College life makes it easy to fall into the routine of eating whatever is closest, most convenient, and cheapest. But sometimes treating yourself to a delicious meal at a local restaurant is the perfect way to spend a day. After completing my freshman year at UVM as an out-of-state student, I tried some of Burlington’s greatest foods spanning from breakfast to lunch to dinner. There are definitely some popular picks in the area that I love, along with hidden gems that will surprise you.Â
For my go-to breakfast in Burlington, I have to start with Burlington Bagel Bakery. Their bagels are baked in-house, 7 days a week, and are incredibly fresh, with eighteen different kinds to choose from. In addition to bagels, they serve breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, and specialty sandwiches. My favorite order is an onion bagel toasted with butter along with the Strazzle Smoothie, which is made from apple juice, raspberries, and strawberries. It is the perfect meal to start your morning downtown.
Whether you are looking for a quick bite in between classes or a casual lunch with friends, Burlington has something for everyone. Downtown Burlington has numerous restaurants worth trying. From Italian to Thai to Middle Eastern cuisine, the variety of food options makes it extremely difficult to pick just one restaurant. For my lunch favorite, I have to go with American Flatbread. Locally grown ingredients, a comfy yet rustic atmosphere, and incredible pizza define what American Flatbread is. For an appetizer, I usually get the Kale Caesar Salad, which is the perfect mix of organic kale, Caesar dressing, breadcrumbs, Grana Padano, and lemon. My favorite pizza is the New Vermont Sausage, which is topped with house maple-fennel pork sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms, mozzarella, Grana Padano, and fresh herbs. American Flatbread is a great spot for lunch, as it is located in the heart of Burlington, right near Church Street and Lake Champlain.
After starting the day off with breakfast and enjoying a great lunch, it is time to end the day with one of my favorite dinner spots, Burlington Beer Company. Aside from local drafts, BBC has a delectable menu fit for anyone, spanning from salads to sandwiches. Any appetizer on the menu is incredible, but my absolute favorite is the Korean Beef Nachos. These fresh corn tortilla chips come topped with a melty blend of Vermont Cabot cheddar and Fontina cheese, ground beef, pitchfork kraut-chi, sesame seeds, cilantro verdant sauce, and scallions. It is the perfect dish to share with others or even get as a main course. For my dinner pick, I always get BBC’s “Build Your Own Burger.” Served on a Stewart’s Bakery bun, I get a beef patty with cheddar cheese, red onion, pickles, grilled onions, grilled portobello mushrooms, and extra of their housemade Wizard Sauce. Burlington Beer Company is especially my favorite restaurant to go to for dinner when my family comes to visit Vermont.Â
Whether you are a college student looking to escape the dining hall, or someone visiting for the first time, there are countless restaurants to explore in Burlington. From a delicious bagel in the morning to pizza for lunch and a burger for dinner, these are some of my favorite places to eat in my college town. While these places are my personal favorites, part of the excitement of living in Burlington is discovering places and becoming a regular somewhere new.Â