I came to New Haven to tour the city, but I wanted to do some work, so I came to Book Trader Cafe. I am vegan and was impressed by the options, so I got three things to try: the vegan chocolate cake, the blueberry bread, and the vegan tofu-filled tortellini. I did not anticipate the disappointment that awaited me.... Vegan chocolate cake, $3: (3/5) tasted fine, like a cake, but nothing exceptional. A little dry. No depth of flavor, just sweetness and a little chocolatey. Honestly, it just tasted like boxed mix and canned frosting. Blueberry bread, $3: (1/5) I was very excited for this bread, but it was super dry and stale. A little lemon would have improved the taste ten-fold. Honestly, this may be the worst and most disappointing thing I have ever bought. Tortellini, $4: (2/5) Very hard and tasted like nothing. The tortellini tasted like there was no salt added, and there was not enough pesto flavor. I am an avid tofu fan and contrary to popular opinion, I believe that it has a delightful nutty flavor. I often eat plain tofu straight from the container. However, Book Trader Cafe somehow managed to make the filling of the tortellini to taste like nothing to me. The tofu is also a strange yellowish brown color. Again, I'm not sure how they managed to do this. Ambiance: (3/5) Cute, but crowded. A lot of books lining the walls, which is nice. There is an outside seating area, allowing patrons to enjoy the nice weather. read more

The food is so good, but it's always super uncomfortable trying to sit inside (crowded, A/C is too cold). There is a nice outdoor area, but there are often homeless people sitting outside the empty building next door who are smoking (this is a health hazard and very irritating) and some of them make me feel very uncomfortable and unsafe if they wonder in or as I'm passing by to leave. read more

I visited this place last night with a friend, and I was pleasantly surprised. The space is open, and I love the windows, as well as being surrounded by books. There's plenty of tables and workspaces, and the wifi was fast. We stayed for a long time, and felt welcome doing so, and everything was clean and in good repair - including the restroom. I'm going to ding one star for the food -- it was good, priced well, but not fantastic. I felt they could improve it by making it a little bit less bland than it was (baked goods and sandwich), but I've had much worse in cafe's in the past, and I can't say I wasn't satisfied. I'd definitely go back. read more

I really enjoy this place! It is super distinctive. The food and drinks are fine, it is more the books and beautiful greenhouse-like eating area that are the things that make it. You can read books from the shelf while you drink your tea - it is a wonderful place to stop in on a rainy day, you'll never want to leave. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE. Highly recommend the tempesto sandwich. Super vegan friendly (including vegan desserts like browmies and bloodies). Lovely atmosphere, can sit and read for hours. read more

Back again. A few things to note: 1. Their iced coffee is awful. 2. Their outdoor garden/sitting area is fantastic 3. Their used bookstore is also, fantastic. 4. Their food is good. Fix the iced coffee please!!! read more

Grrrrrrreat sandwiches. They are all a bit more than the conventional ham and turkey on rye. Each sandwich has a literary name, and has some twist to it that makes it superior to the typical sandwich. I had my first curried chicken salad sandwich (with cranberry chutney, on pumpernickel. woo!) and fell in love at first bite. My goal is to try all of their sandwiches some day in the near future (not in one sitting. Although, that would be quite the feat, indeed....). Next on my list is Vonnegut's Veggie - their home roasted veggies with brie. I also love their little display case of baked goods. Cookies, muffins, scones!, loafy and bundt! cakes, etc. They always look so good, and if I had zero self-control, I would get one of each on every visit. read more

They just changed their chibata bread, new ones are horrible Bit rude.. No service..

Book Trader Cafe is an okay used bookstore, but a very good cafe. It's really a compelling alternative to Atticus, though I also like Atticus. The brownies, lemon squares, and other baked goods are excellent. The coffee is really tasty as well. It has that organic, fair trade deliciousness. Their sandwiches are also pretty good. They use quality ingredients, and though the bread isn't as good as Chabaso, it's still quite good. read more

Great sandwiches, excellent baked good, and my favorite place to pick up a good used-book. Try the Tempesto...easily one of the best sandwiches I've had in New Haven! read more

Awesome place with a great selection of books for its size. I was stuck by how wonderful it smelled when I first walked in. I didn't have the chance to grab something to eat but I know I will be back to try something. I did find a couple of great books though, one popular fiction paperback and one fascinating non-fiction hardcover. There were tons more books that I would have purchased had I the time. The books are all priced really cheap too! They even have incentives for buying and selling books, hence their name, so I am eager to return again and again and again. read more

Book Trader is a cosy place with great coffee and great food. Part of the store is a sun room and it's really a nice to stay there during the daytime. The coffee is mild and tasty. I also like its bagels which are really fresh and delicious. This is my favorite coffee shop in New Haven. read more

Love this place. Great food, great atmosphere! Spent hours doing homework on the patio. I would give it 5 starts of the WiFi wasn't turned off or slowed down during certain hours. read more

I ordered a book called Renaissance Character from my college and I wasn't expecting it to come so soon. I was expecting it to come late Friday but it came today which is Wednesday. Now, I can do my reading before class on Friday. The book is in great conditions even though it says its used, its more like excellent. Hope to order again some time! read more

Great food and atmosphere! The tempesto sandwich was delicious and the seating area with the open windows was beautiful.

A million stars! This café/used book store perfectly captures the essence of New Haven and I have found my favorite books of all time there for less than $5. The staff is always friendly, the food is very reasonably priced and isn't half bad. Book lovers need to check this place out! read more

I had heard a few people around the shire highly recommending this pedaler. It is true, best coffee (treat yourself to the pour over if you have a moment). The owner even ran (literally ran) out to get me almond milk. Also- the bagels are otherworldly . read more

Book Trader Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Book Trader is a great coffee shop for studies! They have a large assortment of books and delicious coffees, teas, pastries, and sandwiches to choose from. Also, in comparison to other nearby coffee shops there is much more seating to accommodate more guests that are studying attempt to get work done. This is so important because I hate having to find another quiet location to enjoy a coffee and finish up homework! I'd rather have the reassurance, I can come to this shop and have a place to sit. I have the iced black coffee paired with a turkey sausage, tomato, egg English muffin. My one critique is the eggs did not look like they were made fresh, I believe it was an egg made of powder based on the color and texture. Something I could have purchased at Dunkin' Donuts or McDonalds. Even though the egg was not made fresh the bread and turkey sausage was well cooked and, I was still very pleased with the coffee. read more

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My #1 favorite cafe in New Haven, hands down! I've been coming here for years! Not only great coffee, but great food and- as the name should tell you, books! A huge selection of secondhand books as well as CDs and DVDs. read more

Best peanut butter cookie I've had in a long time. (gluten free too!) read more

Book Trader Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

The chai was good. I ordered the tempesto- it tasted good and you could tell the ingredients were fresh; however, the presentation was less than satisfactory, and I think the sandwich was overpriced for what it was. I could see enjoying this place a lot if you want to sit outside- the patio area is lovely. Inside, the seating wasn't comfy, and it wasn't very clean. The staff was friendly enough. All in all, a very average experience. read more

The customer service here is a hit or miss . Some employees are super friendly and some are so miserable they almost remind me of myself walking into work in the dark at 6am. This place however, is a hidden gem . My favorite place to get a bacon egg and cheese sandwich on one of their delicious fresh ciabatta rolls . The only way it could be any better is if the bacon was crispy rather than obviously microwaved. They also offer sandwiches and desserts . A good atmosphere for grabbing a cup of coffee with a friend, or coming alone to study , with its plentiful windows allowing for bright natural light . They have a room of books for sale as well . Their books , though , are usually of the odd variety but I have found a couple interesting ones that I've purchased. Good place to wander into on your own if you're in the area . read more

This is a place to sit and enjoy. I've been going here for years but lately quite often. It's an oasis. The seating area inside is like a big terrarium and the outdoor patio is just peaceful. Sometimes I just get one of their ice teas and some cole slaw but the baked egg sandwich is like a light quiche that melts in your mouth. If you enjoy baked goods the selection is simple but delicious. read more

Great experience today at book trader. The girl who waited on me at the front counter was friendly. I haven't been there and I really long time and had no idea they started doing to go sandwiches in a cooler near the register. This was great since I really was in a hurry. I know it sounds really simple but sometimes just a nice smile and a smooth going lunch really make your day. read more

Great used book store and a cute cafe also! After lunch, I was strolling around the neighborhood when I found this place! When I went in, I wished I had found it before I ate somewhere else. However, I spent 30 minutes and $30 on books. They have a great selection and very reasonable prices, even for books that look like new. The people there are nice; definitely recommend stopping in if you're nearby. read more

The best thing I've eaten at Book Trader is the vegan chocolate cake. It's amazing. It's the best vegan cake in town. It definitely beats Claire's vegan chocolate cake. And the funny thing is that Claire's specializes in desserts and cakes. Claire's cake, not to be too bashing, is very dry and crumbly. The chocolate cake at Book Trader is moist and delicious. I frequently go just to buy the take. And I sometimes buy multiple pieces so I can hoard them in my room. The Tom Soyer is also tasty, though, unfortunately, not vegan. I wish it were. It's a great vegetarian sandwich, though, that's not lacking in the protein department. Most of the vegan menu items are pretty tasty. I've yet to try the soups, but maybe I will--just for Yelp's sake. Of course, all I need to be happy is a little chocolate cake... read more

The coffee is good, the sandwiches are good, and the pastries are good. The cheap bags of day-old baked goods are awesome. Yet, despite all of this, I have not been in there once when the folks behind the counter have gotten my order right. It is not like I am Sally from When Harry Met Sally. I order the standard Latte, or Tea, or #2. No extras or substitutes. But, for some reason there is a vortex of forgetfulness when I go in there. "Didn't you already get you drink"...."no" or "Here is your cafe au laite, even though you ordered a latte." I don't freak'n get it. In the end, I still go here, because, like I said, all their stuff is good/awesome even if it is not what you ordered. read more

Book Trader scones are far superior to Atticus scones. Come to think of it, so are the coffee, the sandwiches, the staff and the ambiance.... ok, maybe the extra 10 steps Atticus is from Book Trader relative to my old apt displeased my inner sloth... but still, if i were ever offered a ride down the block, Book Trader is where I would be dropped off. read more

This is my favorite coffee shop in New Haven. They have a great selection of very tasty and creatively named sandwiches. In particular, the "Tempesto", a tomato basil pesto and mozzarella creation seems to be a favorite, and their BLT is, in my book, not only the best in New Haven, but the best anywhere. Period! They have rotating specials that are always tempting and the baked goods are a satisfying accompaniment to any of the sandwiches. They also have salads, numerous vegan options, soups and great coffee. Add to that there's a great atmosphere with available outdoor seating and wifi. On top of all that they are an excellent used bookstore with a large selection of reasonably priced books. All in all a great place. You won't be disappointed! read more

I come here for my lunches and there's usually not a long wait. My favorite is the London Sandwich panini pressed on cold days and it's delicious! There's something about the turkey, swiss, and coleslaw that work well together. The staff is friendly too! read more

Book Trader is one of the things I miss most about New Haven when I go home for holidays (I'm a college student here). However, it definitely sacrifices being a top used bookseller or the best coffeeshop in top since it tries to be the hybrid of both, but reasons why I'd come here over Atticus bookstore down the street: 1) Very organized, albeit small, used book selection. The shelves are very clearly divided, and some odder genres are even given their own space (I love finding good anthologies on the "Essays" shelf) 2) Almost all the books feel new. Definitely check here for best-sellers before going to Barnes or even ordering online. Seems like people drop off things right after they read them, so purchases are gift-able, and such steals if you find a new paperback for the 4.95 price 3) Textbooks are $2! Some students apparently are too lazy to make the extra 80 dollars by selling online or even back to the campus bookstore, so bargain-hunters can find popular textbooks for literally quarters. It's nuts. 4) The blueberry muffins!!! The size of my two fists together, don't feel thick or greasy like some muffins can, and compliments their coffee perfectly. The rest of their pastries look great, too, if not heart-stoppingly large. 5) They strategically place the cookbooks right by the food serving area...so as you're enjoying your lunch or coffee+pastry, you can't help but want to peruse instructions for bringing even more good food into your life.... The seating area is not as conducive to coffee dates or studying as Starbuck's or Blue State, but let's face it, you'd rather be shopping for used books anyway. If they could expand their book selection and extend their hours to accommodate late-night college studiers, I'd give this a full 5/5 read more

This is my favorite place to sit back, get some work done, or just write. It's part-bookstore, part-cafe, with a huge selection of used books and a great indoor/outdoor seating area. This is a hip, low-key spot that's popular with Yalies and Art School students. (Yale School of Art is a few stores down.) I've met with student groups here, friends, and writing partners, and the vibe is always really conducive to productivity--it isn't so loud that I get distracted, and it isn't so quiet that I feel awkward. The food selection is pretty decent. Their sandwiches are actually pretty well-known for their quality, and if you get there really early, you can get amazing deals on day-old bagels, scones, and muffins, which are bagged in bundles for just a couple dollars. The baked goods are home-made and very tasty, and I love buying the little chocolate-covered coffee beans that they have on the counter. The only slightly inconvenient caveat is that you can't use your credit card for purchases under $5--easily solvable if you add on a chocolate or mini pastry. read more

Book Trader Cafe - Discounted bread! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

I been to book trader couple times the have amazing coffee and bake goods. I usually go to study there and they amazing staff. Really friendly read more

Their music choice is impeccable. You can get a lot of work done while enjoying Liszt, Debussy, and some New Age music and jazz.

I really love this place. Lots of seating, can come to work or chat, coffee is solid, food is great and varied with lots of vegan options, staff is awesome, and the used book selection is the best in New Haven. If I ever move away, Book Trader will be one of those places I miss the most. read more

I came here with my husband and daughter during Spring break. My daughter and I were interested by the name since we're both bookworms. Food was delicious and so was my coffee. There was barely anywhere to sit because it right in the center of where the university is so it's practically the student's study hall. But customer service made the whole experience horrible. Barista was cursing her head off. And the guy who rang us up was extremely rude and acted like we were destroying his life. Stupidly I went back to purchase a couple of books. The selection is good but you need time to browse because it's a mess. The same rude guy behind the counter rang me up again. I felt extremely judged and put aside by his mannerisms (or lack there of) because you can tell I was a tourist/ not a well-educated student who attended the Ivy League university across the street. Horrible place to go to if you are not of Ivy League status- despite you may look all the same. Prepare to be judged, spoken about, treated badly and have your books tossed to you instead of put in a bag or something. And please for the love of gods don't expect a have a good day.... even though you're the one who said it first. Meanwhile I don't work there and don't need to worry about my customer service skills. read more

I actually really love the sandwiches here! They are nicely put together and the flavors and textures are fairly complex. I think they are on the pricier side for a lunch meal, but they are often big enough for two meals. I have in the past shared one sandwich with a friend or saved a portion for dinner. Doing so makes it 100% worth it! read more

I aspire to drown in their gazpacho and watermelon gazpacho but haven't made it there yet. I did, however, sip an iced coffee and read a book (read: people watched. Easily distracted.) for the better part of an hour. Really great atmosphere, partially due to the lovely weather and outdoor seating, plus a friendly staff. Several tables away, four guys chuckled and awkwardly gossiped about which of their classmates they thought were hot. Watch out, ladies. read more

A great little coffee shop and bookstore situated right across from the School of Architecture. This cafe has good brews, great tea options and a little bit of attitude served with your purchase. It is a great place to browse for used books, have a quiet date in the midst of the stacks or have a meal in the cafe area. Overall, a hidden gem of a coffee shop in New Haven. read more

I really like this little secondhand book shop, and I like the open window cafe seating area. It's a good place to do some work, although I've yet to determine where the outlets are. I've bought several used books here at great prices. Food-wise, I've yet to try their baked goods, but the vegan burger--house made--was quite delicious! read more