Feminist collective restaurant and bookstore since 1977. Offers seasonal vegan menus using fresh organic produce. Self service casual atmosphere. There's no cash register and no waitressing. Place your order with a woman seated behind a desk after making your choice from the blackboard menu, and bus your own table when you are through. Reported fully vegan, June 2022. Open Wed-Sat 5:00pm-9:00pm, Sat 11:30am-2:30pm.
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85 Ferris St, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, 06605
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 26 Nov 2025 by geometric-noise
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36 Reviews
First Review by felmotes
VegWarrior
Points +16
Hope they close - Edit
Too little food. No service. You are expected to pay first, get your food yourself and return your dishes after the meal. It’s overpriced, the decor is from a tag sale and the proprietors are cold.
Read moreCons: See the description.
Guest
sam654321
Points +3521
Cool!! - Edit
Pretty cool place inside.
Read moreI got the mushroom risotto....pretty tasty.
Talked to the owner lady for a bit and she was pretty cool.
Its in the middle of this resi neighborhood ..
.I thought google done me dirty but nope, there it was all the way down the end !!!
Guest
mark m braunstein
Points +506
An historic landmark - Edit
Founded in 1977, Bloodroot nears its 50th anniversary. For this historic restaurant that has created its own recipes both for its menu planning and for its business plan, 50 years is an enviable achievement marking a milestone.
Read moreBloodroot began stirring feminism into food when feminist cafés and bookstores sprang up all across North America. It has outlasted them all. And through its 3 vegetarian and 1 vegan cookbooks, Bloodroot has contributed to both the feminist and vegetarian movements beyond CT’s borders.
The restaurant has defied convention even in its location on a dead-end street of a peaceful residential neighborhood. Its secluded site provides a spacious yard, ample parking, and a waterfront view. Picnic tables in the yard and patio foretell of informal and leisurely dining within.
Indoors looks like a museum with furniture maybe sourced from antique shops. Tapestries hang from the rafters. Chandeliers simulate candlelight. An entire wall is decorated with dozens of black-and-white vintage photos of females, all looking like the faded portraits of your great-grandmas. Bloodroot is all about Mom.
The food is akin to mom’s home cooking. Not haute cuisine, but not natural foods either. To my disappointment, white flour, white sugar, and white rice rule the day. The mostly conventional fare with an ethnic flair simply omits meat. Until ten years ago, Bloodroot’s menu still clung to cow’s milk products in support of a dairy industry that cruelly exploits the females of the species. This feminist collective’s transition into veganism was long overdue.
I have dined at Bloodroot over 30 times during 40-years. The building and décor have little changed. Its menu, however, changes both seasonally and almost weekly. I have been treated to memorable meals that rival more expensive restaurants. But sometimes the food did not rise above the level of my own home cooking, so I was better off staying home. You just need to choose wisely.
In the past, you were usually greeted by Selma Miriam, who cofounded Bloodroot with her business and life partner, Noel Furie. But Selma won’t be greeting us anymore. She died last February at age 89. Tributes filled Connecticut news media and even The New York Times.
Presently filling roles both at the front and the back of the house, Noel (in my photo, depicted standing) is one busy woman. And Bloodroot has begun a new chapter in its CookBook of Life.
Updated from previous review on 2025-10-14
Pros: its historic legacy, its quiet and secluded waterfront setting, its veg meals memorable half the time
Cons: its merely home cooking the other half of the time
VegWarrior
I hope they close. The worst vegan place I’ve seen thus far.
Read moremark m braunstein
Indeed, as reported in many news outlets in CT, Bloodroot will close down in 1 month.
Read moreGuest
Jeannefk
Points +18
Delicious and truly special - Edit
The Jamaican Jerk Chickn was completely delicious and the bookstore is a unique part of this historic establishment. I plan on going back many times!
Read moreGuest
JessicaMinker
Points +48
Incredible food, welcoming atmosphere - Edit
The food was delicious and wholesome! Definitely the best vegan “chicken” I’ve had (chicken mole with beans), and a very flavorful Thai pineapple coconut curry. The selection of books and art were sublime, as well😄
Read moreGuest
JosephAndrew269
Points +221
If I could give them 6 stars I would - Edit
Wow! The food is great. The people are great. There’s so much history behind this place. The women who started it are still their. People talk about food and revolution. This place is truly that. And theirs cats! 😻
Read morePros: Lasagna , Caesar salad
Guest
slikespizza
Points +1510
Nice Place - Edit
Had the mushroom quiche with kombucha. Food was good. Nice large pleasant place with a view of a cove off the long island sound.
Read moreWorth a visit!! #Veganuary
Guest
DTS
Points +1548
Nice takeout meal - Edit
Nice small restaurant with a lovely view and a nice seating area. We got a takeout meal but waited browsing in the bookshop.
Read moreFood was good. I had the avocado toast and the salad. Chocolate cake was nice. #Veganuary
Guest
paigelikesfood
Points +197
A Connecticut Staple - Edit
Delicious and extensive menu, lovely atmosphere, also big fan of the tea selection!
Read moreGuest
Sleepybulldog
Points +111
Wide variety of tasty offerings in a cosy space. - Edit
As a Vegan it is so comforting to enter a space where all of the food is Vegan. There is no endless what is in this and how is that prepared. To make it even better all of the options are fantastic. We are a family of 4 with very hungry teenagers so we were able to try many items on the menu. The offerings are seasonal so things will change. The tomato and fennel soup and asian tofu and cabbage salad were fantastic. The desserts were a revelation. This will be our go to for family night out. THANK you to Noel and Selma!!
Read morePros: All Vegan all of the time , cosy , great variety
Cons: none
Guest
E1yza
Points +226
TERFs - Edit
Food is ok but the staff is not queer friendly
Read moreSleepybulldog
Not sure what triggered this comment. The evening we were there there was a mixture of queer, non-binary and cis het patrons all eating happily.
Read moreGuest
iloveveganicecream
Points +1059
Amazing Valentine’s Day Prix-Fixe - Edit
They are fully vegan now. We went for Valentine’s Day 2023 and had a fantastic meal! The ambience is also great😄
Read moreGuest
deanakllee
Points +15
Amazing - Edit
My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary for the first time and everything was incredible! He’s vegan and I’m on the road to becoming vegan and this is such a good place and experience! 10/10 recommend
Read morePros: Great atmosphere , Fair amount of options , Tasty
Cons: A little pricey
Guest
kyoungbird
Points +2088
Good food - Edit
I love what this place stands for and they are fully vegan now but I had to deduct a star for sanitation. The place could use a dusting and fresh coat of paint. Not to mention, I got 3 mosquito bites while eating inside so wear bug spray. I will eat outside when I return. The food was flavorful and just enough food. The owners are personable and the experience is very unique.
Read morePros: Flavorful food, Unique experience
Cons: Expensive
Guest
LisaSpykers
Points +10047
Wholesome home-cooked meal. All vegan! - Edit
There aren't many places like this around. It's old-school, and I really like the atmosphere, concept, photos and books. The owners like to engage with customers which makes it feel like you've visited someone at home rather than being at a restaurant.
Read moreWe really liked the cheese plate (except the crackers it's served with) and the jerk chikin plate. Our friends ordered the mushroom pate and pastelon. Bit pricey for some menu items, but worth the trip.
We were informed the whole menu was vegan at the time of our visit.
Guest
tarayoon
Points +2271
The atmosphere is the best part - Edit
Bloodroot is amazing in the sense that they are unabashedly fearless to be themselves. The women working there are strong, inspirational, and I absolutely love them for it.
Read moreI've always heard great things about them, and finally found myself trying them when they had an Ethiopian meal special. Highly recommend if you manage to catch them when they're offering this.
My friend and I got the pineapple upside down cake and the chocolate devastation cake for dessert. Both were great, but pricy and small (about $10 for each piece).
They have a cute outdoor seating area, and CATS! The cats that roam the restaurant are incredibly sweet. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, quirky, and full of personality.
Pros: Fresh food, Inspirational staff
Cons: Pricy
Guest
Rvinc
Points +87
Yummy but expensive - Edit
Got the jerk chick'n, lasagna, and chocolate cake. Overall the food was good but expensive. It is self serve (no wait staff). The inside is very cool, full of historical pictures of women and a book shop is attached. Located on the water, so nice outside seating if you ar okay with the owners cats.
Read morePros: Location, atmosphere, all plant based menu
Cons: Expensive
Guest
gabandtonic
Points +3052
Absolute gem - Edit
Hidden away, waterfront bookstore and restaurant. The dishes were incredible- namely the mushroom walnut pâté and the Enchiladas. In addition to how incredible the food was, the women working there are absolutely wonderful. I could have stayed and talked for hours swapping recipes.
Read moreGuest
EleniM07
Points +101
This place is a GEM - Edit
Hidden Vegan Gem in CT. The property is beautiful inside and out. The food is so good and diverse and made with so much love and soul. Great indoor and outdoor seating. Beautiful selection of feminist books and decor. I love this place.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Friendly owners, Bookstore
Cons: Can be a bit pricy
Guest
mars
Points +530
Excellent varied menu - Edit
Cheese plate is way cut above. Loved the white bean and the butternut squash soups
Read moreBet mole sauce I’ve had in years. Totally recommend the jerk plate.
Good wines.looking forward to the rum cake and strawberry cheese cake.
As good as most upper crust restaurants in NYC with much more laid back atmosphere.
Guest
hrn126
Points +591
great food - Edit
i am giving this restaurant 5 stars because of what they stand for and the quality of the food. however I will say that a little updating and cleaning on the inside would be a bit nicer. definitely check out this restaurant, beautiful on the water and great food
Read moreGuest
AStonebank
Points +19
AMAZINGLY QUAINT PLACE & AWESOME FOOD! - Edit
ALWAYS have a great meal here! Love the bookstore, too! (And the adorable kitty!)
Read moreGuest
Winesnob
Points +20
Great Restaurant - Edit
Awesome place if you like great food period !
Read morePros: Lots of Vegan options
Cons: None , get over the pricing !
Guest
Vegpam11
Points +139
plant based hideaway - Edit
Relic of the 1970's feminist resurgence. No waitstaff, no register, right on the water on a dead end. However a bit more order could be had after ordering. I would suggest giving numbers.
Read morePros: location, history
Cons: organization
Guest
alexajmorales
Points +126
Is it worth it? - Edit
So so pricey. A cute concept but I really can't get past how pricey this place is. I've been to dozens of vegan places. Some vegan and 100% organic/gluten free and yet this place remains most expensive one I've been to.
Read moreCons: expensive
Guest
Mmichaud3
Points +20
My favorite place! - Edit
Although it should be easy it is actually very hard for me to put into words how special this place and the women who work here are to me. To start with, the food is always wonderful. The owners Selma and Noel are very passionate about food and go to great lengths to learn new recipes and techniques. They use a lot of their own grown vegetables and fruit as well as from the local farmers markets. The women they hire are clearly treated as part of the family and they bring along with them their own influences on the food. The restaurant itself is more charming and unique than any I have been to. It is warm and inviting. Selma and Noel are both very talented when it comes to gardening and landscaping which shows all around the restaurant . Outdoor brunch on a warm Sunday is one of the best times to visit. At Bloodroot you bus your own dishes. It really doesn't take much effort to do this and I find myself picking up after myself in other establishments now. You really get a personal touch at Bloodroot when Selma comes around to every table to interact with guests. She is always willing to share stories and recipes. My wife and I love this place so much we decided to have our wedding here and it was unforgettable. Bloodroot and the women who run it will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
Read morePros: The whole experience
Guest
Luddite
Points +41
Bloodroot, Bridgeport - Edit
I have visited this restaurant a few times when visiting family in CT. I think the food is really nice, but given the building (basically a sparsely furnished hut) and its location (Bridgeport) its rather expensive.
Read moreI was also speaking to a couple of the women who work there and they said that, despite the food prices, they were only paid minimum wage and they struggled to make ends meet.
As there didn't seem to be any tipping (as its essentially self-service) i thought that the owners should have paid a little more. Just my 50c.
Pros: Great food, Friendly staff
Cons: Expensive, Poorly paid staff
Guest
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