Foliage Travel | Editors’ Picks for Where to Eat in Northwest Vermont

Vermont is arguably New England’s top state for fall foliage color-seekers, so why not plan a delicious meal while you’re planning your driving route? Since the northwest city of Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain is a popular tourist spot in Vermont year-round, we’ve put together a list of our picks for where to eat in northwest Vermont (extending down through Montpelier and Warren) thanks to our 2011, 2012, and 2013 Editors Picks for the Best of New England. Of course, this is just one region of the beautiful state of Vermont. Check out our annual “Best of Vermont” editors’ choice picks for more food and dining picks throughout the state. If we’ve missed your favorite please share it with us in the comments below. BURLINGTON BEST GRILL The Farm House Tap & Grill, Burlington The Queen City’s newest destination eatery–an upscale, cheerful (and sometimes boisterous) spot–showcases local food, homemade charcuterie, and an abundance of beers and cheeses. Burgers are a standout. 160 Bank St. 802-859-0888; farmhousetg.com BEST BURGER MENU Rozzi’s Lakeshore Tavern & Restaurant, Colchester A 32-burger menu makes this Mallets Bay sports bar a Burlington-area favorite; selections include Cajun mushroom, escargot, and “Green Mountain” (cheddar, bacon, and apples). Full Entrée menu; lots of microbrews, and the fearsome two-pound “Dozer Challenge.” 1072 West Lakeshore Drive. 802-863-2342; rozzislakeshoretavern.com BEST FRENCH FRIES Al’s French Frys, South Burlington It’s really all about the spuds at Al’s–freshly cut, quickly blanched, and double-fried. A local institution since the late 1940s, Al’s was named one of “America’s Classics” by the James Beard Foundation. 1251 Williston Road. 802-862-9203; alsfrenchfrys.com BEST ECLECTIC BISTRO Daily Planet, Burlington Light bistro dishes range from Southern fried chicken to sweet-potato yellow curry to pan-roasted duck breast with BBQ peach glaze. In the solarium, gaze up to watch the night sky, or catch the changing local art on the walls. 15 Center St. 802-862-9647; dailyplanet15.com BEST CREPES Skinny Pancake, Burlington With savory crepes featuring local apples and Cabot cheese, or sweet ones such as the “Choco-Monkey” (Nutella and banana slices), Skinny Pancake suits most tastes. Elaborate dinner crêpes (such as Thai veggies and noodles) are available Thursday through Saturday evenings; brunch crêpes on weekends. 60 Lake St. 802-540-0188; skinnypancake.com JEFFERSONVILLE BEST BURGER Burger Barn, Jeffersonville Inside their homemade green food trailer with a Holstein-patterned roof, Jud Gravel and Kierstin Colaceci transform local grass-fed beef into some of the world’s tastiest burgers, with toppings such as local chevre, caramelized onions, and even maple-crusted walnuts. Open May to October. 4968 Route 15. 802-730-3441 MONTPELIER BEST BAGELS, BURRITOS & BLUES Bagitos Café, Montpelier Eclectic Montpelier is home to a new and … well, eclectic … café where bagels and burritos are house specialties, champagne is sold by the glass, and patrons can kick back and listen to entertainment ranging from acoustic blues and jazz jams to marimba ragtime. 28 Main St. 802-229-9212; bagitos.com BEST SEASONAL FARE Salt Café, Montpelier Although the menu at this intimate restaurant changes frequently to incorporate seasonal local ingredients, quality and creativity seldom waver. Homemade sausage and pasta are among house specialties. BYOB. 207 Barre St. 802-229-6678; saltcafevt.com RICHMOND BEST FRESH MARKET DINING Kitchen Table Bistro, Richmond Look for bold Vermont flavors such as braised short ribs with winter root vegetables, roast chicken with corn and baby carrots, or a great steak frites. 1840 West Main St. 802-434-8686; kitchentablebistro.com SHELBURNE BEST TRADITIONAL FRENCH FARE Cafe Shelburne, Shelburne Chef/owner Patrick Grangien serves timeless classics–garlicky escargots, steak tartare, sauteed duck breast–in French country-farmhouse surroundings. 5573 Shelburne Road. 802-985-3939; www.cafeshelburne.com WARREN BEST MOUNTAINSIDE DINING Timbers Restaurant, Warren With 45-foot vaulted ceilings and a window wall that looks out on Lincoln Peak, Timbers is a dramatic spot to enjoy New American fare prepared with care and imagination. Shepherd’s pie, for example, combines bison short ribs braised in porter with caramelized onions and mashed root vegetables. Sugarbush Resort, Sugarbush Access Road. 802-583-6800; sugarbush.com

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