Our favorite cups of coffee…and more!

Gourmet coffee, espresso drinks, teas, homemade baked goods, sweeter treats, and desserts are what we crave (right?) during pit stops when enjoying all Litchfield has to offer over the long Labor Day weekend (or anytime). Fortunately, the town is blessed many great choices, each with a distinct personality and all worth discovery and return visits.

Arethusa a mano in Bantam center is part of the Arethusa Farm “empire” of deliciousness. We picked up a latte with a heart greeting this morning and stood spellbound by the muffins, donuts, tarts and so much more in the display cases …. (there’s also lunch)

Treats at Espresso 59
Treats at Espresso 59
Krafted Brew Lab in Bantam
Krafted Brew Lab in Bantam
Dirt Bombs at Bantam Bread
Dirt Bombs at Bantam Bread

Krafted Brew Lab behind Sportsmen’s in Bantam is a haven for coffee purists. The no-frills micro-roaster offers fresh roasted specialty coffee beans, espresso and coffee drinks, and a small but tempting selection of baked goods.

Bantam Bread Company doesn’t serve coffee and tea, but its breads are fabulous, as are the other homemade treats, and the dirt bombs (shown here) are legendary.

Love Heart’s Bakery and Cafe on the edge of Bantam toward Litchfield Center just brought back its homemade English muffins. It’s a favorite spot for donuts, muffins, coffee cake, cakes, bagels, croissants … (there’s also lunch).

While it’s not a coffee shop, don’t miss The Dutch Epicure Shop (between Bantam and Litchfield Center), which offers homemade breads, croissants, tarts, chocolates, and so much more.

The new Espresso59 in the former Murphy’s Pharmacy on the Green is like a classic Italian pastry and coffee shop imported from the North End of Boston. Think espresso drinks and desserts like cannoli, bombolini, and gelato … (also heartier fare).

The Bakehouse in the Old Litchfield Jail is a scratch bakery offering croissants, chocolate croissants, cakes, pies cookies, homemade breads, muffins, scones, cookies, and much more—as well as locally-roasted coffee, expresso, latte, specialty teas, etc.

At The Corner in Litchfield Center is known a restaurant and craft beer haven dishing up inventive and flavorful fare, but the sunny front section along West Street is also a morning café, serving coffee, espresso drinks, teas, and baked goods.

Toast & Co. (down the hill from the Green) is a very popular breakfast and lunch café with coffee, espresso drinks, teas, pastries and lots more, like smoothies, milkshakes …

Meraki, tucked in next to The Litchfield Candy Company, is a breakfast and lunch hotspot with coffee, teas, baked goods and everything else required in a good pitstop.

And that’s just a sampling! We also have delis like The Ripe Tomato and Litchfield Catering and Deli that satisfy pitstop demands, and diner-style restaurants like Patty’s Restaurant and Jackie’s Restaurant that fill the bill, too …. and we have a Dunkin’.

If we missed a place you favor, let us know, and we’d love to see comments and photos of your favorites!