YourYale took one for the team (and our taste buds) by sampling sweet treats from eight Shops at Yale. Cookies, cakes, cones — oh my! See what made the cut.
Sweets around the block
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Cure your cravings with a variety of sweet treats available at The Shops at Yale.
YourYale recently visited eight Shops at Yale in downtown New Haven to sample their most popular desserts, ice cream, and cookies. It involved lunch or break-time walks that burned some of the many delicious calories consumed for this article. Here is the scoop on fan favorites and our picks.
Ashley’s Ice Cream
Ashley’s Ice Cream originated in New Haven in 1979. Today, the York Street store is one of five Connecticut locations that serve dozens of flavors of ice cream and some non-dairy options made from all-natural ingredients. Featured favorites include red, white, and blueberry, bourbon brown sugar, coffee with Oreo (a fan favorite), cookie batter, and lemon pie. Get a generous scoop of these or any of their many flavors in a freshly baked waffle cone. Craving a sundae? Top it off with their daily-made whipped cream and yummy bittersweet hot fudge sauce. Ashley’s also offers sorbet, sherbet, ice cream cakes (that can be personalized), and frozen yogurt pies.
A colleague’s pick: Sweet cream: vanilla, but extra sweet.
Fun fact: The store is named after Ashley Whippet, the famous frisbee-catching canine.
Where and When 280 York St.; open daily
Vía Láctea
Vía Láctea serves non-dairy, plant-based scoops, sundaes, and mylk shakes made with coconut milk ice cream. Signature flavors include pistachio and almond, coffee chip, and guava panetela as well as seasonal specials, sorbets, and a soy-based sherbet. A fan favorite is the praline with swirls of creamy, salted caramel. Daily-made vegan pastries such as the pecan brownie or a slice of lemon olive oil cake are just as delicious. For special occasions, order one of their layered bliss cakes; birthday bliss is vanilla bean and caramel flavored with rainbow sprinkles wrapped in buttercream frosting.
Writer’s pick: Guava pantela featuring soft almond cake crumbles
Fun fact: Vía Láctea in Spanish means Milky Way
Where and When: 2 Whitney Ave.; Open Daily
Claire’s Corner Copia
Claire’s has been a staple in downtown New Haven since 1975. Known for its vegetarian dishes, it also serves up some fabulous desserts all baked in-house. First-time patrons may be a bit overwhelmed by the extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. While there is a variety of sweet treats to choose from (cookies, cupcakes, and whoopie pies), the Lithuanian Coffee Cake is the most popular. A tall, dense sour-cream-based pound cake, it contains a tasty streusel filling made with cinnamon, raisins, walnuts, brown sugar, and decaf coffee. One ginormous piece can easily feed two adults and comes with or without the luscious buttercream frosting.
Writer’s pick: Ricotta chocolate chip mini-bundt cake: not too sweet or filling.
Fun Fact: Owner Claire Criscuolo has written five cookbooks.
Where and When: 1000 Chapel St.; closed Mondays
Cookie 39
Walking into Cookie 39, one’s nostrils are immediately filled with the smell of baking cookies — wafts of buttery goodness mixed with vanilla and a hint of caramelized sugar. Customers can choose from six regularly featured cookies, including chocolate chip (most popular), oatmeal raisin, cookies and cream, triple chocolate, sugar cookie with buttercream frosting, and peanut butter cup. Thanks to an open kitchen design and smiling bakers, customers can also watch as they are made. If those flavors don’t tempt, a monthly special is also available. Best part? The cookies are large, always fresh, and served warm.
Writer’s pick: Chocolate chip, of course!
Fun fact: Owner Mark Powell is the grandson of Carmen Cozza, Yale’s head football coach from 1964 to 1996.
Where and When: 39 Broadway; open daily.
Maison B Café
At the bustling Maison B Café, hungry diners can get breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner. Some dishes include omelets, wraps, salads, or their signature Belgian waffles. For those with a sweet tooth, the café also offers an array of pastries. Fan favorites include the chocolate mousse and flourless brownie. For an extra treat, order the Belgian waffle, a dish that bridges breakfast and dessert in one crispy, sweet creation. Choose from the caramel or chocolate versions, each topped with whipped cream, generous sauce drizzles and a dusting of powdered sugar. Add some fresh strawberries for the “Valentine.”
Writer’s pick: flourless brownie: creamy and delicious
Fun fact: Masion B is cashless
Where and When: 304 Elm St.; open daily
Pedals Smoothie and Juice Bar
Pedals specializes in smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and açaí or fruit bowls. Their artful signature smoothie bowls are packed with healthy ingredients that satisfy both appetite and Instagram feed. Each bowl sports a bicycle race-themed name and starts with either açaí or other fruit bases like strawberry or banana. Toppings range from fruit and nuts to indulgent options like almond butter and chocolate chips. The Giro D’Italia bowl is a crowd favorite, but customers can build their own combinations. Hankering for a sippable treat? Try their top-rated “New”tella Smoothie made with chocolate hazelnut spread, almond milk, cacao, banana, and local maple syrup.
Writer’s pick: Main Mango smoothie: cold and refreshing
Fun fact: Pedals has two other locations: 999 State Street and in Durham.
Where and When: 284 York St.; Open Daily
Arethusa Farm Dairy
Arethusa Farm Dairy on Chapel St. sits directly across from Old Campus making it easily accessible to the Yale Community. This scoop shop sells ice cream and other Connecticut-made dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, butter, and milk. Visitors will be tempted by popular flavors like sweet cream with dark chocolate chips, almond with toasted coconut or seasonal favorites such as maple walnut or peach served in a freshly made waffle cone. If you want to save a few calories, order a cup or bring a pint home to share with the family. Either way all will be served up by Arethusa’s friendly staff.
Writer’s pick: Seasonal Eggnog: creamy and slightly sweet.
Fun fact: The original Arethusa Farm in Litchfield was established in 1868. The current owner purchased it in 1999.
Where and When: 1020 Chapel St.; open daily
Heybings & Loose Leaf Boba Company
Known for its fresh-pressed teas and organic matcha, Heybings also serves Bingsoo, a popular Korean shaved ice dessert. Heybings brings a contemporary twist to its Bingsoo, adding toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts, cheesecake bites, red bean, and marshmallow with a drizzle of creamy condensed milk or a sprinkle of cocoa powder. Each concoction looks like a mini work of art with a blend of flavors that aren’t too sweet; a single serving is big enough to share. Diners will be inspired to post a photo before digging in. Fan favorites include mango paradise, black sesame, and strawberry cheesecake.
Writer’s pick: Mango Coloda
Fun fact: Bring your pet and get a Woofaccino with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Where and When: 46 High St.; open daily
The Shops at Yale comprise a collection of boutiques, national retailers, cafes, restaurants, and cultural attractions in the heart of Historic Downtown New Haven. The shopping districts are organized into three merchant associations: the Chapel-College Association, the Broadway-York Association, and the Whitney-Audubon Retail & Arts District. These associations welcome membership from any business located within their respective districts.
