About
Welcome to the delightful world of Haymarket Cafe, a true gem nestled in Northampton’s vibrant downtown at 185 Main St. This bustling cafe offers an eclectic mix of scrumptious meals, cozy ambiance, and thoughtful practices that elevate your dining experience. What sets Haymarket apart is not just its diverse menu, but also its commitment to community and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a meal that’s both nourishing and ethically sourced.
For breakfast enthusiasts, Haymarket Cafe serves all-day favorites that will tantalize your taste buds. Imagine indulging in their Shakshuka, with poached eggs nestled in a rich Middle Eastern tomato sauce, accompanied by freshly baked sourdough toast and spicy cilantro chutney. Just as satisfying is the Huevos Rancheros, a gluten-free delight featuring corn tortillas, pico de gallo, and savory black beans—perfect for energizing your day.
Moving onto lunch, the highlight is the Sambar, a South Indian lentil soup that’s bursting with flavor and loaded with vegetables. Patrons rave about this dish as the perfect comfort option, especially during colder months. Additionally, the grilled cheese sandwich stands out for its innovative twist, featuring melty gruyere cheese paired with guacamole, caramelized shallot, and fresh basil mayonnaise, all served on glorious focaccia bread. Trust us, each bite melts in your mouth!
Haymarket Cafe also shines in its dedication to community, with a noteworthy pay-what-you-can menu aimed at supporting low-income diners. This thoughtful initiative reflects the cafe’s heart, making it a beacon of hope during challenging times and earning it a cherished spot in the local dining scene.
As you savor each dish, take note of the warm, casual atmosphere complemented by moderate noise levels—a perfect backdrop whether you’re dining alone, working, or enjoying a meal with family and friends. Plus, with free Wi-Fi and a selection of delicious smoothies and baked goods, this cafe truly caters to every craving.
In conclusion, whether you are a local or just passing through, a visit to Haymarket Cafe is an experience not to be missed. From the diverse menu highlighting fresh, flavorful ingredients to the cafe's uplifting values, it’s a place where food and heart come together. Treat yourself to a meal that’s both satisfying and meaningful—your taste buds will thank you!
“ First off, this is a super casual laid back place with very consistent food and beverages. They have a no-tipping policy, compensating their employees well above minimum wage. From their website: "The employees at the Haymarket are motivated to do a good job because they take pride in their work. Eliminating tips has allowed us to increase all wages at the cafe and erase the income disparity between the kitchen and the front of the house." I ALWAYS order the Sambar (Indian lentil soup with idli and coconut chutney) which is just so outstanding, a perfect veggie winter lunch. Delicious! You order on your phone and they deliver directly to your table. The smoothies are first rate, too. I really appreciate this place for being a healthy and hearty member of the downtown Noho scene. ”
“ Took my family here for breakfast after visiting me! There's something for everyone here. I love their smoothies and pastries. ”
“ Haymarket has a special place in my heart. They have fantastic food, tasty desserts/cakes/cupcakes/bars, and a low-income menu. That pay-what-you-can menu saved me during the darkest parts of the pandemic. Their grilled cheese is v good (and comes with a side which is unique for some of their items). And their mac and cheese is also really good. I've also had a few of their baked goods which have all been pretty delightful. Most recently, I had a slice of the peanut butter chocolate cake (vegan). Delish. The only downside is the cost. Part of it is probably to help fund their low-income menu and they never asked me for tips either thru online ordering or in-person, so perhaps it's inclusive of that?? But $5.50 for a slice of cake or $11 for a grilled cheese seems just a bit more than I really want to pay...and more than one would pay at other local places. Either way, I totally recommend this spot. So lovely. ”
“ Haymarket Cafe is one of those places I found out about thanks to Yelp. It is a literal hole in the wall and very easy to miss. It's cradled between a book store, and another restaurant. I enjoyed everything we ordered, but mostly their peanut butter and vegan chocolate cake. You can either walk up to the counter and order, or you sit down at the table, and use your phone to order via the digital codes they have set up at each table which I thought was innovative and efficient. The only reason they didn't get the full 5 stars is because they messed up our order a bit. They brought me the wrong tea and it wasn't hot, it was luke warm at best, also; mom paid extra to get a side salad instead of chips and they ended up bringing the chips instead of salad anyway, but once we told them we had paid extra for the salad they rectified the issue. For some reason we ended up getting our drinks towards the end of our meal? Despite this however I'd go back again, and as a matter of fact I returned a second time already during my trip just to get a slice of their vegan cake to go. ”