7 Best Restaurants in Southern Vermont, Vermont

Peter Havens

$$$ Fodor's choice

A longtime Brattleboro favorite helmed since 2012 by chef Zachary Corbin, this chic little bistro is known for impeccably presented cuisine that draws heavily on local sources. One room is painted a warm red, another in sage, and a changing lineup of contemporary paintings adorns the walls of both rooms.

32 Elliot St., Brattleboro, Vermont, 05301, USA
802-257–3333
Known For
  • pan-roasted duck breast
  • cocktail and wine list
  • vanilla bean crème brûlée
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Sun., Wed., and Thurs.

Arlington Dairy Bar

$

The big red barn with a sprawling lawn and walk-up ice cream window is a quintessential summer snack shack. It's where paper boats holding cheeseburgers, loaded hot dogs, and lobster rolls make way for soft-serve sundaes, stacked ice-cream cones, and root beer floats.

J.J. Hapgood General Store and Eatery

$
You won't find a better meal at any other general store in the state. This is really more of a classic American restaurant, serving farm-to-table breakfast, lunch, and dinner, than a place to pick up the essentials, but like any good general store, it's a friendly and relaxed gathering spot for locals.

Recommended Fodor's Video

The Dorset Inn

$$$

Built in 1796, this inn has been continuously operating ever since, and the comfortable tavern and formal dining room serve a Colonial-influenced bistro menu. A member of the Vermont Fresh Network, the restaurant benefits greatly from its strong connections with local farmers.

8 Church St., Dorset, Vermont, 05251, USA
802-867–5500
Known For
  • wine list
  • Vermont's oldest continually operating inn
  • whiskey and bourbon menu
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch

The Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant

$$$$

The dining room at this luxurious inn is a large, modern space where rich woods and high ceilings meld into a kind of "nouveau Vermont" aesthetic. The contemporary American cuisine emphasizes farm-to-table ingredients and has earned the restaurant "Gold Barn" honors from the Vermont Fresh Network.

39 West Rd., Manchester, Vermont, 05254, USA
800-822–2331
Known For
  • wine list
  • chef of the year award by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
  • lobster-and-Brie fondue
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.

Wayside Country Store

$

The motto of Arlington's one-stop-shop says it all: "If we don't have it, you don't need it!" This charming country store is known for carrying anything from toilet paper to boxed cocoa mix and boasts a popular deli complete with build-your-own sandwiches, prepared foods, and house-made specials like freshly baked biscuits.

3307 Rte. 313 W, Arlington, Vermont, 05250, USA
802-375--2792
Known For
  • locally made goods
  • deli wraps and sandwiches
  • specialty prepared foods, from stuffed peppers to roasted chicken legs

Ye Olde Tavern

$$$

This circa-1790 Colonial inn dishes up Yankee favorites along with plenty of New England charm, made all the more intimate by the candlelight. To learn more about the colorful history of the building, simply ask the manager, who makes a regular appearance at tables.

5183 Main St., Manchester, Vermont, 05255, USA
802-362–0611
Known For
  • cheddar-and-ale onion soup
  • traditional pot roast
  • 1790 Taproom Ale (custom brew by Long Trail)