Restaurants & Nightlife
The Burlington, VT, area has a great selection of restaurants. Please peruse the list below to find the restaurant of your choice . . . I’m happy to give tips. Just contact me if you have any questions! (*Family-friendly)
The Green Room – 802-651-9669
86 St. Paul Street, Burlington (Closed on Sundays)
What a wonderful addition to Burlington eateries. I really love this place; they could do a little updating in the dining area, but I prefer to lounge on the couches in the dim corners of the restaurant. Tapas are the way to go here. If you go with a group, definitely order the small and large plates and share with your friends. I’ve heard that this place becomes a hopping nightclub after the dinner hour.
Asiana House - 802-651-0818
191 Pearl Street, Burlington
Get the Fire Maki—it’s to die for!! You know that you’re a real local if you’ve been there enough to have your own chopsticks.
Penny Cluse Café - 802-651-8834
169 Cherry Street, Burlington (Open 7 days a week until 3 p.m., and they really don’t get upset if you come in just before closing . . . at least I don’t think so!)
Brunch at Penny Cluse is really popular. I have spent more time waiting outside for a table than actually sitting down and eating at Penny Cluse. I think that says a lot. Penny Cluse has grown with me as my taste buds have changed. At first their biscuits and gravy were a side must, but now I have graduated onto the chile rellenos. Wherever your taste buds are in their journey through life, Penny Cluse will always have something to please your tummy. Penny Cluse, you complete me!
Blue Star Café – 802-654-8700 / www.bluestarcafevt.com
28 Main Street, Winooski (Open 7 days a week)
Blue Star Café is a comfortable, upscale food, wine, and coffee bar with a relaxed, stylish atmosphere. Where else in town can you find exposed brick walls with coffee beans or steel-brushed aluminum beams running across the ceiling carrying bags of coffee?
Sneakers Bistro- 802-655-9081 / www.sneakersbistro.com
36 Main Street, Winooski (Open 7 days a week until 3 p.m.)
To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve been to Sneakers because I live in downtown Burlington, and I like to walk to eat—but it’s also the eggs Benedict. We have a love/hate relationship. But if you are one of those people with a really high metabolism or you need to have one last meal before you die, it might be the eggs Benedict . . . any special will do!
Kitchen Table Bistro – 802-434-8686 / www.thekitchentablebistro.com
1840 W. Main Street, Richmond
Truly one of the best restaurants in the world. The tenderloin is . . . how do I say tenderrrrr!!! The service is fantastic, the ambiance is totally Vermont, and the drinks are great. If you want to impress someone, take them here—I like to take out-of-staters who don’t believe Vermont has much to offer in the cuisine department.
1/2 Lounge - 802-865-0012
136 1/2 Church Street, Burlington
A wonderful downtown bar with great drinks! The outdoor seating in the summer is fun, too.
L’Amante Ristorante – 802-863-5200 / www.lamante.com
126 College Street, Burlington (Open Monday to Saturday from 5:30 p.m.)
All I can say is thank God for Squash Blossom Fritters!!
Daily Planet - 802-862-9647
15 Center Street, Burlington (Open 7 nights a week, 4 p.m.–12 a.m.)
My boyfriend and I love this place for two reasons: Usually it’s to satisfy a burger craving. These guys really know how to make a good burger and the majority of the time it’s cooked to perfection. Combined with Maura’s Fabulous Salad, you have the perfect, before-movie (it’s across from the Roxie) satisfying dinner. I also love it because it is the only good food available after 9 or 10 p.m. Yes, you can get Nectar’s fries or pizza, but if you really need some good food you can always count on them to provide it—until midnight!
Other fabulous establishments that deserve mention:
Restaurants
Roque’s - 802-657-3377 / 3 Main Street, Burlington (Great Margaritas!)
Leunig’s Bistro - 802-863-3759 / 115 Church Street, Burlington
American Flatbread - 802-861-2999 / 115 St. Paul Street, Burlington
Bistro Sauce –802-985-2830 / 97 Falls Road, Shelburne / www.bistrosauce.com
India House - 802-862-7800 / 207 Colchester Avenue, Burlington
Trattoria Delia - 802-864-5253 / St. Paul Street, Burlington / /www.trattoriadelia.com
Bar & Music
Higher Ground – 802-652-0777 / 1214 Williston Road, South Burlington / www.highergroundmusic.com
Nectar’s – 802-658-4771 / 188 Main Street, Burlington / www.liveatnectars.com
