Attended a book signing here ( for the incredible author Lisa See). This event was run with experienced precision. I signed up on line 3 months ago, received confirmation, updates, reminders and final instructions, and walked into a smooth and organized check in process. With books in hand, we went to the other side of the store where there were several beautifully set white linen covered tables with gorgeous centerpieces (wish I took more photos of them): 2 books with a tea cup and small flower arrangement consisting of a hydrangea and gerbera daisy and a fan- perfectly appropriate. The napkins were pretty too! I appreciate these things!! Then back to the front to meet Lisa, take a photo if desired and get your book signed. All of this for approximately an hour while those who had their books signed, got to meet and converse with the other others at our tables. Lunch and drinks ( including champagne, iced tea and lemonade) was served buffet style outside, and the food was EXCELLENT ( please know that my husband and I returned from an Alaskan Disney Cruise just four days ago, so for us to be amazed by the food says something about the food!!) There were rollers packed with incredible curried chicken ( OMG, sooo good), salmon and lots of it), turkey, and ham and cheese. The Chinese chicken salad was fantastic, and the fruit salad looked as amazing as it tasted, fresh and high-quality fruit.so pretty!!! A whole bunch of employees continually refilled our water carafes throughout the event as well. Everyone was attentive and very friendly. Yummy cookies were also served for dessert and coffee and tea were offered as well. However, the true highlight was Lisa speaking about her research process, her personal history, and the characters of the book itself. I believe she spoke for about 45 minutes and then took several questions from the attendees. She then went on to sign books for those who did not have them signed, and I got to interact with several staff members. Special mention to Allison who made the beautiful centerpieces, introduced Lisa and Thomas who made the fruit salad and appeared instrumental in the food aspect of the event. Finally, I have never been to this bookstore and know nothing of its history, but they have an amazing selection of books, very well displayed, and divided into two different stores in the same location. We left with about seven more books, but could have easily purchased more. I cannot recommend this independent bookstore enough, and would definitely attend more of these events here if I didn't live in an other state! Thank you all again for an incredible event. read more

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Staff is knowledgeable, they host visiting writer to speak about their experience and book releases. Wide and deep selection of books. Friendly place. Coffee tea and light bites available. A nice place to be. read more

A real bookstore, which already makes it an oasis, but it has a sweet little cafe, with good basic food, Equator coffee, and wine! Service was pleasant. It has the ambiance of a small-town hideout right in busy Corte Madera. read more

Book Passage Cafe and Wine Bar - Book passage has a wonderful little Cafe. Today I had the Octoberfest Special. Yum - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Corte Madera, California

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Was in town visiting some loved ones and stumbled upon this absolute gem! The cafe and wine bar inside a book store is such a nice touch. The manager, Tom, was so welcoming and helpful. Definitely recommend coming here for a late afternoon wine or coffee pick me up! read more

Great Coffee. Chill vibe and awesome selection of books. And love the live author event selection. read more

Book Passage Cafe and Wine Bar - Tart - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Corte Madera, California

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Nice cozy bookstore with a great cafe. For $10+tax I got a toasted turkey club on wheat and a cup of the soup of the day (turkey chili in this case). The sandwich was fantastic. Nice fresh veggies, a good amount of turkey and nice crispy bacon. The chili was tasty too. The kitchen in the cafe closes at 7pm so come early if you want dinner. 8/10 read more

Book Passage Cafe and Wine Bar - Turkey Club and Turkey Chili - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Corte Madera, California

Happened to be in the area, and I used to always hear about events and advertisements on the radio for The Book Passage, so we went in to take a peek! It did not disappoint! Found so many books I wanted to buy that were not the usual books on the shelf in larger bookstores. The employee working was super friendly and helpful! We will definitely be back when we are in the area! Thanks so much! read more

STAY AWAY! I am a retired professional in my late 60s. While waiting for an event to happen, I decided to have a bite at their tiny cafe. I have been in the bookstore many, many times and am a 2nd generation Corte Madera resident. Big mistake. I ordered a cup of chili. The young server, who looked about 20 years old, took my order. He asked "Do you want sour cream or cheese?" I said no. The kid looked at me like I was crazy. When the chili finally came out, the server SCREAMED at me "Here is you chili WITH NO SOUR CREAM AND NO CHEESE!!!" Half of the bookstore must have heard him. How dare this young guy scream at me because he didn't like the food I ordered. Passing judgment on my "bad taste" for not wanting sour cream in my chili. Totally and impossibly rude. It shouldn't matter, but I am old enough to be his grandfather. What kind of jerk did you hire Elaine? Absolutely unacceptable for a server to scream at anyone because he didn't like the food I ordered. I called from home and talked to Elaine, who has seen me in the store for decades. No apology, no nothing. I told her that she has lost a long time customer. She didn't seem to mind. My late father was an avid reader, and purchased many books at Book Passage. I also read a great deal and have made many purchases there. No more. I was really embarrassed and absolutely stunned that an employee would scream at me because he didn't like my food order. How dare him. Frankly, if he had a brain in his head he would have a better job. Never coming back Elaine. read more

I was just looking for a cafe on Google maps when I found this one inside a bookstore. I had just arrived in town and thought this was a super cool place at first glance. The lady at the coffee bar was opening boxes and such and I wasn't entirely sure that it was open today, so I asked. She snapped back, "Does it look open?". Welcome to Corte Madera! I guess I'll go to Peet's. read more

I went here not really having any sort of idea of what I wanted to read, or where to start looking. I used to read all the time when I was younger, but recently I've sort of hit a wall - there are just so many reading options out there it's difficult to know where to start. One of the staff members (I wish I remembered her name!) was really helpful and gave me a number of great suggestions based on books I had read before and enjoyed. I also liked the atmosphere. It was clean and well-organized, a nice place to spend an afternoon. read more

When I walked in, this lady behind the counter looked at me unpleasantly and jumped out from her seat and said "Do you need any help?" uptight. I just said my husband and my daughter came here this morning so I am also checking out the store. After that, she stalked me a little even. I ordered Chai at their caffe and was waiting for my husband to come, and I saw that she's still looking at me! I could see from the reflection of windows. After that I could even that see she was talking something bad with another employee from her facial expressions. I felt very uncomfortable. I put 2 stars instead of 1 because my husband went to talk to the manager and she was very understanding and promised with him that she will talk to her which we hugely appreciated. My husband talked to the lady, but she was just being smug, just nodded annoyingly(my husband told me that.) - I think she will be forever racist whether someone talks to her or not - and it's no body's fault read more

There is something so inviting about a bookstore. Book Passages does not disappoint. The store is divided into two different spaces. Kids, Nature, Travel and a used book area supporting a non- profit in an entirely different space than the cafe, novels etc. Book Passages even had a space for live, in person book signings etc. I have been to half a dozen events. They are all well put together. I am a nature lover and am always a bit let down when I get to this section in a store, most bookstores only have a small shelf on nature and sports, not so with Book Passages, there is s nice cozy corner to peruse the goods on nature. I can not lie, I have walked out the door sleuth some treasures!!! If you like used books, Book Passages has set aside a small alcove for a local nonprofit and the selection is downright impressive. The cafe (main store) is small but cozy, well lighted and a good place to meet up with a friend, to get a bite especially before a book signing. I must say I'm thrilled to see a book store thriving.I have lived in the area a very long time and have loved many a bookstore who are no longer in business. I'm not ashamed to say I love this store and frequent as much as my bank account allows. ALSO. They are one of the only places who sell the August to August Calendar. So a toast to you BP!! Keep on keeping on, I appreciate you! read more

Book passage is a lovely institution for book lovers. It is home to readers and writers alike and you can inhale the feel of the written words here. The delightful patio is a fabulous place for a coffee or snack with a view of Mt Tamalpais-Homestead. A truly special place. read more

I actually love this place.... and eat here all the time. They have a brand new awesome looking yoga Bowl breakfast menu and I decided to try it today. But please..... don't hire someone to take my money and wait on me who cannot muster a smile, a good morning, or simple hello! I do, actually, expect any services (especially those I pay for) to be friendly and pleasant. There's just no excuse for a sour face when you're standing behind a cash register. read more

Not only is the cappuccino delicious, but the staff both in the cafe portion and surrounding bookstore were so friendly and helpful. Really exceptional customer care. Highly recommend this place for eating, drinking, and all your bookstore needs. read more

I love this place. The staff is friendly and efficient. I love the salads they have and the gluten-free pastries. It's a great place for studying, socializing and people watching. The attached bookstore is wonderful. read more

Book Passage Cafe and Wine Bar - a woman at the counter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Corte Madera, California

I got a really good first impression from the coffee shop at book passage. My main reason for going was to get some work done over the weekend. For a coffee shop to be a work place for me it has to have large stable (preferably rectangular/square) tables and outlets (and coffee). Book passage had two larger tables and a few smaller tables in the code shop area of the bookstore. Sadly the largest table was a bit wobbly. Sadly, the outlet situation is no good. While it may not be my ideal coffee shop, the staff is really friendly and the crowd seems good. One of the baristas offered to plug my computer behind the counter, and was just in general a nice approachable person. There are also armchairs next to plugs scattered about the bookstore. Finally, my cappuccino was decent. And that is not something all coffee shops can brag about. I will definitely return, although I'm hoping I will also find a more work-appropriate place. read more

They serve equator coffee here, and have the best pastries from Victoria's. The staff is warm and friendly and the ambience is lovely for lunch, coffee, or group meetings. read more

After escaping my cold lonely Estonian prison I journeyed for several weeks to find myself in this warm loving cafe. Very welcoming of all types of people (including myself- often times people are very rude to me as I do not understand how to interact too well with people after being isolated for so long). YOU MUST EAT THE TUNA SO YUMMY!!!!Please note tall nice teeth man is very great- spiky hair work well for him- and very nice man. :) read more

Book Passage Cafe and Wine Bar - Staff in action - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Corte Madera, California

Really, this is much more of a Book Store than a cafe ....and to call it a Wine Bar may be a huge stretch. For all intents an purposes: a bookstore. It is Upsetting- watching the Cranky older woman (turns out this is the owner) yelling at employees. In front of customers. Their Speaker Series is the best. What we want to knows is: Where have all the old staff gone? All newbies now. read more

Ordered lunch. Sandwich was dropped and then instead of making another one they just stood around and never gave us the other food we ordered. Watched the manager flirt with the cashier girl for 25 min before they asked what we were waiting for. read more

The Book Passage is a great place for books. Great. Don't get me wrong. They also have great events, nice wine, coffee etc. But I have to say: I had the BLT and had been craving one for days and days. I never bring bacon into my house so I went there to get one and boy was I bummed out! The sandwich was on whole wheat bread but could have been Wonder Bread. The portions were so small I could not find anything but barely toasted bad bread! And it took forever to get. Hmmm? I will stick with coffee, salads, pie and books.....all good. But if you want a sandwich....this is Not the place! read more

Great service, nice selection of foods and beverages! Convenient location and good for families with kids!! Would recommend.

Good sandwiches, with ample choices for vegetarians, of course - it's Marin!

Last week went to a play (Thank you Book Passage for the venue). I ordered tortilla soup which contained soggy vegetables, chichen shreds and no tortillas. I brought it back to the counter and instead of offering a refund or exchange the waitress told me they did not put tortillas in their tortilla soup in a tone indicating everyone in the Western world should know that. I later ordered a biscotti and a second waitress managed to find an end smallish and with no nuts. Thank heaven they have wine! read more

I went to book passage cafe with my friends, and AS SAID ON THE MENU, i ordered a turkey and cheddar breakfast sandwich. When i got my sandwich, it had turkey and a sausage. I asked the worker, and she said super rudely to me that it said it was sausage on the menu WHICH IT DIDNt. she was so rude to me and didnt even say sorry, just was sassy. I am not coming back. read more

Book Passage is a wonderful independent bookstore with great book talks, a pleasant ambiance, a good cafe, and a friendly staff!