Roots Cafe – American
Sun-drenched and welcoming, Roots Cafe invites guests to linger over hand-stretched artisan pizzas and bowls of decadent, golden-crusted mac and cheese that define soulful comfort. The vibrant energy of the garden-fresh salad bar complements the sizzle of toasted, cheese-filled quesadillas, creating a communal sanctuary where wholesome ingredients and hearty flavors find a perfect, rustic balance.
Honors College Way, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003 https://umassdining.com/locations-menus/around-campus/roots-cafeRating: 5/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, paleo, pescatarian, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at Roots Cafe
Dairy-Free at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Salad Bar. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Salad Bar. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 4 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Artisan Pizza, Salad Bar and Mac and Cheese. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 1 high-protein-tagged dish on its current menu, including Salad Bar. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Salad Bar. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Salad Bar. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Salad Bar. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Roots Cafe
Roots Cafe in Amherst has 3 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Artisan Pizza, Mac and Cheese and Quesadillas. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Roots Cafe
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Quesadillas | 52.3 g | 15.8 g |
| Salad Bar | 3.2 g | 15.1 g |
| Artisan Pizza | 37.5 g | 5.6 g |
| Mac and Cheese | 6.2 g | 2.4 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Wednesday
- 7:00 AM - 1:00 AM
- Thursday - Friday
- 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM
- Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM
- Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
What diners are saying
Guests celebrate the inviting space and memorable dining experience, frequently praising the appetizing menu selections and satisfying portions. Reviewers highlight the welcoming and knowledgeable service, noting that the attentive staff helps guide diners through the
Menu
Main Courses
Hearty main dishes including pizza and comfort food.
- Artisan Pizza - $5: Freshly prepared artisan style pizza Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mac and Cheese - $5: Creamy macaroni and cheese Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Quesadillas - $5: Toasted tortillas with cheese and assorted fillings Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
Freshly prepared salads and customizable options.
- Salad Bar - $5: Fresh greens and assorted toppings Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Frequently Asked Questions about Roots Cafe
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Budget-conscious diners seeking comfort foods like artisan pizza and mac and cheese, or health-focused guests looking for plant-based and vegetarian options.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- No concerns are mentioned in the reviews, which instead praise the inviting space, satisfying portions, and welcoming, knowledgeable service.
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- The Salad Bar accommodates 11 diets including vegetarian, plant-based, and heart-healthy, while pizza and quesadillas are both vegetarian and nut-free.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- Roots Cafe offers a casual dining experience with budget-friendly pricing, a welcoming atmosphere, and a menu focused on soulful comfort foods.
- What should first-time visitors know about this restaurant?
- First-time visitors can enjoy budget-friendly American comfort food, highly-rated service, and a diverse salad bar catering to numerous dietary needs.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include hand-stretched artisan pizzas, decadent mac and cheese, toasted cheese-filled quesadillas, and a vibrant garden-fresh salad bar.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- With a perfect 5.0/5 rating and budget-friendly ($) pricing, this restaurant offers excellent value through satisfying portions and high-quality ingredients.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- With a 5.0/5 rating, guests celebrate the inviting space, memorable dining experience, appetizing menu selections, and welcoming, attentive service staff.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- Roots Cafe offers a sun-drenched, welcoming, and rustic communal sanctuary with a vibrant energy and a casual, soulful atmosphere.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features American comfort foods like artisan pizza and mac and cheese, with diverse dietary options including vegetarian and plant-based.
- Is Roots Cafe dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Roots Cafe has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Salad Bar.
- What can I eat at Roots Cafe on a dairy-free diet?
- Salad Bar carry the dairy-free tag, out of 1 tagged dish on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Is Roots Cafe gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Roots Cafe?
- Quesadillas, at roughly 15.8g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near Roots Cafe
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- Procrastination Station — American
- Berkshire Dining Commons — American
- Blue Wall Cafe — American
- Worcester Commons — American
- Quad Cafe — American
- People's Market — American
- Courtside Café — American
- Uptown Tap & Grille — American
- The Works Bakery Café — American
- Johnny's Roadside Diner — American
- North Hadley Sugar Shack — American
