at Sophia’s. However, despite the great buttery flavor, they are not as crispy as I would like. I would say no on the croissant french toast, as much as it sounds awesome. The soft croissant texture just makes the french toast too soggy. The cherry sauce was really good though!
I also got the ham and cheese croissant, with the fig sauce on the side. I wasn’t keen on the fig sauce. It was good, but too sweet for my savory taste buds. Again, I wished the croissant might be toasted or pan fried, cos it was kinda soft. But the generous serving of melted cheese and delicious ham slices were enough to make up for the not as favorite croissants. Potatoes were alright, i wish they were more flavorful. The apple slices or fruit bowl makes me feel extra healthy!
I will be back, to try the chocolate croissants or other pastries. THEY ARE GIGANTIC and look like they can feed 2 or more. And the chocolate croissant looks more crispy. And maybe omelette or pancake next time. Sophia’s bakery makes you feel like you are coming home or at a bed and breakfast — relaxing and pleasant.