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Alterra at the Lake
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1701 N Lincoln Memorial DrMilwaukee, WI 53202
Neighborhoods: East Town, Downtown
(414) 223-4551
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6:30 am - 10 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
148 reviews for Alterra at the Lake
Review Highlights
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"...as it's the water pump house which makes it architecturally..." In 5 reviews -
"...nice, romantic stroll through the park along the lakefront." In 5 reviews -
"Great baked goods selection - and my everything bagel was..." In 9 reviews
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148 reviews in English
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Review from Colleen R.
Chicago, IL
5/20/2012
Chicagoans like to act like they have a monopoly on Lake Michigan, and I guess by population, we might be right.
But man, if this isn't a great spot to enjoy another part of the lake. Nice views, cute outside seating area, and good, strong coffee. On a weekend morning, it was a tad crowded, but nothing like the weekend brunch mobs Chicago experiences. Sit, relax, read the paper, and breathe some fresh air. It's nice. -
Review from Sarah P.
4/28/2012
I absolutely love this Alterra on a Saturday morning.
It has such a community vibe to it, and is so busy yet I always find a seat. Saturday mornings I hit the Oak Leaf trail by foot and walk to this Alterra from my apartment to study and read and write papers and prepare presentations and type madly on my laptop at 9am.
I love their vegetarian breakfast burrito and a large coffee with cream and sugar. I like sitting in the tall chairs more "bar style" and facing the crowd bustling about below me. I always meet people here, and end up having friendly chats with the people who sit next to me who are equally engrossed in their studies/reading/perusing of the internet. People call each other by name, stop and say hi, chat, and generally create an amazing community atmosphere on these mornings.
I'm becoming a regular here. This place is everything that makes Milwaukee great.Listed in: The Yelp 100
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Review from Jamal B.
Milwaukee, WI
4/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This review was inspired by true events:
I left my wallet at Alterra on the Lake Wednesday night... finally figured it out tonight.
When I picked it up, they said that they were trying to google me and find me on Facebook, to no avail.
I mean, talk about disrespect! I almost pulled a "Do you know who I am!?"
... they clearly are unaware that I'm the Duke of Alterra Wauwatosa on Yelp.
(thanks to all... a round of stars on me for still having everything in it!) -
Review from Mike H.
Milwaukee, WI
5/13/2012
I don't ever write reviews normally for food. However my experience there today merited me signing up and reviewing this particular Alterra.
We got there and they were busy, which I have no complaint with, and ordered our food and drinks. I waited for our drink while the rest of my group went outside to enjoy the weather and wait for the food. After ten minutes and the drink still wasn't ready, they called out my drink with someone else's order, never saying my name. I thought nothing of it since it was a common drink. Five minutes later, the customer returns and states that they were given extra drinks, one of which I now presume was mine. A few minutes later, I went up and asked them where my drink was since it had been twenty plus minutes. They reply curtly say that they called it out a long time ago, which they never did, along with another rude comment that I choose to ignore.
They gave me that same one the other customer had taken and returned earlier. Disgusting?? Yet I decided just to ignore that and get to my food before that too was cold. Walking out, I overheard an employee throw out yet another sly comment directed at me to his coworker. Needless to say, the service there was atrocious and I will not ever go back and advise others to do the same. Although I really wanted to give them just 1 star based on their employees, I had no complaints with the food there thus the 2 stars. -
Review from Sarah W.
4/9/2012
I can't believe I haven't already written a review for this Alterra yet. This particular Alterra location is a coffee shop that other coffee shops aspire to be. As others have said, you just cannot beat this location. Outdoor seating on their patio, in a beautifully landscaped space. Just a step away from biking/walking trails, the museums and restaurants of the area, and a gorgeous view of the lake.
The inside is also pretty, with its exposed beams and nice sturdy furniture. All this glowing praise aside, I wish there was a little more space. That's the problem with being awesome- everyone and their grandma also realize its awesome and fill it up to the brim with people.
Oh well, count me in!Listed in: Yelp 100 List- MKE 2012, Obsessive Cafe Quest-…
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Review from Brittany F.
Sparta, TN
2/7/2012
No free wifi. Are you kidding me??? I have a real problem when a coffee shop wants to charge $4 an hour for wifi. I'm already paying an arm and a leg for coffee, just give me free wifi so I can enjoy my experience.
This location was beautiful and it could have been great if it wasn't for the loud hipster wannabe teenagers and my annoyance over the wifi situation. -
Review from Jessica O.
Milwaukee, WI
1/27/2012
Best Alterra in Milwaukee. Hands down.
First of all, the location is perfect. The line can be a bit long at peak times, but the baristas are super effecient behind the counter, and keep things moving at a good pace.
My family and I frequently stop in here - especially during the fall-winter and winter-spring transition periods...where a stroll on the lake necessitates something delicious to keep you toasty warm. The menu features simple sandwiches and small entrees done well - featuring an impressive list of local ingredients. I recommend the super cheesy mac & cheese - which features a blend of gruyere, cheddar, and swiss. Yum!Listed in: 100 Reviews in 2012!
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Review from David K.
Chicago, IL
5/1/2012
This cafe, housed in an old pumping station, serves excellent coffee and fresh pastries. They also have some great food. When I visit Milwaukee, I will often come for lunch. Usually, I order their chicken curry wrap, which is a nice blend of spicy and sweet, but they also offer some really good salads. There is one with strawberries that my friends often order and love, but my favorite is their Southwestern chicken salad. The old pumping house provides Alterra Coffee with a nice historic ambiance. Usually, I love revitalizing old historic structures for contemporary use, as well as the use of antiques for decor, but this facility can also be problematic. This is a very popular coffeehouse, meaning that it is always extremely crowded. There is just something about the set-up that impedes good traffic flow. After making my order, I find it a struggle just to find a suitable place to stand and wait until my order is ready and called, let alone find an available table. Alterra has multiple dining areas, including a balcony seating area. The walkway for the balcony is pretty narrow and the furniture in the backroom dining area is packed pretty tightly, largely because a part of the flooring is left open to expose the old water pump. Regardless, this is a great place. When the weather is nice, you can sit outside on the patio, have great coffee and food, and enjoy Milwaukee's beautiful lakefront. What could be better?
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Review from TimmAnnie I.
Minneapolis, MN
I don't come to Milwaukee without stopping at Alterea at the Lake. Their PERFECT latte (complete with latte art, once in a while) paired with an almond twist is one of the greatest breakfasts in the universe. And their parfaits are outstanding, especially the blueberry.
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Review from Lisa B.
Milwaukee, WI
3/14/2012
Is it wrong that I secretly dislike Alterra? I'd rather go to Brewing Grounds or Brewed before going to an Alterra. Many times my boyfriend or friend will drag me here and I get stuck going in. The drinks are expensive and not anything special. The snack food is way too expensive. I have had breakfast a few times during business meetings and they were small portions. The seating arrangement is nice, but I am not going to go there just to sit. I understand some people may enjoy this location for the outside seating and I understand that...I just hate Alterra.
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Review from Rena K.
What a cute place...if I lived in WI I would absolutely frequent this place.
I love the building, the windows, the fact that there were levels of seating.
Service was friendly and helpful. I ordered the special for the day (wheat croissant, turkey bacon & WI cheese with pasta salad). DELICIOUS...the croissant and cheese just melted in my mouth.
I was going to order the Chai & the gentleman working there recommended the Africa Chai with Soy Milk, he said it wasn't as sweet and more spice to it. I went for it, but feared what he meant by spice....I don't like it when my chai tastes like pepper (yes I've had some packaged chai masala's from India that had way too much pepper in them). The African Chai was great, it wasn't too spicy & tasted delicious! -
Review from Matt F.
2/21/2012
Okay, so I'm not a coffee connoisseur. I drink the stuff fairly often, but I just like it black, plain and simple. No fancy cafe laits or whatever, just coffee. This place is as good as any in Milwaukee. Not all burnt and harsh like some other places like to serve up. But where this place (like any good coffee shop) shines is the atmosphere. Most of this is derived from the LOCATION. It is a great location. Tons of outdoor seated (some shaded and some in the open sun) and right across the street from the marina. Get yourself a cup, relax in the chairs, then take a walk! I spotted some tennis courts nearby so this might be a good place too cool off after a tennis match.
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Review from Katie R.
4/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
beautiful building and it's always busy, but the line moves quickly.
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Review from Christopher H.
Chicago, IL
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't usually write a review after only going to a place once, but screw this place!
The atmosphere of this place sucks; it's like drinking coffee in a department store.
I asked for a Fresh/ French Press and it took them 15 minutes. When I went in to get it, the woman working had put the grounds ON TOP of the strainer. She admitted that she had no idea what she was doing. After trying to instruct her, then saying I just wanted some drip coffee. A guy behind there said he knew what to do and reassured me. After another 5-10 minutes we got our pot. It was way too full of grounds (half-way filled). At this point it had been about 30 minutes since we had walked in. We couldn't send it back again as we had to get to a concert and had to go.
Very disappointing! Don't advertize your coffee expertise and fill the shop with snobby hipsters if they don't know what they're doing! -
Review from Colin A.
11/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Location: score! I always stop in at this location after a lakefront run; chances are if you run into me here I will be out of breath and offer only a weak "hello" :). I rarely sit down inside; grabbing a table outside or taking coffee to go and walking along the lakefront is a win for me.
Staff: fantastic, friendly, great patience and crowd management skills. To wit, I've definitely witnessed some customers go OFF at this location. (Allow me to retort: "'Scuse me, ma'am/sir, but you ARE at the busiest location and the line is 20 deep. Did you really expect you would be in and out of here within 5 minutes? Slow your roll and CHILL.")
Coffee/Drinks: Uh, yeah, it's delicious. I actually like Alterra's coffee better than Starbucks. And the hot cocoa is great (and generally a buck cheaper than Sbux). Oh, and you can buy the hot cocoa in tins to take home. Even better.
Parking: Ugh. I know, I just wrote about being patient...but I avoid the "main" parking area by going across the street and walking over, or leaving my car where it's at along Lincoln Memorial and walking in...c'mon, you need the exercise. That's the only reason Alterra is docked a star here. It's almost always busy. I can deal; I don't mind waiting in line...
Overall, it's top-notch and probably the best coffee in the city! -
Review from Katie S.
Milwaukee, WI
9/26/2011
I love that I can walk to Alterra. Actually, I can walk to two, but I prefer the one on the lakefront since it's a lovely walk down the hill instead of just down a street.
I love that it has a great location and feels like a coffee shop should. It feels like you and your laptop can take on anything with a cup of Alterra in your hand and you don't have to talk to a soul to do it. Unless you want to, of course.
I love that their snacks are tasty (hello ham and cheese croissant) and they serve hot cider in the fall. They have all sorts of beverages and the ones I've tried were super. I haven't tried them all, but maybe someday if they keep it up with my next point.....
I hate that they scald the milk in my vanilla latte, every time. 10 seconds less is all I'm asking for.
Darn you Alterra, you win this round. I will keep coming back despite your flaw. -
Review from Cindi W.
8/24/2011
We visit Alterra at the Lake once a month for book club. I usually find it to be a 5-star venue, but tonight it was just a 3; hence, the 4-star overall rating.
My order was taken without much enthusiasm, my cappuccino was served in a paper cup (even though I was clearly dining in) and the toasted mozzarella sandwich was served only slightly warm -- cheese not melty. Granted, I could have asked for a re-make, but we were sitting upstairs and discussing a book.
The person next to me had a brownie. I should have just ordered that.
Will try it again next month. -
Review from Erin B.
8/12/2011
I love Alterra -- I hate this location! It's like every d-bag in the city said at the exact same time "hey! let's get some coffee!"
Cripes...
The building itself is really cool and the views cannot be beat but let's face it -- there IS free parking (for the first ten cars) but more likely than not, you're parking across the street and hiking it across LMD. Not a huge deal, but it's not like there is ample parking in their lot.
And, why does every parent with a screaming child feel the need to bring their kid here on a Saturday morning? I. HATE. YOUR. KIDS. Leave them at home. There is nothing more aggravating than standing in line for 45 minutes waiting for coffee and a bagel while someone else's kids are running around like banshees and smashing into people. Oh, and another thing -- this place isn't big enough for the million people packed inside waiting in line AND your monster-truck sized strollers. Leave those at home too.
This place is constantly packed and I know they do nice things like offer free concerts in the evening, but it's really more headache than it's worth. I love Alterra coffee and I love their kitschy baked goods, but I would much much much rather visit the location a few blocks up on Prospect without the obnoxious crowds and the long-ass lines (shhhhhh don't tell the d-bags). -
Review from Rachel F.
8/1/2011
Again, with the damn Alterras! They're everywhere! Ahh!
But this one's my favorite, probably.
All the same things still apply: cafe food that's okay (some things are better than others), Rishi Tea, Alterra Coffee, all the same offerings everywhere and Alterra employees are all trained the same, so there's that.
This one's fabulous location and patio makes it worthy of all five stars, however.
I'm not nearly the regular I am at the Humboldt location. Maybe I should change that. #newoffice -
Review from Stephanie R.
Milwaukee, WI
9/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is a great coffee shop in a great building with a beautiful location. What more could you want? Food, you say? Well, they've got that too, and it's tasty plus some of it is locally sourced.
We love having Sunday breakfast here, whether we are able to eat outdoors enjoying the view of the lake or inside with their rustic furniture. I usually go with the baked oatmeal. This last time I had a wheat croissant stuffed with eggs, cheese and herbs that was very good. My husband is stuck on the Chorizo burrito. -
Review from Karen Anne B.
Riverside, IL
9/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Tasty coffee with a nice location and good atmosphere. We ordered a coffee and smoothie and a bagel. I tried to order one of their breakfast sammiches, sans meat, but was informed that they were premade and if I didn't want the meat they could take it off. I passed. I appreciated that they didn't just take the meat off and not tell me, but was bummed that they were selling premade sandwiches. Anyway, the latte I had was really good, husband liked this smoothie. The bagel, well...it was a bagel. We sat outside in their nice little outdoor area (dog-friendly, yay!).
Our wait to order wasn't too bad, but shortly after we got there, the line was out the door - so be aware of this if you head over - try to go at a slightly odd time. Parking is also a bit limited. -
Review from Victor M.
7/19/2011
Beautiful location for a coffee shop and... wait for it.... FREE F*ing PARKING! (I'm sorry, I'm from Chicago..)
A very nice selection of drinks as well as food items. Each sandwich orders comes with delectable grapes and orange slices. Although I did wish the drinks were bigger. I ordered a medium to only find that's a small that I usually drink.
The outdoor dining is nice and you have the option of ordering inside or outside for drinks. -
Review from MJ B.
Plymouth, MI
2/16/2012
Great Vibe. I like the other locations too but this one's the best. In the summer, the outdoor tables are so perfect - the Lake breeze coming across the marina and sailboats in the distance. The coffee is excellent. It's well staffed by knowledgable and hip people and what else do you want except good coffee, great atmosphere and nice little gifts like cool t-shirts and mugs to give to friends and family who aren't lucky enough to be drinking their Joe here? Good stuff.
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Review from Chuck M.
Milwaukee, WI
2/21/2012
The best location with the best coffee in town. No to burnt-on-the-edges Starbucks. Anodyne is likeable and local. But Alterra just hits the mark. And the rehabbed building locations are fascinating. I'd be tickled to live or work in most of them. If I can have the kitchen stafffed. The food is always great.
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Review from Chad W.
Milwaukee, WI
Free wifi... Until noon. Umm, okay? I suppose, it keeps out the mooches, but that is kinda silly if you ask me. That's the downgrade.
The atmosphere is pretty awesome, as many have stated. Plenty of nooks and crannies to find an huddle up in. Whether you plan to be there alone, or with a few people, there are plenty of seating options. Oh, and that is just the inside. With the outside patio, there is even more fun to be had.
I enjoy the Malasa Chai, hot - because that is the way to enjoy a good tea.
Looking for a good local coffee shop, stop on down. They also sport fair trade coffee and tea, maybe more some of the larger chains can pick up on that... -
Review from Philip S.
Waukesha, WI
10/8/2011
I love coming down here when I need to put in some work hours during the weekend, or if I want to get a nice, warm cup of coffee after an intense bikram yoga session. Even though the place appears crowded, I always manage to find seating, and a power outlet for my laptop!
Drinks are delicious, you can never go wrong with their coffee. I also like the food that they have available, but I dont know why they got rid of their Chocolate Bon-Bons as they were probably my most favorite thing on the menu!
Definitely try out their Bull Frog coffee drink and their Wisconsin Farmer's Quiche when coming here for a light meal.
4 stars because of the long lines - I understand that this place is all about personalized brews of coffee, but given that they do not do pour-overs there shouldn't be a reason for me to stand for more than 10 minutes to order anything from a coffee bar. -
Review from Wes M.
6/29/2011
Pretty freaking cool place. This is coming from a Dallas guy lucky enough to marry a beautiful gal from Milwaukee. While visiting her folks this past Memorial Day weekend, we came across this coffee house around 9pm.
Fresh coffee @ 9pm is wonderful in itself, the workers were happy (which is always a huge plus for me!) and the latte's are served with a frothy heart on top.. how great is that?
I think the big kick for me was the evening we chose it on. Foggy, cool and straight from a spy movie it seemed like. The atmosphere was indeed set for a cool experience in an muni. pump house. When I walked in, I was taken back by the hip setting, reworked house. We don't see places like this in Dallas- everything is brand new and hospital white. This was character to the max! Everytime I go back to Milwaukee now, I will make it a point to get my coffee here... -
Review from Kelsey S.
11/11/2011 4 Check-ins Here
While I enjoy Alterra shops in general, this is easily the best location in the city. Located right on the Lake Michigan shore, there are beautiful views of the area both from inside the building and outside on the colorful patio. The staff is generally friendly, and the customers are, too. The baristas are great about recommending the daily brews according to customer preferences, so don't be afraid to ask questions. This probably isn't the best place to stop if you're in a hurry, but if you're just looking for a leisurely coffee adventure, this is one of the best spots in Milwaukee.
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Review from Brian S.
Props to Alterra for reviving what was once a forgotten, municipal pumphouse building. The atmosphere and location close to the lake and downtown are huge pluses. The staff is great, and I prefer their coffee and drinks to those of any other chain. Avocado BLTs, Curried Chicken Wraps, the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese and their various breakfast burritos are all good picks for lunch.
Be sure to visit in the summer for their Latin music concerts or in the colder seasons for the Symphony Orchestra shows. This place is out-of-control busy in warm weather, but with the exception of long lines, its popularity is what part of makes it great.
The popularity also probably has something to do with the fact that they charge for WiFi....kind of a bummer. I believe this is the only Alterra location that charges, but it's still a strike.
Even considering the WiFi issue, I still think this is nothing short of a Milwaukee landmark. -
Review from Stephen M.
Milwaukee, WI
3/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Of the Alterra locations, this is my favorite by far.
The location is prime, especially in nicer weather when I spend a lot of time near the lakefront. Parking can be a pain with a car, but we motorcycle riders can make good use of the random gaps that aren't big enough for a car.
The menu is pretty universal, and I've enjoyed most everything I've tried. The Baked Oatmeal is a stand-out favorite, as is the Smoked Salmon sammie. The soups are usually pretty solid across the board and the majority of they're lunch sandwiches are pleasurable to the palate.
I've always enjoyed Alterra coffees, but they're tea selection is usually my first choice with a wide range of teas from white to green to black.
Even at the busiest, the kitchen and barista positions crank, but the drawback is the huge mass waiting at the end if the counter for their drinks. Sometimes you get that one person who insists on standing right at the counter in everyone's way as they try to get to their own cups.
Peak hours leave a fight for seating. Most people are pretty friendly, pointing out when they're about to leave so that you may grab a seat. The location leads a lot of people (myself included) to turn this into a mini office, so there is a camping tendency here.
People watching here is great, so my favorite spot is either the second landing or one of the bar seats overlooking the counter. -
Review from Maria P.
Glen Ellyn, IL
2/4/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I've been going to this location for many years and it's still my favorite place to go on a weekend morning when I'm in town. Be prepared, the coffee is unusually strong, but rather enjoyable.
The food choices vary but everything is fresh and made to order. They have quite the assortment of pastries and bakery which are great at any time of the day. Their oatmeal is awesome and has apple slices in it. I would highly recommend that. They have different soups daily and those always seem to be memorable. I can't say I've ever had a bad meal / snack at Alterra.
Finding a table is another story, but to me it's part of the fun. It depends on what time of day you go. If you're an early riser like me, you shouldn't have any trouble. They have outdoor seating as well which offers the Lake front view.
The building is historical as it's the water pump house which makes it architecturally charming.
Oh and parking can be interesting, so I would highly recommend parking across the street if you're going at a busy time and can't find a spot.
Still reading? Get up and go! It's worth it! -
Review from Nari H.
Wheaton, IL
11/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
DEFINITELY a fan.
Person at the counter took time to find the best bean for what I was looking for (I got very specific). And while the bean wasn't a perfect match, it was still a very good cup of coffee. While not my style, VERY clean finish which I like.
Bought a bag for my friend. I will definitely come back when I am in the area. -
Review from Melissa M.
Brown Deer, WI
10/14/2010
I always had the feeling this Alterra catered mostly to the college crowd for some reason, so I avoided it. Not that I'm against college, I'm just a few years out (ok, maybe more than a few) so I didn't want to wreck the ambiance for the college goers.
This summer my husband and I finally ventured in and from the second we were in the door I was in love. I absolutely L-O-V-E this place. It's typically a little cramped and there's often a bit of wait (for a parking spot, for ordering, for a straw, for a table...) but it's well worth it for the ambiance alone (inside and outside), although the food and drink are great too. If you have cool friends or relatives coming to town and want to impress them, put this place on your list of stops.
This probably sounds weird but I get a 'Harry Potter would hang out here' feeling from this place. I've now brought my 10-year old son there a couple times, and he totally agrees, which is one of the reasons he keeps asking to go again. He says he recommends the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese and the marble brownie for younger folk. I agree, the brownie kicks butt.
Can't wait to cozy up with a latte there while watching the snow fall this winter. -
Review from Tony K.
2/24/2011 5 Check-ins Here
4 Stars because of the stellar staff and stellar coffee.
I don't frequent this location because it's always quite busy.
But who doesn't love Alterra!? -
Review from Amy H.
8/12/2010
The iced honey latte = super yummers! Although I didn't order one, the selection of pastries looked phenomenal and the sandwiches sounded superb.
The interior reminded me of The Great Outdoors and I kind of expected John Candy (RIP) and Dan Ackroyd to get in line behind me.
A great location!Listed in: America's Dairyland, Coffee
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Review from Ai M.
Milwaukee, WI
3/19/2012
Yesterday was beautiful as we hit the 70's so my man and I took our little dog and we went to walk the Lake. We also decided to stop at Alterra for breakfast and it was not a bad experience at all. Yes, we had to wait 30mns for bad drinks but the bakeries were worth it and we made up on that lost time by walking all over and truly just enjoying the weather. I agree, the location of that Alterra is great, parking accross the street didn't bother us at all and I love that they have so many selections of wraps/salads and bakeries. We enjoyed the almond and chocolate croissant and aimed to make the experience a good one even though I ordered a mocha blanco and they served me a plain mocha. My bf's chai tea was also lacking in flavor but we didn't care to lose another 15mns to get our order fixed so we went on with our day and are so glad we did! I think the baristas get flustered because they get so busy and end up messing up the orders or making bad drinks. Either that or they just don't really know their drinks but well, we went more to enjoy the sun than the drinks so we were fine and might go again soon depending on the weather again.
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Review from Barbara M.
Chicago, IL
8/29/2010
Alterra is one of my favorite destinations in Milwaukee. The coffee is delicious and I highly recommend their Raspberry Scones. It is a great place to meet friends. They have great partnerships with local musicians and the Florentine Opera with featured performances throughout the summer.
Only downside is that it gets pretty busy on weekend mornings and afternoon, be prepared to wait in line. The parking lot is pretty small and driving around on Lincoln Memorial is a little tough but there is a larger parking lot across the street for the Marina. -
Review from Nicole S.
Milwaukee, WI
7/8/2011
Best coffee in town. Likely some of the best coffee roasting in the country. I love when Breakfast Blend is the mild. The taste is the perfect pairing with morning. As I drive to work, I am literally so much happier with a cup of black coffee in hand. Sometimes it gets busy but the amazing staff make it worth the wait. I truly love Alterra by the Lake.
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Review from Karen T.
10/26/2008
As a former barista at a fair-trade coffee shop in Chicago and a connoisseur of European espresso, I did not expect to find one of my favorite coffee spots in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Yet Alterra Cafe blew me away. Fortuitously, it caught our eye yesterday as we drove by and gasped in unison, "oh my gosh, that place looks so good!" And it more than met expectations. We returned this morning for a quick breakfast pickup and I enjoyed a Smoked Salmon sandwich on Sourdough. The smoked salmon was fine, the cream cheese, capers and dill all fit the bill perfectly, the fresh lemon slices were a lovely touch, and the toasted sourdough was as good as the original San Francisco-made bread (soft, crunchy and not bitter at all) and warranted 4 stars. But those weren't what won me over completely.
It was later, when we came back for lunch (everyone loved their coffee that much in the morning), when I had the French Silk pie and a steaming mug of mild, organic Nicaraguan, that I decided this was one of the best cafes in the world. The crust of the pie was mind-blowingly flaky and tasty, the filling and whipped cream were sweetly rich, and the perfectly roasted coffee melded flavor-wise into one of the most harmonious afternoon snacks I've had in a long time. Meanwhile, my friends were fawning over their breakfast burritos.
Overall, Alterra kicks every Starbucks, Caribou, Gloria Jean, Dunn Bros, or any other franchised chain's ass, and it's better than Cafe Louvre in Prague or Cafe Sperl in Vienna. I firmly believe it should be in every Milwaukee guidebook published. The atmosphere could easily be mistaken for a Seattle rock coffeehouse, it has free wi-fi, and they have an extensive pastry selection and drink menu, all of which seem to be high quality.
Plus, it was all ridiculously CHEAP. Thank you, Wisconsin! -
Review from Daniel L.
4/18/2009
This week I've been invited to return to Milwaukee this summer and I must say that Alterra will be the first place I like to visit when I get off the plane! Sitting next to the lake where many college students, faculty and prideful Packer fans stroll in to get their morning drip, I used to come here to study and it was super productive every time. Boy do I miss this place, their rich blends of fair trade and organic coffee from around the world are some of the best I've had.
The ambiance is supported by a wide selection of mugs, t-shirts, and fancy chocolates on the first floor and a wide open study space on the second floor with free wifi access. Need I say more? 5 stars for strong coffee, free wifi, excellent service, and for being an exciting place for studying and people watching. Can't wait.
