Guidebook for Winooski
Food Scene
Amazing, original food geared toward foodies. I especially recommend for dinner.
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Misery Loves Co.
46 Main StAmazing, original food geared toward foodies. I especially recommend for dinner.
Great, old-style brunch. A local favorite for more than 20 years. Expect a wait unless you go early. You can wait in the bar next door and play pool and enjoy a coffee or drink while you wait.
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Sneakers Bistro
28 Main StGreat, old-style brunch. A local favorite for more than 20 years. Expect a wait unless you go early. You can wait in the bar next door and play pool and enjoy a coffee or drink while you wait.
The best Mexican restaurant in northern Vermont, El Cortijo makes it's own tortillas and ingredients are locally sourced. If not entirely authentic (most places in the US aren't at all authentic anyway) the food is extremely good and fresh.
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El Cortijo
189 Bank StThe best Mexican restaurant in northern Vermont, El Cortijo makes it's own tortillas and ingredients are locally sourced. If not entirely authentic (most places in the US aren't at all authentic anyway) the food is extremely good and fresh.
On Sunday mornings they have the best, most unusual and original donuts you will ever try. Made by Ren Weiner, a local baker. On all other days, this little cafe is a good place to have a beverage and chat with a friend.
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Scout & Co.
1 E Allen StOn Sunday mornings they have the best, most unusual and original donuts you will ever try. Made by Ren Weiner, a local baker. On all other days, this little cafe is a good place to have a beverage and chat with a friend.
A++ service. Nice little "hole in the wall" spot a block from where I live. I love the chicken dumplings. All the food is flavorful and I would normally love except the food is with few exceptions very spicy (even if you order it with low spice) and I just can't do spicy anymore. That being said, if you do like spicy, flavorful ethnic cuisine, this would be a great spot for you to try out.
The Spice Traders Kitchen
212 Main StreetA++ service. Nice little "hole in the wall" spot a block from where I live. I love the chicken dumplings. All the food is flavorful and I would normally love except the food is with few exceptions very spicy (even if you order it with low spice) and I just can't do spicy anymore. That being said, if you do like spicy, flavorful ethnic cuisine, this would be a great spot for you to try out.
Dobra is another one of those places in Burlington with a very unique ambience. A place you should definitely try out to see if you like it. Depending on when you go, your experience might be very different.
The space is small. I think it's interior incorporates a lot of bamboo. Tables are small and simple. There are a few areas where you can sit on the floor on pillows instead of in chairs.
Servers are very hands off. They won't bother you unless you ring your bell and even then sometimes service can be slow.
There are some friends that I visit Dobra with and I always have a very nice time. There are other friends I would never go to Dobra with. It's just not their speed.
I find I enjoy myself most when I go there with a regular. The highpoint of my Dobra visits is the hummus, stuffed grape leaves and other middle eastern foods they serve there. Very tasty, if not pretty pricey. I believe all the food they serve there is made in house or locally. A lot of attention is paid to making sure things are organic and local.
My friends who are really in to teas are fun to accompany because they always have something interesting to tell me. According to friends in the know, the owner of Dobra travels the world quite frequently purchasing teas. Also, there are three Dobras (I believe). In addition to the Burlington one, there is one in Portland, Oregon and another down south.
Not for everyone, but definitely a unique experience, do yourself a favor and visit Dobra on a quiet weekday afternoon. In the evening it can be quite packed. Another fun time to go is around brunch when many of the other local restaurants are quite busy. Be prepared for low key, slowish service and a pretty quiet atmosphere.
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Dobra Tea
125 Church StDobra is another one of those places in Burlington with a very unique ambience. A place you should definitely try out to see if you like it. Depending on when you go, your experience might be very different.
The space is small. I think it's interior incorporates a lot of bamboo. Tables are small and simple. There are a few areas where you can sit on the floor on pillows instead of in chairs.
Servers are very hands off. They won't bother you unless you ring your bell and even then sometimes service can be slow.
There are some friends that I visit Dobra with and I always have a very nice time. There are other friends I would never go to Dobra with. It's just not their speed.
I find I enjoy myself most when I go there with a regular. The highpoint of my Dobra visits is the hummus, stuffed grape leaves and other middle eastern foods they serve there. Very tasty, if not pretty pricey. I believe all the food they serve there is made in house or locally. A lot of attention is paid to making sure things are organic and local.
My friends who are really in to teas are fun to accompany because they always have something interesting to tell me. According to friends in the know, the owner of Dobra travels the world quite frequently purchasing teas. Also, there are three Dobras (I believe). In addition to the Burlington one, there is one in Portland, Oregon and another down south.
Not for everyone, but definitely a unique experience, do yourself a favor and visit Dobra on a quiet weekday afternoon. In the evening it can be quite packed. Another fun time to go is around brunch when many of the other local restaurants are quite busy. Be prepared for low key, slowish service and a pretty quiet atmosphere.
This restaurant has moved and is now on Lower Church Street in Burlington. It is not in Colchester.
Turkish food isn't common in Vermont, so locals are very fond of this place. The food is good. It's not a budget location, but not extremely expensive either. It's a bit less casual than many Turkish restaurants I've been to elsewhere.
As always, I recommend this restaurant for good food that's different than the normal Burlington faire. A great place to bring out of town guests.
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Istanbul Kebab House Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant
175 Church StThis restaurant has moved and is now on Lower Church Street in Burlington. It is not in Colchester.
Turkish food isn't common in Vermont, so locals are very fond of this place. The food is good. It's not a budget location, but not extremely expensive either. It's a bit less casual than many Turkish restaurants I've been to elsewhere.
As always, I recommend this restaurant for good food that's different than the normal Burlington faire. A great place to bring out of town guests.
Butch + Babe's does comfort food with an Asian influence extremely well. The food is light, healthy, delicious and imaginative while still being comforting. The wait staff is also attentive and friendly without being obtrusive. The ambience at the restaurant reminds me of the sort of place I might find in another city, one that's more cosmopolitan. It is polished while at the same time being casual. The sort of restaurant I'd gladly return to again and again for the food and the ambience.
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Butch + Babe's
258 N Winooski AveButch + Babe's does comfort food with an Asian influence extremely well. The food is light, healthy, delicious and imaginative while still being comforting. The wait staff is also attentive and friendly without being obtrusive. The ambience at the restaurant reminds me of the sort of place I might find in another city, one that's more cosmopolitan. It is polished while at the same time being casual. The sort of restaurant I'd gladly return to again and again for the food and the ambience.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Burlington. It's probably in the top three for most people locally. The price point and the fact that it's generally pretty hard to get a seat there last minute, make it more of a "special event" sort of place for most, but I like to drop by from time to time and eat at the bar when a seat or two are open.
I used to think of Trattoria as just a pasta restaurant. Consequently, I didn't go there much as at some point I sort of fell out of love with all pasta. I just didn't want to eat that much of it. Then a friend introduced me to the filet mignon at Trat which is by far the best filet in the Burlington area. I've never had better elsewhere in the area, not even at the steak restaurants.
One of my favorite things is to go and sample some of Trat's many amazing starters and then move on to the filet. And then, depending, I like to finish the meal with their panna cotta (divine) or the tiramisu (transcendental).
Trat has won awards for its wine selection. Given this and the fact that it's often packed, they opened a little enoteca next door called Sotta Enoteca where you can go and have wine, beer and appetizers. I really like it there, too. It's dark and intimate.
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Trattoria Delia
152 St Paul StThis is one of my favorite restaurants in Burlington. It's probably in the top three for most people locally. The price point and the fact that it's generally pretty hard to get a seat there last minute, make it more of a "special event" sort of place for most, but I like to drop by from time to time and eat at the bar when a seat or two are open.
I used to think of Trattoria as just a pasta restaurant. Consequently, I didn't go there much as at some point I sort of fell out of love with all pasta. I just didn't want to eat that much of it. Then a friend introduced me to the filet mignon at Trat which is by far the best filet in the Burlington area. I've never had better elsewhere in the area, not even at the steak restaurants.
One of my favorite things is to go and sample some of Trat's many amazing starters and then move on to the filet. And then, depending, I like to finish the meal with their panna cotta (divine) or the tiramisu (transcendental).
Trat has won awards for its wine selection. Given this and the fact that it's often packed, they opened a little enoteca next door called Sotta Enoteca where you can go and have wine, beer and appetizers. I really like it there, too. It's dark and intimate.
I like this place. Not my favorite Vietnamese in the area, but very good and conveniently located just a block from my house.
They have a small seating area, and also do take out. The people behind the cash register are always friendly.
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Pho Dang Vietnamese Cafe
348 Main StI like this place. Not my favorite Vietnamese in the area, but very good and conveniently located just a block from my house.
They have a small seating area, and also do take out. The people behind the cash register are always friendly.
Hen of the Wood seems to be almost everyone's favorite restaurant in the Burlington area for a special occasion. The setting is warm, inviting and yet upscale, in a sort of laid-back-Vermont way. Dishes range from very good to amazing. I've never had anything there I didn't enjoy My only reservation about HOTW is that sometimes you feel like you're paying a lot for a little. But if you know what to order and what to avoid you will never feel that way.
I believe on Friday's they have an oyster special at the bar.
What I appreciate a lot is the fact that food is locally sourced and much attention is placed on quality.
It's fun to go to celebrate a special occasion or just to enjoy great food and ambience with good friends. The sister restaurant in Waterbury is perhaps even more special with its location in an old mill on the river. It's a bit of a drive, but a wonderful destination spot. I bet a lot of people have gotten engaged there.
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Hen of the Wood - Burlington
55 Cherry StHen of the Wood seems to be almost everyone's favorite restaurant in the Burlington area for a special occasion. The setting is warm, inviting and yet upscale, in a sort of laid-back-Vermont way. Dishes range from very good to amazing. I've never had anything there I didn't enjoy My only reservation about HOTW is that sometimes you feel like you're paying a lot for a little. But if you know what to order and what to avoid you will never feel that way.
I believe on Friday's they have an oyster special at the bar.
What I appreciate a lot is the fact that food is locally sourced and much attention is placed on quality.
It's fun to go to celebrate a special occasion or just to enjoy great food and ambience with good friends. The sister restaurant in Waterbury is perhaps even more special with its location in an old mill on the river. It's a bit of a drive, but a wonderful destination spot. I bet a lot of people have gotten engaged there.
This is not my favorite restaurant but you really do need to go for the ambience and views alone. Ask for a table near the river and enjoy the wonderful views. The food can be pretty good, but the service tends to be poor, especially at peak hours.
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Waterworks Food + Drink
20 Winooski Falls WayThis is not my favorite restaurant but you really do need to go for the ambience and views alone. Ask for a table near the river and enjoy the wonderful views. The food can be pretty good, but the service tends to be poor, especially at peak hours.
Agricola Farm is a farm in Panton, Vermont. But it's way more than the name might suggest. The website says, "Agricola Farm is what happens when you mix a passion for nature, experience raising animals, and a love for wholesome and delicious foods." In reality, it's a farm, a restaurant and a place to visit to learn more about sustainable growing and humane raising of animals.
Alessandra Rellini is a native Italian who teaches at UVM and also runs her farm where she raises animals (extremely humanely) and vegetables (very organically) and then sells them at the farmers market. She has also started a wonderful brunch and dinner club that happens about once a month. Generally 5+ courses are served for dinner. The chef is my friend, Richard Witting, who is a self-proclaimed Food Anthropologist. His cooking is inspired and sometimes out of the ordinary.
The dinners start around 6pm and go on until about 10pm. They start with a tour of the farm. The cost is not cheap, but when you factor in the amount of food, drink, and the experience, it is actually very reasonable. I highly recommend this experience for guests who have the time and want to delve into Vermont & Italian culture and eat some very delicious, natural foods.
You can find out more here:
http://www.agricolavermont.com
Agricola Farm
2674 Jersey StreetAgricola Farm is a farm in Panton, Vermont. But it's way more than the name might suggest. The website says, "Agricola Farm is what happens when you mix a passion for nature, experience raising animals, and a love for wholesome and delicious foods." In reality, it's a farm, a restaurant and a place to visit to learn more about sustainable growing and humane raising of animals.
Alessandra Rellini is a native Italian who teaches at UVM and also runs her farm where she raises animals (extremely humanely) and vegetables (very organically) and then sells them at the farmers market. She has also started a wonderful brunch and dinner club that happens about once a month. Generally 5+ courses are served for dinner. The chef is my friend, Richard Witting, who is a self-proclaimed Food Anthropologist. His cooking is inspired and sometimes out of the ordinary.
The dinners start around 6pm and go on until about 10pm. They start with a tour of the farm. The cost is not cheap, but when you factor in the amount of food, drink, and the experience, it is actually very reasonable. I highly recommend this experience for guests who have the time and want to delve into Vermont & Italian culture and eat some very delicious, natural foods.
You can find out more here:
http://www.agricolavermont.com
Sightseeing
This gorgeous preserved farm and estate once belonged to the Vanderbilt Webs. Guest accommodation available in the warm months as well as a very good brunch with stunning views of Lake Champlain.
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Fattorie di Shelburne
1611 Harbor RoadThis gorgeous preserved farm and estate once belonged to the Vanderbilt Webs. Guest accommodation available in the warm months as well as a very good brunch with stunning views of Lake Champlain.
The "museum" is several acres of land. It is dotted with old, historical Vermont buildings. As a child I liked the old general store because it sold old-fashion penny candy and rock sugar. The merry-go-round and the old steam ship were also my favorites. Now that I'm older I enjoy visiting the rest of the buildings and noticing the architecture, reading the displays, etc. I recently discovered that the old settlers cabin was made by my great great great great grandfather (? I may have missed a great in there) Antoine Lorraine who was from Canada and built many settlers cabins in the area. The fact that some survive attest to the quality. The settlers cabin is probably the least impressive building on the grounds, it's very simple, rustic and humble. But the fact that an ancestor created it makes it one of my favorites.
They also have great art shows. Small exhibits. But always very good for the area.
If you're visiting Vermont and want to learn a bit about local history this is a place you really should visit. If you're from Vermont it's also a must visit as there are few places that will educate you about your state's history as well as this place can.
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Shelburne Museum
6000 Shelburne RdThe "museum" is several acres of land. It is dotted with old, historical Vermont buildings. As a child I liked the old general store because it sold old-fashion penny candy and rock sugar. The merry-go-round and the old steam ship were also my favorites. Now that I'm older I enjoy visiting the rest of the buildings and noticing the architecture, reading the displays, etc. I recently discovered that the old settlers cabin was made by my great great great great grandfather (? I may have missed a great in there) Antoine Lorraine who was from Canada and built many settlers cabins in the area. The fact that some survive attest to the quality. The settlers cabin is probably the least impressive building on the grounds, it's very simple, rustic and humble. But the fact that an ancestor created it makes it one of my favorites.
They also have great art shows. Small exhibits. But always very good for the area.
If you're visiting Vermont and want to learn a bit about local history this is a place you really should visit. If you're from Vermont it's also a must visit as there are few places that will educate you about your state's history as well as this place can.
Arts & Culture
Vermont is pretty low on places like the Flynn. It's easy to feel cut off from the rest of the world here. The Flynn brings in performers from outside the state, often world-class performers, so people don't go completely stir crazy. Tickets are not cheap, but it feels like they are competitive with other similar places elsewhere. The main hall is clean and adequate to see performances. Not too big or too small. There is another performance space next door for small performances (usually local ones).
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Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
153 Main StVermont is pretty low on places like the Flynn. It's easy to feel cut off from the rest of the world here. The Flynn brings in performers from outside the state, often world-class performers, so people don't go completely stir crazy. Tickets are not cheap, but it feels like they are competitive with other similar places elsewhere. The main hall is clean and adequate to see performances. Not too big or too small. There is another performance space next door for small performances (usually local ones).
Entertainment & Activities
Burlington has some very good and very extensive bike paths which can take you all over the area. Favorite spots are along the lake front, but it can get busy with many walkers and bikers. The bike ferry takes bike riders from Burlington up to Grand Isle, a beautiful area for biking and exploring. If you can bring your bikes or rent them locally, I highly recommend this!
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Bike Path
Burlington has some very good and very extensive bike paths which can take you all over the area. Favorite spots are along the lake front, but it can get busy with many walkers and bikers. The bike ferry takes bike riders from Burlington up to Grand Isle, a beautiful area for biking and exploring. If you can bring your bikes or rent them locally, I highly recommend this!
Shopping
I've been frequenting this Farmer's Market for about five years. In that time it's grown from taking up half of a block to taking up a whole block and a street. There is a great variety of local artesians, food makers, spirit makers, bakers, you name it. In fact, a few years ago there was even a vendor selling crickets (to eat). I tried one. It wasn't bad. I don't think the idea caught on though, because he's not there this year.
I usually go early and eat samples and buy my favorite foods for breakfast. I buy my veggies here and chat with the local vendors. Each year there is always something new. One of my new favorites is Sweet Rowen Farm (amazing cheeses) and several others I've been seeing for years.
If you're in Burlington on a Saturday before 2pm, you owe it to yourself to stop by this local tradition. You'll be glad you did!
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Burlington Farmers Market
180 Pine StI've been frequenting this Farmer's Market for about five years. In that time it's grown from taking up half of a block to taking up a whole block and a street. There is a great variety of local artesians, food makers, spirit makers, bakers, you name it. In fact, a few years ago there was even a vendor selling crickets (to eat). I tried one. It wasn't bad. I don't think the idea caught on though, because he's not there this year.
I usually go early and eat samples and buy my favorite foods for breakfast. I buy my veggies here and chat with the local vendors. Each year there is always something new. One of my new favorites is Sweet Rowen Farm (amazing cheeses) and several others I've been seeing for years.
If you're in Burlington on a Saturday before 2pm, you owe it to yourself to stop by this local tradition. You'll be glad you did!