Esselon Café

Perfect place for a simple but delicious lunch. The garden is an oasis. Surprisingly quick ordering and delivery on a busy August day. My grilled cheese was terrific.

Absolutely wonderful experience here earlier this week! The space is genuinely beautiful and well-thought out. There was plenty of seating, and even though it was the middle of the lunch hour, it didn't feel cramped. Staff was pleasant and friendly when taking my order. And the food was delicious! Very much worth the price. I ordered the gourmet cheeseburger. It was larger sized and cooked perfectly; very juicy but still well-done. The French fries were definitely homemade and had a good amount of seasoning. This is a perfect spot if you are looking for a non-chain breakfast or lunch option in the area. Definitely recommend.

Lovely little place for coffee and a chat. The images shown are a raspberry bar and a ginger molasses cookie.

We’ve been eating here since they opened nearly 20 years ago. The food is good- above average. Creative- well above average. Reasonable priced. Most of all, these things have been consistent through the years. You can go and never have to worry about whether or not something will be off. Sadly, they’ve gotten rid of their weekend specials for brunch, which really went above and beyond their usual menu. Still worth the stop. Especially in nice weather to enjoy their garden seating.

The outdoor setting is effortlessly charming. While the food isn’t flawless, it’s enjoyable and satisfying.

Wonderful place to sit and enjoy breakfast or lunch. The crab cakes (not pictured) was flavorful and there were huge chunks of crab meat. The eggs Benedict and tomato bisque were delicious. Their latte specials are tasty too. Staff were friendly and speedy with service.

We came here on a Sunday morning and it was very busy, leading to limited parking options. However, there was plenty of indoor, porch, and shaded outdoor seating options. The food and coffee were both very good! The waitresses were busy, but still smiling and helpful. It is a great atmosphere and place to eat. Highly recommend!

Amazing outside seating. Meditative cultivated natural space. Spectacular! Coffee and food are delicious too.

Fantastic food, great ambiance. Really unique outside seating and many covered outdoor seating. I had a chicken burrito with a fresh salad and house vinaigrette that was fantastic.

It was a lovely day to sit outside and have lunch at Esselon Cafe. The tulip garden and quiet patio setting was really a treat. This was my 2nd visit to this cafe so I knew there was no table service ...and while I don't really like that - the food makes up for it. I ordered the grass fed burger with cheddar on a ciabatta roll and it came with some greens on the side. The burger was really very good and was cooked perfectly....it was so good that I didn't even want to put ketchup on it It is not too often that you can eat a burger on a patio surrounded by tulips...really lovely time of year! They still lose a star for not having the table service that I like, but the food is good and I will go back again.

We just checked our Amherst college and wanted to grab a bite nearby. Found this place on Yelp which is about 15 mins drive away. The establishment is pretty large with plenty outdoor seatings as well for those who relish on New England weather. Here, you order at the counter and take a number card and find your own seats and the staffs will bring the food to you. I ordered the grilled portobello mushroom sandwich which came with grilled vegetables on a ciabatta bun. It was really tasteful and come with a large side salad. I also ordered a small order of fries and it's one of those skinny thin fries which was not really to my liking and because they're small, it's easy to over fry. My wife got the fish tacos which she ate them all. What she liked about these tacos is that they just use one layer of corn tortilla instead of many places doubling up. My son got the chicken quesadilla which was a humongous portion. His only complaint was it was a bit soggy and runny and hard to pick up and eat in a sitting. They also got gf raspberry chocolate cupcake which they liked the chocolate portion but the frosting was a tad sweet. My son got a lemon bar which he devoured in minutes. All in all, pleasant food and the only other complaint is the wait to get your food was a tad long. I would recommend this place.

The patio was full of zen with people relaxing for the day. Perfect day and the food was so yummy. Crab cakes with poached spot on eggs, salad and sourdough bread!! Thank you for the food and positive energy for the start of the day!

Stumbled on Esselon Cafe and Coffee Roasting randomly today on our way to Yankee Candle and I have to say we are SO happy we did! This experience was truly wonderful and the food was DELICIOUS! It was busy when we went with ALL tables filled - for obviously a good reason! You order at the cash register first and they'll give you a number. You then grab a seat and pick up your drinks at the other side of the register while your food gets delivered to your table. Super easy to do and despite how busy it was, we were able to get a table not even 5 minutes after we placed our order! Woohoo! It was a rainy day and so I opted for a hot tea. I ordered the Jasmine pearl green tea which came to our table in a lovely tea pot! It was aromatic, warm, and reminded me of my childhood drinking tea with my grandparents. My partner opted for a cappuccino which was beautifully made with tons of hearts in the milk foam. He paired it with a biscotti which he named one of the best he's ever had! For our meals, I ordered the Tupelo hash. My goodness, this was delightful! It came with TWO beautifully poached eggs and crab cakes. It also came with a side of bread and a lovely dressed salad. My partner ordered the salmon eggs benedict which he inhaled due to how delicious it was. The hollandaise was beautiful made! We were very impressed. Overall, I'm so happy we discovered this gorgeous Cafe! We look forward to coming back and trying out the menu. Thank you for such wonderful service, cleanliness, and an impeccable meal!

I really appreciate your GF muffin. It is tasty and I am always happy to see it in the case. When you run out, I am lost. I don't want a brownie or cookie for breakfast, and unfortunately, the GF bread offered for toast and sandwich is pretty unpalatable. It would be terrific if you could up your game for GF options. It shouldn't be hard. You have many devoted fans who are gluten free. Help us out here please! Keep the muffins well stocked, and get yourself a better bread. Please, and thank you.

We ordered bacon Benedict, breakfast burrito with aside of veggie sausage, pancakes and French toast. Two cappuccino and a hot chocolate and a ice coffee mocha. We enjoyed the meal very much. The maple syrup is local. And the coffee is excellent.

Ran out of vegan tofu scramble but rest of vegan brekkie was fine. Substituted some regular tofu. Vegan sausage patty only so so Double chocolate cookie to go Hope to get the full brekkie experience in future Great outdoor eating area under the trees

Yummy food! Gets crowded but is worth the wait. Their coffee is great and we bought some Beans to take home too

Delightful staff. Charming environment. Stellar coffee and food offerings. We loved the experience.

Food is always superb here!! My only complaint would be for them to offer other varieties of their bennys. So far everything I've eaten has been amazing!! I am a regular at this place now!!

Such a cute place! The staff were really great and helpful, answering a couple questions about allergens even when there was a line. I had the tomato bisque, which was absolutely delicious, and the Maple Sage Latte, which was so flavorful! The atmosphere was very loud on a Friday at 1PM, so you might want to choose a different time to go if you want to read/do work. The food did come out fast and was delicious!

A great place to meet up with friends for coffee and a baked good. Pleasant staff and terrific coffee!

Amazing! My family and I stopped in here for brunch today for the first time even though I've lived in the area for a few years. Didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the veggie brekie, my dad got an omelette, and my brother got a breakfast sandwich. And we got blueberry pancakes for the table. Everything was super delicious and fresh tasting. I loved the sautéed veggies on my scrambled eggs. The sourdough toast tasted homemade and the blueberry pancakes were so soft and flavorful. Really good eats in a cute, French style restaurant. Will come back!

I'm in love with this place, i haven't even eaten yet, and already can't wait to come back! Vibe: warm, friendly, and a packed house on Monday morning says it all. I'm savoring my almond mill latte in a sunny spot on the porch. It's an early Spring day, but for warmer days there is a lovely patio for outdoor seating, and also some adirondack chairs nestled under some trees. Buzzy convos surround you in surround sound. Noise is loud but not unbearable. Interesting loud like to hear a conversation about a first date, or Jennifer Aniston's roles in movies. I wouldn't say a lot of reading or writing's on, unless you have really good headphones;) Pickup espresso drinks at the barista bar & they'll bring food to your table. You're getting the live play by play in real time folks;) For breakfast I got the veggie brekkie -you can choose your style of eggs. I got two sunny side up eggs, sourdough toast, and bountiful veggies. Now I love me some diners, but this is not that, its next level. The quality is great and the service and vibe are warm. Zero attitude here, guess I'm not in Boston anymore Dorothy;) veggies, playing hide and seek under my eggs are sautéed mushrooms ( earthy and delicious) sautéed spinach, a savory potato cake embedded with veggies and bursting with flavor. This dish also comes with a generous portion of fresh vegetables. There are options for carnivores and vegans alike. There are many specialty espresso drinks. I happen to be here on a weekday morning but I would imagine if it this busy on a Monday if you're coming here on weekend you should come early or be prepared to wait quite a while. I would say this is more of a place to come by yourself or meet friends and family more than sitting here with a notepad or laptop. It's packed for a reason, bc it rocks, but in a low key way. Overall excellent experience and can't wait to come back! I think my only tip would be to be mindful about when you decide to come because it is so busy

This is one of my favorite brunch spots ever! I always order the Tupelo Hash and a side of blueberry pancakes. The crab cakes in the Tupelo Hash are amazing. Pancakes are some of the best in the area. Every coffee drink I've ever gotten here has been perfect as well. Highly recommend the honey nut latte. The outdoor seating is so nice. 15/10 would recommend!

Food was fantastic. Love the overall vibe / aesthetic too. Would definitely come back.

I was so excited to have found an independently owned restaurant near where I was staying & this place was really special. The service was fast & friendly. I got the salmon tacos and they were DELICIOUS!!

I tried this restaurant in 2020 when I dropped off my daughter for college and thought it was very good. I ordered the veggie brekkie and a side of pancakes. It was good and the side of salad was fresh and tasty. I thought the potato cake that came with the brekkie lacked flavor and was average. The coffee was good. I preferred the food at cushman's market and cafe to this place

This is a must visit brunch spot. Especially in the Fall with all the amber tree's surrounding you; it's literally breath taking to sit outside and take in all the beauty. The patio is meticulously kept, and just a place where you can relax and unwind. Catch up with friends, converse freely with family, or just hang out solo reading a good book. I love that they have a wide variety of vegan options. Their breakfast burrito was exquisite and large enough to share. I liked that the place was very clean, and all the workers were wearing masks and taking social distancing seriously. Their coffee was excellent, I enjoyed their cappuccino made with oatmilk? I think it was. I can't wait to come back the next time I'm in town and try other things from their menu.

We've been visiting Esselon Cafe for years and have found the food consistently very good. We especially love sitting in the garden, sometimes even on a frosty morning. Amazing crab cakes and chicken quesadillas, and the deserts are great! The chocolate peanut butter cookies pair well with their excellent coffee. And they make the best carrot cake in the Valley!

Great coffee, and its a great place for students or others to do work during the day (make sure your computer is charged though--outlets are not the most accessible). Baked goods are also excellent, and the only complaint would be that sometimes it is hard to find a table since this is a well-known quality spot.

Good breakfast and coffee. Cute place and pleasant staff. We were very happy we found this place on a recent trip to Amherst. We will be back.

Don't order the Eggs Benedict - unless you bring a saw. It is impossible to cut. What a huge disappointment.

I frequently visit Esselon for lattes and to get work done in their cafe. The vibe is a little dark and loud in the main cafe space, but there is also outdoor space to work as well. I decided to try something new, their coconut cold foam cold brew (so good) and a oat muffin, which was also yummy. There isn't much space inside for how many people go to this spot every day, but all in all, a great spot to meet a friend or get work done.

I am shocked that anyone would give Esselon fewer than 5 stars. Esselon is one of the most beautiful breakfasts I've ever had. The outdoor seating area was just perfect, truly something special. The coffee was delicious. The food was tasty and beautiful! We were very happy and if we are ever in the area, will 100% go again.

Long meandering lines generally signify a place is popular amongst locals, ie., those who keep it afloat. Such was the case this blue sky morning. Orders are taken once you hit the counter inside, then you locate the indoor or outdoor table. Our group of five found a spot on short time, where we waiting patiently sipping non-bitter coffee. As one one finds great coffee needs no help, I drank mine black. Breakfasts within our group varied from vegan to vegetarian to Tupelo crabcake. The blueberry pancakes had plenty of tiny berries, reminiscent of the canned variety. Note: when pouring your syrup, know that it lacks the viscosity of thick maple, and is more dousing with a water-like consistency.

If you want to enjoy a cozy ambiance, snack on small pastries while you sip your coffee, then this is the place for you. If you want a full meal; I would suggest elsewhere. We found our meals to be average at most and a tad flavorless. However, my side salad and fruit were delicious along with my hot cider. Be aware: their OJ is full of pulp. I'd give this place another shot but would only get pastries/coffee.

Wow, hidden gem for sure. (Or maybe it was only hidden to me, as the line was out the door when we arrived!) Beautiful outdoor seating areas, friendly staff, fresh ingredients. I ordered the Mediterranean salad for lunch, which comes with homemade hummus, olives, feta, couscous. Delicious and beautifully plated! I regret not buying one of their giant cookies. I can't wait to go back!

The coffee and food is delicious! Love the interior as well, definitely a great place!

Really wonderful place to eat outside. The food is delicious and they present it artfully. Coffees with great taste and designs. I'll check back in when I return to eating inside.

Great food! I've had multiple dishes here and always love what I get. Drinks are great too. Ambiance is relaxing and pretty, and service is very pleasant.

Had a great breakfast, nice wait person-she was very welcoming-makes you want to return there-live in NH on way back from a trip using Bradley Airport. Look forward to Stopping there.

This is one of my go-to places for lunch, pastries and coffee/tea drinks. My favorite thing is that they have great gluten-free and vegan options, and even with my food sensitivities I always find something delicious. I especially love the gluten-free vegan muffins and cookies they offer. They're gluten-free bread is also great. Highly recommended!

The food and service was great. Very nice ambiance, would go back in the near future.

Excellent and high quality food! Their breakfast and lunch plates are delicious, and their coffee and muffins are fantastic.

Good food and specialty hot drinks. Haven't eaten inside since covid but the outdoor area is wonderful.

Food is okay. Service is great and restaurant is clean. They have a very nice outdoor seating area.

Essalon has in the past been a nice place to stop, and one of my favorite cafes. But today we had a bad experience. We sat at a table outside because it was a nice sunny day. At first, there were only a few bees hovering around. The waitress brought our food. She brought me the incorrect order, but that wasn't the problem. What happened was that bees started hovering around the table. For the first however many minutes, I just dealt with it. But then the bees started coming too close for comfort. They seemed to be attracted to the maple syrup bottle. I didn't like that they wanted to crawl on the food. At any given time there was like, one bee hovering around me as if it would sting me, another bee threatening my husband, another bee crawling on my food, and1-2 other bees generally causing a nuisance at our table. They acted aggressive and I was afraid I was going to be stung. I tried to ask for help, but couldn't find any wait staff. It was maddening. My husband and I have hardly been out to eat for forever because of the pandemic. To the manager and/or owner of Essalon, I would recommend spending some time sitting at that back seating area and doing a little troubleshooting. I don't think you want your customers to be harassed by bees when they are trying to eat. What is the issue? Is there a bees' nest out back there that should be moved? Do you have too many big flowers planted back there that attract bees? Are there certain tables that the insects seem to be most drawn to--if so, shut down and/or relocate these tables. Or, if you yourself don't have time to deal with this infestation, call in someone who can help figure this out. Think, if you yourself went out to eat, would you want to be harassed by large threatening insects? I barely ate and finally was able to go inside and approach the counter, and when I finally saw the one waitress that seemed to be working in the entire establishment, I asked for a to-go cup and told her what was happening. Nobody seemed to care, at all, even treating me like a PITA. I took my coffee and left. I guess after this I won't go there again. There needs to be someone working at the restaurant who cares about its customers' experience. Otherwise, what is the point of having a restaurant or going out to eat?

Cutest spot. Amazing cappuccino and egg sandwich. Chocolate chip cookie is a must. Cute grounds to eat and drink!

We waited over 1/2 hour for our food which was ridiculous considering it was breakfast. Really bothered me to see people who arrived after us getting their food. I wanted French toast but they said no when I asked if syrup could be warmed. Really? Microwave for 20 seconds is too much? Never had a place say no to that request. Potato cake has red peppers in it but it doesn't mention that on ordering site. Coffee was cold by the time the food arrived. Very disappointed. Don't think I'll be back after this. My husband had to go in and find out what was going on- then a manager came out to say there was a large order in front of you; honestly thought it was an excuse and not true- we had a $75 plus dollar order so something more than sorry would have been the way to go.

Amazing food, such a great vibe. I especially love coming to Esselon in the summer because the outdoor seating is such a beautiful garden area. I definitely recommend the potato cakes. Seriously so good.

Highly recommend. Delicious food and amazing service. If you happen to be around this part of Massachusetts you should stop by. Enjoy!

Their breakfast and coffee was fabulous. Highly recommend. I loved the salad as an addition.

First time here and the food was excellent! Latte was even better than expected. The wait was long though - about 35 minutes for food. That being said, it was definitely because it was a busy Sunday morning and this place is popular! You wait in line and order prior to taking a table. Drinks came out very quickly. The bacon was the best I've had in a long time - tasty and crisp.

The food is lacking taste for the price in which you pay for it. And the line inside is so so slow. Not sure if it's covid but each time back has continued to lack. The outside grounds are gorgeous, that hasn't changed.

My friends and I came here for a Saturday brunch last weekend. It has a very Massachusetts hipster vibe. You get in line to order and then find a seat while you wait for your food to come out. This was great because the line moves quickly and we were able to find a table right away despite it being a weekend! I will say that most of the food was very good. I ordered the French toast with berries and strawberry sauce, and a side of bacon and a potato cake. The French toast was perfect - a nice sizable portion that wasn't very sweet. You can always add more maple syrup (which of course I did). Bacon was also wonderful. The potato cake was alright. Kind of had a weird gummy texture. This is not something I'd go for again and I love potatoes. A couple things I didn't love: 1. Who wants a salad with breakfast?? Get that off my plate! A lot of the menu items come with this and I don't approve. Thankfully this is easily pushed to the side. 2. My boyfriend ordered the bagel and lox platter. Now I'm joking when I say that you're paying to do the work here, because everything comes on the plate and you are tasked with putting it all together. That's okay. What I honestly didn't like was that they do not provide you with enough materials. The ball of cream cheese was minuscule. I have made bagels in NYC and this was just unacceptable. Even for Massachusetts. The salmon also could have used a couple more slices. Despite my grievances about the cream cheese this was overall a really great, tasty, and low-hassle brunch that I would definitely recommend!

Me and my dad went out to breakfast at this restaurant which my grandma said she really likes. I got pancakes and my dad got crab cakes with poached eggs. The pancakes were a little too sweet but the poached eggs and crabcakes were the best ones I've ever tasted in my whole entire life! I think I would want to go back there again.

Stoped for breakfast today. I remember loving the grilled cheese. Today we focused on breakfast and had the worst salmon Benedict. They gave me a bread knife to cut the ciabatta but it was so hard, i could have used it as a door stopper. The pancakes fell apart and were tasteless. People kept asking if we were done so they could take our plates (are there fewer plates than people?) the whole thing was a disaster & disgusting. And so overpriced. Please just go to the diner

Very popular indoor/outdoor place. I have gone there mainly for breakfast with friends... very suitable for such a get-togethers. Love the place... Good vibes!