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January 2024 by Jane D.
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.
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October 2023 by Emily D
This place is my dream!! Books, everywhere!!! Second-hand to boot. Cats! Wonderful shop owners. A coffee shop next door and their overflow/additional stock. I spent way too much and enjoyed every minute of it. This was a stop on our way through town and I cannot say no to a book store. Made my husband pull over. If I'm ever in the area again, I will absolutely return.
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October 2023 by Catherine Shawarby
Not particularly welcoming, the corn and cheddar scone was very heavy and greasy. Coffee was good. The atmosphere if the old books was great
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October 2023 by Beau Cote
Great little bakery (and books). Food was good. Coffee was good. Parking is kinda available all over town. I came in on a Tuesday and didn't realize they were closed so I had to wait a day to try them... But it was good! Friendly staff and pleasant seating.
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September 2023 by Christopher Schwartz
Cute, decent bagels and OK coffee. The Vermont products they sell are much better than anything else they have in the store. That said, the mix of bookstore and coffee shop is cute, and idealic. Worth a visit but maybe not for lunch / breakfast.The cookies are good, and it's the only place in town to sit down with a laptop and work. The service is also kind of awkward - not much personality.
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August 2023 by Kristine A.
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.
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July 2023 by Kennedy Andara
Must stop here! Super cute little book store and pantry store that sells the most amazing soup. Try the sun tea. Go look around the shop and make sure to get something!
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July 2023 by Richard Mobley
I stopped here on a trip with my partner, and they offered lots of delicious treats and goodies. The book store was also packed with a bunch of different books, even an eclectic selection of niche topics.
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May 2023 by Zeke F.
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!
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May 2023 by Jill-Anne F.
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!!!
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May 2023 by Marie D.
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!
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February 2023 by Norm Zurawski
I am not sure what I am writing a review on here. The books or the bakery?The sandwich I got was mundane, at best. Very little soul in that little guy. The stuff here was not overly expensive. But this sandwich was like 4 bites, dry, and mostly devoid of taste.Soup was ok-to-decent.Espresso was terrible.The maple donuts were decent, I'll say that.The cookie was actually a little dry. Man I am ringing this up pretty hard, I guess. I just think they swung and missed on too many things.I absolutely love the concept of this place and we loved LOVED the tables in the book rooms. Because of this, I may come back 1 day to try and figure out a better set of things to eat so I can try to love it more than I did.
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December 2022 by Chris Mazur
A wonderful used bookstore and coffee shop/bakery. Food is delicious. Coffee is top notch. And who doesn't love a used book store?
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November 2022 by Isabella F. M.
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.
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October 2022 by Titka Seddighi
Such an amazing surprise finding this cozy, wonderful place for breakfast. The egg sandwiche was quite tasty and filling and coffee was great. There are seating options in different rooms surrounded by books and savory. So good!
