Stowe, VT is a popular town that is perfect in any season. Nature is the draw here, but food is a close second. These chefs are dedicated to quality, and it shows on every plate. They use local ingredients to create exceptional flavors that will be sure to linger in your memory. Read on to learn about the best restaurants in Stowe, VT!
Doc Ponds
Doc Ponds is a groovy spot for a casual meal. The atmosphere is incredibly cozy, with wood floors, a fireplace, and a large collection of vinyl records playing continuously.
The beer selection is extensive too, with lots of choices for draft and otherwise. The menu is full of pub fare, and you can start with things like maple-roasted peanuts, caesar salad, or dry-rub wings.
For something more substantial, you can order dishes like mac n’ cheese or a smash burger. Dessert is also a must, with root beer floats, milkshakes, and pies!
Price: $$ to $$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (802) 760-6066
Stowe Bee Baking and Cafe
Stowe Bee Bakery and Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Stowe, VT and serves delicious food in a welcoming space. Here, they eschew chemicals and make everything from scratch.
You will find coffee, espresso, and frozen drinks with flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, and lemonade. For breakfast, they have egg sandwiches, biscuits, popovers, scones, cinnamon buns, and yogurt parfait.
For lunch one day, my husband got the Mount Triple panini (ham, chicken, cheddar, and maple mustard), and I got the Alpine Panini (ham, apples, and brie). They also have items like cupcakes, eclairs, brownies, and more!
Price: $
Meal: Breakfast or lunch
Reservations: No
Phone number: (802) 760-6728
Idletyme Brewing Company
Idletyme Brewing Company sticks to the European tradition with a dash of Vermont hop culture, and its history dates back to the early 20th century.
The beer here is brewed onsite (there are large copper tanks in the dining room), and the brewmaster is a true craftsman. We each tried a Brewski sampler, and my favorite was the Helles Brook, a golden Munich-style lager with a clean, crisp taste.
The pub fare is incredible as well, so definitely come hungry. For starters, we got fried pickles with herb dip and a warm Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese and mustard.
For lunch, we split ale-battered fish n’ chips and a pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast with coleslaw. For dessert, we got New York-style cheesecake. Absolutely everything was delicious!
Price: $$-$$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: Yes, but you can also walk in
Phone number: (802) 253-4765
Piecasso Pizzeria
The Sicilian family who owns Piecasso Pizzeria has been making Italian food for the past three generations (and the recipe for their delicious artisan pizzas has never changed).
The pies are hand-tossed, and you decide on the crust, sauce, and toppings. They also have specialty pizzas like the L’Giovanni (pesto base, mozzarella, bacon, chicken, onions, mushrooms, and basil) or the Leonardo (white base, mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage, spinach, and garlic).
For starters, you can order things like garlic knots or a salad (with homemade dressing). For entrées, you can order dishes like chicken parmigiana or fettuccine alfredo.
Come here for the relaxed ambience and enjoy one of the best restaurants in Stowe, VT!
Price: $$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (802) 253-4411
Harrison’s Restaurant
Harrison’s Restaurant is a casual yet upscale spot with elevated American fare. The cozy interior is quintessential Vermont, with candles, lanterns, wood beams, flannel booths, and a brick fireplace.
The full bar includes wine, beer, and cocktails. For appetizers, they have items like oysters or a cheese board with bread, honey, fruit, and roasted almonds.
For entrées, they have items like Pistachio-encrusted venison with mashed potatoes or wasabi-encrusted salmon with yuzu aioli and greens.
For dessert, the options are classics like a hot fudge sundae or carrot cake. You can also get alcoholic coffee drinks, like the Haute & Steamy (chocolate vodka, caramel sauce, and whipped cream) or the Vermonter (maple liqueur, Frangelico, and Irish cream).
Price: $$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (802) 253-7773
Cork Restaurant and Wine Shop
Cork Restaurant and Wine Shop is dedicated to sourcing natural wine from around the globe. These small-batch vineyards are organic and shun the use of chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers.
The American food is great too, and while the menu often changes, you can start with things like chicken wings in lemon, garlic, and Calabrian chili sauce or bruschetta with anchovy butter.
For something more substantial, you can order dishes like tortelli with swiss chard, ricotta, and balsamic or linguine with shrimp and focaccia breadcrumbs. They also have a smash burger with hot pepper aioli and chicken thighs in a spicy coconut sauce.
Make sure to stop at the wine shop as well for some bottles to go!
Price: $$-$$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (802) 760-6143
Ranch Camp
Ranch Camp is a hub for mountain biking that also serves up delicious Mexican fare. Here, you can get a tune-up, a beer, and nachos all together.
The casual eatery is known for burritos, with options like the Early Riser (eggs, bacon, fried sweet potato, black beans, cheddar, spinach, tomato, and maple roja sauce) or the Power Plant (fried tofu, barely, lentils, chickpeas, broccoli, artichokes, kale, corn salsa, guacamole, and maple verde sauce).
They also have quesadillas, tacos, and bowls with falafel, scallops, and more. They even have dessert, like apple crisp or peanut butter mousse with Oreo crust.
Grab a seat at the bar or on the patio and enjoy one of the best restaurants in Stowe, VT!
Price: $$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (802) 253-2753
The Bench
The Bench is the ultimate spot for some comfort food with a relaxed vibe to match.
For drinks, they have a wide selection of beer on a shiny copper draft wall in addition to wine and cocktails. For starters, we got mac n’ cheese with toasted breadcrumbs and fries fried in duck fat with rosemary and sriracha salt.
For entrées, my husband got meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans, and I got ravioli with basil and vodka cream sauce. They also have sandwiches, burgers, and a wood-burning oven for pizzas.
For dessert, we got a giant chocolate chip cookie and a cast iron s’more with homemade marshmallow. Everything was rich, tasty, and full of that stick-to-your-ribs goodness.
Price: $$ to $$$
Meal: Lunch or dinner
Reservations: No
Phone number: (802) 253-5100
Butler’s Pantry
Butler’s Pantry is one of the best restaurants in Stowe, VT, and you can find it in a historic home built circa 1830. The breakfast here is phenomenal, and the pancakes in particular are famous (they have the classics and a savory option, cheddar and jalapeño with hollandaise sauce).
For drinks, my husband got a Bloody Mary, and I got a mimosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice (we both also had many cups of the bottomless coffee).
For breakfast, my husband got french toast on challah with homemade maple sausage, and I got eggs benedict (though I almost got biscuits and gravy). For a healthy option, they have an acai bowl with granola, fresh fruit, coconut, and maple syrup.
Price: $$
Meal: Breakfast
Reservations: No
Phone number: (802) 253-2955
The Bistro at Ten Acres
The Bistro at Ten Acres sits in a historic farmhouse built circa 1820 and serves American food. Here, the interior is very cozy, with wood floors, a fireside lounge, and exceptional views of the countryside.
For drinks, they have wine, beer, and cocktails (including premium Whistle Pig concoctions). For appetizers, you can order dishes like corn chowder or a toasted coconut quinoa salad.
For entrées, you can order dishes like lemon pepper salmon with potato au gratin and sautéed tomatoes or filet mignon with mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus. Dessert is also a must, with items like tiramisu, strawberry torte, and chocolate torte.
They also have a brick patio with live music three days a week.
Price: $$$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (802) 253-6838
Honorable Mention: Michael’s on the Hill
Michael’s on the Hill is a beautiful restaurant in nearby Waterbury, VT that also sits in a historic farmhouse built circa 1820. The property is surrounded by nature and has incredible views of the Green Mountains.
The head chef and owner grew up in Switzerland and puts quality European fare at the forefront. The menu often changes to reflect the season, and the ingredients are local, sustainable, and unprocessed.
The full bar includes wine, beer, and cocktails. For appetizers, they have items like mushroom tartine with truffle honey gastrique or shaved asparagus with fennel, garlic, herbed chevre, pine nuts, and lemon dressing.
For entrées, they have items like roasted chicken with polenta, crispy shallots, gremolata, and madeira jus or a birch syrup-glazed pork chop with bean ragout and warm spinach bacon salad. For dessert, the options are classics like strawberry shortcake.
You can also do a prix fixe menu (gold or platinum) with extras like a wine pairing, a sorbet intermezzo, or a Vermont artisan cheese plate to finish.
Price: $$$$
Meal: Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Phone number: (802) 244-7476
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best casual dining in Stowe, VT?
I think the best casual dining in Stowe, VT is at Doc Ponds.
Where is the best fine dining near Stowe, VT?
I think the best fine dining near Stowe, VT is at Michael’s on the Hill.
Where is the best outdoor dining in Stowe, VT?
I think the best outdoor dining in Stowe, VT is at The Bistro at Ten Acres.
Where is the best lunch in Stowe, VT?
I think the best lunch in Stowe, VT is at Ranch Camp.
What are the best restaurants on Main Street in Stowe, VT?
I think one of the best restaurants on Main Street in Stowe, VT is Butler’s Pantry.
What are the best Italian restaurants in Stowe, VT?
I think one of the best Italian restaurants in Stowe, VT is Piecasso Pizzeria.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it will lead to some great meals at the best restaurants in Stowe, VT! For another trip, check out the best restaurants in Woodstock, VT!