Killington, Vermont, might be the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, but that’s not all it has to boast about. With more than 100 restaurants, bars, and shopping options throughout the region, skiers, foodies, and shoppers alike can enjoy all the terrific Killington restaurants and bars that this ski town has to […]
The copper bar and ceiling at Domenic’s Pizzeria make this pizza joint much more upscale than most.
Killington, Vermont, might be the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, but that’s not all it has to boast about. With more than 100 restaurants, bars, and shopping options throughout the region, skiers, foodies, and shoppers alike can enjoy all the terrific Killington restaurants and bars that this ski town has to offer.
As you drive up the Killington Access Road you are welcomed with great views of a few of the six peaks that make up Killington Ski Resort. Photo Credit : Taylor Thomas
During my weekend in Killington, I thought I would be able to make it to all the Killington restaurants, bars, and pubs, at least the ones on the 5-mile Killington Access Road, to check them out. I was wrong (and full).
Sometimes it was the people that led me to spend much more time than anticipated at each place; sometimes it was the views, the staff, the live entertainment, or the drinks. Sometimes it was the food, coffee, or the atmosphere that prolonged my stay, but it was soon clear that, regretfully, there was no way I was going to make it to every place I had intended.
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No matter what type of food or atmosphere you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it in Killington, a laid-back but high-energy ski town that has no dress code (except no ski boots) and where vacationers and locals alike are always in a good mood.
So just where are my favorite Killington, VT, restaurants and bars? I’ll start from the top, literally.
Killington Restaurants and Bars Guide
Sit at one of the 300 seats in the Killington Peak Lodge and enjoy the great views and food at 4,241 feet. Photo Credit : Taylor Thomas
It’s rare that you’d get the opportunity to eat a deliciously prepared meal at 4,241 feet. Along with amazing views of three mountain ranges — the Greens, Whites, and Adirondacks — this Killington ski lodge offers breakfast, lunch, and snacks using ingredients sourced from local farms. Get there when it opens (9 a.m. on weekends, 10:30 a.m. on weekdays) to try a made-to-order omelet or breakfast sandwich, or go for lunch and dig into a gourmet burger or selection from the mac ‘n cheese bar. If you’re in the mood for something to warm you up, try their Chipotle Apple Turkey Chili. Relax by the fireplace and enjoy a local draft or hot cocktail and take in the view. Skiers and non-skiers alike can enjoy this unique dining experience by using the K-1 Express Gondola.
The Motor Room Bar snowcat waits outside of the floor-to-ceiling windowed room while guests enjoy cocktails and d’oeuvres. Photo Credit : Michael Joseph
Explore the mountain after hours through the window of a snowcat. Make sure to make a reservation to dine in the original motor room of Killington’s first 4-passenger lift, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Motor Room Bar snowcat leaves at 5:00 p.m. from near the K-1 Lodge and drops you back off at 7:00 p.m. after you enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
Enjoy cold beer and warm chili at the Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar after a long day of skiing. Photo Credit : Taylor Thomas
Located at the foot of Superstar, a black diamond trail, the Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar makes for a fun place to watch skiers’ and snowboarders’ skills (or lack thereof). It also makes for a lively crowd fresh off the slopes and dressed in full ski attire. With a limited menu of chili, chowder, chips, and pre-made sandwiches, these two yurt-like buildings with transparent walls are a great place to regroup, whether you’re coming down from your last run or just pulling into the area. They offer hot chocolate, hot cider, a full bar, and beer on draught, which makes for fun warm drink combinations.
You don’t even have to leave the mountain to find live entertainment. The Long Trail Pub, located upstairs in the Snowshed Lodge, has a very lively atmosphere. At this part-sports-bar-part-restaurant, you can grab après drinks or order off the pub fare menu with views of the mountain as the backdrop. If burgers, salads, or sandwiches don’t appeal to you, the Snowshed food court downstairs has a variety of made-to-order stations. Watch your family or friends ski down the “learning terrain” right outside the window while you enjoy a hot chocolate, draught beer, or cocktails.
The building Lookout Tavern is in was originally Killington ski area’s first lodge, but is now a family-owned-and-operated bar and restaurant. If you’re staying close by, have their free shuttle service pick you up and bring you home. It is a high-energy atmosphere and a place where skiers and non-skiers come together for upscale bar food or an après drink, and to toss the shells of the free peanuts on the floor. The chances are high that you’ll end up in a conversation with someone you’ve never met while sitting or standing around the U-shaped bar, especially during happy hour from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Call ahead to reserve a seat and try the Roasted BBQ Salmon or the Left Coast Burger topped with jalapeños, peppers, cheddar cheese, and guacamole. Definitely do not pass on dessert — after all, with the calories you’ll burn skiing, you deserve it! Joy, the owner, makes all the desserts in-house, including cheesecake and Toll House cookie pie.
Domenic’s is an upscale pizza joint with dough and sauce made fresh every day. Domenic, the owner and chef, and his staff are more like a family than co-workers, and are all very welcoming, helpful, and accommodating. This 50-seat restaurant also offers takeout and delivery for those who would rather enjoy a pizza, calzone, or lasagna from the comfort of their hotel room or on the road, although the spacious room and fireplace at Domenic’s is quite alluring. Enjoy a cocktail, fine wine, or local beer from their rotating list at the bar made out of copper.
Choices is Killington’s oldest chef-owned restaurant, celebrating 30 years in 2016. Claude, the owner and chef, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and is known for his rotisserie lamb, chicken, and stuffed pork. The 60-item menu and daily specials offer a wide variety of “choices,” from nachos to escargot, and from burgers to rack of lamb. As part of the VT Fresh Network, Claude partners with local farms to give customers fresh and local food. They also support local artists by hanging their work on the walls. Although there are tablecloths and cloth napkins, the staff recognizes that Killington is a ski town and doesn’t have a dress code; they like to call it “casual elegance.” Join them in the bar area for the same menu options, local and organic rotating beers, and a 70-item wine list — nearly 30 of which can be ordered by the glass — or a martini. They also offer Sunday Brunch, and their host is definitely one of the friendliest in Killington!
Dine at the legendary Wobbly Barn Steakhouse or join them for live music at the restaurant that was created by collecting pieces of ten barns from across New England. Opened in 1963, the steakhouse serves beef, seafood, soup, and a salad and fresh bread bar. Their quieter hours for dinner are from 4:30-6:00 or after 9:00 p.m. If you still have energy left, join them for their live music and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. Don’t forget to call the free Wobbly Wagon shuttle service to pick you up and drop you off.
Liquid Art draws a more professional crowd and is an upscale restaurant/café, which offers an espresso bar, specialty cocktails, and healthy fare. The post and beam building is decorated with local artwork and crafts for sale — including hats, jewelry, paintings, photography, and dishware. This family-owned-and-operated restaurant serves breakfast sandwiches, crepes, homemade bread, and more, starting an hour before the ski lifts open. If you’re taking the day off from skiing, sit by their fireplace, access their free Wi-Fi, and drink a Vermont coffee or specialty latte. Don’t forget to try the Jitterbug, which is a blend of espresso and hot chocolate. If you’re more in the mood for a cocktail, try the warming Jacked Up Chai, made with chai tea, Jack Honey, vanilla, steamed milk, and cinnamon. Their vegetarian chili is award-winning and their ice cream is homemade.
Grab some food, play arcade games, or watch sports while doing your laundry at JAX. Photo Credit : Taylor Thomas
If you need to wash your clothes after a long day on the mountain, you’re in luck. JAX bar is located directly above Killington’s only laundromat, Scrub-a-Dub Pub. JAX offers live entertainment 7 nights a week, many nights by local artists. JAX is also a great place to watch a game, with a big projection screen and smaller TVs throughout the bar area. They also have a few arcade games. Try their self-proclaimed “Best Grilled Cheese in Killington” with caramelized onion and apples or one of their many other delectable appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads, or flatbreads.
The Foundry has a rustic, quintessential Vermont feel to it. The post and beam building was built in the 1970s, and is equipped with a big, sealed-stone fireplace and two chandeliers. They have an upscale dining room and a more casual tavern, both of which have the same brunch, lunch, and dinner menu options. However, like most establishments in Killington, they have no dress code and some people come straight from the mountain while others choose to dress up. With live entertainment 5 nights a week and ice-skating on the pond outside 6 days a week, there are plenty of reasons to add The Foundry to your list of must-visit Killington restaurants.
Enjoy a personalized Guinness while listening to live Irish music at McGath’s Irish Pub. Photo Credit : Taylor Thomas
A quick drive from the Killington Access Road, McGrath’s Irish Pub is one of the most popular spots around. Located inside The Inn at Longtrail, which has been there since 1938, their motto is “A place where the dressed-up folk, travel-worn motorists, and roughly dressed hiker all might mingle with no apologies,” which captures the pub’s mixed crowd and atmosphere perfectly. McGrath’s offers the state’s largest selection of Irish whiskeys and will even personalize your Guinness. They have live Irish music every weekend that will make you feel as if you’re in Dublin instead of Killington. McGrath’s is a true Irish pub that relies on natural materials, they even have a rock outcropping that serves as a couch. They offer great pub food, some of which is inspired by Ireland, such as their Guinness Stew and Irish Reuben.
Which Killington restaurants and bars are your favorites? Let us know!
This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated, but we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. You should always contact the individual Killington restaurants and bars for the latest information before planning a visit.
Taylor Thomas is a senior at Keene State College and an intern at Yankee Magazine. She graduates in May 2015 with a major in journalism, minors in writing and anthropology, and a concentration in public relations. Taylor is an outdoor enthusiast, avid traveler, and the co-founder of a non-profit program, Surfing with Smiles. She's grateful for the opportunity to work with Yankee Magazine and is excited for what is to come after graduation.
