Food Trail #7: Bakeries in Milford, Connecticut

Milford, Connecticut, a small city located on the edge of New Haven County along the Coastal Connecticut I95 corridor, is home to over a dozen named beaches (5 are open to the public), a state park, great shopping and restaurant hubs, and plenty of yummy bakeries. For our seventh food trail (check out #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6), we started on the south side and made our way north, stopping at seven bakeries serving up plenty of homemade pastries, desserts, salads, sandwiches, full meals, and drinks. Here are our top picks:

The Bee’s Knee on Broadway is named after the nickname the owner’s mother used for her as a child (such a nice compliment!). The shop, located across the street from Walnut Beach and next door to the popular Walnut Beach Creamery (opened seasonally) features a wide variety of homemade pastries, bowls, toasts, and parfaits (all in house except for the bagels) and drinks. Everything has a “bee” theme and the staff was incredibly welcoming and upbeat.  The shop also offers a variety of gluten free, dairy free and vegan options.
We love the apple cider donuts,  carrot cupcakes, and iced raspberry lemonade.
Next time, we’re grabbing the HUEG cookies, scones, muffins, and a yogurt parfait.
Full menu here
Noteworthy: During the winter, the shop is closed on Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Sunday 7:30am-3pm and; open 7 days a week during the summer; there are a few outdoor tables, but it’s mostly grab and go; parking is available on the street. Gluten free/ dairy free/vegan options available.

Ambrosia Bakery on Naugatuck Avenue has a massive on site kitchen, making everything from custom cakes and a wide assortment of traditional Italian cookies and desserts to stuffed breads and pies. There’s also a full Boar’s Head deli for made to order sandwiches.
We love the chocolate mousse squares and cream puffs.
Next time, we’re grabbing stuffed breads and Italian cookies.
Full menu here
Noteworthy: The shop opens every day at 7am, and closes at 6pm (5pm on Sundays); there is a small parking lot in front; no indoor or outdoor dining (grab and go only). Some stuffed breads, packaged pies, and cakes are premade and available in the side fridge, but the shop welcomes custom orders.

Scratch Baking on Broad Street serves up a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, and tons of pastries and desserts. Everything is made on site, fresh every day. It’s located across the street from the Milford Green, which is perfect for a picnic, and down the street from the Milford Landing marina.
We love the mushroom/bacon quiche (why did I not get two?!?!), the brookie, and fudge brownies.
Next time, we’re getting more quiches, breakfast pizza, homemade bread loaves, and a Cowboy bar.
Full menu here
Noteworthy: Open at 7am seven days a week, closing at 3pm Monday through Saturday, and 1pm on Sunday; on street parking available; indoor dining usually available (currently unavailable due to pandemic restrictions); restroom available; phone ahead and online orders suggested during busy times.

Cafe Atlantique on River Road is a full service cafe with plenty of indoor, and outdoor dining. I have met friends there several times over the years, as it’s right downtown, near the Milford Landing marina and Milford Green. There are tons of options for both breakfast and lunch, and a very long list of hot and cold coffee and tea beverages.
We love the muffins and biscotti.
Next time, we’ll eat on site and devour a variety of crepes (I’ve had mozzarella and spinach, and chocolate and bacon crepes before) and paninis (I always get the turkey, bacon, swiss or the caprese).
Full menu here
Noteworthy: The cafe opens at 8am seven days a week, and closes at 3pm during the week and 4pm on the weekends; on street parking only; restrooms available; plenty of gluten free options.

Amici’s Cafe on Boston Post Road serves up breakfast and lunch dishes, made to order on site. Grab and go pastries and a very long menu of drink options are available. The dining area also includes a gift shop of items from local artisans.
We love the cinnamon sticks, strawberry muffin, and croissants.
Next time, we’ll stay and have a panini and sandwich for lunch, or frittata or omelette for breakfast. 
Full menu here
Noteworthy: The shop is open from 8am to 2pm on Friday and from 9am tp 5pm Saturday and Sunday; there is a parking lot in front of the shop; restrooms are available; indoor dining is available.

Sweet Cupcasions on New Haven Avenue is owned by the winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars (Season 8, episode 6) and the honor is well deserved.  All cupcakes are baked on site everyday, and there is a limited quantity, so if you want to guarantee your favorites will be available, order ahead here.  Mini cupcakes are also available. They even have a cupcake truck available for rental. 
We love the All about Ethel, Three of a Kind, Leprechaun Loot (March only), and Over the Moon (March only) cupcakes.
Next time, we’ll try every other flavor (and start with the I Love Lucy)
Full menu here
Noteworthy: The shop is open Wednesday through Friday from 11am-5pm, and on Saturday from 11am-3pm; parking lot in front of the store, grab and go only. 

Good Morning Cupcake on Melba Street  shares the space with Bay View Kitchen, which sells homemade pastas, sauces, quiches, and soups. Good Morning Cupcake features miniature cupcakes- almost two dozen varieties available each day, including many gluten free options. The menu changes every month, but there are some signature flavors that are always available. They also make custom cakes and miniature cookies, and offer cupcake baking parties.
We love the Samoa and Tagalong (yes, Girl Scout cookie themed!), and the Swiss Miss.
Next time, we’ll try every other flavor! 
Full menu here
Noteworthy: The shop is open Thursday and Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-3pm; there is a parking lot in front; the shop is grab and go only. Gluten free options are available.

Check out our previous food tours: cupcake tour from Norwalk to Fairfield, chocolate shop trail from Westport to Bethel to Fairfield, cookie trail from Branford to Old Saybrook, hot dog trail from Fairfield to Milford, crepes trail throughout Norwalk, and taco trail throughout Stamford. And read about some of our favorite spots in Connecticut and some of our favorite restaurants in Connecticut.