Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Delivery
Take-out
Bakery
Breakfast
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. A sustainable-model coffee and art cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and Milwaukee brunch. Has vegan French toast and tofu scrambles. Uses local and organic ingredients as much as possible and compostable to-go containers. Has its own backyard garden for growing veggies and composting. Open Thu-Sun 8:30am-2:00pm. Closed Mon-Wed.
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Last update on 20 Dec 2021 by cr4villion
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Added by ·X· on 30 Sep 2011
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20 Reviews
First Review by ·X·
VeganFamily23
Points +453
Many vegan options - Edit
Lots of vegan items in the menu including French toast, breakfast burrito, cinnamon roll, tofu scramble. Not whole food, plant-based but at least vegan. Kids loved it but a little greasy for my taste.
Read moreGuest
StephanieVienonen
Points +279
The vegan brekkie sammie saved me - Edit
That sandwich is PERFECT, there's no room for improvement. I got so obsessed, I tried replicating it at home to save money, but nothing compares to the real thing.
Read moreGuest
rjmarciniak
Points +792
Lafayette Place is better - Edit
The National Cafe is owned by the same people as the Lafayette Place, but the vegan options at the Lafayette Place is much superior. The food at the Lafayette Place is all vegan, so that is preferred to begin with, but its is also just better.
Read moreThere are good options at the National Cafe, and it is a step up from other places (how many places only have an Impossible or Beyond burger?) but not one we would necessarily seek out.
The cinnamon rolls were still fantastic though!
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-04
Guest
nukinem
Points +806
Tasty food with a cool vibe - Edit
Cool cafe with a great selection of coffee mugs. Many things are already vegan and others that can be modified. Typically, we only hit this place up for weekend breakfast.
Read moreThe rice bowl is a must for a healthier option. Go to options are the Soyrizo/Potato burrito and the Huevos Rancheros.
Pros: A lot of vegan possibilities , Great vibe
Cons: Parking options are lacking. All street.
Guest
ColorMeVegan
Points +114
Great Find! - Edit
Driving through Wisconsin we needed to stop for lunch, so we took a little detour to eat here. It was so worth it! They had a lot of interesting vegan options on the menu including some baked goods (a weakness of mine). I got the Vegan Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich and my partner got the Huevos Rancheros and a side of French Toast. Everything we ate was tremendous. I saved my vegan coffee cake for breakfast tomorrow, but I'm excited to try it!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-07-28
Pros: Lots of vegan options, Delicious food, Quaint space
Cons: Not handicapped accessible, Neighborhood doesn't seem safe
Guest
Rebacke
Points +2287
Wonderful brunch place - Edit
A beautiful 🤩 Café to come to with mixed groups. Everything on the menu can be made vegan. 🌱 🥑 The coffee was good (Anodyne beans) and we had a very good time.
Read moreYou order and pay online with a QR code which was convenient, just make sure your order gets through - we had some issues where we had to double check and re-start the payment process after wondering why it takes so long 😁
Perfect for a late weekend breakfast or brunch.
Pros: Amazing options, Nice environment , Friendly staff
Guest
brookelynn2
Points +258
So good! - Edit
Try the French toast or the breakfast Sammy. This is the only place I’ve found to get French toast in MKE
Read moreGuest
Wulfgar
Points +121
Reliably Excellent - Edit
For a while there, the National seemed to change its menu to have less vegan options and we then stayed away, but I'm happy to say they've reversed that trend and now have MORE vegan options! I ordered for the first time the Vegan Brekkie Sammy and it was wonderful. It was hearty and filling and genius - veggie sausage patty on top of hash browns, smothered in guac! Um, YAY! I hope they keep this trend up so I can keep coming back. I also tried their Vietnamese Baguette, which I believe can also be called a Banh Mi - fantastico! With all the delicious vegan "meats", "fish" and "cheeses" available now, I hope they will soon offer vegan versions of their Muffaletta, BLT, and Panini. And if they used Good Catch brand "tuna" think of the mind-blowing tuna salad sandwich they could make!!! Creative chefs at The National coming up with vegan meals that everyone will crave. Just need to get a tiny bit more creative with the new ingredients out there. If Vanguard can make mouth-watering vegan brats and sausages, I have faith that The National can make a Good Catch Tuna Sandwich that will melt my face off! I also must mention that they've changed the interior of the cafe a bit. The cold case is gone and a bar or counter is in its place. There is contactless ordering and paying at the table where you seat yourself. They still have a server bring your food out to you, though, but on busy days you will have to wait kind of a long time. The giant menu board that used to hang above the cold case is gone, too, since you don't come up to the cash register to order or pay anymore. All good things to keep people safe. Thank you, National!
Read moreGuest
Krystina
Points +259
Favorite brunch spot in Milwaukee - Edit
Update (12/2021): open Thurs-Sun 8:30am-2pm. This is the sister cafe to the newly opened all-vegan Lafayette Place (about a 10 minute drive north), so they share a few of the same vegan dishes (soy chorizo sloppy joe and vegan ultimate breakfast sandwich). I'm always impressed by the portions. Affordable, nice hospitality from the staff. They've started putting vegan versions of other dishes as standalone menu items, which is mega appreciated. Some insider knowledge -- the ranchero sauce is homemade from the cook's own Mexican family recipe, so you can definitely taste the love with the huevo ranchero dish (highly recommend... When making it vegan, they sub tofu for eggs). I also suggest the overlooked rice bowl. Request it vegan and ask for potatoes to be added to it for a really filling meal.
Read moreUpdate (11/2019): They have recently updated their menu and now have the BEST vegan sloppy joe I’ve ever had anywhere. Absolutely phenomenal. Seriously, everything I get here is great and really, really hearty.
Many of the non-veg menu items can be made vegan if you ask. My favorite is the huevos rancheros, but subbing out the egg for sautéed veggies and avocado (crispy tortilla, bean spread, sautéed veggies, avocado, and ranchero sauce). The hummus sandwich is easy to overlook but is outstanding with capers & sautéed veg. Portions are huge and filling, and the presentations are always so pretty. I avoid this place during weekend brunch because it is so busy (small kitchen & limited seating - note that in warmer months, they open up their backyard patio for extra seating). They sometimes cater at my work and they do a nice job with making boxed lunches.
Updated from previous review on 2020-01-25
LilacHippy
Hi, thanks for the information on the hours, I have updated them now. Sending in an update is usually the best way to tell us. :)
Read moreGuest
nahbud
Points +84
Pretty Okay - Edit
Nothing to write home about. Just a pretty forgettable experience.
Read morePros: A couple vegan items
Cons: A lil pricey
Guest
Emmie+Matt
Points +38
Hit and miss. - Edit
We've been here several times. The food is usually quite good but today's experience wasn't great. I had the vegan french toast and Matt had the potato chorizo breakfast burrito. Both items arrived extremely cold after a 40 minute wait. However, the taste of both was great.. just wish it wasn't cold.
Read moreStill worth checking out and would recommend for taste alone.
Pros: Vegan french toast is great!
Cons: Food was cold
Guest
mamabean
Points +19
Inexpensive and comfy - Edit
A few tasty vegan options and the gal at the counter was very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. We are a large plant based family so I loved that I could get a yummy meal for around $10 a plate. The atmosphere is very eclectic, relaxed and fun. We will definitely be making the national cafe a staple in our home.
Read morePros: Good value, Casual, Friendly staff
Cons: Parking, Always a line for the bathroom
Guest
McMallory
Points +2280
Solid - Edit
Not my favorite breakfast/lunch spot in Mke, but definitely a cute place with solid options. Food could be more exciting/innovative, but it hits the right notes for what it is.
Read moreGuest
healyco
Points +16
Good for Vegans - Edit
Charming. Friendly staff. Good food. Vegan choices clearly marked on menu
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Guest
Mpveg
Points +334
get the tofu!! - Edit
First time here nice variety of vegan options. I got the tofu scramble-the seasoning was AMAZING
Read moreGuest
merryann
Points +24
delicious tofu breakfast burrito!! - Edit
delicious tofu breakfast burrito!! Cute location, nice atmosphere. Slow because of the small kitchen but well worth the fresh & real ingredients! Would go back for sure.
Read moreGuest
SabelaTarabela
Points +68
Nice atmosphere, good food. - Edit
I ordered tofu scram with extra potatoes. It came with a side of fresh fruit and toast (just white bread). It is a nice place to stop for breakfast in your way go to the Domes ;)
Read morePros: tofu scram , friendly people
Guest
alexk2112
Points +27
Great Place - Edit
Been there a few times. Most of the options are available. The place is well designed and decorated.
Read moreGuest
SandersMarvin
Points +13
great spot - Edit
Had delicious tofu scramble this morning and a very well made latte. Look forward to coming back
Read moreGuest
·X·
Points +21590
The National Cafe - Edit
The National Cafe is reminiscent of a grungy/hipster type of cafe, so if you're looking for a fancy meal you should go elsewhere. As you can tell by my rating, I didn't care for The National Cafe. As we stepped in, there was a line at the register and the employee working the counter didn't acknowledge anyone, as she was preparing a meal - mind you, there were only two employees working but I think acknowledgement is key in keeping customers happy while waiting; just expect to wait a long time to actually get food. The second downer was the fact that they didn't have the vegan french toast; the french toast was the whole point in our trip to the National Cafe. Overall, there are many options for vegetarians; however, the options aren't as plentiful for vegans. Having said that, I likely won't return to the national, but maybe that would be another story if I was just vegetarian.
Read moreGuest
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