Arethusa Farm Dairy
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Arethusa offers some of the tastiest local ice creams I've ever had. It's been a while since I've been to one of their locations, since the West Hartford location isn't what it once was. Arethusa's home location is in Bantam. Here you may also find their coffee shop as well as their restaurant. It's a whole little community of everything Arethusa. It was very busy when we arrived at Arethusa. The line was long, but moved fast. They have around 8 - 10 in house made ice cream flavors. I forgot how super generous they are with filling your cup, with just one scoop. They will also do half and half scoops. I went with the coffee flavor. Of course, nothing was light about it. From the rich, authentic coffee flavor, to the overflowing scoop in my cup. As much as I enjoyed this flavor for its authentic taste, I should have gone half with coconut or vanilla, just to mellow out the richness a bit. I still enjoyed it so much that I drank the remaining melted ice cream from my cup. For truly the best ice cream in Connecticut give Arethusa a try!
The real deal. Everything you want in a creamy, dreamy, fresh ice cream straight from a farm. The stuff of Midwest dreams. Loved everything - the peppermint stink with chunks of peppermint, the chocolate with chocolate chunks, vanilla, and sweet cream with chocolate chunks. Every flavor is a win. 5 stars!!!
Fabulous ice cream! Loved the different flavors (chocolate with chocolate chips, vanilla, peach, mint chocolate chip, pumpkin, cherry). I tasted the peach ice cream, real peaches! I ordered the pumpkin and the chocolate & chocolate chip. The chocolate is very rich, so good. You must stop here if you're in the area.
ORIGIN: In 1999 Vice President and President of New York-based Manolo Blahnik shoes, Anthony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus, purchased a 350 acre dairy farm to protect the view from their Litchfield home. The dairy farm, previously owned by the Webster family since the mid-19th century, was named Arethusa after the native pink orchid that grows in boggy areas. In time, the farm's structures and purpose were restored, becoming the home of 350 pampered dairy cows. National awards followed, as did the opening of this storefront in Bantam's former firehouse in 2011. LOCATION: The literal brick and mortar storefront for Aresthusa Farm is located on the primary thoroughfare that stretches across Bantam (Route 202/Bantam Road). A parking lot is located behind, accessible via a turn onto Doyle Road. While there is no seating inside, several wooden benches line the front entrance. CONCEPT: The store sells award-winning and highly regarded products from the Litchfield dairy, including ice cream, cheese, and milk. FOOD and BEVERAGES: Ice cream flavors are limited, with expanded options produced seasonally. For example, during the winter holiday season you will find rum raisin, cranberry and dark chocolate, and pumpkin and ginger molasses cookie flavored ice cream. Ice cream is served in cones, cups, and shakes, as well as through take home containers. Looking for something savory? A variety of cheeses, including Camembert, Gouda, and Cheddar, are sold from refrigerator cases. SERVICE: As noted by other customers, service is not consistent in terms of feeling welcomed. In my most recent visit, the two people working the counter exchanged comments as I took photos for this review. The store was empty at the time, and I had purchased $60 worth of goodies, but apparently efforts to quickly capture the three products I had purchased via store-based photos was annoying. TIPS: Eggnog from the dairy is produced during the winter holidays and is a real treat. The product is sold in old fashioned glass milk bottles with festive painted labels with designs that mark the year. Cloth ribbon adorned boxes of cheese are also available during the winter holiday season -- an easy and likely welcomed house gift. White paper boxes with clear tops are available to create custom gifts, and are able to neatly fit four pints of ice cream.
Went to see my grandchildren in New Fairfield. This place came highly recommended to them but unfortunately they didn't research. They were expected "a farm" with animals for the kids. There was none of that. Basically there's 2 standing structures. An upscale dinner place (the menu looks amazing) , an ice cream shop, and the sandwich lunch place. Small menu but everything was good. We had a tuna sandwich, a fried chicken sandwich and the roast beef. All was delish. Really good bread. Grapes on the side. Very clean.
Service was fast and friendly. The store was perfectly clean. The ice cream was very good. I would have given them five stars if they had seating available.
Delicious ice cream and dairy products! The cheese is always great and they have fun ice cream flavors that are sure to please. Prices are reasonable and everything tastes fresh.
Arethusa ice cream is by far some of the past you'll ever have! The Litchfield (Bantam) location is the original one, with the farm just a short distance down the street. They also have a restaurant (Arethusa al Tavolo) right next door, and a breakfast/lunch cafe (Arethusa a Mano) directly across the street. The ice cream is just simply, amazing. Their selection is not huge, with just about 12 flavors to choose from (Classic, Specialty, and Seasonal). And there are also no toppings available (but honestly, you don't need them!). You can combine two flavors into one scoop if you choose. Besides ice cream, they sell other dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. I went and got the Coconut with Dark Chocolate Chunks in a waffle cone, and it was so creamy and delicious! If you got on a spring/summer weekend day, the line will likely be out the door (or pretty close). But they usually have a lot of staff working and so it moves quickly. The service is very good, they definitely have the process down. There's no seating inside, but a few tables outside in front of the building. Parking is available in a lot behind the building. Arethusa also has two ice cream locations in New Haven and West Hartford and the ice cream is just as good. A spot you need to check out this summer!
I loved my experience here. It is located in the beautiful town of Bantam. There is a parking lot located in the back with plenty of space. They offer many different ice cream, cheese and milk. The dairy is on premises. Everything in the store is made fresh only feet away from where you are buying it. The ice cream was amazing. You can get two scoops of freshly made ice cream for a similar price of the chain ice cream shops. I'd rather pay a slightly higher price to have much better and fresher quality. Excited to go back next time and try some of the cheeses that are made there as well. Five stars!
1 month ago
Stopped here on 4th of July on my way to Hidden Valley Preserve. Got here at 10:45 thinking we'd be the 1st ones there that morning but there were already a few groups outside eating ice cream. The sweet cream w/ chocolate chips and toasted almond coconut were excellent and the waffle cone made it absolutely outstanding. Wish it was closer but it's in a scenic area and well worth the drive. read more
Arethusa offers some of the tastiest local ice creams I've ever had. It's been a while since I've been to one of their locations, since the West Hartford location isn't what it once was. Arethusa's home location is in Bantam. Here you may also find their coffee shop as well as their restaurant. It's a whole little community of everything Arethusa. It was very busy when we arrived at Arethusa. The line was long, but moved fast. They have around 8 - 10 in house made ice cream flavors. I forgot how super generous they are with filling your cup, with just one scoop. They will also do half and half scoops. I went with the coffee flavor. Of course, nothing was light about it. From the rich, authentic coffee flavor, to the overflowing scoop in my cup. As much as I enjoyed this flavor for its authentic taste, I should have gone half with coconut or vanilla, just to mellow out the richness a bit. I still enjoyed it so much that I drank the remaining melted ice cream from my cup. For truly the best ice cream in Connecticut give Arethusa a try! read more
5 months ago
The real deal. Everything you want in a creamy, dreamy, fresh ice cream straight from a farm. The stuff of Midwest dreams. Loved everything - the peppermint stink with chunks of peppermint, the chocolate with chocolate chunks, vanilla, and sweet cream with chocolate chunks. Every flavor is a win. 5 stars!!! read more
2 years ago
Fabulous ice cream! Loved the different flavors (chocolate with chocolate chips, vanilla, peach, mint chocolate chip, pumpkin, cherry). I tasted the peach ice cream, real peaches! I ordered the pumpkin and the chocolate & chocolate chip. The chocolate is very rich, so good. You must stop here if you're in the area. read more
5 months ago
Summer hours are posted but they are indeed not open until 9pm. Drove 20+ minutes to get there at 8:45pm and everything was closed up and dark. Just a heads up. Will give another try eventually but not a good experience. Should've stayed local and went to our usual spot. Hope they update it soon! read more
11 months ago
5 months ago
Such a sweet spot to stop! The strawberry ice cream tasted so fresh, so I highly recommend that, and the price for a small including two flavors was great. read more
ORIGIN: In 1999 Vice President and President of New York-based Manolo Blahnik shoes, Anthony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus, purchased a 350 acre dairy farm to protect the view from their Litchfield home. The dairy farm, previously owned by the Webster family since the mid-19th century, was named Arethusa after the native pink orchid that grows in boggy areas. In time, the farm's structures and purpose were restored, becoming the home of 350 pampered dairy cows. National awards followed, as did the opening of this storefront in Bantam's former firehouse in 2011. LOCATION: The literal brick and mortar storefront for Aresthusa Farm is located on the primary thoroughfare that stretches across Bantam (Route 202/Bantam Road). A parking lot is located behind, accessible via a turn onto Doyle Road. While there is no seating inside, several wooden benches line the front entrance. CONCEPT: The store sells award-winning and highly regarded products from the Litchfield dairy, including ice cream, cheese, and milk. FOOD and BEVERAGES: Ice cream flavors are limited, with expanded options produced seasonally. For example, during the winter holiday season you will find rum raisin, cranberry and dark chocolate, and pumpkin and ginger molasses cookie flavored ice cream. Ice cream is served in cones, cups, and shakes, as well as through take home containers. Looking for something savory? A variety of cheeses, including Camembert, Gouda, and Cheddar, are sold from refrigerator cases. SERVICE: As noted by other customers, service is not consistent in terms of feeling welcomed. In my most recent visit, the two people working the counter exchanged comments as I took photos for this review. The store was empty at the time, and I had purchased $60 worth of goodies, but apparently efforts to quickly capture the three products I had purchased via store-based photos was annoying. TIPS: Eggnog from the dairy is produced during the winter holidays and is a real treat. The product is sold in old fashioned glass milk bottles with festive painted labels with designs that mark the year. Cloth ribbon adorned boxes of cheese are also available during the winter holiday season -- an easy and likely welcomed house gift. White paper boxes with clear tops are available to create custom gifts, and are able to neatly fit four pints of ice cream. read more
Went to see my grandchildren in New Fairfield. This place came highly recommended to them but unfortunately they didn't research. They were expected "a farm" with animals for the kids. There was none of that. Basically there's 2 standing structures. An upscale dinner place (the menu looks amazing) , an ice cream shop, and the sandwich lunch place. Small menu but everything was good. We had a tuna sandwich, a fried chicken sandwich and the roast beef. All was delish. Really good bread. Grapes on the side. Very clean. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
Delicious ice cream and dairy products! The cheese is always great and they have fun ice cream flavors that are sure to please. Prices are reasonable and everything tastes fresh. read more
Arethusa ice cream is by far some of the past you'll ever have! The Litchfield (Bantam) location is the original one, with the farm just a short distance down the street. They also have a restaurant (Arethusa al Tavolo) right next door, and a breakfast/lunch cafe (Arethusa a Mano) directly across the street. The ice cream is just simply, amazing. Their selection is not huge, with just about 12 flavors to choose from (Classic, Specialty, and Seasonal). And there are also no toppings available (but honestly, you don't need them!). You can combine two flavors into one scoop if you choose. Besides ice cream, they sell other dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. I went and got the Coconut with Dark Chocolate Chunks in a waffle cone, and it was so creamy and delicious! If you got on a spring/summer weekend day, the line will likely be out the door (or pretty close). But they usually have a lot of staff working and so it moves quickly. The service is very good, they definitely have the process down. There's no seating inside, but a few tables outside in front of the building. Parking is available in a lot behind the building. Arethusa also has two ice cream locations in New Haven and West Hartford and the ice cream is just as good. A spot you need to check out this summer! read more
I loved my experience here. It is located in the beautiful town of Bantam. There is a parking lot located in the back with plenty of space. They offer many different ice cream, cheese and milk. The dairy is on premises. Everything in the store is made fresh only feet away from where you are buying it. The ice cream was amazing. You can get two scoops of freshly made ice cream for a similar price of the chain ice cream shops. I'd rather pay a slightly higher price to have much better and fresher quality. Excited to go back next time and try some of the cheeses that are made there as well. Five stars! read more
2 years ago
A friend, Bryan, told me about this place and that I had to stop here. He didn't overhype it, but did say it was the best ice cream he had ever had. It wasn't in the cards, until I glanced out the window and noticed a long line, read the sign, and realized we were literally passing by this recommended ice cream shop. My mom turned around, and we parked the car and hopped in line, which was socially distanced. They listed the flavors on a sign closer to the front of the line, so you could better prepare for when you went inside to place your order. Although the line was long, we probably waited for under 10 minutes, which wasn't bad at all. I got the 1 scoop (which was 2 balls) with the pumpkin and sweet cream with chocolate chips. My mom opted for the 1 scoop with coffee and chocolate chocolate chunk. We went to our car to eat the ice cream. The minute I put the spoon to my lips I knew that I had just experienced something magical. The pumpkin was exceptional. So was the sweet cream with the chocolate chips. This is one of those places that is now on my list, that I would make the six hour drive to experience this again. I tried my mom's flavors as well and they were divine. I don't even know how to describe the ice cream, except that it was a religious experience. Don't even ask for sprinkles, toppings, or cherries, they don't do that here and you don't need it. Just experience this flavor explosion and bit of heaven on earth. Make your mouth the happiest it will ever be by trying this ice cream. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Amazing ice cream, not too pricey. Lots of flavors and generous scoops. Good service and outdoor seating. read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
Arethusa Farm Dairy is a farm and artisanal creamery that opened in Litchfield, Connecticut in 2011. It was founded by business partners George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis. The dairy farm itself was founded by the Webster Family in the 1860s. They named the farm Arethusa for the small pink orchid that grew in a swamp on the land. Arethusa Farm originally started as a dairy farm which delivered milk and dairy products locally. George and Tony purchased the dairy farm in 1999 with the hope of saving open farmland. Eventually the partners became interested in establishing their own dairy herd; they now have over 300 prized dairy cows on the farm. They began bottling milk and selling it in local stores. An old brick firehouse was purchased in the Bantam section of town and it was converted into a creamery and retail store. In 2013, George and Tony purchased the building next store (the old village general store) and converted it into a farm-to-table restaurant called Arethusa al Tavolo. The following year, a building across the street was purchased and converted into a cafe and pastry shopped dubbed Arethusa a Mano. Additional creameries/retail stores were opened in New Haven in 2016 and West Hartford in 2020. My wife, son and I visited Arethusa Farm Dairy this past weekend. We had just gone hiking in the area and had a craving for some ice cream. My wife and I had previously visited the New Haven location, but this was our first time at the original Bantam location. My wife ordered a cup of Peach with Raspberry, I ordered a cup of Pumpkin with Mint Chip, and our son had a cup of Vanilla. We were very happy with our choices! We also loved how the owners of Arethusa Farm beautifully restored and repurposed the old buildings that now house their businesses. We look forward to future trips to the area so we can try the food at Arethusa al Tavolo and Arethusa a Mano. read more
3 years ago
Dairy like it should be. They make their cheese, yogurt, and ice cream right there. They age the cheese in a nearby building. Gorgeous, handmade, delicious, crafted, cared-for cheeses that are worth every penny! The owner is simply lovely. Cares about his staff, his cows, and his customer. He has built up the community as well (local shop owners and my local family told me how much he has done to put Bantam on the map). read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
We could not pass up the opportunity to grab Arethusa Farm ice cream prior to our dinner reservation at Arethusa al Tavolo. Although the ice cream is costly, the portion sizes are absolutely massive and could easily be shared between two people. We can attest that the portions at the Arethusa Farm Dairy are much larger than those served at Arethusa al Tavolo for dessert... so we definitely recommend an early dessert or waiting until your meal is finished if you are in the area for dinner! read more
Outstanding ice cream. I read many reviews but missed trying them last summer. I remember something about you had to try the coffee ice cream. That was the one to have. Well they were right on target. The coffee ice cream was delightful. The chocolate chocolate chunk was also great. I was going to order a sundae but I found out they don't carry toppings. That's when you know their product is amazing, which it was and most certainly is. Can't wait to go back for more. read more
3 years ago
I was so eager to go to this flagship store considering I generally go to new haven location which I simply love from service, to ambiance. This town is adorable and quaint but this location lacks the coziness of New Haven and the selection in flavors is far more limited here. The taste is just as great as are the decadent waffle cones but the service was terrible!! Came here on a March Monday amid all this corona chaos in the hopes to take out a little stress with some sweet sensation and instead get not nos a terrible attitude from the dark haired bearded gentleman but a rather confrontational reply to boot. His coworker quickly picked up on his negativity and was eager to rectify the situation but I was so taken back, I kept with what I had. My husband and I immediately said that we would never return to this location. Figured we would get the best from the mother store but so far from the truth! Avoid the young dark haired bearded kid if you don't want to be traumatized...by the way, the bathroom porta potty in the outside back parking lot was another instant turn off...seriously??? New Haven gets 5 stars and this gets 2 stars only because the fair haired red head came to the rescue otherwise it would have been 1 star! read more
I love ice cream from Arethusa farm. I visited the New Haven and Hartford ones many times. Finally went to Bantam to try from the original location. Ice cream was good and creamy as always. Pumpkin flavor was my favorite today, followed by coconut with chocolate chunks and cranberry walnut. Chocolate with chocolate chunks was good as well, but a bit bitter. My only disappointment was that they didn't have pistachio flavor. read more
8 years ago
Stopped in after lunch, so we weren't hungry enough to try the ice cream. The whole place smelled like waffle cones though, which was a huge plus. We bought some egg nog to take home and it's amazing!! Even for $10, well worth it. If you're at Arethusa for lunch or dinner, or anywhere in the general area, stop in for some fresh milk, eggs, cheese, or ice cream. Or eg nog at Christmas time! read more
In terms of quality of the ice cream that they serve, I think Arethusa has the best ice cream. They don't have a ton of flavors or toppings if that's your thing. But they absolutely nail flavors like chocolate, vanilla, pumpkin and almond with toasted coconut. I don't generally order chocolate ice cream, but Arethusa's is amazing. read more
Arethusa Farm's ice cream is Top Notch. Even on a cold, windy day here in Connecticut in late October, business inside was very brisk. I ordered a two scoop cup of sour cherry & almond toasted coconut, my wife went with a two scoop waffle cone of butter pecan & pumpkin spice w/ ginger snap swirl. All the flavors were very fresh tasting, our favorite was the almond toasted coconut, it was AWESOME. The pumpkin spice had a bit of aftertaste of the ginger snap, but my wife still loved it. Prices were extremely reasonable, a bit of a surprise considering where this business is located. We are looking forward to MANY return trips to Arethusa Farm for ice cream in the future, long lines be damned ! A super-easy 5 Star review. read more
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More info about Arethusa Farm Dairy
822 Bantam Rd
Bantam, CT 06750
Directions
(860) 361-6600
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http://www.arethusafarm.com/
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