Spotted this tavern on our way and stopped in . Looking at the Google review of 4.8 stars we surely knew this one was good . It’s almost hidden and surely a hidden gem. They had seating inside and outside ! Inside felt a bit rustic and old age time . Loved the interiors . Lots of seats outside too. Service could be better . We were sitting for 5-8 mins for someone to attend us and give a beer . Looks like the same waitress was going outside and also serving inside . Wish they had dedicated bartenders . Food was great though .. not so pricey .. rightly priced . We got hummus and it was sumptuous . Lots of veggies and pita bread slices to eat with hummus. Hummus was fresh and tasted good . Good experience overall . Parking was available outside . 4 stars !
Overview
Discover The Loft Tavern, a rustic American pub and barbecue spot at 300 Mountain Rd, Ludlow, VT 05149, United States, sitting right at the base of Okemo Mountain. From a food blogger’s perspective, The Loft Tavern captures the personality people hope to find in a Vermont ski town: smoked meats, hearty portions, local draft beer, a lively après-ski atmosphere, and an intentionally unfussy approach. The kitchen emphasizes food smoked in-house and made from scratch, with brisket, pulled pork, burgers, wings, and loaded nachos forming the core of the menu.
Pricing falls into the moderate pub range, with recent diners generally reporting around $20–$30 per person, depending on drinks and how much barbecue you order. Vegetarian choices are available, while the full bar pours local drafts, canned beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits. Amenities include on-site parking, Wi-Fi, credit-card payments, table service, takeout when kitchen volume allows, and seasonal outdoor seating. The back lawn is especially appealing in warmer weather, and leashed dogs are welcome outside.
A strong first order at The Loft Tavern in Ludlow is the Smoked Brisket. Slow smoking gives the beef a dark, flavorful exterior while keeping the center tender and rich. A recent customer praised the restaurant’s food and atmosphere before adding, “Definitely recommend the brisket!!” The dish reflects what makes this tavern more interesting than a basic sports bar: the barbecue is treated as a specialty rather than an afterthought.
The Pulled Pork Poutine is another signature-worthy choice. Crisp fries are loaded with tender smoked pork, creating a salty, smoky, indulgent plate that feels particularly appropriate after a day outdoors. Restaurantji lists poutine with pulled pork among the restaurant’s most popular customer favorites, alongside its pulled pork sandwich and barbecue ribs.
For something built to share, try the Chicken Wings. Wings have long been associated with The Loft Tavern, and customer feedback specifically highlights the “everything wings.” They pair naturally with a cold Vermont beer and suit the tavern’s social, après-ski personality better than a formal entrée.
The atmosphere is arguably as important as the food. The Loft Tavern feels like a cozy mountain cabin crossed with a busy ski lodge, with rustic décor, televisions, a full bar, and a crowd that can become energetic after a day on Okemo. Seating can be competitive during peak ski weekends, and the restaurant does not generally take reservations, so arriving early is a smart move.
For anyone comparing the best restaurants in Ludlow for memorable local dining experiences, The Loft Tavern deserves consideration for its smoked brisket, pulled pork poutine, wings, Vermont beer selection, and authentic mountain-town character. Call +1 802-975-0322 before visiting, especially around seasonal schedule changes, and settle in for a relaxed meal that feels perfectly at home beside Okemo Mountain.
Good to know
From the business
âś“ Identifies as women-ownedService options
âś“ Outdoor seating âś“ Takeaway âś“ Dine-inHighlights
âś“ Fast service âś“ Great beer selection âś“ Great cocktails âś“ Serves local specialty âś“ SportPopular for
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Solo diningAccessibility
âś“ Wheelchair-accessible car park âś“ Wheelchair-accessible entrance âś“ Wheelchair-accessible seating âś“ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
âś“ Alcohol âś“ Beer âś“ Cocktails âś“ Comfort food âś“ Late-night food âś“ Quick bite âś“ Small plates âś“ Spirits âś“ Vegetarian options âś“ WineDining options
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Seating âś“ Table serviceAmenities
âś“ Bar on site âś“ ToiletAtmosphere
âś“ Casual âś“ Cosy âś“ TrendyCrowd
âś“ Family friendly âś“ Groups âś“ LGBTQ+ friendly âś“ TouristsPlanning
âś“ Accepts reservationsPayments
âś“ Credit cards âś“ Debit cards âś“ NFC mobile payments âś“ Credit cardsChildren
âś“ Good for kids âś“ High chairs âś“ Kids' menuParking
âś“ Free of charge street parking âś“ Free parking lot âś“ ParkingPets
âś“ Dogs allowed âś“ Dogs allowed outsidePhotos
Location
Reviews
The Loft Tavern is a hidden gem! I stopped in recently and was blown away by how good the food was—especially the pulled pork nachos. The pork was perfectly smoked, tender, and flavorful, with just the right amount of BBQ sauce layered over fresh, crispy chips. Easily the best nachos I’ve had in a long time. On top of that, the service was excellent. The staff was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely friendly—they made the whole experience even better. They never meet a stranger!!! If you’re in the area, don’t miss this spot. Great food, great people, and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. I’ll definitely be back!
This place was a nice stop and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and food. The bbq was tasty but was a little overcooked. Also had the shrimp though and they were huge! Great value in the portion size of the meals. Forest Gump would've been proud. Drinks were amazing. We'll definitely be back.
GREAT BAR!! Finished a day of skiing and had a few cocktails after a great day!! Bartender are on point, friendly and witty with a touch or sarcasm… exactly as it should be at a mountainside ski bar! Ribs were great.. a little too soft for me but they had great flavor, love the hand cut fries soaking up all the juices.. a bit too much celery salt in the slaw but tasty & fresh!! Tenders were huge and well seasoned, great cook & great crunch! Perfect after ski snacks!!
The Loft Tavern has a really cool vibe - it's like a cozy cabin meets a lively ski lodge. They have good barbecue, along with classic tavern food and a good variety of beers on tap. In our experience, the service was fast and friendly, and the prices were reasonable, especially considering it's right by the ski resort.
There's only one thing I can say that's disappointing and it's the long wait times for food and drinks, if you're not at the bar. Everything we've had there was always delicious, full of flavor and hot. It's cooked to order of course, but it takes a lot longer than other restaurants for food. Of course they're busy, but even then... I've never had a bad server, bad bartender, bad food. There is plenty of parking and it's a pretty cool environment. It's called the loft for a reason. One of my favorite places to eat in Ludlow and is 100 times better than Off the Rails or Killarneys for good. Always try to find some time to eat at the Loft, even with the wait, you won't be disappointed.