The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

Name: The Reluctant Panther Restaurant
Address: 39 West Road, Manchester, VT, United States, 05254
Telephone: (802) 362-2568
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7 (1239)

$31 to $50

American

39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 2, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 12 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant features locally sourced American cuisine in a relaxed yet elegantly upscale atmosphere. Menus are complemented by a multiple year Wine Spectator award winning wine list
The Reluctant Panther is happy to accommodate well behaved children but does not offer a children's menu.
Reservations Required.
Please Note: We do not allow dogs in the restaurant, inside or out, with the exception of service animals.

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–8:30 pm
Phone number
(802) 362-2568
Website
http://reluctantpanther.com/dining
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Sigal Rocklin
Private party facilities
The Panther Pub is Warmly lit and comfortably furnished, the Pub is used for special events and private party bookings. Business dinners and small wedding rehearsal dinners are particularly effective in The Panther Pub.

Location
39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254
Neighborhood
Manchester
Cross street
Seminary Road
Parking details
Parking is available in our private lot or in public spaces nearby. We have handicap access parking both in the front and rear of our buildings.
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Lobster & Brie Fondue$20.00
Crispy Pancetta, Baguette
Maplebrook Farm Burrata$16.00
Crispy Prosciutto, Roasted Winter Squash, Pear, Pumpkin Seeds, Grilled Cranberry Bread, Aged Balsamic
Crispy Brussels Sprouts$15.00
Caesar Vinaigrette, Parmesan, Crispy Capers, Sunflower Shoots
Buttermilk Fried Local Quail$17.00
Deviled Quail Egg, Spinach, Bacon Vinaigrette, Hot Honey Aioli
Mixed Greens Salad$13.00
Butternut Squash, Apples, Pecans, Pomegranate, Thyme Vinaigrette
Zucchini Blossoms Stuffed with Pea Risotto$16.00
Gluten Free Tempura, Feta, Spinach Cashew Pesto
Smooth Duck Liver Pate$17.00
Rhubarb Compote, Spicy Quick Pickled Aspargus, Crispy Prosciutto, Watercress, Baguette
Soup of the Day$12.00
Chef's Inspiration

Entrées

Switchback Ale Braised Short Ribs$38.00
Smoked Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Pearl Onions, Crispy Shallots
Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab$38.00
Basil Pesto Orzo, Spinach, Shaved Radish, Creamy Lemon Beurre Blanc
Pistachio Stuffed Lamb Loin$54.00
Minted Pea Risotto, Zucchini, Watercress, Feta Cheese, Aged Balsamic
Vegan Roasted Cauliflower$34.00
Tahini, Za’atar Chickpeas, Snap Peas, Radish, Ramp Chimichurri
Vermont Farms Grilled Pork Chop$38.00
Creamy Ramp Polenta, Green Beans, Almonds, Bacon Vinaigrette
Seared Halibut$39.00
Basil Pesto Zucchini Noodles, Green Beans, Asparagus, Sunflower Seeds, Rhubarb Sauce
Roasted Misty Knoll Chicken Breast$36.00
Herb Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms, Local Spinach, Ramp-White Wine Cream Sauce, Crispy Parmesan
Grilled Vermont Ribeye$54.00
Bacon Fingerling Potatoes, Green Beans & Mushrooms, Ramp Chimichurri Sauce
Fish of the Day
Farm Vegetable Risotto, Butter Sauce

What 1,239 people are saying

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Vermont
Best Food
Vermont
Great for fine wines
Vermont
Romantic
Vermont
American
Southern Vermont
Best Overall
Southern Vermont
Best Food
Southern Vermont
Great for fine wines
Southern Vermont
Romantic
Southern Vermont
American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant in Manchester, VT, offers an exceptional dining experience with "best food in this area" and "excellent service." Diners appreciate the exquisite presentation, local ingredients, and "wonderful dining experience." While some find it a bit loud, most highlight the "beautiful setting" and "lovely ambiance."

1,239 Reviews

m
mary
Greater Boston6 reviews
2.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was not great, unfortunately. But the staff were all wonderful.
Is this helpful?
M
Marci
New York City35 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was exceptional and the wait staff was great. I had halibut and my husband had a cod dish that was one of the specials of the day. Both were perfectly cooked. We went for our anniversary and the dessert plate said Happy Anniversary on it, which we thought was nice of them. Very expensive, though.
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R
Robert VIP
New York City9 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent. Very refined experience. Elegant without being stuffy. Really liked the food and good wine list.
Is this helpful?
D
David
Orlando / Central Florida East17 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our dinner experience was exceptional. We went to the reluctant panther and had a very lovely accommodations. The tomato soup was very unique, but very scrumptious. I had the halibut and my wife had the vegetarian cauliflower while the boys had the pork chop which he said was amazing and the short ribs which were done to perfection. I am not sure, but it tasted like some type of cheese and croissant in the tomato soup which made it very very tasty. My wife had coffee afterwards, which she enjoy from a French press I would have to say the overall experience with excellent the servers made sure we always had water and everything we needed. It was a very wonderful experience.
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B
Bud VIP
Tampa / Central Florida West134 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love this local gem in Manchester VT food service and ambiance are excellent. We started dinner with duck liver pate with rhubarb sauce and asparagus spears which was great. We both had the roasted halibut which was also so excellent. Highly recommended!
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
Vermont1 review
5.0
Dined on June 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
For a Wednesday evening early dinner I found the ambient noise in the dining room a bit too loud for my taste. The food was excellent and that made the dining experience worthwhile. But personally I prefer a fine dining experience to be in a less boisterous atmosphere. Perhaps a few room dividers would make the dining room more pleasant and intimate.
Is this helpful?
B
Bob
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful experience from start to finish! Food and service terrific!
Is this helpful?
J
Jessica
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful place, delicious food, every bite was better than the last! Celebrated our 10 yr wedding anniversary here and it couldn’t not have been a better meal!
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J
Juliane
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on June 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have been dining at the Panther for years now, and am still surprised at how excellent everything is each time. I cannot recommend eating here highly enough. The presentation is beautiful, the ingredients are impeccable and local whenever possible, the atmosphere is tranquil, and the servers are excellent. If I could give more than five stars I would.
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R
Robert
Greater Boston4 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best food in town. Excellent service, always there when needed but no hovering. Simple, tasteful furnishings. Could use a bit more sound absorbing material but not too bad. Wheelchair accessible which is key for me.
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FAQs

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 1239 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 2, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 12 times today

Google Map for The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254

Additional information

Cross street
Seminary Road
Neighborhood
Manchester
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–8:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Parking is available in our private lot or in public spaces nearby. We have handicap access parking both in the front and rear of our buildings.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Sigal Rocklin
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://reluctantpanther.com/dining
Phone number
(802) 362-2568
Private party facilities
The Panther Pub is Warmly lit and comfortably furnished, the Pub is used for special events and private party bookings. Business dinners and small wedding rehearsal dinners are particularly effective in The Panther Pub.

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

Appetizers

Lobster & Brie Fondue$20.00

Maplebrook Farm Burrata$16.00

Crispy Brussels Sprouts$15.00

Buttermilk Fried Local Quail$17.00

Mixed Greens Salad$13.00

Zucchini Blossoms Stuffed with Pea Risotto$16.00

Smooth Duck Liver Pate$17.00

Soup of the Day$12.00

Entrées

Switchback Ale Braised Short Ribs$38.00

Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab$38.00

Pistachio Stuffed Lamb Loin$54.00

Vegan Roasted Cauliflower$34.00

Vermont Farms Grilled Pork Chop$38.00

Seared Halibut$39.00

Roasted Misty Knoll Chicken Breast$36.00

Grilled Vermont Ribeye$54.00

Fish of the Day

What 1,239 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Reluctant Panther Restaurant restaurant rated?

Is The Reluctant Panther Restaurant currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information