I’m always on the lookout for a great Vermont coffee shop, particularly one with a pastry case that makes choosing just one thing a challenge. And Scout, with locations in Burlington and Winooski, has plenty to tempt me.
While Scout has been part of the Burlington-area coffee scene for more than a decade, its Pine Street location in Burlington’s South End is the one I’d recommend checking out.
It’s a bright, modern café with thoughtfully sourced coffee, pastries baked on-site and homemade ice cream. And I appreciate that Scout puts just as much effort into what goes into your cup as what comes out of its bakery.
I also love this stretch of Pine Street. Burlington’s South End has become a destination for art, restaurants, breweries and independently owned businesses, and Scout makes a convenient stop while exploring the neighborhood.
Scout’s Pine Street Café & Bakery
Located at 696 Pine Street, Scout’s South End location opened in 2022, joining the company’s original Burlington café and its Winooski shop.
The space has large windows, concrete floors, plants and a clean, contemporary design. It’s a comfortable place to meet a friend for coffee or grab something before heading out for the day.
But what makes the Pine Street location particularly interesting is that it’s also Scout’s baking hub.
Most of the pastries sold at Scout’s three cafés are made right here, so you’re visiting the kitchen responsible for many of the treats you’ll find throughout the company.
And for someone who has a hard time passing up a good croissant, that’s reason enough to stop.
What to Order at Scout Coffee
Start With a Great Coffee
Scout takes a different approach to coffee than many Vermont cafés. Rather than roasting its own beans or relying on one supplier, Scout works with a rotating selection of specialty coffee roasters from around the country.
The company specifically sources its coffee from businesses owned by women, LGBTQ+ people and people of color, supporting smaller roasters while introducing customers to coffees they might not otherwise encounter.
Recent roasters have included New Math Coffee, Coffee Project NY, Uncommon Coffee and Iluminar Coffee. I like that approach, particularly for people who enjoy trying different coffees and learning a little about where their beans come from.
I’d start with a latte or cappuccino, although ordering a straight espresso or drip coffee is a good way to appreciate the rotating roasts.
And if you’re someone who enjoys trying seasonal drinks, check the specials before automatically ordering your usual.
Don’t Skip the Pastries
One of my favorite things about visiting a coffee shop is browsing the pastry case before deciding what to order. Scout makes most of its baked goods in-house at the Pine Street location, with a rotating selection that changes throughout the week.
You might find croissants, cookies, scones or other seasonal pastries, depending on what the bakery has prepared.
The café also carries donuts from Miss Weinerz, another Vermont business known for its creative, handmade donuts. Scout currently lists them as available Wednesday through Saturday.
I love seeing independent food businesses collaborate, particularly when it means I can enjoy a great coffee and support another Vermont baker at the same time.
My advice? See what’s fresh when you arrive and order whatever catches your attention.
Try Scout’s Homemade Ice Cream
Scout isn’t just a coffee shop. It’s also an ice cream maker, and the flavors are far more interesting than your standard chocolate and vanilla.
The ice cream is made with dairy from Monument Farms in Weybridge, with many fruits and herbs sourced from local farms.
Scout also makes some of its ingredients in-house, including smoked maple. Over the years, flavors have included smoked maple and sea salt, plum with candied black walnut, and vanilla with oak.
I love that Scout approaches ice cream with the same curiosity it brings to its coffee selection. And if you can’t decide between coffee and ice cream, ask about an affogato, a scoop of ice cream topped with espresso.
It’s one of my favorite ways to combine dessert and coffee, particularly on a warm afternoon.
Scout Coffee’s Other Vermont Locations
While Pine Street is home to the bakery, Scout has two other cafés in the Burlington area.
Scout Old North End | Burlington
The original Scout location opened in 2014 at 237 North Avenue in Burlington’s Old North End. It’s a neighborhood café serving espresso drinks, rotating coffees, pastries and homemade ice cream.
I love that Scout has maintained a presence in the Old North End, where locally owned businesses are such an important part of the neighborhood.
Scout Winooski | Winooski
Scout’s Winooski location opened in 2015 at 1 East Allen Street, right on the Winooski traffic circle.
It’s a convenient stop while exploring downtown Winooski, with the same focus on specialty coffee, pastries and homemade ice cream.
If you’re spending an afternoon checking out Winooski’s restaurants and shops, add Scout to your itinerary.
Make a Morning of Burlington’s South End
One of the reasons I’d recommend Scout’s Pine Street location is how much there is to explore nearby. You can grab coffee and a pastry, then spend some time browsing the South End’s art galleries, studios and shops.
Pine Street is also home to several breweries, including Burlington Beer Company farther south on Flynn Avenue, making it easy to turn a morning coffee stop into a longer afternoon exploring the neighborhood.
I love that Burlington has so many distinct neighborhoods, each with its own collection of independent businesses.
And Scout fits right into the South End.
What to Know Before You Go
- Pine Street Location
- 696 Pine Street, Burlington, VT 05401
- Pine Street Hours
- Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Old North End Location
- 237 North Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
- Winooski Location
- 1 East Allen Street, Winooski, VT 05404
- Other Location Hours
- Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- What to Order
- A latte or cappuccino featuring one of Scout’s rotating coffee roasters, a fresh pastry from the Pine Street bakery and a scoop of homemade ice cream. Look for Miss Weinerz donuts Wednesday through Saturday.
- Ice Cream
- Flavors change frequently, with ingredients including Monument Farms dairy and seasonal Vermont produce.
- Parking
- Street and nearby business parking are available along Pine Street. Follow posted restrictions and designated parking signs.
- Best Time to Visit
- I’d stop in the morning for coffee and pastries or during the afternoon for ice cream. Weekday hours are longer than weekend hours at the Pine Street location.
If you’re exploring Burlington’s South End, Scout is an easy addition to your morning plans. I appreciate the rotating coffees, the in-house bakery and the fact that you can finish your visit with a scoop of ice cream.
And with three locations around Burlington and Winooski, you don’t have to travel far to find one.
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