TOWER OF BEAN POWER. Located on the east side, Golden Leaf Café is “an organic, fair-trade oasis,” and one of Menomonie’s full service coffeeshops. Sandwiches, salads, and soups accompany the brew.

Menomonie has one of the best coffeehouse scenes around. The person-to-café ratio must be one of the highest in the country. And I’m not talking about Starbucks, here. I’m talking about seriously impressive, independently owned coffeehouses.

Perhaps it’s the college students, the professors, the early-shift workers, the late-shift workers, or its proximity to the Cities. Whatever the reason, Menomonie knows coffee. From hip to hippy, these cafés have something for everyone.

Cravings (1320 Broadway St.)
    In a little strip-mall off Broadway is Cravings. Cravings does a little bit of everything. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ice cream, bakery – you crave it, they have it.

Important note: if you order coffee, you are actually getting a made-to-order Americano (espresso with water). Delicious and highly caffeinated.

Cravings has ample seating with a modern, rich interior. A beautiful fireplace and water feature are the centerpieces of the café. This is a great spot for a casual business meeting or lunch with friends. Another huge plus is the 6 a.m. opening and drive-through window.

Golden Leaf Café (1706 Stout Road)
    Located on the east side, Golden Leaf Café is an organic, fair-trade oasis. In addition to its wide assortment of coffee and related beverages, Golden Leaf also has delicious (and healthy!) homemade sandwiches, salads, and soups. With a spacious and attractive interior and wi-fi access, it’s the perfect location for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And if you want to ditch the healthy, you can always dig into one of the featured Norske Nook pies.

The Golden Leaf is committed to empowering women, and it promotes women-owned businesses through its vendors and products. It also features an eclectic gift shop that includes aromatherapy candles, gift cards, jewelry, bath and body products, teas, wine, and much more.

Legacy Chocolates (632 South Broadway)
    Go in for the chocolates, but go back for the latte. A local favorite, this eclectic gourmet chocolate shop/coffeehouse/soup and sandwich joint literally has something for everyone.

Known throughout the country for its high-quality chocolate, Legacy is also making a name locally for being one of the best coffeehouses in the state. The beans are perfectly roasted and brewed one cup at a time for the best coffee experience possible. Lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos are made with organic Crystal Ball Farms milk, and baristas are experts with the steamers.

The interior is welcoming and warm, and many locals have informal meetings over lunch or coffee. The only change I would recommend is extending the hours to 24-7!

The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse (621 Wilson Ave)
    The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse is one cool place. An eclectic assortment of vintage signs lines the walls and very comfortable, lived-in furniture serves as the seating. From the moment you walk through the doors you feel like you have been transported to a little co-op coffeehouse in Madison or Minneapolis.

With specialty espresso drinks and a limited food menu, this coffeehouse makes the perfect place for studying or deep philosophical debates.

Now for the weird. It is in the basement of a church and is part of the UW-Stout Campus Religious Organization, Jesus Fellowship of Believers. The staff was very pleasant and I didn’t feel any pressure to convert while I was there. However, it is good to note that the café closes on Wednesday night and Sunday morning so the staff can attend services. Still, I’d go back if they don’t mind a heathen frequenting their joint.

The Acoustic Café (102 Main St West)
    The Acoustic Café is a great evening spot, often featuring live music on the weekends and good night hours. High-backed booths, a large fireplace, and local artwork make it extra relaxing.

The Acoustic has all your usual suspects when it comes to coffees and espressos. It is one of the only coffeehouses in town that features a flavored coffee of the day.

Known for their hoagies and soup, The Acoustic Café is a big hit with students. And the price is right – two people can leave full for under $11.

The Brickhouse Bakery & Café (E4620 County Road C in Downsville)
    Just minutes away from downtown Menomonie is The Brickhouse Bakery & Café located in The Creamery. Recently renovated, the café has beautiful exposed brick, rotating artwork, and wonderfully relaxing sitting areas.

The espressos are skillfully made with the finest roasted beans and local Castle Rock milk, and served up with handmade biscotti. The bakery also features homemade, organic baked goods, pastries, and breads.

Also a great spot for breakfast or lunch, however the hours are limited to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday to Sunday.

The Raw Deal (544 South Broadway)
    The Raw Deal promotes a better way to eat and live through the raw food movement. Another organic and local supporter, Raw Deal shows you that it is possible to eat without heat.

Still, we are talking about coffee, here, and whether you are part of the raw food movement or not, this coffeehouse knows how to brew a great (and hot) cup of joe. The Raw Deal uses only organic, fair-trade beans and freshly roasts their coffee on site. One of the best parts is that once you find the blend you love, you can purchase the beans in bulk for home brewing. 

The Raw Deal is a great addition to downtown Menomonie. It has an expansive seating area, rotating exhibits of local artwork, and a food and juice bar.

Caribou Coffee (2321 State Hwy 25 N # 308)
    One of the only non-independent coffeehouses in Menomonie, Caribou has some tough competition in terms of quality coffee. However this Caribou does have some positives. It is right off the freeway; it opens early; stays open late and on holidays; and it also has a kids area in the back so you can tune-out with your mocha while your children draw circles on the chalkboard and annoy the would-be novelists a few feet away.