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 […]
By Yankee Magazine|Oct 01 2013|
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
When did southern Vermont stop having fall foliage and good places to eat?
I guess the NORTHEAST KINGDOM doesn’t make the list (?).
We are looking at some pretty spectacular foliage this year, and it’s not over yet. There are plenty of reasonably priced fine restaurants in this area, and you might even consider a church supper to get some decent food as well.
Why Yankee recommends the CITY of Burllington for foliage tours is beyond me! GET OFF THE HIGHWAYS and in to the countryside! Take the roads less traveled, thru hill and vale, and you will be treated to some of the best viewing. You might even get a true taste of Vermont living. Life in the slow lane.
Hi Lisa. We agree that there are many dining options for all foliage routes throughout the beautiful state of Vermont. Readers interested in our Vermont dining picks beyond the locations in this post can check out the individual “Best of Vermont Dining” listings for each year, like this one for 2013 – http://www.yankeemagazine.com/best-of-new-england/best-vermont-food-dining. Thanks!
Simon Pearce in Quechee, VT is at the top of our list after visiting VT for the past 25 years!!
The “Best”? Sorry, but this is WAY too narrow a sampling to be worth much at all. Woodstock, Montpelier, and Chittenden County? That’s it?
Best pie? Any pie?
Best place to eat in all of Burlington is The Windjammer!