Burlington, VT- Food Guide

A flight of ciders at Citizen Brewery

A flight of ciders at Citizen Brewery

Burlington is filled to the brim with good food (and drink)!

I was lucky to live in Burlington for four years as a student at the University of Vermont and made my way around the city’s wonderful food options during that time. Sadly, since my time living there, there are a few places wonderful places no longer in business (looking at you Magnolia, Red Onion, and New Moon!) but also a number of great new additions to Burlington, and I enjoy discovering new spots every time I visit!

Let’s start with breakfast / lunch / brunch options:

  1. Penny Cluse Cafe. This is my go to breakfast/lunch/brunch spot. It’s so good! My go-to’s are the chorizo and egg tacos, the banana bread, and the biscuits and herb gravy. You won’t regret checking out this place! pennycluse.com

  2. Skinny Pancake. This beautiful waterfront creperie features both sweet and savory options. Try the pesto and cheddar or the strawberry and nutella! skinnypancake.com

  3. August First Bakery. Featuring fresh daily pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch options, this spot has always been a favorite of mine. augustfirstvt.com

  4. Four Corners of the Earth Deli- if you’re craving a good sandwich, you can’t go wrong with anything at Four Corners. I love the Tuscan Prosciutto, and the Sicilian Eggplant! fourcornersdeli.com

  5. New World Tortilla- maybe I’m just nostalgic because the Thai Chicken Wrap was a staple of mine back when I was a student but really, these fresh baked tortillas are GOOD. You can’t go wrong ordering a burrito of any kind here. newworldtortilla.com

  6. Sweetwaters Bistro- if you’re looking for a relaxed full service lunch spot with great people watching, this is the perfect spot. This is a Burlington staple, and with ample outdoor seating, a perfect spot to enjoy a burger on a sunny day. sweetwatersvt.com

Brunch at Penny Cluse!

Brunch at Penny Cluse!

Okay next let’s talk about dinner options. Burlington has no shortage of great spots!

  1. Juniper at Hotel Vermont. Juniper is one of my favorite spots. Located in Hotel Vermont, this spot is warm and inviting and features delicious local favorites. hotelvt.com/eat-drink/juniper/

  2. Hen of the Wood. This is the sister location to the Waterbury VT location (and also the same team behind Doc Ponds in Stowe and Prohibition Pig in Waterbury) and is truly exquisite. The food is as local as it gets, and menus change daily. Definitely don’t miss this place. henofthewood.com

  3. Bleu Northeast Kitchen. Featuring local and sustainable dishes, this upscale spot has delicious seafood, meat, and vegetarian options. bleuvt.com

  4. Daily Planet. This restaurant has a laid back eclectic vibe and a solid, locally sourced dinner menu with small plates like carnitas tacos and seared cauliflower and classic mains like steak frites. Worth a visit for lunch, dinner, or late night! dailyplanetvt.com

  5. American Flatbread. If you’re looking for a good pizza, this is the spot. Featuring local Vermont cheeses and inventive pizza creations, these wood fired pies are the perfect dish. Enjoy alongside a craft beer by Zero Gravity and you have a perfect Friday night in Burlington. americanflatbread.com

  6. Farmhouse Tap & Grill. This farm to table gastropub features local burgers, dinner plates, snacks, and a wide selection of craft beers. farmhousetg.com

  7. Leunigs. This french bistro is perfectly located on the busy Church Street and features delicious french fare. It has a great patio for warmer days and a cozy interior for colder times. Try the duck confit poutine, oyster trio, and beef bourguignon! leunigsbistro.com

  8. Honey Road. This newer restaurant should not be missed. Featuring Eastern Mediterranean small plates, this women owned and operated cozy Church St spot is a must! honeyroadrestaurant.com

Next up, three great brewery options:

  • Citizen Cider Tasting Room. Enjoy a flight of ciders or a cider cocktail with a burger or soft pretzel in this fun pub. citizencider.com

  • Foam Brewers. Check out this waterfront brewery for their seasonal craft brews and snack on a local charcuterie and cheese board. foambrewers.com

  • Zero Gravity Taproom. This Pine St spot has a large patio and indoor seating and is a great place to check out their latest drafts and snacks. zerogravitybeer.com

Coffee / Tea

  • Speeder and Earl’s. This was a staple coffee shop during my time living in Burlington. They roast their beans in VT and have a number of delicious blends available for purchase or stop by their Pine St location for an excellent latte. speederandearls.com

  • Muddy Waters. This Main Street located coffeehouse is a great spot for coffee or specialty drinks and has a cozy eclectic vibe. @muddywatersvt

  • Dobra Tea. This lovely tea room is centrally located on Church Street and features of menu of over 100 teas. dobrateavt.com

Grocery

Last but not least, I couldn’t skip mentioning City Market in this food guide! City Market is a truly awesome, local co-op grocery store and features tons of local products, prepared foods, and is a great spot to stock up on local cheeses! citymarket.coop

Enjoying a sweet crepe at Skinny Pancake in Burlington!

Enjoying a sweet crepe at Skinny Pancake in Burlington!

If you’re looking to book a stay in Burlington, check out my post on Hotel Vermont here!

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