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    Elena’s On Orange

    4.7 (54 reviews)
    Open 2:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Elena’s On Orange Photos

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    Inside/Menu
    Devyn L.

    I had a wonderful first experience at Elena's On Orange the other day. So much so, I'm constantly trying to find the time to get back for more! 20 minutes after opening on Friday there was already a line and the patio outside was full. The inside is open with some seating, if not a ton. I'd still say above average for an ice cream place. It is very bright and welcoming, nicely decorated. The staff was super friendly and cranked out order after order efficiently. They offer 2 flavors of soft serve: chocolate & vanilla (3 if you count "twist" as its own thing), along with a rotating special flavor. They have lots of gourmet and unique toppings, as well as creative sundaes. I decided to get a small dish of Ube soft serve "Elena's Favorite" style, which is covered in their signature chocolate dip & sprinkled with sea salt. It was by far the greatest soy serve I have ever had. It didn't melt quickly, even with the chocolate dip, was extremely flavorful, and the texture was creamy. It was simply perfect. The chocolate was rich and packed quite the flavor punch itself. I really can't wait to have it again and try other toppings. The homemade brownie and chocolate chip cookie pieces looked amazing! This a special place.

    drinks
    Joann S.

    pretty good for an ice cream place. it does get pretty packed though so expect to wait around 15 minutes during their busy times-- even when it's cold out lol.

    Erica A.

    I had heard Elena's had one of the best cups of hot chocolate in New Haven, and I was not disappointed! The Parisian hot chocolate was very thick and rich, definitely more like a sipping chocolate which is just how I like it. The whipped cream on the side was great for cutting the richness. We also got the warm cookie sundae with peanut butter chips, which was a delicious treat! I'd love to come back again on my next trip to Connecticut and check out their special flavors.

    Vanilla with caramel sauce and toffee
    Taylor P.

    If you are a soft serve ice cream fan this is a must visit! Phenomenal vanilla soft serve with a slew of homemade high quality toppings. Daily they have vanilla and dairy free chocolate softserves (with the option to swirl) as well as a specialty flavor that changes weekly. Their sundae options are all delicious and often they have a fun specialty sundae from Thursdays-Mondays. As well as a test kitchen flavor/sundae on Wednesdays. The shop itself is picturesque sitting in the middle of East Rock. It is almost never not busy but the line tends to move pretty fast. Some of their test kitchen/weekly specials can be a little out there and beyond what one would imagine as an ice cream flavor, but if you're up for something brand new they might be for you.

    Cross Cookie Sundae
    Jason P.

    Elena's on Orange is a soft serve ice cream specialist in the greater East Rock area of New Haven. I've been twice. I went to a Food Blogger event about a year ago, which helps inform my understanding of Elena's, but I'm not factoring that into my review since my food was comped. I just returned for the first time with my family, and I'm basing my review on that experience. After finishing lunch at East Rock Market, I told my wife that we should visit Elena's because my wife loves hot chocolate and Elena's makes the best hot chocolate I've ever had. What I did not know, is that hot chocolate is a seasonal item at Elena's and the season had ended. Doh. Instead, I ordered a Cross Cookie Sundae with a soft serve twist of chocolate and vanilla. Elena's always has chocolate and vanilla and one weekly flavor. That flavor is often very unique, but this week, it was Nutella. I like Nutella, but it presents similarly to chocolate and I was feeling the twist. Elena's soft serve is thicker and richer than any soft serve I've had. I prefer hard serve, but I always evaluate a place for what it does. And Elena's is the best at Soft Serve. My sundae had hot fudge, real whipped cream, cookie pieces and mint pieces. The cookie pieces didn't stand out for me, but the hot fudge and whipped cream were top tier. If you love soft serve or the weekly special flavor really catches your eye, Elena's is must visit. Even if you're just curious what high end soft serve can achieve, Elena's is worth a visit. The shop is cute. They're an important part of the fabric of the neighborhood. Service is good. 4.5 Stars

    Soft ice cream
    Marco V.

    The soft ice cream from this place is so delicious and full of flavor. The shop can get pretty crowded during the summer, but that just shows how popular it is. Overall a great place to enjoy an ice cream day with the family.

    Matcha Soft Serve
    Zachary D.

    Lovely little spot that some local friends recommended we try before heading back home... so glad we did! For a small local spot it had plenty of seating which seemed to support all the customers that were coming to enjoy some soft serve and hang. Definitely be prepared for a line but it moved rather quickly and you could tell the friendly and helpful staff were hustling! Definitely some of my favorite soft serve that I've had. Not your typical soft serve/froyo spot. (Also super thankful that they had free lactaid!)

    Winter Specials Menu
    Lauren M.

    I have been to Elena's several times and each time has been a great experience! This place is such a cute and unique soft serve shop located in the adorable neighborhood of East Rock. It's a perfect area to take a walk and explore, and why not stop in for a treat. Although they primarily feature their soft serve options (which are so good!), I love that they offer winter specials! For days like today when it's in the 20's-30's and covered with snow, having warm options is a game changer. I ordered the Campfire Cocoa, which hit the spot and fulfilled my chocolate craving. My husband got the Parisian Hot Chocolate, which is as described-- very rich and thick, which he enjoyed. Additionally, the woman who helped us was so nice and welcoming. We will absolutely continue to come back and highly recommend for others who love soft serve and hot cocoa!

    Chocolate soft serve (oat milk dairy free) with brownie chunks
    Lexi S.

    Elena's is clearly a favorite local business of East Rock. Come on a summer night during the weekend and the line will be down the block. They specialize in short-term seasonal soft serve flavors and sundaes. All of the chocolate ice cream is dairy free (made with oat milk). The vanilla contains dairy. I recommend following them on Instagram to keep up with the latest and to check the weekly "Wednesday Test Kitchen" flavor. The ice cream is very creamy. The staff are so nice!

    Chocolate ice cream
    Ed D.

    This place is popular. It's early march on a very cold Saturday night and we stepped in and there was a line and all the tables were full. They only serve 3 soft serve flavors, vanilla and chocolate and the 3rd is a special flavor that changes weekly. It's really thick and creamy and they have a large variety of toppings. It was very tasty.

    Tammy G.

    What a delicious sundae in a very special place! I love the community this shop is settled into - walkable and special and the space itself is filled with sweet coloring pages of ice cream from customers. The quality of products is outstanding. I tried their special flavor - basil - last minute but am planning to get it next time. Highly recommended!

    an ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce and sprinkles
    Alicia N.

    Perfect addition to New Haven! Soft serve ice cream, Affogato and decadent chocolate with whipped cream. Everything in the ice cream shop is made there. All fresh! From sauces to toppings to ice cream. Delicious ice cream. Plus when dining in to enjoy your ice cream they are served in cute ceramic mugs! Service is wonderful. All the staff are helpful, knowledgeable and great! There are a few tables to sit and enjoy !

    Anna S.

    As a regular here, I highly recommend a stroll around East Rock and trying a new flavory every week! A great hang out spot with friends and a cool new place to show people from out of town before/after you take them on a hike to East Rock Park.

    Warm cookie sundae

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    11 months ago

    Delicious ice cream, creative offerings, great prices and friendly staff! I loved my first trip to Elena's! Plan to return soon!

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    Ask the Community - Elena’s On Orange

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    Elena’s On Orange - convenience - Updated May 2026

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