A quirky little spot in Rochester! I love when coffee shops and bookstores are in conjunction with each other. A variety of pastries, food, and beverages, as well as local Vermont merchandise. Lots of fun little things to look at inside. Good service, good coffee. Nice place! Check it out if you're passing through. read more

Charm: 6 stars. Comestibles: 3 stars. We took the "back way" home from VT this winter break, a strategy that avoided interstate traffic, but also occasionally situated us behind slow-moving tractors and trucks on one-lane country roads. Overall, we enjoyed the way's meandering charm, especially when we stumbled upon places like Sandy's Books and Bakery in Rochester, VT (which made me immediately think of you, Mercedes). Per the headline, Sandy's is a used bookstore with original, classic, 1960's and 70's era finds from Agatha Chrystie, Isaac Asimov, etc... newer books about foraging, mysticism, and other fun things; locally made candles, soaps, walking sticks, crocheted hats; and locally made food products in / adjoining the cafe. There are numerous rooms on two floors where you can take your time to slow down and enjoy a book. (Fiction, science fiction, horror and mystery are upstairs!) Cafe tables are set up in many of these semi-private reading rooms so you can enjoy a coffee or pastry alongside a good read. Places like this make me swoon and had we not been on the clock, I would've loved to browse for hours and hours. The setup certainly invites that, as do the friendly local patrons. Sadly, we had to peel our children away from smelling each and every homemade soap and candle, and from trying to fence with the beautiful, polished, natural wood walking sticks (pickaxes, our 8 year old called them), and get our food order to go so we could make our an appointment (for race ski sharpening ) in time. What we tried: - Broccoli and potato quiche, made with a gluten free tortilla crust -- delicious and homemade, with tender, custardy egg -- but undersalted by our standards and made with very little cheese. The eggs had an interesting and unexpected faint whiff of vanilla. - Roasted carrot and lentil soup -- soup made with small green lentils was conceptually great, but overly sweet and served with what could've been a wonderful bread roll, but one that was microwaved and inedibly rubbery as a result. We would've enjoyed diced carrots that had been cut smaller than these 2" slices, but that's a preference. - Apple cider donuts -- I'm sure these would've been amazing fresh out of the fryer, but sadly, these spheroids (not rings) of fried dough were dense, oily, and well past peak freshness (two or three days old?) on our Friday morning visit. - Morning glory muffin -- moist, not overly sweet, very good - Cafe au lait -- you're told to fill a mug with pre-made coffee from the dispenser and to come to the counter for the steamed / frothed milk, which was unexpected for me. The coffee on our visit was watery. Baked goods (including cookies of all sorts), looked so lavish and amazing that I'd come again to try other items, but really, it's the overall experience that charms. Food and drink may not be the winning components, but perhaps I don't mind when a bookstore is so darn welcoming and charming. Bookmarking for a return visit. read more

Good food , friendly servers, what more could you ask for. All located in an old time bookstore read more

We stayed in Rochester for a few nights and stopped into Sandy's twice! Book store, groceries, bakery, coffee shop all in 1. Very cute local vibes and delicious Arnold Palmers. We got their "Oreo" and my daughter loved it. Grabbed a yogurt smoothie and yogurt for the kids. The cappuccino was good. We'd definitely return when we come back. read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - Lilly enjoying her smoothie at Sandy's - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

Friend recommended and wow, what a treat! Had a turkey sandwich with all the veggies and it was delicious! Fresh, crisp and full of flavor. Oh, and a very interesting assortment of books and things to browse while sandwich was prepared. read more

We found this place while we were out for a drive. We went in for coffee and I wish we had time to look at some books. This place we busy when we arrived. I was able to try their Vermonter. It was a very good drink warm. There were also a lot of different pastries available! The service was very good. There was also WiFi available for customers. It's a good place to spend some time. read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

Super cute! So many amazing local products and books of course! They have some yummy cookies! With all bakeries it's a little hit or miss but generally the pastries are super yummy! Everything tastes very homemade! read more

I adore bookstores, especially bookstores filled with used, interesting books. Bookstore cafes might be my absolute favorite places. Sandy's is especially cozy and inviting. I sat at the window table after taking my first walk-through and had a delicious bowl of tomato soup with a bun. After, I did another walk-through and looked at all of the vintage books they had to offer as well. I definitely recommend stopping here to check it out yourself! read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - The delicious tomato soup and roll I ordered for lunch with a mint black tea. - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

Great spot with neat tables surrounded by an amazing selection of books Great spot!! read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - Hot cross buns - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

There's no place like Sandy's! People from famous actresses to wanderers through the world have fallen in love with this café & bookshop. What place could be better than one in which you can read a book while you eat your lunch (as long as you buy the book as well as the lunch). there are also gifts and books for children. Next door to the café, Sandy Has a bookstore & gift shop that specializes in cookbooks. People who like food ( and books) will truly enjoy it. Come and have a taste and a look. read more

A must STOP when passing thru Rochester. Great books, service, and tasty treats. I can be here all day! So many local gifts for purchase. Array of wine, sake, CBD products, hot sauces, cards, and cool items I don't think you'll find anywhere else. Got try the Vermonter latte! read more

I love this place. Although I was only in town for a few days I am so glad this place was here. I happened to leave my CBD oil at home & knew it would be an issue to sleep. Thankfully they aren't only a cafe that sells books, they have other products like packaged snacks, chocolates, CBD products, alcohol, & some beauty items too. They have rows of books on all kinds of topics, cards, calendars, & even tarot cards. Their staff is simply amazing considering how busy they are since people are non-stop coming in & out of this place. The baked goods are freshly baked & simply delicious! I wish they had vegan food options though. So even if you're only passing through, make sure you stop off for some tasty treats. read more

This place was a treat! An unexpectedly beautiful cafe with 100s of books and a cozy decor. The tables are nestled in different corners ensuring privacy. We came here for breakfast in our 2 day stay in Rochester & absolutely loved their coffee and bagels (with toppings). This cafe makes the town more interesting. Keep it up :) read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - a cup of coffee and a bagel - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

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Got the chai spiced tea and a BLT melt, and OMG i can't rave enough about it, everything was so good!!!! The melt was perfectly melted but crunchy, their cheese is so tasty. That chai spiced tea was so good i wished we had gotten a big bag for home. Stopped at this place on our way through the town as a rest stop. Will be looking forward to another stop over sometime soon! read more

Sandy's is has an eclectic offering of both drinks, baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and books. It's a great place for a morning coffee and bagel, lunch on the patio on a sunny day, or working space. The spot has a diverse style with a lot of Vermont-made products, how-to books, and local artwork. They emphasize the local farms they source their ingredients from. There is a dining area with tables and chairs and there's also seating throughout the book store. The wifi is strong too! The service is very friendly too! I had the cappuccino ($2.75), sandwich special (pulled pork-$8.95), and carrot cupcake ($2.00). The cappuccino comes with a double shot (+$1.00), so make sure you specify if you only want one shot before you order. I asked to pour one out, but then the cappuccino was a little too milky. The pulled pork sandwich was simple but tasty and filling. It came with a side of slaw and corn on the cob. I wasn't that fond of the carrot cupcake. It was a little dry and there wasn't anything that made it carrot flavored, but it was a vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting and caramel tasting toppings. The bread and baked goods are definitely the highlight of Sandy's though! I would recommend trying Sandy's if you're ever in the Rochester area. read more

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A cute, cluttered old house offering used books and cafe fare. It's evidently popular with locals and tourists, though slightly less slammed than Rochester Cafe across the street, and getting a seat for breakfast can be tough. I had a veggie and egg breakfast sandwich, which was okay-- the biscuit tasted weirdly sweet. My boyfriend had a lox bagel which though served sacrilegiously with lettuce had pretty good salmon. We both had coffees which were great. Prices are somewhat high. It didn't take too long for our food and drinks. It's more of a winner for the homey atmosphere and to comb through the stacks than for the food, but it'll do the trick for a quick bite. read more

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My girlfriend and I routinely come here for our morning bagel and coffee and it's about time I left a review, short but sweet, describing my repeat experience; It's a great atmosphere, the employees are so relaxed but professional, the music is great, the people who eat here are remarkably friendly too! And everything I've eaten has tasted significantly better than the big city coffee chain food I'm used to. Thank you guys! It's always so lovely to come back here! read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

We were lucky to pass by this gem on our way to Waterbury! It was a great rest stop! We got a yummy treat from the bakery, and we perused books throughout their two buildings! This would be a great place to spend the afternoon! There cafe tables and comfy chairs squeezed in between all the books, cards, and gifts. Also many of the rooms were named after places in Middle Earth! It made the visit even more enjoyable!!! read more

Best cafe in Vermont!! Amazing bagels Local free-range chicken eggs Friendly helpful staff Magic of used books for sale! read more

Definitely a cozy place with attractive offerings. I selected a quiche that appeared to have been baked in a muffin or cupcake pan. the counter person asked if I wanted it heated up. I'm very glad I said yes as I didn't realize that it had been baked yesterday and been in a refrigerator for at least 24 hours. She put it in a toaster oven for a few minutes. My first bite off the top which had been warmed by the short stint in the oven was tasty. But after several bites, I got down to the part which was VERY chilled (I suspect it was u deer 40 degrees). I did not enjoy the rest of it as I crumpled it into the bag it came in and disposed of it in the next trash barrel I found. Very disappointing! read more

Sun tea made on the daily. Yes! Does this continue during the brutal winter? Does this matter? It's happening now, and now is September. Go drink you some. And while you're in the quaint Rochester town hub for all things cozy, readable and freshly baked, snag a breakfast sandwich of egg, spinach and famed VT cheddar on a soft Portuguese roll/ciabatta hybrid with a side of homefries (that includes roasted carrots) for $6. A premium over Rochester Cafe across the street, and one I'm willing to pay. An iced chai latte is $3 and change, but this ain't syrupy Oregon mix - it's a house blend of black tea and ground spices, sweetened with local honey and frothed (at our request) with soy milk. Expect a subtle flavor inconsistent with too sugary pre-mades. I dug. The Earl Grey tea cookie is a little dry for a shortbread, and the french toast, while warm and autumnal, is made using fresh bread. Great if you love bread, but the moisture prevents egg saturation and that nice custardy middle you get from day-old or slightly stale and pourous varieties. Real maple syrup? You better believe. Beer, cider and mead poured here, because hey, it's Tuesday morning. In Vermont. Get shnockered. read more

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Yes. I live nearby, this is a good place. Coffee: A ristretto is on the menu, that should tell you enough; it's pretty legit. Food: reasonably priced, lots of local, gluten free and vegan options, and there are many other options as well. Atmosphere too. Better food than many other places, not even remotely pretentious. read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - Macchiato and a chocolate chip and lavender cookie. - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

I apologize that I can't really compare this to any other establishment in Rochester because it was our only stop in Rochester but we debated between Seasoned Books and Bakery and the cafe/restaurant across the street. We just needed a little sustenance and were stopping in for a really late breakfast on our way through Vermont. We actually left the other restaurant which was packed to the brim with a line waiting to be seated because they had stopped serving breakfast but that's definitely where you want to go if you want a full meal. Seasoned Books and Bakery was perfect though for what we needed. We split a sizeable lunch sandwich (which I'll post a picture of as soon as I can). There wasn't a selection - it was just a platter of delicious looking pre-assembled sandwiches. There were breakfast sandwiches (also pre-assembled) and other pastries all over the counter and in the window case (quiche, pasta salads, potato salads and other such things) and they had a great selection of coffees. The coffees seemed a bit pricey to me and I was REALLY tempted by the aztec hot chocolate (dreaming of the one I always got when I was in California) but I stuck to a regular coffee and it was delicious. Strong, but delicious. A completely different flavor profile than any I've gotten in Manhattan. I wasn't so sure about the marinated squash we got alongside our sandwich but the sandwich was amazingly fresh (the veggies and the bread) and enjoyed on the front porch, it was just what we needed. read more

Sandy's Books and Bakery - The view from the front porch looking out onto Main Street - Vegetarian Near Me - Rochester, Vermont

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Hardly anybody reads books anymore. Of those that do, most read them on a "device". Or, like me, borrow them from "libraries". Either way, bookstores need an edge to survive. Sandy's has not one but three edges; 1) its book selection is fantastic, funky and extensive, having entire shelves devoted to weird categories you've never even heard of but are sure to get you to linger a while. The interior is welcoming, with a layout in keeping with its having been converted from a two-story house, bookshelves filling the space; even the hallways. Absolutely no mildew smell, a characteristic of some lesser bookstores ('cause nobody's buying the books). 2) Their cafe, with offerings that are diverse and eclectic. You can get coffee (locally roasted) and a little sweet to go with it, a breakfast item, lunch sandwiches, salads, soups, and probably more. Even alcoholic beverages, to include beer, wine, hard cider, and mead. Everything looked really good, and I would have loved to try some of the baked goods; they looked rustic, nutritious, and yummy. 3): Regularly scheduled musical events. Browse for weird books, have a coffee and a snack, and listen to local music all at the same time; how cool is that? But we were only passing through and just came for a quick lunch. We ordered at the counter. The staff was friendly and exuded a youthful hip vibe: funky earrings, misplaced piercings, ben&Jerry's tee shirts. I had a bowl of soup. In keeping with the pattern here, these were offered in an eclectic variety. Mine was a Manhattan Fish Chowder: tomato-based with flaked white fish and vegetables in a hearty broth, laced with layers of aromatic seasonings. More like a stew than a traditional manhattan clam chowder. Basically perfect; my only complaint was the bread that it was served with (homemade and quite good) was buttered; leave that for the customer to do if he so desires please. The wife ordered a grilled-cheese sandwich with apple slices inside. An intriguing variation on a classic. Here's where the problems lay. After placing our orders at the counter, we had been sitting at our table for a while and wondered what was taking so long. I went to the counter to inquire. It turns out they had completely forgotten our order! (Seriously? How does this happen? We were sitting at our table close to and within full view of the counter, and the place wasn't exactly busy.) After initial confusion they remembered the order, apologized, and set to work making our lunch. A few minutes later they brought a cup of tomato soup for my wife, as compensation for their mistake. Ok, a nice gesture, and appreciated, but not really sufficient in my opinion. Rather than a cup of tomato soup, they should have offered her a soup of her choosing, and it should have been a bowl, not a cup. The grilled cheese sandwich, when it eventually arrived, was a disappointment. After all that time, it wasn't even cooked properly: too light on one side and too dark on the other side; just a shade under burnt. And the wife was disappointed by the apple slices: green rather than red would have worked better with the cheddar. I'd give them another chance if passing through this town again. Or, if staying close by, maybe come for a musical event. And next time - I promise - I'll try to buy a book or two. read more

I went to Sandy's Bakery a few months ago and not only did they accommodate my daughter's dietary needs, they also held on to and returned my credit card that I had left there!!! I can't recommend highly enough!! And the food was delicious- read more

Amazing bakery with a really nice bookstore front. Buy some fresh bagels , egg sandwiches and coffee. Will definitely come back!

A quaint and cozy bakery serving fresh and tasty breakfast and lunch. You can tell quality ingredients go into everything thing that make. Grab a bite to stay and then something for the road. read more

Excellent food; lots of healthy choices; fresh and best bagels ever ; cute store attached

Amazing bagels! We were seriously blown away by how chewy/crunchy/flavorful they were. Possibly the best bagel I've ever had. We had ours toasted with cream cheese. The cream cheese was rich and delicious. Prices were great, and the service was super friendly! read more

I'm in complete agreement with Hilary C below, who summed up this place perfectly. I was in once for 5 minutes getting coffee and left thinking, "I want to check out of the hamster on a wheel pace back home and work here!" No chance of that yet, but I am thrilled that this exit 3 pit stop IS on one of my regular routes to Sugarbush, and can't wait to stop in again and try the food - there were some colorful veggie wraps that looked incredible - like New England in summer. I found the coffee great - and I'm a TOUGH grader on coffee. I couldn't avoid getting a (soooo Vt) Hemparoon, which was tasty with bits of fresh grated lemon peel and something green - maybe the hemp - and a bag of "Energy Chunks" - no ingredients listed but looking good and homemade, so what the hell. Not bad, and I did go and go for the rest of the day, until my butt found a nice table at Tracks, in Warren..... read on for that review. read more

Such a cool selection of books! Cozy nooks for reading or work. Great homemade bagels and soup!

Well the food is mostly made with local suppliers, most baked fresh each day and the cakes are YUMMY! Ask for Hemperoons....like Maceroons but made with hemp oil...DELICIOIOUS. The second hand books are wonderful to browse...the coffee and various drinks (smoothies etc) are all made fresh and as you can tell I love this place. I just Woodstock was nearer! If you Vegan or a veggie or like me a blood curdling meat eater...they have it all..... A Brilliant place...... read more

This spot is the kind of fun, funky, hippie-esque place that supports organic food, local farmers and artisans, and provides food and literature to increase your knowledge of the local Vermont culture and surroundings, , whether via your tastebuds, eyes, or intellect. Think of it as the more earthy, grass roots version of the Warren Store, minus the wine, tiny packaged goodies, and expensive clothing shop upstairs. The coffee I had was fine (but did not have a mocha), in contrast to the previous review. All the bread and foodstuffs served there is made on the premises, including the sesame bagel I happily consumed in a tasty breakfast egg, cheese and bacon sandwich. The place seems strongly based on the local community and the semi retirement aged folks at the table next to me were garrulous on the subject of the Internet, Twitter and businesses in VT and included me in their conversations. Makes me wish my regular VT travel route passed this way more often than it does! read more

I really really really don't understand what the five star reviews are about. I would love to be one of those folks who can leave a five star review but I can't even muster two. Bagels are not your traditional bagel. Tasty, a very tasty BUN! Definitely not a bagel. Not in the classic sense. Not even in the New York sense. Horribly disorganized staff at a horribly disorganized register. Piles of people in front of us had no idea what was going on. It took nearly 2 hours to get in out of this little place. I simply asked for a "bagel "with extra veggie cream cheese. And smoked trout. I got the smoked trout. And plain cream cheese. I'm not sure how hard it is to make a bagel with veggie cream cheese. There is a lack of staff, and more importantly, there is a lack of consideration for customers who really want to just get in and out and get coffee and a couple of things to go. Sandy's has a long way to go as far as efficiency and as far as being cordial. All of the workers behind the register look like they're being bothered. Like they need to go back to bed. You shouldn't operate a Bagelry with coffee if you need to sleep in that day. Horribly disappointed with Sandy's. read more

This place is great. They have a huge selection of dishes and sandwiches and use local ingredients. They have fresh baked breads and bagels and excellent vermont coffee company coffee. They don't have anything on draft however they do have a fine bottled beer selection. Definitely stop here for lunch if you are in Rochester. read more

An amazing stop over between ADK and Boston! Beautiful! Great food! Great music! Great ambiance with books and books everywhere.

Love eating here, we got bagels to go this past weekend. Love homemade bagels. The staff is polite. Great environment, love the books and gifts. read more

We went there for breakfast before leaving town and it was incredible. The breakfast sandwiches were okay, but the five stars are due to an out of this world twice-baked-potato croissant we had. That's right, a croissant filled with baked potato, cheese, broccoli, and heaven. I had an iced chai that was a tad lukewarm but clearly from a real tea blend--I even saw the barista pull the jar of leaves down to brew it. We also bought a fresh loaf of ciabatta and couldn't stop eating it on our drive back to Massachusetts. Not only is the food good, but they had a nice selection of used books available that lined the walls and made for a really cozy and pleasant atmosphere. read more

Adorable and helpful young woman waited on me. They have some yummy gluten free items if you are Celiac like me.

If I lived in town I'd be here everyday. The staff makes you feel like you're home. Cold brew was strong and tasty, great selection of used and some hard to find books; the entire place feels like a library with cafe tables. All food is local and homemade. Earl grey shortbread cookies are subtle and flaky. Next door there are recipe books and two lovely cats. I'd come back to Rochester just to stop in here. read more