Steeped in French culture, it’s no secret that Vermont is home to some seriously incredible French cuisine. Green pastures, an appreciation for fresh, local fare, and a fondness for butter and cream bring our worlds a little closer. In fact, you can find French food in many corners of the Green Mountain State, especially if you follow our guide to the top 9 French restaurants in Vermont.
A French bistro and bar, Leunig's serves lunch, brunch, and dinner. Having first opened its doors in 1980 as a Parisian coffee shop and cafe, now Chef Donnell whips up spectacular seasonal menus, featuring dishes like beef bourguignon, crispy quail breast, duck confit poutine, and much more.
The Green Mountains in the background and chef-owner Michael Kloeti in his 1820s farmhouse kitchen serving up French and European fare is what you get with Michael’s on the Hill. Dine on locally sourced food while seated on the enclosed wrap around porch. His dishes include Herb butter poached lobster with white bean and preserved lemon or pan seared trout with warm fingerling potatoes.
Hefty portions of French inspired farm-to-table fare are crafted and served in a romantic, relaxed atmosphere. Soft candle light and heavily draped entrance area set the mood for vichyssoise, escargots a la provençale, roasted ratatouille napoleon, or whole rainbow trout with thyme & garlic beurre blanc. Deck seating is also available.
Chef Dana Markey uses only the finest and freshest products, and everything is always created on premises from scratch. Seasonal French cuisine is complemented by a long wine list, and the ex-toll house that houses the restaurant overlooks the bubbling Bromley Brook. Mistral’s has been chef-owned and operated since 1988.
Chef Hervé Mahé brings more than 30 years of experience in the culinary arts to Bistro de Margot. He was born and raised in France and can remember growing up in the kitchen of his grandmother, Margo. Featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients, the menu includes country pate, escargot de Bourgogne, steak frites, seared halibut, and more.
Find elegant, creative cuisine with a French touch served in a renovated dairy barn. Get steak tartare, sautéed octopus, veal schnitzel, Australian roasted rack of lamb, sweetbreads, and more at this French restaurant with a relaxed bistro atmosphere. Chantecleer also features an extensive wine list and a full bar.
Chef/Owner Bruce MacLeod prepares steak au poivre, duck confit & other French classics served in his Colonial-styled restaurant at Carpenter & Main. Chef/Owner Bruce MacLeod brings in live musical performances as well as weekly specials, like peach bourbon glazed swordfish or Thai red duck curry, served with jasmine rice, mango cucumber salad and a crab and vegetable spring rolls.
With Parisian flavors in every bite and pleasant and thoughtful service, Café Provence is the perfect place for a lunch break from afternoon shopping or a cozy kick-back to enjoy an open-hearth pizza or thick juicy burger. Chef Robert Barral offers a menu that features fresh ingredients gathered from local purveyors of meat, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. The cafe also includes a full-service bar.
A Parisian Bistro in the Sugarbush Village of Warren, Vermont, Chez Henri has been open since 1964. Henri Borel ended in up in Vermont almost by accident, but he has been slinging French fare for 50 years. His restaurant featuring a romantic fireplace, Italian marble bar, 1850's mirrors, "Speakeasy" booths, and Vermont scenes murals. But Chez Henri is only open when the snow flies, turning the Green Mountains white, so don’t come knocking while the grass is green.