The largest city in Vermont, Burlington is a mecca for foodies.
A leader in farm-to-table dining, this picturesque city is home to many farmers’ markets and restaurants serving locally inspired meals and seasonal delicacies.
It’s all about locally grown fare in Burlington. In fact, it seems impossible to find a dining establishment in the Green Mountain state that doesn’t offer locally grown fresh flavorsome seasonal foods.
The best thing about dining in Burlington is that it offers something for every traveler. Whether you wish to enjoy fine dining and wine pairing at classy dining establishments or wish to try humble local dishes in casual eateries, there is so much to choose from.
To help you make the most of your trip to Vermont, we’ve put together a list of the best restaurants in Burlington.
Best Restaurants in Burlington, VT
Hen of the Wood
- Address: 55 Cherry St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-540-0534
With fresh produce delivered daily from nearby farms, Hen of the Wood is a lovely restaurant in Burlington that offers farm-to-table dining. This welcoming dining establishment offers a daily-changing menu depending on what is in season.
Chef-owner Eric Warnstedt’s team prepares delicious meals at Hen of the Wood. You will have an opportunity to see a glimpse of chefs at work through the open-plan kitchen.
Guests can choose from a selection of plates for two, entrees, and appetizers. From seafood and meat dishes to plenty of vegan options, there is plenty to choose from on the menu.
Because the menu changes frequently, expect seasonal dishes built around local ingredients rather than a fixed lineup. The drinks list is also impressive with options like craft cocktails, wines, and locally sourced beers.
Istanbul Kebab House
- Address: 175 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-857-5091
In the mood for some Turkish cuisine while staying in Burlington? Pay a visit to the Istanbul Kebab House on lower Church Street and enjoy authentic Turkish dishes without breaking the bank.
Opened by Turkish immigrants, this cozy eatery serves a variety of salads, soups, appetizers, and desserts. The ingredients are imported from Turkey by the owners, Hasan, Vural, and Jackie Oktay.
Chef Veli Cetin prepares the most delicious meat and seafood kebabs and traditional Turkish casseroles. You also have to try the maple baklava and Turkish rice pudding.
Don’t leave this unassuming restaurant in Burlington before trying their Turkish coffee and wine which is available by the bottle or glass. If you are visiting in summer, book a table on their beautiful canopy-covered rooftop.
American Flatbread
- Address: 115 St Paul St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-861-2999
American Flatbread has a Burlington Hearth location right here in the city.
The restaurant is all about a lively atmosphere, flatbread with organic toppings, in-house craft brews, and a range of wood-fired pizzas. It’s a restaurant where wheat for the pizza is organically grown and where everything you order feels like a gastronomic treat.
Needless to say, pizza at American Flatbread is made on- the- spot in a huge oven made of stone. What should I order? American Flatbread pizza topped with creamy mozzarella and Grana Padano cheese is to die for.
If you wish to eat healthily, we recommend getting the Medicine Wheel with fresh herbs. You will also find a variety of desserts and salads on the food menu.
The drinks list is also cool with craft beers brewed on-site, cocktails, and wines. We recommend checking the current reservation options before you go, especially for larger groups.
Honey Road
- Address: 156 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-497-2145
Located in the city center of Burlington, Honey Road is an award-winning restaurant that offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. Foodies are in love with this place for a reason.
The restaurant’s chef has been recognized by the James Beard Awards in the Best Chef: Northeast category. Honey Road has also received James Beard Award recognition.
The food menu focuses on veggies and each dish is prepared using locally sourced ingredients. The fried eggplant topped with amba is a must-order dish, as well as the homemade pita and baklava. Menus and specific dishes may rotate, but seafood lovers will usually find bright, flavorful options on the menu.
If you wish to have some meat and enjoy a fusion of fresh flavors in your mouth we recommend getting the lamb and red pepper kofta.
Juniper
- Address: 41 Cherry St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-651-5027
Juniper Bar and Restaurant at Hotel Vermont is one of the finest dining establishments in Burlington. With its stylish interior and a picturesque patio that offers magnificent sunset views of Lake Champlain, Juniper is also one of the most beautiful restaurants on this list.
Open for breakfast, brunch, and dinner, the restaurant is all about farm-to-table dining. Menus can change with the season, but the kitchen stays focused on Vermont ingredients and local producers.
The leek and mushroom tart is a delicious starter. If you wish to feast on fresh fish and seafood, check the current menu for seasonal fish and seafood dishes.
The drinks menu at Juniper is fantastic and super local. From Vermont-made ciders and chamomile-infused gin to locally made spirits, there is plenty to choose from.
Want to visit this hotel restaurant for brunch? Check the current brunch menu for popular dishes built around local ingredients.
Pho Hong
- Address: 325 N Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-865-8031
No list of the best restaurants in Burlington would be complete without mentioning the legendary Pho Hong.
Don’t expect anything fancy when visiting this Vietnamese Restaurant. The interior is pretty much basic with landscape paintings decorating the walls.
However, the food here at Pho Hong is amazing. The steaming bowls of pho promise to be a real treat for your taste buds.
The restaurant also offers a range of noodles, as well as tasty stir-fries and curries. Other popular dishes on the menu include grilled fish, cha ca, and Mi Xao Don (noodles with chunks of beef).
What we like about this place is that the food is reasonably priced and that they have a BYOB policy.
If you wish to enjoy delicious Asian foods without breaking the bank in Burlington, look no further than Pho Hong.
Related: 20 Best Vietnamese Food
Trattoria Delia
- Address: 152 St Paul St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-864-5253
Opened back in 1993, Trattoria Delia is a family-owned restaurant that offers authentic Italian dishes served in a trattoria-style setting.
Situated inside a 19th-century building, this place looks amazing. The restaurant’s exposed old stone walls, wooden ceiling beams, and the dim light from the traditional lamps make a perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. It’s a great place to go on a romantic date with that special someone.
What’s good to order at this Italian trattoria? Torchio Con Ragu is for pasta lovers. Beef pork and sauce Bolognese go perfectly together with Grana Padano cheese.
You can also get their signature seafood soup called acqua pizza or go for the classic lasagne. Fan of chicken? Order Pollo al mattone (marinated chicken with potatoes).
Farmhouse Tap & Grill
- Address: 160 Bank St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-859-0888
Located on Bank Street in Burlington, Farmhouse Tap & Grill is a great place to feast on juicy burgers and enjoy craft beers. The restaurant has a lovely beer garden and alongside burgers offers a full menu of tasty seasonal dishes. Visitors like the freshly made Jericho Settlers Farm salad and the local Vermont cheddar ale soup.
If you are into seafood, ordering something from the restaurant’s Raw Bar is simply a must. Other popular items on the menu include classics like pork schnitzel, mac and cheese, and fish and chips.
The drinks list is impressive. This comes as no surprise, as Farmhouse Tap & Grill is one of the best drinking dens here in Burlington. They have a deep craft beer list that often includes Vermont favorites.
Alongside an extensive beer list, Farmhouse Tap & Grill also serves spirits, wines, and some American craft whiskeys. The interior with a roaring fireplace and communal seating also looks spectacular.
If you are visiting in summer, book a table at their outdoor patio and enjoy hearty pub grub classics and craft beers.
August First
- Address: 149 S Champlain St, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: +1 802-540-0060
We decided to include a cool bakery on this list of the best restaurants in Burlington. Welcome to August First, a charming café and bakery offering breakfast, brunch, and lunch. With both indoor and outdoor areas, the café is known for its delicious freshly baked bread and pastries.
On the menu, you will find everything from skillets and sandwiches to a variety of pastries, healthy salads, and soups. August First is a reasonably priced joint that attracts lots of locals.
We should also mention that vegan customers won’t stay hungry here, as the bakery offers plenty of vegan foods and can remove animal ingredients from most dishes found on the menu.
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Conclusion
If you are visiting Vermont, spending a weekend in Burlington is definitely something you should add to your bucket list of things to do. It’s a beautiful city with a truly awesome foodie scene.
What we like is that there is something for everyone. You can grab a glass of craft beer and eat pub grub, enjoy authentic farm-to-table dining, or feast on Vietnamese, Italian, and Middle Eastern fare.