A Culinary Journey Through Flavor and Adventure
Vermont’s culinary landscape offers a blend of tradition, innovation, and unforgettable experiences. From mountain top breweries and scenic farmstands to immersive dining experiences, Vermont welcomes you to savor the extraordinary at every turn.
Here is a guide to some of Vermont’s finest spots, where each visit becomes a unique adventure in flavor.
Après Like a Local
Après in Vermont combines local craft flavors with inviting atmospheres. These spots offer unique settings for an après experience with a Vermont twist.
Lot Six Brewing
Cambridge
A short walk from Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Lot Six Brewing serves eclectic pub fare and brews exclusive to their brewpub. Enjoy offerings like karaage chicken sandwiches and tater-tot poutine for an après experience that’s both cozy and adventurous.
Main & Mountain
Ludlow
Main & Mountain, located near Okemo Mountain Resort, combines a cocktail bar with a 13-room modern motel. Known for innovative cocktails and mocktails and a locally curated beer list, the indoor and outdoor spaces, complete with firepits and comfy seating, invite you to relax in style.
Insider Tip: Try a cocktail or mocktail made with their house-made bubblegum syrup.
WhistlePig Pavilion
Stowe
Nestled at the base of Spruce Peak, WhistlePig Pavilion offers seasonal menus featuring fire-baked raclette and rye whiskey cocktails during winter and BBQ and cocktails in summer. With pergolas overlooking the slopes and an inviting fireplace, this spot is a year-round destination for Vermont-inspired après.
Snow Republic Brewery
Dover
Located near Mount Snow, Snow Republic Brewery combines West Coast vibes with Vermont charm. Founded by a Marine Corps veteran, the brewery offers a laid-back atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to relax après-ski with a locally crafted brew and a chill community vibe.
Johnny Seesaw’s Restaurant
Peru
Since the 1920s, Johnny Seesaw’s has offered a welcoming après-ski experience steeped in history. From hearty meals after skiing Bromley to gatherings in the Warming Hut, it’s a timeless Vermont destination for food and community.
Honored Bites and Sips
Vermont’s culinary stars offer dishes that are as artful as they are delicious, and these award-winning spots highlight the state’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
Solo Farm & Table
South Londonderry
Four-time James Beard semifinalist SoLo Farm & Table features a seasonal menu that is driven by sustainable practices and produce grown on their own land. With a focus on creative, quality ingredients, SoLo offers a dining experience that’s both inspiring and delicious.
Honey Road
Burlington
Honey Road specializes in Eastern Mediterranean-inspired plates. Known for family-style dishes with Vermont ingredients and Middle Eastern flavors, the restaurant creates a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where every meal is an exploration of spices, textures, and tradition. Chef Cara Tobin and pastry chef Amanda Wildermuth are James Beard semifinalists, making Honey Road a top culinary destination.
Barr Hill
Montpelier
A James Beard nominee and semifinalist for Outstanding Bar, Barr Hill is known as America’s most awarded gin distillery. Celebrating the connection between Vermont’s agriculture and cocktail culture, Barr Hill offers craft cocktails, tours, and classes. Each bottle highlights Vermont’s natural resources, making it a must-visit destination for spirit enthusiasts.
Saap Northern Thai Cuisine
Randolph
James Beard Award-winning chef Nisachon Morgan brings northern Thai flavors to Vermont, featuring Isaan-style dishes prepared with traditional techniques like wood-fired grilling. Known for its vibrant, complex flavors served family-style, Saap offers a lively dining experience.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss their crisp fried whole red snapper, frequently featured on their specials menu.
Haymaker Bun Company
Middlebury, Burlington
This James Beard-semifinalist bakery specializes in brioche buns with a variety of sweet and savory fillings, using seasonal ingredients and Vermont-sourced products. Perched above Otter Creek, Haymaker Bun Company offers river views and a cozy atmosphere perfect for savoring a pastry, espresso, or weekend brunch.
Smugglers’ Notch Distillery
Cambridge
Founded by a father-son team, Smugglers’ Notch Distillery produces award-winning vodka, bourbon, and maple cream liqueur. This distillery brings local character and a dedication to the craft in every pour, making it a staple in Vermont’s spirits scene.
Unexpected Dining Delights
Vermont’s culinary surprises come in many forms. These eateries are hidden gems offering unique dining in unpredicted places.
Cai’s Dim Sum Catering and Art Gallery
Brattleboro
Cai’s brings authentic Chinese dim sum to Vermont, blending beauty with cuisine, all served from the kitchen of their art gallery. Owner and artist Cai Xi Silver pairs the flavors of Sichuan and Shanghai with locally sourced ingredients, creating an experience that connects food with community.
Depot 62
Manchester
Depot 62 offers a Turkish-inspired menu, including slow-cooked dishes in a hand-built wood-fired oven, alongside its eclectic furnishings. Serving meals in earthenware pots, this café brings the communal spirit of Turkish dining to Vermont in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Warm Turkish Pide Bread comes with your meal; perfect for sopping up all the flavor in your dish.
The Garden of Eatin’ Café
Williston
Located in Gardener’s Supply Company, this greenhouse café serves soups, sandwiches, and salads in a lush, plant-filled environment. Visitors can enjoy a meal surrounded by greenery, making it the perfect stop for fresh food in a serene setting.
curATE Café
Manchester
curATE Café offers a dinner menu of artfully curated small plates, salads, and artisanal sandwiches and flatbreads in the artful setting of the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Savor a thoughtfully crafted meal and a beverage from the bar while enjoying the museum’s art and beautiful grounds.
Harry’s Hardware
Cabot
New England’s only bar within a hardware store, blending community spirit with Vermont craft beer, small plates, and a full selection of hardware essentials. Women-owned and -operated, Harry’s Hardware has evolved into a local gathering place where hardware meets hospitality.
Meals With a View
These Vermont restaurants pair stunning landscapes with thoughtfully prepared cuisine, making every meal a feast for the senses.
Simon Pearce Restaurant
Quechee
Set above the Ottauquechee River waterfall, Simon Pearce offers farm-fresh dishes served in handblown glassware and pottery made onsite. With a romantic ambiance and river views, it’s a striking dining experience that blends natural beauty with culinary creativity.
The Pier Bar at North Hero House
North Hero
Located on Lake Champlain’s historic Steamship Pier, The Pier Bar serves classic summer fare, making it a quintessential seasonal lakeside dining spot. Relax in their Adirondack seating while taking in panoramic mountain and lake views.
Insider Tip: The Pier Bar is first-come, first-served, so arrive early to enjoy lobster rolls and margaritas.
Cliff House
Stowe
Perched atop Mount Mansfield, Cliff House serves locally inspired cuisine with panoramic views of Vermont’s highest peaks. Accessible via gondola, the restaurant offers an unforgettable lunch experience surrounded by alpine landscapes and mountain air.
Waterworks
Winooski
Set in the historic Champlain Mill, Waterworks combines creative American cuisine with views of the Winooski River. Nearly every seat offers a scenic river view, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing meal in a unique setting.
Lake House Pub & Grille
Castleton
On the shores of Lake Bomoseen, Lake House Pub & Grille offers seafood-focused summer dishes with a lakeside view. Grab a seat on the outdoor patio next to a cozy fire to enjoy live music and the scenic views while you experience the flavors of Vermont’s warmer months.
Patios for You and Your Pup
Vermont’s dog-friendly patios offer welcoming spaces to enjoy local fare with your furry friend, making outdoor dining accessible and relaxed. Check out the Vermont Brewers Association’s Dog Friendly Beer Trail if you’re traveling with your pup.
The Taproom at Lake Bomoseen
Castleton
The Taproom offers craft brews, classic pub fare, and a pet-friendly atmosphere. This lakeside spot is ideal for a summer day with your pup, featuring a dog-friendly patio and special treats for canine guests.
Drop-In Brewing
Middlebury
Housed in an old plumbing supply building, Drop-In Brewing serves craft beers and offers a welcoming patio for dogs. As a permanent home to the American Brewers Guild, it’s a unique spot that celebrates Vermont’s brewing heritage in a casual, pet-friendly setting.
Blue Paddle Bistro
South Hero
Nestled in the scenic Lake Champlain Islands, Blue Paddle Bistro offers delicious, unpretentious fare in a welcoming atmosphere. During the summer, their dog-friendly outdoor dining area makes it a perfect spot to enjoy a meal with your furry companion.
Rochester
Maple Soul offers New England comfort, serving dishes crafted from ingredients sourced from over 30 local farms. This dog-friendly farm-to-table gem invites guests to savor their creative menu in a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere.
Prohibition Pig
Waterbury
Prohibition Pig combines Southern-inspired barbecue with local craft brews, making it a favorite for foodies. The dog-friendly patio at the Back Bar offers a relaxed setting where visitors can enjoy food and drinks alongside their four-legged friends
Pizza Worth the Trip
Vermont’s pizzerias combine locally sourced ingredients with wood-fired flavors, creating pizzas that are a unique experience not to be missed.
Pizzeria Verita
Burlington
Pizzeria Verita brings authentic Neapolitan pizza to the heart of Burlington, using traditional techniques and a wood-fired oven to achieve the perfect crust. Each pizza features farm-fresh, locally sourced ingredients alongside quality Italian imports.
American Flatbread
Burlington, Middlebury, Stowe, Waitsfield, Dover
Combining wood-fired cooking with fresh, local ingredients, American Flatbread is known for its flavorful, all-natural flatbreads baked in a primitive wood-fired earthen oven. This iconic pizzeria captures the essence of Vermont’s farm-to-table ethos.
The Parker Pie Company
West Glover
Located in Lake Parker Country Store, The Parker Pie Company uses local ingredients to craft creative pizzas. This community-centered spot combines great food with a welcoming atmosphere, making it a hidden gem in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
Pearl Street Pizza
Barre
Pearl Street Pizza, opened by three New England Culinary Institute grads, brings pizza to Barre with a striking blue-and-white-tiled, wood-fired oven as its centerpiece. Featuring Neapolitan and grandma-style pizzas, and a curated selection of cocktails, wine, and craft beer, Pearl Street Pizza is not to be missed.
The Tillerman
Bristol
Located in a historic 1790s farmhouse, The Tillerman serves seasonal, wood-fired fare with ingredients sourced from nearby farms, including artisan pizzas made with Vermont’s local produce and Elmore Mountain Bread flour.
Artisan Sips and Spirits
Explore Vermont’s craft beverage scene, where distilleries, breweries, and vineyards offer unique flavors inspired by local ingredients.
Bent Hill Brewery
Braintree
Nestled in the hills, Bent Hill Brewery uses local ingredients to create small-batch beers. The brewery pairs its brews with a plant-based menu and views of Vermont’s scenic landscape, making it a peaceful retreat for beer lovers.
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Greensboro
Set in the Northeast Kingdom, Hill Farmstead Brewery combines eight generations of family heritage with innovative brewing practices. Known for handcrafted beers that have been named Best in the World and a picturesque location, Hill Farmstead offers a unique Vermont brewing experience.
Snow Farm Vineyard
South Hero
Snow Farm Vineyard’s wines reflect the Champlain Islands’ unique climate, offering a wide variety of styles and flavors. With indoor and outdoor seating, including a new distillery offering gin and liqueurs, Snow Farm Vineyard is an oasis for wine and spirits enthusiasts.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss music in the vineyard; enjoy weekly live concerts from June through early September.
14th Star Brewing Co.
St. Albans
14th Star Brewing Co., an award-winning craft brewery in St. Albans, was founded by best friends and brothers in arms who first drafted the business plan while serving in Afghanistan. Stop by the taproom for both classic favorites and small-batch experimental brews.
Putney Mountain Winery
Putney, Quechee
Putney Mountain Winery crafts exceptional Vermont fruit wines known for their complexity and finesse, offering everything from sparkling wines to dessert wines that elevate any occasion. Also try their small-batch, locally sourced spirits.
Farm-to-Fork Creations
Vermont’s artisan chefs and food growers collaborate to craft thoughtfully curated menus that highlight the state’s seasonal bounty and showcase the finest locally sourced ingredients.
The Backroom
Pittsfield
At The Backroom, dining is a dynamic experience, with menus that change nightly to highlight the local produce and meats. Emphasizing the bounty of Vermont’s farms, each meal is crafted with locally sourced ingredients, creating a unique and delicious journey.
Insider Tip: Enjoy an intimate dinner party-style meal and connect with fellow diners.
St. Albans
The Drake combines classic techniques with locally inspired flavors, offering dishes that showcase the richness of Vermont’s ingredients. With a rotating seasonal menu and inviting atmosphere, The Drake delivers a culinary experience that reflects the best of Vermont’s farm-to-table dining.
Roots the Restaurant
Rutland
Roots in Rutland champions local Vermont ingredients, transforming them into inspired dishes that reflect the seasons. With a dedication to sustainable sourcing, Roots is known for its inventive menu and commitment to the Vermont community, making each meal both fresh and thoughtfully prepared.
Sawmill Bar and Table
Dover
Sawmill Bar and Table blends classic recipes with a Vermont twist, focusing on the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from small local farms. With a menu that evolves with the seasons, Sawmill serves elegant dishes that showcase the best of the Green Mountains, often featuring ingredients grown in their own garden.
Vermont’s culinary gems offer more than just a meal; they provide a taste of the state’s culture, creativity, and community. Each destination invites you to connect with the people, places, and flavors that make Vermont a true destination for food lovers.
About the Vermont Inspiration Guide
This itinerary comes from the Vermont Inspiration Guide through a partnership between the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This free annual publication highlights Vermont’s restaurants, retailers, attractions, and outdoor adventures and can be ordered online along with other trip planning resources.