American Flatbread at Lareau Farm
American Flatbread occupies the original farmhouse at Lareau Farm, a 25-acre property on the west side of Route 100 in Waitsfield, Vermont, just south of Waitsfield Village and north of the Mad River crossing. Open Thursday through Sunday evenings, the restaurant bakes thin-crust wood-fired flatbreads (pizza) using local Vermont ingredients in a hand-built outdoor earthen oven. The farm setting — river meadows, gardens, and the 19th-century farmhouse — makes it one of the most atmospheric dining stops on the VT-100 corridor. The restaurant has occupied this location since 1991 and is consistently cited among the best food stops in the Mad River Valley.
The restaurant sits inside what was originally a hog barn on a farm that dates to 1794 — the same 25-acre property on the valley floor of the Mad River that still operates today. Founder George Schenk began baking wood-fired flatbreads in 1985 and moved the restaurant to its permanent home at Lareau Farm in 1991. The earthen oven is the centerpiece: dough made with organically grown wheat goes in, and thin-crust flatbreads topped with seasonal, local ingredients come out. The farm setting — meadows, gardens, the old farmhouse — is visible from the dining area, and seating is available inside or outside.
The kitchen sources locally in a real, specific way: one recurring flatbread features naturally raised pork in a homemade maple-fennel sausage alongside caramelized onions and clay oven-roasted mushrooms. The dough itself is brushed with garlic-infused olive oil before topping. It's honest, simple food that fits the surroundings. The restaurant opens Thursday through Sunday evenings, and the place fills quickly on summer weekends — showing up early is the practical move for a group coming off a day ride.
Located directly on Route 100 at 46 Lareau Road — the main VT-100 corridor through the Mad River Valley. This is the natural end-of-ride dinner stop for the App Gap / Mad River loop. Large gravel parking area accommodates groups easily. Thursday–Sunday evenings; arrive early or call ahead — the restaurant fills up on summer weekends.
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