Best Restaurants In Burlington, VT: The Ultimate Guide

While there’s no denying that Vermont is one of the smaller states in the country, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any delicious restaurants there for you to try and enjoy.

Best Restaurants In Burlington, VT: The Ultimate Guide

So much so, in fact, that Burlington is home to one of the most thriving dining scenes in the country!

In particular, Burlington is known for its emphasis on locally sourced foods, which means that Burlingtom, Vermont is currently one of the only states in the country that has a major farm-to-table dining style across the majority of their restaurants.

The Only question is, which restaurants are worth trying? If you’ve got an upcoming trip to Burlington, Vermont planned and you’re in need of some recommendations during your stay there- rest assured that you have clicked on the right article!

In this guide, we are going to be talking you through all of the best restaurants worthy of trying during your stay in Burlington!

From cozy restaurants that boast some of the best soul food in the country, all the way to fine dining restaurants for an experience like no other – this guide to the best restaurants in Vermont has something for everyone.

Just keep on reading to discover all the best restaurants in Burlington, Vermont!

1. Farmhouse Tap And Grill

Kicking this guide off, we have selected the Farmhouse Tap and Grill! If you want to discover a restaurant that boasts plenty of locally sourced foods and a welcoming environment that will make you wanna come back for more – Farmhouse Tap and Grill won’t disappoint!

One of the most popular grills in Burlington, the Farmhouse Tap and Grill is known for its vast menu that specializes in a variety of different dishes including everything from delicious charcuterie boards worthy of being posted on anyone’s social media feeds, all the way to comforting soul food favorites like burgers and fries.

Plus, besides the delicious food options that you can choose from on the menu (trust us, the menu is so fast that you’ll likely find yourself going back for a repeat visit during your stay) Farmhouse Tap and Grill also boasts an impressive selection of alcoholic beverages, including a variety of craft beers straight from the tap.

Ideal for couples, groups of friends and even families – it’s also worth noting that this grill is split into sections.

That being said, if you are interested in trying out some of the alcoholic beverages that this grill offers – you’ll be able to head down to the basement area, as this is where the bar is located.

Oh, and did we mention that the Farmhouse Tap and Grill is also home to plenty of live events throughout the year? That’s right!

During the summer months especially, you will be able to enjoy a variety of live entertainment while you eat, including live music and other performances.

Whether you’re planning on visiting Burlington in the summer months or another time of the year – the Farmhouse Tap and Grill won’t disappoint!

2. Farmers And Foragers Food Truck

In the mood for something quick and delicious? If you answered yes to that question, then trust us when we say that you need to make sure that you visit Farmers and Foragers Food Truck at least once during your time in Vermont!

As you might have already guessed from the name, the Farmers and Foragers Food Truck is one of the most popular food trucks available in Burlington!

It’s currently located on the dockside area of the Burlington Harbor Marina, and comes complete with a casual dining area where you will be able to take in some stunning views of the harbor.

While this might not be the option for you if you’re looking to enjoy a fine dining experience, if you’re planning on going for a stroll around the harbor area of Burlington during your time in Vermont and happen to work up an appetite while doing it – stopping by the Farmers and Foragers Food Truck will allow you to tuck into a variety of freshly prepared food options including desserts, small bites and even an alcoholic beverage.

Oh, and did we mention that everything that is offered by the Farmers and Foragers Food Truck can be hand-held?

Thanks to this, it means that you will be able to easily continue exploring  the harbor area of Burlington while enjoying all of the tasty offerings this food truck has to offer! It’s definitely worth paying a visit while you’re in Burlington, Vermont.

3. Penny Cluse Cafe

Next up on our list, we have the Penny Cluse Cafe! If you’ve already taken the time to visit Burlington, Vermont, then we’re sure that you might already be familiar with this cute and quaint little cafe!

One of the most popular brunch spots in the Burlington area – the Penny Cluse Cafe comes complete with an extensive menu that will have your mouth watering the moment that you start to read it!

There’s plenty of different food items on the menu to choose from, with some of the bestsellers including huevos rancheros, buttermilk biscuits, pancakes and so much more.

Plus, if you do decide to take a trip down to the Penny Cluse Cafe while in Burlington, you’ll be in great company.

Besides being a hit with the locals, the Penny Cluse Cafe is also a popular dining location for the stars – with some noteworthy names including Bernie Sanders, Elijah Wood and even President Joe Biden!

As a side note, if you are currently thinking about paying a visit to Penny Cluse Cafe during your time in Vermont, we highly recommend that you make sure to plan ahead prior to paying a visit there.

As you might have already been able to guess, the Penny Cluse Cafe is a very popular dining location, which means that it’s often fully booked!

In order to make sure that you are able to avoid disappointment, we recommend that you make sure to arrive as early as you can on the day of your planned visit.

At the time of writing this guide, the Penny Cluse Cafe does not currently accept any reservations, so it’s a first come first serve basis.

4. Tiny Thai

If you’re a lover of Thai food, then look no further than Tiny Thai! Tiny Thai is one of the most popular Thai restaurants in the Burlington area. Located directly outside of the city in the Winooski area  – the Tiny Thai restaurant has quickly built up quite the reputation!

Besides being one of the most popular restaurants for providing authentic and delicious Thai food, Tiny Thai only offers dishes that you would be able to get directly from Thailand.

So much so, that Tiny Thai even features its very own menu called Genuine Thai, which you can request to order from if you want to make sure that you are only planning to try dishes that come directly from Thailand. Impressive or what?

Keep in mind, however, that the dishes featured on this special menu are very hot, so make sure to keep this in mind when ordering from this spot.

Not only that, but Tiny Thai even features a variety of dishes on the menu that are suitable for those that require gluten-free dishes, as well as an assortment of different vegetarian and vegan dishes to choose from and enjoy, too!

However, please make sure to keep in mind that Tiny Thai can get very busy! That being said, we recommend that you consider thinking about phoning ahead of time to see if there are any reservation spots you can book.

5. Istanbul Kebab House

Keeping with the theme of casual dining spots worthy of paying a visit to – the Istanbul Kebab House is the place to be if you’re a fan of Turkish food!

Offering a relaxed and laid back atmosphere ideal for those on the search for a relaxed and laid back dining experience, the Istanbul Kebab House hasn’t accumulated hundreds and hundreds of 5-star reviews for no reason!

If you’re interested in trying this restaurant out next time you decide to pay a visit to Vermont, you’ll be in for a  treat. This restaurant has a calming ambience, great music and plenty of welcoming staff that’s sure to make you feel right at home straight away.

As for the food? It doesn’t matter whether you’ve never had the chance to try Turkish food before, because you’re simply sure to find something on the menu that you will love.

Just like the name suggests, the Istanbul Kebab House specializes in kebabs, so it should come as no surprise to hear that it’s a favorite on the menu, too!

Still, if you’re not a huge fan of kebabs – then we think that you might also be pleased to learn that there’s a variety of other options that you can try from the menu, including Turkish favorites such as Maple Baklava (which is totally delicious) as well as Turkish Rice Pudding as well as Turkish Coffee that’s authentically made with sand!

All that being said, if you’re in the mood to spend the evening living it up in Istanbul – this restaurant is the place to be! Be warned, though, the food here is so good, you just might find yourself coming back for more.

6. Juniper Restaurant And Bar

In the mood for a fine dining experience like no other that also just so happens to have a relaxed atmosphere? If you are, the Juniper Restaurant and Bar needs to be on your radar during your stay in Burlington! There’s so much to love about the Juniper Restaurant and Bar.

Offering something for everyone to enjoy, the Juniper Restaurant and Bar comes complete with modern decor, a relaxed atmosphere, great food and stunning views of the waterfront! Does it get any better than that?

Offering plenty of versatility for you to choose from, the Juniper Bar and Restaurant offers a variety of dishes that can be enjoyed all throughout the day, as well as a popular breakfast menu available until 11.

Plus, offering a dish that’s sure to impress even the fussiest of water, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of dishes if you decide to eat at Juniper, including favorites such as Montreal spiced brisket poutine and even red flannel hash. Yum!

7. Leunig’s Bistro

Do you love French cuisine? If you do, then you’ll be making the right choice to go ahead and pay a visit to Leunig’s Bistro during your time in Burlington, Vermont! Let’s take a closer look at this restaurant below:

There’s so much to love about Leunig’s Bistro! The only restaurant in Burlington dedicated to offering strictly French cuisine, this is the perfect place to head to if you’re in the mood to be transpiled to France for a few hours.

A favorite among visitors to Burlington and locals to the area, alike – Leunig’s Bistro offers a variety of authentic French food dishes that will leave your mouth watering for more, including dishes such as salade nicoise, escargot soup and even snails if you’re feeling daring!

Plus, an ideal place to go for all of the family, rest assured that Lenuig’s Bistro offers food dishes on their menu that will suit even the fussiest of eaters.

On the children’s menu, for example, you will find a variety of American-style dishes such as fried chicken and fries, burgers, fries and even a delicious caesar salad.

8. Misery Loves Company

Last but certainly not least, the final restaurant that we have to recommend to you is Misery Loves Company! This is another one of Burlington’s famous farm-to-table eateries, and is located in the Winooski area of Vermont which is right outside of Burlington.

Perfect for eating in or even taking away – Misery Loves Company offers plenty of versatility when it comes to deciding how you want to enjoy your food.

As you might have come to expect from the standard of restaurants within Burlington – Misery Loves Company is simply sure to impress.

Offering a variety of different dishes on their versatile menu, Misery Loves Company has a variety of popular meals that you will be able to choose from with an emphasis on soul food style dishes such as fried chicken, BBQ wraps, cheesy fries and so much more.

The Bottom Line

We’ve made it to the end! Now you’ve taken the time to read this far, we are hoping that you now have a much better idea of what some of the best restaurants in the Burlington area of Vermont are.

As you will have been able to see from the list that we have shared with you above, there are plenty of amazing restaurants to choose from. The only question is, which will you head to first?

As a final parting note – before you go ahead and click off this article, why don’t you consider giving this guide a bookmark?

That way, if you ever need to come back and refresh your knowledge on what the most delicious restaurants in the Burlington area are – you will know exactly where to find us.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and goodbye for now! We hope you have a great time in Burlington, Vermont.

Alex Kallen
Scroll to Top