May Day Makes a Night Out in Burlington’s Old North End Easy

There’s a lot to love about a neighborhood restaurant where you can make dinner the entire evening. Order a cocktail, settle in over a few shared plates, and leave yourself enough time to consider dessert. In Burlington’s Old North End, May Day  Local favorite: May Dayfits that plan nicely.

Located on North Winooski Avenue, May Day pairs seasonal cooking with natural wines and a cocktail program that gives the food some competition for your attention. If you’re looking to venture beyond Church Street for dinner, I’d put this one on your list.

The Ambiance at May Day

May Day has an easygoing neighborhood personality, with enough polish to make dinner feel like an occasion. The atmosphere leans social and casual, making it an appealing choice for an evening when you want to dress up a little but still feel relaxed.

There’s outdoor seating in the warmer months, too. I’d consider it for a date night or dinner with friends who are happy to spend some time at the table. The food and drinks give you plenty of reasons to linger.

Seasonal Food With Plenty to Share

The menu is organized into snacks, small plates and entrées You could build dinner around a few dishes to share or start with something for the table before moving on to your own main.

My ordering instincts would take me straight to the Tremolo sourdough with house-cultured butter. Bread deserves a place at the table, particularly when there’s good butter involved. Tempura mushrooms with tentsuyu, cucumber and lime are another appealing option, especially if you like a little crunch alongside your cocktail.

For a more substantial dinner, recent offerings have included pork schnitzel and steak frites with sauce au poivre. A butternut squash risotto with Bayley Hazen blue cheese and brown butter breadcrumbs brings a distinctly autumnal direction to the menu. Expect preparations to shift with the season rather than planning your entire visit around one dish. The menu isn’t large but anything you try will be tasty.

Cocktails That Deserve Their Own Plans

I like a dinner spot where choosing a drink feels like part of the fun. May Day’s bar takes a playful approach: past menus have included a Spaghett, combining Miller High Life and Aperol, alongside mezcal cocktails with an option to scale up to a shareable tiki bowl. Those examples give you a sense of its personality, though the current lineup may differ.

Natural wine is also a focus here. If you’re more inclined to order a glass than a cocktail, ask the staff to help you find something that works with your dinner. I’d approach the drinks the same way as the food: have an idea of what you enjoy, but leave room to try something new.

Who Is May Day Good For?

I’d suggest May Day for couples looking for a relaxed dinner date and small groups who enjoy sharing food. It also makes sense for visitors who want to spend an evening exploring Burlington beyond the downtown restaurant circuit.

For diners who prefer familiar dishes, the menu offers approachable starting points alongside more adventurous preparations. If you’re bringing selective eaters or have dietary restrictions, check the latest menu first. A vegetable-focused dish isn’t necessarily vegetarian; the listed grilled broccoli, for example, includes pork crumble.

What to Know Before You Go

• Location: 258 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, Vermont.
• Hours: Currently listed as nightly, 5–10 p.m.
• Reservations: Available for part of the dining room, with space also held for walk-ins.
• Budget: Recent snacks and small plates run approximately $10–$17, with regular entrées around $30–$45 before drinks.
• Sunday option: May Day currently advertises a $10 Sunday-night patty melt.
• Planning: Check the May Day website for current menus and reservations. Confirm accessibility needs or patio pet policies directly, and check posted parking restrictions when you arrive.