Hours

Monday	10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday	10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday	9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday	8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday	8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Photos

Reviews

• Susan Simonson
  ★ 4

  What a special little family restaurant off the side of the highway. Big picture windows and filled with used books! Diners get to select three free books from upstairs bookshelves. Downstairs Book Cellar has limited selection of used books for sale. We all enjoyed our meals: hot turkey platter, salad with goat cheese, and sandwich with sweet potato fries. Would definitely recommend to other travelers. Handicap accessible.

• Food of CT
  ★ 3

  I’ve passed by The Traveler Restaurant my whole life on road trips up north, but only just stopped in for the first time last night! There weren’t too many people there, but it made for a lowkey dinner. The food arrived quickly, and everything we had was actually much better than we were expecting. Cool concept with all of the books lining the dining room, and we appreciated that you could take 3 for free. Also walked around the book cellar too. There weren’t really any titles that grabbed us though. My main critique is that it was pretty dusty… we looked at one of the lights and the cobwebs on it made it look like a Halloween decoration. You have to wonder if the dining room is that neglected, how bad is the state of the kitchen? Wouldn’t be in a rush to come back, but glad I can say I’ve been to what’s considered such an iconic roadside stop.

• Melissa Stankovich
  ★ 2

  My book loving self was so excited to come to this place after seeing it on instagram. This restaurant offers you three books for the taking with the purchase of a meal. Once I got inside, it was very chaotic and disorderly feeling. It felt very rundown and there were very little books upstairs (from which you could take from). I did donate 2 boxes of books since they operate solely on donations. They also have a full cellar of books but there are two signs on the way downstairs that indicate they are not free and need to be purchased. That was disappointing especially since all books are donated. After a 45 minute wait to get seated, I looked at the lack luster menu and decided to leave. They offer very run of the mill food and little for those with any food allergies. This might have been okay if the atmosphere was better. But overall this place was a complete dive. I’m not sure why Instagram influencers see in this place but kudos to them because they got me excited to go.

• A.S. Totoro
  ★ 5

  Especially good are the haddock, salmon, and steak, along with a wide selection of sandwiches and pasta. Everything is prepared with care, portions are generous, and the flavors are rich yet balanced. The seafood is fresh and well cooked, the steak is tender and satisfying, and the sandwiches and pasta offer a great mix of classic comfort and creative options.
  
  Traveler Restaurant is a truly distinctive place where a restaurant and a bookstore come together in a natural and welcoming way. Shelves of books line the dining areas, creating a calm and slightly nostalgic atmosphere that feels very different from a typical roadside stop. The tradition of choosing 3 free books with your meal adds a thoughtful and memorable touch.
  
  The beer selection is excellent, and there is a strong variety of other drinks to complement the food. Whether you are stopping for a relaxed lunch or dinner, it is easy to find something that pairs well with your meal.
  
  Service is friendly, attentive, and efficient, making the overall experience comfortable and enjoyable. It is an ideal place to pause during a drive, enjoy a satisfying meal, and take a moment to browse for a book you did not expect to find.
  
  Overall, this is a Connecticut classic that offers not only very good food but also a unique and engaging experience that keeps you coming back.

• Samantha Weaver
  ★ 3

  This is an adorable concept and a convenient spot to hop off the highway for a break. The draw here is unique: purchase a meal and you get to take home three books for free. While the walls are lined with titles to peruse, there are two main drawbacks to the layout. First, the books aren't organized in any specific order. Second, the shelves are located directly behind the dining tables, which creates the awkward situation of strangers leaning over your meal to browse. I also noticed the selection for children was quite limited.
  
  The menu is classic American diner fare, featuring burgers, sandwiches, and fries. The poutine was tasty, though it's worth noting it uses cheese sauce rather than traditional curds. The burgers had good flavor and plenty of topping options, despite being a little greasy, but the steak tips were unfortunately dry and overcooked.
  
  While it was pricier than expected, it’s still a charming place to stop, stretch your legs, and perhaps find a new book for the rest of your trip.