Wow, what a transformation from when we last came to Burlington and having breakfast at Penny Cluse, we were pleasantly surprised to find highly recommended Frankie's in the same location! The same large, beautiful windows are there, but the decor is warm, trendy, and modern. Our hostess immediately wished my husband and me happy anniversary and the bartender team Max and Woody were truly outstanding and made our celebration special. They are adept at making cocktails. We tried Blue Bingo and Inside Out. Both were perfectly balanced. The Blue Bingo with fresh blueberry puree, garnished with blueberry and mint was refreshing. The Inside Out was similar to an Old Fashioned. We selected 4 small plates, one large plate, and one side. For small plates, the striped bass collar was meaty and flavored with an herb sauce and punchy blistered cherry tomatoes. The little neck clams came in a broth that was worth sopping up with the grilled sourdough. It was similar to having mussels in a luscious wine butter sauce. I would have eaten like 12 of the clams if they let me but they alas only give you 6. My favorite was grilled Romano beans, slightly crunchy, fresh, and light, with burrata and fried green tomatoes. The breading on the tomatoes was perfectly light and crunchy. The burrata was delicious, and I would have preferred to have it over the barchetta, fresh ravioli like pastas that came with fennel and arugula. The barchetta was missing that creamy element. The served our pork schnitzel as a "splitzel" served cut in half on two plates. Again, it was perfectly crunchy and light. We ordered pomme puree (mashed potatoes) as a side too, creamy and delicious. They had a decent wine and beer selection. We lucked out with our chenin blanc selection, which paired well with everything we had. Eat here! The menu changes every day. We can't wait to come back. read more

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The bartender was telling me that Frankie's was listed by Boston Magazine as one of the best up-and-coming restaurants in the U.S. when it first opened, and they're clearly still living up to that standard. I ordered the Something Fun cocktail, which was fruity, refreshing, and beautifully presented with blue salt speckled around the rim of the glass. For dinner, I had the whole trout in a dill sauce with a side of purple cauliflower. Everything is locally sourced, and while the menu features a few staples, it changes daily. Each menu is date-stamped, which I'm obsessed with--it's a great reminder of how fresh everything is. Vermont generally has a great local food scene, and I really appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the ingredients, presentation, and overall quality. Frankie's is a restaurant I'd highly recommend for groups, family dinners, date nights, or even corporate dinners. I'd love to come back and explore more of their wine selection. The staff is incredibly welcoming, happy to chat, and very knowledgeable about the menu. Expect to spend around $75 per person for a meal, a side or appetizer, and one drink. read more

Burlington local, first time going to Frankie's. Only hear good things about it. Pros: service, quality/freshness of food The service was top notch from when we first entered until we left. We were immediately greeted and seated. They helped take our coats/hang them for us. We were always closely attended to and given time if more was needed. The homemade pasta dish we got with greens and mushrooms was fantastic! My bf liked the shrimp appetizer/smaller dish and we all liked the trout, but it seemed a little mushy/overcooked. Cons: loud/bad acoustics, dim, portion size(only for one specific dish) A little hard to hear inside when it's at peak capacity. Was at dinner with a group of four and it was quite hard to hear the person diagonally across from me the entire night. Lighting was a little too dim for my personal liking but others may not mind(for example, it was darker inside than it was outside at 6pm). Food was overall very good. The disappointments were a clam dish we couldn't even first find any clams in and then the two people who got them when we divided up the dish only got two each! And the side greens, seemed overcooked and were over-salted. Would definitely try it again would recommend to others. read more

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We sat at the bar. Was a bit noisy but good vibe. Service was helpful and quick. We were not aware that Burlington had such a good restaurant scene. So glad we found Frankie's. We will book ahead next time ! read more

Decadent menu and food presentation. Perfectly attentive staff. The ornate touches and attention to fine detail created a welcoming and intimate ambience. read more

Great service and cold drinks, had a great time watching England Norway game. Sat at bar and enjoyed banter with wait staff.

We found a cozy, warm ambiance. Our clothed table was set by a bright window. For starters, we ordered crispy sour dough bread and silky home churned butter made with crème fraiche; we shared clams in a divine broth with bread provided to soak up the broth; our trout with wilted bok choi and raw spinach was as fresh as your own catch right out of the lake; for my birthday dessert, I had affogato all'Amaro (toasted vanilla gelato complemented by an Italian herbed liqueur I'd never heard of, but was very interesting). I ordered a local hoppy beer with grapefruit notes. Quinn was our very able and congenial server. This was our best meal in Burlington. read more

Frankie's - Crusty sourdough bread and home churned butter made with crème fraiche. - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Easily the best meal I've had in 2025. Frankies was recommended by a friend with ties to the area. The menu changes daily which made going even more enticing as we did not know what to expect. The service was impeccable and the staff provided a number of recommendations that did not disappoint. We started with a bottle of Chianti and an order of sourdough. We ordered three small rotating plates: the littleneck clams (our servers favorite!), the fried shrimp and the lobster chitarra. All of them were divine and packed a punch of flavor. My personal favorite was the shrimp that came with a summer corn cream sauce and pickled zucchini. Just a fabulous mix of flavors. For entrees we had the Swordfish with a calabrian chili beurre blanc and their Roast Chicken dish served with green beans and a peach jus sauce. Both of these were excellent but what really stood out (about the entrees and the appetizers) was the sauce work. I will not stop thinking about the flavor combinations for some time. I ended the night with coffee which brought me back to fond memories as it occupies the old Pennycluse space in downtown Burlington. My girlfriend had the grasshopper martini which was flavorful and fun. The whole evening was a dining experience I won't forget. We will be back! read more

Food and service top notch. Friendly people, comfortable atmosphere, varied menu that changes.

Such an amazing dinner. The food was incredibly fresh. The menu changes daily based on what's available from the farm. The gem salad had a lemony, refreshing dressing. The tortelli was also super fresh and light. The mashed potatoes were unreal--a must-order. The chocolate mousse dessert was delicious; you could taste the cherry in the whipped cream. Friendly service, a super cool bar countertop, great vibes--just an all-around fantastic dinner. read more

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Solid place, we'd booked a private room which was very nice and sufficiently isolated for business conversations. We had a mix of starters, memorable ones included the clams (very good), the endive (a pleasant surprise), the oysters (which we surprisingly, baked, but very good). By the way, the bread was all very good, too. For mains, I had the schnitzel, very good and like the salad on top does it gets mooshy on the bottom when it's served on a bed mashed potatoes -- plate it directly and push the mash on the side. read more

Food and our server were excellent. We ordered several things and they were all so good. It wasn't too fancy, but you could dress up for a nice night. It had elements of upscale dining, without feeling stuffy. Again, the food, SO GOOD. I ate too fast to even take pictures. read more

Frankie's - The best fish of my life in a slightly spicy broth. - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Friendly conscientious and great food. They really care that you enjoy yourself AND have a wonderful meal. The entire staff, wait, servers, chefs and line cooks seem to be happy. It's infectious!! Going back ASAP!! read more

Two for dinner on a rainy summer night. Standout service; staff was very knowledgeable about the menu as well as friendly - and nice to each other (this tells me it's genuine). First dish, clams in a butter based sauce, with sourdough bread, exceptional. Entree of trout another delight: perfectly cooked, though a lighter, less syrupy sauce would have been my ideal. Second entree of roasted shiitake and radishes with other vegetables and purée also uniquely satisfying; though again, less dressing might have been better. All in all, a very good experience. Wish I had room for dessert! read more

From the moment we walked in staff was so welcoming! The atmosphere itself is so cozy and nice! I love the kitchen view you get as You walk to your table. The food was incredible as well as the drinks! Such a great experience and delicious food read more

I now have a new favorite restaurant to visit when I come to Burlington on business...A beautiful establishment that is warm and inviting. As for the food, I only had one dish, but it was exactly what I needed on a cold fall evening...Get the roast chicken!! It is sinfully delicious. I can't wait to come back and try more! read more

Frankie's - Roast Chicken w/ grilled cabbage and chicken jus - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

I loved it. We didn't have reservations but we didn't have to wait too long for a couple seats at the bar. I loved the ambiance and decor, the dried flowers give it an extra touch. The service was second to none and the food was delicious. The bartenders were wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and made the most impressive cocktails. I loved the Rubin Carter. My daughter and I enjoyed every dish we tried. They even made the cabbage side dish off the charts. The little neck clams and endive salad were a couple of my favorites but we could have ordered 6 of the cabbage side dishes and been totally content with that, it was so good. I'm really looking forward to coming back with my husband. We both cook on the extravagant side, so it's tough to venture out to the unknown. Having said that, I can't wait to go back. I highly recommend it!! read more

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Saw this restaurant from the street when traveling through town and couldn't wait to try it on our next visit. It did not disappoint. We had a group of six, so they sat us in the private room on the second floor. Very friendly staff and the service was great. We tried a variety of cocktails, all unique in their own ways. As everything on the menu sounded delicious and the menu rotates, we decided to order almost one of each item and share plates. They paced the delivery of the dishes, so we got to enjoy them a few at a time. With the exception of one unremarkable vegetarian dish, we loved everything we tasted. We skipped dessert, as we filled up on the small plates and main dishes. We'll definitely return to this restaurant. read more

This place is amazing. Came here for work and a local recommended this. Every bite was 10/10. The sauces with each dish were especially delicious. read more

Frankie's - Trout - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Loved this place! The restaurant is so cute and cozy and the staff is so awesome. We were made to feel very welcome by everyone woThe drinks were top notch and the food was so delicious. read more

Frankie's - Delicious passion fruit tequila cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

My family and I absolutely love Frankie's! During our visit to Burlington in July, we went to Frankie's twice. The setting, the service and the food were exquisite. We appreciated the farm to table menu. Everything is prepared and presented to perfection! I still dream about the negroni cocktail I tried for the first time there. I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. read more

A positive experience which began the moment I stepped inside the door. A pleasant space and a positive atmosphere go a long way. Even the cocktail had an aesthetic that seemed personal. Exceptional food, not just the expected (I knew I would love the trout) but the unexpected (I tried a turnip dish and they changed my attitude towards turnips). read more

This was our second visit to Frankie's, and we so enjoyed the first one that we were prepared to be disappointed. Nope -- the repeat performance easily rivaled the debut. The service was very friendly and attentive without being overly familiar or sycophantic, and our waiter's knowledge of each dish was really impressive. The food itself was terrific; while we had all three entrees offered that night, we were especially impressed with how flavorful the vegetarian pasta was. And at a cost of well under $200 (before tip) for 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 3 drinks, we appreciated the value as well as cuisine. read more

Such a gem! We loved it so much we took the in laws immediately. Everything is SO fresh and the menu changes daily as a result! When we came back about 2 weeks later, no single dish was exactly the same! our absolute favorite was the schnitzel which is cooked so well. Crisp and juicy and came with a sweet fruit based sauce that paired so perfectly! All the dishes are amazing, the staff is sooo nice and helpful and the cocktails are also delicious! Beautiful setting inside, makes you feel cozy. Absolutely will be back! read more

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100/10 the food was amazinggggggg!!!! Hard to get a reservation and definitely pricey but it feels very upscale and I loved it!!

I can't even begin to describe how amazing my experience was tonight. I went in to get a glass of a wine and ended up staying for dinner because every item on the menu looked so enticing. I had the Beef tartar, little neck clams and roasted oysters... each dish outdid the last. They made me a fantastic vesper martini. Lauren the restaurant manager was incredibly sweet and made phenomenal recommendations. Bartenders: Max & Cathrine were friendly, attentive and professional. The open kitchen concept is something I admire. Every inch of the establishment was impeccably clean and organized. My only regret is not getting the names of every employee working... they all deserve to be called out by name for the amazing service they provided me. If you are planning a date night, birthday dinner, or just want to experience (hands down) the best food in Vermont... I implore you to choose Frankie's. 10/10 will forever recommend. read more

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Frankie's is absolutely the best restaurant in Burlington, VT and maybe in the whole state of Vermont. The food is always superb. The menu changes and is so creative and interesting. The menu is not long but we always find plenty of choices on it that we want. We have been to Frankie's numerous times and never once have anything but a delicious meal. The staff is wonderful. They are warm and friendly and the servers are very professional and attentive. The restaurant is a bit loud inside because of the hard surfaces but we have never found our table conversation to be hindered. Our whole family loves it and will be back often. read more

Excellent experience at the bar. Service was great, drinks were great, and food/dessert were great. read more

Frankie's - Seafood Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

The food, service, and ambiance were all superb! We can't wait to return. Thank you for such a memorable evening.

Went here on a date night and was pleasantly surprised! Cute ambiance, great service, and the food is some of the best I've had. Can't wait to come back. read more

Food was so good at Frankie's but the atmosphere was so loud, we couldn't enjoy our own conversation. Love the oysters, honey butter bread was so yum as well as our entrees. Maybe table for 2 you could hear each other but our table for 6 got tuned out from noise around us. read more

The food was beyond belief. I have hated turnips since childhood but based on recommend, we ordered and loved them. Our only regret was not being hungry enough to order everything on the menu. read more

Absolutely Love! This has become my favorite restaurant in town. I spent my birthday and felt so special on my day. From the fresh warm sourdough bread to appetizers and a main dish of fazzoletti with their amazing signature herb butter sauce, every step of the journey was delicious . The vibe is upscale but never pretentious, the space is beautiful. Service was absolutely perfections! Love love love Frankie's. Unfortunately we were so enamored with the meal we forgot to take any pictures. read more

The food is fresh, nourishing and incredibly tasty! We had the in season asparagus with blue crab and met the farmer who was also in for a birthday celebration. The in house made agnolotti was perfection. For dessert try the house made VT creamie, the flavor of the night was pistachio. Although all of the desserts looked delish. Service is sharp, fun and knowledgeable! The bar program and wine list are not over bearing and a joy to relax with. Staff is very wine savvy. The vibe is friendly and fun with all that Vermont has to offer in flavors and ambiance. Everything about this place is light, and fun! read more

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This place is a gem. We came here for our anniversary and the staff took note by making us feel special upon arrival and offering a maple creemee for dessert. On the evening we went, the menu offered crisp pork ribs that melted off the bone with fennel and honey mustard; swordfish with cauliflower puree; and buttered oysters. It was exquisite and we only wish we had room for more food! We got the upside down apple-rosemary cake to-go with marscapone cream --delish! read more

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Yes, yes, yes! Everything here is amazing. We had a group of 10 and basically ordered one-three of each item on the menu. Each dish was uniquely delicious. Menu changes daily, so always a surprise. Great place for a romantic dinner or a group celebrating. Atmosphere is dimly lit and decor is very charming. Staff is friendly and welcoming. Almond creemee with grilled strawberries and candied pecans for dessert... yum yum yum Also the best espresso martinis by far read more

Best meal in VT. What a lovely evening. The clams with fennel in broth were beyond delicious. Pasta with mushrooms craveable. TY Frankie's!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance and service - but even more so, the food. With a constantly rotating menu, we were very pleased with the fried oysters and tortelli to start, along with the pork schnitzel and monkfish main dishes. Each dish was so flavorful and the service attentive, helpful, and kind. Highly recommend and will be back! read more

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When we arrived, all the reservations were filled but we had no problem as a walk in and we were immediately seated (on a friday evening!) at a little 2 top table next to the bar. The waiter was super nice and the service was excellent. I'd actually rate this place a 4.5 but rounded up due to the service. The drinks were excellent. The place had a really nice vibe and we like the music. The brioche appetizer was really good. I'm not one of those people that complain about prices or portion sizes but our asparagus appetizer literally had 2 (maybe 3 if I'm generous?) asparagus cut on the bias with an egg and a small bit of creme fraiche. I'm not taking away stars, but next time we'll order the grilled asparagus side order for half the price and will do better. The pasta dish we split was fabulous. We liked it so much that we ordered another brioche to sop up the leftover sauce. It was lemony with pistachios. Our dessert was an iced cream topped with Amari. The perfect ending. This area is just amazing for restaurants. A couple days ago we ate at nearby Honey Road. I'd give them a perfect 5 but Frankies coming in at 4.5 is still a respectable finish. read more

Ambitious menu. There were 3 of us so we tried a lot if dishes. Portions small. Very good service. Nice place. Tasty but not quite there. Expensive. read more