The best selection of cheese. Our favorite slightly aged Gouda! Worth the drive to Litchfield.

"'Til I have the possession of everything she touches 'Til I step on the brake to get out of her clutches 'Til I speak Double Dutch to a real double duchess" (Elvis Costello) We were chatting about Litchfield County with the attendant at the White Memorial Conservation Center and she mentioned the many "World Class" bakeries in the area. So, when we visited the Dutch Epicure Shop, we had some high expectations. Epicure Shop is a righteous title, because they sell quite a bit of high-end epicure foods -groceries, soups, a huge deli, and a bakery with breads and pastries. They've developed a big reputation for their European pastries, breads, cookies and cakes. Yup, they make everything on the premises. As you walk around their store, you'll see German meats and sausages, Dutch and European cheeses, teas, jams, chocolates from all across Europe, and a selection of Dutch food and Dutch groceries. I was perplexed by the large selection of Indonesian foods here, but when I fired up the old Google Machine for an explanation, I learned that the Dutch ruled Indonesia from 1815 to 1920! Anyway, back to the food. We zeroed in on the bakery choices and picked up three items for $15. Our Blueberry Lemon Scone was pretty large and was topped with a delicate layer of vanilla icing. It tasted more of blueberry than lemon but was super fresh and delicious. The Almond Triangles were sold as a pair for $6. They were fantastic. Hidden between the sliced almond topping and a graham cracker-like crust was a sweet fruit layer that reminded me of apricot jam. These are addictive. The Raspberry Almond Fruit Tart was another layered treat with an almond glazed topping and a thin raspberry jam layer inside the tart. Our bakery treats were excellent and pretty reasonably priced for their home-baked quality. read more

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The best cheese cake I've ever had. Hard to describe the flavor and texture without mentioning heaven. After cooking a big Christmas meal, having this dessert made my life so easy. Their Christmas cookies are excellent with a wide variety of flavors. Thank you! read more

We made a pilgrimage to Litchfield to visit this unique business. There's a bakery section, a deli case with charcuterie and cheese, and shelves stocked with Dutch packaged goods. From the bakery, we chose a fresh country bread, a chocolate mouse stuffed with mousse, an almond tart (for one), and a sort of chocolate muffin. All pleased, but the latter was the weakest choice. A spicy Dutch salami was also excellent perhaps the store should consider offering sandwiches. Stocked up on ketjip Manis, sambal oelek, and stroopwaffels from the packaged section. Some Dutch cheese crackers completed our purchase. Overall, it was worth the trip. read more

Such a cute shop! It's located next to Litchfield Pizza in a small plaza, and they sell everything you see on British baking shows and wish you could try yourself. Okay, not everything, but a lot of fun new things are here to buy. Clotted cream? Now I just need scones. In addition to more self stable items, they also sell bread, cheese, soup, and baked goods. The bread is fluffy with a crunchy crust. The baked goods are delicious - I've never actually enjoyed an almond mouse before (besides appearance) but these are chocolately and not overwhelming in almond. The employees were very friendly and worked with each customer, providing recommendations and additional information. They participated in Restaurant Week 2023, and the bread/soup/pastry deal was a great meal! read more

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Been making the drive and going here for several years now. It never disappoints. Best apple strudel we have ever had. Also, the nicest owner. Just wish they were closer but well worth the trip. read more

Best cheese selection in the area cut to order!! I appreciate the international variety and quality ingredients available here. If you want to host a great bbq this is the go to place for schaller and Weber hot dogs ( my personal favorite) they have great selection of cured of smoked meats like landjager and pates. Everything cut to order Thank you for this great place to shop! read more

Very friendly and a delight for foodies. My husband enjoyed speaking Dutch with the owner. Baked goods specialty deli meats and cheeses, imported candies and prepared soups and savory meals in the freezer case. What a lovely find we stumble upon just out for a nice drive. Down the toad from the Litchfield Distillery. read more

Although this place doesn't look like much from the outside, it's been around forever. Great place to stop for fresh meats and cheese. They have a wide variety of different cheeses like mushroom and pesto cheese. They also have fresh ice cream and homemade soups of the day for sale. In addition to the deli, they also have a big selection of other cool things you can buy like syrups, jams, cookies, candy, and crackers. I came in for just a peak and ended up spending $50 in a total of 5 minutes lol. Dangerous. Definitely stopping here on our way home and stocking up on some more awesome items. read more

Amazing cakes, our favorite spot to treat ourselves for our birthday. My wife always orders 2 so we can save one for ourselves :) you won't be disappointed. Well worth the splurge. read more

An absolute joy to experience the owner and her team. These women and this shop are a treasure . They have beautiful and lovingly crafted products that they endorse and share with this community in such a positive way . I have driven past on anumber of occasions and now will always be drawn to stop by and support this local business . read more

We wanted to update briefly our 2015 review simply by noting that the tasty offerings from this remarkable shop have continued at a high level over the last three years. Their cheese, bakery goods and meats remain absolutely wonderful, and the selections of European foods are just as diverse and satisfying as we noted earlier. We don't really have any changes to comment on; we just believe it's worth noting that retail establishments like this one can maintain the highest standards over a period of years, and we commend them for that. And we'll keep coming back for another three! read more

I love this shop! I only wish I lived closer. The bakery items are delicious as well as the imported goods from The Netherlands and other countries. If I lived closer, I would order one of their black forest cakes to try as I've never found one as good as the one I had in Germany in the Black Forest region. Their fresh pretzels are great. I really like some of the Dutch speculaas cookies they carry. Shopping here takes me back to my visit to the Netherlands and makes me want to go back! Make it a point to stop here if you are in the area and bring a cooler because they have some excellent frozen options. read more

Delicious German pretzels, homemade soups, and pastries. Black Forest ham and rosemary Manchango cheese is to die for! All sorts of unique European goodies! One of my favorite places!!! read more

The Dutch Epicure has so many great things to offer. We ordered pretzels & cinnamon rolls for our wedding event. The shop owner is so pleasant & easy to work with. The pretzels & cinnamon rolls were all so generously sized & super tasty. They made such a unique addition to our event. We & our guests all enjoyed them so much. We highly recommend this shop! read more

Fun place--especially around the holidays when great gifting chocolates abound. A fairly large and interesting selection of cheeses, and the homemade pastries are fantastic. The shelves are filled with hard-to-find European foodie treasures. read more

I used their online shop to order a specialty pan. It took a week to ship out, leaving me having to wait nearly two weeks to surprise someone with a special dinner. When I contacted the store, they told me they were on vacation and had to unpack a shipment from Holland before sending out online orders. They really should have notification when they are closed up on their online shop. Had I known it was going to take a week to get my order processed, I would have cancelled it. They were nice enough when I called, but I am not really going to use them again. They need to fix their online service, in order for me to recommend them to others. read more

it's a little dated looking from the outside and once you get inside, not much changes. What you lack in atmosphere is quickly made up for in a selection of world-class cheese. They allow you to sample before you buy, which is important when you're paying a premium price for a product that may be new to you. They've had a knowledgeable and friendly person on staff every time I've ever been there. I host a wine and cheese night once a month in the warmer months and always buy here. My guests are almost always impressed, save one or two instances of something that was 'too funky' for most. As far as the rest of the store goes, some interesting things that have caught my attention, but nothing that makes me feel I have to get back. Cheese, cheese, cheese! read more

Its very hard for me not to spend all of my money in this place on cheese and breads. This place is awesome, the staff is courteous and strictly business and don't like my low brow sense of humor but I love this shop. Warm pretzels & Huntsman Cheese and licorice!!! read more

Dutch Epicure is a wonderful store. They have an excellent selection of european style meats and cheeses. I have several favorites and always come back for them. Wilma, the owner, is also a great baker. She has a variety of baked breads, sweet goods, cakes, and pies. She even bakes excellent Pretzels!!! You should try their house made Spaetzle, german noodles. Wow! I also recommend their home made soups and their hungarian goulash. The family and staff is always great. read more

This store is one of those understated little gems. It has a collection of hard-to-find European products and a host of Dutch goodies of all kinds. The meat and cheese offerings are in a category of their own. The bakery is of the type that you can only find in Europe or, in this case, transplanted Continental bakers sharing their art and wares with a US clientele. It is a little remote from much of the state but well worth the trip which won't leave you disappointed. read more

Love this shop! Please make some keylime tarts again. They are the best of the best. Everything is delicious. Wish we lived closer as we would be here every week. read more

Thank goodness for the Dutch Epicure! They have things you can't find anywhere else (cheeses, specialty foods, home baked cookies, pastries and cakes) and everything TASTES GOOD!!! The only long wait is some Saturdays during high season, good service takes a while! I hear tell they are expanding their chocolate selection to fill the void left by Belgique in Kent....can't wait! read more

I love this place and want to desperately give it all five stars, unfortunately I cant today. As a child my mother always brought home sweets and cheeses from The Dutch Epicure for dinner parties, special events and Holidays. Last week I went a bought some of the most delicious cheeses I have had in a while. The woman at the counter was so pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful! I love her!(I give her 5 stars)I am literally eating the cheese and enjoying a glass of wine right now! Today a brought a lifelong friend of mine there (hello? more business!!!) and basically THE OWNER of all people treated us like crap! I was shocked! At first I thought she had a witty dry sense of humor, that quickly changed. We asked to try some cheese and she responded with, "Only if you plan on buying it." Um, yeah that's why we're here.... she was rushing us and was super impatient! She also did not bag our things separately and we told her to twice. She really ruined the experience for us! Then when a costumer walked in she had told us he had an "appointment".... by the time we were taken care of and walked to my car he was walking to his car too. That is not a good way to run a business. I can not believe how disappointed I am with her. I would love to speak with the owner about this because it's a terrible way to represent a business. Next time I go there I will wait to be helped by someone else. read more

All of you people who are giving less than 5 stars should get over yourselves. It is rare these days to have specialty small business that caters to a niche clientele. I have lived in litchfield my whole life. The Dutch Epicure is a unique shop/deli/bakery. Learn to appreciate people and businesses that put their heart and soul into their work. Show some class and respect; if you have a negative opinion then please leave your full name,address and phone number so I can critique you and your job/business; the doors at Costco and Walmart are always open. read more

What a wonderful charming food shop! I love the fresh breads. My children cant get enough of the fresh pretzels. Also recommend the cheeses, frozen soups and any Dutch food imaginable. The staff is super friendly. Highly recommended! read more

Love this store, selection of European gourmet products is superb, bakery goods and delicious frozen soups and take home items are a great convenience and very delicious, definitely worth a trip! read more