Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Vermont

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Vermont? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Jessica's at Swift House

4.9

4.9 (906)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Middlebury

About the restaurant

Jessica's at Swift House Inn is located in Middlebury, Vermont, just two blocks from downtown Middlebury. Set in an 1814 stately home, surrounded by beautiful lawns and gardens, Jessica's elegant atmosphere is the perfect place for a dinner for two, or a celebratory dinner for four to forty. Come experience Chef Rob Fenn's seasonal, Vermont-inspired menu.

Jessica's is the recipient of the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for our wine list, one of only a handful of restaurants in Vermont and fewer than 1400 restaurants world-wide so honored.

Outdoor seating is weather dependent.

Please note when making a reservation that parties of 2 are allotted 90 minutes to dine; parties of 4, 2 hours and parties of 6 or more, 2.5 hours. Also, please note that we plan on seating your party in the dining room at the time of your reservation. If you'd like to relax with a pre-dinner beverage in the bar or parlor, we invite you to arrive well before your reservation time.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Jessica's is our special go-to for a wonderful evening out. We've never had a bad meal or experience. Food and drinks were top notch. Staff was excellent. HIghly recommend.

The Grafton Inn

4.9

4.9 (265)

$30 and under

American

Grafton

About the restaurant

The Grafton Inn is a proud supporter of Vermont’s pioneering farm-to-table philosophy. Our historic inn and two restaurants in southern Vermont offer on-site dining year-round and feature locally-sourced ingredients prepared by food-loving professionals to create timeless, hearty dishes that will please any palate.

The Phelps Barn, originally a carriage house for guests' horses, provides a unique and rustic VT dining experience. Even the hayloft has been repurposed and renovated, providing an elevated seating area as well as our 8-tap bar. It is a fast pace restaurant with live music usually scheduled on the weekends.

If you are looking for a quieter space to have dinner or celebrate a special occasion, we would recommend our 1801 Tavern located inside the Main Inn. This historic space provides a cozy and elevated dining atmosphere. Within the 1801 Tavern you’ll find our recently renovated Pine Room Bar with a working fireplace.

Top review

Daniel

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Really much better than we expected. Inn food can be predicable, good but unimaginative. This was better than that. Expensive but we left feeling it was worth it. A great night out.

Highland Lodge

4.9

4.9 (80)

$30 and under

American

Greensboro

About the restaurant

Highland Lodge is pleased to offer a full service Restaurant & Bar on site. Enjoy the sunset views over Lake Caspian from the convenience of our Queen Anne Porch or nestle up to our cozy little bar and get to know your neighbors and drinkmakers. Our cocktail list has been described as one of the best in the state. With a focus on local, organic food we are proud to be honored with the 2024 Gold Barn Distinction through Vermont Fresh Network- spending at least 35% of our annual food Purchasing budget on local food & products.

We are just a stone's throw from Hill Farmstead Brewery which has been rated #1 in the world several years running. We have a permanent HFS draft line at our bar as well as other local Vermont favorites.

In the Summer months our bar is open for Margarita Monday as we host Caja Madera Taco Truck out in the beer garden from 5-9pm [ Memorial Day- Labor Day ]. On Thursdays we host Trivia starting at 7pm.

Top review

William

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

The food was amazing! The ambiance charming. This is a special place all around

Sawmill Bar & Table

4.8

4.8 (140)

$31 to $50

American

Dover

About the restaurant

Sawmill Bar & Table, Southern Vermont’s culinary gem, uses the local agricultural bounty to create world-class farm-to-table fare. Executive Chef Christopher Lauinger brings his wealth of culinary offerings to provide a menu driven by the seasons for an unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy your evening in our modern rustic Great Room by the fire, in one of our 2 beautiful dining rooms, at our 18th century historic bar, on our beautiful Bluestone Terrace. We are equipped to accommodate events of all sizes, from intimate dinner parties to full-scale weddings. Sawmill Bar & Table welcomes you to the Inn at Farm Road Estate and looks forward to offering a fine dining experience in a casually elegant atmosphere.

Top review

MelissaVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

What a beautiful space with incredible food. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening. He had the estate greens salad and the pappardelle. He raved about both and is trying to figure out how to replicate them at home in Pittsburgh. I had the citrus salad and the roasted duck. Both were fabulous! Our server Theresa was so thoughtful and attentive. We will be back!

Harpoon Brewery - Windsor

4.7

4.7 (1141)

$30 and under

Brewery

Woodstock

About the restaurant

The Harpoon Riverbend Taps is open for dining in our spacious dining room or warming huts. We look forward to welcoming you!

The Harpoon Brewery Taproom and Beer Garden is open 7 days/week for outside/inside dining or take-out food orders. We are open Sunday through Wednesay from 11AM to 6PM- Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11AM to 8PM. We have live music every Thursday from 5pm-8pm. Our retail store is also open for merchandise, beer, cider, and hard coffee to go. You must have proper ID that verifies you are 21+ to pick up alcoholic beverages.

Please call 802-674-5491 x221 with any questions or to place a take-out order.

Top review

Rachel

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

The food, service, atmosphere & live music was amazing!

Long Trail Brewing Company

4.7

4.7 (486)

$30 and under

Brewery

Bridgewater

About the restaurant

Our brewery is located in Bridgewater Corners at the junction of Rte. 4 and 100a. We’re 2.5 hours north of Boston, about 1.5 hours south of Burlington, VT, and just 15 minutes from Killington Resort.

Top review

John

Dined 3 days ago

The atmosphere was great along with the food and our awesome server, Tony. Thank you!

Plate

4.7

4.7 (36)

$30 and under

American

Stowe

About the restaurant

We are open for dinner Wednesday through Sundays at 5:30 pm. We do not take parties larger than 6 and require a credit card to hold reservations for parties of 6. Please call by 1:00 pm the day of your reservation to avoid our cancellation fee. *** Please note we do not have high chairs.

For private events please contact Aaron at amartin0014@gmail.com. Thank you!

Top review

Paul

Dined 4 days ago

Great well-crafted food, friendly knowledgeable service

Leunig's Bistro

4.4

4.4 (1684)

$30 and under

Contemporary French / American

Burlington

About the restaurant

Leunigs Bistro has been a Burlington institution since it opened in 1980. Located on the corner of Church and College Streets on the Marketplace, it invites all passers by to visit Burlington's own little Parisian Cafe. The decor and ambiance will make you think you're in Paris, and the food will make you think you've died and gone to heaven. A member of the Vermont Fresh Network, Leunigs chefs prepare the best of local ingredients with a worldly accent. Live jazz with dinner Tuesday, Wednesday. Lunch served Monday-Saturday, Dinner every night, and Brunch on Sunday. Great wines by the glass or bottle, full liquor service. Best people watching in town. Reservations accepted, but not necessary. Every meal served with the panache of Paris and the value of Vermont, right in the center of town.

Top review

Mary Ann

Dined 4 days ago

I did my favorite early dinner of two appetizers. The soup au pistou is a regular pleaser and the escargot finished it off for an enjoyable eating experience. I enjoy the staff.

Discover more

4.4

4.4 (122)

$31 to $50

American

Dover

About the restaurant

The Hermitage Inn’s award-winning cuisine celebrates the best regional products that New England has to offer, served with our unique brand of mountain elegance.

Our menus, created by Executive Chef Michael Chandler, borrow from haute cuisine and local artisanal foods creating a unique gastronomic experience that is both rustic and refined.

Our wine program delights beginners and connoisseurs alike with thousands of bottles to choose from our Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence wine list. Led by our expert team, guests can explore regions, varietals, producers and vintages from local to all over the world in an elegant yet unpretentious setting.

Top review

Nancy ElizabethVIP

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Another outstanding experience at The Hermitage. The chef Michael consistently turns out beautiful plates, perfectly cooked regardless of what you order. We sampled the special cinnamon bun baked in a skillet. It is indescribable - so delicious. While we split it between 4, we could have easily had another person share it with us - a generous portion. Eggs with fillet mignon or lobster crepes - just perfectly prepared. Skiers and those who are just relaxing in the area should make every effort to sample lunch, brunch and dinner. While special celebrations are in order in the grand, elegant dining room, brunch, lunch, early or late dinner are very cozy in the tavern bar. My family appreciates the variety of offerings when we gather and we appreciate the romantic atmostphere for just the two of us. The wine list is exceptional. The prices at The Hermitage are similar to much lesser restaurants locally. I would chose this location over any other in the valley for my personal style of eating - fresh, simple, ample, local in a beautiful location. Thank you!

Discover more

Experience

French Alps Gondola Apres

Experience

French Alps Gondola Dinner

Still on the Mountain at Killington Distillery

4.1

4.1 (216)

$30 and under

American

Killington

About the restaurant

The Still on the Mountain Craft Cocktail Bar & Restaurant offers a full range of craft cocktails and Vermont beer and cider, as well as a full dinner menu. Home to Vermont’s finest craft spirits, enjoy our handcrafted small batch spirits inspired from the blissful Killington region.

Sit outside après ski or bike, or enjoy our cozy pub or dining rooms with a view of Killington. Our patio seating is first come first serve and is dog friendly.

Looking to book an event? Reach out to us at info@killstill.com so that we can put together an event that is right for you!

Top review

Patrick

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Better than most on mountain dining experiences, but not great food. Perfectly enjoyable after a long day on the slopes

Explore Diners' Choice best of Vermont

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

American