When it comes to restaurants in Manchester Vermont, you have a lot to choose from. Some have been around for a while, one for over 200 years old, and others are new. As a local, I’ve been to almost every restaurant in town, so I wrote this post to help you find the best place to eat during your stay in my little corner of Vermont.
Restaurants in Manchester Vermont
Ye Olde Tavern
The Ye Olde Tavern is one of the best restaurants in Manchester VT. Sweet William and I go there every year for our anniversary. Over the past 7 years we’ve gone at least once a year (usually like 4 or 5 times a year to be honest!) and have never had a bad meal.
The building itself is older than the state of Vermont, and is decorated to showcase its amazing history. When entering you’ll notice that the lights are low and the coat rack has several vintage hats hanging in a row. This an especially cozy restaurant during winter in Vermont as they have the fireplaces going.
Every meal at the Ye Olde Tavern comes with their famous cranberry fritters and maple butter, a garden salad with bleu cheese, homemade bread, and your entree. Prices vary by the entree you order. My 2 favorite entrees on the menu are the New York Sirloin and the breaded and buttered scallops.
As for dessert when we went for our anniversary this year they had a new choice; Maple Pot de Creme topped with whipped cream and shaved Bavarian chocolate. It was so delicious I told the hostess they should never take it off the menu! This is one of the many reasons that is one of the best Manchester restaurants.
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Restaurants in Manchester VT: Thai Basil
Thai Basil is the resident Thai restaurant in Manchester Vermont. They have a wide variety of offerings and most of them can be customized to fit your dietary needs.
While I consider Thai Basil causal dining you can get a delicious meal that is also affordable. On average, when Sweet William and I go to Thai Basil we spend about $100 for an appetizer, drinks, 2 entrees, and dessert.
We recommend getting the potstickers and curry sauce for a starter and the Our Signature Massaman Curry for an entree.
If you’re around in the summer ask to it in their outdoor seating area. You’ll get to enjoy the sites and sounds of Manchester’s Main Street.
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The Best Restaurants in Manchester Vermont: Silver Fork
Confession, I’ve never been to the Silver Fork because it’s super hard to get a reservation. But everyone I know that’s been there says it’s one of the best meals they’ve ever had.
However, they recently relocated to a bigger space which happens to be the former site of the Mark Skinner Library (they have an amazing page on their website about the history of the building.). By doubling the number of tables inside they’re able to welcome more guests to enjoy their spectacular food. I’m hoping to go soon!
This restaurant is run by power couple Melody French, who is the resident Sommelier and Mixologist, and her husband award-winning Chef Mark French. They refer to their offerings as “a Menu in Movement” as Mark is always switching it up. If it’s fresh and local it might end up on the menu. So go, grab one of Melody’s cocktails and enjoy the ambiance of a building with an amazing history.
Restaurants in Manchester Vermont: Union Underground
If you’re looking for the best burger in town you can find it at Union Underground right in the downtown area. Housed in the basement of an old bank (you can even see the vault in display inside.) the Union Underground has delicious pub fare, a great atmosphere, and live music! Plus they have an amazing beer selection with lots of local and regional brews.
But let’s talk burgers because Union Undergound is the best restaurant in Manchester Vermont to get one. All their meat is locally sourced from Black River Meats in Springfield, Vermont. For my vegan friends their curried ginger vegan patty from Earth, Sky, Time Farm right up the road. You can build your own burger, but I prefer the Underground Burger with pub cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
In the summer you can sit in their outdoor dining around overlooking the old mill with the brook bubbling in the background. It’s very Vermont which is why Union Underground is one of the best restaurants in Manchester Vermont.
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Restaurants in Manchester Vermont: Sam’s Wood Fired Pizza Co.
There are three pizza places in Manchester, Sam’s Wood Fired Pizza is the best in both taste and affordability. The other two pizza places in town have mediocre pizza and are way overpriced.
Since COVID-19 effected so many local restaurants Sam’s created a great outdoor seating area. They even started serving creemees AKA soft served ice cream. If they have maple get it, there’s real maple syrup in it!
You can’t go wrong with any of their pizzas either. My personal favorite is The Hangover. It’s topped with sausage and bacon and drizzled with warm Vermont maple syrup! Only in Vermont do we put maple syrup on pizza!
Best Restaurants in Manchester VT: Up for Breakfast
To get to this restaurant you literally have to go up. Located right downtown, Up for Breakfast is the best restaurant in Manchester VT to get a real Vermont breakfast. And if you don’t want to wait get there early, there are only about 10 tables in the entire restaurant.
When it comes to what you should order I have several suggestions. I usually get the Sourdough battered French toast with a side of home fries and a side of Vermont maple sausage links. Sweet William is a fan of the Wild Thing omelette which consists of roasted wild turkey, sautéed peppers, onions, mushrooms, potatoes, spices and cheddar.
One of the most popular dishes for all the Appalachian Trail hikers that come through Manchester is the Happy Hiker. This dish comes with two eggs, two buttermilk pancakes, two sausage links, two bacon strips, toast and coffee and home fries. That is going to make any hiker happy!
But take note, during Fall in Manchester Vermont it gets VERY busy, so don’t wait too long to get out of bed in the morning if you want to eat here!
What do you think the best restaurants in Manchester Vermont are? let me know in the comments!
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