48 Hours in Addison County for Winter Foodies

It’s no secret that winter in Vermont can be snowy, cold, and a little long. Some people make the most of VT’s chillier months by skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing all season long. Others take advantage of the extra coziness to be found indoors, enjoying a good bowl of soup and a hot toddy. If the latter sounds like you, keep reading for a guide to 48 hours of winter eats in beautiful Addison County, Vermont.

Stay at: Strong House Inn

Located in beautiful Vergennes, the historic Strong House Inn supplies the quintessential Vermont bed and breakfast experience. Built in 1834 by Samuel Paddock Strong, son of General Samuel Strong (who directed the Vermont militia at the Battle of Plattsburg during the War of 1812), this lovely location is steeped in our state’s rich history. The Strong House Inn perfectly combines historic touches and modern amenities: admire the original 19th-century wood floors and vintage decor while enjoying the luxury of heated bathroom floors, jacuzzi tubs, and gas fireplaces. Don’t miss their hearty country breakfast and indulge in their staycation package (including wine, chocolate, and a $100 gift certificate to Vergennes’ Black Sheep Bistro) for some extra pampering. With thoughtful, charming details scattered throughout – elegant moldings and doors, maple railing on the grand main staircase, black marble fireplace in the morning room – there’s no better place to cozy up on a winter night in Addison County.

Friday

6:30 pm: Dinner at The Tillerman

For the ultimately charming and delicious first meal in Addison County, visit The Tillerman for dinner. Sit back and relax in their rustic, cozy 1790s farmhouse and warm up with lovingly made dishes from Chef Justin Wright. Enjoy hyperlocal ingredients and creative dishes with a wood-fired oven at the heart of the restaurant. To start the evening, we love the local Jasper Hill Cheeseboard and the Radishes and Turnips with Miso Butter as a fun twist on a French classic. With an incredible smokiness, their list of wood-fired fare is full of irresistible options – though Butterball (with roasted leeks, fresh thyme, kale, potato, and Moses Sleeper cheese) and Honeyboat (roasted squashes, hazelnut, spicy honey, and Bayley Hazen blue cheese) are among our personal favorites. Cap off the night with some local Shy Guy Gelato and rest well for a weekend full of VT eats ahead.

Saturday

9 am: Breakfast at Morgan’s Tavern

Situated in the historic Middlebury Inn, Morgan’s Tavern is a beautiful and tasty place to start your Saturday. If you’re into elevated classics when it comes to breakfast food, this is the place to be. Looking for eggs? Try the tasty Vermont Cheddar Omelet, traditional Middlebury Inn Benedict, or Casco Bay Benedict (with poached eggs on inn-made crab cakes). If you’re looking for something lighter, the Healthy Start with their famous inn-made granola, Cabot Vanilla Yogurt, and fresh fruit hits the spot. We love that Morgan’s Tavern is proudly committed to buying local, and they partner with Vermont’s own Cabot Creamery, Monument Farms Dairy, Butternut Mountain Vermont Creamery, Champlain Valley Apiaries, Maplebrook Farms, and Maple Meadow Farm to provide the freshest ingredients possible.

11 am: Stock up on Vermont treats & ingredients at Dakin Farm

While in Addison County, any foodie must make the pilgrimage to Dakin Farm to explore their Sugarhouse, watch the Dakin Farm Story in their theater, and stock up on VT goodies to take home. Dakin Farm’s Sugarhouse has been running for 58 maple seasons, so when it comes to maple, they certainly know what they’re talking about. Check out their videos and photos on display about the history of maple syrup, view their display of tools used to collect sap in the 1800s, and see the tools used today to make Vermont’s liquid gold. In addition, their 6,000 square-foot retail store offers every Vermont-made good imaginable: jams, honey, cheeses, syrups, skincare, clothing, kitchenware, and more await. You can even send packages directly to friends and family anywhere in the country to save you the hassle of shipping items or adding extra bulk to your bags for the trip home.

12 pm: Lunch at Gilfeather’s Fine Provisions

While in Ferrisburgh, stop by Gilfeather’s Fine Provisions for a fresh and satisfying sandwich. The Black Forest Ham or Pastrami Reuben are sure to satisfy if you’re craving a simple classic. But, if you’re open to something new, the Spicy Blueberry Bacon Grilled Cheese is a must-try. And, for a true taste of New England, they serve up their Maine Lobster Roll all day long. If you’re lucky, they might even have fresh oysters – which totally counts as dessert.

2 pm: Explore the Woodchuck Cider House and Tap Room

For those 21 and up, the locally famous Woodchuck Cider is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. Take a self-guided tour through their facilities, stock up on Woodchuck-branded gear for any fans back home, and enjoy tastings of their twenty ciders on tap. If you’d prefer a cocktail, their menu is full of creative options using local liquors and fresh ingredients (like The Wood Fence with Whistlepig PiggyBack Rye, maple syrup, cinnamon, and Granny Smith apple). 

OR 

Visit Lincoln Peak Vineyard

Lincoln Peak Vineyard is a must-stop in the Addison County area if you prefer a good glass of red wine over cider. With all their grapes grown on the rocky soil of Champlain Valley’s hillside, Lincoln Peak specializes in Marquette and Farnsworth grapes – all picked by hand and aged in oak barrels in thoughtfully made small batches. The founding family, the Granstroms, have been farming on this land since 1981: first apples for ten years, then strawberries for over twenty, and now grapes since 2006. Joining the Shelburne Vineyard family in 2021 upon founder Chris Granstrom’s retirement, Lincoln’s Peak’s rich history and deep care for what they do stays shining bright in their stunning wines. Visit their cozy tasting room to learn more about Vermont’s grape varieties, their processes at the vineyard, and, of course, to try it for yourself. 

4 pm: Take a sip at Stoneleaf Teahouse

Suited for tea lovers and skeptics alike, wind down your afternoon at Middlebury’s Stone Leaf Tea House. With fresh loose-leaf teas from all across the globe, Stoneleaf is sure to have a variety for every palate and preference – even the pickiest sippers. If you’re looking to unwind, their herbal tea collection has a wide variety of tasty flavors. Try the Organic Hibiscus for a bright, tart taste, or the Rooibos Chai for a cozy wintry flavor. If you want a burst of midday energy, their twenty-plus green tea varieties leave plenty of room for exploration for even the most advanced tea drinkers. With covered outdoor seating, indoor seating, and tea-to-go, it’s worth stopping by, even if you’re tight on time before dinner.

6 pm: Dinner at Taste of India

Close out your day of good eats with even more of them! With all their meats and seafood carefully marinated and broiled in their Tandoor – a charcoal-burning pit oven made of clay – Taste of India offers incredible, authentic Indian food in the charming heart of Middlebury. There’s no wrong choice regarding the menu, though the most popular is the Chicken Tikka Masala. The Paneer Masala (homemade cheese cooked with tomato and butter sauce) and Matta Paneer (homemade cheese with tender garden peas and fresh spices) are the most popular vegetarian options and for good reason. Most dishes are gluten-free, and all are incredibly seasoned and thoughtfully prepared. Taste of India also offers fourteen varieties of bread baked fresh to order in their Tandoor because, as the website states, “an Indian meal without bread is not complete.” 

Sunday

9:30 am: Breakfast at Waybury Inn

Embrace Vermont’s quaint New England charms with breakfast at Waybury Inn. Their cozy, intimate dining room and comforting, classic menu items are a perfectly relaxing way to start your last day in Addison County. Try the Tomato Florentine Benedict or Smoked Salmon Benedict with Dill Hollandaise for something savory. For sweet tooths, you can’t go wrong with the Waybury Inn French Toast (featuring a baguette filled with sweetened cream cheese and fresh fruit) or the parfait.

11 am: Browse Stone Mill Public Market

You can’t leave beautiful Addison County without snagging some things to remember it by – and after yesterday’s exploration of Dakin Farm, Stone Mill Public Market is the obvious next stop. Stone Mill features a carefully curated collection of local goods. From wines and cheeses to home goods and stationery, this special spot offers Vermont’s small businesses the opportunity to connect with customers in the Middlebury area without worrying about point-of-sale needs and managing labor. If you’re looking to stock up for this holiday season (or the next one), this spot will have a gift for every person in your life. Kids will love the Classic Wooden Slingshot or Unicorn Horn Sidewalk Chalk. Grown-ups will love their vast collection of unique wines and nifty home goods. With its extensive collection of niche goods, you’re sure to find the perfect gift here for the person with everything.

2 pm: Grab a bite and shop in Vergennes

Continue your Sunday shop-a-thon in lovely downtown Vergennes. If you’re hungry, make a pit stop at 3 Squares Café or Park Squeeze for a quick and easy (and delicious) lunch. If you just need a quick boost, stop at Vergennes Laundry for coffee and a pastry. Then make your way down Main Street and beyond to enjoy all the charm Vergennes’ small businesses have to offer. 

We are huge fans of Good Judy because not only are their vendors mostly ‘Women, BIPOC and/or LGBTQAI+ owned and operated but, with every purchase, 10% of the profit from each sale goes to non-profit organizations supporting Women's Empowerment, LGBTQAI+, BIPOC, furry friends and people in need.”

If you’re looking for whimsical home goods and knick-knacks, Ten Stones Emporium has handmade crafts from around the world. Got a passion for fashion? Stop by The Joy Shop for vintage clothing and Lily Boutique for new trendy pieces. 

5 pm: Dinner at Starry Night Café

Starry Night Café is the perfect place for your last dinner in Addison County. This special spot offers incredible fare in a beautiful, peaceful setting using organic, locally sourced ingredients to create innovative dishes. First, start with Maple Smoked Mussels on the Half Shell and Beet (yes, beet) Tartare. Charcuterie fans, don’t miss the Cheese Board with house pickles, Italian honeycomb, and a stunning variety of cheeses. Vegetarians will love the Roasted Honeynut Squash, while meat-eaters should most definitely indulge in the Pichana Steak for Two, featuring 32 beautiful ounces of dry-aged beef. And for a humorously apt cocktail, order the Long Goodbye.

6 pm: End your trip with a cherry on top at Vermont Cookie Love

No meal’s complete without something sweet, so finish out your weekend in Addison County with a trip to local-favorite Vermont Cookie Love. While chocolate chip (AKA the “First Love” cookie) is a classic for a reason, chocolate lovers must try the “Forbidden Love” cookie, a triple-chocolate masterpiece with a dutched cocoa base. If you’re not into chocolate, their Holiday Sugar cookie, “It’s A Wonderful Love,” is an incredible option. And for the gluten-free bunch, try their Wheat-Free Chocolate Chip cookie or choose from their wide selection of ice creams.

Winter in Addison County is the perfect time to cozy up and enjoy all the best foods, drinks, and desserts our beautiful slice of Vermont has to offer. If you’re ready to taste it for yourself, book your trip to visit us today!

 

This campaign is a product of the Addison County Marketing Partnership, including the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, Addison County Economic Development Corporation, Better Middlebury Partnership, Vergennes Partnership, and Bristol CORE, with support from a Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, Tourism & Recovery Grant.