The Upper Bend

This place was a very pleasant surprise. Delicious options, mostly vegetarian but the egg and cheese biscuit was good. Don't leave without trying the bread pudding with lemon curd and toasted meringue. It's Amazing!

Best muffin I ever had. The place is super nice and the staffs are friendly. The vegan sandwich is also super delicious. If I come back to this town, I will definitely go back to the Upper Bend.

If you enjoy being talked to like an inconvenience before you even place your order, congratulations—you’ve found the right spot. I walked in with a friendly “hi!” and was met with the kind of dismissive energy you normally reserve for someone who keyed your car. I had checked the online menu beforehand and saw scones listed, so I asked for one… only to get a snotty “we don’t have that here,” like I should’ve known better. My bad for believing their own website, I guess. After sitting down, I thought I heard my name called—I’m partially deaf, so I asked for confirmation. Instead of a basic human response, I got hit with a loud, snappy “ITS YOURS!” Like… relax? It’s just coffee, not airport security. For what it’s worth, my latte and COOKIE were actually good, but not good enough to deal with that kind of attitude again. And for anyone who needs it: the place is NOT handicap accessible, which is just the cherry on top of the whole experience. Won’t be returning.

I have been going to the Upper Bend for the past two years and have been delighted every time. The food is creative, real, and delicious. Try the Olive Oil Pumpkin Bread. It does not disappoint! It seems everyone from the town comes through the doors each morning. The baristas seem genuinely happy to provide you with your order. Today I was served by Cory, who was obviously needing to be about three people at the same time, but managed to take my order with total graciousness. The vibes are just so darn good here.

Delicious and cozy vibes. Tasty drinks, I got their version of a London fog (note: unlimited refills of drip coffee, not as common as it used to be!) A decent variety of breakfast/lunch items to suit different diets and palates with customizable add ons such as chili crisp, xo sauce, carrot, and sausage pattes. Got the bowl of potatoes- I personally loved every bite. The herbs balanced the sweet and sour onions quite well. Got the biscuits- as a baker myself if had to try, they were so cute and tiny but a very hearty crumb and bite to them. They seemed to have a wheat flour base. Partner got the egg sandwich and a alice of coconut maple coffee cake. Every bite was consumed. Very easy ordering processs, though it's a counter ordering and seat yourself kind of place, so I imagine sometimes it can be a bit chaotic in peak busy times. If you don't have patience for that- avoid those rush hours.

This was a really cute spot. Nice space to sit a while. Friendly and helpful staff. I just had an espresso doppio. It wasn’t the best. A bit bitter, but if I had gotten it as a cappuccino or latte it probably would have been great. My wife had a black raspberry soda. She loved it. Two thumbs way up. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go back, but if I were in the area again, I’d stop for sure!

The Upper Bend has improved Turners Falls immensely and is a necessary stop if you're having a day about town. The menu is so thoughtful and creative, and it's refreshing to see the same faces in the kitchen and at the counter year after year. Standouts over the years: maple toast, egg salad, parsnip pie, potato cashew salad, MLT, dark energy soda, affogato, biscuits and jam. My only complaint is that I hate a fluffy egg and that's the only egg option. Way back in the day, they had an egg scramble with chili crisp on top and it was divine. I miss it. Everyone who visits us wants to go to Turners so they can revisit the Upper Bend.

I had a great breakfast with my friends at The Upper Bend when I visited Turners Falls. The staff was patient, helpful, and kind. The various seating arrangements, decor, and music created a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Most importantly, the food and drink were both very good. Their homemade jam was quite good! I could easily see coming to this restaurant by myself as well. Definitely grab some coffee if you drop by!

Grilled cheese and tomato soup from your dream. Homemade bread. Everything you could want from tomato soup, plus an elusive something extra. A warm, welcoming place with terrific food.

The menu is as weird as the place is delightful. So, feeling a little timid,I found a safe place in the egg sandwich. I almost got the bean toast but I was a little scared that it wouldn't satisfy me. There was something magical about the egg sandwich that made it way better it looked, and it looked good. My companion got a maple toast (cinnamon-y), really good for dipping in a yummy latte of some kind. I am grateful for the sunny quirks and silly fabulousness of this friendly joint -- and for the brave, sweet peeps who conceived, executed, and continue to nurture this place into our days.

This place isn't really a good fit for the area. The food is a little over priced for the amount you get. The service was ok. The ambiance is very small and tight. It's not terrible it's just not good enough for me to be a regular. After eating we went down the street to the glen and had a much better meal at a much better price. Again, not terrible. Just not for me. Or the people I was with.

Every town in New England deserves to have a place like this. Great spot, terrific food and coffee, lovely outdoor seating.

Excellent foods. Variety including vegan choices. Pot of tea! Baked goods. Soup, salads, noodles, sandwiches. Busy & hopping & the staff hustling making beautiful dishes!

Oh my God oh my God oh my God. I love Turner's anyway, and always visit it when I'm back in the area because it has the fabulous walk on the canal surrounded by post industrial architectural gloriousness, and loot down the street, and the fabric shop (sunny miss) and the survival center and so many other things but now there's THIS place. I got the breakfast sandwich with chili crunch and tea the first day and it obsessed me, so I went back for brunch the next day with two different people and got a whole bunch of other stuff all of which was equally delicious. Basically I'm gonna bet- No matter what you get here you're gonna like it. And now for my specialty, the bathroom review: oh my quirky cuteness! Such well executed, inventive simple, bespoke art. Can I get at t shirt ? It's rare for me to have this type of across the board "I want everything on the menu" experience. This is the second time this year I've had a crush on a restaurant and sadly this place is also not in my hometown. If it's at all close to you, or on your way somewhere, do yourself a favor - stop by and try anything they've got. * Turns out I know somebody who knows the owners but really this is a review based on my blind and enthusiastic experience.

The upper bend is an adorable coffee shop with a great brunch menu! The mapo Jo and the vegan scramble where delicious and unique. The chai was the best chai I've ever had in my whole life. If I was in the desert without water I would dream of this chai. The service was great, the guy who brought our food to us was soooo cute. The energy and aesthetic of this place is cool and a bit rustic but overall a clean look.

Great food and great vibes. The space is sunny, airy, full of plants, foodie books, quaint glassware, and little details that make me smile. Lots of vegan options and unique flavors. I had a rooibos latte that was heavenly - very earthy and topped with a dense luxurious layer of foam. Miso apple cake also delicious, but more like a thick savory apple pie than a cake.

OMG they have the most amazing menu! Today wifey and I both enjoyed their egg n cheese sammie on some kinda soft, yummy, gritty roll with an aioli or mayo sauce and arugula. The egg and cheese are baked into a brick of cloud-like yumminess. I paired it with a beverage made from tahini, milk and espresso that was divine. There are so many items in there I keep meaning to try like their marmalade lassi. A must go to in western Mass.

Great vegan options, friendly service, warm ambiance. Loved the baked goods & breakfast sandwiches! Thanks

We stopped by The Upper Bend for lunch after some sightseeing in the neighboring areas. Currently their dining room is closed, and takeout and outdoor seating are available. We ordered the shisito and fennel salad and the peach, feta, and tomato salad along with a couple of their fermented beverages. The salads were amazing and the drinks were so refreshing and tasty. Packaging and utensils were all compostable. A gem in Turner Falls!

I went here to get some lunch and the menu is very limited and strange. I wanted a sandwich and ordered the vegan po boy called Mapo Jo. I'm not vegetarian but I enjoy vegetarian food so decided to get this. The woman who took my order only told me it was a vegan po boy, no other description! She could have cared less. This place has a very pretentious air to it,only hipsters need apply with tax it came to almost $13. The sandwich was very small with nothing else on the plate. The reading material was the New York Times newspaper but Turner's Falls is no NYC !! I can't recommend this as a lunch place they have very limited hours

Really comfortable environment, nice and bright. Staff is really friendly. Breakfast sandwich was delicious. Coffee is bottomless cup which is a nice touch.

Don't go if you want lunch. They only have breakfast sandwiches. The staff could care less if you stay or go. Couldn't even crack a smile let alone have a pleasant expression. Hard pass.

Cute little café. And absolutely the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. Quite a broad end original menu.

The UB, with its neighbors Swanson's and Buckingham Rabbits, is one of the creative jewels of Great Falls. Their food, which is always delicious, is comforting yet inventive--they constantly try new things, yet keep old favorites around. They have a sweet staff, the owners are kind, friendly, lovely people, and they have a collaborative spirit with many of the other small business in the village and in the greater valley, which is important. I am happy to be a regular here--they absolutely deserve your business and support. My personal favorites: the biscuits, the maple toast, the egg salad sandwich! I'm looking forward to trying the new lassis. The Upper Bend makes my life in Franklin County actively better.

staff used bare hands to tear the seaweed while making my miso broth, after handling money, again : (

Food's quite good and unique. However the staff are some of the rudest people I've met. I don't know if they're being abused by the managers or whatnot but christ they ruin the otherwise pleasant atmosphere with their "you should feel bad for existing" attitude.

Ordered a chai latte and I forgot I should never order chai lattes at cafes (even when craving them) because they are always too sweet.... But! The chai latte was not too sweet. it was spicy with genuine flavor from whatever spice blend was used. Delicious with oat milk. This is what I'm talking about!!! Dreams coming true. Next time I'm in town I will try the miso apple cake...

Okay, the food is quite good, but the place is damn expensive. This place is definitely leading the charge in the gentrification of Turners. It's not a place locals necessarily go, but packed on the weekends with younger people, the hipster crowd, and probably out of towners. Will be interesting to see if more places like this sprout up in town in the next few years. Too expensive and pretentious feeling for me, but my friend bought me a sandwich and it was delicious (though quite small). It'd be nice if they were open all week long to serve the town they inhabit, but they seem mostly concerned with attracting folks who don't actually live in Turners.

Chef-driven deliciousness. We went on a whim, having never been there, and were very pleased with what we found.

Great atmosphere, yummy coffee. The staff are really kind. My favorite is the maple toast. Make sure to get it while it is warm.

Easy to find with ample parking out front which was nice. Cute bright yellow french cafe tables and chairs on the sidewalk to eat at. A Black Lives Matters sign and a diverse clientele let me know this is my kind of lunch place. I introduced myself and asked what they'd recommend I eat. A regular customer said, "Anything. And you'll want to come back and try something different every time." I ordered the bean toast, which was amazing, filling, and beautiful, believe it or not. Yeah. It was an entire meal. And had a subtle kick of spice, but I'd still call it mild. I got a Mocha Latte with a dollop of, get this, homemade toasted marshmallow fluff. Yes. And it was fantastic. While sitting outside, I got swarmed by yellow jackets, so as I was balancing my cup and food to open the door to sit inside, another customer left her laptop and came and opened the door for me. Everyone was really lovely. The menu is inspired, simple, and delicious. What more could you ask for? I'm definitely going back and ordering something totally new next time. And when I was putting my dishes in the bin as I was leaving, the lady behind the counter said, "So Mindy, how was everything?" She remembered my name. And I'll tell you, they had a line out to the door. Yeah, it's THAT kind of place.

We decided to spend a date day together and start our morning at the Upper Bend. A choice we were well rewarded with. A cute "bruncheonette" that serves a great latte and smaller bakery items. We augmented out lattes and shared the Maple Toast and Vegan Eggs. Serving sizes might not overwhelm you, but the taste will more than make up for it. We loved the Maple Toast, sweet without being over powering and the Eggs did not disappoint. Not accepting indoor dining when we went in early October, we sat outside on cheerful garden style yellow painted iron chairs with matching tables and enjoyed the views of the main street. Wonderful and helpful service with no wait on the Friday we went, we made a note to drop by when we travel out route 2 past Turner's Falls.

Sweet mother of god this is a hidden gem. Never have I had such incredible, wholesome, beautifully simple food at a coffee shop. Not to mention, literally everyone who walked up knew everyone in staff and vice versa. I'm actually sad I was just rolling through town and needed somewhere to work and caffeinate... this is the type of shop you move to a sleepy town for.

Simply amazing! I live about an hour east and I make regular trips here with my wife for the coffee alone. It is so good! It is hands sorry the best coffee I've had in New England. The food is also amazing. I've enjoyed their breakfast items, baked goods and their salads and they are all amazing. The flavors in their dishes are delicate, complex and delicious! To top it off, the staff are friendly and service is fast! I would recommend this place to anyone especially those like me who love food and drinks that are crafted with passion and expertise from quality ingredients.

Dope brekky joint. Tomato soup and grilled cheese combo is a mind blowing experience. Friendly waitstaff. A gem in TF!

Lovely spot for a coffee and a sweet. We got there shortly before closing but enjoyed ourselves sitting outside and watching the world go by while enjoying our treats. Quite a nice place, staff were so friendly, and the menu is intriguing. We'll have to go back and try some more

Probably what you expect. Designer coffee place, but a bit pretentious. "Large" coffee ($3.50) is only 12 oz. Proudly don't accept Apple Pay.

This is our go-to spot for coffee and lunch. Their food is lovely, possibly perfect, and they have excellent coffee as well. As other reviewers have noted, they have great vegan options, but as a meat eater I can report that they also have excellent non-vegan options, which (as someone who has dated many vegans) is rare. I'm obsessed with their duck liver toast. It has fresh blueberries and pickled kohlrabi. Seriously, I can't even. It's so wonderful. We live in one of the nearby tiny towns, and while this little hipster "bruncheonette" might seem unexpected in this area, for us it feels really rooted in the farm-to-table culture of the region. Since they opened only a little while before the pandemic, we're all a bit worried that despite the excellent food and very thoughtful service, they might really struggle during this time. So this is my shout out to other locals, support this lovely cafe! This is what our communities are about.

Really nice lunch with vegan healthy options. Fresh house made sodas and teas. Really enjoyed the vegan sloppy joe.

I have broken a 2 year long yelp silence just to rejoice on the amazing experience I had at the Upper Bend! We ordered the Trumpet Royal Sandwich, egg and cheese on a roll, and biscuits and jam. The sandwiches were divine, with the most perfectly toasted buns, and the gooiest most delicious sandwich fixin's. On top of that, we ordered both a chai latte and a regular latte, and both were perfect. All of our food came in a very timely fashion (aka super fast), which was exceptionally impressive, because we were both hungry and the place was packed! But above all the great food and great service, this place is beautifully curated. It is a very warm and inviting restaurant, definitely the kind of place where one would dream to be a regular. This next part is TMI, so you can skip it. I moved from Brooklyn to Western Mass, and I totally had the idea to open a cute and non-pretentious breakfast joint that secretly only served vegetarian and vegan food, because I didn't see any place like that that existed anywhere. Then Five Eyed Fox came around, and it was a beautiful place, but the food was just so so, and I always thought that I could just make something at home that was tastier and for WAAAaaaaayyyy less money. But now that the Upper Bend is here, this place is THE SPOT! Seriously, if I could have waved a magic wand, and opened up my dream restaurant, it would be this place. The food is perfect, the ambiance is perfect, the service is perfect, and the biscuits and jam were perfect!

This place is great I love the food and I like the atmosphere...however I have one complaint... the size of the lattes... I've never seen any latte that is so small for being a large...I mean really five dollars for an 8 ounce glass for an iced latte and otherwise maybe....if you're lucky....12 ounces for a hot latte. That really takes the cake. Please give us bigger espresso drinks or reduce the price! In all fairness!

Stumbled upon the Upper Bend on an annual road trip between Maine and Brooklyn. What an unexpected and delicious delight!!! Everything was scrumptious: Latte, Breakfast sandwich (how exactly did you make such perfectly creamy baked eggs?), Peach and Burrata Salad, Biscuits and Jam. Both I, and my very very food snobbish mother were exceptionally pleased with everything - it was quite possibly a perfect breakfast. So much so that we discussed how for next year's Maine to Brooklyn journey, we'll plan to stay at a hotel closer to this cafe so we can go there more than once.

Love the food and atmosphere. Great food, nicely prepared and presented. Will return often!

Such tasty food. Had the egg supreme and the simple salad. What a special place right in downtown Turners. Totally worth a visit.

There are breakfast sandwiches and then there was that of the Upper Bend. In many ways, I am disappointed as now I have a new standard and I'm guessing nothing else will compare. Also, biscuits. I am not possessed of the words worthy of describing these delicacies. Well done to this establishment, brining in a wonderful and welcoming atmosphere that reflects their comforting and distinguished take on food in the Valley. A gastronomic experience for which it is worth making the time.

The best! Try the Miso Apple Cake. So good! Refreshing new entry to Turners Falls market,

Admittedly I know two of the three owners, but that also means I have gotten to try almost everything on the menu. Beans and greens are what I always want for breakfast, but the waffle is so surprisingly delicious. Fancy toast hits the high brow low brow mark with cured egg yolk and "crunchy bits" and the biscuits in mushroom gravy with perfect sunny side eggs on top really hit the spot. The herbal bubbly drink- rosemary flavored- was just sweet enough and I'm a sucker for a good switchel- fire cider flavored no less. They're open pretty early and are the friendliest friends. You can't go wrong.

Stumbled across this tasty gem on the ride from Mass MOCA to Cambridge. Worth the detour and then some. Yum

Stopped in and had the biscuits with blueberry jam and an egg sandwich. So very tasty and high quality, local foods delicious! Even beyond the gourmet twist to basic foods, little details like friendly staff and customers and food served on stoneware pottery make this place special. Surprisingly affordable to boot.

The vegan eggs are like emerging from a 10-day vipassana retreat having rediscovered empathy for your inner child. God damn they're good.

Great. Just go. Esp. on Saturday mornings for biscuits and gravy. Phenomenal. Really. Just go.

I just got takeout from them for the first time this morning, and it was a lovely treat! The employees are friendly, the service is very quick, and the food was the best I've had from a breakfast place in a long time, or possibly ever. Feeling very fortunate to have this place in my own town.

We had a lovely breakfast experience at the Upper Bend yesterday. Food, service, and ambiance were all top notch. One of the best spots in the entire valley IMO! Wonderful seeing talented, brilliant, hard-working people bring something like this to life!

Inventive and delicious variations of breakfast and lunch classics. We tried egg sandwich, grill cheese, house made biscuits, squash sandwich and buckwheat waffles. Breads from Rise Above in Greenfield, Jasper Hill cheese are among many locally sourced items. Great selection of hot and cold beverages, inviting atmosphere and friendly staff.

Food is exquisite and is like nothing else in town! However, if you're in a rush, probably not the best place to stop. Took 35 minutes to get an egg and cheese sandwich. I understand peak times can get a little crazy, but that seems a little too long for a cafe. Not to mention the woman in front of me waited 20 minutes to get a simple yogurt & granola... maybe they need more cooks in the kitchen?