Imagine waking up to the aroma of maple-infused everything, surrounded by rolling green hills and charming small towns.
Welcome to the Vermont breakfast scene, where farm-to-table isn’t just a trend—it’s a way of life.
1. The Skinny Pancake (Burlington)
Nestled in the heart of Burlington, The Skinny Pancake is anything but skinny when it comes to flavor.
This creperie takes the humble pancake and turns it into a canvas for culinary creativity.
As you climb the stairs under that inviting red awning, you’re not just entering a restaurant—you’re stepping into a local institution.
The place buzzes with the energy of college students, families, and tourists alike, all drawn by the siren song of perfectly crisp crepes.
Their menu reads like a love letter to Vermont’s farmers, with locally sourced ingredients taking center stage.
Try the “Heartbreaker”—a savory crepe stuffed with spinach, caramelized onions, and Vermont cheddar.
It’s so good, it might actually break your heart when you finish it.
But the real showstopper?
The “Johnny Crepe”—a sweet concoction filled with local apples, cheddar, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
It’s like autumn decided to throw a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited.
2. Park Row Cafe (Waterbury Village Historic District)
Tucked away in the Waterbury Village Historic District, Park Row Cafe is the kind of place where the coffee mugs are mismatched, the floors creak with character, and the breakfast potatoes have a cult following.
It’s like stepping into your eccentric aunt’s kitchen—if your aunt happened to be a culinary genius.
The cafe’s specialty is their “Green Mountain Breakfast”—a hearty plate of eggs, those famous home fries, and your choice of locally sourced meat.
It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to climb Camel’s Hump right after… or maybe just take a nap.
But the real magic happens at the griddle.
Their pancakes are so fluffy, they might float away if not weighed down by a generous pour of Vermont maple syrup.
And let’s talk about that syrup—it’s the liquid gold that makes Vermonters wake up smiling, even on the coldest winter mornings.
3. Up For Breakfast (Manchester Center)
With a name like “Up For Breakfast,” this Manchester Center gem sets some high expectations—and boy, does it deliver.
As you climb the stairs under that cheery red awning, you’re not just going up for breakfast; you’re ascending to breakfast nirvana.
The interior feels like a cozy treehouse for adults, with wood-paneled walls and windows that let in the morning light.
It’s the perfect spot to nurse a steaming mug of Green Mountain Coffee while contemplating life’s big questions, like “How many pancakes is too many pancakes?” (Spoiler alert: There’s no such thing.)
Their “Vermont Breakfast” is a local legend, featuring eggs any style, home fries that could make a potato proud, and your choice of meat.
But the real star of the show?
The homemade bread.
It’s so good, you might be tempted to smuggle a loaf out in your jacket.
Not that I’ve ever considered such a thing, of course.
4. The Blue Benn Diner (Bennington)
Ah, The Blue Benn Diner—a shining beacon of chrome and nostalgia in Bennington.
This 1940s dining car looks like it rolled right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, complete with swivel stools and a jukebox that probably remembers the day Elvis first shook his hips on TV.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a time when calories didn’t exist and coffee refills were unlimited.
The menu is as thick as a small-town phone book, offering everything from classic diner fare to surprisingly adventurous specials.
Their “Hungry Man Breakfast” could feed a small village, while the “Veggie Benedict” proves that even hippies are welcome in this time capsule of Americana.
But the true test of any diner is its pancakes, and The Blue Benn doesn’t disappoint.
These flapjacks are so light and fluffy, they might just float right off your plate if not anchored down with a healthy dollop of butter and syrup.
It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you want to cancel all your plans and spend the day in a happy, maple-induced coma.
5. The Wayside Restaurant (Montpelier)
The Wayside Restaurant in Montpelier is like that reliable friend who’s always there for you—especially when you’re hungry.
This no-frills eatery has been serving up comfort food since 1918, which means they were flipping flapjacks when your great-grandparents were still in short pants.
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The place looks like it hasn’t changed much since it opened, and that’s part of its charm.
The neon sign outside proudly proclaims “RESTAURANT” in case you were confused about what kind of establishment serves piping hot coffee and plates piled high with eggs and bacon.
Their “Farmer’s Breakfast” is the stuff of legend—eggs, meat, toast, and home fries, all cooked to perfection.
It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to go out and plow a field, even if the closest you’ve ever been to farming is growing basil on your windowsill.
But the real showstopper?
Their homemade pies.
Whether you’re a breakfast-for-dessert kind of person or just can’t resist a slice of heaven, these pies are worth every calorie.
And in Vermont, calories don’t count if they’re consumed before noon.
That’s just science.
6. Maple Sugar & Vermont Spice (Mendon)
Maple Sugar & Vermont Spice in Mendon is what happens when a sugar shack and a cozy cabin have a delicious baby.
This rustic spot looks like it was built by Paul Bunyan himself, with its weathered wooden exterior and cheery red roof.
Inside, it’s all warm wood and the intoxicating aroma of maple syrup.
The menu reads like a love letter to the noble maple tree, with everything from maple-glazed bacon to maple cream pie.
Their “Sugar Maker’s Breakfast” is a symphony of sweet and savory, featuring pancakes so light they might float away if not weighed down by a generous pour of their house-made syrup.
But the real treat?
Watching them make maple candy right before your eyes.
It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory, but with more flannel and fewer Oompa Loompas.
You’ll leave with sticky fingers, a sugar high, and probably a few bottles of syrup tucked under your arm.
No judgment here—we’ve all been there.
7. The Hungry Bear Pub & Restaurant (Bradford)
Don’t let the name fool you—The Hungry Bear in Bradford isn’t just for our furry forest friends.
This local haunt serves up breakfasts that would satisfy even the most ravenous grizzly.
The exterior might look like a typical roadside diner, but inside, it’s all Vermont charm.
Their “Lumberjack Special” is not for the faint of heart (or small of stomach).
It’s a mountain of eggs, pancakes, bacon, and home fries that could fuel you through a day of chopping wood—or, more likely, a day of napping on the couch.
But hey, no judgment here.
The real star of the show, though, is their homemade corned beef hash.
It’s crispy, it’s savory, and it’s probably the reason why bears come out of hibernation early in these parts.
Pair it with a steaming mug of their house blend coffee, and you’ve got a breakfast that’ll make you want to hug a tree—or at least the person who cooked your meal.
8. The Vergennes Laundry (Vergennes)
Don’t let the name fool you—The Vergennes Laundry isn’t where you go to get your whites whiter.
Unless by “whites” you mean “eggs,” and by “whiter” you mean “perfectly poached.”
This charming spot in Vermont’s smallest city is where culinary magic happens, all wrapped up in a package that’s more French countryside than Green Mountain State.
Housed in a beautifully restored building with tall windows and an airy interior, The Vergennes Laundry feels like stumbling into a secret breakfast club for those in the know.
Their wood-fired oven isn’t just for show—it’s the heart and soul of this operation, churning out crusty breads and pastries that would make a Parisian weep with joy.
Their breakfast menu changes with the seasons faster than a Vermonter changes from shorts to snow boots.
But whatever’s on offer, you can bet it’ll be simple, elegant, and packed with more flavor than you thought possible for first thing in the morning.
The coffee?
Strong enough to wake up a hibernating bear.
And trust me, after one bite of their croissants, you’ll be growling for more too.
So there you have it, folks—eight reasons to set your alarm clock early and hit the Vermont roads.
Your taste buds (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.
Satisfy your taste for adventure!
This map has all the stops you need to make every meal a memorable one.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some pancakes to attend to.