NOTE: $5 credit card minimum I'm a student in the area, and I love coming to Booktrader to study or just catch up with friends. It has a really homey, down-to-earth atmosphere -- they double as a used bookstore! It can be really crowded on the weekends, but there's a ton of tables available on the weekdays. Service is also kind, this is one of my go-to coffee shops when I need to study somewhere that isn't the library. Their fresh baked egg sandwiches are delicious, and definitely a must-have. I usually get mine on a poppyseed bagel with cheddar and bacon. The bagels are chewy and dense, which is great. Their drinks are good -- not the best I've ever had, but good! I usually get a vanilla chai. Overall, zero complaints! A solid coffee shop. read more

Good but slow. Place filled with Yale students not enough diverse workers though. Sandwiches are tasty!

I love a good used book store, and Book Trader is pretty good. The selection is not breathtaking, but I've gotten a couple nice titles in good condition at decent prices. I haven't tried selling my books because I'm a pack rat, but they do buy as well. I haven't made a habit of eating at Book Trader, but I have sat and studied on occasion. The seating is plentiful, and I suppose I shouldn't whine about lack of outlets when I'm more often than not just grabbing a drink and taking up space. I've tried sandwich B of the Tale of Two Turkeys, with orange-cranberry chutney and mesclun greens on sourdough, It was a reasonable sandwich for $7.50, but it didn't convince me that this was my new spot for lunch. Overall, Book Trader Cafe is a cheerful little place, and anywhere that deals in gently used books is fine by me. read more

I visited on a Wednesday evening and the place wasn't busy at all. Most students are on summer break and that may explain why. I wanted a quick bite and ordered the Feast of Eden vegan lentil quinoa burger served with a "special sauce"on ciabatta bread. It was quick and tasty. I sat inside-a few people were sitting out on the patio from which a panhandler was promptly shooed out. All in all it's a decent casual spot with a cool atmosphere and a decent selection of light fare. read more

Book Trader Cafe - Feast of Eden Vegan lentil quinoa burger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Several evenings ago I had a craving for espresso and fortunately Book Trader Café was open for coffee at 8:30pm. When I entered, I was greeted by very friendly staff. I ordered my doppio and took a seat. My espresso was prepared excellently by Ed - it was smooth, with flavourful notes, and lots of depth. I have previously popped in Book Trader for a cup of coffee with good experiences. The staff is consistently friendly and their drip coffee is good. Verdict: Wonderful experience and great staff read more

This place was lovely! I didn't get the chance to try the food, but I found a lot of really interesting used books at great prices. Nice atmosphere and organization. read more

One of my favorite cafes in New Haven. Their drinks are affordable yet very delicious. Their space is nice too and they have a cute lil garden setting. You can also borrow their books while enjoying your time there. read more

Lovely establishment! Their sandwich names are incredibly clever. I'm a huge fan of literature and puns, so even if their sandwiches tasted awful, I'd be a fan of their food. However, their food is good. I'm not the hugest fan of their coffee, but it was better than my home brew. Their book selection was larger than I expected, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The prices weren't horrible either. I mean, thrift stores are less expensive, but the selection here is better. Good amount of seating available as well, both indoor and out. I'd come back. read more

This is an incredibly cute spot to have a sandwich and coffee whilst reading a book. The problem is, everyone knows about this cute spot, and the likelihood of finding a place for yourself to sit, let alone a friend with you, is low, especially during busy times. If your plan is to squat, come early to scope a seat. Otherwise, expect to hover and wait and hope for someone to leave. Really great atmosphere otherwise! The glass lets in so much light, and yet it doesn't seem to get too bright. The food is pretty good. Nothing particularly special, but it will hit the spot. They serve an amazing bread to go with their soups. I like coming here, but also... it's so annoying to come here. read more

I stopped in here after hearing that they had a great assortment of used books as well as a decent coffee house. There were definitely a lot of books to view from fiction to non-fiction. There were so many to look through it was almost overwhelming but there was a good variety for anyone looking to browse. They had a lot of coffee and food options and all were very reasonable in price, it was only $2.50 for a coffee! I'd recommend a stop in! read more

This is the third local bookstore I checked out to decide if I would become a regular since I recently moved into town and I must say, it's a winner. Quiet study atmosphere, with eclectic music in the background that is not distracting and of course I just adore the Americano. Tried the A. from A Tale of Two Turkey sandwiches today and it was gargantuous. Didn't think I could finish it, but I did. Was delightful. Now for some studying. Tootles! read more

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I am so grateful for the Book Trader Cafe! I am a regular! There is a friendly vibe here. Chatting with friends over a mellow cup of coffee, especially outdoors..... what could be better!?! The food is great. The book selection is terrific. This place gives New Haven a great name. read more

This place is very charming, with its books and beautiful sunroom and outside seating. It's a great place to read, catch up on some work, or spend some time casually chatting with friends. I'm a big fan of the lemonade: it tastes freshly squeezed and is just the right level of tartness! I haven't tried any of the food here but seems like lots of people come for casual bites as well. A great little spot on campus! read more

I love Book Trader and I think it is the most underrated coffee shop in the area. The coffee is solid; maybe not the BEST I've ever had, but strong and tasty, as is their tea. Their sandwiches, too, are pretty hearty and filling, especially for the price. I love the literary theme of the menu too. Studying among the stacks has a great vibe, and it has great indoor and outdoor spaces that offer just the right amount of ambient sound to focus. The staff is just the right amount of apathetically cool, but still really kind. Book Trader offers a really chill atmosphere to relax and read and is definitely my go-to study spot. read more

Love this place!! We got a bite to eat before the play we were seeing at Yale Rep and it filled us for the whole day! My 6 friends and I all got bagels, which were all the perfect amount of dough, bagel and toastiness. Also the environment was perfect, very peaceful and quiet. Loved it! read more

I love Book Trader's delicious and cleverly named sandwiches (especially Vonnegut's Veggies!) and they have a lovely, well-curated selection of books; I've found many gems, always more than reasonably priced. It's also a great study spot or place for a lunch date when it's not too crowded (avoid it during peak hours, like rainy weekend afternoons, because it can be hard to find a seat). Taking off one star for the drinks: the chai latte was so powdery I almost choked on it, and the mango smoothie I got was overpriced and undrinkable (which is weird, because fruit smoothies are usually hard to mess up). All in all, my experiences have been positive. Book Trader has a lot of atmospheric charm and the service is consistently friendly and efficient. read more

Good sandwiches, exploitative book trading. Dropped off several dozen books "for review" under the understanding that the book assessor would let me know whether they would be interested in buying any of them. I knew that if there was nothing of interest, it would be donated, but, having dropped off several bags of art books and academic-interest texts (both of which book trader mentions specific interest in), I expected to hear SOMETHING. Moral: if you want to give away your books to have them sold for profit by book trader, do so by all means; otherwise, go to Grey Matter where I got $80 for a similar stack. read more

A hip little book shop/cafe that serves up a variety of food options from soups to sandwiches and coffees to teas while providing an array of books to choose from and a nice/semi-quiet study area. The book trader cafe is a good place to grab a bite, get a coffee, and settle down to get some work done. read more

I guess I have to give Book Trader Cafe five stars. In all the years I've been hanging out at coffee shops, this one is by far the one I'll remember most fondly. And I totally second Mandy on the scones. These scones aren't only better than those at Atticus, they're probably the best scones I've ever had. That damned strawberry cream cheese scone is evil, as is the orange cranberry walnut. And the muffins are just as ridiculous. I, too, live within walking distance and agree with Mandy about walking the extra block or two in New Haven. In the summer, I'm there all the time hanging out on the Book Trader patio....reading and smoking and enjoying the squirrels. But come winter, that damned city wind drives me to the much closer Starbucks. Speaking of STarbucks, my only complaint about Book Trader is that I like my coffee really strong and bold and Starbucks just makes a better cup of dark roast. Book Trader's is a bit weak. Oh Yeah!! Great used books at great prices. read more

Yahoo. I mean Yale! Smells of Chinese Foo waft into corner where I sit drinking MILKY CAPPUCINO. Books line the walls and I imagine what it is like to be an ageing student at Yale. That's right: AGEING. We're all gonna die. The foam was great, similar to youth. When I got down to the espresso, it was all milk. Just like old AGE. read more

First time here but I already loved it! The staff are so nice and it feels so good to be surrounded by tons of book. The atmosphere is perfect for study- they have music in the background but keep the volume low. The music will not distract you but let you focus more. It is not as depressing as studying in the library! Thanks for the lovely ambience ! read more

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This is a nice book shop/cafe in downtown New Haven. They don't have too many vegan options, but they do have a home-made vegan burger and a home-made vegan baked good. I had their veggie burger ($8) which was pretty good. I liked the toasted ciabatta bread and the substantial heft to the dish. Everything felt fresh and well thought-out. Why not offer a soy-marinated tofu sandwich, though? Or a juicy seitan burger? I think Book Trader is off to a good start but could definitely stand to up its offerings on the vegan side of things. They clearly have some talent in the kitchen to make this happen. read more

What a unique and charming place. The employees are really nice and helpful. Coffee and sandwiches were great and loved looking at all the books while we waited for our order!! Will definitely be back! read more

There's nothing better than a great cup of coffee - the smooth kind that makes me go, mmmmm out loud (okay okay, I say a lot of things out loud, but you'll know this one...). Book trader's coffee is excellent, and I'd stop in here all the time for coffee if I lived in New Haven. I probably wouldn't be hanging out in the cafe, though, as the atmosphere leaves much to be desired. The small selection of used books here is, dare I say, cute, but this is more of a coffee shop that happens to sell used books than a book store. The tables are not very high quality and there are very few wall outlets to plug your computer into. I was happy sitting at the bar by the window for a while, but as it is December, it got cold pretty fast, so I moved to one of the tables inside of the room. This place favors function over decor, which worked fine for my cousin, her fiance, and me, as my aunt doesn't have wifi in her house and we just wanted to work on our computers a bit - but for a regular hangout spot in the Have, I would need somewhere more aesthetically pleasing and coffee shop-oriented to feel comfortable. Book Trader tries to spread itself a bit too thin, and the only thing it really suceeds at is the quality of coffee. read more

Book Trader is one of the best sandwich shops in New Haven. I've tried their entire menu and would put the Turkey A, Turkey B, Jane Rare, or Tempesto above just about anything else in the area. All uniquely delicious. The only two things preventing me from giving them a five star rating are: a. Their coffee isn't great and is far too weak for my taste b. Sometimes later in the day they run out of ingredients, which is soul-crushing when you've been dreaming about a specific sandwich for hours They have an outdoor patio that is a perfect place to eat during the warmer months, and the indoor seating is surrounded by all of their bookshelves and has a pleasant vibe as well. I've never actually purchased any books here, but they have an eclectic selection and I imagine you could find some real gems if you took the time to browse the store. I love this place. I'm going to miss it dearly when I leave. read more

Went there for lunch on a Saturday afternoon while pouring over a mountain of articles. The mesclun greens salad (with chicken salad) is one of the best lunch deals in New Haven, and it comes with a decent piece of bread. The salad knows what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. Best part of is clearly the creamy vinaigrette (why is it creamy? best not ask). The chicken salad adds flavor and filling-ness, but doesn't -quite- fit in with the rest of the plate. Iced tea was solid but unspectacular. The interior is drab and seating is cramped, but then, there's a certain charm in playing guess-what-foreign-language-the-people-next-to-you-are-talking-in (I think I got Italian and French today). I don't know if these place even has a bathroom, but I picture something not too pleasant. All in all, the rest of the place needs to step up to the quality of the food. The Perfect New Haven Cafe remains elusive. Still, not a bad place to get a little work done. Ambiance: 12/25 stars Service: 15/25 stars Food: 18/25 stars Bathroom: 10/25 stars (that's how I imagine it) Probability of going back: 90% read more

The whole vibe in the store reeks of fattening caffeinated lies. Upon entering, one immediately recognizes that books function as post factum accessories rather than main objects of attraction. Sure the menu is upbeat, but the books are second-rate and overpriced; there are better prices, in my opinion, in the sale section of Labyrinth, and those books are new-ish. I've seen people eat and chat in Book Trader, but I've never seen anyone actually buy books, let alone trade them. Before stepping inside, I had high hopes, expecting to browse for hours, maybe take home a few. I spent twenty minutes inside and left empty-handed and disappointed. This place might be tolerable if you bring your own book and pretend you bought it there, while you sip a hot cup of freshly brewed whatever the hell. read more

Book Trader wins my vote for the best named sandwiches in New Haven (oh yeah, and they are tasty, too). My favorite? The Jane Rare ... it's roast beef with goat cheese, horseradish mayo and field greens. I like the Jane Rare so much that I hardly ever order anything else. But if for some reason there were a rush on Jane Rares, I'd either go for the Tale of Two Turkeys (with cranberry sauce!) or Vonnegut's Veggie (the brie oozing over the vegetables is rich, but worth it). The coffee and pastries are good, too. And if you're not in the mood for a big dessert, there are little chocolate truffles - five for a dollar and worth every penny. There are other nice coffee shops in New Haven, but I love the dining area at Book Trader, which makes you feel as if you're sitting in a library. It's also a great place to eavesdrop, especially on TA's office hours. There is also a pretty seating area outside when the weather's good. read more

Really good names for the food, fun atmosphere, really really good patio. Food is okay. Names are better than the taste. Bookstore is cool, but tiny selection, and smells odd. Worth a trip, but not a place I'd frequent. read more

Exceeds expectations. I've been here a few times and every time it somehow exceeds my expectations. Do I forget how good the sandwiches are? Does the corny menu give off a bad vibe? Or maybe its the slightly-less-than-professional-and-hygienic staff? Whatever, never fear. It's tasty, fresh and filling. And there's used books! UPDATE: I much prefer the roast beef or the veggie to the turkey concoctions. Chicken salad is also blah. Maybe they could toast the bread for the veggie? Or no? read more

Nice environment (if you like being completely surrounded by books, like me) and quite pleasant. Feels more genuine than most coffee shops in NH. Did not feel welcoming for people studying (2 power outlets in total and a sign saying that you cannot study there at lunchtime gave me this idea). Just had iced coffee (it was ok) and a cookie that was great. Haven't tried much of the food. read more

Great and lovely place! Nice environment, good value. BOOKS - They have a nice selection that is fun to browse. - Pretty well organized - Good turnover - Reasonable used book price. Have found some great books there! FOOD - Only had the sandwiches - love them and they are super substantial and delicious and good value. - They also sell day old muffins/scones/bagels for like $1 or 2 for 6 or something like that :) - Pretty sure it's a $5 cash minimum ENVIRONMENT - Great way to get some sun in the winter! Their seating area has this glass roof which is great. In the summer, you can sit outside on their little patio. - There are like two outlets in the whole place and the internet can be a little flakey so plan ahead! read more

Excellent spot - the must go to coffee shop if you're in New Haven. Great coffee, good food, and BOOKS! All in a cozy atmosphere. Highly recommend Book Trader! read more

The seating is limited with the students taking up most of the space with their laptops and school work. I have eaten here twice and ordered vegetarian fare both times and I was very disappointed as it was horrible. The first time I ordered the veggie burger which lacked flavor, and my recent visit I ordered a grilled veggie sandwich on ciabatta. They did not have this bread and so my sandwich was placed onto a sourdough bread, but resembled Wonder bread and the sandwich itself was as thin as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Nothing accompanied it and I ate it in two minutes. I left the restaurant still hungry and walked down the street to Claire's to finish my dining. My husband's turkey sandwich was very disappointing for him too...lacking in flavor and substance. We will not be returning there. read more

This place is so much fun. Great vibe... all seem welcome! Coffee and books in a homey atmosphere. We trick or treated here for the night they offered... The man at the front was kind and patient to the little ones, always a plus! read more

I love the Book Trader Cafe! It's so cute and cozy inside and the outdoor garden is beautiful and a great place to read. The sandwiches and baked goods are delicious, especially the brownie and the Tampesto sandwich. There's a huge variety of books and they're all in great condition. Staff is really friendly too! read more

This place makes a mean sandwich, no doubt. And how can you hate the playful literary-themed names? I'm not sure if the Tale of Two Turkeys is quite worth the exalted titled it competed for on Adam Richman's show, but it's pretty damn good nonetheless. As a book store and space, it's got lots of personality and character - something that's missing from nearby Atticus. The selection isn't huge, but it works. Coffee and tea also does not let down. However, what's up with the servers? It's almost as if they've all been trained to be consistently rude to their customers. Yikes. read more

Excellent book selection. The prices are very modest, and the books are neatly arranged according to genre (which at times is rare at a used book store) There was an array of titles and vintages, and also some pretty eclectic pieces. If you are a fan of old books, then this place will probably be quite a delight! (I was able to pick up a nonfiction work on the hurricane of 1938 for a bargain at 2.99$) I was here late(ish) night, but I'll be back again to grab lunch and browse the stacks. ***Came back for a coffee, and I can say they make a delicious red eye. Great place to hang out. read more

Ugh again with the super weak coffee. What does New Haven have against coffee that actually tastes like coffee? Anyway.... The sandwiches at this place are pretty great. So far I've tried the Jane Rare and the Veggie Burger (forget if this one had a "punny" name). Both were excellent. I'm not a big veggie burger person, but theirs is really tasty. I recommend taking to go, or coming at a slightly off time. It can get pretty crowded at lunch time with students, depending on the day. read more

The absolute BEST atmosphere-- not a particularly large space, but feels large and open due to the main seating area being completely made up of windows. Typical coffee menu and a larger breakfast/pastry/lunch menu. Very quick, friendly service. Your only problem with this shop will be finding a table, as it's a local favorite! read more