Sugarbush is a great east coast ski resort, with a ton of amenities right on the mountain. It is also minutes from the towns of Warren and Waitsfield, Vermont, where you can get some really tasty food.
For such a small place, it is just bursting with great food and beautiful scenery.
Lawsons Finest Liquids
Address: 155 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11-7; Friday and Saturday 11-8PM
Ok, so this one is more about the beer than the food. Though they do have food! But the beer is one of the top breweries in Vermont (according to locals) and it does not disappoint.
The other thing I love about this place, aside from great beer, outdoor firepits, and a fun indoor atmosphere, is the back story.
Owner Sean Lawson worked as a naturalist for many years, with a deep love for nature and was with the forest service for a period of time.
Eventually he decided to open up a brewery and hasn’t looked back. It says right on their website that they pay their staff livable wages, so tipping is unnecessary. Instead they donate all tips to various local groups.
Mad Taco
Address: 5101 Main St, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Hours: Open 7 days a week from 12-8PM
Who doesn’t love a good taco? So when I heard about this place, with their big smokers out in the parking lot I was all in. You can choose from different pork, beef, chicken or seafood tacos, plus burritos, chicken wings and more.
But if you are in a hurry, don’t go here. The wait times are seriously long. It does, however, give you the chance to take in the eclectic vibe of this bar style restaurant and relax after a long day on the mountain.
The Blue Stone
Address: 5351 Main St, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Hours: Closed Sunday & Monday; Tuesday-Thursday 3:30-8PM; Friday & Saturday 3:30-8:30PM
I loved this place so much we went twice. The pizza here is out of this world. Brick oven pizza, comfort food and of course craft beer, what more could you want? The poutine here is delicious (I have a real thing for poutine, it’s the Canadian in me) but a little salty.
It’s the pizza you come for. With unique toppings it’s hard to choose just one type and reason to come back more than once.
American Flatbread
Address: 46 Lareau Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 4-9PM; Closed Monday-Wednesday
Everyone local we talked to said we had to eat here. Unfortunately they weren’t open when we were there, so I think we missed out on something magical. It’s not just about the flatbread either, it’s the whole atmosphere.
Opened in 1985, American Flatbread is located on a historic 25-acre farm, which is where most of their ingredients come from. It has 10 acres of gardens, hiking and biking trails and an art gallery. Locals love to visit this place in the summer and sit outside but lines can get seriously long, so get there early!
Castlerock Pub
Address: Sugarbush Mountain, 66 Gate House Ln, Warren, VT 05674
Hours: Sunday-Tuesday & Thursday 11-5PM; Closed on Wednesdays; Friday & Saturday 11-6PM
After a solid morning on the mountain, Castlerock Pub is the perfect spot to go for lunch. Boasting a huge list of craft beer and some serious comfort food, this was my favorite place to eat on the mountain.
Get the poutine, you will not regret it.
Looking for an apres-ski place and a spot to hear some live music? This is it.
Honorable mention: Nomad Coffee at Sugarbush for great coffee
Address: Sugarbush Resort, Farmhouse Lodge, 86 Gate House Ln, Warren, VT 05674
Hours: Saturday & Sunday 7:30AM-3; Monday, Thursday & Friday 8:30AM-3; Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
If you are anything like me, once I have been out on the mountain all morning and stop for lunch and a beer, I’m pretty much done for the day. It’s like stopping for lunch sucks whatever energy I might have left right out of me.
Sometimes, you just need a good coffee as a pick-me-up. Nomad Coffee is a great espresso bar right on the mountain! They have everything you would expect from a good coffee shop, from a relaxed vibe to great Matcha lattes.
It might be just enough extra kick to give you a few more runs down the mountain.
Concluding Thoughts
Surprisingly, the area surrounding Sugarbush has a lot to offer. It’s not just all about the mountain, with many food options to choose from and more hiking and biking trails than you could ever want. It is the perfect spot for any outdoor adventurer.
The east coast may not be able to boast the huge number of powder days like its west coast cousins, but the choices are endless. Which east coast mountains are you riding this winter?
