Places to Go and Things to Do in Stowe, Vermont
By Marina Knight, FrontDoor.com | Published: 6/18/2010
For great Mexican dishes, head to Frida's Taqueria in Stowe Village.
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Food and Drink Essentials
BEST GROCERY STORE
Mac's Market
88 S. Main Street
802-496-3366
Located in the heart of Stowe's downtown, a few yards south of the main intersection of Routes 100 and 108, Mac's is a small supermarket with a wide variety of products. It has a deli; large selection of wine and beer; fresh produce; many locally made products such as bread and baked goods; organic and grass-fed meats; and dairy. Prices are on par with large chain supermarkets.
BEST SPECIALTY MARKET
Harvest Market
1031 Mountain Road
802-253-3800
The Harvest Market is a one-stop gourmet shop with delicious prepared foods, high-quality deli meats, cheeses, sandwiches, homemade baked goods, wood-fired artisan breads, and many other specialty and imported items. They also make excellent smoothies, cappuccino and espresso drinks, and have a few small tables where guests can eat.
BEST ETHNIC FOOD
Frida's Taqueria
128 Main Street
802-253-0333
Located in the recently renovated, historic Butler House on Main Street in Stowe Village, Frida's is one of Stowe's newest eateries. A joint venture between Jack Pickett, whose recipes made the Blue Moon Cafe -- one of Stowe's most popular restaurants -- and Josh Bard, Frida's has quickly become a hot spot where locals can enjoy delicious food.
Try the inspired salsas, table-side-made guacamole, and authentic Mexican dishes such as carnitas (slow-roasted pork with potatoes, iceberg lettuce and salsa verde) and pato ahumado con mole (lightly smoked duck breast with pecan mole sauce and sauteed greens). In the summertime, enjoy margaritas sweetened with agave nectar on the sunny deck, and in winter, cozy up to the inviting bar where locals show up for apres ski (socializing after skiing).
BEST PLACES TO GET A DRINK
The Matterhorn Bar
4969 Mountain Road
802-253-8198
The Matterhorn is host to Stowe's liveliest apres ski scene for locals and visitors alike. They have a wide selection of beers on tap, live music, wood-fired pizza and the town's BEST sushi.
Rimrocks Mountain Tavern
394 Mountain Road
802-253-9593
Rimrocks is a solid pub with a great local feel. Local, organic and imported beers on tap, great burgers and multiple flat-screen TVs make it a favorite gathering spot for hockey, baseball and football fans.
BEST COFFEE AND DESSERT SPOTS
Black Cap Coffee
133 Main Street
Because Stowe only has one true coffeehouse, it's a good thing Black Cap Coffee makes the best espresso drinks around. The atmosphere is inviting and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi and plenty to snack on -- from paninis to biscotti.
Laughing Moon Chocolates
78 S. Main Street
802-253-9591
Chocolate and coffee make a natural pair, and Laughing Moon Chocolate in Stowe Village is a great place to drop in and pick up a latte or cappuccino. There's no room to sit -- except in summer when there are a few chairs on the porch -- but the coffee is high quality. They also carry a vast array of handmade truffles and chocolate delights, which make for a great pick-me-up.