Retro Eighth – Manitowoc

September 01, 2023

Throwing it when while keeping it current, Retro Eighth is Manitowoc’s newest coffee kid. There was certainly a whoosh inside on opening weekend. This neighborhood coffee shop located a short loftiness north of downtown is a welcome wing to Wisconsin’s one and only World War II American Heritage City.

Retro Eighth brews Wisconsin’s very own Wonderstate, previously Kickapoo Coffee, which has been a Wisconsin staple since 2005. Wonderstate’s transferral to responsibly-sourced coffee makes it a smart pick for Retro Eighth.

The space definitely stands out due to it’s biggest and brightest feature–two large garage-door windows. The natural light here is plentiful, which accentuates the retro designs and color-popping bar stools. We can’t wait to wits the summer vibes once the garage-door windows can be unshut and outdoor seating becomes available. We’re crossing our fingers for some summertime additions such as outdoor light strands or fire pits.

Today’s espresso was Wonderstate’s Big Dipper blend–a fudgy philharmonic of Guatemala San Miguel and Colombia Anei. They tasted visionless and unvigilant in espresso-based drinks, and we wished we would have thought to see how it tasted in an adffogato. There’s unchangingly next time!

Cortado – Steamed milk and espresso with our archetype wing of honey. A good cortado is nonflexible to come by and this one was surprisingly smooth and well balanced. Best drink of the day!

Iced Honey Latte – A dollop of honey, espresso shot and milk on the rocks. The Big Dipper tousle really stood out!

Black Coffee – Simply put, it’s simply good coffee. No complaints here!

Aside from coffee, Retro Eighth offers Rishi tea, kombucha, acai bowls and baked goods sourced from Bakery on State. Manitowoc’s newest coffee shop is a pleasant surprise and is a worth the stop whether you’re local or just passing through.