Absolutely must get a 7-layer bar and a piece of lemon berry mascarpone cake once a week!! I’m in love!! Plus the staff is always always friendly! Love it it! Must see in Madison!

I walk a mile every day to have their coffee. Its that good. The staff is courteous and respectful. Must visit, if you love coffee.

From outta town, visited staff so friendly, they picked the perfect drink for me. Food was delicious. Highly recommend!!!

Really cool. Got my order fast. It was pretty busy on the weekend but worth it.

The lady had a warm vanilla latte on a dreary and drizzly morning. I opted for a dark roast with a splash of cream. We enjoyed the atmosphere inside while the coffee warmed us back up, but it seemed to lack that little extra spark that would transform it into a perfect cup. Friendly fellow managing transactions and orders at the front to be sure.

Great customer service! Tasty coffee and treats.

Friendly staff and owners. Amazing services and building is well maintained! I enjoy studying and sipping my beverages at fair trade. Please give a shot. I promise you won’t regret it!

I had the dirty Chai and loved it! Very unique shop with wonderful art on the walls :) the staff was super kind as well!

Excellent decor, perfect location in downtown Madison. Great coffee and crafted drinks. Be sure to check out the hidden back patio.

Utterly scrumptious croissant brekkie sandwich!! I’m ruined for other croissants and will only eat them from here! My food arrived hot and completely irresistible! Get over there and get this in your face!

Kind, prompt service.Coffee isnt the best, good latte drinks.Lots of meal options and pastries.Scones are a little expensive, other pastries, well priced. Good internet cafe.

Had decaf black and the vegan in a wrap. Great vibes and great art! I liked the story behind one of the bigger pieces about how its layers on layers of paying done over years

Solid, quick stop in state street!

I love their Spinach Feta Croissant.

Great coffee, great ambiance. Our #1 choice for a cuppa on State St!

Was Great good Spinach Croissant and coffee

Lovely atmosphere, great people

I am saddened to write this review. I am out of town and I have been to this coffee shop before, with the first time being a good experience. Today when I went and was greeted nicely and the lady really was great at first. But when we got our drinks, a lady was a complete brat when I had asked where the lids were and ended with a snarky comment, “you would know if you looked around”. I think their products are mediocre and the snooty college young lady needs some lessons on customer service.

Great coffee and cute boys. What more could ya ask for

Quiet, winter break.

Love the atmosphere and friendliness from the employees. coffee is great and so is the chocolate croissant.definitely waiting for covid to be over with so there’s more seating

I was expecting a better experience, the staff didn’t tell us were we could sit even thought it’s COVID it was written on some posters put around the business. I wasn’t warmly welcomed or welcomed at all just a basic hi. They didn’t offer us any condiments like sugar or napkins the basics, just a big lack of effort to make the customers feel welcomed and come back for more business. The cheesecake was ok but not worth 5.25, I would honestly rather have cheesecake from Walmart! The piece is too big; I would rather have a smaller piece but with higher quality flavor. The white chocolate Moka was good except it was sour; I like my drinks sweet. I felt uncomfortable just asking for sugar because of the tone they set by not offering anything. I paid 22.50 for 2 cheesecakes and 2 mokas. I was frustrated that I paid so much for such a basic effortless experience. The place is nice and good looking that was the only good thing about it really! Such a waste of a good location and place; why would I want to come back for experiences like this? No thank you.

Smooth tasting coffee!!

Extra protein in da scones bag

Really overpriced for what you are getting, but in a college area, guess no one cooks.

Forget big chains, support the local

This coffee shop was amazing!! The employees were all happy and polite when I was there; greeted upon entry and bid farewell when I left. I love their mission that they get their beans from good sources that wont abuse their workers. There was a lot of 2-chair tables which is great for people who want to sit/work alone, but not as good if you want to come here with a big group. The atmosphere was cozy and the shop was well-kept. I also noticed a printer which could be really helpful for others! Absolutely no bad things to say about this place!

Great coffee shop!

The mango black tea with a cheesecake is a great way to start off the day nice chill atmosphere and the owner has another coffee shop that is also very nice

One of my fav place in Madison. The vegan peanut butter bar is superb.

I really enjoy this place. It has a great city coffee shop vibe with a surprising number of options for food and drinks. They have a few varieties of cold brew on tap which is great when you want a cold drink with a little kick to it. Grab an Italian soda if youre not feeling coffee vibes.

I love this place, it’s a better coffee shop than others. The food is better, the employees are all phenomenal and kind. I like how it’s always quiet, Other places are always so loud. A true top notch place.

Nice place and good service. It has a small back garden to comfortably sit.

Yummy food, awesome coffee. And why not drink up some fair trade?

Without a doubt one of the best places to get coffee in Madison. Despite being centered in the hustle and bustle of State Street, the staff takes their time to make sure every single customer is treated like family. They pay attention to the little details - the folded napkins on their plates, the latte art rather than just filling a cup normally, making sure the place is always clean and welcoming. Wish I could give it more than 5 stars; definitely worth a stop.

I ordered a hot chocolate and somehow the staff forgot about my drink. They werent even busy today as students are out of town for winter break. I waited for 10 minutes before I had to ask them where my drink was. They also made another customers mocha who ordered their drink after I did. When I finally got my hot chocolate, it tasted like milk and water. I wasted $3 on a watery drink-I do not recommend this place.

Cool place. I got a fruit smoothie and it was delicious. Environment was great and the staff were all friendly. The awesome dude who took my order even took the time to help me figure out what to get. I would definitely come back here next time Im in Madison - the food looked delicious!

Fair trade coffee is my favorite coffee place in Madison. Their Espresso de miel is so delicious!! What a superb recommendation— best latte I’ve ever had :)

Fair Trade Coffee House is a wonderful, locally owned shop with delicious food and beverage options. Not only can you feel good about your purchase being fairly traded, but you can feel good about supporting Madison businesses, too.Fair Trade offers a cozy environment with amply seating and great people watching on State Street. There is something for everyone here as they have blended, hot and cold options and a fantastic coffee and tea selection. It is nice to have options for more than one roast of coffee!The food at Fair Trade is also worth the visit. Options are varied and vegetarians will not be disappointed. There is something for everyone- sweet or savory, meals or snacks.The staff at Fair Trade is wonderful! Everyone is always happy to greet you and have a chat while they take your order or prepare it. Smiling faces will make your day.

Just the right amount of space and noise for studying. The table sizes are adequate. The coffee and other drinks are made of quality. The food and dessert has a great range when it comes to prices and taste. Would recommend to check out.

The service was great and it was a nice cozy nook you could enjoy breakfast with friends at. They have a great menu that is artistic and legible to read. The chai latte is a little weak for my strong tastes but the food was good. They have a printer you can hook up to so its very convenient for college kids.

Service was fast and friendly, and the location was spacious. Nice space to meet friends or do some work on the laptop. The coffee and dessert items I got were decent. Id definitely recommend this spot.

Fair Trade never fails to impress. Its been months since Ive been there and its as great as its ever been. Awesome mochas!

Great space, lots of seating options. We sat on the back patio outside, which private and quiet.Sandwich got two thumbs up, as did side salad with dressing.Coffee drink was missing an ingredient.

Wonderful place for a healthy meal, hot cup of joe, and incredibly friendly service. A great spot to study or have low-key meetings. Sometimes crowded, but thats further indication its well-worth it. Enjoy! :)

Needed a quick and tasty hot beverage and there they were! They made us some hot & tasty beverages on a cold Wintery day!!

Some of the best coffee on state street! I love the coffe, food, people and the vibes 🤙 I always love stopping in when I visit the city.

Always a pleasant customer service atmosphere. They have great coffee drinks as well (I always get the Grashopper Mocha).

Historically my favorite coffee shop in Madison. Great, strong, dark coffee, plus good quality cafe-style food with vegetarian options. Bright and open atmosphere. It can get busy at times. Open late!

Amazing coffee place! Great place to study if your are a student or to do some work if you need a place to sit that has food and coffee! The staff are great as well!

Excellent jasmine green tea. The desserts are delicious; try the vegan zucchini muffin. It tastes like heaven.

Frothy, dry, large-bubbled foam on the cappuccino, oversteamed to the extent that the milk had lost all sweetness and the drink was scalding hot. Exceedingly dry coffee cake, enough so that it could be mistaken for a gluten free imitation. Bathroom had no paper towels, only a deafeningly loud blower.

Excellent breakfast options, the breakfast croissant sandwich is to die for. The desserts and drinks are phenomenal too! It’s so worth the trip or even ordering it through EatStreet.

1. Sandwiches taste great and are sized right.2. Cakes and pies are too small for me but fantastic.3. You can hear the employees behind the counter converse too easily, and its usually kinda loud or immature.4. Plenty of outlets.5. The tables mostly rock. Lame coffee sleeve solution. Just get better tables.6. That damn employee door in the back section is so obnoxiously loud when it closes. I mean seriously. It sounds like someones slamming the door full force when an employee comes or goes.7. Soups are great.8. Real silverware.9. Nice, large white folded paper napkins.

I rarely post reviews, but damn: I just ate the best store bought apple pie that I have ever had, and thats something. Also, a nice warm reception from the baristas and a cool patio out back. Ive been in a Colectivo rut lately, but thats going to change. How has this place hidden in plain sight for so long? Highly recommended.

“Fair trade” and “locally sourced” are things that I look for. Wish I could pack up this place and take it back to Massachusetts with me. Delicious and vibrant.

Good coffee house. Good selection, friendly.

Friendly people, always with a smile. Great coffee, awesome pie!

I stop by this place a few times a week, since I work nearby. The staff are always friendly, willing to work with my preferences, and the coffee is good and the treats are DELICIOUS. Especially the lemon bars, the fresh muffins, and the berry mascarpone cake, wow. The new salads are lovely and a welcome fresh item. Great place to meet and chat with friends, hang out and do some work, or drop by to cool off in summer or warm up in winter.

Im here a lot, and Ive had 99% positive interactions with employees, and never had to send back a drink. One of the few coffee houses I actually leave tips because of the service. Its some of the best espresso drinks on state (amazing house-made vanilla syrup too), and a good selection of hot tea. They do charge a bit to ice tea though, which is why Im here less when it gets warm. Gets really crowded in here sometimes! Lots of other students studying, so not usually too loud. Im gluten free and greatly appreciate the gf chocolate cake and pumpkin muffins. Really good stuff!

Dark roast was very flavorful, rich and complex. Vegan zucchini muffin was great, too! Chill atmosphere for socializing or getting work done.

ALWAYS a primo place for EXCELLENT eats and coffees, teas... smoothies!!!! 😋 Friendly staff, calming atmosphere. Wonderful artwork on the walls. This is a place I must visit every time I get to State St.

Every person that works here has the best attitudes we have been coming here for over 2 months and each time is like a new experience it is a weekly visit for us and we dont plan on changing it. Make sure to ask for off menu drinks as some of the workers have drinks they can make!

I went to undergrad and med school at UW. Needless to say, the city is a gem, but this coffee shop is without doubt the best place to hang out, study or just watch the day go by in Madison. I started going here my junior year in college and went about 2-5 times a week ever since (I wish they sold stock... I would have made myself a millionaire). Great memories of studying and hanging out with friends here. Great people, really welcoming and warm vibe (literally- they have a gas fireplace in the back section), and perfect location. If this place ever went out of business I would buy it and not change a thing. Probably the best coffee shop in the world. If you like people-watching, hang out in front. If you need to get some work done, the back section is usually quieter. Oh yeah, the coffee and tea is excellent, too.

Nice spot. Great food and excellent service.

Amazing Staff! Amazing coffee!

They have Nitro cold brew!!!

Coffee is pretty good, we were a little dissapointed by the disposable cups when we were staying in house though.

Solid coffee, nice atmosphere. Great for doing homework or catching up with friends

Really great coffee and lovely baked goods. Plenty of small table seating, especially for a State Street location. FYI: Bathroom only for customers.

Great coffee, great food, and wonderful service. Wifi was a bit slow, but its wifi, not the coffee shops fault. Good art to boot. The prices are very reasonable and I really enjoyed the coffee I had. Came in two days in a row while in Madison on holiday. Very nice little shop.

Decent local coffee joint. Theyve usually got these tasty vegan chocolate peanut butter bars, and sometimes vegan food options. Coffees solid, and I like their mocha tea. Its made with carob, so dont drink it thinking youre getting chocolate, but it is tasty.

Fair Trade Coffee House is by far my favorite place to go in Madison. They have the best music, the best coffee, and the best pastries. I sat there for hours on end working on my homework and drinking great coffee.

Had a dirty chai and it tasted great. Pastries also are fresh! Lots of space to sit and plenty of charging outlets.

Love this place! Has a great, quiet atmosphere, great for relaxing or studying. Service is super friendly and both food and drinks are great.

Good coffee, fair prices and helpful staff. My only complaint is that some issues with cleanliness and some iffy drinks.

THE BEST sugar free vanilla latte I have ever had. & Always the most friendly staff. Will go back again and again

My absolutely favorite coffee shop in madison! I love everything about this establishment from the organic fair trade coffee, to the friendly smiles of the workers, and then the microgreens they serve in the sandwiches. Gotta love a local company that cares about the wellbeing/health of the community!

My Husband and I had our first date here. We sat outside in the quaint, but pretty garden area. Its a slice of heaven in the busy downtown world!

Cushy chairs and a decent latte. Crowded on a cool Saturday afternoon.

First go to Chocolate Shoppe on the corner and buy a single scoop of salted caramel ice cream in a dish. Take it to Fair Trade Coffeehouse. Buy a shot of espresso. Spoon/pour espresso over ice cream and eat. Amazing.

Great spot for coffee and hot chocolate. It has a great ambiance and its right downtown

Relative of mine & yet to taste the coffee but Ive read the top reviews this place deserves, roll-on our next visit from the UK.

Fine stop for a read and drip coffee.

No burnt coffee here. If youre sensitive to acidity, poor water quality, our stale flavors, this is your best bet on State Street. The food is excellent, the art on the walls is local and for sale, and the staff knows theyre doing.

Great atmosphere with a fantastic vegan chocolate cheesecake, and a couple of savoury vegan options too. Both almond and soy milks available (75c). The lady who took my order was lovely and friendly. Will definitely return!Free and easy-to-access Wi-Fi, good bathrooms.

Great place to get a sandwich and a coffee. Friendly and fast service. Best place in town.

Fair Trade Coffee Shop is my favorite place for coffee in Madison!

Its a cozy little place, and the staff are nice, but the coffee was not very good either time I went there. It does get pretty loud in there, so bring headphones if youre looking to read or study.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff, prompt service, tasty pastries

Friendly staff and coffee for a good price

Friendly atmosphere, great service, good variety in the menu. Prices reasonable for appropriate size servings.

Customer service is relatively poor. The last 4 or so times Ive been there my order has not been correct. Sadly, this coffee shop I use to love, but is not going downhill.

Coffee was pretty good, as well as the sandwich I had. However, I wish they had more options for vegetarians. And a bit pricey.

The man was very rude.

Best coffee shop in town. Awesome employees and amazing coffee and pastries.

The coffee here was pretty good, and their baked goods were too. Nothing special, but a good place to spend a few hours doing some work in with a cup of coffee!

Excellent!

Excellent coffee snacks and WiFi. Good place to meet up or get some work done.

Good brew of dark coffee. Great place to relax.