
Hen of the Wood - Burlington
A celebrated farm-to-table restaurant in an urban setting, offering inventive dishes and an immersive open kitchen bar experience.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Hen of the Wood - Burlington

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A celebrated farm-to-table restaurant in an urban setting, offering inventive dishes and an immersive open kitchen bar experience.
"This place has officially earned a special spot in our hearts. We’ll definitely be back!"
Book Ahead for Reservations
Popularity means reservations are highly recommended to secure your preferred dining time.
Chef Bar Seating
Opt for seating at the chef's bar for an engaging view of the kitchen's culinary magic.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Open Kitchen Bar Experience
Witness chefs craft your meal with precision and artistry at the interactive open kitchen bar, a truly immersive dining experience.

Farm-to-Table Innovation
Savor thoughtfully sourced, seasonal ingredients transformed into unique dishes, celebrated for their freshness and balanced flavors.

Exceptional Local Cheese Selection
Indulge in a well-curated selection of local Vermont artisan cheeses, each with unique flavors and textures.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead for Reservations
Popularity means reservations are highly recommended to secure your preferred dining time.
Chef Bar Seating
Opt for seating at the chef's bar for an engaging view of the kitchen's culinary magic.
Daily Menu Changes
Embrace the ever-changing menu to discover new and seasonal flavors.
Don't Skip the Rolls!
The famous Parker House rolls with honey butter are a must-try for any diner.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead for Reservations
Popularity means reservations are highly recommended to secure your preferred dining time.
Chef Bar Seating
Opt for seating at the chef's bar for an engaging view of the kitchen's culinary magic.
Daily Menu Changes
Embrace the ever-changing menu to discover new and seasonal flavors.
Don't Skip the Rolls!
The famous Parker House rolls with honey butter are a must-try for any diner.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Hen of the Wood - Burlington is consistently lauded for its innovative farm-to-table cuisine and the engaging open kitchen bar experience. Diners rave about standout dishes like the Parker House rolls and the expertly prepared local ingredients. While the ambiance is generally praised as warm and welcoming, some guests note that the fine dining experience comes with a significant price tag, and occasional service hiccups or minor disappointments with specific dishes have been mentioned.
"This place is amazing! The cocktails at the bar were wonderful and the bartender was very engaging. We sat at the kitchen bar (chefs table) and got to watch the kitchen staff make the dinners. It was very interesting and fun to watch. The food was fantastic and the menu changes daily with different farm to table foods. I highly recommend it. The Parker House Rolls alone are worth the stop."
Stephen Pivonka
"We loved everything about our meal here. I love how cheese-centric their focus is. We loved the cherry tomatoes, the strawberry salad, and the oysters. The cheese plates were great as well. The ribeye was amazing and what we both were looking forward to. Loved the potatoes in the dish as well. The chocolate Sundae we had for dessert was incredible as well. Just a great experience and the staff was very helpful, friendly, and on top of their game, but not intrusive.
One of the best meals we had in New England!"
T F
"We came to celebrate being newly wed, and from the moment we walked in, the team made us feel like royalty. The management went above and beyond with a surprise toast of wine, a sweet handwritten card that said “congratulations,” and even a complimentary dessert that was as thoughtful as it was delicious. Such a personal touch, we were honestly blown away.
Every bite of the food was unforgettable. We had everything from a few small plates to desserts. The chef clearly knows what they’re doing because the flavors were rich, fresh, and just perfectly balanced. I’m back home now and I swear, I can still taste it. That’s how good it was.
This place has officially earned a special spot in our hearts. We’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in Vermont. Thank you, Head of the Wood, for making our celebration feel truly magical.
Mr. & Mrs. Posik ❤️"
Uchizi Phakati
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity. Walk-ins may be able to be seated at the bar during off-peak times.
The menu changes daily based on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring fresh and unique culinary creations.
The Parker House rolls are frequently recommended, along with the Hen of the Woods mushrooms and the hanger steak.
While not explicitly stated, the restaurant has an upscale ambiance, so smart casual attire is generally appropriate.
Yes, seating at the chef's bar is available and highly recommended for an interactive dining experience.
Some dishes can be made gluten-free, but it's best to inform your server of any dietary restrictions.
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Restaurants in Burlington
The Burlington branch of Hen of the Wood offers a slick, urban vibe but serves the same inventive yet down-to-earth cuisine that set diners' hearts aflutter and tongues wagging at its original Waterbury location. Indeed, many consider this the best restaurant in Vermont, so drop your finger anywhere on the menu and you won't go wrong.
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For the paragon of upscale-yet-rustic Vermont dining, reserve a table at Hen of the Wood. Here’s the full lowdown on the best restaurants in Burlington.
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Ever since this farm-to-table place took up residence in an 1835 grist mill in Waterbury, most gourmands and foodies have dubbed it the best restaurant in the state. Success and demand eventually brought a second branch to Burlington, where it blends the same approach with a more boutique, urban ambiance. There’s no change, however, in the wow factor of the regional menu, assiduously determined by what’s available daily from its network of “nearby growers, artisans, ranchers, bakers and wild crafters.” That means dishes like braised pork with wild ramp sausage, coriander roasted cauliflower with toasted farro and golden raisins, and cast iron-seared cod with Claytonia and cured lemon.
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Chef Eric Warnstedt rose to fame as the farm-to-table king of the Green Mountains in the early aughts, and scoring a table at the James Beard Award nominee’s original Hen of the Wood restaurant in Waterbury continues to be Olympic sport-level difficult. Fortunately, more diners have been able to experience his rustic yet upscale culinary creations since a Burlington location opened inside Hotel Vermont in 2013. Its post-modern barn aesthetic—consider the beautiful, geometric wood-beam ceiling and sleek hickory tables—perfectly complements Warnstedt’s cooking.
Burlington restaurant one of Eater's best new restaurants in U.S.
If not for the sign in the window, it’d be easy to mistake Frankie’s for a residential home whose owners love hosting dinner parties,” the Eater write-up on Frankie’s reads. “The dining area is cozy and convivial, with customers tucked into seats in nooks and crannies or by the windows in the sunny front room. In the kitchen, Ware works with ingredients grown on nearby farms, combined with just enough quirks to remind diners that this isn’t the same old seasonal story.
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Breakfast: Penny Cluse Café"This is the best breakfast place in Burlington. I'm a fan of its biscuits and special herbed gravy (even though it leads to naptime later), with a fruit plate that's always seasonal and huge. The space is a little house downtown—it feels like a farmhouse when you walk in. There's usually a bit of a line to get a table, but time flies, and they have a coffee machine out front so you can have a coffee while you wait.
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Hen of the Wood is a true Vermont dining experience featuring farm-to-table cuisine in a rustic yet refined setting. This is the hardest reservation to secure in Burlington, so book early. Your dinner may be pricier than the more casual places in town (for delicious pizza at a good price, try American Flatbread or Pizzeria Verita), but the creativity, presentation, and exceptional ingredients make it an experience worth splurging for.
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The cocktails at Hen of the Wood are forever at the top of every "best of Burlington" list — and rightly so. The beloved farm-to-table restaurant is the place for a perfect old fashioned, martini or Manhattan. But it's also downtown's hot spot for $1 oysters, available daily from 4 to 5 p.m.* Those hours just so happen to be about the only times you'll be able to snag one of the comfy lounge chairs by the bar and cozy fireplace.
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Chef Eric Warnstedt takes Vermont's bounty, the gifts of the earth, and makes simple, beautiful dishes that transcend the sum of their parts. It's a talent that has earned him more accolades than any other Vermont chef, making the original Hen of the Wood in Waterbury a destination for foodies. With long-time business partner William McNeil, Warnstedt debuted a second Hen of the Wood at Hotel Vermont in Burlington in 2013.
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Chef Eric Warnstedt repeatedly lands on the James Beard Foundation's short list for best chef in the Northeast. Named for a wild mushroom, the original Hen of the Wood opened in Waterbury in a restored mill, but the Burlington location holds it own with a spot in the stylish Hotel Vermont. The real attraction is Warnstedt's carefully honed cooking, which is insistently local (but with a perceptible European accent).
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**Chef Eric Warnstedt rose to prominence in the early aughts for creating Hen of the Wood in a former grist mill in the Green Mountains. We recommend a stop at the Waterbury original during your jaunt up or down I-89, but barring that, the Burlington outpost is Vermont’s ultimate farm-to-table destination. The veggie-focused apps are shareable, but if there’s a time to get your own three-course meal, this is it.
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Award-winning chef Eric Warnstedt and his partner, William McNeil, who still operate their popular establishment in Waterbury, have once again created restaurant magic in their chic new spot next to the Hotel Vermont. The menu features an ever-changing but always sophisticated selection of locally sourced foods, including the signature hen-of-the-wood mushroom toast for which the restaurant is named.
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To taste the best of what Vermont grows in its lime-rich soils, Hen of the Wood is where you need to be. The founders have created a homey, comfortable atmosphere with excellent wines and a simple yet divine menu with locally sourced ingredients. They have partnerships with cheesemakers and farmers in the surrounding area, meaning your meal has never traveled very far and the menu rotates every day.
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Hen of the Wood: This renowned farm-to-table restaurant in Waterbury, Vermont will be opening a second location in Burlington later this summer. Known for its unique ability to showcase Vermont’s finest local food, many people in Burlington are excited about this new restaurant. I haven’t eaten at Hen of the Wood yet, but it will definitely be on my list to try once the Burlington location is open.
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Hen of the Wood on Cherry Street is one of the coziest and most intimate places to eat in Burlington, VT. Offering small, candle-lit tables surrounded by mood lighting, this restaurant is another excellent destination for a romantic night out on the town. Serving dinner only, the restaurant offers a constantly changing menu that fluctuates daily in response to the availability of local produce.
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This upscale yet casual dining establishment serves inventive and carefully crafted cuisine using (you guessed it) locally sourced produce, meats, cheeses and beyond. Their goal is to provide a true Vermont dining experience, and in my experience they most certainly did!. I’d recommend some of the dishes I tried, but since their menu changes daily, just keep an open mind and experiment!
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Even high-end spots keep it unpretentious: “Most of Vermont's farm-to-table restaurants offer a more casual, neighborhood-joint experience,” as one local food writer noted, with rustic charm and approachable price points (Best restaurant service 2024 | Hen of the Wood | Food - Seven Days). In short, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s part of daily life on Burlington’s plates.
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A recognized establishment for over 15 years, Hen of the Wood Burlington attracts some of the most talented young cooks in the state. With an open wood-fired kitchen and impeccable front of house service, ‘Hen’ offers a quintessential take on Vermont’s rustic cuisine. This restaurant rightfully has earned itself the long-time reputation as the best restaurant in Burlington.
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A farm-to-table Vermont institution, Hen of the Wood hosts a popular daily $1 oyster happy hour. If you want to get a seat at the bar, arrive promptly at 4 pm, and the restaurant’s namesake Hen of the Woods mushroom toast is a must. For a more laid-back dinner, go for thin-crust Neapolitan or square Sicilian pies at Pizzeria Ida, a BYO spot in Burlington’s Old North End.
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Hen of the Wood is a profoundly acclaimed restaurant that offers ranch to-table food in Burlington, Vermont. Situated in a noteworthy grist plant, the eatery includes a comfortable, natural environment that impeccably supplements the generous, tasty dishes served there. The menu is continually changing, with an accentuation on occasional, privately obtained fixings.
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The best part of staying at the Starlight Inn is that it’s right next door to the Sunset Drive-In Theater, which you can attend for free if you’re a guest at the motel. The four giant screens each feature double bills every night (open weekends April, May, September & October and every night in June, July & August). When was the last time you went to a drive in?.
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A favorite among locals and visitors alike since it opened in 2013, it’s the sister to its original restaurant in Waterbury, Vt. The bustling outpost has a dark, rich sports club feel, with beams and wooden ceiling trusses, stacks of firewood, burning fireplaces, leather chairs, and a cozy bar. There’s also a chef’s counter with front row views into the kitchen.
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Bluebird Tavern can always be counted on for unusual drinks, great wines and exquisite dishes; same for Hen of the Wood. Unfortunately my favorite spot for wine and small plates, Pistou, closed earlier this spring; I’ve heard that the chef (Max MacKinnon) is now in the kitchen of Fish & Game in Hudson, NY, but I hope he has his own place again someday.
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Mouthwatering eats, a woodsy-chic vibe and a relaxed atmosphere await you at Hen of the Woo d on Cherry Street. Opened in 2013, the restaurant specializes in the region’s food specialties with a menu that changes daily. Guests are raving about its signature mushroom toast, swordfish, oysters, hanger steak, fried rabbit, duck, and more.
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Where to Stay: Consistently the highest rated hotel in Burlington, Hotel Vermont is that perfect combination of boutique design and location, and its Japan-meets-New England rooms overlooking Lake Champlain set a bar that’s hard to beat. And ask to meet Matt Canning, Hotel Vermont’s own Beer Concierge when you’re there.
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With fresh produce delivered daily from nearby farms, Hen of the Wood is a lovely restaurant in Burlington that offers farm-to-table dining. This welcoming dining establishment offers a daily-changing menu depending on what is in season. Chef Eric Warnstedt is in charge of preparing delicious meals at Hen of the Wood.
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Hen of the Wood showcases authentic Vermont dining and features uncomplicated, down-to-earth cuisine. For the more adventurous, Honey Road serves eastern Mediterranean fare and features exotic foods from distant lands!. We hope that these excellent options will satisfy anyone who passes through their doors.
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The Hen of the Wood restaurant has two primary locations: one in Waterbury, which is the first to open, and the other in Burlington. This is one of the cheap eating spots that serves the best food and is a sign of a trademark restaurant. Hen of the Wood serves delicious meals in a welcoming ambiance.
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (970 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $$$$- Address: 55 Cherry St, Burlington, VT 05401-8458- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Homes for sale in Burlington at every price point
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Hen of the Wood showcases what Vermont is all about– farm to table dining in a gorgeous “woodsy chic” atmosphere. Located next to Hotel Vermont, Hen of the Wood features daily menu changes, with excellent wines, cocktails, local food and thoughtfully sourced meals. Open Wednesday-Monday from 5-10pm.
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Hen of the Wood, with its rustic ambiance, offers an authentic Vermont dining experience. The menu, showcasing locally sourced ingredients, changes daily. Diners are consistently impressed by the premium dishes, vibrant flavors, and fresh-baked rolls, thanks to the talents of top-tier chefs.
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The Burlington restaurant that goes by this name is certainly a worthy Valentine’s Day destination. If you’re aiming to make an impression, though, why not go to the source?. The legendary Vermont restaurant began in Waterbury in 2005 before expanding to a second site in Burlington in 2013.
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Located steps from Hotel Vermont in downtown Burlington, Hen of the Wood serves farm-to-table cuisine. Their menu changes daily as they use ingredients that are ripe, fresh, and local. The dark hues and wood finishes throughout the restaurant provide a warm and cozy atmosphere.
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Burlington and Vermont are known for their cuisine, some of the most popular spots are Hen of the Wood, and Luenig’s Bistro & Lounge. Both of these restaurants have been named by Culture Trip and Thrillist as some of the top ten restaurants in downtown Burlington.
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You’ll hear a lot about this place because it’s the star of Burlington. Some locals understandably told us it’s overrated— but we loved it!. You’ll need to make a reservation well in advance or try your luck at the bar, but Hen of the Wood is worth all the hype.
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As evening approaches, make your way to Hen of the Wood for an intimate dinner experience. Known for its romantic ambiance and exquisite cuisine, this restaurant is perfect for a special night out. After dinner, take part in the Burlington Haunted Walking Tour.
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Found only a couple of blocks from Hotel Vermont, you can taste the regional flavors at Hen of the Wood. With their daily menu changes, the restaurant strives to showcase the different and unique tastes that can only be found in Burlington.
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Rustic charm, a legendary wine list and a menu that honors local flavors distinguish this James Beard Award-nominated restaurant. The ever-changing menu swings from striped bass to kale canneloni.55 Cherry St., Burlington
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The sun chokes were pretty good, the steak was pretty good also but honestly tasted kind of like pepperoni and overpowered what I enjoy in a steak. Distinctly lacking in interesting gluten free or non-alcoholic options.
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Hen of the Wood offers a unique dining experience with a focus on local ingredients. The restaurant serves a seasonal menu that changes frequently, and the wood-fired oven adds a unique flavor to the dishes.
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Hen of the Wood — This restaurant epitomizes the farm-to-table movement, with a warm dining room adorned with wood accents and a menu that changes daily based on seasonal ingredients from the local area.
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Hen of the Wood – Located in downtown Burlington, this celebrated spot brings seasonal Vermont ingredients to life through beautifully plated dishes and a warm, rustic atmosphere.
Church Street Marketplace — Church Street Marketplace
Note: The Downtown Garage has multiple entrances; enter from Cherry Street, between Hotel Vermont and Hen of the Wood, or enter from College Street near the intersection with S.
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Hen of the Wood is just a bit more upscale than other Burlington eateries. But GF options abound. They source as close to the restaurant as possible, so the menu rotates daily.
Chittenden County
Rustic charm, locavore cuisine and a legendary wine list distinguish this James Beard Award-nominated restaurant. The bar is open for cocktails and craft brews until 11 p.m.
Town: Burlington, Vt.
Hen of the Wood, famous for its adventurous farm-to-table, nose-to-tail menu, remains Burlington’s toughest-to-get reservation, so call early. Dollar oysters at 4 p.m.
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Hen of the Wood - Burlington is a restaurant in Burlington with at least 30% natural wine, a selection of organic and biodynamic wines vinified naturally.
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Generally at or near the top of everyone’s list, Hen of the Wood, an earth-to-plate forerunner, and a difficult table to get.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit