Skip to content
Saltbox CaféEssex · Connecticut
Order

Bill of fare · Fall

The menu

Everything is made in the house, most of it that morning. Filter for what you eat, then order ahead or just come in.

V vegetarian · GF made without gluten · DF made without dairy

A latte on a round oak table beside the plaid wool sleeve of a fall jacket

Seasonal specials

Fall at the Saltbox

  • Maple latte$6.25

    Grade A dark syrup from a sugarhouse in Hebron, a pinch of sea salt.

  • Hot mulled cider$4.50

    Fresh-pressed from an orchard in Glastonbury, with clove and orange peel.

  • Cider doughnut$3.00

    Fried every morning from mid-September and rolled in cinnamon sugar.

  • Roasted squash salad$13.50

    Delicata, lentils, pepitas and greens with a maple-tahini dressing.

Until the orchards close, usually around Thanksgiving.

A latte with a rosetta in a white cup on a worn pine table

Coffee & tea

All day

Espresso and drip roasted for us by a two-person roastery in Old Saybrook, a shade darker than they would like. Oat milk at no charge.

  • Saltbox drip

    $3.25

    Our house blend, chocolatey and round. Free refills at the table. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

  • Single-origin pour-over

    $5.50

    Brewed to order; ask what’s on the shelf this week. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

  • Espresso

    $3.00

    A double, pulled short. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

  • Cortado

    $4.25

    Equal parts espresso and steamed milk. VegetarianMade without gluten

  • Cappuccino

    $4.75

    Six ounces, properly foamy. VegetarianMade without gluten

  • Latte

    $5.25

    Twelve ounces. Add vanilla or honey for 50¢. VegetarianMade without gluten

  • Maple latteFall

    $6.25

    Grade A dark syrup from a sugarhouse in Hebron, a pinch of sea salt. VegetarianMade without gluten

  • Cold brew

    $5.00

    Steeped eighteen hours. Over ice, year round. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

  • House chai

    $5.25

    Simmered with cardamom, black pepper and fresh ginger. VegetarianMade without gluten

  • Pot of loose-leaf tea

    $4.00

    Breakfast, Earl Grey, sencha, mint or chamomile. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

  • Hot mulled ciderFall

    $4.50

    Fresh-pressed from an orchard in Glastonbury, with clove and orange peel. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

A dozen deep-golden croissants cooling on a wire rack

Pastries

From open, until they’re gone

Laminated by hand starting at four. Croissants rest overnight; the sticky buns go in when the front door unlocks.

  • Butter croissant

    $4.25

    Three days from start to finish. Cultured Vermont butter. Vegetarian

  • Almond croissant

    $5.25

    Twice-baked with frangipane and toasted almonds. Vegetarian

  • Ham & Gruyère croissant

    $6.25

    Smoked ham, Gruyère and a smear of grainy mustard.

  • Morning bun

    $4.50

    Croissant dough rolled with orange zest and cinnamon sugar. Vegetarian

  • Maple-pecan sticky bun

    $5.50

    Baked upside down in maple caramel. The reason people line up on Saturdays. Vegetarian

  • Cider doughnutFall

    $3.00

    Fried every morning from mid-September and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Vegetarian

  • Blueberry corn muffin

    $4.00

    Stone-ground cornmeal and Maine wild blueberries. Vegetarian

  • Brown-butter scone

    $4.25

    Changes with the market. This week: pear and ginger. Vegetarian

  • Flourless chocolate cake

    $5.75

    A dense slice with a spoon of crème fraîche. VegetarianMade without gluten

  • Oat, date & tahini bar

    $4.00

    Chewy, not too sweet, made with olive oil. VegetarianMade without dairy

Two fried eggs on toast with tomato on a white plate set on rumpled linen

Breakfast

All day

Eggs from Rose’s farm in Chester, bread from our own oven, and no reason to stop at 11.

  • Saltbox egg sandwich

    $10.50

    Folded egg, sharp cheddar and bacon or tomato on our English muffin.

  • Soft scramble on toast

    $12.00

    Chives, crème fraîche and a thick slice of sourdough. Vegetarian

  • Two eggs any style

    $11.50

    With roasted tomatoes, house toast and cultured butter. Vegetarian

  • Avocado & radish toast

    $11.50

    Seeded rye, lemon, chili oil and shaved radish. VegetarianMade without dairy

  • Johnnycakes

    $11.00

    Rhode Island white-cap cornmeal griddle cakes with maple butter. VegetarianMade without gluten

  • Steel-cut oats

    $8.50

    Cooked in oat milk with roasted apple and a maple drizzle. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

  • Yogurt & granola

    $9.00

    Thick whole-milk yogurt, our maple granola, local honey. VegetarianMade without gluten

A tall sourdough sandwich with cheese, greens and cured meat, halved on a wooden board

Lunch

From 11, Tuesday – Saturday

Sandwiches on house sourdough, a soup that changes with the week, and the shoreline’s roll.

  • Hot buttered lobster roll

    $26.00

    Connecticut style: warm lobster, drawn butter, a toasted split-top bun.

  • Turkey, cheddar & apple

    $14.50

    Roast turkey, clothbound cheddar, Macoun apple and mustard on sourdough.

  • Tomato soup & grilled cheddar

    $13.00

    Roasted tomato soup with a griddled sourdough melt for dipping. Vegetarian

  • Clear clam chowder

    $9.50

    The Connecticut way: quahogs, potato and thyme in a clean broth. Made without glutenMade without dairy

  • Roast beet & farro bowl

    $14.00

    Goat cheese, toasted walnuts, arugula and cider vinaigrette. Vegetarian

  • Roasted squash saladFall

    $13.50

    Delicata, lentils, pepitas and greens with a maple-tahini dressing. VegetarianMade without glutenMade without dairy

Maple syrup poured from a small jug over a stack of pancakes topped with berries

Weekend brunch

From 9, Saturday & Sunday

A longer, slower menu for weekend mornings. Come early or order ahead; the porch fills up.

  • Buttermilk pancakes

    $13.50

    A short stack with Connecticut maple and whipped butter. Vegetarian

  • Eggs Benedict

    $15.50

    Smoked ham and poached eggs on our English muffin, lemony hollandaise.

  • Brioche French toast

    $14.50

    Cider-poached apples and a little crème fraîche. Vegetarian

  • Smoked bluefish hash

    $16.00

    Crisp potatoes, a fried egg and pickled red onion. Made without glutenMade without dairy

  • Shakshuka

    $14.50

    Eggs baked in spiced tomato and peppers, with grilled bread. VegetarianMade without dairy