Please note: This post was written in 2019 about a specific event (“Breakfast on the Deck”) which may or may not still be among Lyman Orchard’s offerings. However, this post will still give you a good overview of a visit to Lyman Orchards for fruit picking and dining at the Apple Barrel, their permanent grocery store and restaurant.
2019 Post
Did you know that Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, CT offers a “Breakfast on the Deck” on Saturday and Sunday mornings throughout the summer months? If you are saying “I had no idea!” then you are in good company. That’s been the reaction of pretty much everyone I’ve told about this latest adventure 🙂
Truthfully, I had no idea either. We’ve been to Lyman Orchards for many enjoyable outings over the years, like their famous corn maze, their adorable gingerbread house decorating workshop, shopping and lunch at the Apple Barrel and, of course, fruit picking. But breakfast at Lyman? This was new to us!
So when I got one of those promotional emails from the orchard informing me that berry picking season was in full swing, I thought it would be a great time to treat my crew to a delicious morning out.
In case you’re not familiar with this quintessential CT destination, Lyman Orchards is located in Middlefield, CT.
Breakfast on the Deck runs from 9:00am to 11:00am, every weekend from May 25th to October 13th (for the 2019 season). We arrived at the Apple Barrel around 10:00am on a Sunday morning.
We weren’t sure where to go, so we went into the Apple Barrel first. You can access the deck through the back door or just by going around the left side of the building, and we later found out that you can even drive around back and park right near the deck.
It was surprisingly quiet. It did happen to be the weekend after the Fourth of July, and also a day that it was forecast to be very hot, so the combination of those things may have meant less of a crowd than usual. I don’t know. But in any event, we were delighted to find that the line to order food was not long at all!
There are a variety of breakfast options available.
After you order and pay for your food, you can seat yourself at any available table on this glorious outdoor deck overlooking the beautiful fountain.
They will cook your food to order right out there on the deck and call your name when it’s ready. Just head back over to pick it up and also collect utensils, napkins, condiments, etc. This is also where the coffee is located.
I don’t have to tell you how DELICIOUS it smells back there on the deck. Mmmmm.
If you’re not feeling like an entire hot breakfast, you could also stop in at the Apple Barrel and purchase one of the amazing pastries. You can bring the food you purchase inside out to eat on the deck too.
While we’re inside the Apple Barrel, let me point out the restrooms, which are just past the indoor eating area.
Breakfast is served from 9-11, but if you miss it, you can always have lunch here instead. Equally delicious!
Don’t forget to browse a bit at the Apple Barrel market. It’s filled with fresh produce, homemade baked and canned goods, cheeses, snacks, Lyman’s famous Apple Cider and more.
Since the breakfast runs from May to October, there will be lots of post-meal picking options throughout the season.
We decided on blueberries. The berry fields are not accessible from the Apple Barrel, so you have to hop back in your car and drive just a bit up the road.
There’s great signage along the way so you’ll easily spot the pick-your-own areas.
Collect your containers at the little hut. I recommend grabbing a couple of those white buckets with the string that hang around your neck. Having two hands free to pick really makes things go faster!
It can get really hot between those rows of bushes, so be prepared for that. Try to go early or late in the day, wear hats (and sunblock!), bring plenty of water. We lasted about 30 minutes.
The boys really want to bake a blueberry pie, and I considered it for about a minute. Then I decided to stop back in at the Apple Barrel and buy one instead 🙂
It was a beautiful, laid-back, unplugged kind of morning. Just perfect for a summer weekend. I think we’ll be adding Breakfast on the Deck and berry picking at Lyman Orchards to our every-growing list of family traditions. You should too!
(p.s. There’s always something fun going on at Lyman Orchards. Be sure to check their events page before you go!)
Lyman Orchards Breakfast on the Deck
Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel
32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455
(860) 356-3703
24-Hour PYO Hotline: (860) 349-6015
Hours (2019):
Breakfast on the Deck runs weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) from 9:00am-11:00am from May 25th to October 13th (2019).
The Apple Barrel is open daily, 9am-6pm
Visit this page for PYO information.
Pricing (2019):
Prices vary by menu item. See menu for details.
Details:
- Stroller Friendly: YES, the deck is fully stroller accessible (the PYO fields not so much–bring a wearable baby carrier)
- Coffee Mug Friendly: YES, but why bother when they serve it right there?
- Restroom: YES
- Baby Changing Station: YES
- Parking: YES
- Food for Sale: YES
- Outside Food Allowed: That would kind of defeat the whole purpose of having them make you breakfast wouldn’t it?
- Cash Required: No. Credit cards accepted on the deck (and in the fields).
- Dress Code: Dress for sun!
- Age Recommendation: All ages!
- Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
- Birthday Party Venue: N/A
- Discounts: None that we know of
Love this post? Here are some others to check out!
Out and About Mom is 100% funded by the generous support of our sponsors. Interested in advertising opportunities with Out and About Mom? Get more info here.
Want to keep up with things to do with kids in Connecticut?
Check back every week as we dish up more Momsense for getting out and about with your little ones. Don’t have time to check back in? Let us send you an automatic notification of new posts straight to your email inbox by signing up here. Also, you can like us on Facebook and Twitter or follow us on Instagram to keep up with the latest posts and get some extra tidbits we share only through those sites.
