Book Trader Cafe

It’s my first time in New Haven! While exploring the Yale campuses, I stumbled upon this lovely café surrounded by books and a beautiful patio. I ordered a cappuccino—the service was really friendly and the place is super cozy. If I ever come back to New Haven, I’d love to visit again.

one of my favorite places in new haven. always the perfect cozy spot to read a book or do work, love the book selection, the sandwiches are amazing. my only wish is that the coffee were actually any good. but still always a treat to come here!

Book Trader Cafe, nestled on Chapel Street near Yale's art and architecture schools, is a charming spot that's equal parts bookshop and cafe. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by towering shelves packed with an impressive array of tomes - a bibliophile's dream come true. The dim lighting lends a cosy atmosphere, perfect for losing oneself in a good read, or charming a sceptical date. There's no shortage of seating, with the cafeteria-style arrangement offering ample space for patrons to sprawl out with their books and laptops. One of the cafe's strong suits is its extended hours, making it a favourite haunt for night owls and early birds alike. The prices are quite reasonable, especially considering its prime retail location. The decor could be described as shabby chic, with well-worn furnishings that add to the overall bohemian vibe. It's the sort of place where you wouldn't feel out of place curling up in an armchair for hours on end. While the Americanos are rather middling, the cafe redeems itself with a diverse selection of cold beverages. From iced coffees to refreshing kombuchas, there's something to quench most every reasonable thirst. All in all, Book Trader Cafe is a delightful little nook that captures the essence of New Haven's academic roots. It's the ideal spot for bookworms and coffee lovers alike, provided they're not too fussed about top-notch espresso.

Cute little book store/cafe! I love how laid back this place is. Recommend if you’re looking for a place to do your work in and just grab a nice drink!

Extremely comfortable and vibey cafe. A must go for anyone who just wants excellent, and extremely affordable coffee and bagels. Free water is provided and the staff were extremely friendly. Theres are tonnes of books on the shelves as well for you to browse through.

Menu prices were covered up. The bottled drink I purchased was almost $6 with tax. I would have preferred coffee drink and egg sandwich but did not want to ask about prices - I do not order without knowing ~ learned the hard way paying "Market Price" for lobster dinner years ago.

This is the perfect place to get a coffee or with a breakfast sandwich. I got the bacon egg and cheese with a hot Chai and wasn’t disappointed. My chai was frothy and my bacon egg and cheese was very delicious and felt like there was though put into the meal. It was very busy the day I went but they still managed to be calm and I didn’t wait any longer than 10 minutes.

Great place to study and really reasonable prices for food and drinks. Only downsides: really spotty/non-working wifi and there’s no room temperature regulation in the seating room. So it’s verryy cold in the winter and verrry hot in the summer.

Great sandwiches, ambience and books plus love working there. Excellent iced coffee and general place for hanging out

Love the vibes in here. Welcoming, laid back, and lots of windows (great for winter). Coffee and pastries are all affordable and there's a neat selection of books on the shelf. Chai was okay and cookie was a little dry. Good enough but room for improvement. That said, I still really like it here and think the nice atmosphere cancels any negatives. I also think the value is good and the people are nice. Good spot to meet a friend or get work done!

I'm trying all of the New Haven coffee spots, and this quest recently brought me to Book Traders. Book Traders feels a bit like a charming underdog. They seem geared towards college students on a budget. People were studying at tables packed in a side room. There were books for sale on the other side. I ordered a black iced coffee. It was good. Smooth. And less expensive than a lot of places. They also had a bit of food. Nothing fancy. Substance over form. Cool patio too. Book Trader is a place you root for. 4.25 Stars

This is like the perfect blend of academia and and a quaint coffee shop. The bookshop consists of a very large collection of good condition books that I have picked from frequently. Books typically cost $6. I know you're able to sell your books there too but I'm not familiar with that process. The coffee shop is amazing for its low price point. Their regular sized drinks will average at about $5 and they have a selection of small premade meals/ deserts to choose from as well. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, with the former providing outlets and good wifi. Sitting outside you'll need to use the Yale WiFi. Only complaint about this place is that it isn't super clean. I believe there are only 2-3 people working at the shop at any given time which makes it hard for them to pick up around the store.

About time I tried book trader cafe. Pretty close to Yale campus with street parking available. They have a great breakfast bagel, pastry, and to go lunch options. They've also got a great selection on coffee, flavors, and seasonal drinks. There's a good amour of seating space & outdoor courtyard space as well. You can find some gems browsing the books as well, most books I saw were under $5

This cafe/bookstore is as you'd expect it to be. Really neat collection of used books and they have a community-based system for buying/selling books. If you're up to looking for some hidden classic gems, this may be the spot for you. This place definitely has a bit of "edge" and it's very present in its aesthetic. They also have a great outdoor balcony space. Lots of people working/studying when I was there. I also have no complaints on the bagel and I greatly enjoyed their spice chai.

I bought a book remotely from BTC and it came within only a few days, carefully wrapped, and as described re condition ("as new"). I couldn't figure out how to leave a review on AbeBooks where I purchased the book so wanted to drop a line of thanks here. Will check back online for more books!

As far as a used bookstore, I remember the days when Book Trader had a great selection of used academic titles in various categories besides fiction and foreign language titles. Sadly, their inventory isn't as great in academic or foreign languages anymore, but remains good in fiction. A very nice selection of classical music on vinyl. A nice patio outside. This place is always packed with students typing away on their laptops, even in the summer. The place is a little small and it's not uncommon to see boxes of traded books on the floor, sometimes taking up too much space to pass by comfortably. I wonder how often the books get sorted and shelved. It doesn't seem too quickly anymore. I've only had the coffee once here, and I agree with others, it's not very good. I haven't had any food here. Book Trader is worth a stop for the books. They're very inexpensive and you never know what you might find. Just be careful and don't trip around those boxes.

I ordered a book using the abebooks website from this bookstore. The book was new as described and arrived promptly. I am very happy with this bookseller. Oftentimes these days when you are looking for an out of print book online, the seller is not a true bookstore but a secondhand dealer and the quality of the books are far from what is described. I would definitely buy from this seller again. Thanks!

Pros: Of all the coffee shops in New Haven, it is far and away the best value. You can get a bacon egg and cheese on a bagel and a coffee and it's under $10 and both are actually good. The book store is also well stocked, surprisingly organized, and dirt cheap. Cons: Have you ever gone to a place where a staff member is so rude and cold that you can't help but ask yourself "did I do something?". Had an experience there recently that had me feeling like that. Im looking at you bald guy with the nose ring. I placed a simple order efficiently and without any modifications or anything and this guy just seemed pissed or upset for no reason. They ask me for here or to go, I say for here and have a seat. They used to give a card that you'd take with you and they'd come find you. Now they inaudibly half-yell your order out and leave it up on the counter for everybody else in line to touch, cough, breathe or sneeze on. Mind you i was in there, there might've been 4-5 patrons total and 3 or 4 employees working, but none could be bothered to bring it over. I know every job isn't perfect but my suggestion to the owner/management would be that if you're hiring people for a customer service job, definitely double check that they don't hate customers and have some desire to provide good/ friendly service.

Vibes? Good. folks were eating, or reading, or working BLT sandwich? Amazing. The horseradish mayo was savory and subtle; good amount of bacon Oat milk vanilla latte? Bad and disappointing. Tastes burnt, no vanilla flavor

I must be invisible. Me at the counter looking at various offerings and menu, getting my cash out etc. After waiting several minutes for the previous customer to be served, I hear the cashier say "Can I help you" clearly not addressing me as I hear a youngin chirp up her order. Three attendants behind the counter never made eye contact with me. If there is a line protocol, maybe SOMEONE could have informed me. No one was else was there when I went up to the counter and as I turned away I suddenly see a line. I put my money away and left. Forgot to mention- I am a senior citizen.

Nice place to get some studying done, or take a break from the cold. The coffee was pretty tasty and they seemed to have some home made pastries too. Lots of great books surrounding you to get lost in as well. Can get pretty busy during the day and the wifi wasn't very strong for me, but I got what I needed.

My #1 favorite coffee shop. They have cheap food and cheaper coffee than most places. The staff is super nice and as a book reader, I love to be surrounded by the nice book atmosphere. :)

I came across this place when I walked around downtown new haven looking for a study spot. It is definitely a good place to study or read a book or meeting up with friends. However, I was not super impressed with the coffee or food. I would recommend if you are just looking for a spot to read a book or catching up with friends. They also have an outdoor seating which is pretty nice for good weather days.

Came across this shop during our search for a good hearty sandwich in the area. This place hit the spot! I'm almost tempted to purchase another sandwich for dinner.

Feels very hole-in-the-wall. Book store/trader with coffee, bagels, and some pastry. Their espresso is not super bold and sips quite smooth. I enjoyed exploring a bit and finding a couple books to head home with!

I do love this coffee shop. When inside you are surrounded by books. And they are books you didn't know you even needed and at affordable prices. I wouldn't really say come here for the food, if I'm being honest... but it's really one of those types of places that isn't about the food. Come here for the books!

Don't let the books scare you away; let them entice you into a good meal, maybe some work or reading and conversation. Food and coffee was great!

I went there on a date before taking the train to NY. Staff had very little knowledge about coffee but were extremity friendly and helpful. LARGE selection of books, and a nice little spot to get away from the hustle and bustle . Food was yummy!

Hands down the best hot dog spot in the northeast. It's taken me a while to find really good Chicago style hot dogs in New Haven. Book Trader just seems to get it. I think the owner is from Chicago as well! That never hurts. They always remember my order every time I'm there. *Jumbo Dog, w/ chili, nacho cheese, extra onion, jalapeños, pickle spear, and hot sauce. The staff always put me in a great mood and always gives me a little extra chili on the side for my dog Mason. I eat one every day that they are open!

Some bookstores I can go into and find nothing worth reading. This place is the opposite-- nearly every book on the shelf calls my name, from history and spirituality to travel and biography. And as they are used, each one resonates with the love of its former readers. The coffee is also really good, served up by bonafide and friendly baristas. And if that wasn't enough, the adjacent outdoor patio is the best place to hang with a good book and a cup of Joe in the entire Yale/ New Haven area.

Delicious drinks (we got a black coffee and a matcha late). Lots of fun to just sit by the book store and chat while browsing the variety of books on the wall. We also got the Jane Rare sandwich, toasted! Definitely get this warmed up. The quality was great, and size I would consider medium. Not filling, but a great light breakfast / brunch. The environment of the place feels like a cute coffee shop, with tons of college kids sitting and studying around you!

I love this place. Consistently great coffee, iced or hot. And I discovered their day old bagels. No shame in my game. I will buy some, freeze some. It can be a wait but it's a very busy spot and plenty of seating if you can get it. Baked goods are really a treat. I judge a place by their scones (my thing) and they are just the right level of moist and firm for my palate. Don't go if you are in a rush. And they don't open before 9 a.m.

I was wandering around the area between appointments. I logged into Yelp and looked for local places to eat. The Book Trader Cafe came up. I was about 15 yards away, so I said, "Why not?" I am going to cut Book Trader Cafe a break. I wandered in, looked at the chalkboard on the wall. The "Tale of Two Turkeys" sandwich met my dietary requirements, so that's what I ordered. My "sandwich" was delivered to me as I was sitting in a very nice sunlit room filled with many interesting books. About cutting them a break...THIS WAS NOT a seven dollar ($7.00) sandwich. They get some credit post-Covid, but do they ever have to improve. And quickly. I didn't have time for a coffee, and I am beginning to think I'm glad I didn't.

The coffee at Book Trader has to the weakest I have had in New Haven from an espresso selling coffee shop. Because of this, I cannot give it more than three off the bat, so take this in mind when reading this review. Between the bookstore, surprisingly spacious indoor cafe, and outdoor seating the area is really nice. The variety of settings lends itself to staying or quickly stopping by Book Trader Cafe for different agendas reasonable (quick lunch, chat with friend, studying, and so forth). I have not tried the sandwiches as of yet, but the cafe is of course touted as having some of the country's best. I might revise this after another stop.

I wanted to like this place, and my friend had recommended it highly to me, but I just can't give many stars to a coffee shop that doesn't know how to prepare a shot of espresso correctly! I have been consuming espresso my entire life, all over this country, Europe, and the Middle East. I even have an espresso maker at home. I know what a properly drawn espresso shot is supposed to be like. The Book Trader Cafe is NOT the place to get one! I ordered four shots of espresso, expecting to be handed a small cup. Instead, the barista handed me a giant coffee cup that was full up to the top! When I gave him a quizzical look, he said, "Oh, we draw long shots here." Um. I don't even know what that means. It seems that that would mean each shot was 3-4 ounces??? I tasted it; It was like a regular drip coffee in strength and flavor...definitely NOTHING like espresso. It also had that slightly burnt after-taste that Starbucks has. Not my thing at all! Some other notes: While the front door is WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE, the area where one would add sugar and cream, grab lids, etc. was NOT ACCESSIBLE, being shoved in a corner on a higher shelf, with a trash can in front, making it impossible for a wheelchair to get close enough. The book area was also not really wheelchair-accessible, because the turn radii weren't really big enough. If you're someone able-bodied who just wants an affordable cup of regular old joe, or a weak and watered down latte, this is probably just fine for you, especially if you want to sit and read a book for a few hours. But as a destination specifically for good coffee, I wouldn't recommend this place. I also think they should get their stuff together a little better for their wheelchair-using customers.

First off, I want to say that Book Trader Cafe has one of the most beautiful study spaces of all the coffee places in New Haven - I love sitting on the outdoor garden / patio area and doing readings for class. It's peaceful, serene, and feels like a little oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown New Haven. In addition, the breakfast sandwiches are massive and super tasty - I always get the Fresh Baked Egg Sandwich, with turkey sausage and tomato on an everything bagel. It is probably one of the most savory and best breakfast sandwiches around the Yale area, and is so much more filling than Good Nature Market's breakfast sandwiches. However, their coffee leaves much to be desired - it is honestly quite weak, and even though I only put a tiny dollop of creamer, it completely overwhelmed the coffee. I don't taste any strong undertones of anything, besides some faint coffee flavor. I have yet to try their iced coffee, but will try it black when I go back to Book Trader.

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

Vibrant cute place I absolutely love the creative ambiance . Their are books every where it's literally a library with a coffee shop inside . I love the space you have to study super cute and cozy. The caramel frappe I ordered was delicious. I will be back here to study again definitely Service: great Ambiance: cute & cozy Prices: cheap = perfect Environmental friendly Good for studying

We stopped in at Book Trader Cafe yesterday and picked up a bunch of great used books. The selection is really excellent for a relatively small store. We didn't have any food or drinks but they looked good! The outdoor seating was nice too. We'd definitely return if in the area again.

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.

Mixed feelings about this place because it's a cute concept and the coffee is okay but the service is borderline. The young women working behind the counter, however have an obnoxious/sneaky way of soliciting tips. Upon paying for coffee, they announce loudly "would you like to add a tip" and they input the tip themselves on the ipad. This in my opinion, leaves customers with no choice but to leave a tip, even if the service sucks. They might want to re-consider this rude tactic or at least flip the ipad around so customers can choose the amount on their own. This can be done safely now that covid is calming down.

I sold my books to Book Trader Cafe in May and just now received payment for them. When I first came in I waited over 10 minutes to even be acknowledged and even longer for someone to check in my books. I called weekly for months to check the status of my books and was always given the run around, and left with feeling as if I was inconveniencing them. The book buying process and customer service here definitely needs to improve, I wouldn't sell books here unless you don't care about the long wait times.

I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars, but since I cannot, I rounded up. First and foremost, their used book section is nice, fairly priced, and has quite an eclectic mix of genres. The shelves are packed closely together and tall - using as much square footage for media as possible... until you stumble into the cafe portion of it. The latte was subpar - too milky, kinda bitter. The service was neutral - not great, not bad. The lentil soup was honestly pretty decent. I can't say I had high expectations, and I would've just been satisfied with sustenance, but it was hearty calories with flavor and warmth and goodness! It came with a (kinda bland) chunk of baguette too. I don't recall the prices for food and drink which means they must've not been outlandish. This is a great study space. The inside has a low grade rumble to it if you're into that, but there's a back outdoor seating that I really enjoy. Especially because if you sit inside too long, you'll probably end up smelling like panini or whatever crusty things they're serving. Would go back, strapped with the insight from my first experience.

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.

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.

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.

Best Sandwich in America? For shame, Adam Richman. That show duped me into stopping into this little hippy place to try the A Tale Of Two Turkeys Sandwich ($7.50). You can choose either style A, which is the one they're known for from the show, and has roasted turkey, swiss, cole slaw and Russian dressing on plain, hard, cold bread, or Style B, which sounds better and has smoked turkey and orange cranberry chutney on sourdough. This sandwich is really underwhelming. I think even without knowing it was considered one of the best sandwiches by the Man vs. Food guy, the fact still remains that the turkey was dry, the bread was cold, and there was no seasoning. Other than the mediocre sandwich, they have a bunch of other foods as well as baked goods that looked like they might have been decent, but I didn't want to waste myself after not even finishing the sandwich. They have a nice outdoor area with seating where you can listen to really annoying self-important Yale students discussing theater and other things to try to make themselves sound smart. But it just makes it that much harder to get through that sandwich. Don't let your curiosity get the better of you like I did - this sandwich is probably not even the best one in this cafe, let alone the country.

Book Trader simply has THE BEST chai lattes. I always try to stop by to get one when I'm in New Haven. The Tale of Two Turkeys sandwich, turkey salad, pumpkin breads, and soups are also good bets!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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!