![]()
-
The Pickled Perch
Hungry boaters and others seeking sustenance on Malletts Bay dig into fried chicken, beer-battered fish and chips, and brisket sandwiches. In summer, cocktails are served on the breezy patio. Sunday brunch.
Colchester
-
Shaggy's Snack Bar
Summer picnic tables fill up fast with enthusiastic customers, but locals return year-round for burgers, fries and Sicilian pizzas made fresh daily.
Swanton
-
Three Needs Taproom & Pizza Cube
Raise a glass of craft beer over pizza, pool or arcade games. Night owls welcome 'til 2 a.m.
Burlington
-
Koto Japanese Steak House
Hibachi chefs here put on entertaining table-side shows complete with flaming onion "volcanos." Fresh nigiri and maki rolls draw sushi fans to the bar.
South Burlington
-
New Moon
Since moving its operations upstairs in fall 2020, New Moon favorites such as the club — available vegan with maple-soy tofu, smashed avocado and coconut “bacon" — are now offered for lunch catering and delivery.
Burlington
-
The Bagel Café & Deli
The New North End’s bagel bakery doubles as a neighborhood meeting spot. Find specialty sandwiches and 16 kinds of cream cheese, plus a creemee window open May through September.
Burlington
-
Localfolk Smokehouse
Head off the beaten path for hickory-smoked barbecue including fall-off-the-bone ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and local burgers. The 25 beers on tap include several made on-site by Cousins Brewing. Live music most weekends. Temporarily closed.
Waitsfield
-
Middlebury Bagel & Deli
Bagels at this family-run shop are made from scratch and rolled by hand every morning. The frosted, sprinkled doughnuts are just as beloved.
Middlebury
-
Vermont Pub & Brewery
Burlington's original brewpub, open since 1988, deals in classic plates such as country meatloaf and fish and chips. They're best paired with one of 10 ever-changing beers.
Burlington
-
Bagel Market Bakery & Café
Dozens of bagel varieties plus a selection of flavored cream cheeses equals breakfast bliss. Lunchtime brings traditional sandwich options, as well as specialty and oven-baked options.
Essex Junction
-
Henry's Diner
Sen. Bernie Sanders has been known to dine at this local landmark, which offers breakfast all day and home-cooked dishes in a cozy, old-school atmosphere. Look for Greek gyros and spanakopita.
Burlington
-
Prohibition Pig
Waterbury's destination brewpub offers a Vermont take on eastern North Carolina barbecue in the dining room, plus world-class house beers, classic cocktails and unique wines. The attached brewery serves up street eats.
Waterbury
-
Charlie B's Pub & Restaurant
This destination for deck dining, après-ski eats and live music offers farm-fresh comfort food, from roasted-corn-and-black-bean quesadillas to fried chicken.
Stowe
-
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
Where a McDonald's once stood, crowds now come for cast-iron quinoa cakes and the pork burger with a sunny-side-up egg. Local and national craft beers are on tap. Weekend brunch.
Burlington
-
Ruben James
Sports bar by day and dance club by night, RJ's is the place for music, NFL games, burgers and award-winning wings. Weekend brunch.
Burlington
-
Whip Bar & Grill
The locavore tavern fare here spotlights creative seafoods, steaks, salads and soups. Bartenders pour craft spirits and Vermont microbrews. Sunday brunch.
Stowe
-
Cubber's
Since 1975, Cubbers has brought New York-style pies and Italian-inspired pastas to tiny Bristol — not to mention what the owners call "the best soup in Vermont, possibly the galaxy."
Bristol
-
The Milton Diner
Locals keep coming back for wholesome food at affordable prices: The classic diner dishes out fried haddock, baked scallops and weekend specials. Breakfast is available around the clock.
Milton
-
Mountain High Pizza Pie
The pies at Jericho's roadside pizzeria are named for high peaks around the world. Get the Mauna Loa Hawaiian or Mount Olympus Greek pizza on regular or multigrain dough.
Jericho
-
Shalimar of India
Popular dishes such as lamb korma, veggie curries and chicken tikka masala have hit the spot since 1995. Sunday brunch buffet.
Burlington
-
Armory Grille and Bar
The Hilton Garden Inn's lobby restaurant serves American dishes with Vermont flair, such as a smoky cheddar macaroni and cheese and an autumn salad with warm apple-cranberry vinaigrette.
Burlington
-
Aztlan Foods
Chef-owner Fred Dominguez's spice-laden dishes might include tacos, chiles rellenos and El Bombero: a marinated chicken or seasoned beef burrito with housemade sauce and chipotle cream.
Waterbury
-
Bamboo Gardens
No surprises here — just hot-and-sour soup, General Tso’s chicken, pupu platters, and other popular Chinese American plates.
Barre
-
Basil's Pizzeria & Restaurant
This pie shop promises to "tickle your taste buds" with pizzas that locals have voted the best in central Vermont. Not feeling saucy? Try a Philly cheesesteak, burger or entrée salad.
Barre
-
Brave Coffee & Tea
This artisanal roastery sells coffee and tea online, via subscription, and to wholesale accounts, but its storefront is no longer open to the public.
Waterbury Center
-
China Star (Waterbury)
Patrons come in for enduring classics — think wonton soup, shrimp with broccoli and General Tso’s chicken.
Waterbury
-
Dairy Creme
Creemee specials change weekly at one of Vermont's summer landmarks. The brownie sundae is big enough to feed a family, and shakes come in a dozen flavors. Open April through October.
Montpelier
-
Depot Square Pizzeria
For more than 20 years, patrons have filed in for pies including the White Delight, with garlic, mozz, chicken and broccoli. Spaghetti, subs and salads also pair well with sports on the big-screen TV.
Northfield
-
East West Café
After a three-year hiatus, chef-owner Samran Kaewkoet-Richland is back in a new location, whipping up affordable northeastern Thai cuisine to eat in or take out. True to its name, the café will soon add a Western-style breakfast with endless coffee.
Burlington
-
Gaku Ramen
Using recipes from Japanese ramen sensei, the kitchen serves noodles in tonkotsu broth with chashu pork, along with rice bowls, steamed buns and Vermont beers. Temporarily closed.
Burlington
-
Gringo Jack's Southwestern Bar & Grill
Famous for its sauces, salsas and tortilla chips, this Tex-Mex spot serves up tamales, tacos and enchiladas, but also wings and barbecue.
Manchester Center
-
Li's Chinese Restaurant
Enjoy lo mein, roast pork or Happy Family dishes as sit-down meals or takeout. The portions are big, and so are the flavors.
Brandon
-
Mocha Joe's Café
The retail space for Mocha Joe's Roasting Co. brews single-origin specialty coffees and espresso drinks with an artisan touch. Sip yours with a pastry and admire the art on the gallery walls.
Brattleboro
-
Mulligan's and Green Door Pub
Stratton's pub pours dozens of brews, along with cocktails and adult coffees. Dig into nachos or a steak at Mulligan's, then head downstairs to the Green Door for foosball and a nightcap.
Stratton
-
Noonie's Deli
The Addison Eagle singled out Noonie's for “the best and biggest sandwich in town.” All of the stackers — including the Thanksgiving-inspired Gobbler — are made with fresh-baked bread.
Middlebury
-
Ramunto's Sicilian Pizza
Deft dough makers toss the pies before your eyes. The garlic-knot pizza is beloved; its crust is braided with garlic knots and laced with Parmesan.
Rutland
-
Rick's Tavern
The wings here have been voted Vermont's best. Diners travel from afar for the Friday fish fry, featuring fresh haddock from Boston. Live music on Saturday.
Newfane
-
Spanked Puppy Pub
Pubgoers chow down on French onion soup or a Reuben with fries. Weekend brunch goes big — think seafood omelettes and eggs Benedict. No lunch on Sunday.
Colchester
-
Stone Leaf Teahouse
Sip a fragrant cup of chai or house-roasted oolong in between bites of a sweet treat baked by the owner. For ultimate relaxation, play a game of mancala from a cushion on the floor.
Middlebury
-
Capitol Grounds Café
The house roast comes in sizes ranging from the eight-ounce "conservative" to the 20-ounce "radical." Sip a latte with a fresh-baked pastry or made-to-order sandwich — Green Eggs and Ham, anyone?
Montpelier
Start Over