Trident Booksellers & Cafe

Name: Trident Booksellers & Cafe
Address: 338 Newbury St., Boston, MA, United States, 02115
Telephone: (617) 267-8688
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.4

4.4

87 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top tags:

Boston's last independent general bookstore, Trident Booksellers & Cafe is located on Newbury Street in historic Back Bay.

Since 1984, Trident Booksellers & Cafe has been providing Back Bay residents, students, and tourists with sustenance for the mind and body. Trident is the perfect place to catch up with friends, study for your exam, grab brunch, or browse our wide selection of books and magazines. We offer free wifi, an award-winning magazine selection, a full service restaurant, books, cards, gifts, and, above all, a unique Boston experience. Check out the Trident’s extensive menu, featuring fresh juice and smoothies, as well as all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to look at our events calendar to see what’s happening tonight!

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 4, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 7 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(617) 267-8688

Other options

Order online

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
American, Breakfast, Comfort Food
Hours of Operation
Daily 8:00 am–10:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 267-8688
Website
http://www.tridentbookscafe.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
We welcome a variety of private events! We offer several options for room set-up and can accommodate any style of dining. Our dedicated events coordinator will help you plan your perfect event and ensure a seamless experience for your guests. Some of our favorite gatherings to host include: *graduation parties *birthday parties *holiday parties *murder mystery dinners *bridal showers *baby showers *work team outings *networking events *bar/bat mitzvahs *anniversary parties *business meetings *alumni events Let the Trident's independent spirit make your next event one to remember! https://www.tridentbookscafe.com/private-events

Location
338 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115
Neighbourhood
Back Bay
Cross Street
Between Hereford Street and Massachusetts Avenue
Parking Details
Street Parking
Public Transit
Steps away from the Hynes Convention Center stop on the Green Line.
Additional
Beer, Cafe, Counter Seating, Delivery, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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French FriesUS$4.75
Spicy FriesUS$5.00
Sweet Potato FriesUS$5.75
Served with curry mustard and roasted garlic & chive aioli homemade dipping sauces
PoutineUS$10.95
A bowl of french fries with homemade beef gravy & cheddar
Fried PicklesUS$8.50
Served with sriracha aioli
Tempura Fried Veggie BowlUS$8.00
Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli. Served with a side of garlic & chive aioli
Chicken Strip BasketUS$11.95
Crispy chicken strips served in a basket with french fries with your choice of BBQ, ranch, or honey mustard dipping sauce

Shareables

Hummus PlateUS$7.95
Homemade hummus served with crispy or fresh pita, cucumbers, carrots, and celery
Breakfast PizzaUS$12.00
Flatbread pizza topped with grilled tomatoes, bacon, arugula, fresh mozzarella, pesto and sunny side-up eggs
Butternut Squash TacosUS$8.95
Two soft tacos filled with butternut squash, feta, arugula, tomato, corn, black beans, red onion, and cilantro
Tomatillo TacosUS$8.50
Soft tacos filled with peppers, onions, cilantro, mesclun greens, scallions, and shredded pepperjack. Topped with tomatillo salsa
NachosUS$8.95
Tortilla chips baked with cheddar cheese, fresh jalapeños, refried beans, and tomatoes
Boneless Buffalo or BBQ Chicken TendersUS$8.00
Served with celery and bleu cheese
Chicken QuesadillaUS$13.95
Grilled chicken with cheddar & jack cheeses, black beans, and a homemade chipotle salsa. Grilled in a flour tortilla
Portabella QuesadillaUS$12.95
Fresh baby spinach & portabella mushrooms with onion, cheddar & jack cheeses, tomato, and garlic. Grilled in a flour tortilla

Salads

Turn your salad into a wrap for $0.85. Dressing choices: Balsamic Vinaigrette, Citrus Vinaigrette, Ranch, Honey Ginger, Caesar, Greek, Bleu Cheese, Oil & Vinegar

Trident Signature SaladUS$10.95
Dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, almonds, and Gorgonzola over mixed greens
Classic CaesarUS$10.95
Tossed with homemade croutons & fresh Parmesan
Trident Chicken SaladUS$10.95
Roasted chicken tossed with red grapes, celery, and mayonnaise, topped with apples & walnuts. Served on a bed of romaine
CapreseUS$10.95
Fresh creamy mozzarella, tomatoes, and walnut pesto on a bed of mesclun greens
Trident CobbUS$10.95
Cheddar, mozzarella, bacon, avocado, tomato, onion, and cucumber on a bed of romaine
Crunchy Western RanchUS$10.95
Corn, black beans, cheddar, tortilla chips, tomato, avocado, and mixed lettuces. Served with ranch dressing
Beet & Arugula SaladUS$10.95
Beet, walnut, apple, shaved fennel, and feta cheese over a bed of arugula
GreekUS$10.95
Chickpeas, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, cucumber, tomato, feta, and over fresh spinach

Trident Bowls

Served with your choice of farro (not Gluten Free), rice, or quinoa

OriginalUS$15.95
Roasted Brussels sprouts, micro-greens tossed with sesame dressing, kale, beets sweet potatoes, and chickpeas
PortabellaUS$15.95
Portabella mushrooms, edamame, micro-greens tossed with sesame dressing, baby corn, bean sprouts, and shaved carrots
PopeyeUS$15.95
Spinach, portabella, chickpeas, broccoli, micro-greens tossed with sesame dressing, pesto
FalafelUS$15.95
Hummus, falafel, cucumber, feta, kalamata olives, sliced onion, olive oil and lemon juice
Mac 'N CheeseUS$11.95
Macaroni in a creamy cheese sauce topped with a buttery Ritz Cracker crumble. Mac 'n Cheese adds: Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, Chorizo, or Prosciutto for $4. Ham, Bacon, Turkey Bacon, or Chicken Apple Sausage for $2.25. Broccoli, Spinach, Jalapenos, Mushrooms, Black Beans, Corn, Carrots, Peas, Tomatoes, Peppers, or Onions for $0.85

Salad and Bowl Adds

Poached EggUS$2.00
ChickenUS$4.00
Buffalo ChickenUS$4.00
TofuUS$4.00
Salmon CakesUS$5.00
ShrimpUS$5.00
SteakUS$5.00
FalafelUS$3.00
AvocadoUS$2.50
Shredded Cheddar & MozzarellaUS$0.85

Burgers

All burgers are served with potato chips and a pickle on the side. Upgrade to french fries, a side of fruit or a salad for $2.75, spicy fries for $3, or sweet potato fries for $3.75. All burgers served on an Iggy's sesame seed bun

TurkeyUS$11.95
Handmade turkey patty with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cranberry mayo on the side
Trident*US$11.95
Juicy all-beef hamburger with lettuce, tomato, and onion on the side
Ranchero*US$13.95
Ground beef mixed with peppers and spices, topped with arugula and a spicy guacamole on Focaccia
SalmonUS$12.95
Delicious hand made panko-crusted patty of seasoned salmon & haddock
PortabellaUS$11.95
Grilled portabella mushroom, roasted red peppers, sprouts, with homemade hummus
Black BeanUS$11.95
Made from scratch & served with fresh homemade salsa on the side

Burger Adds

CheddarUS$0.85
Dill HavartiUS$0.85
ProvoloneUS$0.85
Smoked GoudaUS$0.85
FetaUS$0.85
SwissUS$0.85
JalapeñoUS$0.85
Green PeppersUS$0.85
SpinachUS$0.85
AvocadoUS$2.25
Sautéed MushroomsUS$2.25
HummusUS$2.25
BaconUS$2.25
Turkey BaconUS$2.25
Fried EggUS$2.75

Sandwiches

All sandwiches are served with potato chips and a pickle on the side. Upgrade to french fries, a side of fruit or a salad for $2.75, spicy fries for $3, or sweet potato fries for $3.75

Deluxe Grilled CheeseUS$11.50
Melted provolone, tomato, and your choice of bacon or avocado on grilled Challah bread
Cape CoddeUS$11.95
Melted provolone, turkey, bacon, and cranberry mayo on grilled Challah bread
Baja ChickenUS$12.95
Roasted BBQ chicken, avocado, bacon, and cheddar on an Iggy's sourdough baguette
French DipUS$12.95
Warm roast beef and provolone on an Iggy's sourdough baguette with Au Jus and horseradish aioli on the side
Eggplant Parm SubUS$12.50
Fried eggplant topped with marinara and Provolone on an Iggy's baguette
Prosciutto & BrieUS$13.95
Prosciutto, fig, mesclun greens, and brie on an Iggy's sourdough baguette
Falafel WrapUS$12.95
A traditional falafel wrap with tabbouleh, hummus, feta, lettuce, and tzatziki in a warm flour tortilla
TurvacadoUS$12.95
Turkey, avocado, bacon, and smoked Gouda on rosemary focaccia with Dijon mustard
ChamatoUS$12.95
Fried chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cheddar on rosemary focaccia with garlic & chive aioli
Fresh Mozzarella B.L.T.US$11.50
Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon and walnut pesto on sourdough toast
Spicy Turkey ClubUS$12.95
Turkey, bacon, avocado, cheddar, micro-greens, and sriracha mayo on toasted sourdough
Avocado & Havarti MeltUS$11.95
Avocado & spicy mustard topped with melted dill Havarti on sourdough toast. Served open-faced
Tuna & Swiss MeltUS$9.95
Freshly made tuna salad on sourdough toast topped with melted Swiss. Served open-faced

What 87 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Boston / New England
Neighbourhood gem
Boston
Great for brunch
Boston
Neighbourhood gem

Sort by

KM
KeithM
New England
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love to support this local, long time, independent book store/cafe! Menu is large and diverse and always good!
LT
LisaT
San Francisco
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 10, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience2
The new menu that they had on site omitted many things that were on the website menus. This was disappointing and very confusing. The menu is large, but they do not let you customize things which was very disappointing. Our server was very kind and very helpful. She did apologize for the inconsistencies, and did the best she could With our food order. The quiche that I had was just passable and fried potatoes were unnecessary. My friends bowl was also just average and the prices are very expensive. It is cramped and very noisy and it was much better when the upstairs space was available. overall I think they have way too many things on the menu and then without the option to customize it just becomes mediocre at best. It’s too bad because it’s such a great iconic spot, but the food just does not measure up and there’s so many other options in the area I probably will not come back or recommend it.
KL
KimL
Raleigh
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 29, 2023
overall4food1service4ambience4
Great location but terrible food for the price. Love the bookstore.
H
Helen
Milwaukee
5 reviews
vip
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 20, 2023
overall2food3service1ambience2
Waited for 1.5hrs for food after placing the order. Asked waiters to check on the status 3 times. Food was good, but service was terrible.
DR
DanaR
Nashville
9 reviews
vip
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on February 19, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience3
Very loud and way too crowded. The service could be better. We were sat in the middle of the room - felt very squished between tables. My coat was long so it was touching the floor when I put in the back of my chair. I tried to grab another chair but it was in the “way” of servers. Which wasn’t true. Every server pushed us around every time they passed by to bring our dishes. They could definitely use some training.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My birthday brunch! Great service and food, many options to choose from. Also love the vibes of the bookstore! Really adds to the atmosphere
I
Indira
New England
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Not too bad. You seat yourself, order and pay from the menu on your phone and they bring the food to you.
NA
NAB1
New England
21 reviews
4.0
21 reviews
Dined on January 10, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience2
Our favorite little casual place for lunch on Newbury.
AA
AmyA
Miami - Dade
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2022
overall2food4service1ambience2
This was a staple for me for 20 years, even after I moved I would come back for breakfast when visiting. Sadly this was my last visit. The charm is gone. No one greets you. You seat yourself. No one comes to your table. You are instructed via signs to sest yourself and scan a code and view menu and order off the website. And you are asked to pay and leave a tip- before service. I wanted to know if they had almond milk and if I could switch out the avacoado in my wrap. Answers that were hard to come by. I like looking at a menu to see my options hollistically, and to interact for service. As someone else said- I basically ordered take out via an app and used one of their tables. Wait staff stood around drinking coffee. You used to pay up front which enticed you to browse the bookstore. No more. I clearly am not woke enough for this place anymore.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
vip
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 12, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
Food was cold and a little bland.
WS
WillS
New England
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2022
overall5food4service4ambience4
The crepe special was wet, but yummy!
PO
PamelaO
Orange County
32 reviews
vip
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
A great little spot in Boston for breakfast, brunch, coffee, or lunch. You can browse through the books and gift items while you wait for a table and it has many, local authors and artists as well. Also a great spot for a first date or girls brunch!
MF
MichelleF
New England
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 1, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience4
Easy place to get together with friends and talk in a casual environment without being rushed out. It is a step above standing in a line to order breakfast and then bring it to a seat. You order and your food is served to you. Casual environment. Love being in a book store.
I
Irish
Houston
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on September 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous food / atmosphere for meeting up with a friend or family member to chat and grab a book.
KH
KatieH
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food and extensive drink options! We loved the peaflower Arnold Palmer that changed color as we added lemonade/champagne. The bookstore is so fun and friendly, too. Highly recommend.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 1, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
It was a good solid place for lunch! I don’t think it’s particularly amazing food but I love having the book store right there
j
jjv1234
Philadelphia
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 27, 2022
overall3food3service1ambience3
The food was good; the breakfast burrito with the salsa was particularly tasty. The outdoor seating had plenty of options. I was a bit disappointed with the service. No one came out to clean the table before we were seated (or at any point during the meal) and we ordered through the website, so the first time we had interaction with any waitstaff was when they dropped off the food we had ordered and paid for. We did not even get waters until a few minutes after our food. It was a bit silly to think we tipped 18% for essentially ordering takeout to our table.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
The servers were excellent. We created a special memory there after our daughter’s college graduation.
KB
KristaB
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is the best place on Newbury for a quiet lunch.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
vip
2.0
1 review
Dined on April 22, 2022
overall2food2service2ambience4
Disappointing - not a service-oriented experience and food was cold upon delivery. Our requests for basics like cream (as ordered) or an extra plate were met with annoyance. It’s really a self service model. And not the unique, enjoyable experience it once was.
BI
BostonianInLondon
New York Area
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2022
overall3food3service1ambience5
I've been visiting Trident for well over ten years now, and this visit will probably be my last. The service was poor (the server acknowledged forgetting to bring items we ordered, then we had to remind a few times before they remembered to bring everything to the table - this took long enough for the food to go cold), the skillet breakfast was bland until we were able to get another server's attention for sauces to flavourit, and the new app for ordering doesn't accept international credit cards so we were not able to order until we could get attention with someone at the counter. (The server walked past our table several times while we struggled to order, without acknowledging us.) Then to make the experience even more "enjoyable" the server who looked after us said we didn't need to check in for our reservation - causing Open Table to email me with a warning about being a no show. After this experience I'm no longer recommending Trident to friends visiting my home state.
CA
CAL11
New England
28 reviews
vip
4.0
28 reviews
Dined on April 1, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience5
Great Atmosphere. Service was a little slow, but it was also pretty crowded. Plus, we didn't realize we were supposed to order on our phone.
PC
PeterC
New England
4 reviews
vip
2.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2021
overall2food2service2ambience1
The process of ordering isn’t ideal, and when your drinks come out 20 minutes after your food… one has to question if perhaps some enhancements could be made. Honestly, this wasn’t a good experience at all. Collecting a tip before any service is provided might be a new trend… but is really off putting and confirms that I made a mistake eating here.
TL
TomL
Miami - Dade
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 16, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience3
Yippe Yappy Yahooooeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2021
overall5food4service5ambience5
My friends and I have a little book club and we thought there was no better place than Trident booksellers to go for a brunch get together and discuss our current read. We have all been here before but thought we’d leave a review because we love Trident so much. The food is unique and delicious (the mimosas are even better), the atmosphere is energetic (but not overwhelming), the servers are always on their game (friendly and accomodating), and the bookstore itself makes you want to stay in there forever and explore every shelf. Thanks Trident for always being a fun time!
T
Torontiff
San Diego
90 reviews
vip
4.0
90 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2021
overall4food5service4ambience4
An unusual choice for a business meal but lots of book lovers among us. Table service after I figured out the entire table’s online entries was very gracious and accommodating! Ginger shots became a novel team-building experience
S
Stephanie
Philadelphia
66 reviews
vip
4.0
66 reviews
Dined on October 20, 2021
overall4food4service3ambience4
Cute nook that hasn’t changed much in 10 years since I’ve been there last. Great neighborhood staple where you can enjoy books and food.
VS
VickiS
Philadelphia
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 11, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Breakfast was amazing! Service was good. Great location
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 27, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent!
MB
MarissaB
New England
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Dined with my mom and aunt. Been coming here for years for the bookstore, first time eating. Soooo good. Had the Huevos rancheros. Excellent. Definitely recommend
L
Leedines
New England
14 reviews
vip
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on July 8, 2021
overall4food5service5ambience5
I booked with open table but restaurant didn’t indicate I had shown up.
F
Foodie
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 21, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food and service! I sent my boss here to meet one of our VPs who lives in the area and received rave reviews! The local VP said it's his new fave in the area.
JB
JoannaB
London
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience4
Consistently one of the best places to browse, eat, drink and just hang out in Boston. I don't even live in the USA, but make sure to pop in for brunch or dinner every time I'm in the area, and pick up a book or two, of course!
G
Gabby
St. Louis
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on June 14, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
I love Trident. Not only is it a great bookstore, it’s also a fantastic place to get a casual drink or bite to eat. All the food that I have had there is delicious (the sweet potato fries especially). I also tried the pea blossom mimosa and it was also delicious. Service was great, I have 0 complaints.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2021
overall3food3service3ambience3
Okay. Nothing special.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Trident never disappoints. This was the first time dining for dinner, but we are regulars for breakfast takeout when we are in town. Mimosas to go and the best english muffins anywhere!
CS
CliffS
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2021
overall5food4service4ambience5
Food was good. It was quiet enough to have a good conversation and the unique atmosphere was really fun. IU=
D
Drew
San Francisco
47 reviews
vip
4.0
47 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience5
How can ambience be less than five stars, surrounded by books? The food was tasty and ample. Virtually everything - viewing menu, selecting, ordering, paying - was done, uhm, virtually, but service was friendly and efficient.
AB
AmandaB
Los Angeles
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2021
overall5food5service4ambience5
Great idea Great menu Amazing for vegans
SC
SimoneC
New England
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2021
overall3food3service4ambience4
It was midweek brunch and cool fun.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff temperature check required

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Trident Booksellers & Cafe using the Order Online button. Trident Booksellers & Cafe also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Trident Booksellers & Cafe also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 267-8688.

Trident Booksellers & Cafe is rated 4.4 stars by 87 OpenTable diners.

Trident Booksellers & Cafe does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.