113 Best Restaurants in Vermont, USA

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

J.J. Hapgood General Store and Eatery

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You won't find a better meal at any other general store in the state. This is really more of a classic American restaurant, serving farm-to-table breakfast, lunch, and dinner, than a place to pick up the essentials, but like any good general store, it's a friendly and relaxed gathering spot for locals.

305 Main St., Stratton, VT, 05152, USA
802-824–4800
Known For
  • Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich
  • Outdoor patio
  • Wood-fired pizzas
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues.

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Kestrel Coffee Roasters

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Two alumni of Blue Hill at Stone Barns, one of the country's most lauded restaurants, moved to Burlington in 2017 to realize their dreams of opening a coffee shop together. The married duo focus on meticulously sourced beans roasted fresh in-house, scratch-made baked goods, and a frequently changing menu of farm-sourced sandwiches. The maple latte is just sweet enough, and one of the best around.

47 Maple St., Burlington, VT, USA
802-391–0081
Known For
  • Small-batch roasted coffee beans
  • Dog-friendly seating in an art gallery
  • An excellent breakfast sandwich, which sells out early
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. No dinner

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La Casita Taqueria y Mas

$$

Hidden away in the back of a parking lot behind The Anchor, La Casita is a favorite haunt for Mexican fare, including homemade bottled hot sauces, shatteringly crisp flautas, and loaded burritos. The drink menu is no slouch either, with a variety of local beers and seasonal margaritas on hand to wash down platters of tacos and sizzling fajitas.

14 S. Main St., Wilmington, VT, 05363, USA
802-464–8500
Known For
  • Sizzling fajita platters
  • Warm, friendly atmosphere
  • Cooked-to-order carne asada

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Lawson's Finest Liquids

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The sky-high ceilings at this brewery's taproom and restaurant have earned it the nickname "the cathedral of beer" and IPA lovers have been lining up to get a Sip of Sunshine since Sean and Karen Lawson launched their namesake brand from a tiny mountainside brewhouse in Warren in 2008. This spectacular space—opened in 2018—is an appropriately sunny place to sit and enjoy a pint of the brewery's flagship brew, or something from the solid food menu designed to pair with beer: fancy grilled cheeses, local cheese and charcuterie boards, and a just-spicy-enough chorípan sandwich, with chorizo made just for the brewery by 5th Quarter butcher shop, located in the nearby Mad River Taste Place.

155 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield, VT, 05673, USA
802-496--4677
Known For
  • Brews that helped create Vermont's IPA craze
  • Charcuterie boards with Von Trapp Farmstead cheeses and Babette's Table cured meats
  • Beer-friendly food

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Liquid Art

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This cerulean blue A-frame is a mountainside gem for morning baked goods, award-winning chilli, and specialty drinks like the Mounds latte (espresso, steamed milk, coconut, and chocolate syrup). It also doubles as a local art gallery, so you can peruse the work of Vermont artists over a pick-me-up.

37 Miller Brook Rd., Killington, VT, 05751, USA
802-422–2787
Known For
  • Monthly five-course wine dinners
  • Cozy corner tables and free Wi-Fi
  • Award-winning vegetarian chilli
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and Wed.

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The Mad Taco

$$

Mexican cuisine rooted in Vermont ingredients makes this a go-to stop for locals and travelers alike—particularly those who just ascended the rugged incline of nearby Camel's Hump, one of the state's highest peaks. Chef--owner Joey Nagy and Georgia Von Trapp, his partner, source much of their local haul from their own Marble Hill Farm, fueling delicious cooking from carnitas and al pastor to fresh house-made salsa and slow-roasted yams in the outside smoker.

5101 Main St., Waitsfield, VT, 05673, USA
802-496–3832
Known For
  • Tacos with local All Souls tortillas
  • Cubano sandwich with smoked Vermont meat
  • House-made margaritas and local craft beer

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Madison Brewing Company

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Since opening in the 1990s as the area's first brewpub, this enclave of exposed brick and bubbling brewing tanks has become a watering hole for fresh IPAs and stacked burgers. A full bar and myriad pub fare offer plenty of reasons to elbow up to the wraparound bar.

428 Main St., Bennington, VT, 05201, USA
802-442–7397
Known For
  • Craft beer on draft
  • Classic New England--style pub fare
  • Gourmet burgers

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May Day

$$

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.

258 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-540--9240
Known For
  • Bustling industry night on Mondays
  • Adventurous natural wine list, with many options by the glass
  • Simple yet delectable desserts
Restaurant Details
No lunch

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Michael's on the Hill

$$$$

Swiss-born chef Michael Kloeti trained in Europe and New York City before opening this establishment in a 19th-century farmhouse outside Stowe. Under new ownership since fall 2023, the elegant menu still blends European cuisine with farm-to-table earthiness, exemplified by dishes such as housemade vegetable gnocchi and venison navarin (ragout).

4182 Stowe-Waterbury Rd., Stowe, VT, 05677, USA
802-308--4252
Known For
  • Maine crab cakes with lime-cilantro aioli
  • Wine list
  • Views of Green Mountains and sunsets
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. No lunch
Reservations required

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Minifactory

$$

Also the home of award-winning jam company V Smiley Preserves, this all-day café serves house-made pastries, coffee, cocktails, biscuit sandwiches, huge salads, creative vegetable dishes and savory yogurt with crispy lentils and poached eggs.

16 Main St., Middlebury, VT, 05443, USA
802-453--3280
Known For
  • Jammy waffle (waffle with buttered nuts, syrup, and black raspberry whip)
  • Well-stocked grab-and-go fridge and pantry ingredients
  • Bright, spacious seating area with big windows for people-watching
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and Wed.

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Miso Hungry

$$

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.

830 Jay Peak Rd., Jay, VT, 05859, USA
518-605–4474
Known For
  • Spicy miso ramen
  • Seasonal onigiri
  • Authentic Japanese cooking made with Vermont-sourced ingredients

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Mistral's at Toll Gate

$$$$

This classic French restaurant is tucked in a grotto on the climb to Bromley Mountain. The two dining rooms are perched over the Bromley Brook, and at night a small waterfall is magically illuminated—ask for a window table.

10 Toll Gate Rd., Manchester, VT, 05255, USA
802-362–1779
Known For
  • Grilled filet mignon with Roquefort ravioli
  • House-made duck liver pâté with black truffles
  • Wine list
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.--Wed. No lunch

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MKT: Grafton

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Located inside the former 19th-century-era Grafton Village Store, this modern general store is a meeting spot for locals and travelers seeking groceries, deli sandwiches, prepared foods, and homemade pastries. It's an idyllic stop for a cup of locally roasted coffee and a cider doughnut on the front porch.

162 Main St., Grafton, VT, 05146, USA
802-843–2255
Known For
  • Scratch-made pastries
  • Local groceries
  • Deli sandwiches and salads
Restaurant Details
No dinner

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Mocha Joe's Cafe

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The team at this spot for coffee and conversation takes great pride in sourcing direct-trade beans from the Organic Farmers Cooperative in Cameroon, West Africa, and pairs them with an assortment of cookies, cakes, and muffins. This is ground zero for Brattleboro's bohemian contingent and fellow travelers.

82 Main St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301, USA
802-257–7794
Known For
  • Socially conscious coffee
  • Maple latte
  • Trendy clientele

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Mojo Cafe

$$

In 2014, Jodi and John Seward opened their funky, casual watering hole fusing Mexican and Cajun cooking; it flooded in 2023, and in 2024, they reopened down the street. Tacos, burritos, bowls, and po'boys frequently feature Vermont meats and produce, while craft beers and specialty cocktails continue to highlight the state's bounty in local beer and spirits.

145 Main St., Unit 101, Ludlow, VT, 05149, USA
802-228–6656
Known For
  • Limited seating and no reservations
  • Alligator and andouille gumbo
  • Funky burritos like the "Betty," with tequila-citrus tofu and avocado sauce
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Mont Vert Cafe

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This charming two-story café in the center of Woodstock sources most of its ingredients in state. It's the perfect stop for a Vermont maple latte with local dairy, produce-laden salads, and wraps or egg sandwiches worthy of a long line.

28 Central St., Woodstock, VT, 05091, USA
802-457–7143
Known For
  • Strong espresso drinks
  • Monte Vert Cristo on challah French toast with a side of maple syrup
  • Seasonal specials
Restaurant Details
Closed Thurs.

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Oakes & Evelyn

$$$$

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.

52 State St., Montpelier, VT, 05602, USA
802-347--9100
Known For
  • Bao buns with spiced crispy local mushrooms
  • Creative cocktails, including multiple Bloody Mary options at brunch
  • Luxurious ingredients
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.–Tues. No lunch Mon.–Sat.

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Old Brick Store

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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.

290 Ferry Rd., Shelburne, VT, 05445, USA
802-425--2421
Known For
  • Well-made espresso drinks with local Carrier Roasting beans
  • Chorizo breakfast burrito with house-made zingy cilantro sauce
  • Great mix of staples and high-end goods
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. No dinner.

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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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Onyx Tonics

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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.

126 College St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-777–2583
Known For
  • Local milk from Rogers Farmstead in Berlin, Vermont
  • The VT Big Easy, coffee and chicory mixed with milk and maple syrup
  • More than six single-origin coffees brewing

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Pearl Street Pizza

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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.

159 N. Main St., Montpelier, VT, 05641, USA
802-622--8600
Known For
  • Local mozzarella, real San Marzano tomatoes, cup-and-char pepperoni
  • Grandma pies and slices
  • Tom Cat Tiramisu made with local barrel-aged gin
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.--Mon. No lunch.

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Phelps Barn Pub at the Grafton Village Inn

$$

This wood-clad restaurant with a second-floor loft, hanging tea lights, and Vermont-inspired pub fare was originally a carriage house for the guests' horses at the Grafton Village Inn. Today, it's a beautiful and rustic spot for eating local, from cocktails with local spirits and muddled berries to a Vermont beef burger capped with Grafton cheddar cheese.

92 Main St., Grafton, VT, 05146, USA
802-843–2248
Known For
  • Rustic interiors with a sense of history
  • The Phelps burger with local beef and Grafton cheddar
  • Local ingredients as a member of the Vermont Fresh Network
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Pizzeria Verita

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"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.

156 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT, USA
802-489–5644
Known For
  • Excellent cocktails, especially the house Negroni
  • Wood-fired Neopolitan pizza with seasonal toppings
  • Farm-sourced ingredients
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch

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The Prince and the Pauper

$$$$

Modern French and American fare with a Vermont accent is the focus of this candle lighted Colonial restaurant off the town green, with three-course prix-fixe meals. A less expensive bistro menu is available in the lounge.

24 Elm St., Woodstock, VT, 05091, USA
802-457–1818
Known For
  • Artwork for sale
  • Seasonal sips with local spirits
  • Prix-fixe menu with choice of appetizer, salad, and entrée
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.
Reservations required.

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Ransom Tavern

$$

Arrive early for a seat at the wraparound bar and a perfectly made Negroni. The wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas are excellent, as is the inventive cocktail list and the plentiful supply of local beers on draft.

4778 South Rd., Woodstock, VT, 05071, USA
802-457–1473
Known For
  • Wood-fired pizza topped with Gorgonzola, caramelized onions, prosciutto di Parma, maple syrup
  • Craft cocktail and local drafts
  • Farm-fresh ingredients
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.--Tues.

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The Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant

$$$$

The dining room at this luxurious inn is a large, modern space where rich woods and high ceilings meld into a kind of "nouveau Vermont" aesthetic. The contemporary American cuisine emphasizes farm-to-table ingredients and has earned the restaurant "Gold Barn" honors from the Vermont Fresh Network.

39 West Rd., Manchester, VT, 05254, USA
800-822–2331
Known For
  • Wine list
  • Chef-of-the-year award by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
  • Lobster-and-Brie fondue
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Restaurant Poco

$$

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. 

55 Main St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-497--2587
Known For
  • Walk-in only
  • Small plates to share
  • Cozy atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.--Tues. No lunch.

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Roots

$$

Since opening in 2011, chef--owner Donald Billings has created a locavore restaurant driven by ingredients made within miles of the dining room. Humanely raised livestock and Vermont-grown produce is the inspiration behind menu favorites like laden cheese boards, braised pork belly, and homemade Parker House rolls served warm with Vermont butter. Save room for dessert, including the daily-changing crème brûlée.

55 Washington St., Rutland, VT, 05701, USA
802-747–7414
Known For
  • Vermont beers and spirits
  • Frequently changing locavore menu
  • Seasonal specials such as lobster roll Wednesdays
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Royal Oak Coffee

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After a decade of fine-tuning their skills and tastebuds in the coffee industry, Royal Oak co-owners Alessandra and Matthew Delia-Lobo opened their own café on Seymour Street, a cozy spot to hole up for a while. The menu, featuring beans from Burlington-based Vivid Coffee Roasters, is known for shaken ice maple lattes in the summer and frothy cardamom-vanilla lattes in the winter (a seasonal special that, say the Delia-Lobos, now never leaves the menu due to popularity).

30 Seymour St., Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
802-349–1609
Known For
  • Specialty lattes using scratch-made syrups
  • Cold brew
  • Gibralters, hot and iced

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Rustic Roots

$$

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.

195 Falls Rd., Shelburne, VT, 05482, USA
802-985–9511
Known For
  • House-cured ham and loaded quiches
  • Call-ahead waitlist (instead of reservations)
  • Bloody Marys
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner.
Reservations only for parties of 8 or more

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