17 Best Restaurants in Northern Vermont, Vermont

Dinner here will make you dream of bygone days, as piano music wafts in from the library of this 1880s mansion on the shores of Lake Champlain. Count on just-grown ingredients that come from the Market Garden right outside, as well as flavorful locally raised venison, beef, pork, and chicken.

For decades, the restaurant on this corner was Burlington's breakfast destination; now it's a nighttime affair, but it's still been the hottest table in town since it opened in late spring 2024. Owned and operated by two Hen of the Wood alums, the somewhat seafood-focused spot celebrates what's in season on Vermont's farms in a way that feels fresh, from grilled peaches with pickled corn to a standout cabbage entrée that tempts even the staunchest meat eaters.

This restaurant and brewery in downtown Waterbury is always packed for a reason: fabulous craft beers, sandwiches, salads, and North Carolina-style barbecue served in an airy and friendly bar and dining room. The restaurant's Liquor Society offers flights of rare spirits, from local brandy to whisk(e)y from around the world. If you just want a quick bite and a draft, belly up to the tasting-room bar at the brewery in the back, or pop across the street to the Craft Beer Cellar, one of the state's best beer stores.

This cozy, white clapboard house with an indicative blue awning has been a community staple since 2005. Co-owner Mandy Hotchkiss and chef--owner Phoebe Bright share a decades-spanning friendship; today, their ongoing collaboration manifests in the bistro's seasonal menu and hand-written, daily changing nightly specials inspired by farm-sourced ingredients.

Local grass-fed burgers and handcut fries are the name of the game at this multicolored food truck. Try one of Burger Barn's more inventive offshoots, like the Nutty Goat: goat cheese, maple-crushed walnuts, caramelized onions, bacon, and mayo.

This may be a local hub for grabbing a quick sandwich or a case of beer, but its true fame stands with its seasonal creemee window. During the warmer months, lines snake around the corner for the café's beloved soft serve, particularly the house specialty: twisted black raspberry and maple ice cream in a cone, extra sprinkles. A large back patio has sweeping waterfront views, making it one of the nicest spots in town to watch the sunset.

For craft beer and inventive pub food, head to this spacious taproom in a historic factory building where the world-renowned Lumière brothers produced films in the early 1900s. Pair your pint of Strawberry Whale Cake (strawberry cream ale) or Vaulted Blue (IPA with notes of candied citrus peel and ripe peaches) with smoked trout dip and loaded birria fries, or opt for hearty sandwiches such as shaved steak or the mushroom Philly. An arcade room provides entertainment for non-beer drinkers, too.

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.

A gastropub from the folks behind the Hen of the Wood restaurant, this place has one of the best beer lists in the state, and a smash of a smashburger. The food is excellent and the ski-lodge vibe is perfect for lunch, dinner, drinks, families, or romantic two-top or solo bar seats.

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.

In prime position on the mountain road and the Stowe Recreation Path, this brewpub's Bavarian-style lagers and Vermont IPAs are only available on-site. A solid menu of pub food, a large outdoor patio, vegetable garden, and a rich, rustic, chic design, make it a popular stop.

Local industry pros launched this cozy neighborhood spot—named for owner Matthew Peterson's annual tradition of throwing an all-out riverside bash on May 1—with a menu that ranges from nostalgic favorites like a beef patty melt on rye to delicately plated vegetable dishes and a full platter of steak frites. Go lowbrow for drinks with a Narragansett lager, or highbrow with a bottle of wine from trailblazing Vermont producer La Garagista.

Vermont may be landlocked, but regionally sourced seafood fills the menu at this upscale farm-to-table restaurant in the state capital; the raw bar—think Cape Cod oysters and cold-smoked scallop crudo—is a particular draw. Large plates include grilled Wagyu steaks and pan-seared diver scallops with pork belly.

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).

Owners Stefano Cicirello and Susie Ely parked what was originally Dolce VT food truck in a hip space that looks straight out of Brooklyn. The menu of shared plates changes regularly but leans global, with dishes such as Kung Pao cauliflower served alongside pork Milanese and a very good burger. 

Scuffed wood floors and chunky country tables bring the "rustic" at this converted farmhouse—but not too much—and the intimate bar and maroon walls adorned with woodcrafts and art add a touch of elegance. The brunch is deservedly popular, especially for the warm house-made popovers served with herb butter.

The open-front, woody interior, and community spirit make Stone Soup a downtown favorite for lunch, especially on warm days. The small but robust buffet and salad bar is the centerpiece, with excellent hot and cold dishes—a perfect complement to the wonderful soups and fresh sandwiches.