13 Best Burlington, VT Restaurants You Need to Try
Burlington’s food scene packs serious flavor into this charming Vermont college town, where farm-to-table isn’t just a trend—it’s a way of life.
Locals are proud, and visitors? They end up plotting their next meal here before they’ve even left.
Here’s a handpicked lineup of the best restaurants in Burlington, Vermont.
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1. May Day
A New American restaurant that works magic with whatever’s in season, May Day changes up its menu to match the Vermont harvest.
Halibut, steak frites, mushroom tagliatelle—each dish feels like a little celebration of local flavor.
Service here is dialed in, making a regular Tuesday dinner feel like an event. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming—locals and out-of-towners both seem to find their people here.
Best For: Date nights or celebrations with creative, seasonal American food.
2. Leunig’s Bistro & Café
Leunig’s Bistro has been holding down the fort for decades, channeling those Parisian café vibes right on Church Street. Step inside and you’re basically in France—minus the jet lag.
Its corner perch at Church and College Streets is prime for people-watching. Live music keeps things going while you dig into lunch, dinner, or a lazy weekend brunch.
Best For: Classic French bistro energy, top-notch people-watching, and a little live music downtown.
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3. American Flatbread Burlington Hearth
American Flatbread Burlington Hearth has been the city’s wood-fired pizza headquarters since 2004.
Tucked away at on St Paul Street, it’s the dream project of partners Paul Sayler and Rob Downey.
They’re all about artisanal flatbread pizza with organic, seasonal toppings. Their own beers are brewed in-house and pair perfectly with the smoky pies.
Best For: Wood-fired pizza and craft beer in downtown Burlington.
4. Pizzeria Verità
Authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza is the name of the game at this downtown spot that’s great for groups.
They stick to traditional techniques, so you get thin crusts with those perfect, charred bubbles from the fire.
Their motto, “The truth is in the dough”, sums up the obsession with getting every detail right. Choose from 15+ pizzas, both classic and creative.
The menu goes beyond pizza—think Italian dishes with local ingredients and a solid craft cocktail list. It’s a regular on best-of-Burlington lists for a reason.
Best For: Neapolitan pizza, local ingredients, and a solid cocktail in downtown.
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5. Bistro de Margot
Bistro de Margot brings French classics to downtown Burlington with a modern touch.
This award-winning spot opened in 2015 and quickly became a favorite among people who know their food.
The menu is all about authentic bistro dishes with Vermont ingredients, changing up with the seasons so regulars never get bored.
Best For: Date nights or special occasions with French flair in downtown.
6. Hen of the Wood
Hen of the Wood Burlington makes farm-to-table dining feel both fun and unpretentious.
Ingredients come from Vermont farms just down the road, and the menu changes every day depending on what’s fresh.
Next to Hotel Vermont, it’s got a down-to-earth vibe and straightforward cooking. If you’re with a group, their private Butcher Room fits up to 12.
Best For: Fresh Vermont ingredients and cozy, new American food downtown.
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7. Honey Road
Honey Road brings Eastern Mediterranean flavors to Church Street with small plates that don’t hold back on flavor. It’s James Beard nominated and proudly women-owned.
Sharing mezze plates here is half the fun, and the menu changes often to keep even the regulars guessing.
Best For: Adventurous palates and anyone up for Mediterranean small plates with a twist.
8. Frankie’s
Frankie’s made a splash as one of America’s best new restaurants when it opened in April 2024.
Jordan Ware and Cindi Kozak took over the old Penny Cluse Café space on Cherry Street and gave it new life.
The vibe? Fresh, local Vermont ingredients, and a menu that’s always in flux with the seasons.
The menu leans into Vermont’s seasonal simplicity, with plenty of vegetarian bites, responsibly sourced New England seafood, and some standout proteins.
Best For: Anyone chasing award-winning farm-to-table meals, fresh Vermont produce, and a menu that actually changes with the seasons.
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9. The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
This downtown gastropub lives in a former McDonald’s, but you’d never guess it.
The space is totally transformed, and the burgers and entrees win awards—not to mention the beer list, which highlights Vermont’s best and beyond.
Multiple spaces mean you can hang in the seasonal beer garden or sneak downstairs to The Parlor speakeasy.
It’s steps from Church Street, with a raw bar and a menu that’s all about local sourcing.
Best For: Craft beer, killer burgers, and a local vibe near Church Street.
10. The Gryphon
The Gryphon puts creative spins on classic restaurant favorites in Burlington’s hip dining scene.
Chef Andre is always coming up with dishes that surprise regulars and newcomers alike.
It’s got that rare mix: laid-back energy with just enough class, but never feels stuffy. Expect eclectic American fare that’s a little outside the ordinary—think comfort food with a twist.
Best For: Creative American plates and standout cocktails in a chill, upscale spot that feels just right for a date night or a treat-yourself evening.
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11. Kismet Mediterranean
Kismet Mediterranean Grill brings real Turkish flavors to Battery Street. Serkan Cetin, straight from Istanbul, opened this family-run spot to share the food he grew up with.
Expect traditional Turkish dishes made with ingredients shipped in from Turkey. The family uses recipes passed down over generations, importing spices and oils for authenticity.
The halal menu highlights house-made Mediterranean meals that show off Turkey’s regional cooking styles.
Best For: Turkish cuisine made from family recipes and imported spices downtown.
12. Restaurant Poco
Restaurant Poco brings farm-to-table energy to Main Street with a shared plate concept.
Chef Owner Stefano Cicirello puts together creative tapas using whatever’s fresh and local.
Lunch, dinner, and a cozy vibe await in this spot that opened in Spring 2019. The menu covers everything from Kobe beef burgers to house-made ice cream, plus some solid cocktails.
Best For: Couples after a cozy, shared-plate meal with fresh, local ingredients.
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13. Gold Restaurant
Hidden on North Winooski Avenue in Burlington’s Old North End, Gold Restaurant brings a low-key Italian vibe with a twist.
Gold Restaurant serves fresh locally inspired Italian dishes and isn’t afraid to borrow flavors from across the globe.
The snug dining room is made for date nights or catching up with a couple of friends.
Grab a craft cocktail or a glass of wine, and dig into their playful, globally influenced Italian menu.
Best For: Cozy dinners, creative Italian plates, and natural wines in Burlington’s Old North End.
