May Day
A cozy neighborhood spot celebrating local farms with innovative food, creative cocktails, and warm, impeccable service.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
May Day
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A cozy neighborhood spot celebrating local farms with innovative food, creative cocktails, and warm, impeccable service.
"Best service, best vibes, best food! Cannot recommend this place enough. Seek it out."
Reservations Recommended
Secure your spot at this popular restaurant; reservations are highly advised to avoid disappointment.
Explore Seasonal Specials
Look out for unique seasonal dishes like rhubarb compote or garlic snaps for a special culinary surprise.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Exceptional Small Plates & Main Courses
Indulge in creative small plates and hearty main courses, from chicken liver pate to steak frites with chimichuri.
Innovative Cocktails & Drink Selection
Sip on unique and delicious cocktails, alongside a curated selection of creative beer and wine options.
Cozy Atmosphere & Impeccable Service
Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere complemented by friendly, well-trained staff ensuring a memorable dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Secure your spot at this popular restaurant; reservations are highly advised to avoid disappointment.
Explore Seasonal Specials
Look out for unique seasonal dishes like rhubarb compote or garlic snaps for a special culinary surprise.
Visit During Off-Peak
To avoid crowds and potential loudness, consider visiting during less busy hours.
Don't Miss the Fries!
Praised for being the 'best fries in the land,' they're a must-try item according to one TikTok review.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Secure your spot at this popular restaurant; reservations are highly advised to avoid disappointment.
Explore Seasonal Specials
Look out for unique seasonal dishes like rhubarb compote or garlic snaps for a special culinary surprise.
Visit During Off-Peak
To avoid crowds and potential loudness, consider visiting during less busy hours.
Don't Miss the Fries!
Praised for being the 'best fries in the land,' they're a must-try item according to one TikTok review.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
May Day garners significant praise for its exceptional service, creative cocktails, and innovative dishes, with many diners calling it one of the best dining experiences in Vermont. While the food quality is generally high, a few reviews noted that some dishes, particularly the pork belly, didn't quite meet expectations in terms of flavor complexity or preparation relative to the price point. Despite minor critiques on food, the welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff consistently impress visitors.
"Do not miss the opportunity to come to this restaurant.
They were semi finalists in the 2025 James Beard awards... And you can see why. We tried the tuna crudo (10/10), tremolo bread, fried green tomatoes, crispy pork belly (10/10), grilled vegetables and more.
Cannot recommend this place enough. Seek it out. Make the time.
Best service, best vibes, best food!"
Sara
"Such a great restaurant! So many delicious flavors, from the cocktails, to the appetizers, to the entrees, to the desserts. The Panzanella and Fried Short Rib are fantastic, as are the Tagliatelle and the Halibut. The menu changes fairly often but always offers such fantastic flavors. Service is always fantastic. Highly recommended"
alden cushman
"Service was fast and presentation was great. Higher prices but quality food and beautiful presentation!!
In the pictures we fries, Gem lettuce, pork belly and Tuna crudo. Drink is a Madrid sour.
I will be definitely going again."
Andy G
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity to ensure you secure a table.
May Day offers a menu of innovative small plates, appetizers, and main courses, with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients.
The menu often features creative vegetarian and vegan dishes, with options like cauliflower steak and chilled beets.
The restaurant has a cozy, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for an enjoyable dining experience.
Yes, their innovative cocktails are frequently highlighted as exceptional and a must-try part of the dining experience.
Yes, the menu changes fairly often, offering diners new and exciting flavors to explore.
While it offers world-class cuisine, May Day strikes a balance with a laid-back and casual atmosphere.
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Featured in these publications
Restaurants in Burlington
Local industry pros launched this cozy neighborhood spot—named for owner Matthew Peterson's annual tradition of throwing an all-out riverside bash on May 1—with a menu that ranges from nostalgic favorites like a beef patty melt on rye to delicately plated vegetable dishes and a full platter of steak frites. Go lowbrow for drinks with a Narragansett lager, or highbrow with a bottle of wine from trailblazing Vermont producer La Garagista.
New Vermont restaurants from April to June 2022
Matthew Peterson and Mojo Hancy-Davis opened their restaurant, May Day, within its titular month; its first day in business was May 27. May Day occupies the space in Burlington that most recently housed the neighborhood eatery Butch + Babe’s. May Day’s “fundamental approach,” according to Hancy-Davis, is to use ingredients from local farms to create made-from-scratch food.
Vermont Chefs, Bakers and Beverage Producers Named James Beard Award Semifinalists
Hancy-Davis opened May Day with co-owner Matthew Peterson in the former Butch + Babe's space over Memorial Day weekend 2022. The bustling, playful neighborhood spot celebrates local ingredients — including some that Hancy-Davis grows himself — and is a popular Monday night stop for industry folks.
Annual Events
Make a reservation to watch from a Marketplace restaurant, or sign up to run in the marathon!. The Vermont City Marathon is an annual marathon that runs down the Marketplace and was first held on May 28, 1989. The race is generally held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
9 Best Outdoor Restaurants In Vermont To Visit This Summer
Dining at Roots the Restaurant means minimally processed and local ingredients along with organic produce and meat from humane sources. From the indulgent Vermont Beef Burger to Lobster Bisque, find out why this is among the favorite restaurants in Vermont.
Discovering the Charm of Burlington's Old North End: A Local's Perspective
May Day is a new addition to the O.N.E. serving up a delightful menu of small plates and sandwiches along with a delicious wine and cocktail list. With light fare, snacks, noodles, and large plates. May Day could be the next best thing in your life..
16 Best Restaurants in Burlington, Vermont
May Day is supports local farms and features innovative and delicious snacks and plates to share as well as creative cocktails and unique and fun beer and wines selections. Open Friday-Monday 5-10pm.
5 Vermont chefs and restaurants nominated for 2023 James Beard awards
On Instagram, Honey Road, a Burlington-based restaurant that serves Eastern Mediterranean-inspired fare, said they were “over the moon happy” for pastry chef Amanda Wildermuth.
Best Restaurants in Burlington, Vermont
May Day strikes the perfect balance between a laid-back, casual atmosphere and world-class cuisine. Chef Avery Buck was just nominated for a James Beard award!
Where to eat in Burlington, Vermont
Try the ever-changing flatbread choice at May Day; this one features whipped ricotta and an abundance of spring veggies.Pamela Wright
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit