Imagine a journey where every pit stop is a flavor explosion waiting to happen.
That’s exactly what you’re in for with this mouthwatering tour of Vermont’s hidden culinary gems.
Prepare your taste buds for a rollercoaster ride through the Green Mountain State’s most delectable eateries!
1. Wayside Restaurant (Montpelier)
Let’s kick off our gastronomic adventure at the Wayside Restaurant, a Montpelier institution that’s been serving up comfort food since before your grandma was born (probably).
This place is like a time machine with a side of gravy – step inside, and you’re transported back to a simpler era when calories didn’t exist, and pie was considered a vegetable.
The neon sign outside screams “RESTAURANT” in case you were confused about what kind of establishment serves food at tables.
Inside, it’s all cozy booths and friendly faces.
The menu is a greatest hits album of diner classics, but with a Vermont twist.
Think maple-infused everything and enough local cheese to make a dairy cow blush.
Don’t leave without trying their famous homemade bread.
It’s so good, you might be tempted to stuff your pockets for later.
But resist the urge – crumbs in your car are not a good look.
2. The Cupboard Deli (Jeffersonville)
Next up, we’re heading to The Cupboard Deli in Jeffersonville, where the sandwiches are so stuffed, they make your cheeks look positively concave in comparison.
This charming red building with its whimsical mural is like a beacon of hope for the hungry traveler.
The Cupboard isn’t just a deli; it’s a full-blown culinary circus.
They’ve got sandwiches, pizzas, baked goods, and even soft-serve ice cream.
It’s like they couldn’t decide what kind of eatery to be, so they said, “Why not all of them?”
Their outdoor seating area is perfect for people-watching while you attempt to unhinge your jaw to fit around one of their massive sandwiches.
Just be prepared for some serious food envy from passersby.
3. The Blue Donkey (Stowe)
Giddy-up, food lovers!
We’re trotting over to The Blue Donkey in Stowe, where the burgers are so good, you’ll wonder if you’ve died and gone to bovine heaven.
This quirky joint with its blue donkey sign is like the cool kid of the burger world – effortlessly hip, but still approachable.
The Blue Donkey’s menu is a love letter to the humble hamburger, with enough creative toppings to make your head spin faster than their milkshake blender.
And speaking of milkshakes, theirs are thicker than a Vermont winter and twice as satisfying.
The casual, no-frills atmosphere lets the food do the talking.
And boy, does it have a lot to say.
Each bite is like a flavor explosion in your mouth, leaving you wondering if your taste buds just went through puberty.
4. Miss Lyndonville Diner (Lyndonville)
Buckle up, buttercup, because we’re cruising to the Miss Lyndonville Diner, where the coffee is strong enough to wake the dead and the pie selection is more diverse than a United Nations meeting.
This classic American diner is like a warm hug for your stomach.
With its retro vibes and cozy booths, Miss Lyndonville Diner is the kind of place where you half expect to see the Fonz walk in and give everyone a thumbs up.
The menu is a nostalgic trip through comfort food lane, with all the classics your cardiologist warned you about.
Their breakfast menu is so extensive, you might need a map to navigate it.
And don’t even get me started on their homemade pies – they’re so good, you’ll be tempted to start a new food group called “pie for every meal.”
5. The Parkway Diner (South Burlington)
Roll up your sleeves and loosen your belt, because we’re pulling into The Parkway Diner in South Burlington.
This shiny, retro-fabulous eatery looks like it was plucked straight out of a 1950s movie set, complete with chrome accents and red vinyl seats.
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The Parkway Diner is where time stands still, but your appetite certainly doesn’t.
Their menu is a greatest hits compilation of diner fare, with portions so generous you’ll wonder if they’re secretly feeding an army.
Don’t miss their famous home fries – they’re crispier than your grandpa’s jokes and twice as satisfying.
And if you’re feeling particularly brave (or particularly hungry), tackle their breakfast challenge.
Just remember, stretchy pants are your friend here.
6. The Skinny Pancake (Burlington)
Irony alert!
We’re heading to The Skinny Pancake in Burlington, where the crêpes are anything but skinny.
This hip joint has taken the humble French pancake and turned it into a canvas for culinary creativity.
With its stone facade and outdoor seating, The Skinny Pancake feels like a cool European café that somehow landed in Vermont.
Their menu is a globetrotter’s dream, with crêpes inspired by flavors from around the world.
Whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savory, they’ve got a crêpe for that.
And don’t worry about pronouncing “crêpe” correctly – after a few bites, you’ll be too busy making happy noises to care about proper French pronunciation.
7. Maple City Diner (St. Albans)
Hope you saved room, because we’re rolling into the Maple City Diner in St. Albans.
This place is so Vermont, it practically bleeds maple syrup.
With its classic diner exterior and cozy interior, it’s like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting – if Norman Rockwell had a serious thing for comfort food.
The Maple City Diner takes local ingredients and turns them into stick-to-your-ribs goodness.
Their menu is a love letter to Vermont cuisine, with enough maple-infused dishes to make you wonder if they have a secret maple tree growing in the kitchen.
Don’t leave without trying their famous maple cream pie.
It’s so good, you might be tempted to propose marriage to it.
Just remember, pie can’t say “I do” back.
8. Vergennes Laundry (Vergennes)
Next stop: Vergennes Laundry.
Don’t let the name fool you – the only thing getting cleaned here is your plate.
This charming bakery and café is housed in a beautifully restored building that’s more Instagram-worthy than your last vacation photos.
Vergennes Laundry is where French sophistication meets Vermont charm.
Their pastries are so flaky and delicate, you’ll feel like you need to whisper around them.
And their coffee?
It’s strong enough to make you speak fluent French after just one sip.
The minimalist decor lets the food take center stage, and boy, does it deserve the spotlight.
Each dish is a work of art – almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
9. Misery Loves Co. (Winooski)
Last but not least, we’re wrapping up our tour at Misery Loves Co. in Winooski.
With a name like that, you’d expect a gloomy dive bar, but this place is anything but miserable.
It’s more like “Deliciousness Loves Company,” but I guess that doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Misery Loves Co. is where comfort food gets a gourmet makeover.
Their menu changes more often than a chameleon on a disco floor, always featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients in unexpected combinations.
The industrial-chic decor and open kitchen make you feel like you’re part of some cool culinary experiment.
And in a way, you are – each dish is a delicious adventure for your taste buds.
There you have it, folks – a whirlwind tour of Vermont’s unassuming culinary treasures.
From diners to bakeries, these spots prove that sometimes the best flavors come in the most unexpected packages.
Satisfy your taste for adventure!
This map has all the stops you need to make every meal a memorable one.
Now go forth and eat!