THE DOWNTOWN GROCERY, Ludlow - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number

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Yes

No

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CUISINES

American

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

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4.5

330 reviews

Excellent

217

Very good

60

Average

33

Poor

13

Terrible

7

touringgal

23 contributions

Just go!

Dec 2021 • none

What a wonderful restaurant! We had without a doubt some of the best food we have ever eaten in Vermont -- so creative, delicious, and perfectly prepared. The atmosphere is intimate and utterly charming. The proprietors are personable and delightful. Bravo, Abby and Rogan! Please keep doing what you are doing. Vermont needs more restaurants like yours!

Written December 27, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SunNFunNJ

Warren402 contributions

Excellent farm to table experience

Sep 2024 • couples

Rarely open and hard to get a reservation (I have been trying for 2 years!) - this place is a very small but lovely farm to table experience run by husband Rogan (chef) and wife Abby (server and front of the house). There were only 5 tables in service on the night we dined here. Small blackboard menu with 4 choices for appetizer and 4 for entree. A printed wine list doesn't exist but Abby will ask you what type of wine you like and then bring several over to your table for you to try. Wines will be obscure and nothing you've ever heard of but we did settle on a nice red from the Loire region. Abby is very enthusiastic about the locally raised ingredients and will go into detailed descriptions of each dish you are about to be served. We had the garlic shrimp appetizer and the Arugula salad with pancetta and shaved parmesan for starters - both VERY delicious. For entrees we had the roasted halibut and the flank steak with blue cheese - again, both were really great. All in all, an enjoyable and very worthwhile dining experience but again - this is an honest to god 2-person operation, so don't expect to be rushed along. Note - we were asked to have our dinner rescheduled for Sunday night instead of Saturday because of something unexpected on Saturday. There is no back up plan at the Downtown Grocery.

Written September 3, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cld63

Brookline202 contributions

Great small restaurant with excellent food and friendly service

Jul 2021 • none

We reserved a table for 6 at this nice restaurant. We started off with a craft cocktail at the bar. Fresh and delicious. We then headed to the side room for dinner. The chef's wife waited our table. She was friendly, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. This was important with our crowd. She had helpful suggestions about what to order. Everything was delicious, perfectly prepared, and piping hot on arrival. The wine suggestions were great.We really liked the dessert suggestions. I highly recommend this gem!

Written July 31, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thomasmV13VW

Wolfeboro34 contributions

Great Saleswoman Out front; Food Delivered Didn't Meet the Hype

Mar 2020 • none

On the recommendation of our innkeeper, we reserved a table. It was a good meal though our hostess/saleslady talked us into a very unappetizing appetizer that we regretted. She sold us on trying halibut "backs" which were actually the spiny bones normally thrown away that were sparsely covered with a tiny amount of meat and dusted in an overly spicy hot rub that made what fish there was impossible to taste. They were TERRIBLE! Essentially, we got talked into paying $13 for fish waste/bones. She did warn us that the dish was "rustic" but we were not expecting trashcan rustic! We also shared a salad which was decent and some brussel sprouts which were just OK ... not particularly flavorful though sauteed nicely. We might try this place again ... the locals eating the $1 oysters seemed to enjoy themselves and there were people waiting for seats despite being a slow Monday night. However, we really felt this place was a very poor value. My bill was over $100 for two drinks, a salad, an inedible appetizer, a veggie side and a tiny scoop of chocolate ice cream. The only thing more outrageous than that little received for the price are VT taxes and their crazy communist senator ... ha!

Written March 4, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah M

Stewartsville11 contributions

Semi-Private Dining

Jul 2024 • friends

We visited The Downtown Grocery for a special dinner and it'll go down in my memory as one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. The food and wine was perfect, the atmosphere was homey yet elegant, and Abby and Rogan were lovely and personable and kind.

Written July 30, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

whiteandnavy

15 contributions

Tourist Trap You Shouldn't Fall For

Feb 2023 • none

We had been to this restaurant pre-pandemic and had a wonderful time and so we were excited to go back. Wow - don't do it. It's a total scheme for tourists in town to ski. The food is fine, but it's a waste of money. You will pay $19 for an arugula salad with no protein and it will be so big. Like they dumped a tub of arugula on a plate - an inexpensive ingredient with a huge portion. However, my $57 "ribeye steak" was 4 slices of thin steak over maybe a 1/2 a diced potato - an expensive ingredient for almost nothing. My husband's bolognese had maybe 10 noodles in it. You'll also pay $17 a glass for mediocre wine. Didn't bother to stay for dessert. It's a husband and wife running the place but it feels like a scheme so they only have to be open two days a week. Save your $300+.

Written February 27, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa S

8 contributions

BEST MEAL OF MY LIFE

Sep 2021 • none

Wonderful atmosphere, lovely husband and wife business, best meal with home grown components, explained many wines and all the dishes. 10/10

Written November 2, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

amy h

Merrick17 contributions

Delicious and fun!

Feb 2020 • none

We did not have a reservation so we waited a very long time to sit at the bar. The drinks were delicious and the servers (bartenders) were friendly and very helpful. The food was delicious. We just loved it and will return next time with a reservation!

Written March 6, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SkiMama

Boston6 contributions

Expensive but can be worth it

Mar 2019 • none

I have been coming here since they opened - literally the first night! They get it here - consistently inventive food and great cocktails. My only complaint is that this is a two hour ordeal and very expensive for the area. I think with the new competition in Ludlow from some great restaurants they are re-thinking their approach. Hopefully they will read reviews and make some much needed changes. But thank GOD they are here in Ludlow - we are lucky to have this restaurant in town!

Written October 10, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen C

Sunrise14 contributions

Wonderful!

Oct 2019 • couples

We really enjoyed dinner at this chef-owned restaurant tonight which features a creative seasonal menu, nice atmosphere and interesting desserts. The pan seared scallops with butternut squash risotto was very fresh; the buttermilk bacon as well as blueberry goat cheese ice creams were unexpected and fun! We went knowing that it would take a while for our food to be prepared based on other reviews so just relaxed and enjoyed our wine until our dishes were ready.

Written October 7, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peacebridge2665

Warwick19 contributions

A lot of potential but......

Oct 2019 • none

Pro- John excellent bar tender. Staff was friendly and welcoming Ambience was warm and casual Food was well prepared with good presentation Bathrooms were clean and uniquely decorated Cons-Waited 1.5 hours for the entree. Could hear chef swearing loudly and repeatedly at multiple staff members. The chefs demeanor clearly had a negative impact on all front end staff members which in turn negatively affected the quality of the service.

Written October 6, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

beckett1

105 contributions

Overpriced

Sep 2019 • none

Limited menu offered, overpriced wine. Food was ok. String potatoes, string potatoes, and more string potatoes. how about some broccoli, vegetables?

Written September 8, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

984jack

Perkinsville20 contributions

Good food, long wait

Sep 2019 • couples

Not my first visit. The meal was good as it always is. Unfortunately the restaurant was half full and we still waited an hour to get our entree. Not the waitress fault, I believe it’s the restaurants policy to serve slowly which leads to more alcohol sold. I had a similar complaint at there other restaurant Mamas. Also very loud which hasn’t changed since they opened. Unfortunately having a long wait can spoil a good meal.

Written September 7, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

golfgal7812

Norristown6 contributions

Delightful Meal

Aug 2019 • none

We were not familiar with Ludlow but several people recommended The Downtown Grocery. We were greeted warmly by owner, our server was great and our meal, delicious.

Written August 21, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Allen W

256 contributions

Super gourmet dining in Ludlow, VT.

Aug 2019 • none

We ate dinner here twice during our stay in Ludlow and it was fantastic both times. There's a bit of a wait on busy weekend nights, but it's well worth the wait. And the staff works harder than any I've seen. Start with a great wine list, choice of two local draft beers or the selection of bottled brews. Roasted chicken was done perfectly and very juicy. Enormous hamburger and frites are good, but be careful about asking for "rare" as it is likely going to be TOO rare, even if you normally like rare beef. This seems to be a trend at Ludlow restaurants where beef often arrives barely singed unless you stipulate "medium" or "pink center". Desert was fantastic - peach and blueberry cobbler topped with a dip of ice cream was plenty for two. Coffee tastes like it was home roasted and perfect. Also, owners and servers are very knowledgable about their wines and beers as well as their food, so ask questions.

Written August 13, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Downtown Grocery

THE DOWNTOWN GROCERY, Ludlow - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor