The floor plan of the cafe is clever because it accommodates both the social and antisocial moods of its different customers. The main level of the cafe has a very social atmosphere, with every kind of coffee you can imagine, such as cafe lattes, cafe au lait, cappucino and mocha blends in three different sizes. They also have smoothies, milk shakes and "cocktails," which are non-alcoholic juice drinks. There are also a wide variety of tempting desserts like peanut butter-chocolate-oatmeal bars, cookies, snicker doodles, cheesecakes, pies and other sugary gourmet goodies.
My favorite part of the cafe is the downstairs, however. The low ceiling and warm red and tan walls create a very cozy atmosphere; there are even comfortable vintage sofas and chairs that you can curl up on and read a book. The tables in the basement, unlike the main floor, are much larger and great for a group dinner or study session.
Even though The Haymarket Cafe has a laidback classic coffee house atmosphere, there is a very lively energy throughout. Both the customers and employees seem active not only in their studies and social life, but also in pressing real world issues as well. For example, the restroom has "VOTE" painted in huge flowing writing on the back wall with gold paint.
The Haymarket Cafe is a great place to socialize with a small group of friends or meet new people. The cafe cheerfully buzzes with intellectual Smith women, Hampshire students and professors who come with their laptops, regularly refilling their coffees to feed their caffeine addictions. The customers engage in whispers of conversation about everything from philosophy class to the cute boy they met this weekend.
The menu and prices of The Haymarket Cafe are exceptional. It has everything from basic loaded nachos to hot quesadillas. The cafe is also a great option for vegetarians and vegans because most of their dishes have vegetables or tofu, and it even serves delicious Tempeh Burgers. The Haymarket Cafe has sandwiches of the same quality as those at The Black Sheep, but all of these sandwiches are prepared on foccacia bread in half sizes and whole sizes at the very reasonable prices of $3.25 and $6.00. My favorite item on the menu is the warm brown rice salad which consists of mesclun greens covered with marinated tofu, Portabella mushrooms, veggies, a choice of tahini or balsamic vinaigrette and a warm heap of brown rice. The eclectic menu also includes food from varying nations including Spicy Coconut Curry, West African Stew and Arroz a la Cuba. All of these inventive dishes are very healthy, fresh and beautifully put-together, and most of them come in two different sizes. The largest size is more than enough for one very hungry person.
The Haymarket is not your typical trendy coffee house; the atmosphere is charming and the food and beverages are meticulously prepared. It is extremely original, and I always leave feeling pleasantly full and satisfied with my meal, recharged with my daily caffeine requirement and pleased with all the work I've finished. I highly recommend making a night of it by taking work or reading and planning on having a nice dinner away from Valentine. An excursion to Northampton's Haymarket Cafe makes studying something to finally look forward to. Unlike going to Frost or another cafe in Amherst, it is a new experience that is enhanced by the fine cuisine and the social, energetic and relaxing atmosphere conducive to an enjoyable night of work and fun.