Imagine a place where maple syrup flows like water, and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the air.
Welcome to Vermont, where charming cafes are as abundant as the state’s famous fall foliage.
1. Park Row Cafe (Waterbury Village Historic District)
Nestled in the heart of Waterbury Village, Park Row Cafe is like that quirky aunt who always has a story to tell.
The mint-green exterior with splashes of red and purple trim is as inviting as a warm hug on a chilly Vermont morning.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where breakfast and lunch reign supreme, and calories don’t count (or so we like to pretend).
The cafe’s motto might as well be “Why choose between breakfast and lunch when you can have both?”
Their menu is a delightful mishmash of morning favorites and midday delights.
Picture this: you’re sitting at a cozy table, sipping on a steaming cup of locally roasted coffee, while debating between the stack of fluffy pancakes drowning in Vermont maple syrup or the hearty sandwich that’s calling your name.
It’s a delicious dilemma that’ll have you planning your next visit before you’ve even finished your meal.
2. The Skinny Pancake (Burlington)
Don’t let the name fool you – there’s nothing “skinny” about the experience at The Skinny Pancake in Burlington.
This creperie is like that friend who went backpacking through Europe and came back with a beret and an unshakeable love for all things French.
Except here, the French cuisine got a Vermont makeover, and boy, did it clean up nice!
Housed in a beautiful stone building that looks like it could withstand a zombie apocalypse (or at least a particularly rowdy group of college students), The Skinny Pancake is where local ingredients meet global flavors.
Their crepes are so good, they might just make you forget about those fancy Parisian cafes.
From savory to sweet, each crepe is a little work of art – if art was edible and could potentially drip down your chin.
3. Up For Breakfast (Manchester Center)
If there was an Olympic event for “Most Appropriately Named Cafe,” Up For Breakfast in Manchester Center would take home the gold.
This place is so ready for breakfast, it’s practically doing jumping jacks.
The bright red awning and staircase leading up to the entrance are like a caffeinated wake-up call for your taste buds.
Inside, it’s cozier than a bear’s den, but with significantly better food options.
The menu is a love letter to all things breakfast, written in the language of eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
It’s the kind of place where the coffee is strong enough to wake up Rip Van Winkle, and the portions are big enough to fuel a lumberjack convention.
4. The Blue Benn Diner (Bennington)
The Blue Benn Diner in Bennington is like stepping into a time machine that’s been programmed to the golden age of American diners.
This vintage dining car, with its gleaming blue exterior, is more photogenic than most Instagram influencers.
It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see the Fonz walk in and give a thumbs-up.
Inside, it’s a nostalgic wonderland of chrome, vinyl, and comfort food that’ll make your cardiologist weep (tears of joy or concern, we’re not sure).
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The menu is longer than a Victorian novel, offering everything from classic diner fare to unexpected culinary twists.
It’s where your grandma’s cooking meets a foodie’s fever dream, resulting in dishes that are both familiar and excitingly new.
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.
With its no-nonsense exterior and bold signage, it practically screams “Come in, we’ve got food!”
And boy, do they deliver on that promise.
This place has been serving up hearty meals since before your great-grandparents were twinkles in their parents’ eyes.
The menu is a greatest hits album of comfort food, with each dish playing like a familiar tune that never gets old.
It’s the kind of joint where the waitstaff probably knows half the customers by name and can predict their orders before they even sit down.
6. Maple Sugar & Vermont Spice (Mendon)
Maple Sugar & Vermont Spice in Mendon is what happens when a sugar shack and a cozy cafe have a delicious love child.
Housed in a rustic barn that looks like it could tell tales of Vermont winters past, this place is as authentically Green Mountain State as it gets.
Inside, it’s a maple lover’s paradise.
The air is sweeter than a love song, filled with the aroma of syrup, spices, and freshly baked goods.
It’s the kind of place where you might walk in planning to have a light snack and walk out with a belly full of pancakes and a newfound obsession with all things maple.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to bathe in their syrup – we won’t judge.
7. The Hungry Bear Pub & Restaurant (Bradford)
The Hungry Bear in Bradford is the kind of place that makes you wonder if it was named after its patrons rather than as a cute moniker.
With its rustic exterior and playful signage, it’s like a siren call to anyone with an appetite bigger than a bear’s.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by an atmosphere that’s part pub, part family restaurant, and all Vermont.
The menu is a carnivore’s dream, with portions that could satisfy a hibernating grizzly.
It’s the sort of establishment where “salad” is considered a foreign word, and where the phrase “I’m full” is met with skeptical looks.
8. The Vergennes Laundry (Vergennes)
Don’t let the name fool you – unless you’re planning to wash your clothes with croissant crumbs, The Vergennes Laundry is all about food, not fabric.
This charming spot in Vergennes is what happens when French bakery techniques meet Vermont’s farm-to-table ethos.
Housed in a beautifully restored building that screams “Instagram me,” The Vergennes Laundry is a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries is so enticing, you might find yourself involuntarily floating towards the counter, cartoon-style.
It’s the kind of place where calories don’t exist, and where “just one more bite” becomes your mantra for the day.
From quaint diners to chic bakeries, Vermont’s cafe scene is as diverse as its landscape.
So loosen your belt and bring your appetite – these spots are waiting to serve you a slice of Green Mountain charm.