Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Vermont

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Vermont? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Long Trail Brewing Company

4.8

4.8 (517)

$30 and under

Brewery

Bridgewater

About the restaurant

Our brewery is located in Bridgewater Corners at the junction of Rte. 4 and 100a. We’re 2.5 hours north of Boston, about 1.5 hours south of Burlington, VT, and just 15 minutes from Killington Resort.

Top review

gail

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Long Trail has been one of our favorite breweries and pubs for years. On our most recent visit we were seated outside along the river with our dogs. The area was clean and spaced out so that we were not right on top of other guests also with dogs. The staff were attentive and friendly, offering advice on the menu and discussing our favorite items. The food and beer are both always excellent.

The Grafton Inn

4.8

4.8 (297)

$30 and under

American

Grafton

About the restaurant

The Grafton Inn is a proud supporter of Vermont’s pioneering farm-to-table philosophy. Our historic inn and two restaurants in southern Vermont offer on-site dining year-round and feature locally-sourced ingredients prepared by food-loving professionals to create timeless, hearty dishes that will please any palate.

The Phelps Barn, originally a carriage house for guests' horses, provides a unique and rustic VT dining experience. Even the hayloft has been repurposed and renovated, providing an elevated seating area as well as our 8-tap bar. It is a fast pace restaurant with live music usually scheduled on the weekends.

If you are looking for a quieter space to have dinner or celebrate a special occasion, we would recommend our 1801 Tavern located inside the Main Inn. This historic space provides a cozy and elevated dining atmosphere. Within the 1801 Tavern you’ll find our recently renovated Pine Room Bar with a working fireplace.

Top review

Linda

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Food and service was good but I always expect great there. Lobster roll did not taste like it was fresh from the ocean. House maple dressing did not taste like house maple dressing. It was all just okay.

Sawmill Bar & Table

4.8

4.8 (170)

$31 to $50

American

Dover

About the restaurant

Sawmill Bar & Table, Southern Vermont’s culinary gem, uses the local agricultural bounty to create world-class farm-to-table fare. Executive Chef Christopher Lauinger brings his wealth of culinary offerings to provide a menu driven by the seasons for an unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy your evening in our modern rustic Great Room by the fire, in one of our 2 beautiful dining rooms, at our 18th century historic bar, on our beautiful Bluestone Terrace. We are equipped to accommodate events of all sizes, from intimate dinner parties to full-scale weddings. Sawmill Bar & Table welcomes you to the Inn at Farm Road Estate and looks forward to offering a fine dining experience in a casually elegant atmosphere.

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

We love it here. We come every 4th of July. Food is always amazing and FRESH. Great spot to relax and enjoy a delicious meal

Plate

4.8

4.8 (72)

$30 and under

American

Stowe

About the restaurant

We are open for dinner Wednesday through Sundays at 5:30 pm. We do not take parties larger than 6 and require a credit card to hold reservations for parties of 6. Please call by 1:00 pm the day of your reservation to avoid our cancellation fee. *** Please note we do not have high chairs.

For private events please contact Aaron at amartin0014@gmail.com. Thank you!

Top review

SorayaVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Loved the food and the flavors, great service and atmosphere. Will return and recommend.

Pearl's at the Garage

4.8

4.8 (15)

$31 to $50

American

Bennington

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Bennington, originally the Harvester's Garage, Pearl's at the Garage is combining the flavors of BBQ with Village Garage Spirits. This charming restaurant boasts a warm and inviting ambiance, making it the perfect spot for both casual diners and those seeking a special occasion. Dive into an immersive experience that combines classic Texas BBQ with local Vermont Spirits. Come sit at the bar and watch as the Distiller makes the bourbon that you will get to enjoy with the perfectly crafted cocktail. Whether you're dining with family or friends, Pearl's at the Garage creates an unforgettable culinary experience. Open daily for dinner service, this restaurant invites you to unwind after a long day. The combination of friendly service and delicious food makes it a must-visit destination for those eager to indulge in the rich flavors of Southern hospitality.

Top review

Jane

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Exceptional Staff. Great BbQ. Homemade pickles, gluten free options. Amazing drink menu. Bone dry cider on tap! Nothing here not to love. We were visiting from out of state, but would come back again. We will pass the word!

Harpoon Brewery - Windsor

4.7

4.7 (1163)

$30 and under

Brewery

Woodstock

About the restaurant

The Harpoon Riverbend Taps is open for dining in our spacious dining room or warming huts. We look forward to welcoming you!

The Harpoon Brewery Taproom and Beer Garden is open 7 days/week for outside/inside dining or take-out food orders. We are open Sunday through Wednesay from 11AM to 6PM- Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11AM to 8PM. We have live music every Thursday from 5pm-8pm. Our retail store is also open for merchandise, beer, cider, and hard coffee to go. You must have proper ID that verifies you are 21+ to pick up alcoholic beverages.

Please call 802-674-5491 x221 with any questions or to place a take-out order.

Top review

Harris

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

From my interaction with Kim, calling to change our table to inside, to our waitress Teresa all the staff was amazing. Teresa remembered every little detail of all our special requests. Prompt service, but we didn't feel rushed at all. We all came from different locations to meet, and this was the perfect spot. Close to 91 for easy access and certainly a wonderful choice for our group.

Black Rock Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (556)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Springfield

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Gyasi

Dined 5 days ago

I had the filet mignon with a side of pasta marinara and a Caesar salad & it was all very good! My husband got the ribeye and garlic mashed potatoes & calamari, all he enjoyed as well. Our waitress was very kind and helpful. Would definitely go back if we were ever in the area!

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Popular dish

French Onion Burger

Popular dish

Baked French Onion Soup

Popular dish

10 oz Filet Mignon

Leunig's Bistro

4.5

4.5 (1717)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Burlington

About the restaurant

Leunigs Bistro has been a Burlington institution since it opened in 1980. Located on the corner of Church and College Streets on the Marketplace, it invites all passers by to visit Burlington's own little Parisian Cafe. The decor and ambiance will make you think you're in Paris, and the food will make you think you've died and gone to heaven. A member of the Vermont Fresh Network, Leunigs chefs prepare the best of local ingredients with a worldly accent. Live jazz with dinner Tuesday, Wednesday. Lunch served Monday-Saturday, Dinner every night, and Brunch on Sunday. Great wines by the glass or bottle, full liquor service. Best people watching in town. Reservations accepted, but not necessary. Every meal served with the panache of Paris and the value of Vermont, right in the center of town.

Top review

Lorraine

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Excellent experience, great table, appreciate the view, food and service was outstanding

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4.5

4.5 (131)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

Bennington

About the restaurant

Offering traditional New England hospitality… warm & inviting ambiance, casual tavern dining, fireside dining tables, decks with great mountain views, bountiful salad bar, ideal banquet facilities…

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Simply outstanding. It's rare these days to see salad bars but while that alone would warrant great ratings here, it is only one element of what was a really terrific meal. Friendly service, good plating and portions, attractive price-points (with nightly specials making them even better) and a wonderful view. Certainly the best in the area!

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Copper Grouse - Taconic Hotel

4.4

4.4 (1533)

$31 to $50

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

The Copper Grouse serves regionally-inspired, soulful dishes from the kitchen. Not to be missed, our beverage program of classic cocktails, artisanal spirits, Vermont craft beers and a wide selection of Wines from regions spanning the globe. Reservations are recommended for all dining and all meal periods. Last dinner seating on Fridays and Saturdays is 9:00pm.

Top review

FrankVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Fabulous food as usual and atmosphere is great! Will be back

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Explore Diners' Choice best of Vermont