Bright, welcoming cafe with coffee, bites, and cocktails in Milwaukee.
Haven Café, located at 1201 N Van Buren St in Milwaukee, is a welcoming cafe offering coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch bites, plus a varied drinks menu. Guests praise the bright, open space and a range of dishes—from white bean spread with naan to Cubano sandwiches—and cocktails, including a signature gin drink. The spot also caters events and offers a full bar plus zero-proof options.
1201 N Van Buren St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
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Extensive menu of hot and cold drinks, including lattes, teas, and specialty beverages like ube lattes.
Freshly made sandwiches such as Cubanos and breakfast options, served with sides like slaw.
Creative cocktails, including signature gin drinks and THC options, with a full bar for evening enjoyment.
Selection of baked goods, including large cookies and other treats, perfect for a quick snack.
Custom catering for events like weddings, providing fresh, filling food for groups.
Space available for after-parties and gatherings, with flexible hours and a welcoming atmosphere.
Overall rating
Scott W
First time here. It was a cold morning, so I stopped in for a hot beverage and something to eat. Food: For not being a coffee shop, they have an extensive menu of hot and cold beverages. I ordered a London Fog Tea Latte, with a little lavender and a little vanilla, in a mug. The barista did a nice job and gave the tea a good long steep. It had excellent flavor, and the temperature was right (about 140°F). It would have been even better with a bit more foam on top. For bakery items, they had a big pile of large cookies (cowboy?), but not much else. The food menu is a little sparse but has some good options for breakfast or lunch sandwiches. I ordered a Cubano sandwich, which turned out to be an excellent choice. It came out hot, with nicely grilled bread and savory meats inside. The roasted pork was especially tender and flavorful. It came with a small container of slaw, which was a little uninspiring. Service: The person who took my order and made my drink did a nice job. She took her time and did a good job with the drink. I appreciated that they delivered both the drink and the food to the table. She was a bit soft-spoken and a little hard to hear with the music playing. Efficient, but not especially outgoing. Atmosphere: The space has a bit of an industrial minimalist feel. High ceilings with the mechanicals in plain sight, along with colorful paint and design elements. Seating can accommodate groups of different sizes, though there aren’t too many spots ideal for couples. The space can be a bit echoey, and the volume of the music could make conversation challenging at times. It’s a nice spot for groups to hang out, and there was a larger table where people were working and collaborating. A decent spot for hanging out at lunch or later in the afternoon.
Lemya
The ube latte is sold with no espresso in it. A 12oz is $4.50 and if you want 1 espresso shot that’s an additional $0.90 cents. I’ve never been to a cafe that sells lattes without espresso. Based off of the sign I thought if you paid for a shot it was in addition to the espresso already in the drink. I paid $4.50 for hot milk and syrup. Ridiculous and misleading. Latte literally means milk and espresso. Be honest and call it a milk steamer. Edit: “we’re sorry you feel that way” the owners response is silly. A latte is milk and espresso. Period. I don’t understand what they mean about what people want from instagram as I don’t use that app and I don’t look to social media influencers to decide where to buy coffee. They just want an excuse to charge more money for milk and syrup and that’s why they call it a latte even thought it’s missing one of the two things that make it a latte. They overcharge and under deliver. Edit 2: 1. They have 100+ locations while you have 1. 2.The price is similar to steamed milk with syrup at Starbucks not a latte. A Starbucks latte is served with espresso. 3. You could serve it with espresso and then add a second drink to the menu - ube milk steamer for instagram. I understand that doesn’t align with the aesthetic you’re going for but serving someone hot milk with syrup when they are expecting an actual latte is misleading.
Kristiana Perleberg
Love this spot! We had the white bean spread with naan, noodle salad, breakfast sandwich, and a few cocktails—absolutely delicious! The vibes are excellent. If you want coffee, a drink, food, or a comfortable and cool spot to read a book, Haven is the spot!
Chris Shallop
We had Haven Café cater sandwiches for our wedding party the morning of our wedding, and they absolutely nailed it. The food hit the spot: fresh, filling, and exactly what our crew needed before the ceremony. Our wedding was at The Fitzgerald, just a couple blocks away, and we had arranged with Jeff to host our after party at Haven that night. He kept the place open late for us, and it couldn’t have worked out better. The space is bright, open, and welcoming. It’s great for a crowd, and the drink options were perfect for a mixed group. Between the full bar, THC cocktails, and zero-proof choices, everyone found something they liked. We were so happy with how it all turned out, especially how much our guests loved it. Thank you Jeff & Cam for having us!!
Nina Mendez
Such an awesome spot! Always stoked when a new place opens up and this one didn’t disappoint. Their signature gin drink is one of the best cocktails I’ve had in Milwaukee in a while. Def check it out!
