5th Element Coffee

Four-​stars is a bit generous… why?
+ Friendly staff; very knowledgeable and passionate
(I know, everyone has said that about them, but it’s true and an accurate description)
+ I like the clean look/​feel of the interior, but has a bit of a cold vibe to it
+ Lots of seating
+ Decent wifi
+ Coffee is pretty solid — even the drip version
— Capital EEEEEE-​xpensive
— For example, a «large» to-​go coffee (16oz) is $ 3.15; prices go up from there
(I may be out of touch with pricing, but Barriques runs $ 2.16 for a 20oz to go)
So… I’m on the fence. I like the coffee, I appreciate the staff. I don’t like the parking scenario, the «surgical/​industrial» vibe, or the higher cost for a simple to-​go. Alas, 4-​stars…

It’s just the best. We moved back from Berlin recently and I thought I was spoiled by the abundance of delicious third-​wave coffee places there and would never find an equivalent in Madison. This is just as good, or better, with none of the snobbery. You can nerd out with the specialty gear here or just get a delicious latte. Last time we came in, our drink order got lost in a rush, and the barista offered me an extra macchiato before I left. Of course that sounded great but I wasn’t going to ask for it! But he caught me before we left and said «I owe you one.» I wasn’t going to turn it down then! Love the friendly vibe and the absolutely delicious coffee.

Best coffee in Madison! True to its name, the beans and brewing process have an invaluable ingredient… the human element, which gives this coffee shop a unique story and unbeatably delicious coffee.

Great cup of coffee from the V60. Knowledgeable baristas and friendly atmosphere. We got a list of other coffee spots in Madison to hit while we are in town. We will definitely be back. Next time I hope to try the espresso and Chemex. Top notch.

Delicious coffee: check. (Love their cappuccinos.)
Friendly staff: check.
Big tables for doing work and spreading out your papers/​books: check.
Ample outlets to plug in your laptop: check.
TV that plays games/​news in the corner (was great when doing work during football season): check.
This place has it all!!! A hidden gem that I hope no one finds… I need those tables to myself!

Came here yesterday just to try somewhere new to study. I went there around five and I was very empty but there was so much study pace to choose from. The décor is really hip, bright, and slightly industrial, which is pretty unique for a madison café. If you want to go out with a group to study, this is a great place because there are long tables that fit 4 – 6 people and they provide wifi.
The only thing I ordered was a mocha. And it came out on a plank with sparkling water. The mocha in itself wasn’t very sweet, and when I originally went to get honey the barista told me the mocha is pretty sweet.
It would be really nice if this café could be open later (maybe 10?). A lot of cafes get really busy during midterm/​final exam season off campus place to go and get some coffee. It’s easy to take the bus from University avenue.
Overall– a pretty chic café where you can treat yourself.

Great service. Met Todd, (one of the owners?) he was very helpful. The coffee is very good, this place has a nice setup and good to see them exploring food options. What sold me was when I got my perfectly made cappuccino with sparkling water. They clearly understand coffee. The space is pretty minimal but maybe that keeps college kids from camping out, so a win in my book. I’ll definitely be returning.

We arrived in Madison from the west coast in 2013 and immediately began our search for the best cappuccino in Madison. Good news is we found it. Bad news is it took us a year and a half to finally stumble upon 5^th Element. Amazing quality and artistry In a minimalistic but stylish setting. Highly recommend.

Stark, industrial feel to the interior but this can be understood as the real focus here is on the coffee. Three different brewing options is great if you have the time. Otherwise, standard drip is also an option in the morning. They are clearly passionate about coffee and it shows. I will be anxiously awaiting warmer weather to try their cold brew as their contraption behind the counter is gigantic and I want to see it in action.

Alright, friends, I have made a seriously grave mistake: I reviewed before I verified my facts. My errant review is below, because I man up to my mistakes, no matter how embarrassing they are. (How noble, I am.)
The bulk of the review holds true: This place IS coffee, and it IS amazing. Espresso IS expensive; but, this was my first error. While it is (at the time of this writing — January 2016) $ 5.22 for a quad shot of espresso, a pour-​over (V60/​Chemex) comes in at roughly $ 3.50, which is essentially as cheap a pour over as you’ll find around here (compare to $ 4.50+ at Bradbury’s and $ 6.00+ at Johnson Pub House). And, I’m sure most people will not be getting a quad shot of espresso like my caffeine-​addicted self. So, error #1: docking a star for price. (I’ve rightfully returned the fifth star to its deserved place as of this modification.)
Most errantly, though, I must apologize to Todd for dragging the business through the mud (maybe an overstatement to some people?) by saying they do not serve sparkling water with their espresso. It IS, indeed, the policy for employees to serve espresso the way it should be. Whether it be a misunderstanding of the etiquette of serving espresso, or a misunderstanding of which water faucet serves which water, the employees that have served me the tap water would most likely have gladly corrected their error if I had the balls to confront them about it. (I can’t be perfect at everything, I suppose.)
My sincerest apologies to Todd and the staff. Probably not a big deal to them, but I felt really bad about it!
Also, I’ve since had an awesome conversation with Todd about the sourcing of the beans. Just another addition to why this place is great. Want to know what side of the hill these beans grew on? He can probably tell you. Coffee purism at its purest.
[the following is the previous version of my review]
I love this place. I’ll be upfront and say the thing that keeps me from 5 stars is the price. $ 5.22 for a quad shot of espresso is insanely high for a college town coffee shop. Yes, it comes out on a fancy wood serving tray… but with normal water. (I haven’t found the guts to ask the owner, Todd, why he serves it with filtered water, rather than the conventional, and much more effective at palate cleansing, sparkling water.)
That said, this place IS coffee. It seems they really know their stuff. And why wouldn’t they; as you probably already knew before reading this, World Barista Champion Alejandro Mendez is responsible for the creation of this café. (Hey there, price hike.)
While I’m usually very insistent on coffeehouses serving a variety of beans, I can let this place slide on account of Mr. Mendez. There is something appealing about knowing I can’t get this coffee anywhere else in Madison, and that it is completely sourced from the homeland of El Salvador. (Not my favorite coffee origin, but opinions are a dime a dozen.)
Being near campus, I often expect to find this place swarmed with college kids. But I guess there is something about not being able to get a white chocolate mocha that deters them, thankfully. It’s not library-​quiet in here, and it can get packed around finals week and such, but for the most part I think the purism of the place keeps it lowkey.
All in all, this is a wonderful place if you’re looking to get some work done, if you like small business, if you consider yourself a true coffee lover, or if you’re just looking to give something new a try.

Coffee purists with friendly service. At this café, they have no sweetened syrup so it gets down to the fundamentals of coffee, espresso, tea and milk. Parking can be a bit tough at times, as there is no private parking lot but you can typically find street parking. 5^th Element stocks coffee that’s not found at other Madison coffee shops, and their baristas have exacting standards. Wifi and one TV (sports…not sure what’s shown at non-​game times) are available. A great choice for coffee lovers!

I love this shop, a business worth patronizing!
First and foremost, 5^th Element serves great coffee, not the blends served at most shops. They also serve delectable baked goods from the local Batch House Bakery. The contemporary design incorporates the wooden bowling alley lanes from Wildcat Bowling Center’s conversion to a church in nearby Verona, utilized for paneling on the walls, the table tops and service counter. The high-​speed internet service also makes for a productive study environment.
Beyond the tangible factors that one evaluates in choosing a coffee shop, this one is based on respect for the people who grow the coffee beans, going beyond «fair trade» requirements to establishing a partnership with the El Salvadoran grower that ensures the well-​being of those cultivating the crop.
The owners have a zeal for taking care of people, not just their customers but also their suppliers. These people are the so-​called 5^th element that makes all the difference in enhancing the first four elements that produce the product they so passionately deliver. As a customer, I feel honored to be part of this lofty process based on integrity and respect.

5^th Element stands out in the Madison specialty coffee scene. Why? Because it’s about the only contender. Does it add a new element or a new dimension to coffee? No, not any more than any other specialty coffee shop.
They have a few special things going for them though. Alejandro Mendez, winner of the 2011 World Barista Championship, which is obviously an impressive title. He’s co-​owner or something. And apparently he brought the the WBC official machine back with him. Black Eagle by Victoria Arduino. The only one in Wisconsin and the first one I’ve ever seen.
They have their own in-​house roasted coffee along with a few guest roasters. I tried an award winning coffee of theirs in Aeropress. Was it good? Ehhh, quite too dark for my preferences.
Design: is it cool? Yes, it’s fresh and clean if maybe a bit harsh. But can I say harsh in a good way? Yes, I just did. So harsh design and mediocre coffee? Nah, it was great. Overall I was reasonably impressed and I was glad I stopped.

I’m not a coffee person. I drink it because 1) it’s warm/​hot and 2) it has caffeine. One of those sad Sundays that I needed to get some stuff done, I decided to try somewhere new, hopped on bike, and headed towards State.
While this is not exactly on state, it’s almost better for it. Cute location a little out of the way, lots of seating, perfect for studying/​computering! Sadly no outlets outside, and a bit dark towards the back, but a very comfortable space.
When I professed my lack of knowledge regarding coffee, the proprietor kindly pointed me to the cappucino when I mentioned I wanted something not too coffee-​y or bitter, something a little sweet. He explained that it was something to do with the beans and how they were roasted. And it was delicious! Love the setup with the sparkling water and the spoon-​feast for eyes as well as a jolt to the soul. There are some nice baked goods as well as water. I’ll be back!

Don’t be intimidated by the offerings or mechanisms– they have what you want in a coffee shop. They are more of a specialty place though so be prepared to hear why… its a cool story. I had a latte and it was very good– my husband got an iced coffee and did not really like it– but bear in mind that Starbucks is his favorite so take that opinion with a grain of salt!

Not only is this what the neighborhood really needed, but they set an exceptional bar for quality shots in Madison.
I’ve been going here since their first week and the espresso is consistently high quality with a great atmosphere and friendly baristas. Baked goods from Batch.

I’m confident I will not find a cup of coffee this good ever again… Unless I go back to 5^th Element, which I totally will! But seriously, the people here pay the utmost respect to coffee – the ingredients, the process, everything down to farming. They’re super nice and will share all of their knowledge with you, too!
The coffee itself is just divine. Divine as in the word you’d use to describe an amazingly sinful dessert you just had, but it’s coffee. And it’s so good that you should stick to what’s on the menu (don’t doctor it with your low-​fat or soy milks) because they’ve perfected it all. This coffee is something special – silky, never bitter, so enjoyable. I can’t wait to see how this café takes off, because they totally deserve it.

Maybe my experience is an anomaly, but I simply don’t get most of these reviews.
Visiting friends in Madison and was really excited to see a new coffee place doing pourovers! I got a v60. No indication on what beans I had or where they came from.
The cost was $ 3.75, about what I’d pay in my neighborhood in Brooklyn. The quality was not good.
It’s no secret among my friends that I’m annoyingly pretentious about my coffee. 5^th Element’s tasted diluted and watered down. Their ratios must be way off, because it simply wasn’t good, especially at this price.
I’m sticking to Bradbury’s.

Not your average coffee shop. Stop and sip the coffee. Great quality coffee, skillfully prepared, chill atmosphere. The industrial layout contrasts the warmer wooden accents.
I ordered a flat white. Maybe it was that first cup-​of-​the-​day bias, but it was the freshest, creamiest, most full-​bodied cup of joseph I ever put in my mouth.
Then, I took an iced Americano to go, because I definitely drank that flat white too fast. The first sip was tart, sweetening and deepening as the ice melted into it. God, it was good.
They’re running low on iced coffee these days but they just ordered another gorgeous looking cold brew contraption to up their supply.
Several sprawling, wooden tables in the back provide ample seating and space for studying, if you don’t mind sharing a table with others. The aluminum chairs are a nice aesthetic touch. I call these vampire chairs though, because they suck the heat from your body. Probably a welcome experience for most people on a hot summer day!

We stopped by this morning during their opening day. 5^th Element has a pretty cool story: co-​owned by Todd Allbaugh, a Wisconsin native, and Alejandro Mendez, an El Salvadorian and winner of the 2011 World Barista Championship. Did you hear that? That means he was determined to brew THE BEST CUP OF COFFEE IN THE WORLD. And its opening right here next to us. I’m in.
Cool vibe, friendly service, and a strong, delicious cup of coffee. As it was opening day the line was out the door and things were a bit hectic, but owners and staff were extremely warm and engaging. Paul Simon’s Graceland playing on the speakers, which I majorly dig. Study/​reading space in the back seemed ample. We’ll be back.