With its own roasting business and a premium selection of coffees and teas, locally owned Alterra, with many area café locations, is the place for javaheads in Milwaukee. Each day brings a new selection of three coffees (dark, regular and decaf) served hot and strong, or made into your favorite latte, macchiato or Americano. Maybe you’d rather skip the coffee and opt for a comforting steamer, a nutritious smoothie or an Italian soda, made the old-fashioned way with your choice of syrup and fizzy water. A short list of sandwiches such as the avocado BLT and the tenderloin sandwich with provolone, plus soups and salads, make it a good choice for lunch or a light dinner. As long as you’re there for a meal, get dessert: dreamy coffee drinks such as caramel royale and white chocolate mocha give you a reason to linger longer. As for the coffee, you can stop with just a cup, or take home a pound. Alterra offers more than 20 of its own blends as well as a long list of organic and fairly traded coffees. Decaf drinkers rejoice: There are nearly a dozen varieties from which to choose. Voted Best Coffeehouse in 2007 Shepherd-Express and OnMilwaukee.com readers polls. No alcohol available. Serving during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours daily except for US Bank location, which serves during breakfast, lunch and early dinner hours Mon–Fri. Hours vary by location.