These days, coffeehouses and cafes aren't just places to down a few mugs of mud and catch a few poetry readings. They've quickly become a hub of social activity and, with the addition of Wi-Fi, like an office away from the office. This might not be Seattle, but Milwaukee does pretty well for itself when it comes to coffee options. Here's a guide to some of the city's best.

Allegro Coffee (at Whole Foods Market)
2305 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 223-1500
allegrocoffee.com
Located within Whole Foods, this national chain prides itself on high quality coffee.  The cafe has a small counter as well as larger lounge style seating area in a pocket of the store.

Alterra Coffee Roasters
East Side: 2211 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 273-3753
At the Lake: 1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., (414) 223-4551
Bayshore: 5900 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 964-4290
Foundry: 170 S. 1st St., (414) 765- 9873
Mayfair: 2500 N. Mayfair Rd.,(414) 453-9202
U.S. Bank Tower: 777 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 225-8970
Humboldt: 2999 N. Humboldt Blvd., (414) 292-3320
Wauwatosa: 9125 W. North Ave., (414) 259-7948
Grafton: 1211 Washington St., (262) 377-5183
Mitchell International Airport
alterracoffee.com
The ever-expanding Alterra is the city's premier coffee roasting company and its café on Prospect Ave., with the great mural painted by Scott Darrow, is possibly the best place to sip and be seen.

Anodyne  Coffee Roasting Company
2920 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 489-0765
anodynecoffee.com
This Bay View cafe is bright and quiet and the perfect place for reading, studying, intimate conversation or a date. The clientele is young, the coffee is strong and roasted on-site by a friendly staff.

Bella Cafe
189 N. Milwaukee St.,(414) 273-5620
bellacaffe.com
This Third Ward café is in the ground floor of a beautiful restored, historic building at the locus of Milwaukee and Chicago Streets. The standard coffee and espresso options are augmented with a range of bakery, salads and desserts. Bella also offers an extremely relaxing environment with high ceilings, big windows and a range of seating choices: a bar, low tables, tall bar-style tables and inviting padded window benches.

Borders Books & Music
Downtown: 101 W Wisconsin Ave., (414) 225-9977
North: 8705 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 225-9977
Greendale: 5250 S. 76th St., (414) 421 4290
bordersstores.com
Yes, it’s a chain bookshop, but the café on the lower level has a good feel, especially during the day when it isn't terribly crowded.

Bremen Café
901 E. Clarke St. (414) 431-1932
bremencafe.com
A cozy spot in Riverwest, Bremen Café is not only a great place to sip some coffee, but also the place to be for open mic night (Thursday) and trivia night (Mondays).

Brew Bayou (Inside Marquette's Alumni Memorial Union)
1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.
This campus café is a great hang out for students and those that just missing looking at college gals or guys, depending on your preference.

Brewed
1208 E. Brady St., (414) 276-2739
This Brady Street cafe has changed names over the years from Anodyne to Brewed.  Despite the new name, this cafe still serves Anodyne coffee and delicious sandwiches.

Brewing Grounds for Change
2010 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 273-9777
This Farwell Avenue café claims to be the only place in the city to serve 100 percent fair trade coffee. The intimate, artsy space is comfortable, the coffee is strong and the staff is knowledgeable.

The Broad Street Coffee Company
5635 S. Broad St., Greendale, (414) 423-5810
Located in the quaint downtown of Greendale, this cafe is often packed with regulars of all ages. The staff is friendly and the coffee hot and tasty.

Caribou Coffee
Bayshore Town Center, (414) 962-6198
Wauwatosa: 418 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 777-0280
Brookfield: 12455 W. Capitol Dr., (262) 373-1657 
cariboucoffee.com
With three area locations, Caribou Coffee serves a quality cup of joe.

Cedarburg Coffee Roastery
W62 N603 Washington Ave., Cedarburg, (262) 375-4321
Milwaukee Public Market, (414) 431-4199
cedarburgcoffee.com
Open since 1999, they offer coffee, tea, espressos, chai and Italian sodas.  We also like their no punch card policy that keeps track of your drinks so you don't have to carry around another card.  

Coffee Makes You Black
2803 N. Teutonia, Milwaukee, (414) 562-5225
The community's only coffeehouse with all African coffees.

Coffee with a Conscience
Milwaukee Art Museum: 700 N. Art Museum Dr.,
Schlitz Park: 1555 N. River Center Dr., (414) 276-4341
wwbic.com/cwac.htm
The Downtown location is inside the central library and the coffee is augmented by a great selection of used books.

Comet Cafe
1947 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 273-7677
Comet started out as a cool coffee house with great food and a hip vibe, and has recently been converted into a half-cafe/half-bar hybrid with equally great food and hip vibe. And yes, they still serve a mean cup of coffee, courtesy of Anodyne.

Cranky Al's Bakery
6903 W. North Ave., (414) 258-5282
Originally a small  bakery, Cranky Al's expanded into a full service restaurant and added a complete pizza menu to their already delectable baked goods.

Espresso Christoph
825 N Jefferson St., (414) 271-4400
Located on Cathedral Square Park, Espresso Christoph serves local coffee, bakery and wine.

Fiddleheads Espresso Bar
W62 N605 Washington Ave., Cedarburg, (262) 376-1366
192 S. Main St., Thiensville, (262) 238-8737
10530 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, (262) 241-8819
fiddleheadscoffee.com
Fiddleheads is a family-owned wholesale and retail coffee shop with three cafe locations in the North Shore.

Fire Escape
819 N. 27th St., (414) 935-1100
heartfire.org/thefireescape.htm
This non-denominational Christian coffeehouse, an outreach ministry launched by Heart-Fire Ministries, is located just west of Downtown.

Fixx Coffeehouse
3558 E. Sivyer Ave., (414) 482-0919
fixxcoffeehouse.com
The cafe is spacious and comfortable, with ample seating for large groups. It serves Door County Coffee in several flavors, as well as homemade bakery and sandwiches. It also has a drive though. 

Fuel Cafe
818 E. Center St., (414) 374-3835
fuelcafe.com
Fuel is the undisputed coffee spot in Riverwest. The staff goes head to head with the clientele in the hipper-than-thou sweepstakes, and the Fuel bumper sticker and T-shirt have become de rigeur items for cool cats nationwide. Also, just as Comet has undergone recent renovation, Fuel's future includes a bar area, outdoor patio and even (gasp!) a non-smoking section.

Gloria Jean's Gourmet Coffee
2500 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 259-9898
Located in Mayfair mall, this coffee chain sends smells of roasting beans throughout the mall concourse.

Hi-Fi Cafe
2640 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 486-0540
hificafe.com
Hi-Fi is a much-needed oasis in northwestern Bay View and the neighborhood's cool folks are all regulars, as are the more progressive Bay View High School students. It's go great food and coffee and one of the best jukeboxes in the city.

Highland Park Pies and Cafe
4110 W. Martin Dr., (414) 933-9303
This cafe offers a huge selection of homemade pies, cookies and cakes.  Located close to the Miller Brewery, the shop closes early at 6 p.m.

Last Drop Coffee and Sandwich Shoppe
3801 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 967-9911
It's a casual, comfortable and creative setting with lots of local art adorning the walls and the smells of fresh bakery.

M Cafe
535 W. Wells St., (414) 271-5212
Inside the Milwaukee Public Library
mcafeonline.com
Mocias "M" Cafe has two locations and loves to tout the Ganoderma herb in some of its coffee selections. The Ganoderma herb comes from Red Mushrooms. The herb is known to help improve the body's healing ability, maintain a healthy body and promote longevity.

Midwest Espresso
411 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 272-1222
This cafe also has coffee carts in the Milwaukee Center.

Mocha -- A Coffee Bistro 
124 West Wisconsin Ave., (414) 276-6242
mosmocha.com
Owned by Johnny "V" Vassallo, this coffee house adds to the collection of Mo's Restaurants on the corner of Plankinton St. and Wisconsin Ave.  It is one of very few coffee houses that truly stays open late.  

The National
839 W. National Ave., (414) 431-6551
nationaleats.com
All your caffeine needs are met, and complemented by  a diverse menu that thrives on organic options for the meat eater, the vegetarian and the vegan alike.

Outpost Coffee
7000 W. State St., (414) 778-2012
2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 755-3202
100 E. Capital Dr., (414) 961-2597
outpostnaturalfoods.coop
It only makes sense that a local, organic grocery store sells fair-trade organic coffee.  Check out the counter just inside each Outpost market for fresh coffee, pastries and more.

Outwords 
2710 N. Murray Ave., (414) 963-9089
outwordsbooks.com
It's nice little place in a gay & lesbian bookstore on a quiet East Side street. Although cramped, Outwords is easy going and relaxing.

Que Pasa Coffee & Books
611 W. National Ave., (414) 649-0460
Que Pasa pours top coffee and has Walker's Point's best selection of children's books.

Roast Inc.
2132 E Locust St., (414) 963-6363
roastcoffeecompany.com
One of surprisingly few coffeeshops near the UWM campus, Roast is a cozy, hip spot on the corner of Maryland and Locust.

Rochambo
1317 E. Brady St., (414) 291-0095
rochambo.com
Although it's been remodeled several times since the doors first open, they've all been steps in the right direction, aesthetically. The coffee and tea house retains a nice rag-tag vibe with music playing, either on the stereo or live on stage and dim lighting.  With its lively atmosphere, Rochambo is more suited to conversation or game-playing rather than quiet contemplation and reading.

Sherman Perk 
4924 W. Roosevelt Dr., (414) 875-7375 
shermanperk.com
Sherman Perk has all the coffee drinks you want, plus fresh bakery, smoothies and entertainment in the evenings. 

Starbucks 
Bay View: 2110 E. Oklahoma Ave., (414) 486-1407
Brookfield:17000 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 860-8707
Downer: 2551 N. Downer Ave., (414) 332-6105
Downtown: 1610 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 933-1233
Downtown: 515 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 390-1804
Downtown: 326 N. Water St., (414) 278-0345
East Side: 1677 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 224-7760
East Point: 544 E. Ogden Ave., (414) 221-9099
Mequon: 11025 N. Port Washington Rd., (262) 240-2969
Milwaukee: 1130 Miller Park Way, (414) 643-5179
Milwaukee: 2735 Oklahoma Ave., (414) 647-9102
Milwaukee: 4170 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 962-0132
Milwaukee: 140 W. Holt Ave., (414) 489-0846
Milwaukee: 5300 S. Howell Ave., (414) 747-5252
Milwaukee: 2600 S. 108th St., (414) 545-8000
Midtown Center: 5610 Capitol Dr., (414) 442-9603
Third Ward: 326 N. Water St., (414) 278-0345
Wauwatosa: 1417 Wauwatosa Ave., (414) 607-8864
Wauwatosa: 12345 W. Capitol Dr., (414) 438-9727
West Allis: 1540 S. 108th St., (414) 302-1131
Whitefish Bay: 302 E. Silver Spring Dr., (414) 332-8628
starbucks.com
Starbucks needs no introduction. Founded in Seattle, they have comfy chairs, great cinnamon scones and an expanding line of food, music and more. 

Steamer's
624 N. Water St., (414) 277-7679
This is one of Downtown's oldest coffee shops and now has a selection of sandwiches augmenting its great coffee and modern interior.

Stone Creek 
Bay View: 2266 S. Kinnickinic Ave., (414) 481-4215
Delafield: 2644 Hillside Dr., (262) 646-2241
Glendale: 6969 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 228-8699
Grand Avenue: 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 298-9965
Oconomowoc: 1043 Summit Ave. (at Hwy 67), (262) 569-7375
Shorewood: 4106 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 964-1608
Wauwatosa: 8340 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 443-1302
Whitefish Bay: 601 E. Silver Spring Dr., (414) 332-2285
stonecreekcoffee.com
A local roaster, Stone Creek offers yummy specialty coffee drinks, coffee, tea, juices, pastries, bakery and whole bean coffee.

Sven's European Cafe
2699 S Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 483-2233
svenscoffee.com
Sven's offers sandwiches, wraps, salads, desserts and their own line of gourmet coffee in a cozy cafe setting.