Black Ember Grill at 171 Vermont Route 100 is West Dover's newest barbecue destination, having opened in November 2024 as a collaboration between Chef Trevor Appel and co-owners Rich and Laurie Caplan, who previously owned Dover Forge. This intimate 32-seat restaurant specializes in wood-fired barbecue and contemporary American cuisine, featuring a custom grill from Northfork Ironworks and a Lang BBQ Smoker that produces expertly smoked meats including Texas-style brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis-style spareribs, and smoked chicken, alongside creative dishes like fire-kissed octopus and swordfish over polenta. The restaurant's signature Texas Twinkees (bacon-wrapped jalapeños) and legendary hand-cut French fries have earned rave reviews, with multiple diners calling them "the best French fries we've ever had." Chef Appel's culinary vision includes five house-made BBQ sauces (all gluten-free), everything made from scratch, and local sourcing whenever possible. Black Ember Grill operates as a casual, walk-in-only establishment (no reservations) with moderate pricing in the $$-$$$ range, making it an accessible après-ski dining option for Mount Snow visitors. Early reviews are exceptional, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor and ranking #11-12 of 27-28 restaurants in Dover. The warm Vermont lodge atmosphere features exposed beams, soft lighting, and a cozy fireplace, creating what reviewers describe as "understated elegance without stuffiness." Hours when open: Monday, Thursday-Saturday 11:30 AM-9 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM-8 PM, closed Tuesday-Wednesday.
Trail 87 at 271 Vermont Route 100 brings sophisticated modern American dining to West Dover's casual mountain scene, having opened in August 2021 under Chef Tyler Haydon, who honed his skills at prestigious Chicago restaurants including Girl and the Goat, Little Goat, and BLVD Steakhouse. This farm-to-table restaurant has quickly established itself as a go-to après-ski destination with strong ratings across all platforms: 4.6/5 stars on Google (240 reviews), 4.7/5 on TripAdvisor (9 reviews), and 4.8/5 on Facebook. Trail 87's French Onion Burger featuring caramelized onions and gruyere on challah bun has become legendary among regulars, while innovative dishes like Watermelon Ahi Tuna Poke and Chicken Shawarma Bowl showcase Chef Haydon's creative approach to seasonal Vermont ingredients. The restaurant operates as a dual-concept space, functioning both as a full-service restaurant and café serving 1a Roasters coffee with breakfast items including fresh bagels, pastries, and cookies that reviewers describe as "out-of-this-world." The beverage program features unique cocktails like the Apple Butter Old Fashioned and highly praised espresso martinis, alongside craft beers and curated wines. Trail 87's atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between casual mountain dining and upscale cuisine, with a warm, laid-back environment featuring outdoor patio seating, bar area with TVs for sports, and newly renovated tables. Moderately priced in the $$-$$$ range, the restaurant offers excellent value with generous portions and attentive service. Available dining options include dine-in, takeout, and reservations through Resy.com. Hours: Monday and Thursday-Friday 4-9 PM, Saturday 11 AM-9 PM, closed Tuesday-Wednesday and Sunday (hours may vary seasonally).
The Last Chair Bar & Grill at 267 Route 100 reigns as TripAdvisor's #1-ranked restaurant of 27 in Dover, Vermont, earning its top position through consistent quality, generous portions, and unique family entertainment over 10+ years of operation. This charming big red barn with a hanging chair outside houses owner Jim's family-owned establishment, famous for its Kids Zone arcade featuring Guitar Hero, Skee Ball, Air Hockey, and pinball machines where children can win prizes while parents relax in the upstairs loft bar overlooking the action. The Last Chair specializes in American pub food, particularly unique New York-style pizzas with sesame seed crust in creative varieties like apple-bacon-caramelized onion with maple syrup, alongside huge burgers, double pork chops with maple glaze, tender aged steaks, and exceptional seafood including haddock and coconut shrimp. Review quotes consistently praise specific dishes: "the best ribs he'd ever had," "best French fries we've ever had," "best mussels we ever had," and the New England Clam Chowder described as containing "legit lobster pieces." With 338 TripAdvisor reviews averaging 4.1/5 stars and 4.3/5 on Google, the restaurant maintains remarkable consistency despite high volume during peak ski season. The moderately priced menu ($$-$$$) offers excellent value with appetizers ranging $5-14 and entrees that will "feed at least 2 people" for ribs. The atmosphere features multiple seating areas including the main dining room, large outdoor deck with Adirondack chairs and mountain views, square-shaped main bar with sports TVs, and the secret upstairs loft bar with fireplace. Additional entertainment includes live music on weekends, cornhole, and an ice cream stand in summer. This is the perfect casual, family-friendly après-ski destination where "kids want to ski at Mount Snow because they love the Last Chair restaurant so much." No reservations accepted (first-come-first-served), so expect 30-minute to 1.5-hour waits during peak times. Hours: Thursday-Friday 5-9 PM, Saturday 1-9 PM, Sunday 5-9 PM, closed Monday-Wednesday.
1MTN (pronounced "one mountain") opened in February 2025 as a mother-daughter owned breakfast and lunch destination at 1 Mountain Park Plaza, West Dover, VT 05356, just five minutes from Mount Snow—making it an ideal fuel-up spot before hitting the slopes or a cozy wind-down after a day on the mountain. The restaurant occupies the former Betsey's Dot's of Dover space, a beloved local institution, and honors that history while bringing fresh, Italian-American influenced cuisine to the Mount Snow Valley dining scene. President Gabriella Lettieri, a Florida Atlantic University graduate with a decade of restaurant experience, took over after her father—who has skied the area for 40 years—purchased the property in late 2024. Head Chef Mathew Nalepinski crafted a menu featuring standout items like the signature French Toast Bites (made with fresh ground cinnamon and orange zest), The Big Breakfast, and a substantial gluten-free menu that sets it apart from typical Vermont breakfast restaurants. Recent TripAdvisor reviews award 5 out of 5 stars praising "spotless" conditions, "plentiful portions," and "reasonable prices" in the $$ moderate range. The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday with breakfast starting at 7 AM and lunch at noon, plus Sunday brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM (closed Mondays), and features two dining areas plus a full wrap-around counter with vintage charm and quick counter-style service—with the convenient perk that breakfast items are available at lunchtime. Contact: info@1mtndining.com, (802) 317-7333—essential Vermont dining near Mount Snow for families, skiers, and weekend visitors seeking quality farm-to-table Vermont breakfast fare.
Two Tannery Road stands as the premier upscale dining destination in the Mount Snow area, offering continental cuisine and New American fine dining in a historic building dating to the late 1700s at 2 Tannery Rd, West Dover, VT 05356. For over 30 years, this Vermont fine dining institution has served Mount Snow visitors, earning a 4.4-star TripAdvisor rating with 220+ reviews, ranking #3 of 27 restaurants in Dover, and receiving both the prestigious Travelers' Choice Award and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (since 2007). The building's extraordinary history includes ownership by President Theodore Roosevelt's son and daughter-in-law in the early 1900s, and its bar was salvaged from the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City—reportedly patronized by TR himself, Diamond Jim Brady, and other Gilded Age luminaries. Current owners Tim and Becky Clark (part of the Aimer la vie Restaurant Group, which also operates TC's Restaurant) purchased the property in October 2016 and continue to deliver signature dishes like the Roasted Maple Leaf Farms Duck with black cherry sauce ($45) and the Nutty Vermonter—almond-crusted chicken with Vermont sharp cheddar and hardwood smoked ham ($40). Entrée prices range from $40-$52, with appetizers $16-$20, reflecting the $$$$ upscale positioning that reviewers describe as "Manhattan top restaurant standard" in the heart of the Green Mountains. Multiple intimate dining rooms with fireplaces, the historic Waldorf bar, private event spaces including the Roosevelt Room and the Library for large groups, and a Wine Spectator-recognized wine list create a romantic Vermont dinner experience ideal for special occasions; reservations are strongly recommended for this West Dover fine dining gem. Contact: becky@aimerlaviegroup.com, (802) 464-2707; open Thursday-Sunday, 5-9 PM.
Folly permanently closed on June 22, 2025, after their lease ended. This intimate fine dining restaurant in Wilmington VT operated for 10 years total (2015-2025) and was consistently ranked among the top restaurants in southern Vermont, earning a coveted TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award and ranking #3 of 24 restaurants in Wilmington with ratings of 4.5-4.9 stars across platforms. Originally opened in 2015 by Culinary Institute of America graduate Peter Wallace and his wife Kathleen as a modern neighborhood bistro featuring candlelit dining, Folly transitioned to new ownership in 2021 under husband-wife team Jade and Graham, who maintained the restaurant's exceptional reputation for farm-to-table Vermont cuisine with French and global influences. The 14-seat restaurant operated from a cozy historic building at 33 West Main Street and commanded premium prices averaging $100+ per person for dinner, which customers consistently praised as "a fraction of what we expected for such an amazing dining experience" given the world-class quality. Signature dishes included Spanish octopus with hot pepper relish, Vermont Wagyu steak, duck breast with candy cane beets, Brazilian bourride fish stew, and rack of lamb, all sourced from local farms including Boyd Family Farm and Boyden Farm. Reviews praised the intimate candlelit atmosphere with jazz music, personalized service where the chef-owner team ran every aspect "soup to nuts," and the unhurried pacing that made it perfect for romantic date nights and special occasions. The restaurant's closure marks the end of what many considered "the best fine dining restaurant in the region" and one of Vermont's premier culinary destinations.
Alpenglow Bistro is an upscale Alpine-European restaurant in downtown Wilmington VT that has been serving authentic Swiss, German, Austrian, and French cuisine since opening in July 2021, making it a relatively new but highly acclaimed addition to Vermont's dining scene. Owned by Susan Motyl-Smith (a women-owned business), who purchased the historic building in December 2019 and rode out the pandemic before launching, Alpenglow captures the ambiance of Vermont's Green Mountains with cozy chalet-style decor featuring a stone fireplace lounge, white walls with warm woods, and après-ski photos throughout. The restaurant has earned exceptional ratings of 4.8-4.9 stars across Google, TripAdvisor, and Restaurant Guru (270+ reviews), ranking #9 of 24 restaurants in Wilmington and winning LUXlife Magazine's "Best European-Inspired Restaurant 2023 – Vermont" award. Dinner pricing averages $50-100 per person with appetizers ranging $14-$69 and entrees $28-$40+, positioning it as a moderately expensive but highly regarded fine dining destination that Manhattan diners have called "reasonably priced gourmet" given the quality. Signature specialties include the perfectly executed Wienerschnitzel veal cutlet, spatchcock roast chicken, Fondue for Two ($69), Bavarian pretzels with house-made mustards, spinach spätzle, and Mont Blanc crepes, all complemented by an international whiskey collection and strong craft cocktails like the praised Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini. Chef Manny Rueda prepares everything from scratch using locally-sourced Vermont proteins and seasonal produce, with extensive gluten-free options clearly marked on the menu. Open Wednesday through Saturday evenings (5:00-9:00 PM), this wheelchair-accessible bistro features indoor dining, a cozy fireplace lounge perfect for après-ski gatherings, and seasonal street-level patio seating, creating an intimate European mountain experience that's become a favorite for date nights and special occasions in southern Vermont.
Anchor Seafood Restaurant is a beloved classic New England seafood destination in Wilmington's Historic District that has served the Deerfield Valley for over 25 years, currently operating from an 1850s building that was completely destroyed by fire in January 2010 and rebuilt as an exact replica with $196,429 in Vermont Community Development Program grant support. Owner Susan Lawrence, who has run the restaurant for 15+ years with approximately 15 staff members, immediately vowed to rebuild after the devastating fire caused by spontaneous combustion of oily dishrags, and successfully reopened by fall 2010 to continue serving what customers describe as "fresh seafood in landlocked Vermont." The restaurant maintains strong ratings of 4.0-4.5 stars across 553 TripAdvisor reviews, 287 Yelp reviews, and 574 Facebook reviews (94% recommend), earning recognition for having the best belly clams in Vermont and ranking among Wilmington's top seafood restaurants in southern Vermont. Moderate pricing ranges from $12.95-$34.00 for most entrees (with lobster at market price), and all dinner entrees include house salad, fresh garlic rolls, vegetables, and choice of linguini, potato, or rice, making it an excellent value that reviewers consistently praise for "generous portions" and "reasonable prices." Signature dishes include the award-winning whole belly fried clams, classic Maine lobster rolls ($28), Maryland-style lump crab cakes, baked stuffed haddock with the restaurant's "one of a kind" seafood stuffing, beer-battered fish and chips, and the frequently-praised clam chowder, complemented by an excellent butternut squash side dish that garners specific mentions. The casual, family-friendly atmosphere features multiple dining rooms, a traditional marble and oak tavern popular with locals (where longtime bartender Mark Tiddes holds court), upstairs balcony seating, and dog-friendly outdoor porches overlooking the street, all served by attentive staff including celebrated waiter Larry who guests specifically request. Open seven days a week for lunch (11:30 AM-4:00 PM) and dinner (4:30 PM to close), this Vermont microbrewery-friendly restaurant at 8 S Main St offers takeout, curbside pickup, Uber Eats delivery, and accepts reservations for busy weekends when the space fills with both tourists and locals who've made it their community gathering place.
19 South Main Restaurant brings Italian American cuisine with authentic Philadelphia influences to the heart of downtown Wilmington at 19 S Main St, Wilmington, VT 05363, featuring brick oven pizza, generous pasta portions, and a one-of-a-kind Bob Ross-themed bar serving "Happy Little Cocktails" with the painter's show playing continuously. Opened in approximately 2021 by Pennsylvania native Stephanie Pohle with Head Chef Joseph D. Bevilacqua, this casual upscale Wilmington VT restaurant blends Italian flavors with Philly comfort food traditions, earning a 4.4-star Google rating and recognition as the #4 of 44 restaurants in Wilmington on Restaurant Guru with 416+ reviews. Signature dishes include the wood-fired Margherita pizza, tender boneless short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes, and a chicken parmigiana with portions so generous reviewers call them "the best ever had"—all at moderate $$ prices with entrees typically ranging $15-40. The rustic modern decor offers both indoor seating and a scenic outdoor patio overlooking the river, plus live music on Friday evenings that adds to the vibrant downtown Wilmington atmosphere just minutes from Mount Snow. The restaurant also serves breakfast and brunch items depending on the day and can accommodate private events for up to roughly 70 people, making it popular for birthdays, rehearsal dinners, and large group gatherings. Customer reviews consistently praise the "delicious, home cooked, made to order meals" while noting that service can slow during busy periods due to the restaurant's popularity, with reservations typically only needed for larger groups. Located on Wilmington's Main Street within walking distance of local galleries and shops, this Southern Vermont restaurant operates Monday and Wednesday-Sunday from 4 PM (earlier on weekends), making it perfect for après-ski dining or a casual night out in the Deerfield Valley. Contact: 19SouthMain@gmail.com, (802) 464-0062.
Fat Crow Restaurant emerged as a phoenix from the 2016 fire that destroyed owner Ken Schatra's beloved Newfane Cafe & Creamery, opening September 20, 2018 at 550 VT Route 30, Newfane, VT 05345, and quickly establishing itself as the #1 restaurant in Newfane on TripAdvisor with the prestigious Travelers' Choice Award and a 4.5-star Google rating. The industrial-chic space features remarkable design elements by artist Johnny Swing—whose custom coin-designed furniture adorns the restaurant—along with vintage motorcycles displayed on a decorative balcony, metal steel rafters, and a beautiful wood-fired brick oven visible from every table. Head Chef Brantley Mozingo (brought from Connecticut) crafts an eclectic menu spanning American, Italian, and Mexican influences, with standout dishes including the award-winning wood-fired pizzas (2024 Brattleboro Reformer Reader's Choice "Best Pizza"), "epic" Bavarian pretzels with dipping sauces, crispy eggplant fries, and signature "Crow Bacon" served hanging from clothespins on a wire. Prices hover in the moderate $$ range ($30-50 per person), with entrees like baby back ribs ($21-$31), strip steak ($29), and lobster ravioli ($25), plus a tap list featuring approximately 12 Vermont craft beers from local producers including Fiddlehead, Zero Gravity, and 14th Star Brewing. The setting in historic Newfane Village—a National Register of Historic Places district known for its Greek Revival architecture and the 1825 Windham County Courthouse—adds quintessential New England charm to the vibrant, funky atmosphere that reviewers describe as "industrial garage aesthetic with homey service." Open Wednesday-Saturday 4-9 PM as a dinner-only destination with outdoor seating and EV charging available, Fat Crow represents the best of Southern Vermont farm-to-table dining along the scenic Route 30 corridor, approximately 12 miles northwest of Brattleboro and 15-20 minutes from Wilmington. Contact: fatcrowvt@gmail.com, (802) 221-4177—reservations strongly recommended for this Vermont gastropub destination.
