About Java Cat Coffee House & Café

Java Cat has proudly been serving coffee to the Madison and Monona communities for over 17 years! 

Do you know a place that serves only 100% fair trade, organic, locally roasted gourmet coffee and handcrafted, on-site authentic Italian gelato? It’s the place that also has a drive-thru, a dog friendly patio and is where local musicians like to play? The staff there is also really cool and friendly too. Why, that place is Java Cat coffee house – your eastside café!

Now in its seventeenth year, Java Cat lies on the East side of Madison on the corner of Lien and Thierer Road  The ‘Cat’ offers the finest gelato in the region, produced daily in the summer season. Fresh bakery items and made to order breakfast sandwiches (all day!), hot and cold lunch sandwiches and wraps, soup, salads and blended drinks are some of the various items found on the menu.

In late 2005, George Bush was still President and Hurricane Katrina had just ravaged New Orleans when Renee Raspiller and Shari Olson opened the coffee shop. Since that time, experiencing both triumphs and challenges, Java Cat has continued to serve the community, especially their eastside neighbors. Today, Renee, with help from manager Mimi Gunathilaka, is working on expanding the ‘Cat’s’ community vibe. They invite artists in to hang paintings and exhibit their art – expanding on the yearly ‘Cats’ show by local elementary students. Local musicians are urged to find their start here playing for coffee sipping audiences – after all, the acoustics really are quite nice. Toss in some fantastic customer service and this café will deliver an ambience that is sure to keep you awhile. If you have never been, go…go see for yourself, go see what the purrr is about at this coffee house…

Java Cat invites you to explore our website and check back often as it develops and new community events are added.