Waterworks Food + Drink
20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski, waterworksvt.com
Warm weather draws droves of diners to the coveted patio seats outside this former textile mill on the Winooski River. Gather for evening drinks — Waterworks boasts one of Chittenden County’s finer cocktail menus — and linger over a wood-fired pizza, seasonal salad or garlic hummus with housemade naan. What? It’s winter? Inside, the restaurant is big and beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the falls.
Al’s French Fry’s
1251 Williston Rd., South Burlington, alsfrenchfrys.com
When creemee season hits, the cool kids head to Al’s, where the hand-cut fries are a throwback to the ’50s. The retro space also sells corn dogs, cheeseburgers and other fast snacks.
¡Duino! (Duende)
10 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, radiobean.com
In spring, sidewalk crowds convene daily outside the connected storefronts of ¡Duino! (Duende), Light Club Lamp Shop and Radio Bean. Global dishes at ¡Duino! range from Korean tacos to chicken and waffles to poutine.
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
160 Bank St., Burlington, farmhousetg.com
Burlington’s favorite gastropub also boasts the city’s best beer garden. Sit in the breezy backyard — or sunny front patio — and sip a flight of craft brews alongside your burger or cheese board.
Gaku Ramen
144 Church St., Burlington, gakuramen.com
Like most Church Street restaurants, this noodle shop sprawls outside as soon as spring allows. Slurp tonkotsu noodles — or dig into a rice bowl or steamed buns.
The Skinny Pancake
60 Lake St., Burlington, skinnypancake.com
When hunger hits at Waterfront Park, walk a few steps to the Skinny Pancake’s expansive patio for a locavore crêpe — such as the strawberry-and-Nutella-filled Lovemaker.
The Spot on the Dock
1 King St., on the dock, Burlington, thespotvt.com
Catch a breeze at a surf-inspired space on the lake. The menu features huevos rancheros, scallop ceviche, fish tacos and big salads.
This article appears in What’s Good 2017.
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