Locals and visitors are fortunate to have a very wide selection of great romantic restaurants to choose from. Burlington’s best eateries work closely with local Vermont farmers to showcase their freshest produce, which means that fresh flavorsome seasonal foods are the order of the day. From humble sandwiches to fine food and wine pairings – you will find it all in Burlington.
Henry’s Diner
Henry’s Diner has been pleasing Burlington palates with delicious home-style cooking for nearly 100 years. The restaurant opened in 1925 and has been a Downtown landmark ever since. Henry’s serves an all-day breakfast that keeps customers coming back time after time to enjoy their favorite Benedicts, omelets and breakfast skillets at any time of the day. If you are visiting around lunch time you can feast on a large selection of delicious home-style dishes which include soups and sandwiches, burgers, Gyros, entrée plates and much more. There is an interesting kid’s menu and delicious desserts, milkshakes and floats. Henry’s is open daily from 6am to 2pm.
Henry’s Diner, 155 Bank Street, Burlington, VT 05401, 802 862 9010
The Daily Planet
At The Daily Planet, Chef Justin Bigelow believes in giving his creative side free reign in the kitchen, serving up innovative and delicious freshly prepared dishes for a growing list of regulars. The restaurant is light and airy and has an outdoor patio area for alfresco dining in summer. You can expect to find artistic flavor and texture combinations on your plate, masterfully crafted to perfectly enhance the champion of the dish – think oven roasted Brussels sprouts served with maple-glazed pork belly and crisp fennel – one of the restaurant’s classic favorites. You will always find an excellent selection of unusual Vermont cheeses on offer as well as several wonderful dishes suitable for vegetarians.
The Daily Planet , 15 Center Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-862-9647
Pizzeria Verita
For the best flavors and aromas of Naples in the heart Burlington you need to make your way to Pizzeria Verita where you can savor a delicious wood-fired pizza made from fresh local Vermont ingredients. While you wait for your thin-based pizza to be hand-made from scratch you can enjoy sipping another taste of Italy – the pizzeria also specializes in mixing their own unique brand of cocktails using locally-made Italian spirits, fresh local juices and house-made bitters. Antipasti’s include delicious sharing platters of marinated vegetables, cheeses or charcuterie and fresh tasty salads. Gluten free pizzas are available on request and there are desserts to round off your meal.
Pizzeria Verita, 156 St. Paul Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-489-5644
Hen of the Wood
At Hen of the Wood in Burlington a warm welcome and a relaxed casual ambiance set the scene for a romantic night out. The owners of this restaurant have a simple philosophy – to provide a welcoming venue where guests can enjoy simple dishes which have been perfectly prepared to reflect their unique properties. All the fresh produce comes from near-by farms and the restaurant goes the extra mile to showcase local artisanal producers. The menu changes daily depending on what is in season; you can choose from a selection of appetizers, small plates, entrees, sides and sharing plates for two. There is always something delicious for vegetarians.
Hen of the Wood, 55 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-540-0534
Juniper Bar and Restaurant
Juniper Bar and Restaurant at Hotel Vermont is another of Cherry Street’s ingredient-driven restaurants which offers great food and a lively atmosphere, perfect for a date night or brunch. Most of the ingredients you will find on your plate have been farmed, fished or scavenged locally and need very little preparation to elevate them to mouth-watering delights. Brunch is served daily until 2pm and includes amazing dishes like duck eggs with steamed local greens, scavenged mushroom tartlets or house-smoked salmon bagels. Dinner offers more wonderful choices like leek and mushroom tart for starters and a selection of locally sourced meats, poultry and fish dishes.
Juniper Bar and Restaurant, 41 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 855-650-0080
E.B. Strong’s Prime Steakhouse
All the prime steaks served at E.B. Strong’s Prime Steakhouse has been certified USDA Prime – when you consider that only 2% of all beef produced in the US falls into this category, you know you are in for a superior steak dinner with a distinctly buttery taste and wonderful texture. Before you tuck into the steak of your choice you can enjoy a selection of appetizers which include fresh oysters, crab cake, shrimp cocktail and other favorites. Besides a choice of 4 different prime cuts of steak, E.B. Strong serves other delicious entrees like a rack of lamb, chicken, burgers, surf and turf and much more.
E.B. Strong’s Prime Steakhouse , 10 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401, 802 497 1214, Map
A Single Pebble
Classic, traditional Chinese food prepared with love and an eye for detail is what you will find on your plate when you visit A Single Pebble in Bank Street. Owner/chef Chiuho Duval uses only the freshest local ingredients and imported Chinese essentials to recreate the memorable classic Chinese cuisine that she grew up eating in Taiwan. The restaurant has a very homely atmosphere and many of the dishes are designed to be shared at the table. If you find it impossible to make choices from the very long menu you can order the nine-course Chef’s Tasting Menu and leave the choices to Chef Duval.
A Single Pebble, 133 Bank Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-865-5200
August First
August First is an impossible-to-miss bakery and café located on Champlain Street, serving delicious breakfasts, brunch and lunches in an inviting indoor area with outside seating for sunny Vermont days. The first thing that hits you when you enter the café is the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. Breakfast hits the spot with delicious sandwiches, skillets, pastries and other bakery delights. If you visit for lunch you can choose from a selection of healthy and delicious salads and bowls or try a hearty soup and sandwich combo. The café will happily remove any animal ingredients from any dish for vegan customers.
August First, 149 S. Champlain Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-540-0060
Bistro de Margot
When only the freshest French-inspired fine-dining will do for a special romantic dinner you will find that Bistro de Margot ticks all the boxes. The bistro has a sleek and elegant interior and elegant tables and linens to set the scene. However, it is the great French-inspired cuisine which takes centre stage and assures you a memorable evening. The menu changes regularly to make the best use of fresh local ingredients but you will always find a selection of light and flavorsome appetizers, followed by beautiful meat, poultry and sea-food dishes served with imaginative accompaniments. Choose the ideal wine to savor with your meal from their interesting list of French wines.
Bistro de Margot, 126 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-863-5200
Blue Cat Steak and Wine Bar
Tucked into a small lane in downtown Burlington, Blue Cat Steak and Wine Bar is a great choice for a romantic night out. The restaurant boasts a cozy but sleek interior with a very intimate ambiance and takes pride in offering customers a large range of wines by the glass to enjoy with their signature steak dishes. Blue Cat serves prime Angus Beef and there is often local grass-fed beef on the menu alongside an excellent selection of Vermont cheeses. Of course you don’t have to be a meat lover to enjoy a meal at the Blue Cat – their mains menu includes lamb, duck, salmon and pasta and there is a choice of appetizers and salads.
Blue Cat Steak and Wine Bar , 1 Lawson Lane, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-363-3639
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
Tucked away on Bank Street, the Farmhouse Tap and Grill offers craft beer enthusiasts a brilliant venue for a romantic date. You can choose the dark and intimate tap room on a cold winter’s day or opt to eat outdoors in the beer-garden when the Vermont sun is shining. Seafood lovers will enjoy selecting their favorites from the Raw Bar selection before moving on to hearty main courses such as Pork Schnitzel, burgers, Fish & Chips or a comforting Mac ‘n Cheese. There are at least 30 craft beers on tap for you to choose from as well as a selection of spirits and wines, including some American craft whiskeys.
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill , 160 Bank St, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-859-0888
Guild Tavern
Offering all the necessary ingredients for a great night out, the Guild Tavern is a popular choice for a romantic night out with someone special. The Tavern serves brilliant cocktails crafted with spirits from small-scale producers blended with fresh local juices and house-made syrups. You will find all the classic “special meal” items on their menu including freshly shucked oysters, Tuna Tartare, beautiful Vermont Steak for Two and lip-smacking fresh salmon. If you fancy something lighter you can order a burger, salad, pasta or gnocci. You will also find a curated selection of artisanal wines and a regular rotation of local craft beers. Check their website for budget-pleasing weeknight specials.
Guild Tavern, 1633 Williston Rd, S. Burlington, VT 05403, Phone: 802-497-1207
Koto’s Japanese Steakhouse Restaurant
If you both love sushi and sashimi you can head to Koto’s Japanese Restaurant to share their delicious Love Boat for Two Platter on your next date night out. Even if you are not into sushi you will find that Koto’s very extensive menu offers something wonderful for every palate. The restaurant offers a warm and welcoming interior and the food is beautifully prepared and served with flair. Besides a very long list of enticing sushi and sashimi, Koto’s menu offers a variety of specialties including Bento boxes, Crispy Duck, King of the Sea (lobster, scallops and shrimp), Fillet Mignon or fresh Chilean Sea Bass.
Koto’s Japanese Steakhouse Restaurant, 792 Shelburne Rd, S. Burlington, VT 05403, Phone: 802-660-8976
Leunig’s Bistro
If you are looking for a little Parisian joie de vivre to set the scene for a romantic night out you need look no further than Leunig’s Bistro in downtown Burlington. Leunig’s have a lot of experience in satisfying Burlington palates – they have been cooking up a French-inspired storm since 1980 when they opened as a coffee shop and café. These days Leunig’s is a full-service French restaurant serving delicious French/American delicacies for lunch and dinner, alongside a selection of local Vermont cheeses.
Leunig’s Bistro, 115 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-863-3759
Misery Loves Co.
Offering a relaxed and welcoming bistro atmosphere, Misery Loves Co. is a great restaurant for anyone seeking a romantic setting for a night out. All the food at Misery is prepared using the freshest locally-sourced ingredients, many of which are grown on their own quarter-acre farm. The menu is hugely seasonal and you will find today’s freshest harvest finding its way to your plate. There are wonderful vegetarian dishes featuring unusual flavor combinations but carnivores have not been neglected and can feast of succulent Seven Hour Lamb, Hanger Steak or a moist and flavorsome Beef Cheek Bourguignon. A selection of fresh local seafood and ripe Vermont cheeses complete the menu.
Misery Loves Co., 46 Main Street, Winooski, VT 05404, Phone: 802-497-3989
Shanty on the Shore
Offering sweeping views of the harbor and beautiful Lake Champlain, the Shanty on the Shore is the ideal place to take your date for a romantic seafood meal. Because only the freshest local foods find their way into the kitchen, the menu changes with the tides and the seasons. However, you can rest assured that there will always be something delicious to please both fish and meat eaters. Understandably, fresh Maine Lobster is one of the most popular dishes, served in a number of mouth-watering dishes. Lighter choices include deep fried delights, sandwiches and the every-popular Fish & Chips. You can accompany your meal with a choice of beers on tap or bottled as well as a selection of wines.
Shanty on the Shore, 181 Battery Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-864-0268
Sherpa Kitchen
Introduce your date to something entirely new and delicious when you book a table at Sherpa Kitchen to explore the unique flavors and aromas of genuine Nepalese and Himalayan Sherpa cuisines. Deep red walls with gold accents and intimate booths provide an elegant and slightly exotic ambiance which perfectly sets the scene for the mouth-watering cuisine. The menu starts with a variety of appetizers, most of which are suitable for vegetarians. These are followed by a selection of rib-warming hearty stews, curries, chowmeins and Thali platters, which are perfect for sharing. On Sundays Sherpa Kitchen serves a very reasonably-priced buffet brunch.
Sherpa Kitchen, 119 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-881-0550
The Gryphon
Featuring a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the Gryphon American Bistro and Neighborhood Lounge is a great place to spend a night out in Burlington. The attractive interior of the bistro features lots of wood, high inlaid ceilings and low lighting, ideal for creating a romantic ambiance. On the food side you will find everything from tasty soups and salads to imaginative mains like Baked Panko-crusted Salmon served with kale, tomatoes, white beans and garlic. For smaller appetites there is a selection of lighter fare like burgers, sandwiches or cottage pie. You can quench your thirst with a delicious cocktail or craft beer or order wines by the glass or bottle.
The Gryphon, 131 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-489-5699
Trattoria Delia
You will immediately feel right at home at Trattoria Delia, which has been welcoming Burlington locals and visitors for over twenty-four years. The trattoria is housed in the historic Vermont House, where a superb large fireplace is the focal point of the welcoming and romantic room. Relying on a collection of local farmers to provide only the freshest daily harvestings, Trattoria Delia is dedicated to providing the authentic flavors and aromas of Italy in all their rustic but graceful dishes. You will find a long list of appetizers, salads, pastas and seafood dishes, as well as traditional Italian desserts. A carefully selected variety of Italian wines are available by the glass or bottle.
Trattoria Delia, 152 St. Paul Street, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-864-5253
Waterworks Food and Drink
The old Champlain Mill on the Winooski River is the impressive setting for Waterworks Food and Drink, offering diners sweeping views out over the Winooski River. Plush couches, loads of exposed brick work and enormous windows enhance the romance of the historic building and provide a wonderful ambiance. The lunch menu features a wide selection of American Bistro favorites like salads, soups, tasty sandwiches, burgers, wraps and snacks, which are supplemented on the dinner menu by a selection of hearty mains including steaks, chicken and Asian grilled tuna. The drinks menu is long and interesting, featuring a very wide choice of artisan beers, house-specialty cocktails and wines by the glass or bottle.
Waterworks Food and Drink, 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski, VT 05404, Phone: 802-497-3525
Junction
The Junction restaurant at the Essex Resort is more than just your everyday eatery, offering a refined and inter-active dining experience that will linger in your memory. The beautiful modern interior of Junction, along with the open kitchen, set the scene for a dinner with a difference. The ever-changing menu is based on locally-sourced fresh ingredients and every night one of the chefs conducts a guided tour of the day’s specials, offering wine pairing suggestions and other culinary tips. While you wait for your delicious food to be served you can observe the chefs in action in the open kitchen, and some of the dishes are prepared or finished at your table.
Junction, the Essex Resort and Spa, 70 Essex Way, Essex, VT 05452, Phone: 800-727-4295
Honey Road
Located in Church Street, in the heart of Downtown Burlington, Honey Road is one of the city’s newer restaurants and has been attracting a steady stream of guests who love Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cuisine. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere and regular customers always comment on excellent levels of service. You can choose from a large selection of typical Middle-Eastern Mezze or small dishes including a particularly good selection suitable for vegetarians. All the dishes are packed with vibrant flavors and colors and even the pickiest eater will find something delicious to please their palate. You can slake your thirst on a wide variety of beers and wines from around the world. Booking is recommended as queues can be long.
Honey Road, Honey Rd, 156 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401, Phone: 802-497-2145
