6 Best Restaurants in Burlington, Northern Vermont

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We've compiled the best of the best in Burlington - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

American Flatbread Burlington Hearth

$$

The wood-fired clay dome ovens pump out delicious and amusingly named pies like "Dancing Heart" (garlic oil, Italian grana padano cheese, toasted sesame seeds) and "Power to the People" (chicken, buffalo sauce, carrots, mozzarella, and blue cheese dressing) in full view of the tables at this popular pizza spot. Fresh salads topped with locally made cheese round out the meals.

115 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-861–2999
Known For
  • Beers brewed on-site
  • Spacious outdoor seating area
  • Many ingredients sourced from farm 2 miles away

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The Café HOT.

$

The sign on the door says "HOT." when this bumping breakfast spot is open, and it's right; the meat-free menu with treats like chicken-fried egg and "bonuts" (biscuit donuts) is a darn good time. Go for breakfast, stay for the music and the amusing antics of brothers/co-owners Allan and Travis Walker-Hodkin.

198 Main St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-881--9899
Known For
  • The number 8: a breakfast sandwich with crispy chicken-fried scrambled eggs
  • All-vegetarian menu
  • House-made habanero and black garlic hot sauce (put it on everything)
Restaurant Details
No dinner.

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Deep City

$$

The local outcry when Charles Reeves and Holly Cluse closed their longtime breakfast spot, Penny Cluse Café, in November 2022 was only matched by the widespread sigh of relief when Reeves took over the kitchen at Deep City a year and a half later. Attached to popular Foam Brewers near the Burlington Waterfront, the airy, sunny space is a brunch-lover's dream, with dishes everyone in town has come to love, including a loaded bucket of spuds and herby gravy over biscuits. If there's a wait, grab a beer next door or take a waterfront walk to kill time.

112 Lake St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-800--1454
Known For
  • Burlington's favorite brunch
  • Southwest-inspired dishes like huevos rancheros and chile relleno plates
  • Micheladas with Foam beer and other brunchy cocktails
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues.--Thurs. No dinner.
Reservations not accepted.

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Farmhouse Tap and Grill

$$

The line out the door on a typical weekend night should tell you a lot about the local esteem for this farm-to-table restaurant. Serving only local beef, cheese, and produce in a classy but laid-back style, Farmhouse Tap and Grill provides one of the finest casual meals in the area.

160 Bank St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-859–0888
Known For
  • Local cheese and charcuterie plates
  • Downstairs taproom and outdoor beer garden have hard-to-find local and global brews
  • Raw bar

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The Grey Jay

$$

Turkish breakfast towers, tightly wrapped shawarma, and the most sought-after donuts in town are signatures of this breakfast and lunch spot from the team behind Honey Road. Like its nighttime sister restaurant, it focuses on flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean. There's usually a waitlist, but it moves quickly.

135 Pearl St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-495--2916
Known For
  • Donuts in flavors like plum-cardamom cheesecake and maple-fenugreek
  • Honey Road's locally famous kale salad, but for brunch
  • Tahini iced coffee
Restaurant Details
No dinner.
Walk-in only

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Onion City Chicken & Oyster

$$

Sister restaurant to Laura Wade and Aaron Josinsky's beloved Misery Loves Co. (now a market and takeout sandwich counter), this casual spot up the rotary serves up fried chicken in various forms—from honey-butter wings to whole birds. Comfort-food sides include collard greens that you can add house-made bacon to, a whole grilled onion, fluffy beignets filled with cheddar, and yes, there are oysters (options change daily).

3 E. Allen St., Winooski, VT, 05404, USA
802-540--8489
Known For
  • Well-made classic cocktails
  • Misery Loves Co.'s Rough Francis fried chicken sandwich
  • Fancy tater tots topped with trout roe
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues.

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