Family owned all-vegetarian health food market and deli offering an extensive selection of natural groceries. Has an onsite bakery, a sandwich and pizza bar, self-serve hot foods & salad bar, and a fresh juice bar. The buffet bar dishes are clearly labeled. Carries meat only in the dog and cat food. Seating available inside. Note that the food bar hours are reported to be unreliable, check ahead. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-7:30pm, Sat 8:30am-6:30pm, Sun 9:00am-6:00pm.
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379 Whalley Ave, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, 06511
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Last update on 17 Dec 2024 by mark m braunstein
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27 Reviews
First Review by Dena
KatelynMS
Points +192
Fantastic place to shop but some staff seem stressed - Edit
Their little bakery inside was amazing but their food shop workers seemed either stressed beyond measure or fed up. I am not sure if they are under-staffed or over-worked but either way it was a bit jarring, especially when things kept being pushed back in wait time or just delivered wrong. I did finally get what I ordered and did enjoy everything. Grocery store was neat too.
Read moreGuest
jollieduck
Points +2777
Meatless grocer 🛒 - Edit
How lovely to have a meatless grocery store options. This place is so cool and I love the vegan cake options at the bakery.
Read moreGuest
mark m braunstein
Points +481
much more than just a health food store - Edit
A New Haven landmark since 1977, Edge of the Woods was originally located on Edgewood Avenue near the edge of the woods of Edgewood Park, hence its eponymous name. More than just a mom-and-pop store, it is also a grandma and grandpa store. Its two generations of family members all are vegetarians. Like many finicky vegetarians, they probably don’t want to promote the merchandizing of meat. So they don’t. All the food they sell for human consumption is vegetarian. If you look hard, you’ll find meat at Woods only in the dog and cat food.
Read moreMore than just an all-vegetarian food store, Woods features a full bakery, an enticing hot food buffet served cafeteria-style, a made-to-order sandwich bar, a juice bar, and an abundant array of refrigerated prepared dishes intended for takeout. It also caters holiday meals by advance order. Both online and in the café, all menu items are clearly defined as either Vegan or Dairy. By some estimates, vegans now comprise half of the community of vegetarians, so Wood’s nomenclature is especially appreciated by the ever-expanding legion of vegans. Many ingredients are further identified as organic. Whereas its website displays only a single photo of a spread of its hot food buffet, many alluring and informative photos of its café foods can be viewed on Instagram.
The fridge units stocked with prepared foods are praiseworthy both for their contents and for their clearly labeled lists of ingredients. The dishes proudly almost shout about their wholesome contents. Other food stores often print lists of ingredients in micro-type, meaning they have something to hide. At Woods, the eagle-eyed need not become bleary-eyed. As a mindful eater, if I can decipher a list of ingredients only by squinting, I simply do not buy it. Food purveyors, are you reading this?
Woods is located in a small strip mall. Pleasantly unlike downtown New Haven, the mall provides free and ample parking. The mall is perpendicular to and set back from the street, so is easy to overlook and drive past. Persevere and you will be rewarded with an affordable and nourishing meal. Pack a cooler so that in days to come you can be rewarded with many affordable and nourishing meals.
Pros: all-vegetarian & mostly vegan , cafe & juice bar & bakery & sandwich bar, prepared foods for takeout are excellent
veganqueenofqueensnyc
Nice
Read moreGuest
nofahz
Points +80
Great Independent Grocer and Cafe - Edit
I shop here frequently for pantry and fresh ingredient staples. This and Thyme and Season in Hamden are my go to markets for specialty vegetarian items. The bakery and cafe are nice too. I disagree with another review that characterized this as "out-of-the-way" as its a convenient short bike ride from downtown for me (especially with the Edgewood cycle track) and if you prefer driving there's lots of parking.
Read moreGuest
Sarah0496
Points +1052
Great market! - Edit
Plenty of vegan and vegetarian options in the bakery! We got a vegan cheese danish and vegan cookie.
Read moreGuest
Marinensa
Points +22
Loved it! - Edit
I found new brands & products that I have never seen before with a healthy nutritional profile , low sodium, low fat , oil-free. Produce looks amazingly fresh. I bought a pound of quinoa from their vast selection of bulk bins
Read morePros: All vegan groceries , Friendly staff, Produce is fresh and reasonably priced
Cons: Too much plastic is being used
Guest
lulumcc
Points +209
Fun shop - Edit
Great vegan cupcake flavors and deli food. Lots of fun vegan products on the shelves too
Read moreGuest
kyoungbird
Points +1980
Can’t believe I missed out for so long - Edit
I had no idea how much I would love this place. First of all, their cupcakes!!! Omg!!! so many vegan desserts but my fav is the pistachio cupcake. Their deli has a menu that can be made completely vegan. Also, the prices are great so I’m able to return more often. Love love love!
Read moreGuest
sammybjones
Points +109
Awesome sandwiches - Edit
Excellent Reuben!! Loved the juices
Read morePros: Vegan rueben awesome, Great juices
Guest
manya747
Points +22
Crunchy, hippie, tasty - Edit
Cafeteria-style selection of fresh daily specials and staples from the hot bar, salad bar, juice bar, and bakery. Emphasis on healthy, high-nutrition offerings. There's a grocery store and two seating areas. Lively atmosphere, fun mix of patrons.
Read morePros: Healthy, Fresh, Tasty
Cons: Bathroom could use updating and attention
Guest
theveganwitch13
Points +679
Veg heaven! - Edit
Love being in a place with no meat! Wish it was all vegan though ofcourse, which I feel like it could be easily. But it's great otherwise!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Cons: Not all vegan
Guest
tarayoon
Points +2020
Best little market & eatery - Edit
Edge of the Woods is a gem right outside of downtown New Haven. It was my go-to place to shop and eat at while I was in college, and I still make a habit of visiting once a month.
Read moreGreat little market with fresh produce and plant-based options. They also have soaps/lotions/shampoos/etc section on the top level of the market.
The best part is their bakery and hot food bar. All of their sandwiches and smoothies can be made vegan.
FBLT is probably my favorite sandwich. Spicy nuggets are a must if you see them packaged in the fridge. Strawberry coconut cupcake is to die for.
*if you're visiting late, call ahead of time to make sure the food bar is still open as it operates at different times than the market itself. Unfortunately, the staff can be lazy and will close up the food before they're supposed to. There have been many times where I'd visit 15+ minutes before the food bar closed to be denied service.
Updated from previous review on 2021-08-25
Pros: Plant-based bakery, Plant-based market, Fair prices
Guest
ShannayaGray
Points +52
Great shopping and lunch experience - Edit
I love the great vegan options, the fresh produce, the food court/smoothie station and the desserts this place offers!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Guest
KelseyEng
Points +18
Loved it! - Edit
I did my weekly grocery shopping here today and loved all the vegan options. Plus they had some more difficult to find foods like soy curls and natto! The bulk bins are great!
Read moreGuest
Marion66
Points +30
Great vegetarian market+cafe - Edit
Nice-size veggie market, bulk foods, bulk spices, hot and cold food bar, juice bar, nice selection of organic produce, great prices, friendly staff.
Read moreGuest
Ferdinandthebull
Points +15
THIS PLACE IS - Edit
Dis place be tha joint yo check
Read moreIt
My homies there be wildin out wit the most mack fly veg food this side of Mars
Fly chicks work there and they have free food for wack homeless people like me yo
Pros: Titute, exute, tate
Cons: erve, Tant, train
Guest
Veg_in_Wbg
Points +72
Great local market - Edit
Lots of good vegetarian and vegan products. Great fresh produce. Bakery has many vegan cookies and cupcakes. Hot food is mostly vegetarian but sometimes there are more vegan options.
Read morePros: Juice bar, Hot/cold sandwiches to order, Food to go + groceries / bulk bins
Cons: Parking sometimes tight
Guest
Joy2u
Points +31
Edge of The Woods is a Wonderful Store! - Edit
If you are looking for a wonderful store that offers so many items for vegetarians and vegans then this is the place for you. The produce is always fresh and displayed beautifully. The bulk nuts, seeds, grains, etc. are well priced. The selection upstairs (there is an elevator if needed), of vitamins, bulk organic spices, herbs, cosmetics, tinctures etc. is exceptional. They have a great food bar, also fresh juice and sandwiches made to order and a case filled with yummy desserts. Their vegan chocolate cake is fantastic and I also love their vegan chocolate peanut butter cup cakes. Explore this charming grocery store - you won't be disappointed.
Read morePros: Great Produce and Vegan Protein Options, Wonderful Selection of Bulk Organic Spices, etc., Yummy Fresh Juice and Vegan Desserts!
Guest
Eunoia_1323
Points +602
Awesome spot - Edit
They have so many vegan products and bulk options that other grocery stores don’t carry. Their produce section is great and very fresh. They also have an entire bakery and hot food section in the back where you can order vegan juices, sandwiches, baked goods and food. The prices are pretty high, but not atypical for small natural markets. Staff has always been friendly. I would be a frequent regular if I lived closer.
Read moreGuest
veggie_htx
Points +2089
Love - Edit
I love shopping here. The hot foods bar is solid, but I've never been wowed. I've gotten a few of their fresh made sandwiches, the veggie was especially delicious. I love their bakery case with clearly labelled vegan options. So many choices like strudel, cream cheese danish, cookies, pies,and cupcakes.
Read moreGuest
ollie33
Points +885
Local gem - Edit
Great local spot with local and organic veggies, lots of grocery and health options. Full vitamins and spices upstairs. Prepared food and salad bar are solid albeit unspectacular options. Soups good. Sandwiches juice bar and baked goods are where they shine. The Edge Burger no cheese is fantastic. Tempeh BLT is also great. Falafel top notch. Very reasonable prices.
Read morePros: Convenient fair prices great sandwich + juice bar
Guest
aliciakapishka
Points +16
Love it but the salad bar should have everything labeled - Edit
Edge is one of my favorite places to shop and has my absolute favorite dessert (coconut strawberry vegan cake/cupcakes!)
Read moreOnly complaint - I wish that the entire salad bar was labelled with ingredients and Vegetarian or Vegan!
Pros: Tons of options for food, beauty, supplements, Bakery! Juice Bar! , Nicest staff anywhere by far!
Cons: salad bar needs labelling
Guest
veggie_chef
Points +399
Lots of vegan options - Edit
Natural food store with a ton of tofu and meat substitutes, and vegan cheeses.
Read moreThe dessert display had vegan cupcakes too!
And the salad bar is fun of vegan options! So much good food
Pros: Lots of options , Friendly staff, Fair prices
Cons: A bit crowded
Guest
Alisonrub
Points +37
Predates all the fads - Edit
Edge has been around for a long time. When I moved to New Haven in 1992 it was already an established place to buy organic as well as kosher. It is still great. A very extensive choice of food, cleaning and health products. It has everything and now the cafe is even better. There is pizza day (vegan I believe is also available), baked goods, sandwiches and a hot/cold bar. I love this place. It is supported by the local community which is a nice mixture of people of colour and religious Jews plus a sprinkle of ageing hippy types. Don't miss it.
Read morePros: Wide choice of products, Good food, Community-based
Cons: A little worn around the edges, Prices (but with organic.....)
Guest
solarvegan
Points +54
What a find! - Edit
We had expected a small natural foods grocery. But we were pleasantly surprised to discover how big this store was when we drove in to the spacious parking lot. And once inside ... wow! The produce section was so well-stocked with many organic choices. And the grocery section ... wow again! So many natural food products crammed into this vegan shoppers' paradise! I even found Vitasoy chocolate banana soymilk -- a summer product discontinued -- and key lime flavor Tofutti Cuties, a brand new variety. The point is that the selection was as good as in stores many times its size! And the cafeteria and bakery! Vegan choices everywhere! Had we not filled up at the nearby vegan restaurant, Ahimsa, we would have partaken of the many tempting choices in the lunch buffet. But we did purchase a vegan chocolate raspberry cookie and vegan brownie to take home. All vegan choices were clearly labeled! And no flesh anywhere in the store. Bonus: we could feel good supporting a natural foods store that is not part of a mega-corporation. I have frequented veggie natural food stores for over two decades and of them all, this is one of the best!
Read morePros: huge all vegetarian selection, cafeteria/bakery with vegan choices, helpful staff
Guest
vegeway14
Points +32
I remember them when.............................. - Edit
This place started out on Edgewood Ave. back in the 1960's just a hole in the wall, but the vision was there. They followed it and look at them now! We go ther once a week and it's always such a joy and very calming, and such great choices for luch.(veg or vegan)
Read moreNameste
Pros: great food, very helpful staff
Cons: cost
Guest
Dena
Points +58
Best vegan food in New Haven - Edit
Without Edge of the Woods, we could not live in New Haven! This place has an amazing selection of vegetarian/vegan groceries, cosmetics, vitamins, etc. and an extensive bakery/juice bar/buffet. Grocery prices are comparable to what you'd find in a chain supermarket, and the prepared food prices are more than reasonable. The food on the buffet is absolutely delicious and creative...there is always something new being served...most recently we had an incredible seitan pot pie. Everything is clearly labeled with ingredients and vegetarian/vegan status. Staff are always friendly and helpful. We love this place!
Read morePros: 100% vegetarian, huge selection, great buffet
Cons: not the best neighborhood
Guest
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