STEMWINDER, Ludlow - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices

Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes

No

Unsure

Details

About

Temporarily closed until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted ...STAY HEALTHY...STAY SAFE...STAY VT STRONG!!! Deep wine list, eclectic food choices, small and big plates, featuring local farms, fresh produce, delectable cheese plates, seasonal specialties

CUISINES

American, Wine Bar

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Dinner

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Table Service

Contribute

Write a review Upload a photo Ask a question

4.5

128 reviews

Excellent

79

Very good

34

Average

8

Poor

3

Terrible

4

Meg S

Syracuse227 contributions

Such a cool spot!

Mar 2022 • friends

We visited Stemwinder for the first time this weekend & it was fantastic! The atmosphere is very welcoming— almost like you’re eating at a friend’s house. The 4 of us ate at the bar & Mary did a wonderful job of making recommendations (the soup…the steak… the potatoes!) and keeping our drinks full. I really can’t wait to go back & try something else on the menu. I’m baffled that someone took the time to write a bad review— the food was some of the freshest I have had recently & it was just all so flavorful and delicious.

Written March 14, 2022

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.

Wendy W

We do appreciate comments like yours. Thank you very much ! We wish people that weren’t happy say something while they are there so we can act in it rather than write a negative review that we are unable to communicate on. Please come back and enjoy

Written March 15, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

David W

Mount Holly6 contributions

Unquestionably the Best

Jul 2021 • none

Stemwinders is unique. The flavors are varied and display the talent and wisdom of Wendy, the Chef. From the simple and delicious pizzas to the daily specials, we have found consistently special meals. This is a warm and welcoming place with lovely wines to pair with food. By far the best restaurant in the area, and our favorite anywhere!

Written July 13, 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.

Terrie J

4 contributions

Loved my pizza!

Jan 2022 • none

We've stayed at the Inn at Water's Edge several times, but this is the first time we discovered this jewel of a restaurant in town. We had their thin-crust pizza that was absolutely delicious! The atmosphere is so cool and the staff is super friendly. Will definitely be going back!

Written February 3, 2022

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.

JadasPet

Columbia149 contributions

Excellent

Jan 2024 • couples

The food and service were amazing. Portions are normal sized. We had the fish, salad, ciabatta and ravioli. All were very good

Written January 26, 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.

sascocree

6 contributions

A great local spot

Dec 2019 • friends

If you like small plates, then this is a spot you should try. And try the desserts; enough for 2 to share

Written December 28, 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.

LabLover61

Woodstock289 contributions

Skip dinner and go right to dessert

Jul 2019 • none

Our friends are frequent patrons at Stemwinder. After beer and pizza at Outer Limits, they suggested Stemwinder for dessert. The atmosphere, environment and vibe are indicative of good food and friendly staff. We shared (a mistake; we could have eaten one of their desserts individually) three desserts. The vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce with whipped cream was so tasty one person ordered her own. I could have easily eaten the lemon cake by myself. It was light and not tart, and did not leave you too full. That left room for the chocolate cake. Delicious! Make sure that after eating dinner at Stemwinder, you leave for dessert. You won’t be let down!

Written August 5, 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 J

20 contributions

Love this restaurant!

Jul 2019 • family

The menu is a bit limited but the food is great, as is the staff and the wine list. There's a really nice local vibe going on, too. We just wish they were open more evenings!

Written July 16, 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.

ogerkan

New York City4729 contributions

Kinda in the "I don't get it" camp

Mar 2019 • couples

I was very much looking forward to dining at Stemwinder. I was able to make a reservation and got a great table on the first floor. Very loud a la NYC. It was the first night they opened for the week and the Cod special was already unavailable. The meat and cheese place was the tiniest I have ever seen but the baguette was amazing. We were very surprised that there was NO GLUTTEN FREE flatbread available. If you make your own doe, you can make a gluten free offering??? Settled on the shrimp tacos and left hungry. We felt rushed a bit and were gone in less than an hour. The crowd at the bar looked pretty local with no movement and settled in for the night. I think Stemwinder would have been a good day drinking stop (if it was open during the day) for a snack but not a good dinner option. I think we will go across the street next time ... Positives - nice decor and a good wine list. Oh, the chocolate served with the meat and cheese place was very good ...

Written March 15, 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.

Mycroft704

Ludlow5 contributions

Consistently great food served the right way by people who care and know what they are doing. Brava!

Feb 2019 • solo

My review is that the restaurant is owned and managed by people who not only know what they are doing, but care, REALLY CARE, about providing food worth eating and drinks worth drinking. Brava.

Written March 15, 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.

Marge B

Lanoka Harbor10 contributions

Not getting it

Mar 2019 • family

I am not understanding the great reviews for this place. The decor is great with limited seating and very, very loud. Difficult place for dinner conversation. We ordered the Carpe Diem pie which consisted of blobs of pesto, blobs of cheese and chopped, mealy fresh tomatoes. Other than the blobs of pesto dotted on the pie, it was pretty tasteless. The best part was the cracker thin crust. We ordered a garden salad. The arugula was limp and over saturated with dressing. The components of the salad competed with each other as opposed to complimenting each other. We also had the sliders. The burger shaped like a meatball was delicious. It is smothered in their homemade ketchup which reminds me of tomato sauce. The sliders are served on a wooden board which gives a nice presentation. But I couldn't help but think how they clean that wooden board between servings and sanitation. After having an amazing meal down the road at Sam's Steakhouse the night before, we were disappointed in this meal which costs more. Stemwinders has failed to call me back.

Written March 14, 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.

Wendy W

Hello Marge We are a busy small restaurant therefore as in most places like us it is loud. Food Input: Our pizzas are made with our own crust and everything on them is made in house or made in Vermont. Our tomatoes are roasted and crushed and our pesto is meant to be sparing distributed so as not to overwhelm. Everyone's dressing needs are different, if you were unhappy with the amount of dressing and you should have asked for another, we are not a salad bar. Our greens come from a local farm and are delivered daily or as needed there is no arugula in them and they are fresh. As far as your food feed back goes I would love to extend an invitation to come back on us for a revisit but it sounds like you are more steakhouse people. Wendy

Written March 15, 2019

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

CBM57

Gloucester24 contributions

Not memorable

Feb 2019 • couples

Recommended by friends as one of their top picks for dinner in Ludlow . We disagree. We started with their “ winter panzanella.” What we got was a plate of winter greens and a few tomato halves , about 10 dry chunks of stale bread , goat cheese , grated Parmesan, and 6 cucumber slices . This was a nice winter salad but not panzanella . Not even close . The dressing needs to seep into the bread to give it softness and flavor . What we got were croutons . I ordered the thin crusted Carpe Diem pizza . This is their version of a margarita pizza . It was good if one likes extremely thin crust which crumbles easily . It was almost too thin . We also had the pork belly tacos which was a special . We gave that higher marks based on the tenderness and flavor of the meat and the tasty sauce which accompanied the sautéed onions and peppers . Well worth $15. It’s advertised as a tapas/ small plates but that could easily be a full meal. We didn’t try the sriracha wings but they looked good from afar , nor did we ask for bread before the entree because they charge $5. On sheer principle we didn’t do it and we thought the panzanella would give us the carbs we desired . Lots of options in the area . Not sure we’re going back anytime soon.

Written February 14, 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.

Wendy W

Our Winter salad and thin crust pizzas are not meant to be exactly like most versions of the same. Our hand made crusts are rolled thin because we want them crisp. Our panzanella is made with organic greens, house-made dressing, is lightly dressed, and croutons that are made daily. Most panzanellas are made with romaine as you know. Sounds like our style is just not for you, I encourage you to try us again, and you can always ask for more dressing!

Written February 15, 2019

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

CaptainMorganSki

27 contributions

Great Spot

Feb 2019 • family

This place always delivers. The food is amazing, the wine choices are excellent. A great night out always. Thank you for elevating the downtown Ludlow scene.

Written February 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.

Wendy W

Thank you we always love seeing your face in our place Happy Valentines Day

Written February 14, 2019

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TravelBuddy

462 contributions

terrible service

Jan 2019 • family

We went to this restaurant last night for dinner which will be our last time. Although the food was amazingly good, the service was terrible. We were rushed to order our food. The waitress came to take our order, but we weren't ready to place it. She left and literally less than a minute later the manager came by to take our order and was pushy. We spent over $200 for 3 people and were rushed through our meal. Certainly not a relaxed and enjoyable meal. They have a great wine selection, but we were not able to sit an enjoy it. We were allowed 1 hr 15 minutes for our meal from the time we sat down until leavening. Not enough time to sit, relax and enjoy the bottle of wine and dinner.

Written January 19, 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.

jtonthego

Somers93 contributions

Unwind at Stemwinder!

Jan 2019 • none

Made a reservation as suggested and now we know why! It is a clever renovation of a home into a small two story restaurant with a bar. Tables along banquet are a good distance apart yet we got into a most enjoyable conversation with the couple next to us. Family friendly. Tom enjoyed a local hard cider and I had two great wine choices. The flatbread pizza was beyond good it was great! Many interesting choices. Tom enjoyed potato leek soup which was a special. I ordered the scallops with seasonal vegetables and a rutabaga puree Interesting seasoning, however must admit that I prefer my scallops in a purer state. He had perfectly cooked sliders with pickled vegetables that were enjoyed.Must admit that the lamb chops at the next table was my second choice and I wish I had gone with it as they looked great and enjoyed by a family near us. Great attentive service through out the meal. The folks at the packed bar seemed to be having a great time as well. Stemwinder is the perfect to unwind after a day at the slopes. Don't miss it.

Written January 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.

Tony D

Hamilton17 contributions

A MUST Do In Ludlow

Mar 2018 • family

This is a small restaurant with an open kitchen. You can see the cleanliness and who is cooking. Food was excellent and we will be there again in March. High quality. They have an outstanding selection of wines and cheese in the attached store. Make a reservation.

Written December 22, 2018

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.

2

…

Showing results 1-15 of 126

Best moderately priced restaurants

See all