Killington, Vermont, is famous for its legendary ski slopes and breathtaking mountain scenery — but tucked along Killington Road, there’s another reason to make the trip up the mountain.
Back Country Cafe is the kind of cozy, come-as-you-are breakfast spot that skiers, hikers, and locals have quietly claimed as their own, serving up farm-to-table Vermont breakfasts that warm you from the inside out. 🍁⛷️
From scratch-made banana bread to fluffy popovers and creative omelets, this is what a true mountain morning tastes like.
How Back Country Cafe Won Killington’s Hearts
Originally known as “Johnny Boys” Pancake House, the cafe kept the best of its beloved predecessor — the comforting menu, the unpretentious vibe, the loyal regulars — and added something fresh: a commitment to farm-to-table Vermont ingredients and a handful of creative new dishes that quickly became obsessions in their own right. 🥞🍁
People here don’t just want a meal — they want a ritual.
A warm booth before a day on the slopes. A strong cup of coffee. Pancakes with pure Vermont maple syrup.
Those simple things, done exceptionally well, are what keep guests coming back year after year.
The cafe’s use of locally sourced ingredients — from farm-fresh eggs to house-made bread and house-crafted queso — signals a kitchen that genuinely cares. 🥚
Diners who visit once almost always come back, and the reviews make clear why: the food is consistent, the portions are generous, and the staff makes you feel like you’ve been coming in for years even if it’s your first visit.
The cafe also tapped into Killington’s unique identity as a Vermont ski town restaurant in a way that feels entirely natural — selling Vermont maple syrup, maple habanero jellies, and locally made infused syrups alongside its menu. 🎿
In a world of chain restaurants and predictable menus, Back Country Cafe is a reminder that the best breakfast spots are the ones that feel personal — where the banana bread is made from scratch, the maple syrup is the real deal, and nobody rushes you out the door.
That’s not just good food. That’s genuine hospitality, mountain-style. 🏔️
Food Highlights 🍽️
The menu at Back Country Cafe celebrates the best breakfast in Killington, Vermont, with generous, scratch-made dishes rooted in Vermont tradition. Here are must-try items:
- Irish Poached: A grilled English muffin topped with house-made corned beef hash, two poached eggs, and house queso. 🍳
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Banana Bread French Toast: Four pieces of house-made banana bread dipped in a house egg custard, with whipped cream cheese spread on each piece and topped with fresh bananas. 🍌
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Turkey Melt: A grilled English muffin piled with house-made turkey hash, two poached eggs, and house queso. 🦃
- Sausage Gravy & Biscuits: House-made sausage gravy ladled over two warm biscuits, served alongside two eggs. 🥣
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The Beast (A.K.A. “Gut”): Two eggs, two pancakes, two sausages, two strips of bacon, home fries, and toast — the ultimate fuel-up plate for skiers, hikers, and anyone who woke up genuinely hungry. 💪🥓
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Country Omelet: A three-egg omelet filled with apples, maple sausage, and cheddar cheese, served with home fries. 🍎🍁
- Amaretto French Toast: Thick-cut bread soaked in amaretto-infused batter, served with mascarpone cheese and fresh strawberries, drizzled with pure Vermont maple syrup — an indulgent, dessert-worthy breakfast. 🍓
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Horseradish Omelet: Three eggs packed with horseradish, bacon, tomato, scallions, and cheddar cheese, served with home fries. 🌶️
- Angus NY Strip Steak & Eggs: A full Angus New York strip steak served alongside eggs cooked your way, with home fries and toast. 🥩🍳
- Popover: A house-made, golden, airy popover served with whipped honey butter and pure Vermont maple syrup — a Back Country Cafe staple that is light, warm, and utterly irresistible straight from the oven.
Atmosphere
Back Country Cafe wraps you in exactly the kind of warmth you want after a cold Vermont morning on the mountain — a rustic, lodge-inspired space on Killington Road that feels intimate, unpretentious, and genuinely welcoming from the moment you walk in. 🪵🏔️
The vibe is casual and cozy, with the easy hum of a room full of skiers in base layers, families settling in for a slow brunch, and regulars greeting the staff by name.
It’s a small space that fills up quickly, especially on weekend mornings during ski season, so arriving early is always a smart move.
The smell of maple syrup, fresh coffee from Mountain Grove of Vermont Coffee Roasters, and house-made baked goods hits you at the door — and from that moment on, it’s very hard to leave. ☕🍁
Bottom Line
Back Country Cafe is a must-visit because it delivers scratch-made, farm-to-table Vermont breakfasts with creative flair, generous portions, warm mountain-town hospitality, and pure Vermont maple syrup on everything — making it the perfect start to any Killington adventure. 🥞🍁⛷️
Address:
923 Killington Rd, Killington, VT 05751
🕔 Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM–12:00 PM | Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM–1:00 PM