Summer is here! And there's simply nothing better than enjoying a delicious meal made with Vermont ingredients and a cold drink created by one of our local craft beverage makers, all while taking in the Green Mountain State's beautiful summer landscape.
So, sit outside this summer! Our Vermont eateries and tasting rooms have you covered. Check out our suggestions below. Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list - be sure to check in with the restaurants in your area to see what the offerings are and plan your visit. And if you like to travel with your dog, check out the Vermont Brewers Association's list of dog-friendly breweries!
Northern Vermont: Black Lantern Inn | Edelweiss Mountain Deli | Edson Hill | Kraemer & Kin | Lake Champlain Chocolates | Shelburne Vineyard | Stowe Cider | Switchback Brewing Company | The Skinny Pancake | Tres Amigos
Central Vermont: Collaborative Brewing | Fable Farm Fermentory | Foley Brothers Brewing & Neshobe River Winery | Foley's Taco & Bean | Haymaker Bun Co. | Joe's Kitchen at Screamin' Ridge Farm | Mountain Top Inn & Resort | The Skinny Pancake
Southern Vermont: Brownsville Butcher & Pantry | Dosa Kitchen | Hermit Thrush Brewery | J.J. Hapgood General Store & Eatery | MKT: Grafton | Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery | SILO Distillery
Northern Vermont
Black Lantern Inn - Montgomery
Enjoy a meal and one of our signature cocktails in the fresh air evening sun on our quintessential covered porch; a respite and comfort to travelers for over 200 years.
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 5:00pm - close.
Need to make a reservation? It's not required, but suggested for larger parties. Call 802-326-4603 to book.
Edelweiss Mountain Deli - Stowe
Edelweiss offers both fine prepared foods to go and specialty foods and beverages for retail. The culinary team, led by Executive Chef Jason Bissell, prepares entrees, sandwiches, salads, soups, and baked goods.
Guests are invited to dine on our outdoor patio. We celebrate the individual and family entrepreneurs who make Vermont an innovative leader in the food and beverage industry. To that end, we are committed to sourcing locally.
Don’t miss Dano’s Italian sandwich, the Moroccan chicken, the Barnes Camp burrito, or the chocolate chip cookies.
Hours: Daily, 9:00pm - 6:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Edson Hill - Stowe
The Upper Patio with a custom, retractable awning features an intimate ambiance and unbeatable views of the picturesque grounds from nearly every angle and is the perfect setting for date night. Our newly expanded Tavern Patio in a sunken garden offers a casual vibe beside the firepit and beneath the market lights. Both feature the same casual fine dining experience and menu.
The Tavern Patio has reopened for cocktails! It wouldn’t be summer without a Thyme After Thyme with Barr Hill Gin, St Germaine, fresh lime juice, thyme honey, and garnished with thyme from the garden. For dinner, try one of our rotating items like the butter-poached lobster with hijiki, shaved fennel, and green wasabi tobiko paired with a glass of crisp champagne, like the Jean Laurent Blanc De Noir Brut.
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 5:00pm - 9:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? The Tavern Patio is open for cocktails on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are required for dining. Call 802-253-7371 or click here to book.
Photo: Luv Lens
Kraemer & Kin - North Hero
Check out the biergarten, patio, and porch at Kraemer & Kin!
It’s a collaborative, community-driven space featuring art and local beer.
Enjoy seasonal beers featuring foraged and farm fresh ingredients, and [visiting food trucks] along with local baked goodies.
Hours: Friday - Sunday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Soon, they’ll also be open 12:00pm - 6:00pm on Thursdays, too!
Need to make a reservation? No - it’s first come, first served.
Lake Champlain Chocolates - Pine Street, Burlington
Lake Champlain Chocolates has picnic tables with umbrellas outside of their shop on Pine Street. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an ice cream cone, iced latte, or milkshake!
Don’t miss our milkshakes - we have the best in town! Or try one of our limited edition ice cream flavors like strawberry made with local berries.
Hours: Daily; 10:00am - 9:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Shelburne Vineyard - Shelburne
Shelburne Vineyard has a lovely outdoor patio with an awning and umbrella-shaded tables, as well as picnic tables on the lawn.
Spend a perfect Vermont summer afternoon lounging on our patio, looking out across the vineyard, and sipping our delicious and unique Vermont-made wines. In the hot days of summer, we recommend Iapetus’ Vidal Fizz, Tributary, and/or Alluvium.
Hours: Thursday - Monday, 11:00am - 7:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? It's highly recommended that you do, but walk-ins are also accepted. The last seating is at 5:30pm. Book here.
Stowe Cider - Stowe
We offer both an outdoor patio attached to our taproom and a newly renovated cider garden and music venue which we have dubbed “The Garden” in the back of our property. From our taproom and its patio, guests can enjoy tasting flights and full pours of all our latest ciders, including taproom exclusive varieties. Those joining us in The Garden can enjoy a draft list of our latest ciders in a lush outdoor setting with a continually updating lineup of musicians for smaller performances and ticketed concerts.
Our guests have been loving our latest offering from the Hit Single Series, Puff Puff Pineapple - a semi-dry cider with applewood smoked chili peppers and pineapple. We also recommend trying Shandy. A semi-dry offering that is a crafting of crisp hard cider and homemade lemonade, it’s totally summer and pleasantly tart. Every visit to our taproom is different though since we’re always working on new projects. Asking your bartender what’s new or about their favorite cider on draft is definitely a must as well!
Hours: Sunday - Wednesday, 11:00am - 7:00pm, and Thursday - Saturday, 11:00am - 8:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? You don’t need one to visit the taproom, but some evenings guests are required to have tickets to musical performances. The best way to stay in the know is to visit the Events page on their website or their Facebook page.
Switchback Brewing Company - Burlington
We offer outdoor dining on our taproom patio and rustic multi-level beer garden. Located just steps away from the bike path in the South End, there’s plenty of space for guests to spread out and enjoy the sunshine.
Hot dogs are a popular staple at the taproom, and we are very excited to have expanded on that this summer! We now offer veggie dogs in addition to hot dogs and beer brats steamed in Switchback Ale. We have also added new toppings and sides ranging from coleslaw to hearty German potato salad.
Try our just-released brand new beer: Octane Cat DIPA. Octane Cat is a radically revved up Double IPA bursting with grapefruit, pineapple, mandarin orange, and passion fruit flavors. All grain and no added sugar, Octane Cat purr-fectly handles an extreme 9.1% ABV without any clawing boozy notes. Find Octane Cat DIPA currently on draught exclusively at the taproom with cans available come July.
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 1:00pm - 8:00pm, Friday, 1:00pm - 9:00pm, Saturday, 12:00pm - 9:00pm, and Sunday, 12:00pm - 7:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? No, tables are available on a first come, first served basis.
The Skinny Pancake - Burlington Waterfront & Downtown Stowe
The Skinny Pancake offers relaxed, welcoming outdoor dining with both areas of shade and open sunlight offered for your comfort. Our casual and quick food offerings make for delicious dining at your leisure. These locations offer patio dining.
When visiting, folks can’t go wrong with any kind of crepe. But we especially suggest you try out the savory apples and brie special as part of our new menu rollout. This dish includes local apples, delicious brie, and Sweet Roots Farm blueberry compote all together in a savory crepe, and comes served with a side of local greens.
Hours: Generally speaking, The Skinny Pancake is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert at all locations but open hours do vary. Check here for the most up-to-date information.
Need to make a reservation? It's suggested that you do, but not required. Book here.
Tres Amigos - Stowe
Tres Amigos offers a beautiful and spacious dog-friendly patio right on the Stowe Bike Path.
Try our house favorite cocktail, “Hott Fuzz,” a spicy habanero peach margarita, and our traditional street corn.
Hours: Monday, Thursday, & Friday, 4:00pm - 9:00pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am - 9:00pm.
Reservations: They’re not required, but you can call 802-253-6245 to book!
Central Vermont
Collaborative Brewing - Waitsfield
We've got seating on our porch! Beginning this week, we'll have a full bartop on the railing facing out. It's a covered porch, safe from the elements, with a view of the Mad River Green, and the Mad River Green Shopping Center (great people watching opportunities)!
We've recently partnered with Landlocked Seafood, and are now serving a full seafood menu including lobster rolls, steamed mussels, spicy scallop ceviche, and more! The menu pairs great with our beer selection, and many items include our beers in their recipes!
Pictured is Fast Times At Vermont Rye, an American Rye Ale brewed with entirely Vermont-grown grains and hops.
Hours: Thursday & Friday, 3:00pm - 9:00pm, Saturday, 11:00am - 9:00pm, and Sunday, 12:00pm - 7:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? Reservations aren't required, but they are accepted for indoor tables if you want to guarantee a spot to sit! Call 802-583-2739 to book. Both bar tops are first come, first served.
Fable Farm Fermentory - Barnard
Located in the piedmont of the Green Mountains at 1700 feet, the Fable Fermentory is like a seed nestled into a working organic farm, reminiscent of a traditional European farm winery. At the core, there is a 250 year old barn constructed from ancient hemlock that serves as our place of manufacturing and tasting room.
Sit on the patio, at a picnic table in the expansive orchard setting, or inside the barn.
We offer flights of our ciders, meads, and grape wines (up to ten different options), as well as cheeseboards made with our pickles and cheeses from different Vermont cheesemakers.
Hours: Saturdays, 3:00pm - 6:00pm, and Thursdays through the end of September, join for live music from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. See the schedule here.
Need to make a reservation? For Thursdays, yes. Get the details here. For Saturdays, no.
Foley Brothers Brewing & Neshobe River Winery - Brandon
Here at Neshobe River Winery and Foley Brothers Brewing, we offer outdoor seating in a beautiful field with views of Neshobe Golf Course and the Green Mountains. Inside, enjoy the 1800s barn atmosphere. Either way, relax with snacks, brews, and wines!
Other than the beer, check out our housemade sangria - available in red and white, as well as snack plates.
Hours: Retail; Monday - Saturday, 11:00am - 5:00pm, tastings; Friday & Saturday, 11:00am - 5:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? Reservations are optional, walk-ins are welcome. Book here.
Foley's Taco & Bean - Brandon
At Foley’s Taco & Bean, we offer a mix of outdoor seating on our covered wrap-around porch and on the brightly painted picnic tables scattered on our lawn, where diners can be in the center of the newly redesigned Brandon downtown.
It’s a relaxed, friendly, and always fun place to meet friends, watch people, and enjoy amazing food, drinks, in-house roasted coffee, and ice cream.
Whichever taco or burrito catches your eye will be delicious! We use the freshest ingredients in everything we make. The margaritas and beer are equal partners to the food.
Hours: Thursday, 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Friday & Saturday, 12:00pm - 8:00pm, and Sunday, 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Stay tuned for updated seasonal hours on Facebook.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Haymaker Bun Co. - Middlebury
Haymaker Bun Company has an outdoor deck situated right above the lovely Otter Creek. It is a tranquil space where you can grab a coffee, pastry, or lunch and meet with friends or quietly enjoy time to yourself.
If you come for breakfast, you cannot miss our famous brioche buns. Our OG (original cinnamon bun) is a great place to start! We also offer a variety of savory buns, chocolate buns, donuts, vegan/gluten-free treats, and excellent espresso from Brio Coffeeworks. If you are here for lunch, our Bahn Mi and falafel salad are fan favorites.
Hours: Tuesday, 7:30am - 11:30am (breakfast only), Wednesday - Saturday, 7:30am - 2:00pm, and Sunday, 8:00am - 2:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Note: Haymaker Bun Co. shares a space with The Arcadian.
Joe’s Kitchen at Screamin’ Ridge Farm - Montpelier
Find a spot at a picnic table on the lawn under the awning.
The laid back environment at Joe's Kitchen, with delicious smells wafting from the bbq smoker, is perfect for enjoying fresh Maine mussels, steamers, and lobster rolls along with Joe’s Kitchen’s all local BBQ - ribs, pulled pork, brisket, turkey breast, and all the sides!
Hours: Thursday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm, and Friday & Saturday, 12:00pm - 8:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Note: Joe's Kitchen is BYOB. And you can also order takeout online here.
Mountain Top Inn & Resort - Chittenden
Mountain Top Resort offers outdoor terrace table service for our tavern and restaurant guests from spring through fall (temperature assisted with propane heaters and our year-round fire pit).
Mountain Top’s terrace offers one of the best views in Vermont - a spectacular panorama of meadows, woods, 740-acre lake and miles and miles of Green Mountain summits.
Don’t miss the Highlands Burger - a mixture of porterhouse, brisket, and chuck cooked to your liking and topped with our famous housemade bacon jam, caramelized onions, and locally made goat cheese, served with either tavern or sweet potato fries. Our Highlands Burger is the perfect pairing for one of our 12 Vermont craft brews on tap.
Hours: Daily; 12:00pm - 9:00pm.
Note: Our overnight stay guests also receive table service by the pool and our chefs prepare picnic lunches for dining on our guided pontoon boat rides or for guests to take to our private beach or on hikes (we have 40 miles of trails), etc.
The Skinny Pancake - Montpelier & Quechee
The Skinny Pancake offers relaxed, welcoming outdoor dining with both areas of shade and open sunlight offered for your comfort. Our casual and quick food offerings make for delicious dining at your leisure. Most of our locations offer patio dining, while the Quechee spot offers more of a picnic-style atmosphere.
When visiting, folks can’t go wrong with any kind of crepe. But we especially suggest you try out the savory apples and brie special as part of our new menu rollout. This dish includes local apples, delicious brie, and Sweet Roots Farm blueberry compote all together in a savory crepe, and comes served with a side of local greens.
Hours: Generally speaking, The Skinny Pancake is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert at all locations with hours reflecting that, but hours do vary. Check here for the most up-to-date information.
Need to make a reservation? It's suggested that you do, but not required. Book here.
Southern Vermont
Brownsville Butcher & Pantry - Brownsville
We have a deck with tables and umbrellas right next to our service window (for quick access to draft beer and ice cream), as well as picnic tables for larger groups. During the summer, we also do Curbside Cookouts on alternating Fridays where we close down the parking lot entirely! This allows more space for lawn chairs and even folding tables for folks to enjoy the food and live music comfortably with friends and family.
The market & cafe is clean and bright - it has that traditional, old-style general store feeling with more windows and less clutter. It’s very much a community space - where friends catch up, and our regulars are well known by the staff.
Our menu highlight is definitely the burger: 100% locally sourced, house-ground chuck patties make it shine! They’re smashed and grilled, then topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and our own burger sauce on a grilled bun. It’s a classic take that lets the beef shine.
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 7:00am - 7:00pm. Breakfast is served until 11:00am, and lunch service begins at 10:00am. All of our food is packaged for takeout so you can enjoy it on the deck and take any leftovers home!
Need to make a reservation? No.
Dosa Kitchen Food Truck - Retreat Farm, Brattleboro
We’re a food truck with tented picnic table seating situated at the Retreat Farm in Farmhouse Square with beautiful farm, mountain, and water views.
Get the Masala Dosa - it’s one of HuffPost’s 10 Foods to Try Before You Die!
Hours: Friday, 4:00pm - 7:30pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am - 3:30pm.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Hermit Thrush Brewery - Brattleboro
We have outdoor parklet seating with umbrellas to enjoy tastings and flights of our all sour beer!
Try out Windham Flora! Aptly named after the flora of Windham County, it’s a spontaneously fermented sour ale. Following overnight inoculation, this sour ale then aged for 20 months in Italian Marsala wine barrels. It absolutely showcases the lovely and complex nuances of Brattleboro’s wild indigenous microbes.
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 12:00pm - 7:00pm, Friday & Saturday, 11:00am - 7:00pm, and Sunday, 11:00am - 6:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? It’s recommended as seating capacity is limited. We kindly ask that reservations keep to no longer than one hour in order to accommodate our many thirsty travelers. Book by calling 802-257-2337.
Photo: Little Pond Digital
J.J. Hapgood General Store & Eatery - Peru
J.J. Hapgood General Store & Eatery proudly boasts one of the nicest patios in the Manchester and the mountains area. The patio is made of Danby Marble covered by a wooden pergola that is adorned with beautiful blooming Wisteria. You will hear a carefully curated music list while dining on vintage patio furniture. Beyond the patio is a grassy area with plenty of space for children to run around, picnic blankets, and a couple of cornhole games set up for customer use.
At breakfast, we’re known for our breakfast sandwiches on homemade buttermilk chive biscuits. Lunch specialties include our buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches on locally made rolls, fabulous salads, homemade soups, and wood-fired dishes including pizza. Other treats include draft beer, craft cocktails, and mocktails.
Hours: Generally Wednesday - Sunday; 7:30am - 5:00pm. Calling ahead is recommended, as hours can vary. J.J. Hapgood's also plans to offer extending evening hours during peak season.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Photo: Luv Lens
MKT: Grafton - Grafton
MKT offers a lovely shaded patio surrounded by lush gardens in the heart of charming Grafton.
Don’t miss our lunch BLTTA (bacon, lettuce, turkey, tomato, and avocado) sandwich on local bread or our fresh baked pizza with homemade sauce and Jasper Hill Farms chef shred cheese served with a Heady Topper! Have a Kingdom Creamery maple creemee for dessert!
Hours: Daily, 9:00am - 7:00pm.
Need to make a reservation? No.
Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery - Brattleboro
The Whetstone Craft Beers taproom on Bridge Street offers multiple beautiful outdoor seating sections including the lower deck, which hangs over the Connecticut River and our newly renovated upstairs biergarten where we have 14 taps, a full bar, live entertainment, and a stunning view of the river and nearby mountains. We also offer picnic tables in front of the building where you can enjoy a beer with your pup! With delicious craft drafts and pub grub, Whetstone offers a casual and relaxing environment for anyone looking to soak in some Vermont atmosphere and flavors.
While you're here, be sure to pair up our Rug Life Amber Ale with a brewer's grain pretzel and famous cheddar ale soup (both made with Whetstone beer)!
Hours: Sunday - Thursday; 12:00pm - 9:00pm, and Friday & Saturday, 12:00pm to closing.
Need to make a reservation? No.
SILO Distillery - Windsor
We offer cocktails and food on the weekends from our neighbor and food truck, Artisan Eats.
Take a seat on the patio at a table with an umbrella, or find a seat under the overhang.
The patio is great for relaxing with seating for couples, as well as groups. We have music on Fridays from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, and Sundays from 2:00pm - 4:00pm.
We make all of our own spirits in house from Vermont grown ingredients, and the cocktail menu features rotating cocktails made with Blake Hill Jam. Food is available from our neighbor, Artisan Eats, Thursday through Sunday.
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Friday, 1:00pm - 8:00pm, Saturday, 12:00pm - 7:00pm, and Sunday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm.
Need to make reservations? No.
