Dining

The Killington area has more than 100 restaurants and bars. The best is Hemingway's (422-3886; $$$$), one of only two four-star restaurants in Vermont. The fixed-price, four-course menu ranges from $55–$65.

Our other favorites are Maxwell's Restaurant at The Summit (422-3535; $$$$; left), an award-winning but casual restaurant with a menu that changes nightly and a great wine list; the top-rated The Vermont Inn (800-541-7795; 775-0708; $$$$), with fine formal dining; and Cafe Toast (422-5777; $$$), which serves exceptional contemporary cuisine in an intimate setting.

The Birch Ridge Inn (422-4293; $$$) has a small, but highly acclaimed restaurant. Zola's Grille, at the Cortina Inn (773-3333; $$$; below), serves an eclectic blend of Northern Italian, French bistro and Mediterranean cuisine in a casual atmosphere.

McGrath's Irish Pub (775-7181; $$), at The Inn at Long Trail, serves Guinness stew and shepherd's pie in its funky pub and restaurant built into a cliff. Service can be slow, but the food is hearty and tasty. At Charity's (422-3800; $$), the bar is cozy and welcoming, the portions healthy and the menu of steaks, barbecue and Italian dishes can appease any appetite.

How often do you get to dine in a restored circa-1900 railroad car? Casey's Caboose (422-3795; $$–$$$) is a good choice for steaks, seafood and pasta. The lunch and bar menus ($) offer hearty alternatives if you're looking for cheaper eats. Check out the toy train running around the track along the ceiling. Toot, toot! The rambling Grist Mill Restaurant (422-3970; $$) sits beside a tranquil pond and the rustic interior is comfortable and casual. Food—traditional New England fare—and service are average.

For restaurants a bit kinder to the budget: The Wobbly Barn Steakhouse (422-3392; $$) is known for steaks and a great salad bar (no reservations). Mrs. Brady's (422-2020; $–$$) serves the "basics" (salads, burgers, roast turkey and monster sandwiches). Pizza Jerks (422-4111) and the Outback Pizza (422-9885; $), both on the Killington Road, serve decent pizza.

Sushi Yoshi and Hibachi Steakhouse (422-4241; $–$$$) has the best—and only—Japanese and Chinese food on the mountain, including a sushi bar.

For breakfast, locals head to Wally's All American Diner ($), formerly Ppeppers, at the nightspot Outback. Portions are massive, and it caters to the hung-over. Johnny Boys Pancake House ($), a breakfast haunt on the Killington Road in front of the Comfort Inn, serves regular homestyle before-noon fare. If you're looking for a good cup of coffee or a quick breakfast, head to the Sun-up Bakery ($), but be forewarned: if there's 10 inches of fresh snow, the staff often shuts the doors and skis for a few runs.

Dining Legend: $$$$–Entrees $30+; $$$–$20–$30; $$–$10–$20; $–less than $10