breathe bookstore cafe

Farewell Breathe Books! After 10 years I was told by an employee you will finally be closing your doors for the very last time on December 31, 2014. We were so lucky to have know ya. You enriched many a life. You had so many spiritual groups meeting there over the years, I’ve lost count. You had so many authors — literally from around the world — come and speak, it was mind boggling. You will be sorely missed! May somebody else have a similar vision and establish another life-​enriching outpost in Hamden during the New Year!

Definitely one of the more low key spots in Hampden. We arrived here on a Tuesday afternoon with some books and a determination to find some coffee and get some work done. The second floor space was perfect for that. It felt homey enough, but they still delivered our food and drinks to us from downstairs! The service isn’t too bad although I could see why people would think it’s slow. They seem to take their their time doing things around here. Lots of vegan and gluten free options!
Only four stars because we ordered a $ 7 grilled cheese which turned out to be… a $ 7 grilled cheese. Two bread slices with cheese on a plate. I guess it was really my own fault for ordering it.
Think they’re moving soon though. Definitely worth checking out before it’s gone

Have you ever been here? It’s a little hippy dippy for me. They have a lot of Ayurveda books and promote a fair amount of eating based on your dosha — there are three kinds. According to most folks, we are made up of all three, but tend to have one or two that are more dominate — «Vata is dry and moves fast. Pitta is fiery and hot; Kapha is earthy and slow». As much as I have become a member of the bikram yoga cult, I don’t really get into a lot of this stuff. But, when I take a quiz to determine my dosha — I am Pitta through and through. I haven’t changed my diet, because it asks me to stop eating all my favorites — COFFEE, spicy foods & honey. I am supposed to eat more astringent or sweet foods… BLERG! I imagine it will calm or quiet my «fieriness», but then would I be me?
I liked this place ok — although the rumor is that they are closing or selling the business, so it might change. It is all vegetarian and they have a ton of vegan and gluten free options. I must say, for café style serving, they are not fast. Actually, that is an understatement, they are slow. My friend and I ordered together — one check — two of us wanting to eat brunch together. it took about 5 minutes for them to pour our cup of coffee. No, not from a french press or chemex, but the carafe of drip brewed coffee. They also don’t really consider it a self serve bar, but do not have an option of creamer and sugar anywhere else. So, have your coffee order ready including your favorite type of milk and the amount of sugar you want.
They have adorable outdoor seating — so we sat on the porch with a great view of the Avenue in Hampden. My friend’s Indian tofu scramble came out first — she ordered first, so no big deal. It had great flavor, but the tofu wasn’t scrambled. It was more cubes of tofu mixed with mushrooms and onions. She liked it, and she ate most of it without much complaint. Well, except that I still didn’t have my food. She was completely done with her breakfast bowl, and I didn’t have my sammie. I inquired — the three people working out front basically said the kitchen can only do one thing at a time, and that it was coming.
I went for the breakfast sandwich and added cheese and avocado. When I finally got it, it wasn’t quite the sandwich I was expecting — but it was fantastic. The egg and spinach scramble with mushrooms and onions. I had no idea it was coming with all this — as the menu wasn’t quite clear. I like mushrooms and they are great low fat choice for extra protein nutrients, so I was pleasantly surprised. IMG_​2203
The avocado and cheddar was a perfect topping — adding sweetness and a little extra savory bites. I really liked the spelt bread — crunchy but not hard, so it had a soft chewy middle. I was able to spoon some of the scramble on to the bread and kind of eat it like a taco. I would have liked a little extra salt or even some butter for the bread, but needless to say I ate every single bite. I would go back and get it again any day — I mean as long as I had an hour to wait and a coffee to drink.
Overall — food was decent, but the experience was certainly lacking.

I’m reluctant to be the one who gives less than 5 stars because the service was okay. However, I felt a wave of nausea onset while I was eating my hummus sandwich, which had tasted slightly bitter and odd. During the meal I chalked that up to me never having had homemade hummus, only the storebought variety. About half an hour later I started to have all of the symptoms of food poisoning, such as vomiting, etc. (look it up yourself if you’d like, not pleasant) Overall, I’d say that the experience has been a terrible one. Hopefully, this was just a one-​time accident, and not a common occurrence. I also did not eat anything prior, so unless it was from yesterday…

I love reading about spirituality, nutrition, healing, mindfulness and all that good stuff so this place is definitely up my alley! I’d go more often if it were closer, it is a bit out of the way but I will try to visit again and taste some of their treats! Everyone was very nice there too:)

This place is amazing. Delicious healthy hearty food and cozy space. Books and essential oil selections are fantastic. I also get gear for my neti pot habit here.

I wouldn’t say the service is slow — I feel like the energy is calm and they want to give everyone their attention. Everyone I’ve encountered here was patient and wonderful. :)
It’s my go-​to place when I’m craving something vegan to snack on in Hampden.

At the risk of sounding redundant… I love this happy hipster healthy gathering place… My new hangout!

Rawwwww juice!!! You know it’s hard to find around here. But they have it! Spinach (only because they were out of kale), carrot, ginger, apple. That was my custom juice blend and it was mmm mmm good. I was also very very surprised to see soooo many choices in their little dessert display that were gluten free!!! Do you know how hard it is to find that around here too!
The little seating area inside is quite eclectic, cozy and inviting. There are a ton of spiritual and new age stuff to look at and buy including teas, raw honey, wind chimes and my ultimate favorite tarot cards, the Angels pack. This is my kind of store. If I opened a little café, I would imagine it in my head like this. Plus you can sit outside along the patio and watch the passerbyers try to parallel park or walk by with their cool style.

Glad I checked this place out. Attended the free mediation class which was lead by Susan the owner. She has a wide range of classes to better your spiritual and emotional health. The food which I haven’t tried yet looks amazing and I will be back to try some. Great place 10 stars.

Good food for a vegan café but the staff are a bit aloof and rude. My friend dropped her napkin on the way to the bathroom and the staff acted like it was a rat when they picked it up and made a massive deal about it. We were only eating muffins, not anything messy!
Edited: from 3 to 5 stars because the owner is very sweet and took my concerns seriously. I’m confident in having a great experience should I visit again.

Love this place — amazing food!

It is absolutely perfection that this place gets 5 stars. And it looks like i’m not alone.
If you’re looking for a Barnes & Noble /​Starbucks experience… keep it moving. This is a place where you go and realize Its A Small World After All! There’s always some kind of familiar energy there. How does a place manage to be just about everything to everyone? Hmmmmm.
Well I got what I was looking for, and of course (shopping with Changa) I got what I wasn’t looking for but wanted. (Kid in a candy store) And you know I was having the thought… i need some Kwanzaa candles and lo and behold in a tiny corner were some colored candles.
Be on the look out for my updates on this place. I can already see this is going to be my spot :)

Delicious. Lots of fresh, creative options! Yummy juices, coffees, teas, awesome hearty soups, sandwiches, salad, not so sweet treats. Super friendly people & good stuff going on there.

I’ve been to Breathe a few times for events and for casual shopping and I was always very pleased! Earlier in the month, I tried their café with a friend who is into Ayurvedic eating… I was SO surprised at how wonderful the food was! I had the vegan potato salad over greens and a cup of the tomato peanut soup… now I know that sounds like a weird mixture, but I assure you, the soup was outstanding. I can’t wait to come back and try more new things!
The seating inside and out was a bit crowded, but they make it work…

What a treat. This cheerful spot is perfect for a light lunch and a cup of tea. I had the vegan meatloaf sandwich, which was made from veggies/​beans/​nuts (no isolated soy) and served on sprouted bread. My companion had the veggie chili– which was full of seasonal veggies and beans. It was really nicely seasoned and filling. She also had the hummus sandwich (sold in halves, so you can have a cup of soup and half a sandwich). The hummus is made in house and was nice and garlicky.
The sunny porch on «the Avenue» makes for a cozy setting. Highly recommended for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-​free… or anyone who likes tasty, healthful, REAL food.

Every time I go to Breathe Books its like visiting an old friend, Susan and her wonderful books, music and treasures from all over the world. I was so excited to go back and experience the bookstore café — feeds your mind & soul as well as feeds your body nourishing/​delicious food, truly! Too tired to cook, I swung by the Café to pick up dinner: double chick pea turnover with chutney, quinoa salad, pesto pasta salad — AMAZINGLY GOOD! Definitely recommend for every meal!!!

Kudos to Susan for not only bringing really great events, having a wonderful space and now really awesome food to the Ave.
I lived in Hampden for a couple months after living in Kaua’i and it was quite the switch. We actually lived a couple doors down from Breathe Books and it was a nice refuge from the storm that can be Baltimore. I still come down to attend events when I can and have alway loved the space.
Got a chance to visit the new café this past weekend and it was really, really good. We ordered the polenta/​spinach dish, the peanut soup, the veggie sandwich and the double chickpea dish. So good.
Excited to see great vegan, veg, gluten free, ayurvedic-​based options in the area.
And they have outdoor seating AND wi-​fi (anyone ever notice how noone in Hampden offers wif-​fi!!!)

Breathe books is SUCH a gem. I feel so lucky to have it in my very own little Hampden neighborhood. Breathe is well stocked in books on spirituality, veg cooking, religion, yoga, herbs, natural healing, ayurveda, health, happiness, sexuality, love– you get the point. They also carry other fun treasures like wind chimes, soaps, raw honey, incense, candles, inspirational trinkets, etc, I think its the perfect place to find a gift– big or small– for someone. The staff is helpful and will offer to order any book you cannot find in store. Please resist the temptation to go home and order from Amazon– support Breathe instead!
There are also many wonderful events and classes held in the upstairs portion, Second Wind. There is also a small selection of used books up there. You have to go outside and enter through the side of the building to access Second Wind, and depending on the time, may need to ask whoever is working to open it for you.
I REALLY wish I could afford to take this spring’s Everything Ayurveda course at Breathe. It looks amazing. If you are interested– check it out here
— this type of experience is a rare treat in Baltimore.
You’ll feel more relaxed and inspired every time you visit Breathe Brooks. Ahhh…

I love this place. Everything about it drops my stress level to about zero. You smell and hear it before you see it. I order all of my books here. It is nice to get a cup of coffee across the street and sit on the porch and just relax.
Tip: You can find Bmore Notes here, the local currency (which is more art than money).
Tip: Betsy and Susan are sweet as pastries.