One of my favorite messages to receive is some variation of, “We’re celebrating our anniversary. Where should we go for dinner?”
I get these questions all the time. Birthdays, engagements, promotions, Valentine’s Day, retirement celebrations. And I usually have a few recommendations ready, depending on where someone wants to go, how much they’re looking to spend and what they’re hoping for from the evening.
Because a memorable dinner isn’t always about the most expensive restaurant or the fanciest menu.
Sometimes it’s a candlelit table in an old Vermont farmhouse. Other times, it’s an incredible meal overlooking a waterfall, a perfectly prepared cocktail or a dining room with a roaring fireplace on a snowy evening.
I’ve celebrated plenty of milestones at Vermont restaurants over the years. Starry Night Café in Ferrisburgh has become a special occasion destination for our family, including my dad’s retirement party. The Pitcher Inn in Warren remains one of my favorite places for an indulgent evening, and I’ve enjoyed some of my most memorable meals at restaurants that take just as much pride in the atmosphere as the food.
Here are the Vermont restaurants I’d recommend for your next special occasion, including a few with some of the best dining room views in the state.
Best Vermont Restaurants for Special Occasions
Hen of the Wood Local favorite: Hen of the Wood Burlington | Burlington & Waterbury
Hen of the Wood has been one of Vermont’s most celebrated restaurants for years, and it remains a favorite recommendation for an exceptional meal.
The menu changes daily, highlighting ingredients from Vermont farms and producers, with dishes that are thoughtfully prepared without being overly complicated. I love that the servers can tell you where ingredients come from and explain the preparations without making the experience feel stuffy.
Both locations are excellent, although the atmosphere is different. Burlington has a beautiful, contemporary dining room, while the Waterbury restaurant moved from its original gristmill location to South Main Street in 2023.
For a more spontaneous visit, try finding a seat at the bar. Otherwise, make a reservation well in advance.
The Pitcher Inn Local favorite: The Pitcher Inn | Warren
The Pitcher Inn remains one of my favorite Vermont destinations for celebrating something special.
Located in the tiny village of Warren, this Relais & Châteaux inn has a beautiful dining room that feels more like an elegant country home than a traditional restaurant.
The food is refined, the wine selection is impressive, and the service is some of the best I’ve experienced in Vermont.
I also love that you don’t need to dress up excessively to enjoy dinner here. It’s Vermont, after all.
For a more casual drink before or after dinner, head downstairs to Tracks, the inn’s rustic tavern with billiards and shuffleboard.
And if you’re planning a particularly memorable celebration, consider staying overnight. The individually designed rooms are spectacular.
Simon Pearce Local favorite: Simon Pearce | Quechee
Few restaurants in Vermont can compete with the setting at Simon Pearce.
The dining room overlooks the Ottauquechee River, with views of the covered bridge and rushing falls below. It’s beautiful throughout the year, but particularly during foliage season.
The restaurant serves seasonal dishes featuring Vermont and New England ingredients, all presented on Simon Pearce pottery and accompanied by the company’s handblown glassware.
One of my most memorable meals here included horseradish-crusted cod over rosemary mashed potatoes, followed by walnut meringues with strawberry sauce.
I’d recommend arriving early to browse the flagship store and watch the glassblowers at work before dinner.
And when making your reservation, request a table overlooking the river.
Starry Night Café Local favorite: Starry Night Café | Ferrisburgh
Starry Night has been one of my family’s favorite special occasion restaurants for years.
We’ve celebrated plenty of milestones here, including my dad’s retirement party, and I still associate the restaurant with some wonderful family memories.
The dining rooms each have their own personality. The octagonal room overlooks the gardens, the Fireside Room is beautiful for private celebrations, and the bar has a cozy atmosphere that’s particularly appealing on a snowy Vermont evening.
I also love the cocktails, which are consistently creative. And here’s something that makes Starry Night even more appealing: you don’t need to order an elaborate fine-dining meal to have a romantic evening.
The cheesesteak served in the bar is one of my favorites in Vermont. Sometimes a great cocktail and a cheesesteak are all you need – even for something special!
Tourterelle Local favorite: Tourterelle Restaurant & Inn | New Haven
Tourterelle is one of my favorite French-inspired restaurants in Addison County, located just outside Middlebury. The farmhouse setting is beautiful, particularly in the colder months when you can request a table near the fireplace.
I’m a huge fan of the bouillabaisse, and I’d recommend saving room for one of the house-made desserts, particularly the crème brûlée.
Tourterelle also has a lovely porch dining room that’s a good option for larger family celebrations. The fireplace room is especially charming for a winter date!
Edson Hill Local favorite: Edson Hill| Stowe
Edson Hill is one of my favorite recommendations for a romantic dinner in Stowe, particularly if you’re looking for a beautiful setting away from the busier Mountain Road restaurants.
The inn sits on a hillside overlooking its landscaped grounds, with mountain scenery that changes dramatically throughout the seasons.
The dining room is intimate and beautifully designed, while the Fireside Tavern offers a slightly more casual atmosphere. During warmer months, outdoor dining is particularly appealing, with views across the property and surrounding hills.
The menu focuses on seasonal New England ingredients, and the restaurant welcomes diners who aren’t staying at the inn.
I’d recommend arriving early for a cocktail and taking a little time to enjoy the grounds before dinner.
More Vermont Restaurants for a Special Occasion
Oakes & Evelyn Local favorite: Oakes & Evelyn – Woodstockhas become one of Vermont’s most interesting restaurants for a special dinner, and with locations in both Montpelier and Woodstock, there are now two opportunities to experience the cooking.
The menu is creative and seasonal, with carefully composed dishes that make the meal feel like an occasion without being overly formal.
The original Montpelier restaurant has a more contemporary downtown atmosphere, while the Woodstock location, at The Jackson, offers a lovely setting for a romantic evening.
I’d recommend Oakes & Evelyn for anyone who enjoys adventurous food and wants to try something beyond the usual steak or seafood entrée.
Jessica’s at Swift House Inn Local favorite: Swift House Inn| Middlebury
Jessica’s is one of my favorite recommendations for a romantic dinner in Middlebury.
Located inside the historic Swift House Inn, the restaurant has several intimate dining spaces, including a beautiful library and enclosed porch. In winter, the fireplaces make the rooms particularly inviting, while the gardens and outdoor deck are lovely during warmer months.
The menu features contemporary American cuisine with seasonal Vermont ingredients, and the wine list is exceptional.
I’d arrive a little early for a cocktail at the bar before dinner.
Jessica’s is also an excellent choice if you’re celebrating an anniversary and want to stay overnight rather than drive home.
Shelburne Farms Inn Local favorite: Shelburne Farms | Shelburne
If views are a priority, dinner at Shelburne Farms Inn is one of the most beautiful dining experiences in Vermont.
The restaurant is located inside the historic inn on the shores of Lake Champlain, with sweeping views toward the Adirondack Mountains.
I love the idea of arriving early to explore the grounds before sitting down for dinner. The surrounding gardens and landscape are spectacular, particularly during summer.
The menu highlights ingredients grown and raised at Shelburne Farms, including vegetables from its Market Garden and the farm’s own cheddar.
The inn and restaurant operate seasonally, generally from May through mid-October, so this is one to plan during the warmer months. And I’d absolutely request a table with a lake view.
Cloudland Farm | North Pomfret, Near Woodstock
Cloudland Farm offers one of Vermont’s most interesting farm-to-table dining experiences, with a setting that’s just as memorable as the food.
Located along a scenic dirt road in the hills outside Woodstock, the working farm has been in the Emmons family since 1908.
The restaurant serves a three-course, prix-fixe dinner featuring ingredients raised or grown on the property and sourced from nearby farms.
The menu changes weekly, and the experience is deliberately intimate, with limited seating in a beautiful post-and-beam dining room.
And the drive along Cloudland Road, particularly during foliage season, is spectacular.
One important detail: Cloudland is BYOB. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or Vermont beer, and the restaurant provides glassware for a small corkage fee.
Reservations are required, and I’d book several weeks in advance.
Rabbit Hill Inn | Lower Waterford
For a romantic dinner in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Rabbit Hill Inn deserves a spot on the list. Located in the tiny village of Lower Waterford, the historic inn has beautiful views toward New Hampshire’s White Mountains and a wonderfully intimate atmosphere.
The inn’s fine-dining restaurant, 24 Carrot, serves seasonal, creative American cuisine, with a menu that changes regularly.
Rabbit Hill is particularly appealing if you’re planning an overnight getaway. Many of the rooms have fireplaces, and the inn is adults-only, making it a popular destination for anniversaries and romantic weekends.
I’d recommend making dinner reservations when you book your room, as seating is limited.
What to Know Before You Go
- Make Reservations Early
- Many of these restaurants have small dining rooms and limited seating. For anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and foliage weekends, I’d book well in advance.
- Consider the Setting
- If beautiful views are a priority, Simon Pearce, Shelburne Farms Inn, Edson Hill and Cloudland Farm are excellent options. For fireplaces and intimate dining rooms, I’d consider Jessica’s, Tourterelle or Rabbit Hill Inn.
- Seasonal Dining
- Shelburne Farms Inn operates seasonally. Cloudland Farm’s dinner schedule also varies throughout the year, so check dates before planning.
- Dress Code
- Most of these restaurants are upscale without being particularly formal. Smart casual is appropriate at many, but check directly if you’re unsure.
- Plan an Overnight Stay
- The Pitcher Inn, Edson Hill, Swift House Inn and Rabbit Hill Inn all offer accommodations, making it easy to turn dinner into a romantic Vermont getaway.
- For Larger Celebrations
- Starry Night Café, Jessica’s and Hen of the Wood offer private dining options. Contact the restaurant directly to discuss group sizes and special menus.
Celebrating Life’s Milestones in Vermont
Some of my favorite family memories have happened around restaurant tables.
I still remember celebrating my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary with an exceptional meal, and more recently, gathering at Starry Night for my dad’s retirement. Those evenings remind me why I love having a handful of restaurants I return to when there’s something important to celebrate.
But I also don’t think you need a major milestone to justify a special dinner. Sometimes it’s enough to make a reservation somewhere you’ve been wanting to try, order the special bottle of wine and enjoy a few hours together.
And fortunately, Vermont has plenty of wonderful restaurants for doing exactly that.
What’s your favorite Vermont restaurant for a special occasion? I’d love to know where you celebrate life’s big moments.
The places in this guide, on the map
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Directions to Hen of the Wood Burlington (opens in a new tab)
Restaurant · Burlington, VT
Order whatever looks most interesting on the menu, especially the head cheese.
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Directions to The Pitcher Inn (opens in a new tab)
Inn · Warren, VT
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Directions to Simon Pearce (opens in a new tab)
Shop or general store · Burlington, VT
Simon Pearce is my go-to Vermont-made gift. Use code ERIN online or in store to save on your order. Keep an eye…
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Directions to Starry Night Café (opens in a new tab)
Restaurant · Ferrisburgh, VT
Starry Night isn't just fine dining or for special occasions. Take a seat in the bar area and find the best steak…
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Directions to Tourterelle Restaurant & Inn (opens in a new tab)
Restaurant · New Haven, VT
Just outside of Middlebury, Tourterelle is one of the area's best restaurants. Don't miss the bouillabaise! There are six rooms upstairs as…
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Directions to Edson Hill (opens in a new tab)
Resort · Stowe, VT
Edson Hill is equally dreamy in the winter and summer. Highly recommend a swim in the pond in the summer months and…
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Directions to Oakes & Evelyn – Woodstock (opens in a new tab)
Restaurant · Montpelier, VT
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Directions to Swift House Inn (opens in a new tab)
Inn · Middlebury, VT
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Directions to Shelburne Farms (opens in a new tab)
Museum · Shelburne, VT
Stroll the grounds, see cheesemaking happen, and have a dinner onsite (or book an overnight).
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