HONEYPOT FARMHOUSE GUIDE TO SOUTHERN VERMONT’S BEST BARS & RESTAURANTS
(Peru)
All things considered, Johnny Seesaw’s is the best spot around. We’ll be the first to admit that the food is “very good, though not amazing”. Cuisine aside, it’s everything else about JS that makes it a “must go”. The space is awesome, the vibe is relaxed, and the crowd is cool without being pretentious. The outdoor space is open year round with a cozy firepit to make s’mores and sip boozy hot chocolate. While upstairs is log-cabin-chic and datenight-worthy, downstairs boasts a game room for kids, and during ski-season, they also offer snow tubing out front. Great for après or any time of day. Tables can fill up weeks out, so book in advance.
(Ludlow)
While there are many high-end restaurants in the area, Homestyle is our favorite. The vibe is cozy, the staff is friendly, and both the dishes and cocktails will go toe-to-toe with any big-city spot. They offer general seating and small private rooms for special occasions. The price is high for the area, but less than in the city. Definitely make a reservation.
(Weston)
Opened in 2024, The Left Bank is wonderful restaurant worthy of date-night or special
occasion. New York prices, but the food does not disappoint. We’re obsessed with the burger
and fries, and the bartender makes a perfect martini. Getting a reservation can be tough during
ski season, but get walkins can get there early and pull up a seat at the bar. Frankly, we’d sit at
the bar early or late.
(Winhall)
Our favorite BBQ in the area. While they do have counter-service to dine-in with both indoor and outdoor seating, we always get Workhorse to-go. “The Workhorse” sandwich with smoked bbq beef, bacon and candied bacon is silly-good and the Piggy Bowl mac & cheese w/ pulled pork and bacon is epic. Great breakfast sammies as well + a customizable catering menu.
(Ludlow)
Main + Mountain is the best cocktail bar in the area, but can get crowded as the indoor seating is minimal. Outdoor seating is available as well with heat-lamps for year-round imbibing. Small snacks are decent, but you’re not coming here for the food. They do take an extended mud season, though, and are closed for most of April and all of May.
(Ludlow)
Right in Okemo’s Clocktower parking lot, The Loft is the perfect place to stop after a long day on the slopes. As part-time New Yorkers, we’ve got a soft-spot for great dive bars, and this checks off all of our diviest boxes. They offer stellar wings as well. While it can get crowded on busy ski weekends, The Loft is deceptively larger than it looks from the outside.
(South Londonderry)
The best (only?) coffee shop with that “city vibe”. Get yourself a true latte, cold brew, drip, or whatever your heart desires. When it comes to whole beans for at-home brewing, while Brian and Jami prefer Vermont Coffee Company (available at Londonderry Village Market and elsewhere), true coffee connoisseurs like Cory and Kara only buy Ungrounded. Also, Capucine’s Florist & Boutique right next door sells wonderful baked goods to get satiate your sweet tooth.
(South Londonderry)
On par with Downtown Grocery and Homestyle Hotel, SoLo is another absolutely wonderful nearby restaurant for when you’re looking for a Top Chef-worthy meal. Stellar cocktails and a solid wine list with a constantly evolving seasonally-inspired farm-to-table menu, you cannot go wrong with a nice dinner or celebratory meal at SoLo.
(Jamaica)
A truly unique takeout spot with outdoor picnic table seating during the warmer months, we are obsessed with their one-of-a-kind burgers, bespoke sausages, sammies and shakes. We often stop here for lunch or early-dinner after a trip to Stratton or following a hike at Ball Mountain Dam. A decent beer selection nicely rounds out their offering.
(Manchester)
If The Crooked Ram was closer to Honeypot, we’d be there once a week. With three distinct spaces and a beautiful menu, there’s something here for every occasion. The front hosts a small-but-mighty craft beer and wine bar with charcuterie, light bites and bottles to-go. The dining room behind it serves high-end fare year-round, and the garden out back serves bonkers wood-fired pizza and delicacies during warmer months. No matter when you’re there or where you’re sitting, be sure to order the Ram’s Board to pair with any beverage.
(Ludlow)
As lifelong New Yorkers, we feel we know a thing or two about good pizza, and there are few in Vermont that throw some dough that would hold its own against many an NYC slice. Goodman’s is our favorite option in the area, and in Ludlow, it’s super close to home. Their signature pie, the “Rip Curl” has a pesto base with sun-dried tomatoes, wood-fired chicken, fresh garlic, ricotta, mozzarella & asiago, but you can’t go wrong with any of their specialty options
(Manchester)
An easy, fun sports bar with a killer outdoor area with firepits, swings and games for those warmer months, Haig’s has a great beer and cocktail selection. The food is solid for a sports bar and the laid-back crowd boasts a nice mix of locals and visitors. Haig’s is also a great option when you’re having a tough time getting a reservation elsewhere in Manchester as Haig’s doesn’t take them 🙂
(Chester)
A sweet little gem known for its Southern-style pies—flaky, rich, and full of old-school
charm. But don’t skip the breakfast and lunch menu, with egg sandwiches, fresh
salads, and daily specials. Friendly staff, great coffee, and a cozy space that fills up
fast. And yes—the pie really is worth the trip.
(Ludlow)
The best spot for truly special occasions, Downtown Grocery may be the priciest spot around, but the food is worth every penny. The menu is small, but changes daily, always with unique and delicious dishes. The husband-and-wife duo are kind and friendly and make you feel at home. A small-but-mighty wine list and spectacular cocktails to boot. Only downside is that reservations can book up 30 days out and that they are often not open on weekends.
LUDLOW:
- Mojo Cafe : Takeout Mex with solid meat and veggie options
- Killarney: Irish pub w/ grub. Often live music on weekend nights.
- Chef Mei: On par takeout Chinese. Everything you expect; nothing you don’t
- Eight Oh Brew: A large selection of craft brews. Pool tables. TVs.
- Off the Rails: Chip some golf balls outside over beers & classic pub fare. Live music at night.
WESTON/ANDOVER:
- Mildred’s: Snack shack for quick bites in downtown Weston
- Rowell’s Inn: A locals’ spot in a beautiful old inn. Eat here when all else is booked.
LONDONDERRY/S. LONDONDERRY:
- Corner Market Deli: To-go sammies for breakfast and lunch. Also wine.
- Black Line Tavern: A really fun dive-bar with live music. Saturday nights are best.
CHESTER:
- Stone Hearth: Quality tavern food. Laid back. Pool table. Friendly staff.
- MacLaomainn’s: Scottish Pub n’ grub. This is the main spot in Chester.
- Country Girl Diner: Classic stop for all-day comfort food and big breakfasts.
- Heritage Deli & Bakery: Hearty sandwiches and quick bites in a local favorite.
- Maria’s Mexican Food : Easygoing spot for Mexican eats with outdoor fun.
PERU:
- JJ Hapgood: They do make a great sandwich here, but a little pricey.
- Bromley Market: Sleeper BBQ to-go. Some of the best around
- Landgrove Inn: Rustic inn serving refined, seasonal dinners in a cozy setting.
MANCHESTER:
- Al Ducci’s: A classic Italian market & deli with a NY vibe.
- Depot 62: A café in a home furnishings store that’s surprisingly good.
- Sam’s Wood Fired Pizza: Almost as good as Goodman’s, but in Manchester
- Moonwink: We’d never had Burmese food until Moonwink. Two thumbs up.
- Thai Basil: Typical thai food that does not disappoint
- Union Underground: Underground gastropub with high marks all around
- Sushi Boat: The local fish-market ensures the quality is better than expected.
- Pearl’s Place: Not quite the best local BBQ, but for sure the best to sit down and dine in.
DOVER:
- Snow Barn: One of the best live-music bars in Southern Vermont. Open Winter only.
- Snow Republic: Brewery & tap-room with solid grub
- Valley View Saloon: Lively with classic American bar food. Known for their wings.
- Sticky Fingers: Bakery & coffee-shop with wide selection. Known for their cinnamon rolls.
CHECK HONEYPOT AVAILABILITY
BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE
Welcome to Honeypot Farmhouse— Your family's year-round VT retreat. We're under 10 miles from Okemo & Magic, 14 miles from Bromley, & less than 35 miles from Stratton, Mt Snow & Killington. We just renovated our 1850s home to be a balance of modern and cozy; where we—and you—will never want to leave. Come for a fun-filled weekend on the mountains skiing or a relaxing getaway in nature. End your day curled up by the fire in our cozy Great Room or over a glass of wine in our open-concept kitchen