Cozy & Caffeinated: 5 Coffee Shops to Try in Minocqua
Ringed by lakes and forests, the town of Minocqua is an outdoor activity lover’s paradise. Its 2,300 bodies of water are beloved destinations for fishing, boating, waterskiing and tubing—a big reason why it’s called “Nature’s Original Waterpark.” If you’d prefer to stay on land, they’ve also got you covered there. Find one of many trails in the Northern Highland—American Legion State Forest for a hike or hop on an ATV for a little off-roading.
However, every trip needs its purposeful pauses—those moments between activities where you can catch your breath, refuel and take some time to decompress—and what better location to do that than a coffee shop? Whether you’re looking for a respite in between activities or simply looking for a cozy corner to spend an afternoon, these five cafés give you a reason to linger, no matter the season:
Great Northern Coffee Traders
Housed in a rustic, wood-beamed shop right on Highway 51, Great Northern Coffee Traders pairs cabin vibes with a creative coffee menu. Seasonal lattes rotate often (think Spring Lavender or German Chocolate Cake), alongside the usual classics.
The café also stocks board games if you want to stay awhile, and local photography and artwork from the Lakeland Art League rotates monthly, so there’s always something new to look at with your latte.
Milky Way Coffee Company
Although it sits just a few miles north in Woodruff, Milky Way is worth the short drive. A converted bank building, Milky Way offers coffee to-go through their drive-through window, as well as plenty of cozy nooks inside the shop where you can settle in with your favorite beverage.
The menu spans hearty breakfast and lunch favorites like sandwiches, quiche and scrambles, plus a bakery case full of seasonal sugar cookies and other sweet treats. While you’re there, don’t miss snapping a photo at the World’s Largest Penny, located right in town.
Cafe Sonder
Cafe Sonder feels a little different from the classic Northwoods coffeehouse—modern, colorful, and bright. The name itself comes from sonder (n.): the realization that every single person is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. It’s a fitting choice for a space that invites reflection, whether you’re journaling, people-watching or just savoring a chai.
The café’s affection for its community shows in the hundreds of framed photos of patrons covering the walls—a living gallery that turns its customers into part of the story. Order a seasonal latte (they proudly brew Colectivo Coffee!) and a homemade pastry, then take your time.
Jacobi’s 1922
Just south of Minocqua in Hazelhurst, Jacobi’s 1922 blends old and new. Once a traditional restaurant, today it’s a café and bakery that still carries plenty of supper club charm—think a polished wooden bar with sturdy stools and a foyer with leather chairs and a crackling fireplace.
The cafe has a rotating list of both food and drink specials. Recent flavors include a Campfire Latte with brown sugar and marshmallow and an iced chai topped with pistachio cold foam. The bakery case is just as tempting, stocked with scones, cookies and pie slices ready to pair with whatever you’re sipping.
The Bottled Bean
At The Bottled Bean, the mood shifts with the day: coffee and pastries in the morning, craft beer and cocktails in the evening. The bright and airy space in downtown Minocqua is equally cozy for catching up with friends or tucking into a book.
The Bean’s coffee drinks are brewed with beans from Mission Coffee Company in nearby Plover and flavored with house-made syrups for a personal, local touch. By night, the café transforms into a community hub with trivia, puzzle competitions and paint-by-number evenings that welcome everyone into the fold—locals and travelers alike.
