Although Vermont is a relatively small state, you might be surprised to learn that it is one of the biggest food hotspots in all of the United States, and Burlington specifically is home to some of the finest dining establishments in the country.
Farm-to-table cuisine is becoming increasingly popular across the country, and Vermont is at the forefront of this movement.
The Green Mountain state is a paradise for amateur foodies as well as professional chefs since it provides seasonal specialties, locally sourced ingredients, and dishes inspired by regional cuisine.
If you are going to pay a visit to the state’s largest city, then there are some restaurants and food stops that you just have to pay a visit to. To help you plan your trip, we have rounded up this list of the top 15 best restaurants to visit in Burlington.
These eateries are a shining example of why Burlington is such an amazing city, and if you have the time, we highly recommend that you visit as many as you can; believe us when we say that your taste buds will be grateful to you!
Tiny Thai is one of the area’s most outstanding Asian dining establishments.
This restaurant, which can be found in Winooski, is located just outside of the city and provides a diverse selection of authentic Thai cuisine. Some of the dishes on the menu include curry, noodles, appetizers, soups, and desserts.
There is even a menu titled “Genuine Thai,” which features dishes that are identical to those served in Thailand.
The majority of the meals on this menu are intended for people who have a strong tolerance for heat, as they are extremely spicy and tasty.
The restaurant also has a selection of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes for customers who may need to adhere to specific dietary requirements.
Tiny Thai is a very popular restaurant in the area, and this is especially true on the weekends, so if you want to minimize your wait, you should arrive at the restaurant as early as possible.
Brunch patrons in Burlington, Vermont, go to one of the most popular restaurants in the city, the Penny Cluse Café because it remains open throughout the day and serves both breakfast and lunch.
Pancakes, huevos rancheros, and a variety of other dishes may be found on their large menu. On any given weekend, it’s not unusual to find long queues extending out the entrance of this establishment.
Even well-known figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Vice President Joe Biden of the United States are fond of spending time there. Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood is another celebrity who has been spotted around the cafe.
Putting aside the fact that it is frequented by celebrities, the coffee shop (see also: 14 Best Coffee Shops To Study In San Diego)lives up to its reputation and justifiably merits a spot on your schedule.
Just make sure to plan this lunch date! Since this cafe doesn’t accept reservations, you should get here early or go at off-peak times to secure a seat.
Honey Road combines Greek and Turkish flavors with Vermont produce to create dishes that have garnered national praise.
The restaurant’s menu features a variety of cuisines from the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The restaurant has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, a national organization that honors the most accomplished individuals in the culinary field, with multiple nominations for awards.
Even more impressive is that the chef at Honey Road was one of just five people chosen to compete for the title of greatest chef in the Northeast.
Honey Road is well-liked by both the people who live in the area and those who are just passing through.
It’s a restaurant that is difficult to turn down because of its homemade pita, and house-made baklava, among other mouthwatering options.
Misery Loves Company is a farm-to-table restaurant that can be found in Winooski, Vermont, just north of Burlington. The restaurant emphasizes serving meals that are prepared using local ingredients as much as possible.
While this used to be a sit-down restaurant, the owners found that it was even more popular when operating as a take-out spot.
Despite this, you can still anticipate fantastic dishes that taste equally as excellent at home as they do in the restaurant where they were prepared.
You may also purchase artisan cocktails to go so that you don’t have to miss out on any of the good times!
The Rough Francis sandwich has been a long-time staple at this restaurant and features fried chicken, blue cheese dressing, and hot sauce. It’s one of the restaurant’s most popular meals, along with the pot pies and BBQ pork lettuce wraps.
In Burlington, one of the eateries that stand out as being among the most creative and engaging is called ArtsRiot.
This is one of the most frequented locations in Burlington’s South End, which features a diverse lineup of live shows that take place throughout the calendar year.
ArtsRiot provides an opportunity to experience art in a way in which you not only get to see it but also get to taste it as well. The establishment comprises a café, a gallery, and a performance venue all rolled into one.
The café is open for both breakfast and evening meals, and its menu contains dishes from a wide range of cuisines, including traditional American dishes like fried chicken and biscuits, mezze with a Mediterranean influence, banh mi from Vietnam, and tacos from Mexico.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for live music, video screenings, puppet plays, or even book readings; you’ll be able to find all of these things and more in this location.
Bistro de Margot is the place to go for those looking for traditional French cuisine with a contemporary twist. The restaurant is located in the middle of the city and offers upmarket dining.
The restaurant is only open for dinner and offers a selection of different appetizers, main meals, and desserts for customers to pick from.
Some of the bistro’s most popular dishes are steamed oysters, braised lamb, and vanilla crème brûlée.
The restaurant also has a huge list of drinks, which includes a variety of cocktails with a French influence, a wide selection of French wines, and a few locally crafted beers to choose from.
Bistro de Margot is the ideal place to go for a romantic evening with your partner because of its sumptuous food, sophisticated and fancy atmosphere, and convenient location.
American Flatbread is an organic pizzeria as well as a brewery, and it’s a local favorite among many Vermont residents.
It’s a favorite meeting place for groups and get-togethers as it provides wood-fired pizzas, artisan beers brewed on the premises, as well as a lively and welcoming ambiance.
Wheat that’s produced organically here is used to make all of the pizza, which is then topped with seasonal ingredients that are sourced locally. To wash down the pizza, you could try one of the many craft beers that are brewed on the site.
This eatery also offers a broad selection of salads, beverages that do not include alcohol, and sweets.
Because of the popularity of this restaurant, we strongly advise getting there as early as possible, as reservations may only be made for parties of seven or more people.
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill on Bank Street is the epitome of a farm-to-table gastropub since it supports Vermont’s drive toward eating locally grown and produced food.
This well-respected restaurant is known for its burgers, and cheese plates. Additionally, they offer seasonal dishes that utilize farm-raised meats, dairy products, and produce.
Along with its mouthwatering menu, this restaurant offers a comprehensive selection of craft beers, most of which are brewed in Vermont.
This grill welcomes children and is designed to be fun for families, and it gives many different dining areas for you to choose from.
The grill features a conventional dining area on the main floor of the building in addition to a speakeasy-style bar located in the basement of the building.
The speakeasy bar features a cozy dining area centered around a fireplace.
It’s common practice for the restaurant to set up an outside beer garden during the warmer months of the year, and these gatherings frequently include performances by live bands.
One of the most well-liked food truck restaurants in Burlington, Vermont is called Farmers and Foragers, and it’s only open seasonally from May to September.
This informal dining establishment is situated dockside by the Burlington Harbor Marina, and it provides a selection of hand-held snacks, desserts, and alcoholic beverages. Reservations are not required, you can just turn up whenever you want a bit to eat.
On the menu, you’ll find items made using ingredients supplied locally from organic and environmentally friendly farms.
Vermont cheesesteaks made with beef farmed in Vermont, and lobster rolls made with Maine lobsters are a few of the more popular regional dishes offered on the menu.
Other regional specialties include a Vermont burger made with cattle raised in Vermont.
Even most of the alcoholic beverages served here come from brewers and distilleries that are from the New England region, mainly from Vermont.
On Church Street, you’ll discover the cozy and unassuming Istanbul Kebab House, which is known for serving some of the city’s most authentic Turkish cuisine.
The restaurant is also known for its small size and pleasant atmosphere.
The kebabs at this restaurant are the most sought-after dishes on the menu, but the eatery also offers a selection of starters, soups, salads, and classic Turkish casseroles.
Of course, we also can’t forget about their desserts, which include things like Maple Baklava, Turkish Rice Pudding, and Turkish Coffee.
The Istanbul Kebab House is the place to go if you want to feel as though you’ve been whisked away to the bustling streets of Istanbul, even if only for a few hours!
Juniper is a contemporary restaurant and bar that serves regionally-sourced, seasonally-appropriate fare.
It’s found inside the Hotel Vermont, which is just a few steps away from the water.
The restaurant is open for both breakfast and dinner, and its menu features a wide selection of entrees and appetizers that are influenced by local cuisine.
Among these are fan favorites like Montreal spiced brisket poutine, and Vermont cheese platters.
Even the drinks menu offers a selection of alcoholic beverages, wines, and ciders produced in the area.
To put the cherry on top, the restaurant has a variety of sitting options, including an outdoor dining area with a view.
While taking in the gorgeous scenery of Lake Champlain, you can have a glass of wine from Vermont and a charcuterie board made with locally sourced ingredients.
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Burlington that serves food with European flavors, you just have to visit Leunig’s Bistro, which is located on Church Street.
This classic French cafe and bar is one of Burlington’s oldest restaurants that’s still in operation, and for good reason, it has been a long-time favorite with both Burlington residents and visitors for a very long time! This restaurant serves only the very best in traditional French food.
Escargot, salade Nicoise, and crème brûlée are just some of the traditional French dishes that can be found at this restaurant. If that isn’t for you though, there are a few dishes that are more American in styles, such as burgers, Caesar salad, and Vermont cheese platters.
The cafe features not just an elegant dining area, but also an upstairs bar that occasionally hosts live jazz performances and serves cocktails and light snacks.
One of the most highly regarded Italian dining establishments in Burlington, Vermont is Pizzeria Verita, which is famous for its Neapolitan pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven.
The restaurant offers a wide selection of delicious pizza toppings that are vibrant and full of flavor, and they’re produced using a range of locally sourced ingredients, including Vermont sausage that’s made in-house.
In addition to pizza, this establishment offers a selection of different types of pasta, salad, and desserts, among other things.
The eatery has a sizable selection of alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, wine, and beer.
Pizzeria Verità is the ideal place to start a night out on the town because of its fantastic location in the heart of downtown Burlington, just a few short steps from the Church Street Marketplace.
One of the warmest and most inviting restaurants in Burlington, Vermont is called Hen of the Wood, and it’s located on Cherry Street.
The restaurant is only open for dinner and has an ever-evolving menu that shifts daily in response to the availability of fresh produce from the surrounding area.
This ensures that each visit will be different than the last, bringing with it new tastes and combinations of foods.
Although it is difficult to predict what you may find when you look at the Hen of the Wood menu, you can always expect an array of high-end American cuisine.
If you’re a lover of seafood and are looking for a place to eat in Burlington, Vermont, you might think about paying a visit to Bleu Northeast Seafood on Cherry Street.
This upmarket restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and supper, and it’s known for providing only the highest quality seafood that’s caught locally and sustainably.
Because there’s such a wide selection of foods available, including oysters, arctic char, and perch, you’ll be able to find something that satisfies your appetite.
In addition to serving seafood, the restaurant serves a variety of farm-fresh American dishes, including chicken, pasta, burgers, steaks, and even children’s meals, so you can bring even the most finicky eaters with you.
Summary
In a city like Burlington, where there’s such a wide variety of high-quality restaurants to select from, you might find that you spend most of your time in the city eating rather than exploring, and that’s okay!
After all, Burlington is home to a variety of mouthwatering restaurants that are well worth experiencing.
There is a lot to see, smell, and taste in this place thanks to its locavore movement, farm-to-table dining alternatives, and diverse international products.
