Carvel — Restaurant in Stratford

This is a cute little corner shop in stratford-- it has a huge customer parking lot and outdoor seating. The aesthetic of the shop is pretty cute, very colorful and retro. There's never really a line and the staff is so friendly and helpful! They welcome dogs if it isn't a busy or crowded day. I brought a small dog in a carrier he was welcomed! There is also a clean handicap accessible bathroom. I love coming here in the summer since the DQ across the street is always crowded and and we'd have to wait in the heat for a cone; this ice cream is a lot fresher as well and there is plenty of seating inside. Their chocolate dip is better than their cherry dip-- the cherry flavor is very prominent though, definitely try it if you love cherry. Their sugar cones are so good!!! Much better than the regular cones. If you come here you HAVE to get a sugar cone. Less waste to buy a cone rather than a cup and spoon anyways. They always have new limited-edition soft serve flavors. I love the Nutella and snickers! Last time I went I tried the raspberry sorbet-- it's VERY GOOD! Definitely try this if you like raspberry or berries in general. Don't be shy to ask for a sample. I'd get it with crunchies on top next time. They have a wide variety of toppings-- nuts, m&ms, fudge, whip cream, sprinkles, oreos etc.. They make amazing custom ice cream cakes where you can print PHOTOS onto the cake. This is perfect for graduations/ themed parties. They have really nice script handwriting too. I received a free fudgie the whale cap with my cake last...

The service was friendly and quite personable. The staff exhibited patience and enthusiasm while assisting customers with their selections, which is especially commendable given the expansive array of flavors and toppings available. They've been great at offering flavor recommendations and have been accommodating on days when the queue is out the door.

The ice cream was creamy, flavorful, and hit the spot. Their signature cakes and shakes are equally delightful. I appreciate the incorporation of seasonal flavors, offering a refreshing variety that would encourage frequent visits to try something new.

While I thoroughly enjoyed my ice cream, I found the range of non-dairy options somewhat limited (I am slightly lactose intolerant). Expanding the menu to include more options for individuals with dietary restrictions would undoubtedly elevate the Carvel experience for a broader spectrum of patrons.

If you're in the mood for some classic ice cream goodness with a side of friendly service, this spot will not disappoint! It’s a place where quality meets tradition; I eagerly look forward to...

My Mom ordered (in person) and paid for a graduation cake for my son. It was his first Carvel "custom cake". My Dad went to pick it up and was told they didn't have it. He called my Mom who told him what day she ordered the cake and she paid for it already. Than they found the order. It was pretty clear that they just took a cake already made, stuck a red cap on it when we asked for black, wrote in pink when it was for a boy and didn't even write what we asked them too, told them the school colors but they didn't use them, It was a green border with assorted colored "rose buds", the cake was just barely an inch tall, hardly any vanilla at all, it actually might have only been the whipped cream "frosting". I wish we just bought one from the grocery store! It was cheaper and much taller. We were actually glad some people did not come. There was not enough cake since the slices had to be bigger cause it...