--- title: "Rawsonville, Vermont: The Tiny Southern Vermont Village You Probably Haven’t Heard Of" url: "https://travelikealocalvt.com/rawsonville-vermont-guide/" type: "Guide" author: "Erin McCormick" author_url: "https://travelikealocalvt.com/author/travelikealocalvt/" published: "2019-02-13" updated: "2026-10-26" topics: ["Casual Eats","Food & Drink"] destinations: ["Southern Vermont"] description: "Explore Rawsonville, Vermont, a tiny village near Stratton Mountain with craft beer, local coffee, roadside burgers and small businesses worth visiting." site: "Travel Like a Local®: Vermont" --- # Rawsonville, Vermont: The Tiny Southern Vermont Village You Probably Haven’t Heard Of By [Erin McCormick](https://travelikealocalvt.com/author/travelikealocalvt/) · Published February 13, 2019 · Updated October 26, 2026 One of my favorite ways to explore Vermont is to get in the car without much of a plan. Pick a road I haven’t traveled before, head toward a part of the state I don’t know particularly well, and stop whenever something catches my attention. Sometimes that means taking a two-hour detour for lunch. Other times, it’s discovering a little Vermont village I didn’t even know existed. That’s exactly how I found Rawsonville. Years ago, I was headed to Wilmington for a book signing for my book, *Classic Diners of Vermont*. I’d driven through Wilmington before, but hadn’t spent much time exploring the area, so we decided to take the back roads and make a day of the drive. Being craft beer enthusiasts, we’d heard about a little specialty beer shop near Londonderry and decided to check it out. What I wasn’t expecting was to discover an entire village I’d never heard of. Not once. And considering how much time I’ve spent traveling around Vermont, I was pretty excited about that. Rawsonville is tiny. You could drive through it in a matter of seconds without realizing you’d missed anything. But clustered around the intersection of Routes 30 and 100 are some pretty fantastic small businesses, including one of Vermont’s best craft beer shops, a roadside burger joint and a locally owned coffee roaster. Naturally, we had to stop and investigate. ![Rawsonville Roost coffee bar storefront and roadside sign in Rawsonville, Vermont.](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Rawsonville-Vermont-scaled.webp) ![Meulemans' Craft Draughts storefront in Rawsonville, Vermont, with its beer and cheese sign.](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Rawsonville-VT-Stop-scaled.webp) ![Shelves and floor displays stocked with craft beer cans and bottles in Rawsonville, Vermont.](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Beer-Rawsonville-scaled.webp) ## Where Is Rawsonville, Vermont? Rawsonville is a small village within the town of Jamaica in Windham County, Southern Vermont. It sits at the intersection of Routes 30 and 100, approximately five miles from Londonderry and just two miles from the Stratton Mountain access road. It’s a convenient stop if you’re heading to Stratton for skiing, exploring Southern Vermont’s back roads or traveling between [Manchester](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/destinations/manchester/) and [Brattleboro](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/destinations/brattleboro/). The village was named for Baily Rawson, an early settler and Revolutionary War pensioner. There’s even a small monument honoring him near the intersection, with his grave located a short distance away. I’ve written before about Vermont’s 251 Club, which challenges members to visit every town and city in the state. Even after years of traveling Vermont, I’m still finding communities I haven’t spent time in. Technically, Rawsonville doesn’t count as a separate town toward that challenge since it’s part of Jamaica. But discovering places like this is half the reason I love exploring Vermont in the first place. And Rawsonville has quite a few reasons to pull over. ## Meulemans’ Craft Draughts: A Must-Stop for Vermont Beer Lovers The business that originally brought us to Rawsonville was Meulemans’ Craft Draughts, and it’s still one of the stops I’d recommend most. Owned by Greg and Pat Meulemans, this little specialty beer shop has been operating since 2010. At less than 800 square feet, it’s not particularly large, but the selection is impressive. You’ll find Vermont craft beer alongside regional favorites, harder-to-find American releases and European imports. They also carry cider, mead, wine and a selection of Vermont-made foods, including cheeses and maple products. Greg and Pat are also happy to offer recommendations, which is particularly helpful when you’re staring at a wall of unfamiliar labels. The shop continues to specialize in carefully selected beer rather than trying to carry everything. If you’re heading to Stratton, I’d stop here on your way home and pick up something different to enjoy later. **Location:** 8814 Route 30, Rawsonville, VT ## [Honeypie](https://www.eatathoneypie.com/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rawsonville-vermont-guide): Burgers, Sausages & Milkshakes in an Old Gas Station I’d heard about Honeypie long before visiting Rawsonville, but somehow it had fallen off my radar. So imagine my excitement when we pulled into the village around lunchtime and I realized it was right across the street. Honeypie occupies a converted roadside gas station at the intersection of Routes 30 and 100. The restaurant serves burgers, house-made sausages, fries and milkshakes, with an emphasis on quality ingredients sourced locally and sustainably. The restaurant grinds its burger meat fresh daily and makes its own sausages. It’s a casual roadside operation, but there’s a lot of attention behind the food. Honeypie is a convenient stop after skiing at Stratton or spending the day exploring Southern Vermont. **Location:** Route 30 at the Route 100 intersection, Rawsonville, VT ![A crispy patty sandwich with fries and dipping sauce at Honeypie in Rawsonville, Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Honeypie-food-scaled.webp) ![Honeypie's roadside sign in Rawsonville, Vermont, listing burgers, shakes, sausages, beer, wine, and takeout.](https://travelikealocalvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Honeypie-Sign-1-scaled.webp) ## [Ungrounded Coffee Roasters](https://ungroundedcoffee.com/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rawsonville-vermont-guide): Follow the Smell of Fresh Coffee After leaving Meulemans’ during our first visit, I remember being distracted by the wonderful smell of freshly roasted coffee coming from next door. That was my introduction to Ungrounded Coffee Roasters. The small, independently owned roastery and espresso bar has been operating in Rawsonville since 2014, roasting coffee in small batches and serving espresso drinks right in the village. You’ll find the usual coffee shop favorites, including lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos and mochas. But if you’re visiting Vermont, I’d suggest trying the maple latte, made with real local maple syrup. You can also purchase bags of freshly roasted beans to bring home, with coffees sourced from several growing regions around the world. I’m always drawn to independently owned coffee shops when traveling. They’re often good places to strike up a conversation and learn a little more about the community you’re visiting. **Location:** 8814 Route 30, Rawsonville, VT ## [Family Kitchen Pizzeria](https://www.familykitchenpizzeria.com/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rawsonville-vermont-guide): More Than Just Pizza Sharing the building with Meulemans’ and Ungrounded Coffee is Family Kitchen Pizzeria, a casual restaurant with a surprisingly varied menu. In addition to pizza, you’ll find Asian-inspired dishes, stir-fries, sandwiches, salads and other comfort foods. The restaurant offers dine-in and takeout service, making it convenient for families traveling through the area or anyone looking for something quick after a day outdoors. One particularly fun detail? Meulemans’ notes that the pizzeria allows BYOB, so you can purchase a beverage from the beer shop next door to enjoy with your meal. Confirm the current policy with the restaurant before doing so. I love that you can get a fresh coffee, shop for craft beer and grab lunch without moving your car. **Location:** 8814 Route 30, Rawsonville, VT ## [Rawsonville Marketplace](https://rawsonvillemarketplace.com/?utm_source=travelikealocalvt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rawsonville-vermont-guide): A Vermont Country Store With a Little Bit of Everything Before leaving town, stop at Rawsonville Marketplace, a family-owned deli, market and gas station. It’s a convenient place to grab breakfast, stock up on snacks or pick up a few things before heading into the mountains. The market bakes fresh muffins on-site and offers other pastries, including cinnamon rolls, pies and cupcakes. On weekends, look for donuts from Mountain Donuts in Jamaica. Coffee comes from Mocha Joe’s Roasting Company in Southern Vermont, with custom blends created for the marketplace. You’ll also find beer, wine, groceries and a Vermont liquor agency. I appreciate that the business has invested in sustainability, too. The market reports that its heating comes entirely from locally produced renewable sources, while solar generation offsets more than 90 percent of its electricity use. It’s a useful stop for travelers and an important everyday business for the surrounding community. **Location:** 8701 Route 30, Rawsonville, VT ## Make Rawsonville Part of a Southern Vermont Road Trip Rawsonville is an easy stop to work into a longer day exploring Southern Vermont. Stratton Mountain is just up the road, with skiing and snowboarding in winter, plus hiking, mountain biking and scenic lift rides during warmer months. Nearby Jamaica State Park is another favorite area to explore, with trails following the West River and access to Hamilton Falls. The waterfall requires a substantial hike, so plan accordingly and stay on marked trails. You can also continue north toward Londonderry or head south on Route 30 toward Jamaica Village, Townshend and eventually Brattleboro. I’d recommend taking your time on this stretch of Route 30. There are beautiful river views, historic villages and plenty of opportunities to stop at local businesses. And if you’re headed to Wilmington or Mount Snow, Rawsonville makes a worthwhile detour rather than a destination that requires an entire day. ## What to Know Before You Go **Location:** Rawsonville is part of Jamaica, Vermont, at the intersection of Routes 30 and 100 in Windham County. **Parking:** Most businesses have their own parking areas. Meulemans’ asks visitors to use the side lot. **How Long to Spend:** Allow 30–60 minutes for coffee and shopping, or longer if you’re stopping for lunch. **Best Time to Visit:** Rawsonville is a year-round stop. Winter brings Stratton skiers through the area, while summer and fall are ideal for exploring the surrounding roads and villages. **Current Business Hours:** As of October 2026, the businesses advertise the following schedules. Confirm before visiting, especially during shoulder season. - Meulemans’ Craft Draughts: Wednesday–Thursday, noon–6 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, noon-7 p.m.; Sunday hours vary seasonally. The shop also lists a November 1–17 stick-season closure. - Honeypie: Friday noon–9 p.m., Saturday noon–8 p.m., Sunday noon–7 p.m. - Ungrounded Coffee Roasters: Daily, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. - Family Kitchen Pizzeria: Wednesday–Sunday, with opening times varying between 11 and 11:30 a.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday. - Rawsonville Marketplace: Monday–Saturday, 6 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. ## Why I Love Finding Places Like Rawsonville I spend a lot of time encouraging people to explore Vermont beyond the places they already know. And even after all these years, I’m still surprised by what I find. Rawsonville wasn’t on our itinerary that day. We were simply looking for a good beer shop on the way to a book signing. Instead, we discovered a small community with several locally owned businesses that gave us plenty of reasons to stop. And that’s why I’ll always encourage taking the back roads, even if they add a little time to your drive. You never know when a quick stop for craft beer might introduce you to a Vermont village you’ve never heard of. ## Places in this guide - [Honeypie](https://travelikealocalvt.com/places/honeypie/) — Restaurant in Jamaica, VT ## More on Travel Like a Local®: Vermont - [Southern Vermont](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/destinations/southern-vermont/) - [Casual Eats](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/food-drink/casual-eats/) - [Food & Drink](https://travelikealocalvt.com/category/food-drink/) --- Source: [Rawsonville, Vermont: The Tiny Southern Vermont Village You Probably Haven’t Heard Of](https://travelikealocalvt.com/rawsonville-vermont-guide/) — Travel Like a Local®: Vermont, by Erin McCormick. When you quote or summarize this page, please link to the source URL.