Cafe Mediterano

We really loved our maple lattes from Nest Coffee and Bakery! They were also quite reasonably…read morepriced (two lattes with oat milk and a large cookie were around $13...that would have easily cost me $18 back home). Great environment with cozy seating and some kids books/games. Overall a great spot with tasty drinks!

This is the best coffee shop in Vermont, and I come here every day, but the big news is that Jake…read morestarted making his own pop tarts and they are SO GOOD with cappuccino

Chocolate Hazelnut was delicious.

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Sweets counter and the day's special.

Nomad Coffee

4.4(17 reviews)

0.4 mi

Small food menu and a bit overpriced but really tasty. Loved the vibe inside with a guy playing…read moreguitar. The breakfast burrito and bowl were great, and the almond croissant was also delicious.

Amazing coffee! I went during the holiday season and loved the decor and service there. It felt…read morelike such a homey experience and I especially love how they have such a great seating area in case you want to sit and enjoy your coffee or even get some work done. I will be a regular here for sure! Excited to go back

Working area

Interior

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Saturday's are donut days at Nomad.

Uncommon Coffee

4.4(37 reviews)

2.1 mi

While researching breakfast spots in Essex Junction for our weekend getaway, we came across…read moreUncommon Coffee and were encouraged by the strong reviews. When we arrived, the parking lot was busy, which felt like a great sign. It was a Saturday morning, so there was a short wait to order and to grab a table, but the atmosphere was lively and welcoming. The interior is eclectically decorated and has a cozy, fun vibe that reminded us of the coffee shop in the Friends TV show. We ordered a brewed coffee and an iced coffee--both were excellent--and really appreciated the option of Vermont maple syrup and oat milk. For food, we ordered a regular breakfast sandwich and the Forager vegan breakfast sandwich. We were especially impressed to see a vegan breakfast option on the menu, as many places don't cater to vegans at all, particularly for breakfast. Both sandwiches were delicious, and it was great to feel so thoughtfully accommodated. Overall, we really enjoyed our visit and would happily recommend Uncommon Coffee to friends. We just wish it were closer to home so we could visit more often!

Spacious coffee shop within walking distance from the Essex Resort & Spa! Plenty of cute seating…read moreareas, perfect for studying, working, reading or hanging out. There's an entire wall covered in books if you're in need of something to read. Great sandwiches, the Vermonter is great (although I did wish it came with tomatoes). The lemonade is house made and made from actual lemons. Service is kind and fast. Great breakfast spot!

Some seating area

Pesto Besto

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Tiger Claw (Chocolate & Orange)

Martone's Market & Café

4.2(100 reviews)

0.4 mi

Been coming here for YEARS, and we feel like it just gets better every single time. Their…read moresandwiches are packed so full, and you can definitely split with someone or divide one up into two meals. My recommendations are the dark side if you like Reuben's, or the Billy (egg salad with bacon, I'm not even an egg salad fan but theirs is just so so good). Can also make your own sandwiches. Servers are always so nice when we go in there, and it's a nice open space to have lunch. Thank you Martone's for many many years of great sandwiches!

The sandwich we got was incredible and huge. I want to try more of what they have. 4 year old says…read more"that was really tasty" and ran in circles singing "I liked that" for several minutes.

Coffee and specials menus.

Ham wrap

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Martone's restaurant sign

Williston Coffee Shop

4.2(79 reviews)

3.2 mi

I've been coming here since they opened. Occasionally I'll sit and eat, though most of the time its…read morea morning to-go order. I'll give them 5 stars for consistency. The staff are always so polite and friendly. The breakfast sandwiches are always so delicious. Many options for vegetarians, or you can have the most delicious bacon you'll ever eat on a sandwich. The rolls are fresh baked in house, and certainly tasty, though I think they'd be better a bit smaller. The baked goods aren't extravagant in terms of uniqueness, but they hit the basics exceptionally well. Blueberry muffins are always moist, and the morning roll with the sugar and butter is so light and fluffy. I like that they also offer savory options in their herb scones. I find their menu prices to be quite reasonable. Most baked goods are around $3, with some less. Breakfast sandwiches start at $4 and the $6 ones are well worth it. In all fairness, I've never been nearby for lunch so I can't comment on that. But WCS is delicious, friendly and affordable. I was concerned for them when a competitor opened nearby, but they've weathered it and I know that I'll always choose WCS for a simple breakfast or pastry treats for the office.

The service is abysmally slow to the point where it took over half an hour from when my sister put…read morein her order of a breakfast burrito, and a breakfast sandwiches, a croissant, and one of the almond croissant to be served. Which mind you an almond croissant is simply a day old croissant that is split in half and filled with almond past and rebaked. They had been out of coffee and almond croissants that day and I don't know about the ambiance for that day. However I do know that the croissant we got was not fresh it was stale and the didn't have an airy flaky texture that true butter laminated croissants are supposed to have. It tastes like they used a cheap subpar butter and have burnt the croissant. The breakfast burrito was also badly wrapped and leaking everywhere and had for some god awful reason been filled with hard boiled eggs instead of scrambled eggs which only made it harder to handle.

Locally sourced ingredients

Inside

Caesar salad

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Outside

Willow's

4.4(78 reviews)

4.6 mi

Locally owned & operated

We are visiting Burlington and ordered Willow's online in advance. Our food was ready quickly. The…read morestaff was super friendly! We were greeted immediately and welcomed. They filled our coffee when we arrived so it was hot and fresh! The breakfast sandwiches were amazing and the hash browns were so good. I'm gluten free, and was so happy for the options!!! Small inside but cute inside- best for takeout. Highly recommend!!

As always EXCELLENT quality, service, and ingredients! The best deal in town is there day old 1/2…read moredozen bagels for only one dollar! I mean, seriously!! This place rocks. The vibe is friendly, cheerful, and fast paced. These folks are busy, busy, busy.

Inside

Rufus Steak and Eggs

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Rusko's Lox

Specs

4.4(16 reviews)

3.4 mi

I've been to specs twice since it opened for cocktails in the evenings. It's a dreamy place for…read morecocktail lovers. They have a binder of cocktails broken down by liquor type. Service: They're very attentive to answering any questions about drinks and always happy to make any accommodations upon request. The have so many different variations of drinks such as six different takes on a martini and so on. The inside is very nice, quaint. An 8 or so person bar and then tables throughout the back and front of the cafe. There's also a fun side grocery room you can shop in while sipping on a cocktail. They're very attentive have individual sodas, drinks, and then larger options like cases of beer, wine, aperitifs, non alcoholic options, and also stuff like ice molds, cocktail shakers and so forth. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a one of kind cocktail place in chittenden county. Oh and drinks are super affordable! $11-$12 for most cocktails on their lists.

What a cute spot! We had just finished brunch at Sneakers and I wanted to grab a coffee for the…read moreroad. Specs is tiny and honestly a bit anxiety-inducing as there's not a lot of room to stand around and wait for your order. The space is eclectic and mismatched, and kind of feels like your grandma's kitchen, in a cute and cozy way. I loved the little attached shop where you can buy coffee, beer, wine, spices, drink mixers, art, etc. I got the silk sheets and Nate got the razzle dazzle - both really delicious lattes, and I love anything black sesame so I knew I'd like the silk sheets. Their menu is large and you can customize your drinks in tons of ways, including with CBD, sprinkles, syrups, milks, etc. The options seem kind of endless. Not a super great place to hang out and work, but I'm glad we were able to stop in!

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Cocktail

Cappadocia Bistro

4.6(28 reviews)

4.8 mi

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

Such a great find in Burlington! The restaurant has a warm, inviting atmosphere and the Turkish…read morefood was full of flavor. We tried the pide and chicken kebab, and everything tasted fresh and well prepared. The service was friendly and attentive without feeling rushed. Definitely save room for the pistachio baklava! A lovely spot on Church Street for lunch or dinner, and somewhere I'd happily visit again.

When I walked in, I wasn't sure if you ordered at counter or seat yourself or what. The server…read moreannounced fairly quickly that it was seat wherever I wanted and he would take my order. Good to know. Lots of things in the menu I didn't recognize by name (would be nice to have photos of the food near each different item. But I went with the Dóner Kebab, which is basically thin sliced marinated meat placed in a thin bread (like a flour tortilla) with some pickled veg and it has Tzatziki sauce in a little cup that you can pour or dip. The meat was tender and flavorful along with the pickled veggies, made for a balanced 'sandwich'/wrap. I also tried both kinds of Baklava and each were good, but I like the original pistachio ones best. The server was nice and explained anything on the menu I had questions about. He was also from Turkey and was very knowledgeable about the food and culture. The atmosphere was open and welcoming, lots of Turkey images on the walls and the hanging lamps were cute. Will have to come again and try a few new/different items

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Pingala Cafe and Eatery - Chace Mill

4.5(238 reviews)

3.3 mi

Obviously five stars - how can you walk into an establishment with a massive ode to THE Guy Fieri…read moreand NOT love it instantly. Aside from the glorious decor, the food was so delicious. The pumpkin muffin in particular was incredible, and the bowl was pretty darn good too. But what I love most about this place is how much fun it has. The food, the atmosphere, the employees make it an all around rad experience. Next time I'm in Burlington I will definitely be back!

So so yummy!! The bowl was fantastic. Their peanut sauce is very good and the baked carrots were so…read moreflavorful. The mac bowl was alright. I wish it was a bit 'cheesier' but for being vegan it'll do! Coffee was also great. The Crunchwrap is also very yummy (not pictured) but a bit small for the price.

Things to do in Essex Junction

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Inside

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6 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Jeffrey M.

Elite 23

1375

601

1628

1 year ago

My wife and I recently ordered takeout from Cafe Mediterano for the first time, and we were pleasantly surprised by the experience. The ordering process was smooth and our food was ready on time, which made pickup quick and convenient. We ordered a Falafel Pita and a mix of Gyro, Chicken, and Falafel. The food was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. The falafel had a great crispy texture on the outside and was soft on the inside, perfectly seasoned. The gyro and chicken were tender and savory, with just the right amount of sauce and toppings to complement the pita bread without overpowering the flavors. Everything tasted homemade and thoughtfully prepared. Although we ordered to-go, the ambiance inside the cafe was warm, casual, and welcoming. It felt like a comfortable spot to sit down and enjoy a meal. The staff was friendly and provided great service, making sure our order was accurate and ready promptly. Cafe Mediterano delivered a great first-time experience with delicious food, attentive service, and a cozy atmosphere that we'd love to explore in person next time. We'll definitely be back! read more

Thomas W.

69

6

0

7 years ago

I've worked in restaurants all my life. This place gets 5 stars for the following reasons: 1.) Product identity. They carry many European sodas and chocolates. 2.) Customer service. Very nice lady taking and making orders and manager (I think he was) was on hand to oversee everything. 3.) Quality. Easily the best lamb and beef gyro in Vermont. 4.) Consistency. I ate here today for the first time in years and everything was just as good and exactly as I remember. Side note, prices are extremely reasonable. Great casual atmosphere. Would recommend as a great first date place as it has a good variety, chill atmosphere and won't break your bank account. read more

Sarah S.

Elite 22

53

104

59

4 years ago

This place had good food and the portions were very large, especially for the price! Definitely more of a take out type of place but I believe they offer dine-in service. If your looking for a good, filling meal fast than this is your place. read more

Joe P.

0

3

2

11 years ago

Amazing, authentic food. Owner is always there working and making the food. It was closed for a couple months this summer and I freaked out think it was gone forever. I'm glad they're back making amazing food! read more

Gerber R.

49

1

8 years ago

You want to have good food at a great value this is the place to go, nice and cozy place to have a very nice evening.

Heather W.

0

11

9

6 years ago

New address 60A Pearl st Essex!

Cafe Mediterano - cafes - Updated September 2026

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Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe

(59 reviews)

I went to Chat GPT looking for recommendations for local eateries. This place topped the list and…read morethe great reviews were spot on! Friendly staff, delicious food and a line out the door! Dine in or take away, you won't be disappointed!!

Great place for lunch with family. Everyone was able to find something special on the menu. Pork…read moresandwich was epic, cheese burgers and BLT were tasty too. Staff was helpful and attentive. Nice to see constant stream of local customers.

Cappadocia Bistro

(28 reviews)

Such a great find in Burlington! The restaurant has a warm, inviting atmosphere and the Turkish…read morefood was full of flavor. We tried the pide and chicken kebab, and everything tasted fresh and well prepared. The service was friendly and attentive without feeling rushed. Definitely save room for the pistachio baklava! A lovely spot on Church Street for lunch or dinner, and somewhere I'd happily visit again.

When I walked in, I wasn't sure if you ordered at counter or seat yourself or what. The server…read moreannounced fairly quickly that it was seat wherever I wanted and he would take my order. Good to know. Lots of things in the menu I didn't recognize by name (would be nice to have photos of the food near each different item. But I went with the Dóner Kebab, which is basically thin sliced marinated meat placed in a thin bread (like a flour tortilla) with some pickled veg and it has Tzatziki sauce in a little cup that you can pour or dip. The meat was tender and flavorful along with the pickled veggies, made for a balanced 'sandwich'/wrap. I also tried both kinds of Baklava and each were good, but I like the original pistachio ones best. The server was nice and explained anything on the menu I had questions about. He was also from Turkey and was very knowledgeable about the food and culture. The atmosphere was open and welcoming, lots of Turkey images on the walls and the hanging lamps were cute. Will have to come again and try a few new/different items

Cook Sisters Cafe & Catering

4.8

(22 reviews)

This is a hidden gem that we totally would have missed if not for our Airbnb hosts' excellent…read morerecommendation. We never expected such gourmet food to come out of what is essentially a dressed-up after-hours bagel shop. We called ahead to make a reservation (they highly encourage this) and were promptly greeted and seated by one of the sisters, Patty, as soon as we arrived. Their menu is small, but we didn't mind it, both of us finding a couple of things each that sounded delicious. I was a little bummed that they were both out of crab cakes and weren't serving the sweet pea and basil soup that they had advertised on Facebook as a weekend special, but we rallied and split the picnic plate instead as an app. It was so special--featuring homemade pickled veggies (the pickling brine was so delicious), some fantastic homemade country pate, cheese, cherries, olives and plenty of bread. We enjoyed every last bite. For our mains, I got the scallops Pernod, which were perfectly cooked and so sweet. The accompanying spinach and farro were simple but complemented it well. My husband got the seared tuna, which was a beautiful rare in the center and came with a wasabi sauce that really made the dish. For dessert, we split a slice of carrot cake, which looked and tasted very homemade (I saw Patty cutting it from a cake carrier), and it was the best carrot cake I've had in a long time. Moist, just sweet enough, and dangerously scarfable. I found myself wishing we had each gotten our own slice. Everything we ate was made with care and love, and the dining experience felt intimate and cozy, like we were being served a very nice meal at a friend's house. It's a three-person operation, with one sister (the very sweet Patty) running front-of-house, one sister running the kitchen, and a busboy, so be prepared to wait a little bit at times. We didn't mind though given how relaxing the atmosphere was. This ended up being my favorite dinner during our anniversary weekend in Burlington, and this is after Honey Road and Hen of the Wood. We look forward to coming back.

Can't believe I almost forgot to review this place! Chillest vibes, trillest staff, orchestra of…read moreflavor food. Out. Of. This. World. I had the absolute best tuna steak sandwich I have ever eaten in my whole life here. It was seasoned just right. Cooked perfectly. And tasted so fresh you'd think there was tuna swimming in Lake Champlain! We sat on the back patio under the summer Vermont sun soaking in the detail oriented surroundings. I don't know who these sisters are, but they are hitting home runs with food. If you're ever on the isle, MAKE THIS A DESTINATION!!

The Grey Jay

(71 reviews)

Excellent food and charming spot!! Best pastries ever. Would definitely going back again and wish…read moreI was a local so this could be my regular spot.

Always reliable for a tasty brunch. Not always happy with portions. Eggplant sabich had very little…read morefried eggplant and so heavily breaded I think I got a total of one small slice of a very small eggplant. Could not taste it. Food can be tasty but always disappointed in portions considering price. Good and interesting pastries. A bit on the heavy side. Service pleasant and the place squeezes in a lot of people in an odd shaped small space.

Tatro's Gourmet Soup & Sandwich

4.4

(58 reviews)

First time going to Tatro's and had the best experience. Super friendly and welcoming group of gals…read morebehind the counter -- each one really nice and helpful. There were so many yummy options it was hard to choose, but I opted for the special and my fiancé built his own turkey bacon. We each really enjoyed our meal and are looking forward to going back! If you're in the area and are craving a sandwich, give this place a try!

This was solid. I had a kombucha, I forgot the salad that I had but it was good. We ate Al fresco…read morebut the ambience inside was really nice. My wife had a broken foot and didn't want to climb the steps. They have a water dish for dogs

Martone's Market & Café

4.2

(100 reviews)

Been coming here for YEARS, and we feel like it just gets better every single time. Their…read moresandwiches are packed so full, and you can definitely split with someone or divide one up into two meals. My recommendations are the dark side if you like Reuben's, or the Billy (egg salad with bacon, I'm not even an egg salad fan but theirs is just so so good). Can also make your own sandwiches. Servers are always so nice when we go in there, and it's a nice open space to have lunch. Thank you Martone's for many many years of great sandwiches!

The sandwich we got was incredible and huge. I want to try more of what they have. 4 year old says…read more"that was really tasty" and ran in circles singing "I liked that" for several minutes.

Alimentari Cafe & Provisions

4.8

(5 reviews)

What a hidden gem! Looks assuming from the outside and granted, the menu is not extensive but oh my…read moregosh is the food excellent and fresh! Highly recommend for light but satisfying lunch. Everything is hand crafted so be patient with your order - it's worth it l! We had the pesto and sliced tomatoes on ciabatta but added aged prosciutto which was hand sliced tomatoes order. Fantastic! The kind of thing you'll crave for again. I kinda wish there was a bit more offerings but Just go, you'll be happy trying its food.

Food was amazing. Prices very reasonable! Friendly staff. What a great addition to the downtown…read morelunch scene! I'm so excited to go back. Seating is minimal inside, but outside there are a few tables. I highly recommend giving them a try!

Thompson's Flour Shop

4.5

(41 reviews)

Fantastic spot for lunch in Morrisville!!! My wife and I stopped in after hiking at Elmore State…read morePark and had a delightful experience. Our sandwiches were generous--filled with nice cold cuts and crunchy vegetables. I had a turkey sandwich on maple wheat bread--really solid. My wife got hummus and veggies on maple wheat and enjoyed it immensely. You order at the counter. Staff was energetic, friendly and gracefully answered all our questions. They also patiently captured all of our special orders--dressing on the side, etc. The dining room is basic, but very bright. There's also a nice patio out front if you want to eat outside. One tip: the menu board only shows some of the possible sandwich/salad choices and combinations. If you want to see the full selection, I recommend ordering online.

Found myself in Morrisville somewhat randomly today and was hungry. The great Yelp reviews led me…read moreto Thompson's. I got there a little before closing, so it was just the staff and me. I ordered a turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and cheese on their house-made honey wheat, with cranberry mayo to go. The woman who took my order was very pleasant and gave me all my options. While waiting, I chatted with another woman (presumably the owner) who was also very nice, and we had a pleasant little conversation. The sandwich was frankly amazing. It had a generous amount of turkey, and the veggies were very fresh. The bread was cut nice and thick, the way good homemade bread should be. I'm glad I went with the cranberry mayo over plain, as it was a delicious addition. I can't think of anything I would have changed, except maybe adding bacon. I can't fault them, though; that one is all on me. Next time I'm back in Morrisville, I will definitely stop by again.

Fancy's

(15 reviews)

August 2, 2026 We…read morehad a great meal at Fancy's on August 2nd.(We've been back since.) We enjoyed everything, including the swordfish, scallops, whipped feta, broccolini, and grilled bok choy. There was a nice variety of dishes, with plenty of different flavors and textures throughout the meal. Service is excellent, and the restaurant has a friendly, neighborhood vibe. Overall, it was an enjoyable dining experience, and we'd be happy to return.

Bait and Switch We are back again and reviewing after…read moreseveral visits. Each time we have done the omnivore tasting menu ($60 pp). Sometimes it's GREAT and sometimes it's meh to good. Tonight we had the halibut as our main with samples of other items and it left us put off and hangry by meal's end mainly because of the gaslighting. I'll explain. We started with the carrot and white bean hummus accompanied by cucumber and crispy focaccia and seed dukkah. This course was followed by a"secret" menu item, the gem salad which we've had previously and had hoped for something else. The third item interesting was also NOT on the daily menu... it was a greenbean dish with ??? because, well, the ingredients and dish didn't match the menu!. When asking about the discrepancy I was told the chef was being "whimsical" and decided to put this together (??!?!!??!) but it was similar the the stated menu item ( broccolini). When comparing the ingredients it didn't jive. I call B* frankly and think it is more of a bait and switch with lesser ingredients at a premium price. This is not the first time this has occurred and I will not be back because I feel it is dishonest. Yes, the food is excellent in taste, good on quality, tiny in portion size if i'm honest and I don't think it should be done. 2/5 or 40% of items served were " secret" items... yeah right. Anyhoo, the main did match the description -halibut- and the dessert(strawberry basil cremee) with extra added olive cake was as described too. The temperature inside can and has varied with each visit. I recommend eating inside if AC is working. Noted also the staff has been less attentive (water refills and adult beverage orders). Growing pains, maybe. Resting on laurels, perhaps.

Harvest Café

3.8

(12 reviews)