OMG!! You can NOT go wrong with your order! My mom got the eggs and the sourdough toast (AMAZING) I got the Apple Cinnamon pancakes EVEN BETTER!! We got an extra order to bring home with us as we live 2 hours away!! The service was OUTSTANDING!! We were NEVER ignored, she always changed to see if we needed anything, asked how everything was, she was on top of everything and AWESOME!! My book with my meal, "The Derby Boy's" is BRAND new and signed, 1st edition, from the author, who lives in CT. I am SO excited to take this book I otherwise wouldn't have found. I HIGHLY recommend going!!
Overview
Pulling off Interstate 84 in rural Connecticut, you don’t expect to stumble on something this delightfully odd, yet the first time I visited The Traveler Restaurant at 1257 Buckley Hwy I-84, Union, CT 06076, United States, I spent more time browsing bookshelves than staring at the menu. Yes, bookshelves. Thousands of gently used paperbacks line the walls, and every meal comes with free books. I took home a battered John Grisham novel with my meatloaf and felt like I’d discovered a secret club for hungry readers.
I’ve reviewed diners across New England for nearly a decade, and I rarely see a concept this well executed. The owners source donated books from local libraries, schools, and travelers themselves, then rotate stock weekly so the collection never goes stale. According to the American Library Association, the average American household owns fewer than 100 books, so walking into a place with shelves stacked from floor to ceiling feels like stepping into a living archive of shared reading habits. It’s not a gimmick either; it’s a process. Staff sort titles by genre, discard damaged copies, and track turnover rates so popular categories like mysteries and travel writing get replenished faster.
The menu reads like a love letter to classic roadside diners. Breakfast runs all day, and during my last stop I watched a couple from New Jersey demolish a stack of blueberry pancakes while debating which books to grab for their kids. The Traveler Restaurant is known locally for hearty portions, especially the chicken pot pie and the slow-roasted turkey dinner with gravy. Nutrition data from the National Restaurant Association shows that diners remain one of the top comfort-food choices in the U.S., and this place proves why. You come in hungry, and you leave satisfied, possibly with crumbs in your lap and a paperback in your bag.
What really seals the deal is the crowd. Truckers, hikers, librarians, and families on road trips all share the same booths. In my experience, that mix creates honest reviews. A mechanic I chatted with last year told me he plans his route around this stop because he can eat well and restock his mystery stash in one go. Online ratings echo that sentiment, often praising friendly service, fair prices, and the sheer novelty of grabbing a book with your check.
From a professional standpoint, I admire how smoothly operations run. The kitchen pushes out consistent plates despite heavy weekend traffic, a sign of good prep methods and smart line management. I’ve seen them batch soups in the morning, portion desserts before lunch, and stage ingredients so no one is scrambling when a busload of tourists arrives. That kind of behind-the-scenes discipline is what keeps wait times reasonable even when every table is full.
The Traveler Restaurant also partners with literacy groups and local schools, which adds credibility to the free-book model. Organizations like Reading Is Fundamental have long argued that access to books outside the classroom improves childhood literacy rates, and watching kids light up while picking out a novel here makes that research feel real. Still, inventory details aren’t published publicly, so while the book flow seems constant, exact donation volumes remain unclear.
I’ve eaten here in snowstorms and summer heat, and it always feels the same: welcoming, slightly quirky, and refreshingly sincere. It’s not fine dining and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a roadside stop with personality, a place where the coffee keeps flowing, the plates come heavy, and the books follow you home whether you planned on it or not.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ On-site services ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great coffee ✓ Great dessert ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Healthy options ✓ Quick bite ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ QuietCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ Locals ✓ Tourists ✓ Transgender safe spacePlanning
✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 1757 reviews
This was our first time here. We found out looking for a spot on the way to MA . I ordered the raven. It was really good. I believe my buddy order the red badge of courage. He said it was really good. This place is so cool. There are books everywhere. Looks like you can purchase different sets of books and it sounds like there were books downstairs as well. We definitely plan to come back when we have some more time so we can explore the place in general and try out different foods. Some of the foods are named after books. The staff was also very friendly.
This is a super cute place right on the northern border of CT. We saw it coming back from Maine one day and added to the list. And recently on outle way back up to Maine we stopped in on the way. Now I think we will make it a regular thing. It's basically a breakfast library,adorable, everyone there was very nice. We sat down and ordered of of there great menu and then got up to walk around and pick out a book. What a great idea. Shortly after our food came out and everything was very good. We would have ordered dessert but it wasn't made in house so we skipped it. Other then that this truly is one of my favorite stops we have ever made and am excited to go back and try other things. We need more places like this.
This restaurant is really fun! Besides being a book-seller they have a great restaurant! While waiting for out table, which was only about20 minutes, we went downstairs and looked through their great selection of used books. I actually found one I didn't know I wanted lol. I enjoyed the fish sandwich which was breaded and came with fries, coleslaw and a side of tartar sauce. It was excellent! We had a good time looking around the restaurant at all the puzzles too. I hope to go again soon.
Stopped here on a roadtrip with the kids. Super friendly staff and charming inside. Kind of like a restaurant / library combo! Everyone gets 3 free books to take home. Unique menu. Right off the highway.
While out exploring, we found this little gem. This is a very interesting place to visit. If you come by you have to ask about the books. They are everywhere. We didn't get the reason behind it, but once you order, you can choose 2 books per person for free. They do have some books that cost money, so be sure to clarify which ones are free. The books are somewhat organized into sections, but it's mostly organic in how they are placed. We ended up getting 4 books for the grandbabies. The pretzel was fantastic. I was surprised at how well they did. We love pretzels and get them whenever they are on the menu. I got a burger, and my spouse chose the fish and chips. My burger was very tasty, and the fish and chips were on point as well. Stop in and give them a try of you are near.
We went out as a family to this restaurant today. I have driven by and noticed it from the highway so many times. I happened to read an article about the restaurant and decided this will be the perfect time to check it out. The food was classically delicious, reminded me of Grandma's cooking. Hearty portions, the specials were fun and yummy sharing dishes. so many options, no matter your taste buds, you will find the dish for you. The server was quick and friendly, very welcoming. Bonus is being able to pick 3 books to take home with you for your travels or cozy read on a cold night.
I'm absolutely becoming a regular of this place. Stopped through after riding nearby and it was so great that I'm writing this as I'm still sitting in here thinking of now awesome this place is. Fried chicken sandwiches were what I always want in a fried chicken sandwich but can never find. Staff was super nice and fun. The books being included in the meal is even cooler. Pull off the highway and check it out, you'll love it.