52 Best Restaurants in Northern Vermont, Vermont

At the base of mammoth Jay Peak sits a wood-shingled food truck cooking arguably the best ramen in the state. Owners Momoko and Jordan Antonucci met as rafting guides in Japan, and spent three winters in Hokkaido gravitating toward the steaming bowls of noodles made at après-ski ramen trucks parked mountainside. They later brought this mutual love of hearty Japanese cooking to several of Vermont's most notable ski resorts, slinging spicy miso ramen, homemade onigiri, and seasonal specials.

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.

Just off Route 7 and on the way to the Charlotte Ferry, this classic Vermont general store got a big update when owner Jolene Kao took over in 2023; the charm's still there, but it's got a refined coolness, with minimalist wood shelves mixing classics like penny candy and toilet paper with unexpected finds, including Rancho Gordo beans, Kewpie mayo, a smart selection of natural wine and craft beer, and giftable homewares, books and magazines. The breakfast burrito and brown-butter chocolate chip cookie are unmatched, especially when eaten on the porch.

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).

This coffee-tasting bar would satisfy the staunchest coffee aficionado, with its rotating menu of specialty drinks designed to highlight the texture and flavor profile of distinct beans and roasters; so it's not surprising that co-founder Jason Gonzales won a top 10 spot in the 2013 World Cup Tasting Championship (the coffee Olympics). If a coffee education is what you want with your morning cup, Onyx Tonics offers it—thankfully with a friendly and inviting atmosphere—as baristas have been known to warn against adding milk to a certain drip coffee, because it would raise the acidity of the brew and alter its delicate flavor.

The handmade Italian brick oven is the centerpiece of this hot pizza spot, which shares a former department store building with AR Market and the curing facility for Vermont Salumi. The team cranks out perfectly blistered Neapolitan-style pizzas and thick grandma pies, with classic and weekly special toppings that range from fire-roasted mushrooms to roast pork and miso drizzle. The bar boasts a top-notch local draft list and affordable, well-made cocktails.

"The truth is in the dough" is the long-standing motto of Burlington's destination for expert Neopolitan pies. The bubbled, chewy crusts are flame-kissed by live fire, and Italian-inspired ingredients are sourced mostly from local farmers like the house-made mozzarella that graces classics like the beautifully simple Margherita. But don't overlook inventive pizzas like the popular Mais, which is an enticing combination of fire-roasted sweet corn, crème fraîche, fior di latte (fresh mozzarella), and crackly edged slices of speck.

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 Santiago's team shifted the vibe in Burlington when they opened at the very bottom of Main Street in 2023; with a lake-view patio, tropical décor, and a menu of classic Cuban dishes—including what the duo of first-generation Cuban-American owners claim is the only "authentic" Cubano in Vermont—it's a departure from the city's usual farm-to-table fare. And it's open late to accommodate travelers arriving via Amtrak train, who disembark just a quick stroll away.

Montpelier's most popular restaurant draws its crowd less for the classic American Italian dishes than the conviviality, charm, and sizable portions, not to mention the picturesque Winooski River flowing directly alongside the windows. The pizza comes fresh from wood-fired ovens, while the rest of the menu features your favorite pennes, Alfredos, and raviolis, with pleasing tweaks on the old formulas.

Some of the best gelato outside of Italy is found on St. Paul Street. Co-owner Paul Sansone was inspired by his Italian heritage to work abroad as an apprentice to notable gelato masters in Southern Italy; he returned to Vermont years later to open his own scoop shop alongside one of Burlington's longtime farm-to-table restaurant owners, Tim Elliot. Daily-changing flavors distill peak season fruits and lush Vermont dairy into peerless small-batch gelato and sorbet that draw visitors state-wide. The fior di latte (fresh mozzarella) gelato is remarkable, and one of the few flavors that rarely leaves the menu.

"Gather, discover, and connect” is the slogan and theme at this intimate Chinese restaurant on the first floor of a residential row house. Traditional Cantonese- and Sichuan-style dishes are served family style, and the "mock eel" was given two chopsticks up on the Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

This family-owned coffee roaster has been turning out small-batch beans and blends since 1993, making it a well-loved local watering hole for almost three decades. This quirky, funky café is a prime old-school spot to pick up a bag of beans or mull over the morning paper with a cup of Maple French Roast.

A young chef with Vermont roots and California training serves standout seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine among handcrafted tableware and furniture at this popular, chic restaurant. A rotating display of works by local artists graces the walls, and the fireside porch, with its views of gardens and trees, is open all year. The bar, which got a fresh look in 2024, is a smart stop for a drink and a snack if the restaurant's fully booked.

If you didn't make that trip to Umbria this year, the next best thing is this Italian country eatery around the corner from City Hall Park. The secret to the ambience goes well beyond the high-quality, handmade pasta dishes to the supercozy woody interior, a transplanted sugarhouse from New Hampshire, and a roaring fireplace when the weather's cool.

Nadia Dole brought this bakery back to its original name—it was founded in a former laundromat in 2010—and its reputation for destination-worthy pastries when she took over in 2021; the cardamom buns are a must-try, as are sourdough croissants and Basque-style cheesecake. A massive wood-fired oven churns out fluffy pita to mop up Turkish eggs for brunch; pair an order with oysters or a simple salad. In front of the coffee bar, shelves are stocked like an eclectic épicerie, with spices, oils, tinned fish, multiple mustards, linen aprons, and baskets of blooms.

The "Love Shack" on the side of VT Route 7 is known to have one of the best maple creemees in the state due to its use of Vermont maple syrup and high-butterfat dairy from Kingdom Creamery of Vermont. There are also coffee, vanilla, and chocolate creemees on offer, along with local Wilcox hard ice cream and house-made cookies made daily on-site.

In 2016, the Von Trapp family finally realized its long-held dream of opening a brewery making Austrian-style lagers on the grounds of its expansive mountainside property, and what a brewery it is. Built of thick, massive Vermont wood beams, the cavernous chalet-style space houses a rustic-chic restaurant and bar alongside the beer-making facilities serving Alpine classics, with plenty of beer to wash it down.

Skiers stop on their way up the mountain for breakfast sandwiches (regular, vegan, or stuffed with local ferments from Burlington's Pitchfork Pickle), towering maple-glazed cinnamon buns, light-as-air croissants, and well-made coffee, from cold brew to espresso with steamed milk—4 ounces to 16, it's up to you. 

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.

What's more Vermont than the name "Zenbarn," especially when it includes its own yoga studio in a former hayloft? Add to that an expansive, rustic-chic interior with local art and a stage for live music, an outdoor patio looking out to green fields and mountains, a menu of eclectic fare, and a nearby cannabis dispensary and education center from the same owners, and the local experience is complete.