This marked our fifth year visiting the fabulous Vermont Cheese Festival. This year it returned to…read moreShelburne Farms south of Burlington for the first time since 2019; the most recent festival was held in Greensboro in 2023, and there was no festival in 2024. So it was a big welcome back in 2025, and the event -- held inside the newly reconstructed, enormous breeding barn at Shelburne (please see the photos) -- was quite a big deal. There were perhaps 50 or so vendors, and the general public was limited to just 1,000 tickets, which made it, unexpectedly, something of an elite event. (Tickets were sold out months in advance.) The festival offers a wonderful opportunity to meet the these dedicated craft cheesemakers and, best of all, sample their work. And wow, did we ever sample their work!!! We won't go detailing each of those cheeses, but please know there were many and not a one disappointed us. Other vendors offered everything from ciders to jams, sauces, charcuterie and -- believe it or not -- peanut butter. At a cheese festival? The atmosphere is inviting and rewarding for the makers and the public, and assembling such a large and skilled group of crafters in one place makes for an extraordinary moment. We congratulate the executive director of the cheese council, Hale, who did a splendid job. A couple of small issues for us: while there were a few chairs outside the barn there was almost no seating at all inside, and there was space which could have been worked fine, we think. And after a hour of walking around, a sitting break could have felt good. Also, there were food trucks selling ice cream, Indian food, cookies from King Arthurs, but they were placed placed pretty far from the barn, requiring a bit of walking. We also enjoyed the band playing outside, but they too were a bit moved from everything else. And then, it was hot -- near 90, but that's just the way it was. And for attendees, it was clearly not the temps defined this dazzling event. We're ready for 2026!

My wife and I recently had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival as…read morevolunteers a couple of weekends ago. We had signed up to help and it turned out to be so much more than just service. Right off the bat, the food was extraordinary, what a spectacular showcase of Vermont's artisanal cheese scene! Samples ranged from classic cheddars to Gouda to pepper jack, all crafted by passionate local cheesemakers. We also discovered delightful pairings, cheese and jam was a Hit; I wasn't expecting it, but "jam is my jam," as one participant aptly put it. lol As for service, the volunteer coordination was seamless. Helping vendors set up before the crowds arrived gave us a chance to chat with cheesemakers, learn about each cheese's story, and feel truly connected to their craft. The staff were friendly, organized, and the energy was warm and welcoming. The ambiance was downright charming. Set at historic Shelburne Farms' Breeding Barn, the festival unfolded on a perfect summer day - sunny, scenic, and relaxed. It felt like celebrating cheese right in the heart of verdant Vermont, complete with the buzz of fellow cheese lovers, artisan vendors, and farm surroundings. A bit of history: This year marked the 13th Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, hosted by the Vermont Cheese Council at Shelburne Farms. The festival is rooted in Vermont's rich artisanal cheese tradition, highlighting how the state leads the nation in cheesemakers per capita. It originally began as a celebration of the state's cheesemaking success a sort of "cheese carnival" introducing the public to local producers and their craft. Notably, this year's event was completely sold out tickets were snapped up well in advance, and none were available at the door. Even the general admission waitlist was full, and volunteer slots had closed early too. This level of demand speaks volumes about how beloved and highly anticipated, the festival has become. Volunteering at the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival was a fantastic decision. The combination of exceptional cheese, purposeful and friendly service, and a picturesque setting made for a memorable afternoon. It's clear why this sold-out event has become a beloved summer tradition. We'll definitely be back, with or without volunteer duties to savor more of what Vermont's incredible cheesemakers have to offer!

This was a stop on the way out of Burlington. We wanted some breakfast and coffee and oh my did…read morethis for the bill. Now, some of the pastries did not look like they were made the same day fresh but most was. The breakfast sandwich was huge. The coffee was not bad but also not the best however I would visit again for the food.

Great coffee and croissants, we also enjoyed the macarons and biscuits and gravy. Friendly staff!read more

Closed when the website said they'd be open. It's 10:50 am on a Sunday. Disappointing. I won't…read morereturn

I had family visiting from Montreal and thought what a wonderful experience I'd give them. Well…read more The pancakes in one of our servings were burnt on the underside. The sugar on snow was just syrup on ice. We were told they were not boiling that day. We were still charged the full price.

There are truly not enough words to describe how much I adore this restaurant and its staff. I…read moreaccidentally stumbled upon Rustic Roots a few years ago when my friend and I wanted to get brunch after we finished our morning classes at UVM, this place came up on my recommended and I am so glad it did! It became a tradition for me and my friend to go every month (sometimes practically every week) to get arguably the greatest breakfast in all of Vermont. Their menu changes seasonally, which means there's always something new to try! I think it's so impressive how they do both a savory and a sweet breakfast so perfectly, and don't skip the sides! I graduated in May and have since moved back home and I still think about their cheesy truffle grits and popovers! I recommend going on the waitlist if you want to guarantee a spot, as it can get busy on the weekends, especially with the farmers market right across the street. I am also obsessed with how homey it is inside, and how after going there for so long the workers treated me and my friend just like family! I can't wait to go back on my next trip up to Vermont!

Visiting from San Diego, CA and this has been the hands down best breakfast/lunch dinning…read moreexperience we've had in Burlington all week. Lox scramble was delicious. The onion soup was great as well and our toddler daughter loved her flapjack. We were actually amazed at how delicious it was too. Thank you to the staff, warm and friendly service, and thank you to the chef for spoiling us with your talents. It was an experience we would come back for everyday, thank you again.

This store is a popular destination in Shelburne area. It is a huge store with front side filled…read morewith candies, pastries, cookies, local maple syrups, sauces, home good items and more. The left side room has huge variety of apparels, hats and socks. The back side has great collection of gifts, stationary , cards, magnets, posters and other souvenirs. The cakes, cookies and some candies are sold by weight. We bought some unique toffees and gummies from here. I also found some really nice magnets here highlighting Vermont. We bought few of those and some stickers too. This was one of the better quality souvenir store we found in Burlington area. The staff were very friendly, helped with questions and checkouts.

Didn't get a chance to take pictures inside because I was too busy going through all the aisles…read more By the entrance, there are snacks, chocolate and candies. Cookwares are also in the front. They also have souvenirs (stickers, signs etc). There's a book section with toys. Organic soaps/shampoo by the wall smell very good. I got a soap bar of a local farm. Good quality. At the back, there's a room full of Christmas decorations. Festival spirits throughout the whole year. Overall a great local business for visitors and the neighborhood. I'll say it's a must go stop for travelers.

Great stop before heading on the ferry. Lots of local provisions, great breakfast biscuit and…read moreburrito, friendly staff, fun atmosphere.!

Amazing sandwiches! The Club is to die for, my wife had the Classic Turkey and she agrees. Get it…read moreto go and enjoy at Shelburne Beach picnic area on the lake.

Horribly rude. I left & went to Healthy Living instead & had delicious seafood & steak & was…read moretreated respectfully. I will never step foot in this stinky (on every level) place again. Gross

Amazing selection of quality meats. Prime cut ribeye on the grill was better than a high end…read moresteakhouse. Expensive but worth it.

Great farmer's market. We tried two of the vendors…read more First was some raw milk from Mose Farms. Loved the richness and creaminess of the milk. I'd be a regular if I lived near the farm or anywhere that they distributed to. Second was a spinach and feta pastry from the Flakey Crust. This was a monstrous pastry. It had to be a few pounds heavy. Absolutely packed with filling. It was pricey at over $15, but the portion size was comparable to two or three regular sized pastries. The market is open Saturdays mornings starting at 9 AM.

Great little stop on our way through town! Crafts, food, flowers and vegetables. I am glad I do…read morenot live any closer, Moonshadow Sweets made some of the best dark chocolate salted caramel I have ever eaten!!

Just an overdue update on my previous review. I did eventually get an email from the company…read moreclaiming email issues, but not recognizing their violation of food safety standards or expressing any willingness to fix the problem.

Best tortillas in New England! Like home made. Check the ingredients - flour and lime!! Awesome. I…read moreput as many as I can in the freezer and be happy!

I chose Barkeaters for my family birthday lunch and I was so pleasantly surprised!…read more It was the first-time dining there for all nine of us and we all left so full and pleased. I chose the Korean BBQ Wings as my appetizer which were a delish spice level and a perfect amount for one, yet I chose to share. We all loved them! They were garnished with green onions and lemongrass and crispy good! My entrée was the Beet Salad tossed with walnuts, goat cheese, and julienned-apples. The vinaigrette tossing the fresh, varied greens was so savory light and bright it lifted the whole dish. The portion was bountiful and studded with tons of the goodies! My guests chose the sandwiches, the Specials, the soup, the fish & chips, the Smash Burger, on and on. All were rated high! Kudos for plenty of gluten-free options beyond the usual salad! The owner was present and lovely as were her waitstaff. Knowing it was my birthday occasion, I was treated to their usual dinnertime treat of dark chocolate-pretzel bark so divine that we all left with a smile. We shall return and I hope my review encourages you to, too!

Excellent food and service! We feel totally comfortable, like eating at home but without all the…read morework