When I walked in, this lady behind the counter looked at me unpleasantly and jumped out from her seat and said "Do you need any help?" uptight. I just said my husband and my daughter came here this morning so I am also checking out the store. After that, she stalked me a little even. I ordered Chai at their caffe and was waiting for my husband to come, and I saw that she's still looking at me! I could see from the reflection of windows. After that I could even that see she was talking something bad with another employee from her facial expressions. I felt very uncomfortable. I put 2 stars instead of 1 because my husband went to talk to the manager and she was very understanding and promised with him that she will talk to her which we hugely appreciated. My husband talked to the lady, but she was just being smug, just nodded annoyingly(my husband told me that.) - I think she will be forever racist whether someone talks to her or not - and it's no body's fault
Emilio Rojas
Best, bookstore in Marin
Dan Coppock
It is great to see a local owned bookstore outlive two major chain stores. Good coffee and a great book selection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura Peters
Book Passage is second only to Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon. If you want a book, go to Book Passage, plus the store has classes and talks with authors. Absolutely worth your time and attention.
Aaron Jensen
Chai latte was good but the way the woman working the cafe acted to me (14 yrs old, coming from school) was ridiculous. I walked up to the register and the woman looks at me and says “I cant make any fancy drinks for you” before I’ve had a chance to breathe. Then proceeds to make my drink. When the tip screen came up, she goes “I don’t need a tip” in a snark remark. I obviously skipped it. Would come again but would be cautious of the service. The way that older people treat teenagers at restaurants, cafes, etc. is unacceptable and needs to be brought to attention. It was bad enough to make this review one star.
Laurie S.
Happened to be in the area, and I used to always hear about events and advertisements on the radio for The Book Passage, so we went in to take a peek! It did not disappoint! Found so many books I wanted to buy that were not the usual books on the shelf in larger bookstores. The employee working was super friendly and helpful! We will definitely be back when we are in the area! Thanks so much!
Doug K.
Book passage is a lovely institution for book lovers. It is home to readers and writers alike and you can inhale the feel of the written words here. The delightful patio is a fabulous place for a coffee or snack with a view of Mt Tamalpais-Homestead. A truly special place.
Sidney M.
Great Coffee. Chill vibe and awesome selection of books. And love the live author event selection.
S M.
There is something so inviting about a bookstore. Book Passages does not disappoint. The store is divided into two different spaces. Kids, Nature, Travel and a used book area supporting a non- profit in an entirely different space than the cafe, novels etc. Book Passages even had a space for live, in person book signings etc. I have been to half a dozen events. They are all well put together.I am a nature lover and am always a bit let down when I get to this section in a store, most bookstores only have a small shelf on nature and sports, not so with Book Passages, there is s nice cozy corner to peruse the goods on nature. I can not lie, I have walked out the door sleuth some treasures!!!If you like used books, Book Passages has set aside a small alcove for a local nonprofit and the selection is downright impressive. The cafe (main store) is small but cozy, well lighted and a good place to meet up with a friend, to get a bite especially before a book signing. I must say I'm thrilled to see a book store thriving.I have lived in the area a very long time and have loved many a bookstore who are no longer in business. I'm not ashamed to say I love this store and frequent as much as my bank account allows.ALSO. They are one of the only places who sell the August to August Calendar. So a toast to you BP!! Keep on keeping on, I appreciate you!
Robert S.
STAY AWAY!I am a retired professional in my late 60s. While waiting for an event to happen, I decided to have a bite at their tiny cafe. I have been in the bookstore many, many times and am a 2nd generation Corte Madera resident.Big mistake.I ordered a cup of chili. The young server, who looked about 20 years old, took my order. He asked "Do you want sour cream or cheese?" I said no. The kid looked at me like I was crazy. When the chili finally came out, the server SCREAMED at me "Here is you chili WITH NO SOUR CREAM AND NO CHEESE!!!" Half of the bookstore must have heard him. How dare this young guy scream at me because he didn't like the food I ordered. Passing judgment on my "bad taste" for not wanting sour cream in my chili. Totally and impossibly rude. It shouldn't matter, but I am old enough to be his grandfather. What kind of jerk did you hire Elaine? Absolutely unacceptable for a server to scream at anyone because he didn't like the food I ordered.I called from home and talked to Elaine, who has seen me in the store for decades. No apology, no nothing. I told her that she has lost a long time customer. She didn't seem to mind. My late father was an avid reader, and purchased many books at Book Passage. I also read a great deal and have made many purchases there. No more.I was really embarrassed and absolutely stunned that an employee would scream at me because he didn't like my food order. How dare him. Frankly, if he had a brain in his head he would have a better job.Never coming back Elaine.
I was just looking for a cafe on Google maps when I found this one inside a bookstore. I had just arrived in town and thought this was a super cool place at first glance. The lady at the coffee bar was opening boxes and such and I wasn't entirely sure that it was open today, so I asked. She snapped back, "Does it look open?". Welcome to Corte Madera! I guess I'll go to Peet's.
Iain McNeil
Great local bookstore and cafe. Very knowledgeable staff and great book selection.
When I walked in, this lady behind the counter looked at me unpleasantly and jumped out from her seat and said "Do you need any help?" uptight. I just said my husband and my daughter came here this morning so I am also checking out the store. After that, she stalked me a little even. I ordered Chai at their caffe and was waiting for my husband to come, and I saw that she's still looking at me! I could see from the reflection of windows. After that I could even that see she was talking something bad with another employee from her facial expressions. I felt very uncomfortable. I put 2 stars instead of 1 because my husband went to talk to the manager and she was very understanding and promised with him that she will talk to her which we hugely appreciated. My husband talked to the lady, but she was just being smug, just nodded annoyingly(my husband told me that.) - I think she will be forever racist whether someone talks to her or not - and it's no body's fault
Best, bookstore in Marin
It is great to see a local owned bookstore outlive two major chain stores. Good coffee and a great book selection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Book Passage is second only to Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon. If you want a book, go to Book Passage, plus the store has classes and talks with authors. Absolutely worth your time and attention.
Chai latte was good but the way the woman working the cafe acted to me (14 yrs old, coming from school) was ridiculous. I walked up to the register and the woman looks at me and says “I cant make any fancy drinks for you” before I’ve had a chance to breathe. Then proceeds to make my drink. When the tip screen came up, she goes “I don’t need a tip” in a snark remark. I obviously skipped it. Would come again but would be cautious of the service. The way that older people treat teenagers at restaurants, cafes, etc. is unacceptable and needs to be brought to attention. It was bad enough to make this review one star.
Happened to be in the area, and I used to always hear about events and advertisements on the radio for The Book Passage, so we went in to take a peek! It did not disappoint! Found so many books I wanted to buy that were not the usual books on the shelf in larger bookstores. The employee working was super friendly and helpful! We will definitely be back when we are in the area! Thanks so much!
Book passage is a lovely institution for book lovers. It is home to readers and writers alike and you can inhale the feel of the written words here. The delightful patio is a fabulous place for a coffee or snack with a view of Mt Tamalpais-Homestead. A truly special place.
Great Coffee. Chill vibe and awesome selection of books. And love the live author event selection.
There is something so inviting about a bookstore. Book Passages does not disappoint. The store is divided into two different spaces. Kids, Nature, Travel and a used book area supporting a non- profit in an entirely different space than the cafe, novels etc. Book Passages even had a space for live, in person book signings etc. I have been to half a dozen events. They are all well put together.I am a nature lover and am always a bit let down when I get to this section in a store, most bookstores only have a small shelf on nature and sports, not so with Book Passages, there is s nice cozy corner to peruse the goods on nature. I can not lie, I have walked out the door sleuth some treasures!!!If you like used books, Book Passages has set aside a small alcove for a local nonprofit and the selection is downright impressive. The cafe (main store) is small but cozy, well lighted and a good place to meet up with a friend, to get a bite especially before a book signing. I must say I'm thrilled to see a book store thriving.I have lived in the area a very long time and have loved many a bookstore who are no longer in business. I'm not ashamed to say I love this store and frequent as much as my bank account allows.ALSO. They are one of the only places who sell the August to August Calendar. So a toast to you BP!! Keep on keeping on, I appreciate you!
STAY AWAY!I am a retired professional in my late 60s. While waiting for an event to happen, I decided to have a bite at their tiny cafe. I have been in the bookstore many, many times and am a 2nd generation Corte Madera resident.Big mistake.I ordered a cup of chili. The young server, who looked about 20 years old, took my order. He asked "Do you want sour cream or cheese?" I said no. The kid looked at me like I was crazy. When the chili finally came out, the server SCREAMED at me "Here is you chili WITH NO SOUR CREAM AND NO CHEESE!!!" Half of the bookstore must have heard him. How dare this young guy scream at me because he didn't like the food I ordered. Passing judgment on my "bad taste" for not wanting sour cream in my chili. Totally and impossibly rude. It shouldn't matter, but I am old enough to be his grandfather. What kind of jerk did you hire Elaine? Absolutely unacceptable for a server to scream at anyone because he didn't like the food I ordered.I called from home and talked to Elaine, who has seen me in the store for decades. No apology, no nothing. I told her that she has lost a long time customer. She didn't seem to mind. My late father was an avid reader, and purchased many books at Book Passage. I also read a great deal and have made many purchases there. No more.I was really embarrassed and absolutely stunned that an employee would scream at me because he didn't like my food order. How dare him. Frankly, if he had a brain in his head he would have a better job.Never coming back Elaine.
Restaurantji Recommends
I was just looking for a cafe on Google maps when I found this one inside a bookstore. I had just arrived in town and thought this was a super cool place at first glance. The lady at the coffee bar was opening boxes and such and I wasn't entirely sure that it was open today, so I asked. She snapped back, "Does it look open?". Welcome to Corte Madera! I guess I'll go to Peet's.
Great local bookstore and cafe. Very knowledgeable staff and great book selection.
Very nice pesto chicken & Gorgonzola sandwich!
Nate is the best barista!