Bantam Bread Co

Bantam bread is simply the best fresh baked bread around. I particularly love the sourdough with flax seeds. So full of flavor and the perfect accompaniment for soups and stews or avocado toast in the morning. Crunchy on the outside, fluffy and chewy on the inside. Vegan trail mix cookie is delicious too. If you’re vegan make sure ask which loaves are vegan. Some are brushed with egg whites.

Bantam Bread Company is a gem for bread lovers. Their artisan loaves are crafted with care, using high-quality ingredients that result in incredible flavor and texture. From the hearty sourdough to the perfectly crusty baguettes, every bite is a testament to their dedication to traditional baking. Their pastries and cookies are just as delightful, making it a must-visit spot for anyone in the area. The friendly staff and cozy atmosphere add to the charm, making each visit a treat.

This was my first time going there. I’ve been driving by for years and putting it on my to do list but never got to do till the other day what fantastic pastry I bought a cherry bomb. I believe it’s called for a birthday present for a friend and was very glad. They shared it with me. I will be back but not too often because the calories outweigh the most delicious pastry I ever tasted.

Truly a gem of Litchfield County. Bantam Bread feels like a local’s secret but is indeed a famed landmark of the area. Bread and pastries are lovingly made by a staff who cares as much about their product as they do their customers. I’ve been a customer for years and am particularly fond of the Semolina Baguette while my kids adore the Dirt Bombs pasties. Ethically-chosen gift products and a carefully chosen refrigerator of cheeses, spreads, and beverages complete the shopping experience in this jewel on the river. Bravo

AMAZING BREAD! It's the kind of delicious bread your grandmother used to bake until your mother forced her into that seedy nursing home on the far end of town. Don't blink or you will drive right past this little but mighty bakery!

I wished I lived closer so I could come here everyday! I grew up in Belgium and miss good bread since moving to the US, but this bakery does bread right. Everything I’ve had has been delicious and fresh.

My wife has wanted to stop in for quite some time. We were off this week and in the area so we decided to pop in. Plenty of parking right near the entrance. The front door is actually located down the path with plenty of signs to direct you. As soon as you walk in there is a pleasant smell in the air with all of the breads being baked. Their main oven is located directly behind the bread casing pictured in one of the photos. The staff was friendly and helpful. We ordered a sourdough loaf. It was baked fresh and delicious, much better than a name brand store such as Stop & Shop or Big Y. It is a little pricier than a regular loaf but you get what you pay for. Definitely a nice treat for this rainy icy day.

Probably the best bread in CT. While planning a drive across CT I researched the best bread in the state and came across this place. It was more than worth the small detour of my planned route. Every loaf was fresh and delicious. My favorite was the angel bread which may have been one of the best things I've ever tasted: part bread, part donut and pure bliss!

I recently remotely attended a Food Blogger Chat. When asked for her favorite food, one Blogger said, "bread". It's probably not the coolest answer, but I know what she means. I also appreciate great bread. Without great bread, there is no great sandwich. No great toast. No great French toast. No great Avocado Toast. That's why I try to plan all of my visits to Litchfield County for when Bantam Bread is open. Bantam Bread is a small bakery that takes up the bottom area of a large house-type structure a little west of the three Arethusa businesses. In warmer weather, I've walked from ice cream at Arethusa, to get coffee at Arethusa a Mano, and then to Bantam Bread. Far too cold and icy for that on this visit. I'm not sure if they have outside tables anywhere, but I'd call Bantam Bread more of a grab and go type of bakery in any event. My favorite thing to buy at Bantam Bread is their plain sourdough. The problem is, if you're too late, they're sold out. I learned on my most recent trip, that you can actually get there too early as well. I pivoted to a loaf of an artisanal white bread and a large baguette. I also purchased house granola, chocolate chip and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and a thin, crispy bread-like dessert they call "elephant ears". They're wizards with bread (The Sorting Hat tells me House Ravenclaw). With the white loaf, I made terrific grilled cheese, and awesome toast. With the baguette, I made some toast points and a homemade cheese steak where the bread was the star of the show. I was also a big fan of the granola and elephant ears. I love how the elephant ears crack as they finally succumb to the pressure of your teeth. I have a stylistic issue with the cookies. Bantam Bread is Team Crispy Cookie. I'm Team Soft Cookie. That said, they were well executed Crispy Cookies. Even if you're not inclined to plan a trip from The Hartford area around bread like I do, a trip to Bantam Bread combines nicely with outings to the Arethusa Businesses, Kent Falls Brewing, Bantam Lake, Thorncrest Farm/Milk House Chocolates, Nodines, Litchfield Distillery, etc. Five Stars

Best bread around. The only problem is the 50 dollar camera ticket I got for going 10 over on rt 109

Very cute and rustic bakery. Bought a loaf of sourdough bread that was excellent. Also purchased a fruit tart that was as expensive as the loaf of bread (~$7.25), but was exceptional! We will be back to sample their other goodies. Service was friendly

So many types of bread and cookies and other great pastries. I tried the granola and cookies.

Something significant has changed at Bantam Bread. I purchased a seeded semolina loaf this week. The crust was soft and the interior was doughy. Did they switch ownership or is there a new baker??? In addition I also purchased one strawberry rhubarb pastery. It measured about 3" X 3" square and 1" tall. It was $$7.25. Yikes !!! This is a total rip off.

My wife has wanted to stop in for quite some time. We were off this week and in the area so we decided to pop in. Plenty of parking right near the entrance. The front door is actually located down the path with plenty of signs to direct you. As soon as you walk in there is a pleasant smell in the air with all of the breads being baked. Their main oven is located directly behind the bread casing pictured in one of the photos. The staff was friendly and helpful. We ordered a sourdough loaf. It was baked fresh and delicious, much better than a name brand store such as Stop & Shop or Big Y. It is a little pricier than a regular loaf but you get what you pay for. Definitely a nice treat for this rainy icy day.

Wow! Tiny little bakery - upon opening the door a heavenly cinnamon scent tantalized me. I wanted to buy everything! The palmiers (elephant ears) are crisp, caramelised, and perfectly flaky. The bread is crusty and chewy and soft and fluffy. My French husband is impressed! What a find!

Exceptional sourdough. I always grab an olive loaf when I'm around. Last time I was in I decided to try their cheese and strawberry rhubarb danish and was not disappointed. There's nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread and Bantam Bread delivers every time.

Consistently great bread products every week. The Irish soda bread (they make it only on Thursdays) is a favorite of ours, and the semolina baguettes have an excellent outer crust and soft inside thats perfect for dipping in olive oil. I believe this bread shop has been around for almost thirty years and it's clear why they are still around, keeping consistently high standards in their baking processes every day.

Small bakery in the basement of a house. No seating Have both baked goods and breads for sale, as well as a small drink selection I tried a fruit filled pastry and the Irish soda bread The pastry was phenomenal (10/10), but the Irish soda bread was not my favorite 7.5

We'll be together with a roof right over our heads We'll share the shelter of my single bed We'll share the same room, Jah provide the bread (Is This Love? - Bob Marley) Yup, they sure provide the bread and a whole lot more. As you enter the Bantam Bakery, the intoxicating smell of fabulous baked goods will envelop you before the door behind you even closes. And if that amazing aroma isn't enough, the sight of dozens of fresh loaves of bread plus pies and all sorts of great looking delicacies will grab your attention. After gawking for a while, we settled on two macaroons, a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread, a small raspberry teacake loaf, an Orange Almond Brioche, a pecan shortbread cookie, and a big square of crumb cake for around $25. And how were they? Glad you asked. The cinnamon raisin bread was freaking great! We knew it was going to be, because the smell that filled our car on the drive home from Bantam was driving us crazy. You should know that the bread is sold as a whole loaf, and not put through the slicing machine, because the raisins would gunk up the blade. So we carved out a few slices on our own, popped them into the toaster oven and enjoyed them with a dab of butter. Holy Simple Pleasure--were they great! Wonderful texture, wonderful taste, not too sweet - pretty much perfect. Score 10/10 Pecan Shortbread Cookie- Pretty good !! A very simple cookie with a nice dab of sweet jam in the center. Score 8/10 Orange Almond Brioche -Excellent, with a soft center, crunchy top with plenty of almonds in a sweet orange glaze over a thin layer of almond paste cake. Score 10/10 Crumb Cake - Pretty good - a super crunchy crumb topping over a plain cake base. Score 8/10 The Raspberry Teacake Loaf was very good too. It was dense, mildly sweet, had a thin glaze on the top of the loaf, and plenty of raspberry puree swirled throughout. Score 9/10 The Macaroons - Let me be clear, these are macaroons not macarons, but as far as macaroons are concerned, these were not what we expected. They were much drier inside than the macaroons we are used to having, and far less sweet (we missed that gooey sweetness after you bite into it). Score 7/10

Bantam Bread is located in an old house next to Arethusa. I'm not sure exactly what I had been expecting, but considering how many items they carry, the shop is small. In the time of Covid, one person is allowed in the store at a time, and considering I think you could each both sides of the shop with arms outstretched, that may be a good rule to carry forward. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to try to look at everything with other people jostling for space. They sell a great selection of local products (maple syrup, Bridgewater chocolate, their own wine vinegar) and of course bread. The dirt bombs weren't what I was expecting, I thought they may have sugar on them, but they are amazingly sweet and buttery pastries. The cookies are very good - a little crumbly with some softness. The chocolate chips are flat, which is kind of cool!

Love, love, love this gem. I fly into CT almost every year to visit family and I make this place a MUST. This past month I was in town on a Friday night for a Saturday wedding but had to fly back to Chicago by Sunday afternoon. We briefly stopped at Bantam and I stuffed my luggage with the bread loaves and bought all the chocolate croissants... guess who was envied on the plane ride home?

Whatever they do to make their breads so scrumptious I hope they continue it forever. They really enhance every meal.

Cute little bakery. Got some challah bread which tasted more like regular bread but light. Also got delicious chocolate shortbread cookies. And dogs liked the biscuit I got them. Selection wasn't huge on a Friday afternoon.

Best artisan bread! Worth the trip from Danbury! After ice cream at Arethusa. Something delicious to take home and enjoy!

Each item we've bought from Bantam has been very good there are stand out items: the tea cakes are great and we always keep at least one in house also Kouign-Amann was new to me and now a favorite You can not go wrong in anything they make

These guys are amazing. Great bread, all varieties. But not just bread. Fresh baked items like tea cakes, cookies, pies, brioche and fantastic dog biscuits. My pups tell me all the time. Quality ingredients, great service and friendly folks. Nothing better. Get there now!

Bantam Bread is the premier bakery for quite a large radius, not only for their scrumptious variety of breads, but also for their pastries, tarts, cookies, and pies. It takes me 22 minutes to drive there, but that's well worth it. If you develop a taste for one of their more popular items, like the seeded semolina baguette, it's a good idea to call shortly after they open to have them set some aside for you.

Stopped in to buy bread on October 31st. Sign says "please wear mask" (so I did) I stepped inside to see a couple purchasing bread. Woman had mask, man did not. So I removed mine. I was immediately barked at by the clerk to put my mask on. I said "but he isn't wearing one"... The clerk said (essentially) "too bad, put yours on" The man without the mask says "I forgot my mask and besides, I'm fully vaccinated" I said "well so am I"... The clerk still insisted that I put my mask on. This is Jim Crow for 2021 Rather than partake in their selective enforcement of their "mask rules" I walked out without making a purchase. I will obey the rules, but only if EVERYONE has to abide by them. They lost me as a customer.

Must try if in the area!!! Honestly the BEST bread I've ever had. Incredible flavor and so SO fresh! Lots of flavor options, we purchased the olive bread, semolina bread, and sourdough bread. All equally delicious. They will even slice the loaf if you request. Also seemed to have an assortment of local cheeses, pies, cookies, and dog treats. Tiny place so parking is tight as is their space to wait in line. Don't let that detour you! Would definitely return.

A tiny and lovely bakery in Litchfield. It's in a basement of a house and you can park easily. I tried dirty bombs because of its interesting name. But the taste was not interesting but kinda boring. Angel biscuit was not amazing either. It was dry and nothing special. I liked orange brioche which had a lot of almond on top and orange jam inside. It was really sweet. Try this place if you are in this area. It's not a place you must try though.

My husband stopped by to get some Bread and dessert. The bread was so fresh and delicious. I haven't tried their creme brûlée test but can't wait to dig in.

I grew up in Washington, CT and wow, I remember when this spot opened. I am so happy that it is still going strong. This is literally some of the best bread on the PLANET. I love their sunflower sourdough, raisin bread, and ginger cookies. Oh, and believe the hype. The dirt bombs and angel biscuits are amazing! I try to pick up a loaf or two whenever I am in town visiting family. If I lived closer to this place I would definitely be eating all the carbs, all the time.

I have been hearing about Bantam Bread for years - and haven't had the time to take the trip up to Bantam to check it out.. Unfortunately they had another location closer to home that closed before I had a chance to stop by.. So, on a slow Saturday we decided to take the ride up toward Litchfield and see this nice rustic bread bakery. It's a nice ride to Bantam, and the Bread Co. is a good reason to take the trip. The bake shop is a basement in a house located on one of the towns main roads, easy to find and parking was no problem. The store wasn't fancy or a cafe or anything out of the ordinary - a focus on their baked goods is all that is really necessary here. They do have a small fridge with some cheeses and bottled beverages. The staff was super friendly and nice, helpful in trying to narrow down my baked good purchase to a reasonable amount. We were there sort of late in the day and it was clear that some of their selections had sold out earlier. We tried a few cookies and some breads and they were all excellent. The cow cookie was a nice crisp sugary cinnamon pastry. The 'dirt bomb' was also very good - if you haven't had one of these yet, check it out - its a muffin covered in cinnamon sugar, sort of like a donut but not fried. This is the kind of place you know you will return to, and that you want to try one of everything. Bantam is a place to go for some really great bread.

Amazing craftsmanship put into every loaf. Well worth the gluten. Wish the parking was a bit safer but we used the other lot next to it and walked up a path in order to avoid the crowded parking near the entrance.

Whatever they bake- be it different breads, cakes or cookies - all of their products are fabulous and really yummy!

The woman at the sales counter touched every bread as she pointed out what they had, and she rested her bare hand on a loaf as she talked to customers. Yuck. They could not slice the olive or walnut bread. The raisin bread was burned on the top. The whole grain bread "hadn't been proofed correctly so didn't rise" [their words]. BUT, you could certainly buy these. I didn't. Major disappointment as I had gone well out of my way to try what was touted to be a great bakery.

Cookies were disappointingly dry. Challah bread was pale white in color, unsweetened and not braided. Don't call it Challah bread. Peasant bread was so so. They need to step their game up!

Great bread, great people. What more could you ask of a bakery? The pastries look amazing but this is where I go for bread. In the fall they have local apples. It's easy to stop on my way home from work and everyone is very nice.

disgusting, overpriced, tasteless and stale bread. also referred to me as a "little animal" when I was 5 years old and climbed on the door. owners do NOT deserve business

Absolutely delicious! I highly recommend this bakery the bread is out of this world.

Get their Holiday Bread for Thanksgiving. Get it for any holiday. Get it for anytime, since every day's a holiday. Then go across the street diagonally to Arethusa Farm Dairy and get some butter. Then go home and gorge. Makes great toast, too. And all their other stuff is great, by the way. Dirt Bombs are made to devour. Buy one and rue the fact that you only had one to eat. Buy two, eat one, and save the other to eat later. Ignore. Eat that one, too.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh- it's ok. In a pinch. I was actually going to love-heart bakery, but it was 4 and closed, so I went down the street to here. When I walked in, I was mildly confused but ok, I'll poke around. Glass refrigerator full of way overpriced cheeses and two ricotta cakes. Ok, next. Medium sized cookies for $1.25 each.....little pricy, but I grabbed a chocolate chip & peanut butter chocolate chip. (They were OK, grocery store cookies are about as good). Then, out of the corner of my eye I see BLONDIES. MY FAVORITE. Ok. I'll take two of those, and two brownies for the hubbster. Saw a fruit tart that looked good, but not $20 good. The girl rings me up and it's $12.50!!!!! Gaht dang. Ok, so each brownie/blondie was $2.00. That's outrageous to me. They weren't HUGE, for two dollars more in Plainville you can get the best cupcake ever and it feeds like three people. But you know what, that would be a one star knock off, I really don't mind paying decent money for good food (especially BLONDIES). Cookies were, ok at best. Blondies were good, but not $2 good. Moist on the center but you could tell they were a few days old. Hubbster said the brownies were ok, but not amazing. I am giving them three stars because I have not yet tried the bread. I will update this when I do, but based on bakery sweets alone, I would pass in the future.

We have passed this bakery many times over the years, but it never seemed to be open when we were around. That changed. They are now open all day Wednesday through Sunday. Terrific baked goods: pies,cookies, pastries and breads. One cannot go wrong with any choice.

Why, WHY, WHY?? did we not notice the strawberry-rhubarb tart? The minute we left, we heard a regular asking for it, and I nearly turned around and went back in. But no. My husband is a model of sanity. We would have to survive, somehow, on two kinds of biscuits (heavenly), two kinds of cookies (ginger = chewy/spicy excellence; peanut butter chocolate chip = crunchy and just ok), and a multigrain loaf (crusty outside, tender inside, delicious). Why only four stars? Minor stuff. Overpriced cheese in the case near the door. Fancy-schmancy Euro-sodas instead of local stuff. The lady waiting on us was taciturn to the point of comedy. (I grew up in New England, and I get it, but c'mon.) Plus, Nigel T. now informs me that BBC makes "dirt bombs." Holy crap.

Itty bitty bakery puts out some mighty impressive loaves. When I asked for a recommendation on a crusty loaf destined for tearing and dipping in olive oil, I expected a French, Italian or sourdough classic. I did not see the rec on a sunflower and flax loaf coming at all! Thankfully, and against my initial instincts, we went for it and were delighted! Packed with flavor and texture - the perfect dipping loaf. Also the breakfast pasties deliver flaky breakfast happiness. Admittedly, for such a welcoming offering and down home vibe, the staff behind the counter might consider offering the same to its customers. We found the cashier slightly curt and entirely serious. In retrospect, however, assuming she'd been then one up since 4am baking all those truly incredible breads, perhaps I'd be a bit serious and curt as well.

Great bread, but if you love your carpets DO NOT buy the dog biscuits... going on day three of diarrhea with my dog after I gave him a dog biscuit I bought there.

We just happened to find Bantam Bread Co while visiting the area last week. How lucky were we! I bought their Irish Soda bread - which I love! I've never had any as delicious as that! My husband bought a strawberry- rhubarb tart and ate it as soon as he got into the car. He's still talking about how delicious it was! We will definitely go back whenever we visit CT! P. S. The young lady who waited on us was very friendly and helpful!

I love the rye and multigrain bread. Everything is fresh and tasty. The girls are very nice. Try the angel biscuits, shortbread, and dirt bombs!

this place is amazing! I come here with my wife almost every weekend and it never a fails, week after week. The staff is very friendly, the bread is always fresh and the charm is always joyful. do make sure you stop here when in town, you won't be disappointed.

Omg!!! I had read a review in a Litchfield magazine and this bakery lives up to every rave review. The angel biscuits are addictive. I am glad I don't live close by because I would weigh 300 pounds by Christmas if it was closer!

Such a wholesome, small town bakery. Awesome...everything! My favorite is for sure the dirt bombs (don't let the name deceive you).

Angel biscuits!!! That's all I have to say but shouldn't say. If everyone knows how good angel biscuits are there will be less for me. In all seriousness these are great and I eat way to many at one time. Also the customer service is excellent which is great cause I don't feel embarrassed when I order to many biscuits.

didn't get a chance...some old guy waited till I got off my bike and started to walk in to tell me parking next to a car already parked was no good. I got back on and left guess they don't need my business not motorcyclist friendly!

YEAST. On a human... very bad. On some flour... very good. This bakery, est. 1997, is in the sunken lower level of an unassuming building on the side of a random highway in the Litchfield Hills area of Connecticut. We were looking somewhere to stop for a quick breakfast on the drive back to Boston and found it in the free magazine Edible Nutmeg in the advertising section, heralded as one of the top 10 bakeries in the US according to epicurious.com. Also, it was 2 miles away on the highway we were already driving on. Perfect. When you walk in, it is difficult to know where to settle your hungry eyes first because even though the room is the size of a walk in closet, there is so much goodness in every direction you look. Inevitably drawn to the display case in front of you, you immediately begin calculating how many pasteries you can eat during a 3 hour drive. But then you discover the jars of cookies, and the rows of pies, and all that bread behind the counter. Since we had just gorged ourselves for three days we restrained and only bought one medium sized loaf of banana nut bread, a mixed berry galette, and 3 cookies. Why we didn't buy any bread when it was a bread bakery was a question I asked myself the rest of the day, because the loaves looked like they were baked 20 minutes ago (and they probably were as we got there just as they opened on a Sunday morning). We got in the car and drove away (big mistake, should have tried the goods before leaving the parking lot so we could have bought more) and I ate the entire banana walnut bread loaf in the next 20 minutes. The loaf was like your first kiss on the very first day of spring... magical and refreshing. My girlfriend allowed me the last tiny bite of her galette and we both agreed it was the best danish/gallete/sort of thing we had ever tasted. The pastry was light and fluffy but crisp on the outside and dusted with sugar, and the middle berry part was fresh and not too sweet. I can only imagine what those lattice berry tarts tasted like. The girlfriend asked me to turn around so we could go buy the other varieties of the galette (peach and strawberry, peach and blueberry) about 12 times during the drive home. After we savored the aftertaste of our baked items for an hour or so we started on the cookies. The peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies were not our favorite, but the giant gingersnap was wonderfully flavorful, perfectly soft, and just a bit chewy (in a good way). This is a place that should be a destination and not just a convenient roadstop on the way back to the city. Highway 202 will definitely be the route of choice for any trip out to the western part of New England from Boston, whether it be western Connecticut or Vermont.

Far away from the bustle of Manhattan during a weekend of Connecticut country pursuits, a stop at this charming bakery is essential. The dirt bombs are lethal yet fantastic. You eat one, you want another. Two should suffice, but you want three which makes you a greedy fat bastard. As we say in Blighty, naughty but nice.

the seeded rye bread is fantastic. staff of young ladies who work here are very pleasant. nice ambience inside . in addition to a variety of fresh baked breads made on site and some sweet baked goods, there is a large selection of artisanal cheeses some being local, olive oils (not exactly local to connecticut, olive trees don't like snow and ice too much lol), local maple syrup (yum!) and honey, and coffee beans.

Absolutely fantastic homemade breads and desserts. They set the bar for organic hippie breads in my opinion. Multigrain miche makes me swoon. GO GO GO. Seriously. Go.