Woodstar Cafe: A Hidden Gem in Northampton, Massachusetts

Written by Sara Spangler

Attending Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, I’m always on the lookout for close-by, low-price cafes, and my absolute favorite one has to be Woodstar Cafe, located at 60 Masonic Street, tucked between a local vegetarian restaurant and music venue. There is 15-minute street parking out front and a parking lot right across the street—I’ve never had a problem finding a spot. I’ve been enjoying their treats since the beginning of my first year, especially as they self-describe the restaurants as a “family-owned bakery, sandwich shop, and full-service espresso bar” that values increasing “joy through pure, handmade foods and kind service.” They are committed to sustainability, using 100% renewable electricity and sourcing ingredients from local farmers such as Mapleine Farm in Hadley, Massachusetts, and Little Leaf Farms in Fort Devens, Massachusetts. They offer in-house service with adorable dishware or give you the option to take things to go in compostable cups, containers, and straws. Their food is homemade, contains no preservatives or trans-fats, and is organic and fresh. 

Woodstar’s Mission/Ambiance:

Image Credit: Sara Spangler

Woodstar is committed to creating “A World with Gentleness at its Center,” which is clearly exhibited in its cozy seating area. Decorated with local art such as portraits of Greta Thunberg and Jane Goodall, the space is welcoming and comfortable, offering three different rooms of seating with cute mosaic tables. However, Woodstar is often incredibly crowded, full of locals and college students enjoying coffee and chatting with their friends, and along with the (fantastic—usually indie rock or pop) music they play, it can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, they also offer two locations for outdoor seating, one under a beautiful wooden arch and the other alongside the front of the cafe, where umbrellas give you the option to enjoy the sun or shade. Their bathroom has a code and is clean, but, as my friend Violet put it, “smelled like sweat.” Not the greatest, but it works! The rest of the restaurant, though, is kept nice and clean, as service members clear tables frequently.

Something to note about Woodstar is that it's typically crowded, and their WiFi hardly ever works, so it's not a great place to study. (Not ideal for the average Smith College student.) However, I love going here with friends or family and enjoying nice conversations in the lively atmosphere! 

Woodstar’s Treats:

Now for the fun part…the food at Woodstar is delightful! From all kinds of baked goods to fresh bread, sandwiches, and salads, along with their full espresso bar and homemade smoothies, there is something for everyone. Not to mention, they also sell bottled sodas, lemonades, seltzers, and local farm milk. Their bread schedule is posted weekly on their website, offering a variety of breads such as sourdough, ciabatta rolls, and challah.

Their selection of sandwiches is vast, featuring multiple types of grilled cheeses, bagel sandwiches, and fresh sourdough sandwiches. My favorite sandwich is the Summit House sandwich, featuring turkey, homemade pesto, cheddar cheese, arugula, and tomato. It is a pressed sandwich on multigrain bread, which comes out crispy and hot. However, they skimp a little on the amount of cheese you are getting and could use a little more salt, in my opinion. Their sandwiches are well-priced, ranging from $5.95 for a PB&J to $11.79 for their more deluxe sandwiches. In terms of salad, they offer four types, including the option to make your own. My favorite is their winter spice salad for $11.95, featuring fresh, crunchy greens, quinoa, pickled onions, and spicy pecans that add a nice kick, a generous amount of feta, and a touch of sweetness from dried cranberries. Served with balsamic dressing, this salad has so many lovely, complementary flavors and is the perfect size—not too much, not too little!

Image Credit: Sara Spangler

Their coffee is incredibly tasty and “definitely the most affordable coffee in Northampton," according to my friend Genevieve. You can get a hot cup of brewed coffee with free refills for around $3, and they sell bags of the espresso they use, Esselon Coffee, a roast that comes from “small family-owned farms in the growing region of Huila, Colombia.” They offer a selection of specialty lattes, including the Smokey Maple Sea Salt Latte. Although the smoky flavor doesn’t quite come through, I appreciate how strong the salt and maple flavors were. Another one of my favorite specialty drinks they offer is the elderberry rose honey lemon ginger drink, a zingy, refreshing beverage perfect for immune support. Something to skip at Woodstar is their matcha, as it is quite bland and slightly acidic. It isn’t bitter or grassy, but the milk overpowers the flavor, and at $4.50 for a 12-oz cup, you’re better off trying their wide selection of herbal teas. Try customizing with their incredible selection of syrups! My favorite is red rooibos tea with mango syrup. 

But the main reason to come to Woodstar is for their baked goods! Ranging from eclairs and macarons to muffins and cupcakes, there are endless possibilities. I’ve yet to try it all, so a trip to Woodstar always has something new in store, especially as they frequently change their baked goods menu. They serve giant cookies, ranging from grain-free chocolate chip cookies to ginger molasses, and have an entire shelf dedicated to gluten-free goods (the gluten-free cupcakes are especially decadent!). The dietary information is very clear and color-coded in their signage. One of the best things I’ve tried that was recommended by a staff member was their apricot rosemary bar, a “tender, buttery crumb” shortbread base (according to my friend, Tess) with a strong, tangy apricot jam and rosemary bits that offer a nice savory element, topped with a sandy brown-sugar sprinkle.

A dessert to skip would be their lemon cupcake with cream cheese frosting, as we all found it a little too dense. Plus, it was quite cold and dry when served. The ratio between the cake and frosting was "perfectly acceptable” according to my friend Kendall, but my friend Phoebe claims there was not enough. Instead, opt for their muffins, which are my personal favorite item at Woodstar! They offer a variety of flavors, but their banana chocolate chip muffin holds the key to my heart. It is moist and balanced, filled with melty chocolate chips. With an ever-changing, dynamic menu and special menus such as their Passover and Easter menus that feature goods such as strawberry vanilla chiffon pie and pear cardamom Passover cake, as well as bagged cookies made in-house, homemade marshmallows and biscotti, and fresh apricot muesli and granola, there is no shortage of delights.

Image Credit: Sara Spangler

While their menu is quite extensive, their staff members are incredibly friendly and helpful, answering questions and giving recommendations. The service is usually quite fast, although I’ve had to wait a while when they are super busy. But the last time I went, my salad came out within minutes, beautifully plated with attention to detail. I love that they ask for your name, contributing to their family-friendly environment.

I haven’t even begun to tell you all the secret joys of Woodstar, and all I can say is you must go see for yourself. I always leave Woodstar feeling full, satisfied, and well-loved. It's one of the best businesses in Northampton. 

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Sara Spangler