Reviews of The Vanilla Bean Cafe (Coffee Shop)

Aleksandra Miglowiec

I'm sincerely impressed with the quality of service provided at The Vanilla Bean Cafe. I came here with a friend with some food allergies. The staff went above and beyond to make sure my friend could safely eat here and enjoy her food. They allowed her to check the ingredient listed on a package, were willing to switch an ingredient in another dish, and all without any fuss. They were so polite. Obviously, this is a specific circumstance that usually doesn't happen. However, most restaurants have not treated my friend with nearly as much respect. Judging by how well we were treated, you can be sure that The Vanilla Bean Cafe takes great care with all of their customers. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great, the staff was exceptional. 10/10. I'm so glad we stopped in here.

Joe Kerr

Fun cafe with good food and vibrant atmosphere. Enjoyed lunch during their 30th anniversary celebration. They had $6 lunch specials and complimentary cake. Overall, it was a very good experience! We look forward to returning and trying more menu items.

Danny Ayotte

Awsome place but a bit pricey

Mike Leonard

Amazing fresh food. Home baked treats. This place has so much charm and appeal and amazing food to back it up.

Steven Clayton

Great food great service! A little pricey but the quality is there.

Beefsteak Bob

So, a couple of things. I think I speak for a lot of the motorcyclists when I make this suggestion: pave the parking lot. Saw two bikes go down while struggling to negotiate the crushed stone while we were there. Now on to the food. We all had one of the specialty items..the Asian Chicken Peanut wrap. Nothing Asian about it....just chicken and rice with a few pieces of something green in a wrap...no detectable peanut flavor....no salt...no flavor at all. Very disappointing. I'm sure that's not the case with everything on the menu. Actually, you don't go there for the food..its a great destination for a bike ride and a cup of coffee.

Kyle Chen

The food tastes good. On Saturday there's a small band performing at the cafe. They deserve a 5 star.

Dave Oconnell

Great little find. A bit pricey, but can be worth it if you don't mind paying for the food.

Kevin Hoye

Good food, great place that fellow bikers come to for eats and catching up.

Robin Caputo

Love it! Amazingly creative and tasty specials.

celeste cooper

Will definitely stop again when I can The staff was very nice and on top of everything It was clean pleasant unique I had a bean and vegetable burrito it was extremely good! It seemed a little expensive at 1st but the quality was definitely a 10!

Karl Hulseberg

Very good and friendly

travis finnemore

Great place to ride too, fast friendly service! Good food, great spot to meet up and enjoy sitting outside with fellow riders, and others... very cool!

Rob Crandall

Great food good wait staff highly recommend trying vanilla bean

Betsy Youngsma

Great little local Cafe...coffee nice fancy desserts and lovely English atmosphere.

Ch Ro

7 bucks for a sliver of cake is a bit too much

Aimee Alfke

So delicious. Just make sure you ride your motorcycle here, so you can chat with the other riders! Love it.

Mike K.

I found the Vanilla Bean Cafe by accident. A few weeks ago I actually got my tractor trailer stuck in some mud across the street from it. The owner of the cafe came over to see if he could help and actually made some calls to see what he could do. It's not every day you meet someone so kind. The area was so beautiful, I decided to take my wife and go on a little road trip up to New England and we stopped here for lunch. It's a charming, cozy, hip restaurant kind of in the middle of a sleepy town. We had a couple of great sandwiches served by a very friendly staff. It was worth coming back. I would have never found The Vanilla Bean Cafe if I didn't get stuck. All in all it turned out ok in the end.

Emily Sideris

Oooh my I go when ever I get the chance to stop here it's a little expensive but everything comes in big portions and their desserts are amazing love the peanut butter pie it's to die for

Wesley Sherrill

All around fantastic

Chelsea True

Yummy lunch spot! Reasonable prices and a cute atmosphere!

Teeba Alfalih

Really good coffee

Robert Grindle

Excellent meal, great atmosphere

Glenn Gravlin

Excellent place for motorcycle enthusiasts to gather while riding the excellent roads of Connecticut.

Debra Hvizdos

Nice atmosphere friendly people

Sandra Boone

Good was great and loved the outdoor seating!

Mixed Grill

Excellent. Went for a 100 mile ride on the bike. Stopped in for dessert.

Meg Curry

Great find....allows college friend and I to connect at about a half way point between us. Been meeting here for 3 yrs now...ALWAYS enjoy the food! Today enjoyed outside deck....maybe not again til spring.

Jim Ramaker

Went here a couple of years ago and it was great. Latest visit disappointing. Salmon salad was dry and had a very small piece of salmon. When I asked for dressing, I received a tiny thimble sized cup -- about 1/4 teaspoon. The place was staffed by teenage girls who seem intent on keeping customers on a spartan weight-loss diet.

louise chadborne

It's all phenomenal

True Bryant

Barry and Brian are always looking to give the customer a great experience. Food is excellent and unique. Space is intimate for a good conversation and music.

Andrew Patterson

Reuben is off the wall amazing!!! Espresso style drinks are well made, and great staff!

Walter K Parker

Good place for music

Antony Thinagar

Nice breakfast place. Enjoyed the mushroom egg omlet. Friendly and welcoming staff.

Peter D

Nice spot, good coffee and pastries.

Doreen Hryzan

THE BEST CAFE' AROUND...BRIAN N BARRY R THE BEST HOST

Joe Sladky

Always a good stop on our motorcycle trips

Ron Lincks

Paking lot not that biker friendly.

Ferdinand AlecMoss

A great spot for breakfast after a Sunday morning bicycle swap meet. Staff was friendly and on top of it. Food was tasty and fresh.

Elizabeth Ormerod

Excellent food, great atmosphere, & entertainment!

Alison Ciarlante

I love this place! They have great coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner! Great atmosphere and staff! I love to meet people here to chat and eat. Plus they have great art on the walls! This place Rocks!

DAd Iam

So I have nothing really wrong to say about the food or service. I ordered a half turkey sandwich and the chili. Both were pretty above average and I got them in a reasonable amount of time. My big gripe is their pricing. I don't live in the Putnam area and I know its more expensive than I am accustomed to, but it cost $17 for a small lunch and a coke? That's a fair bit pricy in my book.

Maryam Faghri

30 years of experience is something that you can count on. I like this cafe. It looks small from outside but it has really nice dining area. They always have a special menu. I recommend to go there for breakfast.

Katya Maiser

This Cafe came recommended when traveling in eastern CT. It was worth the side trip off 395, I did it twice! The food was very good and coffee was just as good. Prices are a little on the high side but not unreasonable. Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful and not the standard one veggie burger you can get anywhere. Seems to be a popular rest for people out on motorcycles, bicycles or car clubs. Loved the outdoor seating and indoor options too.

Rick Reichert

Not bad. Locals rave about it, VBC is the center of action around here (live acts, local art on the walls).

Jessica Houlker

Great food, friendly staff.

Michael Saint Grey

if there are positive reviews of the vb out there, well, they're true. but what makes the place special -- its off-the-beaten-track ambiance, its diverse prep-school/folk singer/biker clientele, its high-brow treatment of low-brow food -- seems increasingly a thing of the past. the coffee is decidedly lousy yet priced obnoxiously high; a cup for here costs more than one to go. the food is good, the portions, tiny, as if the same logic is at work: compel the customer to spend a lot or leave in a hurry.

Scott Paggioli

The rating is a reflection of the staff on this occasion as much as the food on my most recent visit. Have been going here off and on for quite some time and for the most part I have had excellent food an service. On this occasion though stopped in before noon and the coffee station was a disaster. The tables I went to sit at were not clean. There was some issue going on with the employee at the register and a person I can only assume was the manger. The issue should have been handled out of view of the patrons and should not have interfered with the service. My sandwich was not up to their usual standard. For the price which I always considered to be on the high side these things should not happen. The only bright side was the Chile was excellent as always.

Paul Scheu

Great place for a motorcycle ride.

Louise Coates

Clean friendly. Food soso. Chili in my omelet was cold.

Emily And Ian Schmidt

Great atmosphere. Food is yummy.

Allie Cat

This cafe has a wonderful, homey feel to it. They have great food options, both healthy and delicious! I've been coming here for years, and still haven't had a bad experience. They're also good about food allergies, and I've never gotten sick from eating here! (Celiac safe!!)

William Dyckman

Great place for lunch! Highly recommend!

Dominic Pallini

Nice little place

Marc Dubois

Nice intimate venue for mellow music.

Dale Ianni

Nice mellow hangout. Very good food but a little bit pricy

James Engel

This is at the junction of Routes 44, 97, and 169; all favorite riding roads for motorcyclists, sports cars, and families. You can get great food and ogle motorcycles of all types on a typical summer's day.

Jegan Mohan

Perfect place to take a break when on the scenic route.

Jeff Scorse

We had a fun time tonight with wonderful food and being entertained by Don White.

Frank Fontana

Excellent service and food.

Richard Hudon

Excellent food, great service.

Scott Janelle

Love this place. A delicious cup of soup full of veggies and chicken served with a half of sandwich. A wonderful pot of tropical green tea. Great atmosphere with beautiful art on the walls and live entertainment on Saturday evenings. A spectacular place to stop by when traveling the back roads of New England.

Paul Mann

Tuna plate was great!

Edward Browne

Stopped for a quick bite

Binky Mcauliffe

Unique, friendly place, with beautiful surroundings, and great food!

Devin Marcella

Good food at a good price! I highly recommend you sit outside so you can take in the beauty of the area around you

Logan Parrette

The GO-TO cafe for anywhere in Eastern CT as far as I’m concerned. Amazing atmosphere that entails the walls decorated with local artist’s works, live music on select days throughout the week, and great people and ambience as a whole. Can’t recommend Vanilla Bean enough! I go here as many weekend days as I can throughout the year and would say I eat here for at least half of the weekends throughout the year...and it’s a 40 minute travel each way. It’s THAT good!

Joe Bielucki

Stopped after truck show in Brooklyn Ct, met co-owner Brian, sat with my friend and I as we had lunch outside in front and we had a great visit. Thank you Brian for spending some time with us and the lunch was great.

Chris Hall

Great little place to stop at, good food and interesting people..

Michael Bilica

A little pricey but the food is always full of flavor. There is live music on the weekends and nice ambience.

Bob Davis

One of the owners (Brian) came by our table and asked how things were going. Huge when leadership takes an interest in the patrons. Great atmosphere and food. The pie was out of this world. Chicken salad sandwich was a must have. Definitely making the trip from Gbury again soon.

Edgardo Morales

They have good food.

Cecily McGuckin

Rustic Barn turned California-esque Eatery with an Interesting History... Delicious Omelets and Coffee...Desserts Looked Yummy too but We were too Full...Servers Super Sweet

Joe Acciardo

Parking lot is as much fun as inside .Good food good peoe!

Kevin Brignole

OMG, I had a cup of split pea soup, it was out of this world! I also had a rubin which was also very delious. So okay the food was out of this world good, but the charm and atmosphere of the place made me feel warm and comfortable. I really enjoyed it. I wish i snapped a photo.....

Michael McHugh

Good food, some interesting bikes amid the all the Harleys and clones..

Aron Tidwell

Hearty chili and a fun staff. Very motorcycle friendly. Make the stop!

Brian Roth

The ginger lemonade is fantastic. A great place to relax after a nice ride around NE CT!

battlefield34pro sniper pro

First time there . Friendly and pleasant staff. Can't wait to visit again.

1solamenteyo

Great food good people

Russell Young

Five stars for the location,great variety of foods,and drinks. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Come in and meet new people and enjoy a live performance on selected evenings. Most enjoyable stop in on a CT. Quiet corner weekend drive.

bruce richman

Always very healthy choice while out riding her motorcycle

Leonor CarverI

First time there and I was very impressed. Offers both inside and outside dinning. Had a wonderful selection of meal and beverage options. Very reasonable prices and quick service. Looking forward to going back the next time I am in the area.

Paul Mello

Good food Great atmosphere even if it is a tad more expensive I still stop there most weekends to eat and relax.

Ian Berringer

The Vanilla Bean offers a great variety of sandwiches and comforter you food served in a warm and cozy atmosphere. Would recommend to anyone who is looking for a good local place to dine and chat.

Jeffrey Santo

First time there and I was very impressed. Offers both inside and outside dinning. Had a wonderful selection of meal and beverage options. Very reasonable prices and quick service. Looking forward to going back the next time I am in the area.

Wendy Sweller

Just good food

Rick Johnston

Terrific food and was also able to have a beer.

dawne donnell-jackson

The chili is amazing, and there are gluten free options available. It's often very busy, but the wait isn't long, and the atmosphere is nice. They have live entertainment regularly, and the venue is warmly intimate.

KenF

Nice destination ride point for motorcycles

Frankie Piela

Saw Kerri Anderson in the evening, great show. Dinner was a special vegetable lomein, excellent. Dessert was a shared slice of blueberry cheesecake, decedent.

Peter Lehndorff

Love the food and the music but Google Maps directions are still incorrect coming from Rte 244 it is Rte 97 north not south.

Rocko Magistri

Great place to visit and have a meal. I will return.

Holly Bell

Great lunch!

Phil Shannon

We've had breakfast and lunch here, the food has been excellent every time. Fresh, prepared to order, the staff are friendly and quick. Dog friendly, one of the gals asked if our golden wanted water, brought her a recyclable bowl of water

Aaron Flaum

Always a nice place to sit and relax. The staff is always friendly and the setting is great

MsCemeteryDrive

Cute place! Interesting decor and art for sale. Nice tea selection!!

Rick Sarvas

Outstanding quality of food, but somewhat limited selection. Alcoholic beverages are available. A popular spot with the biker crowd in the summer. Somewhat off the beaten path, but well worth the drive.

Claudia Eberly

Good food. Pricey

Moe Ouellette

I love this place! Great food!

Samantha Drake

They are so great! Made me gf french toast on a weekday even though it is apparently only on the weekend menu. It was delicious.

Andrew Slater

The Vanilla Bean is always a great place to meetup with friends. Food is delicious and portions are full. Wonderful ride destination for early Saturday morning motorcycle rides.

Peter Hvizdos

Great place for 30 yrs now and counting the food is outstanding everything is fresh and homemade great place to stop with a motorcycle,owner is a rider

Jerry Johnson

First time there and I was very impressed. Offers both inside and outside dinning. Had a wonderful selection of meal and beverage options. Very reasonable prices and quick service. Looking forward to going back the next time I am in the area.

Bradford Gauthier

The Vanilla Bean is a classic spot in Northeast, CT. The food is consistently good, the aesthetic is pleasing, but the value leaves MUCH to be desired. Case in point, I got a Beef and Cheddar sandwich a few days back with a coke and it was literally $14 on the dot, (and the sandwich was missing the cheddar cheese I might add). It's a basic sandwich with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and onion on a small-sized roll with horseradish mayo, not some oversized behemoth overflowing with unique ingredients that warrants a premium price. I'm only rating the Vanilla Bean as two stars because it's hitting the price point where it caters not to local residents, but to the wealthy families of the prep school students right down the street who inundate the Vanilla Bean every weekend. In short, I love the food, love the staff, but don't think I'll be going back anytime in the foreseeable future.

Irving Schoppe

Expensive. Why? Foods pretty good.

Denis Finnegan

Great vegatatveg sandwich. Our favorite Sunday ride!

Ryan Simpson

Great place to stop on a bike ride food was awsome

Carol M Cyr

Fresh and fun food... Salmon salad was awesome

Tammy Dolce

We love "The bean"! Their menu ~ breakfast, lunch and dinner ~ is so very creative and they try to use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. While we go any time of day, I think our favorite is breakfast:) ~ you can eat inside, or outside (weather permitting) and even bring your pup to enjoy the patio with you while enjoy a relaxing breakfast with endless cups of coffee or tea. Ordering is done at the counter. You're given a huge card (think deck of playing cards, only on a super large scale) to place on your table, and a runner brings your food to you. Self serve coffee is great. I could literally write so much more about the food and atmosphere, but really, you have to come here and see for yourself. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Marlene Giovanella

Always a great lunch. We were there on father's day and I assume it was one of the owners that pointed out the specials. So my husband got the brisket grilled cheese..... DELICIOUS!!! Quick and friendly service Its my number 1 favorite ride on the bikes

Wayne Jacques

Cool and eclectic. Food was great and worth the wait. Not to be missed.

Tatiana

Good food. Pleasant Environment.

Jack Lv

Vanilla Bean always has good food

Jo-Ann Joyal

Wonderful atmosphere and food was delicious!!

Arteria's Arts aprovost

Nice atmosphere throughout, clean, neat restroom. Good service.

Bryan Niedermayer

This is one of my favorite places in Connecticut! The food, staff and location are all amazing!

Jerry Lashway

Great food, a bit pricey. Friendly service!

Peter Marut

Been by this place hundreds of times and finally stopped in. Cute place with friendly service along with some good food.

Debra Dyer-Duguay

Great food

B Hoffman

Great cafe in Pomfret! Fun vibe and delicious food. I enjoyed a Rueben Burger for lunch. The ingredients tasted fresh and well grilled, but I was expecting more flavor with a sandwich that included pastrami, sauerkraut, and 1000 Island dressing. I will say the burger was grill perfectly and a nice, toasted bun was a great touch. We went for lunch and they were celebrating 30 years in business, so it was busy and we waited a bit for our food. However, we plan to return and try other menu items. It was obvious while we were there that there are a lot of regulars how have helped keep it rolling for 30 years!

Ann Marie Raymond

Amazing sandwiches made with fresh ingredients. I love that I get to have sprouts on my sandwich! And no matter what, order the ginger lemonade.

Donald Groft

Loved this place! Great atmosphere! Order at the counter. Fast, cordial service! Great food! Chowder is excellent! Everything is great! Yo uh will love it!

skip g

Needed to open a separate credit card for the sample size taste of food, which I have had better in a Mexican prison .....

Robert Fluegel

A pearl in the CT countryside. Whether your out for a Sunday drive, leaf-peeping, or looking for alternate routes to CT, MA, and RI destinations, the Bean is the place to stop at for lunch or dinner. They have an eclectic menu with many healthy choices, homemade soups and chili, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee and teas, both hot and cold. Their desserts will satisfy the most discriminating sweet tooth(s) and seating includes inside and outside dining. If you ride a MC, it’s a great destination / meetup place.

Cecile Winslow

Had a friend visiting from out of town who wanted a country setting,with outdoor seating & she loved "the Bean" with their expansive menu, fresh made soups & sandwiches making 4 a wonderful lunch !

Julia Fogwill

Over priced in my opinion

Zach Albrecht

The owner likes to cry in political ad campaigns that he can't run his business and pay his employees at the same time. Don't support greedy pigs like him.

B Gates

We love the Vanilla Bean, I wish we lived closer, the food and atmosphere are just classic.

Daniel Rodriguez

Berry friendly....good customer service...beautiful place...

Laura Poulin-Harkins

Never had a bad meal here. Today I was enjoed a roasted turkey and avocado sandwich yum!

Shannon Kuzel

Good road trip sandwich. Chx salad

saltnvinegarchi p

Amazing burgers but a tad bit pricey

Allyson Caico

Love this place! Super quaint & amazing food!

Cara Simpson

This is a great place, cozy, good food and beautiful surroundings

Kurt Kaufman

Nice informal place with well-prepared sandwiches, soups and a changing menu of other dishes. Live music on certain evenings. Brunches on weekends. You can also just drop in to meet friends for coffee and/or dessert. The VBC is certainly considered a landmark of sorts in the area. Recommended.

Joann Desautels

Tomato soup was great. I like the option of a cup of soup with a half of a sandwich. Parking is tight during busy times.

Bob T

The prices you see listed in the Google maps app are for a half sandwich not a full, and they're also not up to date. I ordered a turkey & avocado sandwich today and a half is $7.50 This is the size bread your mom used to make you a pb&j sandwich as a kid. They also forgot the avocado.

Phyllis Wood

Really good food, great atmosphere.

Thelma Raney

So nice that we could have our dog with us for a great lunch.

Anthony C

A great way to spend some quality time together with family and friends! It's close enough to get to yet far removed. A beautiful warm New England historical landscape welcome you along the way. The menu offers a healthy variety. I and others just love the coffee. What's better than that? To sit and enjoy the view with a brew!

Michele Bigelow

Good food. Great atmosphere. Gluten free savy

Chris Wright

Good spot - I don’t have any complaints!

Ivy

Good food. It is a good sit down place if you're traveling and stopping for a quick bite alone or with the family. A bit pricey, but not over expensive. Parking is not paved, so be aware of going on rainy days. Parking is also not marked so cars are parked at whatever angles.

Reyna Cleveland

Saw Kerri Anderson in the evening, great show. Dinner was a special vegetable lomein, excellent. Dessert was a shared slice of blueberry cheesecake, decedent.

David Ferrara

I'm from Massachusetts and whenever I'm in the area this is a must

Kathleen Cataford

Fresh, whole foods

Jamie Fava

Amazing food, cute place. My big family of 6 love going there!

The Bike Karma Podcast by Thomas Brown

A great spot for breakfast after a Sunday morning bicycle swap meet. Staff was friendly and on top of it. Food was tasty and fresh.

Tim Whtail

Very tasty egg and cheese bfast sand. Nice stop on the bike.

Chas Anderson

Always good food and a comfy place to sit.

Joan Casenelli

Always delicious food, cheerful and helpful staff.

Jessie Fusco

It country and it is comfort in and out quick nestled in a quiet town

Becca Eve

Adorable, quaint cafe with a great selection for breakfast and pastries. Lovely staff, and decorated with an open airy feel. Great coffee and drink selection

David Brookhart

Wonderful food. Friendly people. And last night, great folk music with Garnet Rogers.

Pierre-Olivier Gaillard

Very good food in a congenial setting. Note that there is no table service.

Andy

Good food, quick service nice location.

Dale Lott

Expensive but good food